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People do business with people that they know and trust. As a solo entrepreneur, your goals will be to make yourself known to your target market and then elevate the relationship to the trust level. This process of building relationships can take many forms. Take a few minutes to review what is working for you in this area. Then consider these ideas to add to your relationship building toolkit.
30 Second Introduction
Have you upgraded your 30 second introduction lately? If you haven't revised it in the past year chances are the impact may be stale. A new introduction can spark your own energy which will show when you introduce yourself. Consider the use of powerful action words such as create, design, compose, organize, generate, solve, produce, and supply. Deliver it in front of a mirror and see what others see.
What Do You Have to Give?
We often think of what we want to get from relationships. Things like a request for proposal, a new resource, a potential alliance, or a business contact or sale. Flip this over and consider what you are willing to GIVE to your network of potential customers. Do you offer sample products or trial services? Do you have free information that your target market can use? Can you provide a free evaluation of your client's current service provider? Keep in mind that building relationships is a two way flow that begins with you. Approaching these relationships in a giving, proactive mode is a terrific beginning.
Follow up, Follow up
The simple act of following up with individuals that you meet for the first time will make you stand out. Very few people use a consistent follow up method over a period of time. You must have contact information in order to implement this step. Successful follow up actions include handwritten notes (they stand out), e-zines, newsletters, holiday or birthday cards, an article of interest, and invitations to an event. Choose several actions that fit your personal style and do them consistently. Watch your network grow as you demonstrate an interest in building the relationship.
Tracking System
Consistency in building relationships will be difficult to maintain without a method to capture and maintain contact information in a practical way. This means being accessible and easily updated for changes. Contact software such as ACT, Goldmine, and Outlook were created for this purpose. Other options include business card files, Rolodex, Palm Pilots, and planner systems such as Day-timer or Franklin. Choose the system that fits your work style and schedule time for communication with your contacts and maintenance of the database. This nut and bolts step is an important part of building relationships over time.
Plant a Seed
Think of building relationships in the same way as planting seeds. In order for the seeds to grow, they need water, food, and sunlight over time. For relationships to grow, you provide opportunities for your network to get to know you, what you provide, and ultimately trust you with their business
Copyright 2004, Charlotte Farrior
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Charlotte Farrior of Coaching Connection (http://www.corporatecoaching101.com) and Founder/Team Member of Solo-E (http://www.Solo-E.com) is a corporate and professional coach. She works with professionals, entrepreneurs, directors, and executives to define and achieve the personal and business goals they set for themselves. She coaches in the areas of goal setting, skill development, priority management and career transitions.
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Maternity Clothes For The Plus Size Woman
Being pregnant is one of the most joyous and happy times in a woman's life, although having to buy plus size maternity clothes is certainly something no woman really looks forward to. Having to buy plus sized clothes is bad enough, but plus sized clothes with room for a huge belly? Forget about it, right? Luckily, there are some fabulous plus size maternity clothes out there that are fashionable and can make you look great, no matter how plus sized or pregnant you may happen to be. Who said big girls can't look great in their clothes? Plus sized maternity fashions just got that much cooler!
YMI Jeans - Official Jeanswear Sponsor of Miss Universe Pageants 2007
YMI Official Jeans for Miss USA, Miss Universe, Miss Teen USA 2007
Maternity Clothing - What Every Woman Needs To Know About Maternity Clothes
Let's face it: maternity clothing is ugly and expensive. Since most women don't need to wear maternity clothes until the second trimester, at most you'll only be getting six months of use out of those ugly $200 overalls to cover your ever expanding stomach. I couldn't bring myself to spend thousands of dollars on a new wardrobe when I already felt so ugly, so I resorted to making my own for as long as possible. For example, I really didn't want to buy old lady underwear that would cover me from my belly button to the tops of my thighs. They were hot and uncomfortable anyway, but there aren't many sexy maternity panties around.
Plus Size Lingerie: Stylish & Sexy Lingerie
Back in the day, plus-size women had little hopes in terms of finding sexy plus-size lingerie. Most of the material was uncomfortable and the varieties available were less than perfect. Finding seductive lingerie for a plus-size woman became an unfeasible undertaking.
Beautiful Plus Size Clothing is Available for the Sexy Full Size Women
America is known for its population of larger people. Men and women alike have a hard time finding plus size clothing that is in style. Though the population of the country is larger, the fashion industry is more revolved around those who are teeny tiny. This may affect both men and women but none worse than the beautiful plus sized women.
Munro's Safety Clothing Adds Two New Wrangler® Jeans To Their Line of Fire Resistant Clothing
Munro's Safety Apparel, one of the nation's leading providers of safety clothing for the workplace, is very excited to announce the addition of two new products to their line of clothing. Munro's has added Wrangler® FR Cowboy Cut® Original Fit Jeans and Wrangler® FR Cowboy Cut® Relaxed Fit Jeans so that people on the job who prefer the fit and comfort of Wrangler® jeans can enjoy the exact same Wrangler® fit and style that they prefer with the added safety and benefit of flame resistance.
Your Plus Size Lingerie Clothing Sytle
You are feeling full of anticipation and naughty. You are waiting for your husband to come home. You dab on the most provocative perfume you own, which is your husbands favorite. You are wearing a teddy with a leopard print. While checking yourself in the mirror you look at your choice of your accessories and smile to yourself. You feel so vamped up.
Plus Size Maternity Clothes Now Easier To Find
It used to be a challenge to be a pregnant plus-size woman. Fortunately both local stores and online shops now stock plus size maternity clothes. If you look carefully you also should be able to find good sales on maternity clothes that will help you maintain a budget. Keep in mind that, after all, these are only temporary clothes.
Places to Unearth Comfy Maternity Jeans For Tall Women
Finding tall maternity jeans can be difficult at best Already the clothing choices are limited to maternity wear, but when you're dealing with a 34-inch inseam, it can be that much harder
Great Top Picks For Nursing Clothes And Maternity Clothes
Many first time moms often think that once they have their baby they can just slip back into their pre-pregnancy wardrobe after a week or two Not so