Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Ask Yellow Dog…That Stack of Business Cards

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imagesI recently spoke at an event  about my favorite topic, FOLLOW UP. The first thing I talk about is putting systems and schedules in place, which includes getting your business cards out of a box and into a spreadsheet and/or CRM. Here’s a note I sent to one of the attendees afterwards…

For that stack of business cards  put them in a box, and just start doing it. Last night when I got home I took all the cards from the day and while I was watching TV and drinking a glass (or so…) of wine, I input all the business cards.

Just start doing it. As I also mentioned, neighbor kids or family members looking to make extra money are GREAT for this. Depending on the quantity of cards, you could pay from $.10-$.25 per card I’d say (or an hourly rate depending). You could also outsource it to a virtual assistant.

Get those business cards out of the box!

This holiday season when you have a quiet day, or are getting your office cleaned up for the end of the year, make those business cards a priority!

Network with Yellow Dog in December!

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imgresSince December is often such a crazy month for folks, we’ll do things a little differently this round…

What I’m up to:

December’s going to keep me busy, I’ll only work for 3 weeks and then down to Oregon for Christmas and back up to Seattle by New Years where I will officiate my first wedding, I can’t wait! December starts off with the Stevie Wonder concert, and then the Whitworth University Choir Concert which is a great start to the holiday season. I’ll be drinking beer with my Beer Geek Girls for our holiday party and bottle share, and attending a few other holiday parties and year end festivities.

What You should be up to:

December is an easy month to get out there and do stuff, or be a hermit at home. Don’t overwhelm yourself, but this is a great chance to catch up with friends and family and share what’s new with you and your business, you never know what opportunities will come up by the punch bowl! Be friendly, not pushy, as you meet new folks this holiday season, a Christmas Party isn’t the right time to sell your product or service, but you never know who you might want to follow up with in the new year!

Ask Yellow Dog: Facebook Marketing Rut

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UnlikeI recently received an email from a mom-prenuer asking for some marketing help…

I am finding it hard to get my name out there, and to get in front of people, and I’m kind of getting stuck in the “Facebook Marketing” rut as my only bit of marketing.  It has been told to me that I do well in front of people – so I’d REALLY like to get out from behind my computer – but I don’t want to just accost people over the Avocados at Whole Foods!

Any other suggestions for getting in front of people that does not make me look like just another pushy direct sales girl who needs to be put on the “blocked” list on Facebook? 

Here’s what I would suggest for you so you aren’t pushy and it feels like harassment on FB or at Whole Foods…

I’d send out an “announcement” email. Something like…

Hi Friends & Family,

As many of you know over the past couple of years I have left corporate America to work from home and be a mom to (daughter, whatever you want to say about her there). But, to fulfill my entrepreneurial needs, I wanted to share with you two very cool products that I have decided to represent. 

Product One: 1-2 lines about why you sell it, cool stuff it does, etc.

Product two: same thing

I promise not to start selling to you any time I see you, but these are two great companies I am excited to be representing. I’d love to share more information with you if you’d like, or if you need help with holiday gifts, I’m here to help!

If you want to keep up on what I’m doing you can find me on Facebook (link to your page/s here)!

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That’d be my first step. I always say (a lot of things, but this one) I can’t help you if I don’t know what you need! Making sure your network knows what you’re up to is REALLY important, and this is the PERFECT time to tell folks what you’re up to!

Finally, it’s the Northwest. Showing up consistently is QUEEN in this town. If you’re at any event monthly people will start to anticipate it and KNOW you’re going to be there and that YOU are the “insert your product name here” gal, and it’s “probably time I realize I need it.” It’s not the easy answer, but it’s the one that will make the most impact, being consistent.

As far as accosting folks at Whole Foods, you obviously know better than this, but hey, make sure you are using your products and comfortable talking about it so when people ask, you can share with them (also keep brochures/etc in the diaper bag or your purse in case!)

The majority of my success has come from networking and consistent communication. Letting folks know who you are and what you do and that you aren’t going anywhere goes a LONG way.