May 2008
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May 2008 |
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It’s official – I’m turning into my father. When I look up in the sky and see rain, my first thought is how good it is going to be for the lawn! Summer is almost here, and as the school year winds down, our dance-card is filling quickly. From school plays and final class science projects, to end-of year school picnics and the beginning of three, simultaneous softball/baseball seasons, my wife and I are two ships passing in the night as we find ourselves e-mailing each other – from the other room! But while our kids get the summer off, most of us are toiling away. This months feature article deals with the importance of keeping the pipeline filled with business opportunities – all year long. And not surprisingly, many of the best opportunities might come from very familiar sources. Here’s to greening lawns and more green in your bank account! David Avrin (After the main article, please read all the way to the bottom of this e-zine to learn more about exclusive opportunities to work on your brand, your message and your visibility.)
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By David Avrin – The Visibility Coach It’s a reality that every business faces: there will be good months – and there will be not-so-good months. Basic economics dictate that the key to profitability and survival in business is to ensure that the good months outnumber the bad ones. For small businesses this fact is even more crucial as you, (we) tend to lack the substantial financial reserves that multi-gazillion dollar companies have access to. So how do you help to ensure that the good times continue all year long? You have to find a way to remain top-of-mind with your top prospects! You know the old 20-80 rule, which suggests that 80% of your revenue is going to come from 20% of your clients. So the lesson is: while you are always prospecting for new business, never lose sight of the importance of keeping visible with your current clients and key contacts.
Small business expert, author (and current president of the National Speakers Association) Mark LeBlanc speaks about the importance of connecting with your “advocates.” He urges people to find a reason to reach out to the important personal and professional relationships in their life at least once a month. He doesn’t suggest asking for work, but simply to reach out and send a newspaper clipping, or email relevant to their business, make a lunch date, call to check in, send a business referral, etc. The goal is to move yourself from the back of their mind to the front of their mind. Business relationship guru David Nour speaks and consults with organizations about how to cultivate, craft, bolster and nurture strategic business connections. He teaches about how to move beyond traditional networking and really focus on what it takes to build truly meaningful bonds and to do so with no expectation of financial gain. The fact is that people do business with people they like and they like people who do things for them. His tele-seminars on LinkedIn and other business social networking sites are not only eye-opening, but truly business-transforming. With all this wonderful wisdom in-hand, recently I set about on a “re-connect with Dave” campaign. I quadrupled my connections on LinkedIn. (It’s far more than MySpace for business!) I reached out to all my Skype internet phone colleagues around the world and I even sent: “What’s up” messages to old friends, co-workers, classmates and others – just to say “hi.” The results? So many were glad to hear from me and were curious about my life, my kids and my business. I had a great time reconnecting with old friends and I found out that previous clients and colleagues had moved, changed jobs or embarked on exciting new ventures. I discovered that becoming top-of-mind with my current connections brought about a slew of new business opportunities that I would not likely have been considered for – because I would not have come to mind as an option.Through this simple and rewarding exercise of reaching out and reconnecting with old “friends,” my slower time of year as been transformed into one of my best. I have recently signed on a number of new clients and booked several presentations, including half a dozen speaking engagements in Australia – all from individuals I already knew, but had not been in contact with for some time. The takeaway: Raising your visibility doesn’t always have to be on the macro-level to be effective. Sometimes it can be more valuable to be top-of-mind with people who already know and like you, than with the thousands who you hope will. David Avrin is known internationally as the Visibility Coach. A noted speaker, author, branding consultant and executive coach, David shows professionals and organizations how to stand apart and raise their profile in a competitive marketplace. Visit him online at www.visibilitycoach.com. Get LinkedIn With David Avrin! You never know who you might meet. www.linkedin.com/in/davidavrin
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Due to increased speaking requests and his new role with Vistage International, David Avrin has limited his coaching and consulting work to only 2 clients per month. If you’d like to delve deeply into your professional or organizational brand to find your hook, solidify your niche and create a truly remarkable message, contact David Avrin, the Visibility Coach for a free initial consultation to see if his program is right for you!
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Articles may be reprinted, but must include the following tag: David Avrin is known internationally as the Visibility Coach. A popular speaker, author, branding consultant and executive coach, David helps position professionals and organizations to stand apart from their competitors and become top-of-mind with their top prospects. Visit him online at: www.visibilitycoach.com. Interested in working one-on-one with David Avrin? Interested in learning more about the Visibility Coach? Click here! Interested in having David Avrin, The Visibility Coach, For more information on a full day private coaching session To access past issues of The Visibility Coach newsletter click here. |
Since the vast majority of my business comes from referrals, I always make a concerted effort to connect and reconnect with those I know, and those who know me. I generally don’t put out an overt “call for business,” but rather always work to keep my name, face and voice front-and-center with my important connections and business relationships.
Meeting Planners: David Avrin's popular marketing and branding programs have been presented to enthusiastic audiences across North America and as far away as England, Singapore and Bangkok. Interested in booking David Avrin to share his engaging marketing and branding insights with your clients or organization? To learn more and watch his preview video 
Looking for an Inspirational Keynote Speaker? David Avrin's poignant, humorous and thought-provoking presentation based on his best-selling book: The Gift In Every Day – Little Lessons on Living a Big Life is touching hearts, and inspiring audiences. For more information 
