It’s so wonderful the creativity and resources we have within us when we allow us time and space to just be.

I hope you enjoy this video and music as much as I did.

All the best,
Jason

P.S. I thought about talking about how your business team is very similar. It needs everyone to be in sync – sales, marketing, operations, service, management, external support, etc. to be harmonious and really strong and successful. And how you yourself as the small business owner have to have all your areas in sync – vision, strategy, action plan, skills, environment and mindset – and how these are the areas I help my clients to work on, tweak, upgrade and perfect so you can reach the best possible outcome. But then I decided not to.

Oh wait.. guess I just did :)

It’s zero degrees in Chicago this morning.

But the weather is looking up. I checked the daily and monthly averages, because I am getting really tired of this cold. I can’t wait for it to warm up!

January is the coldest month of the year for my area. And on average, January 20th is the coldest day of the month. So guess what?

It’s damn cold out, but it’s all uphill from here!

And even as I write, the temperature just went up 1 degree. We’re making progress.

The hardest part about getting through the cold winter is that I have no control over whether it will get warmer or colder.

That is really hard to swallow. Even though I’ve been doing this for almost 40 years, it only seems to get harder – knowing that I have absolutely no control of my environment.

I’m so glad that’s NOT how it is with my business.

Things business-wise are very warm indeed!

And I have the satisfaction of knowing that it’s due to my own work. It’s all in my control. Even when it feels like it’s not – it really is.

The smarter and more motivated I work, the warmer it gets. (And notice that I didn’t say “the harder I work…” because in my book, smart and motivated work trumps hard and uninspired work any day!)

If I don’t have enough clients, I simply go to a networking event, give a presentation or send an email out to my list. And *poof* – more clients appear. Now obviously, there are certain things I need to do and say at that networking event, during the presentation or in that email. But because I know how to do it, have built my marketing message, my track record of helping clients my brand and what I stand for, it’s relatively easy to get new clients.

It wasn’t always that way for me. I had to learn A LOT OF LESSONS the hard way.

And for many small business owners, it’s never that way.

But it can be! It should be very easy for most small business owners to get new clients. That is, of course, if they are working smartly and are inspired.

So now that winter is starting to fade (thought I still can’t control the weather myself!), what do you have planned for January 21st through the rest of the spring to make sure YOU ARE IN CONTROL of your own “warmth” and your own business success?

Do you know what you are doing – daily, weekly, monthly – that will result in – *poof* - more clients?

Are you confident and proven in your networking conversations and email offers to your list? Do you even have a “list?” (This is EXTREMELY important to build your client funnel.)

Are you using technology wisely and leveraging relationships of marketing and referral partners to gain clients?

These are all in YOUR CONTROL. And you should be using them, and using them well.

After all, the weather will get warmer, but ONLY YOU CAN CONTROL if your business heats up.

So, what will it be – bright, warm and sunny, or cold, damp and miserable? It’s up to you.

Want help with this?

I’m working on a new FREE Special Report that outlines my best secrets to help you get more clients right now. That’s right, I’m giving away the step-by-step actions to the things you can do right away to get more clients that are eager to work with you.

If you want to get on my email list and be one of the first to get this incredible, business-changing report, just sign up for one of my two existing Special Reports:
- “The Business Success E-Series”
-  “Untangling Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and More”

You’ll be EXTREMELY GLAD you did!

Stay warm :)

I don’t know about you, but my schedule is BUSY… jam-packed, full to the brim. There are networking events, association and chamber meetings, family gatherings, friends’ parties, Facebook events, Evites… Oh my head!

This can be a very interesting time of the year for many small businesses (and tough for some).  So much to do and so little time, lots of running around from this meeting to that event, back to work, downtown to run errands, to the mall for presents, back to that other event that I almost forgot about…

And if you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner or sales professional, your sales might slow down as you and your clients gear up for the holidays, unless they sell reindeer feed - like my uncle in Alaska.

I know the feeling.  I’ve woken up late in the night and cried out for help and a break from all the holiday overload.  But then I discovered the “rules” of classy, stylish and easy networking . . . and how to rule all these holiday events instead of having them rule me.
(Yep.. you knew this was going somewhere!)

Well, here are the best business networking tips, and I want to share them with you.  They are especially useful during the holiday season to make connections that count, and they will help you keep your energy, sanity and holiday cheer – not to mention build your network, your referral partners and your client base!

“10 Holiday Networking Tips”

1.) Make a good first impression
It counts OH SO MUCH! Be polite, respectful & friendly.

2.) Get to know others
Ask lots of questions. Show interest. Find out what common bonds you share. This is how you want to be treated by others, right?

3.) Maintain a “giving” mindset
Just like the holidays, successful networking is all about giving. It should be easy to remember this time of year, but it’s an important mindset to have all year round.

4.) Ask for their contact info
So you’ll be able to get in touch with them if you are interested in talking further.

5.) Don’t “sell” without permission
If you’re turned off by someone launches into a 5-minute (or longer) sales presentation about their awesome pens that write underwater, in the dark and without gravity, don’t assume others are dying to hear about your slick wheel bearings, even if you “know” that’s exactly what they need.  This is a very important step – maybe the most important of all. You do want to tell people what you do, but in a classy, stylish way that gets their attention and doesn’t annoy them. If they seem a bit interested, ask them if they would like to hear more.

6.) Avoid opening with “So, what do you do?”
It can kill rapport building before it begins and can condemn the interaction to being nothing more than boring, robotic and mindless chatter without exchanging the truly important information. If you open your conversations this way, you can miss an important opportunity to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

7.) Don’t rely on them to contact you
Just because they said they were thrilled to have met you and learned about your slick wheel bearings, doesn’t mean they will really call you.  They may have intended to at the time, but life happens and no one is perfect. So get their info so you can ensure the follow up.

8.) Always carry pen, paper & business cards
You never know when a great opportunity might present itself. Yes, even while you’re fighting for that last “Cosmic Raymond” action figure.

9.) Do not get out of a conversation by dumping them on someone else
Making another person suffer is no way to get a good reputation during the holidays. Kindly excuse yourself, tell them you need another drink, see someone you need to speak with, or even that you have to “go” really bad! And don’t get caught lying as that will kill all of your credibility really fast.

10.) Enjoy yourself!
Relax and have fun!  When you’re smiling and enjoying yourself, you are more likable to others, and this can lead to a lot of business. Be kind, considerate and magnetic!

SO… I hope these “10 Holiday Networking Tips” help you as you network your way through all the parties this season. 

And in the meantime, I want to wish a very happy holiday season to you, your family, your business, and most of all your networking spirit!

All the best,
Jason

P.S. Speaking of networking and creating a blockbuster 2011, check out the Facebook Small Business Page that will help you do both: Achieve Your Ideal Business Now!

And be sure to post an introduction on The Wall – because we want to get to know your business as well!

This can be done in person via speaking engagements, workshops, classes, networking events; on the phone on teleclasses, teleseminars, etc.; or on the web through webinars, social networking, blogging, newsletters, Fan Pages, and so many more methods… 

Over the years, I have given hundreds of presentations. And I’ve learned something VERY IMPORTANT that I want to share this with you:

To make sales from your presentation, just giving a killer speech isn’t good enough.

Below are my “Fantastic 5 Keys to Delivering a Kick-Ass, Sales-Generating Presentation!” as posted on my “Small Business Daily Success Tips” on http://facebook.com/GrowYourBiz: 

11/8/10
MONDAY “Tip of the Day”: BizCoachJason’s Fantastic 5 Keys to Deliver a Kick-Ass, Sales-Generating Presentation: Key #1 – “Make a great first impression!” How important is this? Our subconscious mind tells us whether we like someone or not based on an intuitive first impression. If it’s a bad impression, it can be overcome but that can be *very* difficult. Get started on the track, right away. And remember to SMILE!

11/9/10
TUESDAY “Tip of the Day”: Key #2 – “Make a BOLD promise!” Grab your audience’s attention in a big way! Tell them what’s in it for them to spend their precious time, attention and energy listening to you. You’ll gain acceptance and enthusiasm, and make it more fun for you and them. And you better deliver on your bold promise!

11/10/10
WEDNESDAY “Tip of the Day”: Key #3 – “Learn something about your audience” This is a really important component of your talk to make sure you are delivering value and building the relationship with your audience members. You need to know who you are talking to and what their challenges are, even when you invited a specific group of people.

11/11/10
THURSDAY “Tip of the Day”: Key #4 – “Involve your participants” People learn in different ways. Engage your audience members by involving them and making them a part of your presentation. Make it fun for them. Give them an experience, not just a lecture, and they will learn, remember and enjoy it exponentially more.

11/12/10
FRIDAY “Tip of the Day”: Key #5 – “Provide a Call to Action” Without this, you can give a magnificent, stellar presentation and GET NO SALES. I’ve been there, done that. I’ve seen too many others fall prey to this as well. YOU NEED TO MAKE AN IRRESISTIBLE OFFER and tell your audience EXACTLY what to do to accept. This makes it a win-win!

Now go out there and create massive value for your target market by giving kick-ass presentations that will serve you and serve them!

Remember, to get even more sales, marketing, social media and other business success tips:
- Go to and “Like” http://facebook.com/GrowYourBiz
- Introduce yourself and your business on The Wall
- Come back each day to read and comment on the tips. This will grow your skills and your business as well as your own social networking connections and effectiveness.

To your success!
BizCoachJason Rosado

P.S. For more tips on using social networking to build your marketing and sales funnel, provide huge value to your prospects and build your business quickly, check out the special report “Untangling Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and More…”

I do make sure that your small business coaching gives you
all you need to know to have your small biz “killa swagga” – so you can
get more clients, make more money, and enjoy more time and freedom! 

Does your sales and marketing have it’s own unique style and zip?
Does it make people jump out of their seats and run to hire you?
Or mesmerize them by its cool, calm smoothness so they can’t help but say ‘yes’?

Not sure what I’m talking about? Well, that’s ok…

For one month ONLY or until spaces run out -

Contact me now for a One-on-one FREE Small Business

**Sales and Marketing Swagga Makeover**

• Assess your current sales and marketing activities
• Determine which activities you should keep – “Giving you swagger”,
  which ones you should throw out – “Costing you swagger”,
  and which new ones to add – “Killer swagger”
• Make a three-stage plan to move forward and reach your ultimate business success!

The video is for laughs.
But the Free ”Small Biz Swagga Makeover” is for real!

So don’t wait – spaces are limited, contact me now.

Check out this video from world-famous Swagga Coach, Taavon:
“Zach Galifianakis and all the biggest actors in Hollywood have hired
the best swagga coach in Los Angeles…”

Feel free to comment with your thoughts, experiences, and share your insights with the other members. The more you share and post, the more exposure you get for your business…

* FRIDAY Tip of the Day: Prioritizing and efficiency -> When making your To-Do list at night, place the thing that… http://bit.ly/b8HJZU

* THURSDAY Tip of the Day: Getting More Yes’s to Your Networking and Sales Meeting Requests – Have you demonstrated… http://bit.ly/bkjSur

* WEDNESDAY Tip of the Day: When writing an online profile, bio or description of your business, be sure to relate… http://bit.ly/bg4lLN

* TUESDAY Tip of the Day: Use the “Solution, problem, solution” format in your speaking engagements and sales… http://bit.ly/aOS2Qj

* MONDAY Tip of the Day: The biggest sales mistake that most people make is not asking enough questions. You need to… http://bit.ly/9o1L9K

Have a great week!
BizCoachJason
http://facebook.com/BizCoachJason

Please discuss….

I’m happy to say that recently a number of past clients have contacted and hired me again to help them with this very question, to get down pat the skills, strategies, motivations and action plans needed to make it happen. That’s always a wonderful sign and feeling.

I like to help my clients set up a system that involves online and offline networking, getting exposure as an expert in their field, and using various client attraction methods to really put the fun back into marketing and sales.

I recommend people find ways to engage past, current and future clients in ways that really resonate with them as individuals and appeal to their target client. Provide lots of helpful info – create newsletters or teleclasses, speak at events, organize networking gatherings, use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Meetup, partner up with others that share the same target audience, and join a “leads” group.

Connect and build relationships based on mutual interests and joint benefits. It’s all there for the taking, and it can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience!

If you would like more info on any of these ideas, please feel free to ask me. I’d be happy to help.

All the best,
Jason
Jason@DistinctiveCoaching.com 
773.829.1276

Helpful links:
http://bit.ly/dcsnsr – Social Networking Special Report
http://www.AchieveYourIdealBusiness.com – 5 Easy Steps to Grow Your Business