A mentor once told me, “If you aren’t scared to death at least once a day, you probably aren’t risking enough.” His statement definitely made an impact on me, and inspired me to stretch WAY beyond my comfort zone on more than one occasion. (This usually meant picking up the phone to make cold calls, approaching someone who intimidated me, or taking action in my business in a way that definitely challenged me)!

Not to say you have to create undue stress in your life, but I know with absolute certainty that your ability to create what you want in your network marketing or direct sales business is in direct correlation to how comfortable you are with taking risks. 

The people who accomplish great things in life are risk-takers. If you look at history, it’s filled with leaders who had the courage to “push the envelope” and take risks – like exploring unknown territories, taking a stand for human rights, pursuing “insane ideas” or expressing radical, unpopular opinions. And we reap the benefits everyday because of these brave people, and how their actions transformed our world for the better.

Risk creates movement and evolution.

It’s the key to unlocking your real potential!

Without risk, you’re doomed to stay in the same place, as the same kind of person, creating the same results. But if you’re willing to take a risk and step outside your comfort zone (even a little) you’ll experience some immediate payoffs! What’s the most immediate benefit you’ll experience by pushing yourself? You get to find out WHO you really are and what you’re truly capable of.

There’s a saying you’ve likely heard… “Our deepest fear is not that we’re inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we’re powerful beyond measure.” So let me ask you – do you know WHO you are, really? Are you tapping into your real talents or just scratching the surface?

Bottom line… are you risking enough?

There’s a theory that your business is a reflection of WHO you are – if it’s not growing, you’re probably not growing. If that’s true for you, perhaps now is the time to take a risk?

This doesn’t mean jumping out of an airplane, throwing your life savings in the stock market, or swimming with sharks – although all can be life changing! Obviously, it’s important to take smart risks (not reckless ones).

I believe the risks that create the biggest changes are sometimes the simplest ones. For example, what if you decided today to:

• Tell the truth, especially when it’s really difficult…

• Pick up the phone and start making calls (you don’t have to do this perfectly, just do it!)

• Be completely honest with people on your team – lovingly “confront them” when they are saying one thing, but doing another

• Be bold enough to ask for what you want – from your spouse, your team, your customers…

• Approach someone on your chicken list (you won’t die if they say no, but your confidence in yourself will grow just by taking this action)

• Share your goals and ask someone to support you in being accountable with your actions…

• Make a commitment to take better care of yourself…

• Stop trying to be “perfect” and start being “real”….

• Want more for yourself than you think you deserve…

• Stop pushing so hard to make things happen, and trust the process more…

• Say NO when you have to, even if it means disappointing someone…

• Give up “selling” and look for opportunities to “serve”…

• Create a bigger vision for your business and believe it can really happen…

• Do one thing today that is outside your comfort zone… then tomorrow, do it again!

• If you’ve poured yourself into your business, but haven’t accomplished what you want – yet… be willing to risk believing! Trust that you can start anew, right now.. and that the past DOES NOT equal the future!

WHO would you become by making such changes? How could your life or business change as a result? Although these sound like small risks, they take courage. Sometimes the simplest and most subtle changes are the most challenging to make.

Where can you risk more? What action makes you uncomfortable? What’s outside your comfort zone? What decision would scare you to death and totally excite you at the same time?

The main reason most people don’t take risks is because they’re afraid of failing or not creating the result they want. But there’s more to taking risks than just the end result. The side effects are even more important: taking risks, even small risks, builds character and gives you the opportunity to experience a bigger part of yourself.

People who take risks become bold, confident, and fearless because they’ve touched and experienced their real potential. WHO you are changes the MOMENT you take a risk – that’s the real win. The success and results that eventually come from “risking” are just icing on the cake.

The more risks you take, the bolder you become. Are you risking enough? Only you know the answer, but consider this:

By NOT moving outside your comfort zone, you are actually taking a risk, a different kind of risk. You’ve made a choice to keep your life secure and predictable, but it will also be limited.

You won’t have the opportunity to discover the deepest parts of yourself or experience the confidence and fulfillment that comes with pushing your own envelope. That is perhaps the biggest risk of all

________________________________________________________________________

Questions or comments on this topic? I’d LOVE to hear them – please post below and I’ll do my best to respond promptly.

Want to share this article with your team – or use in your own newsletter or website? Please do! Just be sure to include this complete paragraph at the bottom:

Sonia Stringer is a professional speaker, coach and popular mentor to women in the network marketing/direct selling profession. Known as “The Women’s Business Coach,” she is fast becoming the “go to expert” for women who want to build a 6-7 figure business from home. Sonia’s unique approach can help you earn a great income AND set up your business so you have more time (to spend with your family or doing what you love). Visit her website to get your free copy of her popular audio CD, “Six Figure Success Secrets for Network Marketing Women”. http://www.SavvyNetworkMarketingWomen.com/freeaudio

 (Click on the buttons below to pass on these tips to your team through Facebook and Twitter.)

Have you come close to throwing in the towel on your business? Ever have one of those days when you wonder “Why AM I doing this?” or thought “This is never going to work for me?”

As a coach to women in various network marketing and direct selling companies, my clients often have “one of those days…”, when nothing seems to be working and the future looks bleak. They’ve given their all and the only sane choice seems to be to give up. I tell them to absolutely hang in there.

Why? Because, as innocent as that little choice may seem… you have to realize that the moment you “give up” (yes, you may experience an immediate sense of relief) but you are also simultaneously changing the entire course of your life. You are having one of those “defining moments”… where what you decide, right now, is either going to ensure you create the income and life you want, or move you quickly away from it. Sink or swim. Rally or run – it’s your choice!

If you’re willing to stick it out, you can approach the challenges in your business like untapped goldmines, that guarantee your future success – if you know how to mine them! Instead of running, reflect. You can use these roadblocks to gain important insights into yourself, learn valuable lessons, and actually move closer to your goals.

Here are a few keys that have helped me and many of my clients navigate through tough and defining moments. I hope you find them just as helpful!

1. Don’t Take It Personally

Do you ever think if your business isn’t working there must be something wrong with YOU?

If you aren’t making enough money, if everyone seems to be saying “no”, or you haven’t had much success sponsoring business builders – don’t take it personally. Your current results are NOT an accurate reflection of your abilities, or the future results you’ll produce.

Sure, you probably need to develop more skills or gain some knowledge or experience, and the feedback you are getting is pointing the way. But these setbacks aren’t an indication there is anything WRONG with you! You are NOT your business. You are not your bank account. You are not the “no” you heard twelve times this week. These external events have nothing to do with you or your real abilities.

Your potential is unlimited! Yes, you may need to move further through the learning curve to create more of the income or results you want, but keep in mind you are already a perfect human being, just as you are. There’s nothing wrong with you, just because you aren’t quite where you want to be in your business… yet!

2. Break Your Pattern and Get Re-Inspired!

When you’re on the edge of giving up one of the best things you can do is “break your pattern.” Meaning, do whatever you have to in order to get out of your emotional rut and feel better.

Albert Einstein had a powerful insight when he shared “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. In other words, to be able to create something different in your business, you have to get out of your current way of thinking (and feeling!) so that you are freed up to create something different.

See a movie, visit a friend, read a good book, take a walk on the beach, or attend an inspiring workshop or service. Put yourself in a more resourceful frame of mind and your challenges will feel much easier to resolve.

3. Learn the Lesson Life Is Teaching You

I love the story of Thomas Edison and how he developed the electric light bulb. It took him over 11,000 attempts before he finally created a filament inside that worked.

What kept him inspired through all those “failures”? He used every one of them to discover something important about the process, and what he learned was so valuable, he was inspired to try again, and again.

When you’re struggling in your business and want to give up, ask yourself – what lesson is life trying to teach you? Where do your skills need improvement? What additional insight or knowledge do you need? What personal changes in YOU must occur to create what you want more easily? Embrace your challenges as feedback, not failure! There’s a magical gem of an idea or insight lurking there – just waiting for you to discover it.

Here are some key questions that can help:

• What’s already working for you?

It’s important to pay attention to and celebrate the things you are doing that are working for you.

For example – are you making calls, getting out there to meet new people,  following through, being effective in certain areas?  What things do you want to keep doing because they ARE working?

• What’s NOT working – yet?

This is key! If you can locate where you are getting stuck or what areas in your business aren’t flowing well, you’re closer than ever to a big breakthrough! 

For example – are people ‘interested’ in your biz, but not ready to join your team? Are you not making the sales you’d like to be – or spending too much time following up without much to show for it?

• What do you sense you need to do/change, to move closer to the results you want?

For example – do you need to work on your presentations skills, get some help with closing, develop more ability in inviting or talking to people about the business, or gain more overall confidence?

Getting clear on what you need to do differently is absolutely essential for you to move forward and create a different result. Be totally honest with your own self assessment, and don’t take anything personally. You are discovering some important learning… and breakthrough opportunities!

• Who can help you in these areas, or what can you do to become better here? What resources might be helpful?

Seek out the help you need, in the areas you need it, whether that’s help from your upline, sideline, or an outside training resource (book, seminar, coach, etc).

These 4 questions will help you evaluate what you are doing well, where you are getting stuck, and how you can get help and make changes in the key areas that are most important to your bottom line results. This kind of self-reflection is so important. It will keep you from “doing the same things, over and over again, expecting a different result”(which we all know is the definition of insanity, right)?

Often times, we won’t take a time out to evaluate what we are doing (or how it’s working) unless we are experiencing some significant challenges. This is why failure, pain, and disappointment can be your biggest allies, because they generally provide enough motivation for you to hit the pause button, and take a closer and more honest look at what you are doing well, and where you need some help.

Bookmark this article for those days you want to give up, or better yet, share it with your team so they can better handle any challenges that come their way. More than anything…stay the course! If you continue to use every challenge that comes your way as a chance to learn and grow… it’s not a matter of “if” you’ll succeed, just a matter of “when.”

________________________________________________________________________

Questions or comments on this topic? I’d LOVE to hear them – please post below and I’ll do my best to respond promptly.

Want to share this article with your team – or use in your own newsletter or website? Please do! Just be sure to include this complete paragraph at the bottom:

Sonia Stringer is a professional speaker, coach and popular mentor to women in the network marketing/direct selling profession. Known as “The Women’s Business Coach,” she is fast becoming the “go to expert” for women who want to build a 6-7 figure business from home. Sonia’s unique approach can help you earn a great income AND set up your business so you have more time (to spend with your family or doing what you love). Visit her website to get your free copy of her popular audio CD, “Six Figure Success Secrets for Network Marketing Women”. http://www.SavvyNetworkMarketingWomen.com/freeaudio

(Click on the buttons below to pass on these tips to your team through Facebook and Twitter.)

There you are, sitting across from your prospect and it’s your big moment! So far the conversation is going pretty well. You’ve broken the ice and feel you have some rapport. Your prospect seems open enough, but now the pressure is on!   What will you tell her about your business opportunity to get her excited? How do you lead this conversation so your prospect sits up, takes notice and says a resounding YES when you ask her if she’s in?

If you’re like most people in network marketing/direct sales, knowing what to say during your big moment is elusive.  Many people feel intimidated when talking to prospects, often fumbling around for the best words and feeling completely uncomfortable and ineffective through the process.

Imagine this for a moment: What if you knew what was going on in your prospect’s mind when speaking to her?  What if you understood how this person was taking in your information?  Could that give you an edge?

You better believe it! Let me share with you something that can radically change the results you are creating in your business.  Get ready to learn some important keys re: the “psychology of human behavior” (or what I like to call “the psychology behind great sponsoring”).  By knowing what makes people “tick” – how they make decisions and evaluate information, you’ll have a major advantage in inspiring others to say YES when considering your business opportunity.

Logic vs. Emotion – The Driving Forces Behind All Decisions

To understand how your prospects evaluate your business opportunity, you need to understand that human behavior is driven by two elements – logic and emotion. We evaluate opportunities using logic (our brains) and also respond to opportunities with emotion (our hearts).

For example – when shopping for a new car, you may compare factors such as cost, gas mileage, safety record, standard features and other factual, logical elements across many brands. You may then weigh these factors to decide which car you should buy.

But shopping for cars can also be a very emotional experience. If you love the color of one particular car and imagine yourself looking smart and sexy behind the wheel, you’re already half sold!  If you sit in the car, love the smell of the leather and feel of the seat, and (God forbid) the salesperson gets you around the block on a test drive, your emotions are now highly involved in your decision making process. You might as well just sign on the dotted line and drive it home!

Obviously we make choices and decisions using both logic and emotion. But, of the two, our emotions are the stronger force. Think about it – how often have you purchased something you didn’t really need or couldn’t afford, but just had to have? We’ve all done it (and you can bet it was our emotions that drove our decisions!)

We may justify our choices with logic (“it was on sale, so I really saved money” or “it will be a great investment in the long run”) but let’s not fool ourselves – our emotions drove our decisions and then we justified them, after the fact, with logic!

The same is true for your prospects. When they’re sitting across from you, listening to your business presentation, you can bet they’re also using logic and emotion to evaluate what you’re offering.

They may be looking at it logically – evaluating your products, the demand in the marketplace, the history or performance of your company, the compensation plan or other factors.

And I’ll bet they’re also taking it in at an emotional level, FEELING the possibilities of your opportunity. They may ask themselves “what will my family think of this?” or “could starting this business really make my dreams come true?”

Many networkers make the mistake of stacking their sponsoring presentations with too much logic! Some will sit for hours, spewing facts, stats and figures, boasting about the science and amazing research behind their products. Trust me, it doesn’t work! (I know, because I made this mistake for years, before shifting to this more elegant, and effective approach!)

Although your facts may be impressive, information alone won’t move a prospect to say YES. Remember, people are more influenced by emotion than logic, so all the fancy science in the world is not going to convince them. Influence is about 80% emotion, 20% logic. The more skilled you are at helping people GET EMOTIONAL about your business, to FEEL the big possibilities, the more times prospects will say YES.

And yes – in case you are wondering, this approach is true when sponsoring men too.  Although many think that men tend to be more “logical” than women -  their decisions are ultimately influenced by how they feel. (Anyone who says men aren’t all that emotional has obviously never observed them  watching sports….)

The Two Main Emotions That Lead People to Yes!

There are two emotions that motivate us to take action – pain and pleasure. At a deep, unconscious level, we’re wired to move away from things that are painful, and move toward things that are pleasurable. 

Think about it. If you put your hand near a hot stove, you instantly and instinctively draw it back. You don’t have to think about it, you just do it! It’s the same with pleasure. How many times have you reached for chocolate or some guilty pleasure and before you could stop yourself, too late! We may logically know certain things are not good for us (certain foods, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, overspending, etc) but it’s the emotion of pleasure that gets us to act.

Human beings take action to avoid things that are painful, and to experience things that are pleasurable. This is important to remember when sponsoring..

Sponsoring new business builders rests on your ability to understand the forces of emotion (pain and pleasure) and how to use these forces to elegantly influence people to say YES!

If someone isn’t interested in your business opportunity, at some level she is probably linking pain to it. She may feel your business opportunity will mean having to work too hard, risk too much or go too far out of her comfort zone. She may fear failure or the judgment of family or friends. She is already anticipating the pain of being rejected, or the struggle of building a business, and so she says no!

On the other hand, if someone does join your business it’s because she is linking pleasure to it. She may still have some concerns, but if she says yes it’s because she links MORE PLEASURE THAN PAIN to your opportunity. She may see it as a way to experience the pleasure of financial freedom, a great lifestyle, time with her kids, travel, adventure, and more. She feels certain that this business will make her ‘feel good’ on some level, and that is what inspires her to say YES!

Your success in sponsoring depends on your ability to help people link pleasure to your business opportunity. The more pleasure or good feelings someone links to your business, the more likely they will say YES!

You don’t have to be pushy, dishonest or manipulative to be successful at recruiting new prospects into your team. You don’t have to make big, splashy presentations or dazzle people with fancy statistics.

Just by having a better understanding of what influences your prospects’ decisions, you have a huge advantage when you sit down and talk about your business opportunity. Your recruiting success lies in your ability to help others FEEL excited about what your business can do for them, and to link up feelings of pleasure to the idea of joining your team.

Do this well, and people will have a much better sense of what your business can truly do for them…and you’ll be hearing “YES” much more often!

Questions or comments on this topic? I’d LOVE to hear them – please post below and I’ll do my best to respond promptly.

(Click on the buttons below to pass on these tips to your team through Facebook and Twitter…)

________________________________________________________________________

Want to share this article with your team – or use in your own newsletter or website? Please do! Just be sure to include this complete paragraph at the bottom:

Sonia Stringer is a professional speaker, coach and popular mentor to women in the network marketing/direct selling profession. Known as “The Women’s Business Coach,” she is fast becoming the “go to expert” for women who want to build a 6-7 figure business from home. Sonia’s unique approach can help you earn a great income AND set up your business so you have more time (to spend with your family or doing what you love). Visit her website to get your free copy of her popular audio CD, “Six Figure Success Secrets for Network Marketing Women”. http://www.SavvyNetworkMarketingWomen.com/freeaudio

In the last ten years, more and more women are leaving the corporate world to start their own businesses. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the number of women-owned businesses grew by 44% between 1997 and 2007 – twice as fast as men-owned firms. Given the state of today’s economy and the numbers of women who’ve been laid off, more women than ever are leaving traditional careers and starting their own businesses from home.

Professional women have plenty of options when deciding to go into business for themselves – but more of them are taking a serious look at network marketing and direct selling companies as their new career path.  What’s the appeal?

There are plenty of reasons, and if you’d like to recruit these aces into your team, you’ll want to understand what’s motivating them and be sure to highlight these benefits in your recruiting conversations!

Here are the top 10 reasons women are leaving the corporate world for network marketing and direct sales: 

1.     Tired of the Corporate Grind. In the 70’s and 80’s, many women loved their new-found independence and the opportunity to slip on a suit and drive off to a swanky corner office. But today’s savvy gal is just as happy to pull on comfortable yoga pants and skip the commute altogether. Instead of tolerating office politics and glass ceilings, professional women are falling in love with the opportunity to be their own boss, have control over their schedules, and no limits on their annual income.

2.     Craving More Work-Life Balance. For most women, competing in the corporate world has meant sacrificing many things, the hardest being any semblance of balance in their lives. As many women strive to be the “super-employee”, “super-mom”, “super-wife”, etc – the majority feel super-stressed and totally burned out.  Having more control over their schedules, and more time for themselves or their families is one of the strongest motivators for women to start a network marketing business. They love the idea of being able to attend their kid’s soccer games, or take a break from calling customers to squeeze in a yoga class. Network marketing is one of those rare opportunities where women can truly “have it all” – both a great income AND a high-quality life.

3.     Working As Part of a Team. Most career women have worked in team environments, so the idea of leaving that kind of environment to start a business all alone is quite daunting. (Too much isolation – next thing you know, you’re talking to yourself and tweeting Ashton Kutcher!) Network marketing and direct sales offers the perfect blend, where women have total say in how they build their businesses, along with the opportunity to collaborate and receive on-going support from others.

4.     Opportunity to Choose Who You Work With. Many professional gals bear the battle scars of dealing with difficult bosses and cut-throat colleagues. Perhaps the most enticing idea about direct sales is the level of choice it provides. You have the final say over who you work with every day (whether a new customer, or new business partner).   You’ll never have to meet with Mr. Dragon-Breath-Please-Have-A-Mint or report to Ms. I’m-Having-A-Bad-Day-And-So-Should-You ever again.

 5.     Necessity and Security. Let’s be real – not every gal who starts her own business does it because it’s her first choice. The majority of people laid off when the economy tanked in recent years were women, and with job prospects slim, becoming self-employed was the only option for many. Once women get over the initial shock of an unplanned career change however, most are eternally grateful to be on a more rewarding path, where they never have to worry about getting another unexpected pink slip again.

6.     Low Start Up Costs and Monthly Overhead. The start-up costs of most businesses creates a real barrier for women. If you want to open a retail store, you need capital to rent a location, purchase inventory, advertise, etc., and you are risking a lot financially if things don’t go as planned. In network marketing, the startup costs are minimal, and there’s very little overhead month to month. The internet has cut these costs even further; no need to spend a lot of money to fill your garage with product. Customers can buy directly from the company, from anywhere in the country with the power of the internet, without you having to spend any of your own money upfront.

7.     Cool Rewards and Incentives. Unlike many corporations, network marketing companies make a huge effort to recognize and reward their distributors. They value you and your contributions, and aren’t afraid to show it.  Incentives are offered at every level of business development – and hey, what woman doesn’t love to be showered with cash bonuses, jewelry, exciting trips, and even cars – just for ‘doing your job’ and making a great income in the process?

8.     Bye Bye Glass Ceiling. Sad, but true – women in most professions are still being paid less than male employees, in similar positions. Although progress has been made in some areas, the proverbial “glass ceiling” is alive and well in corporate America. Network marketing and direct sales offers a complete level playing field, where gender bias does not play a part in your income. With 82% of the profession made up of women, more and more are rising to the top, claiming multi-six and seven figure annual incomes in the process, and modeling a new way of wealth creation for women across the world.

9.     Free Up Your Time. Network marketing is one of the few business models where women can truly enjoy more of what we never have enough of – time!  The leveraged model of network marketing doesn’t just give women more freedom in how they set up their schedule on any given day, but how much freedom they can enjoy over a lifetime.  It’s not uncommon for former career women to start a direct sales/network marketing business, and within 2-5 years have replaced (or increased their income) – and be enjoying a lot more free time in their lives. Very few business opportunities can create that kind of rapid return – or ultimate freedom and lifestyle.

And, finally, perhaps the most important reason of all…

10.     Get Paid Well to Be Who You Are. For most women, working in the corporate world has meant “checking their femininity at the door” and becoming smaller versions of who they really are. To compete alongside men, women have been encouraged to hide their emotions and put on their game face constantly.  As a result, many women working in these environments find them very unfulfilling.

In network marketing, the situation is almost the complete opposite. Feminine traits are not just welcomed, they are encouraged! This business model thrives on the values of nurturing, support, collaboration, and authenticity – all inherently feminine traits. The more women show up “as themselves” in this business, the more successful they can be.

Savvy women everywhere are looking for the opportunity to escape crummy jobs, and enter into a new rewarding career path.  Recruiting these women into  your team is about the smartest thing you can do – and to do so you must understand what motivates them the most.  Help them recognize that your business is not just a way to make money – but a way to experience more balance, time with family, the opportunity to make a difference, and to be successful, without sacrificing themselves in the process. If you do, you’ll no doubt attract many of these “aces” to your team – and create a win-win opportunity for everyone.

________________________________________________________________________

How often has this happened to you?

You have a friend you know who would be great in your business, but you have no idea how to start a conversation with her. You’re don’t want to come across as being too “sales-y” or self-promoting, and you’re also not sure how she’ll react when you talk about your business opportunity.

Will she run screaming for the hills or stop taking your calls? Wait – is that her dodging behind the meat counter at your local grocery store (pretending she doesn’t notice you as you make a beeline towards her)? How can you confidently tell friends, family and casual contacts about your business without worrying they are going to avoid you like the plague forever after?

One of the most important skills in network marketing is developing the ability to initiate a conversation about your business, in a way that puts others at ease. Done well, your presentation will flow smoothly and recruiting others will be easy – and enjoyable! Done clumsily, you could stand there like a teenage boy on prom night, red-faced, and stammering – not sure what to say and feeling more embarrassed by the minute.

To help kick off these important conversations, I teach my coaching clients the skill of “relating”.  Being able to relate well with your prospects is a real conversational art (and it goes beyond just casual chit chat and rapport building). Relating is the first essential step you need to kick off a sponsoring conversation so your prospects are interested, feel comfortable, and can hear about your business with an open mind – and heart!

When you call up a prospect, you obviously don’t want to hit her right out of the gate with your business opportunity.  It’s always best to start off with the usual small talk, so you can ‘warm up’ the conversation. (How are the kids? How was your vacation? Is your mother-in-law still holed up in your spare bedroom?) However, as you segue into talking about your business, these 4 points will make it easier to share about your business, and move her to the next step.

1. Step One: Get Her Attention!

In order for someone to be very interested in hearing about your business, you need to make a statement that grabs her attention. Instead of sharing all the exciting facts and info related to your company, or why YOU think this is the greatest thing going – talk about it from HER point of view. Share how your business opportunity can help your prospect get something (a result, benefit or experience) that is especially important to her – or her family.

For example: If you’re talking to a woman who hates her boss and wants to leave a dead end corporate job to have more time with her kids, you might say:

“Susan, I don’t know if you’re aware, but I have a great business that helps women trapped in the corporate world make a great living and stay home with their kids. Several women I know are making a great income from home, and have a lot more time to spend with their family too”.

Or, let’s say you’re approaching a friend who has loves traveling, but needs more time and money. You might say:

“Wendy, I’ve been thinking of telling you about my business for some time. It’s perfect for women like you who want to have more time and money to enjoy a great life. In fact, I could see how this opportunity would be a fabulous opportunity to do more of the traveling you love”.

When you show others how your business opportunity could provide results or experiences that are important to them, you will get their attention! Try to be as specific as possible and paint a picture that will create an emotional response with the person in front of you – focusing on the exact results or benefits you know are most important to her.  

2. Step Two: Be Direct and Don’t Beat Around the Bush

When speaking about your business, be direct and let people know what you want to talk about and why. Don’t be vague or unclear – it will make them uncomfortable and make your job impossible. You have a great opportunity so be upfront. They’ll appreciate your honesty and see you as a true professional.

“I think this opportunity could be a fit for you also. I know many women who are doing very well with it, so I want to at least let you know about it. If you can spare about 10 min or so, I’d love to share some quick details with you, and see if this is something you might want to check out further. Would that be ok?”

3. Step Three: Get Her Permission to Ask Questions

Rather than spout off a bunch of facts, stats and reasons why you think your prospect should check out your business, you’ll gain a lot more ground by asking questions, and getting her engaged in the conversation.

Asking the right questions is the key to your sponsoring success (more specifics on this in future blog posts). But to put the other person at ease (and open to answering your questions) you want to let her know exactly why you’re being so nosy!

“You know, in order for us both to know if this opportunity is a good fit, would it be ok if I asked you a few quick questions? I’d love to know a bit more about your current goals, and what’s most important to you and your family right now. That way, we’ll be able to better assess how this opportunity could really help you. Is that alright with you?”

4. Step Four: Take the Heat Off!

Nobody likes to feel “sold,” and if people think you’re asking questions to manipulate them into saying yes, they will quickly feel defensive. Make your prospect more comfortable by “taking the heat off”.   Let her know upfront that if by the end of your conversation, she just doesn’t think it’s a good fit – that it’s alright to tell you so. This will put you both at ease, and make it easy for you to be real and authentic with each other.

“And – if by the end of the conversation, this business just doesn’t feel like a good fit, just let me know. You won’t hurt my feelings, and I really want to be sure it’s the best choice for you. Most people who learn about it become quite excited, so I at least want to get you all the details – and then you can make the best choice for you”.

Depending on how your conversation goes – you may continue on into a more detailed discussion of your business and all the ways it can help your prospect get what she wants – or set up a quick coffee date or lunch to discuss it in more detail.

By weaving these four points into the beginning of your sponsoring conversation, you’ll be much more successful at introducing the people you care about to your business, and help them easily see the true value that is there for them. And when you’re done, your friends and family will still speak to you and invite you to Christmas dinner – even if they don’t join your team!

Questions or comments on this topic? I’d LOVE to hear them – please post below and I’ll do my best to respond promptly.

__________________________________________________________________________

(Click on the buttons below to share with your Facebook and Twitter contacts…)

Have you ever had one of those “defining moments”… an experience that changes you for good, and generally creates a profound shift in your life?

I had just such a moment in my early 20’s that radically changed the direction of my life and business, and set me up for more success than I ever imagined.

I was especially surprised that all this radical change in my life came about from just one simple little insight – but that’s exactly what happened.

If you’re looking to create a breakthrough in your business, I’m confident this idea can make a big difference for you too.

Find out what happened to me here… (and please post your comments or questions below. I would love to hear your feedback)!

What are you committed to mastering in the coming months? Please post your comments or questions below…

If you are like many women in network marketing and direct sales, you launched your business by sharing your products and opportunity with friends, family, co-workers, members of your church, business contacts (and anyone else who was within arm’s reach)! Once you’ve worked through your warm market, you may find yourself staring at your phone, and wondering “who you gonna call?”

Finding super-qualified leads for your home based business is a lot easier than you might think.  The most important key to your success is to first get crystal clear on WHO you want to find. Who are your MOST ideal prospects? Although many different kinds of people may buy your product or join your business, trying to sell or recruit “everyone” is an impossible task.  Your business building efforts will be too unfocused with this shot-gun approach. You’ll waste valuable time, tripping around trying to sell or sponsor everyone who comes across your path, and not gain traction in any particular direction.

That changes when you narrow your focus and go after a well-defined ‘target market’  – prospects who are the perfect fit for you, your products and your business opportunity. Your target market could be comprised of baby boomers, stay at home moms, college kids, realtors, health and wellness professionals, teachers, nurses or others. You get to decide which group is right for you and your business. (If you aren’t clear on this yet – see my previous article on choosing your ideal prospects).

Once you know WHO you are looking for, it will become a lot easier to know WHERE to find these leads. You’ll be able to create a plan to connect with hundreds (even thousands) of your exact targeted group, and start building out your network. Here are some of the best places to start:

1. Live Networking

This approach is probably not new to you, but this tried and true method of prospecting is still the most effective. Nothing beats getting out and meeting people, face to face, to create the kind of solid relationships that can lead to new business.

What can make a big difference in your results, however, is WHERE you are networking live. Instead of schlepping to your nearest leads group, take some time to research your area, and find the group(s) where you are going to find your target market. (This way, you’ll only be ‘fishing’ in the places where you’ll find the exact prospects you are after).

Here are some great resources that can help with your research:

• Le Tip Leads Group – http://www.LeTip.com

• Business Networking International -http://www.BNI.com

•  US Women’s Chamber of Commerce -http://www.uswcc.org/

•  EWomen Network – http://ewomennetwork.com

•  Craigs List http://www.Craigslist.org

•  Chamber of Commerce (they often have a ton of great info on business related groups in your city, etc)

• Community Clubs (such as the Rotary Club, Lions, PTA, or Elks Club)

• The Business Journal -  most of the major cities in the US publish a “business journal” (like the San Diego Business Journal, Miami Business Journal, etc) which list all the major business groups and networking events for your area.  You can find more info here: http://www.bizjournals.com

• Social Clubs. Search on-line to find more socially geared clubs (like mom’s groups, singles groups, investment groups, ski clubs, triathalon clubs, etc) which might also be great places to find your specific prospects.

Ideally, look for the groups most closely connected to your target market. If you are looking to recruit more moms into your team, search out the local PTA or “Mommy and Me” groups in your area. If you are looking for baby boomers or business professionals, you may want to check your local golf clubs or country clubs to see what social groups they offer.

2. Use Social Media to Find Hundreds of Leads On-Line

With so many people plugging into the internet these days, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and others are fast becoming hot places to meet new prospects. The major advantage to all of these sites is they make it fairly easy to find large groups of your ideal prospects, so you don’t have to find people one at a time. Here are some tips to help you navigate the on-line ocean.

Facebook: Do a search for your ideal prospect (in the search bar at the top of their website) to find the groups or pages that exist for your market.

Looking for a stay at home mom? Put those words in the search bar, and you’ll find plenty of groups, ‘fan pages’ and even blogs where hundreds of these women are already gathering.

Do the same for realtors, chiropractors, lawyers, baby boomers, financial planners, small business owners, or just about any other target market you can think of, and I know you find several places these kinds of people are gathering on Facebook.

Besides searching for your target market by name – ask yourself, “WHO would my ideal prospects follow?” For example, there are thousands of stay-at-home-mom’s connected to Oprah’s page on Facebook and even more on her Twitter profile. You can connect to Oprah’s page, and start networking and creating relationships with the many moms you’ll find here.  Looking for people into fitness and wellness? Check out the triathalon or yoga groups and pages.

Think outside the box and think strategically!  What topics would be of interest to your target market? Baby boomers and retirees may be connected to the AARP page, small business people are connected to Fast Company’s page, etc. Facebook currently has over 700 million users globally, so you can bet your ideal prospects are on here, and they aren’t too difficult to find.

Twitter: Do a similar approach on Twitter, and you’ll find more of your ideal prospects/target market here. Use http://www.Twello.com to extend your search further (this directory is a virtual ‘yellow pages’ for ‘Twitter’).

LinkedIn: This is an amazing site if your target market is from the corporate world or a business professional. As with the other sites, you can search and join groups made up of hundreds of your ideal prospects, and expand your network quickly.

*An Important Note: When networking in the social media sphere, do NOT simply join a group or page, and then start blasting sales-y messages about your products or business. You’ll not only turn people off, you’ll likely be removed from many of these groups.

The best approach on all these social media platforms is to connect with new people, add value in whatever ways you can (sharing ideas, resources, articles, etc) and build relationships.  Ideally, if you have a great free offer that relates to your business (a sample of your products, helpful ideas on your blog or website, etc) you can use this as a way to attract attention and direct some of your connections to your own business website.

3. Attend Expos & Tradeshows For Your Target Market 

Attending conferences or tradeshows gives you the opportunity to do some very “leveraged” networking, and the possibility of meeting hundreds of people in your exact target market. It’s quite astonishing how many different kinds of people or demographics have their own formal “association” and conferences or tradeshows connected to them.

Here are 3 great websites that also provide very detailed information on the tradeshows and conferences going on in different markets:

• www.Biztradeshows.com
• www.TSNN.com
• www.ConventionBureaus.com

(For a more detailed approach to finding great leads at tradeshows and expos, see the previous article on my blog which goes into this in great detail).

Build a “Life Network” vs  Just a “Business Network”

When looking for leads for your network marketing and direct sales business, I encourage you to keep this intention in mind; rather than just building a network for your business, consider building a large “life network” instead.

A “life network” is a network of people who you just enjoy having in your life. This would include your friends, family, and all the new contacts you’ll be making along the way.

Imagine how fun it can be add 300 or 400 new friends to your rolodex in the next year or so, and how having access to some new, interesting people will enrich your life?

This approach takes the stress out of having to sell or sponsor everyone you meet, and will make your networking a lot more fun. Having a large network of any kind is a huge asset, and one that can definitely generate new business too.

As people get to know you, like you and trust you, you’ll naturally attract new customers and business partners from within this group. By putting your focus on relationships first (business second) you’ll be a lot more attractive to others, and promoting your products and business will come more naturally.

Questions or comments on this topic? I’d love to hear them!

Post them below, and click on these buttons to share this with your team.

Have you ever taken a child fishing for the first time?

I was visiting my family in Canada last July, and watched with delight as my brother took my 4 year old nephew, Sammy, out for his first fishing experience. (It was quite amusing, to say the least!)

For example, when I asked Sammy what kind of fish he wanted to catch, he replied (with great enthusiasm) “all of them!” When my brother looked through the tackle box to find a suitable lure, Sammy insisted on using a “pretty one”.

And as we strategically scanned the lake, looking for the best fishing spots, Sammy excitedly flipped his small pole over the side of the boat (half the time the hook floating ABOVE the water) and kept watch with a hopeful look. Needless to say, he didn’t catch anything, but he certainly had a lot of fun.

As I watched him, I couldn’t help but think that his excited but haphazard approach to fishing is much like how many of us approach building a business. We often go “fishing” for new prospects without much advance planning or forethought, and (despite our enthusiasm) then come home discouraged, and empty-handed!

Building Your Business Is a Lot Like Fishing!

For example, when I’ve asked my clients what kind of prospects are the best fit for their business, they often tell me (with as much enthusiasm as my nephew) “all of them!”

While your business opportunity and products can certainly help many different kinds of people, you need to know who your MOST ideal prospects are (the exact “fish” you are looking for) or it’s going to be very difficult for you to find them (to locate the specific fishing holes in which they “hang out”). Your ‘shot gun’ approach will take up a lot of your time, and produce mediocre results at best.

That all changes when you stop attempting to sell and sponsor “everyone” and narrow your focus to a “target market”. Entrepreneur.com defines the term “target market” as “a specific group of consumers at which a company aims its products and services” …(the key word here being “specific”)!

When looking for new leads, if you focus your efforts on one (or just a few) super-qualified “target markets,” you will be much more effective. In keeping with the fishing metaphor, the shift would look like this; instead of jumping from pond to stream to lake, attempting to catch ‘anything,” decide instead to focus on catching just one kind of fish (trout?) – then locate the steams teeming with trout and fish only in these spots. With this kind of clarity and focus, you’re going to be much more successful.

Defining Your Target Market – Who’s YOUR Ideal Prospect?

So what kind of prospect is the perfect fit for YOUR business? That can depend on your own personality and background, the kind or product(s) you sell, and how your business opportunity is structured.

Success leaves clues, so often the best place to start is to look around your own company, and make a note of the following:

• What kinds of people are already succeeding in your organization? What is the personal/professional background of the top leaders? (For example – do you see many stay at home mom’s, baby boomers, teachers, corporate professionals, wellness experts succeeding in your business)?

•  What kinds of personal qualities/traits do many of these leaders have in common?

• What kinds of people are YOU already naturally attracting into your own team?

•  Who do you LOVE to work with – who is a natural fit for you (based on your own professional background – or personal experience)?

•  What kinds of people appear to be a great fit both for your products – and your business opportunity?

By asking these questions, common threads will emerge. For example, perhaps some of the most successful leaders in your company are stay at home or working moms, who are super motivated to build a business because they want to make a great income AND be home with their kids.

Or perhaps you’ll see many baby boomers are active in your company, both because they love your products and because they are also very motivated to generate extra income for their retirement. You may also see health or wellness professionals who use your products, but also like the idea of having a “plan b” and building a secondary income alongside their current business.

Narrow the Field – Choose Your MOST Ideal Prospects

You should now have a short list of possible target markets, but let’s get even more specific.  Take each one through the “litmus test” to see if you can narrow your choices down to just one or two.

 1. Is This Kind of Person Already Motivated To Change? 

Does this person have an existing problem/issue they are motivated to change (health issue, money problem, lifestyle challenges, etc). You want to find people who have a strong “why” – and who are already looking for the kind of solution that your products or business provides.  (It takes too much extra time and work to “educate” people on why they should change. Find the ones who are already aware they have a problem, and are actively looking for a solution)!

 2. Does This Market Have Enough Money (And Will They Spend It?)

It’s great to have a motivated prospect, but if he/she doesn’t have money to invest in your product, service or opportunity, you’ll struggle to reach your business goals. There are enough people out there, go for the ones who will spend money for the solutions they want.

3. Are There Enough Prospects in This Market? 

Be sure that the target market you choose is specific – but broad. (For example, if you chose “working moms” as your target market, that is extremely specific, but obviously there are enough “working moms” out there that you could focus only on prospecting in this target market, and never run out of leads – ever)!

4. Can You Reach This Market Easily?

Ideally, you also want to choose a target market that you can connect with easily – hopefully in “large groups”. What kinds of clubs or groups might this prospect belong to (networking, business, social, professional associations)? What conferences or tradeshows might she attend?

Do a search on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In to see if you can find groups, pages or forums where your target market is already “hanging out” (making it easier for you to connect with many of them at once). You can do a search on the term “stay at home mom”, “working mom”, “baby boomer,” “corporate executives,” “teachers”, “chiropractors” etc on any of these sites to find groups to which they already belong.

How to Find Hundreds of Super- Qualified Leads – Locally and On-Line

Once you work through this “litmus test” – you’ll be able to discover the exact kind of prospect who is perfect for your business – someone who is motivated, qualified and will be a great new customer or business builder. The next step is to create a simple plan so you can find and build relationships with as many of these prospects as possible (and have a system that converts them into new customers or business builders).

Stay tuned for my next article, where you’ll learn how to locate all the best ‘fishing holes” or places to find super-qualified leads, both locally and on-line.

If you already have a target market – please share what it is, and how narrowing your focus is working for you!

Questions or comments – I’d love to hear them. Please post below and click on the buttons to share this with your team.

Trade shows, conferences and expos can be absolute gold mines if you want to find hot new leads for your business, as well as generate instant (and long term) sales.

But promoting your business at an expo can take some time and money to pull off—so before jumping in, it’s worth doing a little planning so you get the best possible results.

Attend a Trade Show, Do Some Research

Before signing-on as a trade show exhibitor, try to attend one in person. Ideally this would be the SAME trade show where you want to exhibit or network, but if not—it’s still helpful to attend any show and do some research.

Wander around and check out the exhibits and booths. What do you like? What don’t you like? Some vendors are conference/trade show pros (and do several shows each year) so you can learn from their expertise and get ideas for your own table.

In addition to attending a trade show, you can also find some great resources online. Here are some helpful articles to get you started:

• Suan Friedmann, 10 Tips to Use Giveaways Effectively at Trade Shows, Frugal Marketing

• Jason Cohen, A Tradeshow Checklist, Born of Experience, A Smart Bear

• Susan Ward, 11 Tips for Trade Show Displays, About.com

• Angelita V. Menchaca, Trade Show Promotion, Lead Gathering and Follow-up, Polaris, Inc.

• Janice D. Byer, Tips for a Successful Trade Show, Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services

Day of the Show Tips

Trade shows only last a short period of time, from a couple days to maybe a week. Once you’ve invested time and money into getting yourself there (with your signs, product samples and other gear) you want to make the most of it.

Here are a few simple but important tips:

•       Focus on meeting people, making contacts, and growing your email list. Leaving the event with a large list of qualified and ‘warm leads” is your number one goal (product sales are secondary).

Although of course you want to make sales at the event too – the “fortune is in your contact list” and you’ll make plenty more sales (and even attract some new business partners) if you continue to stay in touch, develop the relationships you started and add some value as you go (free samples, a monthly newsletter, etc).

Studies show it takes most people at least 7 ‘touches’ before they are ready to buy from you, so using a show to make a lot of new contacts and spark new relationships is a smart idea; you can generate plenty more sales down the road if you stay connected.

•       Make your booth stand out. Use colorful, easy to see, easy to read signage. Use little tricks to bring people to your booth (snacks like popcorn or candy are great bribes to get people over!).

•       Make your exhibit interactive. Can you offer a free consultation or makeover? Show some interesting videos or multi-media demos? Do something unique that makes your booth irresistible?

•       Have a great free offer to encourage people to give you their contact info. What can you offer that people just CAN’T refuse? An amazing deal on your products? Some special bonus they can ONLY get at the show?

Add a “limited time” or “today only” timeline to create urgency and be sure to put out the ole’ fish bowl so you can easily collect  business cards (and more importantly those email addresses) to use for the free drawing and to add to your prospect list).

•       Give away subscriptions to your monthly newsletter or “e-zine” as a cool secondary bonus. Have a sign on your fish bowl indicating that everyone submitting a card will receive your e-zine or monthly newsletter as an extra bonus. It can read something like “Plus…receive a complimentary subscription to our “Fitness First” e-zine, worth $X.”

By communicating your e-zine bonus upfront, you’re making it clear that by giving their business card, people are opting-in to your offer and will be added to your email list. (This is an elegant way to get permission to stay in touch with your leads, and not put yourself in the position of ‘spamming’ anyone by adding them to your email list without advising them first, or asking permission).

•       Stress the benefits and popularity of your newsletter or e-zine if anyone asks about the secondary offer. Reassure people they can easily opt-out at any time, but many people love to receive it. (You may want to print off copies of past newsletters and keep them at your booth for reference).

If you don’t already have an ezine or newsletter for your business, create a free report or bonus article (including juicy tips related to your product or a relevant topic – weight loss, beauty, health and wellness, etc) and use that at your secondary offer – something you can email to your new contacts after the show.

In either case, you’re offering something of value, in exchange for people’s contact info, and getting their permission to add them to your email list.

•       Do whatever you can to make your booth/exhibit look popular. It’s a funny marketing phenomenon: crowds draw more crowds. Use this “crowded restaurant syndrome” to your advantage. Fill your fish bowl with business cards (even if they’re your own) rather than putting out an empty one. Can you hire (or cajole) team members, family or friends to come “hang around your booth” – especially during busy times? Additional bodies will make people feel less “singled out” and more likely to approach your table and check out your offerings.

Network With Other Vendors or Exhibitors

When seminars are in session and the trade show floor is slow, it’s a great time to walk around and meet fellow vendors or exhibitors. The other vendors share your target market and there could be opportunities to cross-promote products or services or create an affiliate relationship with them.

(Imagine – if after the show, a fellow vendor is willing to send an email to her email list, and share about your products or direct people to your website. Perhaps you can do the same for her (assuming, of course, that you have non-competing offers). Creating “joint venture” or affiliate relationships like this can bring in a quick boost of sales – and add a lot of new leads to your own list in the process). Smart, smart marketing!

After the Show, Follow-up With New Contacts

Soon after the show, add your new contacts to your email list (if they’ve opted-in) and quickly send out a great follow-up letter, notice or discount. Send a personal note or email to new high-level contacts. Better yet, call and say how great it was to meet them. Discuss ways you might be able to support each others’ businesses and create a win/win collaboration.

If you met someone who is not only a great contact – but also a “COI” – or a “center of influence” (meaning he/she has a network or client bases who are great prospects for you), spend some time thinking about how you might add value to each other, before you make the call.

Perhaps this person can introduce you to their contacts, and you can help out him/her in some way. This kind of follow-up takes time but these people are your hottest leads—you’ve just met them and already have a relationship established, so they’re worth a little extra attention.

Trade shows can be a major boon to your business, but they take time and money to orchestrate. Plan your efforts wisely and make the most of it.

Have you attended a trade show as an exhibitor? What worked for you? What didn’t?

Please share your thoughts below – or post a question. I’d love to hear from you!

Looking for new leads for your business? Why spend time searching them out one by one when you can connect with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of ideal prospects, all in one place, and in just a few days?

Many network marketing and direct sales professionals already know the value of showcasing their business and products at expos, tradeshows and conferences (one of the most highly-leveraged networking experiences around). It’s surprisingly affordable to get booth space, “set up shop” and start connecting with people passing through.

These days, there are so many different groups and events that can help you build your business. You may already be working local bridal shows or health and wellness expos, but with just a little research, you’ll find MANY other events (local, regional and national) where you can easily reach your ideal customers and potential business partners.

But First – Narrow Down the Field

Although all kinds of people buy your products and join your business, it’s important to identify your “most ideal” prospects. This way, you can target the conferences and events they attend, while leveraging your time and energy (because you’ll only attend events where you’ll find people who are a true fit for what you offer).

Take a moment to answer these two questions:

1. What kind of prospect is perfect for your products?(Who’s already buying your products? Who are your BEST customers)?For example: Men over 40, women under 30, moms, busy professionals, people who want to lose weight, or baby boomers?

2. What kind of person would you love to recruit into your business? (Who are you already attracting? What kind of people are doing especially well in your company?) For example: Stay-at-home moms, corporate professionals, baby boomers, teachers, wellness professionals?

Come up with a “top 10 list” of your more ideal prospects (ideally people who are a great fit for both your products and business) and then narrow the list down to your top 3 “ideal prospects.”

This will be your “target market” or the ‘niche” with which to start.

Conferences and Trade Shows for Any Market

No matter who your ideal prospect is—there’s an event where you can find them (often in large numbers). It’s amazing how many different associations, trade shows, expos and conferences exist these days. With just some quick online research, I found associations for all of the prospects listed below. Indeed, many have more than one association—and some hold events at the national (and even international) level!

Teachers – Nurses – Dentists – Doctors – Health Care Providers – Chiropractors – Dental Hygienists – Massage Therapists – Stay-At-Home Moms – Working Moms – Dads – Baby Boomers – Small Businesses (lawyers, financial planners, accountants, etc) – Executives (men and women) – CEOs – Female Entrepreneurs – Military Officers – Military Wives – Gen-Xers – Retirees

There are also many trade shows and conferences dedicated to specific topics or interests. I was able to easily find trade shows or conferences on the following topics:

Golf – Travel – Beauty – Fashion – Shoes – Spa and Salons – Bridal – Wellness – Fitness – Cosmetics – Spa – Weight Loss – Electronics

If you can identify a specific group or area of interest, there’s probably an association, conference or trade show that already supports it! (Did you know there’s a national association for “Stay at Home Mom’s?)

This is great news for you! If you’re willing to research your niche and come up with a well-planned and executed strategy, you can be showcasing your business at some great new events (likely ones not being thought of by others in your company, or your competitors). Even by attending a few each year, you will connect with hundreds of new leads, and attract many new customers and team members in the process.

Where to start?

Do Your Research

Start by poking around the Internet to find groups or associations for your target market, and see what conferences or trade shows they attend. Use a few different search engines (like Google and Yahoo) to get a good mix of results.

Enter “Target Market + Association” in the search bar and see what comes up. Try this with the words “trade show” and “conference” too.

For example:

Weight Loss + Association

Weight Loss + Trade Show

Weight Loss + Conference

Weight Loss + Organization

Teachers + Association

Teachers + Trade Show

Teachers + Conference

Teachers + Organization

If you want to find events closer to home, or in a specific part of the country, you can also add specific geographic search terms to narrow results by state or city.

Teachers + Association + California

Teachers + Association + San Diego

More Resources

There are some great websites that pull together information about trade shows and conferences in different markets. Be sure to check these out:

• BizTradeShows.com
• The Trade Show News Network-  www.TSNN.com

You can also check with your local chamber of commerce or state convention and visitors bureau to see events scheduled in your area. Tourist information centers and city websites are also great sources of information. (Most major cities have a website showcasing local events.)

Pickup magazines catering to your target market and look through the ads (usually at the back) for events and trade shows. Look at the other ads too—they might give you ideas about other companies and organizations that cater to this market.

And don’t forget to ask around! Talk with people you know in this target market to find out about other events, groups, associations and conferences. Your contacts can often give tips or insider information about these events to help you determine if it’s worth your time to attend or book an exhibitor booth.

Identifying a good conference or trade show to promote your business takes time and research, but the dividends can be huge. Get ready to have fun, work hard and show off your business!

Questions or comments on this topic? I’d love to hear them!

Or – share this with your network by clicking on the buttons below.