You've Got Mail!!!

Hi, my name is Robin Brostovski and I’m a "Keep In Touch Coach."

“We’re in a recession.” “Nobody’s buying.” “Sales are down.” Anybody hearing those types of statements lately?Hallelujah!

Good, experienced, professional business owners and sales people know that a recession is a tremendous opportunity to improve market share.

Why? Two reasons.

First, because a lot of their competitors are giving up or waiting until the economy gets better. In good times, if people don’t hear from you, they assume you’re busy. In bad times, if people don’t hear from you, they assume you’re GONE.

Second, because sales professionals KNOW that people still buy houses and cars and clothing and jewelry and vacuum cleaners during a recession. People still go on vacation, go out to eat, go to the dentist and go get their nails done.

It is well documented that business people who maintain their visibility during tough economic times and who stay in touch with clients and prospects can improve their market share and return on investment at lower cost than during good economic times.

Sending heartfelt greeting cards is the most powerful and affordable “keep-in-touch-with-customers-and-prospects” system on the planet.

I’m a “Keep in Touch Coach” with Share A Card Now, and my ideal referral is a sales professional you know who says “Sales are down, and I need to figure out a better way.”

It is my hope and desire that this will help you to learn how to keep in touch, generate referrals and build your business like never before!

Blessings!Robin

Showing Appreciation

Hello friends!
I am reading a book called Appreciation Marketing, How to Achieve Greatness Through Gratitude by Tommy Wyatt and Cutris Lewsey...and I will say WOW! This book has totally changed my view of how do to business tremendously. If you havent read it, its probably one of those short read books that you should have on your shelf and read about 10 times! I am on my second time around with this one.All of us have some sort of business, and we use different methods with which to promote our businesses. But showing appreciation for those who have done business with us, friends, family, etc...can be an amazing tool to grow it even further! One thing they said which realy hit home was "people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forger how you made them feel." Do we make our customers FEEL like they really are appreciated?Another statement that really made me think was "what you give out is what you get back." The energy attached to you is simply a reflection of the type of person you are and work to become. WOW again! How to I react to my customers? Do I show a genuine desire to help them? Am I a sincere person. Whew, it really made me think!During the 15 yrs in Direct Sales, we were taught how to sell, how to book, how to play games and booking games. But you know, in all that training, I was never helped with how to REALLY relate to my customers. A kind thank you was about it, but I never took the time to contact them at all in months to come...not even to remember them on their Birthday! I mean, if we want referrals, we will keep in touch with our customers, right?There is so much in this book that will help you in so many ways..give it a shot and get it.If you would like a way to keep in touch with your customers easily, affordably right from your computer...a tool that is invaluable to every business and person, please let me know! And you can even send yourself or your friend this book!Lets think about how to really appreciate our customers, and each other!
Wishing you many blessings!
Robin Brostovski
Share A Card Now
www.shareacardnow.com

Summers Over

Did summer go by fast, or what? Wow, next thing I knew it was September! I always love summer, and sad to see it go. BUT with Summer past, that means holidays! First my nephew is getting married and thats fun. Then my son turns 19. Then its Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love the holidays, do you? Looking foward to sharing them with family I hope this year!
So share with me...whats your favorite time of the year?
Hugs
Robin
www.shareacardnow.com

Recession Rescue

Hey all - I got this great article from Michelle PW - Your Marketing Strategist...her blog is http://www.michelepw.com/blog/ and you can subscribe to get some awesome email info!

Posted in Advertising, Business, Marketing, Public Relations at 9:27 am EDT by Michele PW
In the book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” after Earth is blown up, Arthur (the main character) is presented with a small computer (not unlike an iPhone I’d imagine) with these words on the front — “Don’t panic.” Arthur finds this oddly comforting, even though Earth is gone and he is on a spaceship with a guy he really didn’t get along with too well when they were both on Earth.
Although no one said those words, that was the underlying theme of this past Dan Kennedy/Bill Glazer Superconference. Don’t panic. Yes we’re in a recession. Yes the government is doing crazy things. Yes we have pirates and pig flu and everything else. But you shouldn’t be panicking because it’s very possible for us to not just survive but thrive. (Hey, if Arthur can keep from panicking after watching the end of the world, we should have no problems.)
So what can we do? In a word — lots. Here are 3 things to get you started:
1. Don’t allow what’s going on to paralyze you. Over and over again we kept hearing stories about business owners who have just stopped doing anything. Whether it’s from fear or because they believe it’s not going to make a difference so why bother or they think this is smart to hunker down and do nothing while they wait things out, the end result is they’re frozen. And because they’re frozen, their businesses are dying.
Now is not the time to be doing nothing. Now is the time to be doing something. Lots of things. Like marketing. Lots of marketing. In fact, this is an excellent time to be marketing because your competition is probably panicking and frozen and hiding in a closet somewhere, so you have the chance to not only solidify YOUR position but take customers away from your competition.
2. Work harder. Ivanka Trump came and spoke to us, and the biggest thing I took from her is she works 16-hour days. Yes she’s rich. Yes she has a trust fund. Yes she’s in the family business. And she works her little tush off.
Now, I’m not necessarily advocating ignoring your family and your health and everything else and just focusing on your business. What I AM saying is if your business isn’t where you want it to be, rather than shutting down or doing less, try doing more. Whether that looks like hiring someone to do a marketing campaign for you or you get some systems in place to free up your time so you can focus on other things or you roll up your sleeves and do things you wouldn’t normally do, you might need to do more right now rather then less.
3. Fix any fundamental flaws. Dan said what’s really happening right now is the recession is exposing flaws in businesses that were always there, it’s just before the businesses were making money despite those flaws. So, again, don’t panic, don’t shut down, and look at this as an opportunity. You’re able to fix problems in your business so when we do come out of the recession, your business will be that much stronger.
And the most important thing to remember — don’t panic. You CAN not only survive this but thrive.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Recession Rescue — Lessons Learned from Dan Kennedy", url: "http://www.michelepw.com/blog/2009/05/14/a-surprising-reason-why-spending-is-down-2/" });
ShareThis

Let It Snow!

Ah I love winter...not so much anymore! We live in south central Virginia, and the last 6 yrs or so have been pretty mild. Yeah, the ocassional flurries and 1/2 inch of token snow. But
Sunday we had 6-8 inches, and along with that comes power outages around here. It went out Sun night, and finally returned at 8pm Tuesday evening. Not too bad actually. Times past our power was out for no less than a week at a clip. Not good with small kids! But I consider us lucky. There are still folks without power. And some are elderly or have health issues. We were among the blessed. And think about those less fortunate.
So, hope your winter is going well...and spring is just around the corner! I'm so glad!
Blessings on your day!
Robin

Networking

Hello everyone!
Are you looking for ways to promote your business? Here are some ideas on where to leave your business cards, flyers, catalogs etc! You may already know about some of these...and there are hundreds of ideas! I am going to post a few...then I want YOU to add to the list. Whats worked for you? Where do you leave stuff? Or do you just give it out to anyone any everyone! Lets share!
#1. Take a small zip close baggie (snack sizes work well) and include the following in it:
Your Business Card, Business Oppty Mini Flyer, a Piece of Candy such as hard candy or a lollipop, mini flyer of current host specials, discount coupon (optional) etc.

Hand these out to the bank tellers, retail cashiers, at your kids sport events, every where you go!

#2. When I stay at hotels & motels I leave a mini catalog, my business card & discount coupon and the mini coin canister for the maid! I put her tip inside the mini coin canister! I have gotten 3 orders by doing this!

Be creative when you leave tips for Hotel Maids, Waitresses, Waiters, Hair Dressers, etc. Don't just hand them your business card, make it memorable!

You can also buy cute little beaded change purses at your local dollar discount store!

#3. Print out flyers with your contact info (not your personal address), your website address & email address along with any current specials you are offering.

Then contact local area mobile home park offices, apartment complex rental offices, housing developements, etc and ask them if you can leave fliers in their office or hang on their tenants doors. Give the office employees a free gift or discount on their personal orders.

#4. Contact local area bridal supply stores, bridal gown stores, caterers, tux rental centers, wedding dj's etc. Ask them if you can leave your business cards & fliers about the great (Company Name) Bridal Gift Registry for them to give to their customers.

Offer store owners a free gift or a personal discount for helping you spread the word about your business.

#5. Daycare Centers! They are excellent to contact and leave business cards and/or fliers at!

I print out a flyer and I attach my business card & a discount coupon. I get a lot of orders by doing this!

So whatever company you represent, find some items that cater to children or to moms and make up a flier!

#6. A lot of churches hold a spring and Fall Fest! Contact them about getting a table or a booth. A lot of times this will cost you under $15.00 for a space!

Make sure you take products with you along with business oppty fliers, plenty of catalogs, business cards etc.

Do a contest drawing at these types of events. Make up entry blanks that gather the customer's info so that you can initiate contact with them again!

#7. Join your local area chamber of commerce! They are always holding local business events that you can participate in.

#8. College Campuses! Dorms & Housing Students are always looking to spend money! A lot of college students are also looking for an extra income so target them with the Business Oppty too!

Drop off fliers and business cards to the College Student Center! They usually have bulletin boards, tables and other things where you can leave your information at for FREE!

#9. Contact your local area Welcome Wagon or Welcome to the Neighborhood Group! Ask them about you leaving mini catalogs, fliers, business cards, discount coupons, freebie mini gifts, etc with them.

They are always looking for additional items to place in their Welcome Bags!

#10. Contact your local area hospitals and ask for Human Resources Dept. The Majority of hospitals hand out New Mommy Diaper Bags filled with products, samples and other stuff for New Moms who just had a baby!

It's FREE for you to add in your information! I have gotten party hosts, new customers and new recruits by participating in these types of programs.

#11. Contact your local medical offices, particularly Gynecology and OB Offices and Pediatric Offices and inquire about you leaving information with them.

This is a way for you to target Parents of Children with both the home party oppty, the business oppty and new customer sales.

#12. Donate a Product to your local area Radio Station, they have numerous contests and they are always looking for sponsors!

Your donation can be written off as a tax deduction plus you will get FREE Advertising & Business Exposure for your donation!

#13. Donate a Product to your local area Bingo Halls! They are always looking for sponsors of their Bingo Prizes! Bingo is BIG in a lot of areas!

#14. Call your Chamber of Commerce and find out about Local Area Job Fairs. Get a booth and set up info about the fabulous business oppty!

#15. Call your Local Area Colleges and find out when their next job/employment fair is. A lot of times you can get a booth or table for less than $35 and you will get a lot of GREAT new recruit leads by participating in events like these.

#16. Contact local area car dealerships. I have 2 in my local area that hand out a small packet that I made up for FREE to their customers who come in to take a free test drive!

#17. Target your local area gyms! You can get a table space for $20 or less in most cases! Make sure you have 3-5 products on display, plenty of catalogs, business cards and fliers.

#18. Network with others in your community who are in a home business. Find out what events and activities that they participate in. They are usually "in the know" and can help you get started in networking in your community.

#19. Contact Companies in your area to see if you can come in and set up a table in the employee lounge or cafeteria for an employee shopping break! These days a lot of companies will allow you to do this if you ask them!

#20. Does your local area TV cable company have a local information channel? Inquire about advertising! These ads will reach thousands of potential buyers for you! I recommend you only use your website address for these types of advertising and not your personal at home address.
I have about 100 of these ideas...i just posted 20 of them here. Share with us..lets get this going! After all...we are here to help each other out, right?
Have a blessed day!

Networking Tips

Hello Friends!
I figure it might be fun to share networking ideas! What do you think?
First, I have found that keeping in touch with my customers and hostesses is #1 priority. Make em feel special!
A lot of us try to grow our businesses online. But did you know that most of the time face to face busines is best? So then, how do I get my business 'out there'? Lets take a little time and share what we know works for us!
One thing I do is put my catalogs out and about. So when I go to the doctor, dentist, hair salon, anywhere there is a waiting room - I make sure I leave at least a mini catalog with all of my contact information on it!
Do you have something eye catching on the FRONT of your catalog? I bought precut cardstock type stars in neon colors. On them, I put 30% off...ask me how OR FREE product for the first 10 customers. I also made sure my contact infor was on the front (like staple your card to the front, or a couple cards so they can take one without taking your entire catalog) AND put your info on the back.
How about putting one of those locker caddy things in the pizzaria or anywhere they will allow with your biz card and mini mailer inside. Check on them from time to time to replenish stock. Some companies may allow you to put a FREE DRAWING box. Make up a form that has all their info (LEADS!!!) and put the prize or a picture of it nearby. Then be sure to contact them even if they dont win.
So...I'm sure you have tons of ideas. Post them here so we can all benefit!
Thanks and have a blessed day!
Robin