Business Owners - Use Social Networking to Get Speaking Invitations

As a business owner, I have had a presence on Facebook and other social networking sites for almost three years. Social media is a great way to market your business. But, it is also a great way to network with other business owners. In the past two years, I have been asked to speak to various Mompreneur Groups, College Student Groups, Chamber of Commerce events and Women Business Owner Groups. I have been also been the guest on various online radio shows discussing my ebooks and teaching my ecourses.

Speaking to various groups allows me the opportunity to share my message with others throughout the United States and in other countries. This is the power of compound friending. Remember, social networking and public speaking are free ways to grow your business. When I speak in front of a group whether in person or online it is exposing me and my business to potential clients. It is allowing me the opportunity to share tips and resources that will help others grow their business.

When you use my five tips you will grow your business:

1. Be Yourself: Type your status updates in your lingo and language. Do not try to type, speak or present yourself in a manner that is not you. People that meet me and hire me resonate with my personality. They do not want a stiff executive who speaks or writes using big words. They like my down to earth no nonsense approach to life and business with a dash of humor.

2. Engage in Real Conversation: I try to spend a few minutes each day establishing rapport with people who give "the thumbs up" or "like" my posts. I click on their names to see who they are then I start engaging them in conversation.

3. Keep it Real: You will notice that my personal pages have tidbits and posts that reflect who I am. I love dogs and cats. I love pit bulls and post regularly about Miss Savanna my blue pit and Mr. Skittles my old grouchy cat. These posts let people see that I am not perfect and my life is not perfect. I don't fret over an occasional typo so they can see I am human. I even joke about the fact I can't type a complete correct sentence until I have consumed an entire pot of coffee. Social media is about presenting yourself just as you are - warts and all.

4. Keep it Clean: I know I just said keep it real however, I will add keep your posts clean. If you do not want grandma to see something do not post it online. Do not post things that would present you or your business in a negative way. Do not post inappropriate photos or use foul language. Also, do not get into a fight with someone online. Never ever speak poorly about someone. Keep your words and photos nice and squeaky clean.

5. Share: In order to grow your business you will need to show off your expertise so that you are seen as the expert. You do this by sharing your knowledge with your followers or list. If you are using Twitter you only have 140 characters. So you can share one small industry specific tip with your peeps. People love using social media to learn new things. When you share your knowledge it opens up opportunities for you to get new clients or customers, joint venture opportunities and invitations to speak at events.

When you use my five tips people will see you as human. They will see you as the expert in your niche. This will lead to invitations to speak to various groups either in person or online. When you accept invitations to speak you will get to promote your business for free. When you promote your business you will attract new clients, grow your business and put more money in your bank account.

Coach Jaynine ensures small business owners and determined individuals turn their Dreams into Reality. She facilitates personal improvement through the use of assessments, self empowerment, and client specific action steps via the telephone and internet. Her clients increase their productivity and earning power while living life on their terms. Experience what Coaching can do for you by registering for a complimentary teleclass at http://www.dreamcatcher-lifecoaching.com

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5 Key Things to Avoid While Business Networking

There are plenty of experts offering good advice about what you should do when it comes to business networking. Nevertheless, from time to time it's also important to fully understand what you should not do and what you need to steer clear of. If you really want to network effectively and successfully, then there are 5 things that you really might want to avoid. We're going to deal with what things to avoid, why you should avoid them, and make suggestions about what you should do alternatively. With the above considered, listed below are the 5 things you should avoid.

1. Never try to sell your services or products during an initial encounter. The principal reasons that you ought not to do that are;

- You have not established any trust or any real credibility just yet.

- Typically, people will buy or refer those whom they know, like, and trust.

- You are doing yourself and your potential client or partner an injustice by not giving your wares the 100% attention they deserve. A closed, focused setting is best when it comes to selling.

Instead of the hard sell, you might prefer to make a good impression and set the stage for a meeting in the future

2. Don't assume what the person you're talking to is thinking. The reason you will want to do this is because you may be giving too much information or possibly not enough. As an alternative, it would be better if you simply ask a lot of questions and actively check to see if the person is listening and is interested in what is being said.

3. Be mindful about discussing sensitive issues. This is a matter of grave importance because a person's religious or political views may not be in line with yours. Instead, you should speak about positive current events, ask questions regarding their needs, and be pleasantly professional.

4. Try not to interrupt what seems to be an intense conversation. The reasoning of why this is a mistake is when two people are engaged in an interesting conversation that may be leading somewhere, the last thing you want to plant in their mind is an impression/memory of you cutting the conversation short. As an alternative, you really should seek out those who are alone or people standing with their shoulder blades apart from each other in a V-shape, who seem to be open for an introduction.

5. Invading a person's personal space. It's sometimes hard to avoid this but everyone has their own standard of what is too close. Keep in mind that an invasion of a person's personal space can be the ultimate insult to some, so pay attention to a person's body language while in close contact.

Make sure to steer clear of the 5 errors discussed above, accept the alternative suggestions offered if you would like but regardless, avoid the errors and your chances for ultimate success will be very much enhanced.

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John H. Lee (JohnTheNetworker) is a Lead Generation Specialist, Host, and Consultant, of professional and social events in the Greater Philadelphia Area, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

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