Tag: networking

What do you do? 9 mistakes you are making answering that question

“What do you do?” That’s the first question at every networking event. But it’s also the question implicitly asked when people look at your bio and social media pages. People are interested in what you do for a living but you can quickly lose them if you do a bad job explaining, give them a generic description, or make other mistakes in communicating your value. (more…)

8 tips to help with your biggest networking challenges

Some people are naturally good networkers. They like to meet and get to know people and build strong relationships. Others find networking difficult and need help developing the right skills. One of the best ways to learn is by talking to others about how they address their biggest networking challenges. Recently, I led a discussion on Women and Networking for a local chamber of commerce. The group approached me about doing a program on how networking can be different and more challenging for women. We decided to do a group discussion so we could all share insights and tips with each other. (more…)

How to develop a personal marketing plan to get ahead in your career

If you aren’t an owner or partner at a firm, you may not feel much pressure to market yourself. However, even if no one is pushing you to bring in new business today and you’re not looking for a job, you want to devote time to marketing to build your reputation and position yourself for new opportunities at your present firm or elsewhere. Learning to market yourself effectively can make a substantial difference in your career. Ideally, your firm will actively assist your efforts because you are bringing attention to the firm, but either way, your first step is to develop a personal marketing plan. (more…)

Marketing 101 for introverts

Years ago, I read the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. I recognized myself in the book and gained a new appreciation for the benefits of being an introvert. While the book talks about the value that introverts bring to any situation, it is tough to be an introvert and market yourself. When I started my own business, I realized I had to get out of my comfort zone because I needed to make lots of new connections. (more…)

10 things you can do in your downtime to improve your marketing

Every business has been impacted by COVID-19, but this is not the time to pull back on marketing. It’s not about looking for immediate business. Instead, the focus must be on staying visible with your contacts, so they remember you when they or someone they know needs help in the future. If you do have some extra downtime, here are some tasks that will boost your digital presence. (more…)

10 ways to get more value out of joining a professional association

The New York Law Journal (NYLJ) has been publishing a series looking at the declining membership of bar associations. Older members are retiring while too few millennials are joining. This isn’t only a problem with bar associations. Many other professional associations are having the same problem, hence all the NextGen/Young Professionals committees. (more…)

Marketing musts for the summer

While summer can offer a slower pace for many firms, most of us can’t afford to forget about marketing for a few months. Summer can be a good time to take on marketing-related tasks that often get neglected but can pave the way for better results for the remainder of the year and beyond. (more…)

Do’s and don’ts for successful networking

Are you networking effectively? I’m no expert, but I have been inspired by some pros who are much better at it than me. The number one rule is that if you view networking as a way to sell your services or get people to help you, then you probably aren’t being successful. Networking should focus on building long-term relationships. To that end, there are some definite do’s and don’ts that can help improve your results. (more…)

Help people first; get business second

There’s the old adage that it’s better to give than to receive. Many people believe that in their personal life, but few seem to carry that idea into their business life. Helping people in a business setting is just as important and can reap substantial rewards personally and financially. It enables you to build stronger relationships with others which can make your work and personal life more fulfilling as well as eventually lead to business. The next time you are wondering why no one is sending you clients, consider some of these ways you can help them first: (more…)