I’m not a happy camper these days. I like things to be fair and I think we are taking it in the rears right now. So it was suggested I write a rant once a week. Here’s the rant this week, Email Spamming Practices.
I’m at a networking event. I’ve picked up every single card I saw at the event. I may have had a conversation with the business owner. Can I go back and scan that card in, adding it to my database?
Ethically, I don’t think so, in my humble opinion. Legally, yes as long as you provide a way for the recipient of your marketing emails to unsubscribe to your list. This is what’s commonly referred to as the opt-out method. The people you add to your e-mail database should have an expectation that you’ll be reaching out to them. It would help if you actually asked their permission. I’ve seen that done in a very creative way.
There was a small business owner who took a clip board to each event, asking people to sign up for the e-mails. This owner secured, in their handwriting, permission to reach out. Brilliant!!
Our second dilema:
I just received a forwarded e-mail from a friend. The e-mail has all the addresses of the other recipients. Can I take those names and add them to my database?
Ethically, no, I don’t think so. Legally, again if you have a way for the recipient to unsubscribe to your list, you can probably get away with it, but is that in your best interest? Here’s an example of why this might not be in your business’ best interest.
A couple of years ago there was a new networking group in town. The regional coordinator arbitraily added people to the e-mail database without permission. There was an "unsubscribe", or "opt-out" on the e-mail. A business could opt out of this list, unfortunately, the regional didn’t control the list, so these businesses were arbitraily added back into the database after each networking event, without the business owner’s knowledge or permission. This strategy leaves the recipient with no choice other than report the business to their internet service provider (ISP). You don’t want that to happen to you.
In these times, it behooves us to be respectful and operate with the utmost integrity, or the goodwill of our business may be irreparably damaged. Please read up on the CanSpam Act and work to keep your business in compliance.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 19th annual Business Expo at Westfield’s Plaza Camino Real shopping center located at Marron Rd. and El Camino Real.
You can find a list of the exhibitors on the Chamber’s website. This is a great event to attend as a North San Diego County business owner. The expo starts at noon and culminates with the Sundowner at 5pm.
So grab your business cards and come to one of the largest networking events left this year. Meet the other business owners in North San Diego county and have a great time while you’re checking the exhibits and tasting the fine foods we offer in Carlsbad.
You can get free admission tickets by filling out a brief survey. You can also gain free admission by bring something to e-cycle, and old computer, monitor, etc. I’ll be there, will you??
On Friday, September 12, 2008 Tracey Downey, of Downey’s Chocolate, will present Ten Business Lessons Learned Through Chocolate to the Score Women’s Networking Breakfast. Tracey will inspire and delight the attendees with the details of her business background and evolution into a happy and successful small business owner.
I had the opportunity to visit Tracey at her shop to chat with her about her business, chocolates! I mean, really, who better to investigate chocolate than me?? Let me know what you think by commenting below!
The Carlsbad Chamber’s First Friday breakfast is September 5, 2008 from 7 - 9 a.m. at the Windmill Banquet & Catering, located at 890 Palomar Airport Rd., Carlsbad. This month our guest speaker will be David Carleton, author of “The Essential Referral Marketing System” and “The Ultimate Lead Generation System.”
As President of Street Smart Sales and Marketing, Carleton has developed sales, marketing and training programs that have helped hundreds of businesses in 30 countries around the world generate leads, increase sales and enhance their overall marketing effectiveness. He specializes in non-traditional, guerrilla marketing techniques that companies can use in highly competitive markets and industries or during economic downturns.
During the First Friday Breakfast, Carleton will present a mini-workshop where you will discover:
How to cut your advertising budget back significantly, yet bring in more prospects.
A strategy that statistics show can help your company perform 30 percent better than almost all other local businesses.
A way to give your company a distinct advantage over your competitors.
Four different ways to increase your sales by narrowing your focus.
One simple strategy that can increase your closing ratio significantly and keep current customers for life.
How changing your mindset about what you sell can significantly increase your sales and profits forever.
Join me for the best networking breakfast in North San Diego County, I’ll be wearing the hat!!
The principle of life is that life responds by corresponding; your life becomes the thing you have decided it shall be.
–Raymond Charles Barker
Is your business generating the profits you want? If not, then it’s time to decide what it shall be!
If you are wondering where your next customer is coming from…think about this
How much MORE MONEY would you make right now if you knew:
Who is Your MOST Profitable customer?
Where are they?
How can you get to them?
What are the exact words that will grab their attention
and make them realize you have what they are looking for and they MUST have it right now?
If You Want "Ready To Buy" Customers Chasing After YOU… Don’t Miss
"Lead Explosion" 1 Day Bootcamp
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
8:30am - 5:00pm
Cost: FREE ($497 Value)
Two Top Experts: Ann DeVere and Yasmine Bijan Reveal Strategies and Systems You Can Use Immediately!
This FULL Day Seminar is jam packed with practical, easy to follow and implement information. Each one of these strategies can bring you tens of thousands of dollars immediately!
How to double your profits by identifying and using the
"7 Key Profit Generators" of your business
How to identify your MOST profitable Customer
How to figure out WHERE your MOST profitable customers ARE
What are the exact words that will grab their attention
What are the MOST cost effective and powerful ways to deliver your message
Your personal mindset for Success
How to Transform Failure into Success
How to Turn Goal Setting into Goal Achieving
You will learn how to put all that information into very attractive messages that make your customers feel a need for your services. The whole process will give you the confidence and knowledge you need to successfully sell your products and services.
If you want to grow your business, don’t miss Lead Explosion
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
8:30am - 5:00pm
Cost: FREE ($497 value)
Location:
East County Business Center
270 East Douglas Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
You don’t have to chase after your customers. People WILL seek you out if you know which words will grab their attention and make them realize you have what they are looking for and they MUST have it right now?
Friday networking luncheon. Join Stacie Marotta this Friday, August 22, 2008 @ 11:30am at Shadowridge Country Club.
Are you asking the right questions in the sales process? Are you asking effective questions to accomplish your business and personal goals? Not sure?
Learn how to ask Effective Questions. These questions are designed to make you and others around you think. Your own answers will surprise you!
* You will look at how you have already been doing things and where you want to go next in your business.
* When you start looking at the answers to these questions for yourself you can see what you need to shift to questions work for you.
* You will learn how to use these questions to look closely at what empowers you and others on a daily basis.
Register today for Friday’s luncheon. You’ll be networking with other solopreneurs and small business owners, so bring plenty of cards and brochures.
During the luau, the tropical artwork of renowned local artist Wade Koniakowsky will be on display for everyone’s enjoyment. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Hawaiian attire.
Enjoy a margarita and Hawaiian music while making future business connections at the chamber’s Sundowner. The event will be sure to please with plenty of food, drinks, raffle prizes and lots of networking!
Admission is $5 for chamber members and $15 for prospective members. The chamber would like to thank those companies that donated raffle prizes for the July Sundowner at the La Costa Resort and Spa.
Oh yeah, I’ll be there….as always, look for the hat and make sure I take your picture so I can share the link love with your website and your business.
Itex is a barter organization here in San Diego and it’s absolutely true that if Cash is King, Barter is Queen. Join Art Kaliel and the many Itex members and their guests at a Mini Trade Show being held Thursday, August 21st at the Marron Adobe from 4pm to 6pm.
So come and network with other solopreneurs in North San Diego County and learn how you can leverage your business with barter! Oh, yeah!! I’ll be there….look for the hat, of course!
Solopreneurs have to network in their local business communities, especially if they are geographically bound. I, personally network with a couple of organizations.
I’ve been around for a long time and I have a few "tips" to share with the solopreneurs looking to find business through networking.
Tip One
It’s about relationships. It’s not about selling to me. You’re asking me to trust you enough to purchase your business at our first introduction. Why should I? I just met you. Instead, let’s chat. Let’s find some common ground. Just because I breath doesn’t mean I’m an ideal client.
Tip Two
Flyers. Fortunately, for me….I carry a big "business" bag that can hold your flyers. However, you just dashed by me, without saying a word, and pressed your flyer into my hand. Instead, why don’t you stop and share with me your event? Why don’t you engage me in conversation and find out if I could benefit by attending your event? If I can’t, maybe I know someone who can, or who would benefit by attending.
Tip Three
How many businesses are you running? When you change your business each year, or add multiple businesses to your current offerings, how am I to discern exactly what your expertise is? What are you passionate about? Is that reflected in what you offer to the community? Or, are you just looking to make a fast buck…
And on that note!
Tip Four
Back to relationships…I want to see that you’re going to stick around. When I refer someone, the first question I’m asked is, "Have you done business with them?" I need to be able to reassure my business buddy that you’re worth taking the risk on, if I haven’t done business with you. If you’ve been around for awhile, staying visible in the business community then I feel more comfortable referring you.
That’s my two cents on business networking….what’s your’s? Add to the conversation by commenting below.
The Real Estate Market, What You Need To Know In Uncertain Times is the topic of discussion at tomorrow’s The Meet Market meeting being held at Shadowridge Country Club in Vista. The meeting begins at 11:30am with networking followed by the guest speaker Anne Howard, Esq.
Come and meet the members of The Meet Market and find out what you can expect in the real estate market during the coming months.
If you come, look for me, I’ll be wearing the hat, of course!
The 
On Friday, September 12, 2008 Tracey Downey, of 
Solopreneurs have to network in their local business communities, especially if they are geographically bound. I, personally network with a couple of organizations.
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