Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Networking with Yellow Dog In April

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imgresHappy April folks! Spring is in the air and it’s time to stop hibernating and get out and network! Here’s a few places you’ll find me this month, and some suggestions of other cool events I think you may want to check out!

Friday, April 11th

Social Media Lunch Hosted by King5

My pal Tracy Taylor is emceeing this event that’s already sold out (sorry!). If you want to learn more about how the news outlets keep up with Social Media, this will be a great event!

Friday, April 11th – Sunday April 13

International Public Debate Association National Tournament

Remember when I went to Arkansas last year to judge a debate tournament? Evidently I wasn’t too offensive and I’ve been invited back with the Whitworth Forensics Team to bring the National Championship to Washington! This year the tournament is at Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, I can’t WAIT!

Thursday, April 17th

eWomenNetwork Luncheon

You know my love of eWomenNetwork! This is a fantastic organization for women in business who are looking to grow their business, get education, and have a community of like minded people in their corner. This organization has been instrumental in Yellow Dog’s success!

Friday, April 25th

Whitworth Pirates in Puget Sound Alumni Event!

As you know, I’m a proud graduate of Whitworth University in Spokane. We’ve launched a Western Washington alumni chapter. If you are an alumni of Whitworth, we’d love to have you join us (Leonard Oakland AND a bar, it’s going to be great!)

Ask Yellow Dog: The 2 Company Conundrum

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Hank's Ready to Listen!Occasionally people will email me with  a sales & marketing challenge they need a bit of help with. In the latest edition we’re talking about running 2 companies and not confusing your network in the process…

I have two separate, but related companies. My questions is: I obviously can’t market one product at some events and another at another event, but I have two cards and think it is weird. They are two separate companies.  Sometimes I hand out both cards to different people at the same meeting. Is that weird?

Promote what sounds right to you depending on the event you are at. The fact that you are getting referrals instead of finding your own clients is AWESOME, most of my work comes from referrals as well, and it’s so nice to not have to go out and hunt for the jobs! So, spending time at networking events and with people who are actively referring you business is a good place to be (and your target market!).

I think having two cards is no problem-  some people will be interested in one business, but have no need/interest in the other business. When you are giving your elevator pitch at an event, just pick ONE of these two companies to “pitch” but keep listening to what everyone else at the table is saying and doing. This where FOLLOW UP is key. “hey great to meet you, I didn’t get a chance to mention this to you at the event, but I also do…” That’s if you don’t get a chance to talk more with them over lunch or afterwards.

If you have a burning sales or marketing question- you can always Ask Yellow Dog!

Help ME Help YOU

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imagesLast week I had a call with someone I’d been introduced to. Before the call I took a quick look at the website to learn a bit more about them. It looks like they’re just getting started, so they have a simple one page  site. And as I read the bit of content it said “please contact us with questions.”

And guess what?

No contact info. No “click here” no “submit” no email address.

I’ve come across this before- and I mentioned it in my newsletter last month. Help me, Help YOU. If I can’t contact you, how can I hire you or get a quote for a client? Your website needs to have at least one way for people to get in touch with you. If you look on my site, you won’t find my phone number. Why? Well, it’s my cell phone and my personal number as well. I don’t want people calling me at all hours of the day and night. Sure I could get a business line but so far, I don’t need it. I prefer email.  It’s fine if you prefer the phone, send me an email and ask to setup some time to talk.

Take a quick look at your website- can I contact you? And while you’re at it, double check your social media- is your contact info (if necessary- which it is for LinkedIn & Facebook) up to date?