Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Do I Need a Joint Venture or…

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imgresA couple of weeks ago on twitter a friend of mine tweeted me…

Joint Ventures – do you have experience or opinions with these? Ever done one?

And my response: It really depends on the partner & the goals. My friend lives on the east side of the state and wants to do an event on the westside. So as I further suggested, he doesn’t need a joint venture, he just needs some champions to help him promote this event.

And that’s the deal with joint ventures- if two like minded businesses can make life easier for their mutual target market by working together, then let’s do it! But, if what you really need is some help and muscle to get butts in seats, then what you need are good people in your network to help you promote your event.

One of the first things I talk to clients about is identifying referral partners. Who are the 10-ish people that refer business to you? Not potentially could send you business, but DO send you AWESOME clients. Could you have a guest post on their blog? Could you get a blurb in their upcoming newsletter? Could you give their clients a discount code to attend? Could you let your referral partner attend for free as a thank you?

Joint Ventures can be great, but if it’s not a firm and solid relationship where you are both doing the work 50/50 then it’s possible it’ll suck your will to live and make you resent that perfect partner…

Guest Post: Love Your Pitch!

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elevator-pitch-banner-4Today’s Guest Blog post is from my pal Dr. Michelle Mazur of Relationally Speaking. She’s launching an awesome new program, Love Your Pitch, to help you create the elevator pitch of your dreams!

I’d heard Betsy’s elevator pitch at least 100 times. She’s one of my business besties.

I knew she was smart, had big ideas about her industry, and I knew her clients LOVED her.

The problem: I had NO idea exactly what she did or who she did it for.

If you threatened to cancel the next season of The Walking Dead and the only way you’d stop is if I told you what Betsy did for a living. I guess I’d never find out what was going on in Terminus.

The worst part is I wanted to refer her, to recommend her, meet people and think  “Oh, I NEED to introduce you to Betsy.”

But I couldn’t because I didn’t know how she served people.

Frankly, she was missing out because on business, clients, and cash!  If I – one of her business BFFs couldn’t talk about her biz – no one could!

Why was her pitch leaving me so utterly confused?

Jargon kills elevator pitches

I was helping one business owner who said she worked with “women on the verge.”

One the verge of what? Insanity? Success? Moving to Jamaica?

I had no idea what she meant – worse I couldn’t access my mental Rolodex and see if I knew anyone who would be a good fit.

So I told her “Imagine your favorite client and now describe her”

“Oh that’s easy. She’s about ready to leave her corporate gig and jump into entrepreneurship full-time”

And there it was…

Hot damn!

Now, I can access my mental Rolodex and see if I know anyone who fits.

If the person you’re talking to can’t visualize who it is you serve, you’re failing the mental Rolodex test. Lose the jargon and describe who you serve in simple, relatable terms.

If after hearing your elevator pitch, someone can’t tell you exactly what you do, who you serve and the results of your business, it’s time to ditch that elevator pitch.

Are you looking to craft an elevator pitch that feel 100% like you, doesn’t leave people confused, and creates conversation and connection? Check out Love Your Pitch because when you know how to talk about what you do you transform business buddies into business advocates.

What NOT to Say on the News

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I was watching the news the other day, and KOMO 4’s 4 pm news often has some fun in studio interviews. On Friday they interviewed a local distillery that recently opened. As the interview was taking place, the distillers were asked “how’s the feedback so far?” GREAT question. And the correct response is:IMG_2485

1. It’s great, people are really liking what they’re tasting and consumers are giving us great cocktail ideas

2. Feedback is growing, we’re in 25 bars in the Puget Sound already!

3. People are really enjoying it, they’re returning to the tasting room and bringing new friends.

The WRONG answer WHILE on TV is:

“We’re working the PR machine right now.”

Well no kidding, and good news- the PR machine is WORKING FOR YOU because you’re ON TV. Also, ANSWER the question.

I get you might be nervous when you’re going to be on TV, and it is hard to keep everything straight, and no one puts their foot in their mouth more than I do. So I encourage you to talk to someone BEFORE you go on TV. Watch your interviewer with other people. If you want to be on the news, then start watching it. What are people saying? What kinds of questions might you be asked?

What kinds of questions have you been asked or wish you were asked when interviewed?