Comments on: Dazzle This Diva – Feb 17th http://www.diva-sales-tips.com/2010/02/17/dazzle-this-diva-feb-17th/ Selling Doesn't Have to HURT Any Longer! Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:16:23 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: kimduke http://www.diva-sales-tips.com/2010/02/17/dazzle-this-diva-feb-17th/comment-page-1/#comment-968 kimduke Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:00:48 +0000 http://www.diva-sales-tips.com/?p=702#comment-968 Thanks Beth! There are many ways of reaching your target customer very effectively. Glad to see you're diving in and networking with the proper groups! Thanks Beth! There are many ways of reaching your target customer very effectively.
Glad to see you’re diving in and networking with the proper groups!

]]> By: Elizabeth Campbell Duke http://www.diva-sales-tips.com/2010/02/17/dazzle-this-diva-feb-17th/comment-page-1/#comment-967 Elizabeth Campbell Duke Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:19:55 +0000 http://www.diva-sales-tips.com/?p=702#comment-967 Hi Pamela and Kim, Trade shows? I'm not sure about them. I think we've done 1 so far, and it didn't cost us anything to be there because Tony does antique appraisals and the show needed more people and we traded the booth rental for free promotion! (We got a free booth, the show organizers got to advertise that they had "Canadian Antiques Roadshow Expert" Tony Duke doing appraisals....). While it was at the beginning of our business and we didn't hold out much hope being in a smaller town and venue we did get some business from it. Our stragegy now as far as networking is concerned is to: 1. Join the Chamber of Commerce and show up at the 2x/month networking events. Donate a small doorprize 'cause they read out your name and you can attach a card. We make our own wine, so a free bottle of wine is always welcome! 2. I also joined the local Women's Business Network. There are about 90 members, 65 or so of whom show up to monthly meetings. Again, donate a door prize regularly. They have a monthly "spotlight" where 2 members have 10 minutes to speak (and they have trouble filling the spots...), and they host a Chamber of Commerce mixer where you can rent table space for a small charge. There's no substitute for getting out there to network, but my advice would be to start by spending time and money getting your name "out there" first with the business community in your area. If you've got a killer party product, these are people who can also act on your behalf by referring you or booking parties for their own clients, etc. At our WBN, for instance, you have 65 women who are potential clients - and who know who knows how many other people in the community. As well, there are 65 women who know which trade shows work and which don't - they'd be the ones to ask for more information in your own 'hood. Take Care, Beth Hi Pamela and Kim,
Trade shows? I’m not sure about them. I think we’ve done 1 so far, and it didn’t cost us anything to be there because Tony does antique appraisals and the show needed more people and we traded the booth rental for free promotion! (We got a free booth, the show organizers got to advertise that they had “Canadian Antiques Roadshow Expert” Tony Duke doing appraisals….). While it was at the beginning of our business and we didn’t hold out much hope being in a smaller town and venue we did get some business from it.

Our stragegy now as far as networking is concerned is to:
1. Join the Chamber of Commerce and show up at the 2x/month networking events. Donate a small doorprize ’cause they read out your name and you can attach a card. We make our own wine, so a free bottle of wine is always welcome!
2. I also joined the local Women’s Business Network. There are about 90 members, 65 or so of whom show up to monthly meetings. Again, donate a door prize regularly. They have a monthly “spotlight” where 2 members have 10 minutes to speak (and they have trouble filling the spots…), and they host a Chamber of Commerce mixer where you can rent table space for a small charge.

There’s no substitute for getting out there to network, but my advice would be to start by spending time and money getting your name “out there” first with the business community in your area. If you’ve got a killer party product, these are people who can also act on your behalf by referring you or booking parties for their own clients, etc. At our WBN, for instance, you have 65 women who are potential clients – and who know who knows how many other people in the community. As well, there are 65 women who know which trade shows work and which don’t – they’d be the ones to ask for more information in your own ‘hood.

Take Care,
Beth

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