The Blue Zebra: Success Your Way July, 2009

Dear Friend,

I want to welcome all the new subscribers who have signed up recently; it's great to have you onboard. I hope that you get as much out of reading this newsletter as I get out of writing it.

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Article: Networking to Get More Clients - the Book Yourself Solid Way

Does the thought of networking make your cringe? When most service professionals hear the word "networking," they think of the old school business mentality of promotional networking at meet-and-greet events where everyone is there to schmooze and manipulate one another in an attempt to gain some advantage for themselves or their business.

Who wouldn't cringe at the thought of spending time exchanging banalities and sales pitches with a phony smile plastered on your face? If it feels uncomfortable, self-serving, and deceptive, chances are all those business cards you collected will end up in a drawer never to be seen again.

Take heart! There is a different way. The Book Yourself Solid Networking Strategy is all about connecting and sharing with others. Simply shift your perspective from scarcity and fear to one of abundance and love. With the Book Yourself Solid Networking Strategy, the focus is on sincerely and freely giving and sharing. The result? Building and deepening mutually beneficial relationships with others. It's all about making lasting connections.

DOs

Do relax and be yourself--Contrary to conventional wisdom, you don't have to fit in. It may sound trite, but be yourself, unless when you're being yourself you end the evening with your tie wrapped around your head doing a nose dive into the shrimp salad. But seriously, people want to meet the person who is out in front, who is writing the rules and taking the lead, not the one who is following the pack. So don't be afraid to be fully self-expressed. If you are you'll be more memorable.

Do focus on giving--As a service professional, your intent to be of service should shine. Provide value, make an impact. It will come back. If you focus on what you can get, you will be much less successful.

DON'Ts

Don't let "What do you do?" be the first question you ask--Let it come up naturally in conversation.

Don't sit with people you know for the majority of the event--While it may be more comfortable to sit with the people you know, it becomes too easy to stay with them, and if you do, you'll defeat the purpose of being there. Step out of your comfort zone and get to know new people.

(For more Dos and Don'ts of networking, click here.)

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Building Your Foundation: A 5-Week Book Yourself Solid Coaching Group

Thursdays from 7:30 - 8:45, September 10 - October 8, 2009

In this group, we will be working through the first module of the Book Yourself Solid includes the topics:

Defining your ideal client
Identifying your target market and understanding why they would buy what you're selling
Developing your personal brand
How to talk about what you do

More detailed information will be forthcoming soon.

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Free teleseminar series: Build Your Business the Book Yourself Solid Way - Wednesdays, 12:00 Eastern time

These weekly conference calls alternate between topics from the Book Yourself Solid system, developed by Michael Port, and other business topics that are important in starting and operating a successful business.

July 22: "How to Talk about What You Do" with Patti Waterbury. In order to communicate effectively with your potential clients, you need to understand why people buy what you are selling. You want to identify the needs and desires of your target market and be able to demonstrate the benefits that people will get from working with you.

July 29: TBA

August 5: "Who Knows What You Know and Do They Like You?"

August 12: "Implementing Business Systems, part 2"

August 19: "The Book Yourself Solid Sales Cycle Process"

All calls are at 12:00 EDT. To register, go to http://tinyurl.com/nv4phm. Call-in information will be sent you after you confirm your registration. If you have registered for a previous call, there is no need to register again. It will be recorded and and made available to everyone who is registered.

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My services

As a Certified Book Yourself Solid Coach, I work with service professionals who are starting their own businesses to develop a successful marketing system that brings them all the clients they can handle - even if they hate marketing and selling.

The services I offer include:

The signature 16-session one-to-one Book Yourself Solid coaching program.
Individual business coaching.
Group coaching on the individual modules of the Book Yourself Solid system.
Facilitated Mastermind groups

If you are interested in exploring any of these options, please contact me at 617-522-6099 or email me at Coachted@Getbookedsolidnow.com.

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If you enjoyed this issue, please forward it to others who you think will benefit. If you this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe. Go to either of my Web sites, www.getbookedsolidnow.com or www.uncommonsuccessco.com and fill out the form on the Home page. On either site you will receive a bonus for signing up. I invite you to look around while you're there.

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Reprint Permission

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Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears:

Reprinted with permission from The Uncommon Success Co. 617-522-6099
http://www.uncommonsuccessco.com
http://www.getbookedsolidnow.com
Coachted@Getbookedsolidnow.com

(C) The Uncommon Success Co.

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