 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mary Kurek
The Ideal Networker
Visibility Consultant - Author - Speaker
The Ideal Networker
Visibility Consultant - Author - Speaker
I can honestly say that your networking ideas are truly genius. I have begun a path into new business relationships that I would have never thought I would have had a chance. I'm a believer in the Ideal Network."
Josh Fink , Service Coordinator, Advance Mechanical, Inc., Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor
Josh Fink , Service Coordinator, Advance Mechanical, Inc., Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor
Mary Kurek, Inc., P.O. Box 1962, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 mary@marykurek.com 252-269-0751
Ideal Networking Tools
To help you grow your business
Click the topic for access to the mini-article
Media Kit Endorsements Wearable Billboard Note Cards Follow-up Notebook
To help you grow your business
Click the topic for access to the mini-article
Media Kit Endorsements Wearable Billboard Note Cards Follow-up Notebook
MEDIA KIT
A good media should include:
-a black and white glossy photo or color jpeg photo on disk. It should be professional, crisp and free of background distractions,
-a one-page double-spaced biographical sketch,
-a two-paragraph introduction,
-copies of any “special” media coverage, such as interviews of you or well-placed columns or articles that you’ve written,
-a recent news release or two on your business if you have them, and
-your business card.
Organize the materials into a nice portfolio. Attach your business card to the outside front cover. Your name and contact information should be included on every piece in the kit. Make up half a dozen to have them handy and file the pieces of the kit separately, because you will use them separately as well.
Uses for the Media Kit include:
-marketing on your Web site,
-securing interviews,
-securing an opportunity to serve as an expert for the media,
-sending out with a new product or book launch,
-sending with client proposals,
-securing speaking engagements, and
-securing board of directors positions.
Pieces of your kit will come in handy if you are writing a book proposal, coordinating a grant, producing a major event, and even writing a business plan.
A good media should include:
-a black and white glossy photo or color jpeg photo on disk. It should be professional, crisp and free of background distractions,
-a one-page double-spaced biographical sketch,
-a two-paragraph introduction,
-copies of any “special” media coverage, such as interviews of you or well-placed columns or articles that you’ve written,
-a recent news release or two on your business if you have them, and
-your business card.
Organize the materials into a nice portfolio. Attach your business card to the outside front cover. Your name and contact information should be included on every piece in the kit. Make up half a dozen to have them handy and file the pieces of the kit separately, because you will use them separately as well.
Uses for the Media Kit include:
-marketing on your Web site,
-securing interviews,
-securing an opportunity to serve as an expert for the media,
-sending out with a new product or book launch,
-sending with client proposals,
-securing speaking engagements, and
-securing board of directors positions.
Pieces of your kit will come in handy if you are writing a book proposal, coordinating a grant, producing a major event, and even writing a business plan.
ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsements sell you. Unlike testimonials, endorsements praise your overall character and abilities. Testimonials are primarily from clients who have hired you and are pleased with your work. Endorsements are easier to attain since the person need not have conducted business with you. Keeping an updated endorsements file will serve you in a multitude of ways.
Use endorsements:
-in your marketing materials,
-with client proposals,
-to sell a project,
-to secure a grant,
-to secure a collaborator, partner or financial supporter, and
-in political campaigns
You want endorsements from people in your network who know your skills, qualities and abilities. Your endorsers need to be highly professional, reputable, and visible.
Draft a couple of brief endorsements to have on hand in case people ask you to draft one that they can put on their letterhead. Ask for an endorsement personally -- no blanket e-mails, and
thank your endorsers for their help. Offer to return the favor where appropriate.
DAILY FOLLOW UP NOTEBOOK
Real Estate professionals often use this to keep up with their contacts and actions during the day. It's just a plain notebook with the date at the top. You enter the phone calls you make and receive with notes having to do with actions you need to take or delegate during the course of conversation. Check off items as they are accomplished.
Each page is a new day, so you can refer quickly to things that were promised a week or so ago. I like the executive size notebook, as it is easier to tote, and unlike a day planner, you have lots of space to write. Try it out for a week or two and see if this is an idea that you like.
Special Note: Attach a deadline to actions to help with time management. If you pre-date your notebook pages, go ahead and jot a note on the deadline page as a reminder.
Endorsements sell you. Unlike testimonials, endorsements praise your overall character and abilities. Testimonials are primarily from clients who have hired you and are pleased with your work. Endorsements are easier to attain since the person need not have conducted business with you. Keeping an updated endorsements file will serve you in a multitude of ways.
Use endorsements:
-in your marketing materials,
-with client proposals,
-to sell a project,
-to secure a grant,
-to secure a collaborator, partner or financial supporter, and
-in political campaigns
You want endorsements from people in your network who know your skills, qualities and abilities. Your endorsers need to be highly professional, reputable, and visible.
Draft a couple of brief endorsements to have on hand in case people ask you to draft one that they can put on their letterhead. Ask for an endorsement personally -- no blanket e-mails, and
thank your endorsers for their help. Offer to return the favor where appropriate.
DAILY FOLLOW UP NOTEBOOK
Real Estate professionals often use this to keep up with their contacts and actions during the day. It's just a plain notebook with the date at the top. You enter the phone calls you make and receive with notes having to do with actions you need to take or delegate during the course of conversation. Check off items as they are accomplished.
Each page is a new day, so you can refer quickly to things that were promised a week or so ago. I like the executive size notebook, as it is easier to tote, and unlike a day planner, you have lots of space to write. Try it out for a week or two and see if this is an idea that you like.
Special Note: Attach a deadline to actions to help with time management. If you pre-date your notebook pages, go ahead and jot a note on the deadline page as a reminder.
NOTE CARDS
Follow-up is absolutely critical in networking. Sending a thank you, congratulations or a “just touching base” note should be a regular practice. Get yourself a box of nice note cards.
The cards will serve every purpose from shooting out a little invitation for a friendly dinner party to requesting a lunch meeting with a mentor. Nice note cards also make an appropriate gift to give a business associate, friend or other member of your network.
Your cards should look simple and professional, yet stylish. Neutral background works best. If you want to have some unique cards on hand for special occasions, try cards made of handmade paper. There are lots of sources online that offer sets of 6 and 10 for a very affordable price. You can find a set of 50 regular blank cards/envelopes for around $20 or so. Be cautious of buying huge amounts if you are having anything printed or engraved on them. Changes may cause you to have to chunk a couple hundred, so reconsider monogramming.
WEARABLE BILLBOARD
Unless your company has a policy about nametags, distinguish yourself with a nametag that no one else is wearing.
Instead of pinning it to your chest, wear it on the end of a nice beaded chain or use an unusual word on the tag that will cause people to notice.
I once wore a paper nametag at a networking event that had my name on one line and the word “Connector” on the line below. Almost every person I met asked me about it. I told them this: “A connector is what I am.” That launched a whole conversation around what I do for a living. Actually, I forgot I was wearing the tag and later, while sitting at a local bistro, more conversation was instigated when it was spotted.
A simple idea is to turn your business card into your name tag. I knew a handyman who did that at networking events. The card stated his business clearly, which made it a great ice breaker. Design one that appeals to you and wear it everywhere.
Follow-up is absolutely critical in networking. Sending a thank you, congratulations or a “just touching base” note should be a regular practice. Get yourself a box of nice note cards.
The cards will serve every purpose from shooting out a little invitation for a friendly dinner party to requesting a lunch meeting with a mentor. Nice note cards also make an appropriate gift to give a business associate, friend or other member of your network.
Your cards should look simple and professional, yet stylish. Neutral background works best. If you want to have some unique cards on hand for special occasions, try cards made of handmade paper. There are lots of sources online that offer sets of 6 and 10 for a very affordable price. You can find a set of 50 regular blank cards/envelopes for around $20 or so. Be cautious of buying huge amounts if you are having anything printed or engraved on them. Changes may cause you to have to chunk a couple hundred, so reconsider monogramming.
WEARABLE BILLBOARD
Unless your company has a policy about nametags, distinguish yourself with a nametag that no one else is wearing.
Instead of pinning it to your chest, wear it on the end of a nice beaded chain or use an unusual word on the tag that will cause people to notice.
I once wore a paper nametag at a networking event that had my name on one line and the word “Connector” on the line below. Almost every person I met asked me about it. I told them this: “A connector is what I am.” That launched a whole conversation around what I do for a living. Actually, I forgot I was wearing the tag and later, while sitting at a local bistro, more conversation was instigated when it was spotted.
A simple idea is to turn your business card into your name tag. I knew a handyman who did that at networking events. The card stated his business clearly, which made it a great ice breaker. Design one that appeals to you and wear it everywhere.
