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CAUTION: Facebook Spoof eMails – Happy Holidays NOT

While developing, implementing, managing and supporting over 100 websites I get to see every type of spam under the sun. I won’t bore you with the nitty gritty details about spam, but if you saw the movie Forrest Gump, Bubba started a list of all the ways he knew to prepare shrimp… my list is that long about spam and I am from the South. Go figure.

Lately the worst offenders have been the Facebook Spoof emails, as they look identical to the email notifications from Facebook. There’s a ‘Happy Holiday’ Facebook spoof that puts a virus on your computer and also infects your Facebook page. Even though you may be in love with Facebook, don’t open the emails. Procede with caution when it comes to networking sites. Below is a list of the eMail practices I employ. Please add your favorite practices to the comments…

Keith Farrazzi with How do I Start Networking?

If you ever have the opportunity to see Keith Farrazzi, the popular author of Never Eat Alone in a live presentation, GO! He’s just like he is in this short 2 minute video, passionate and animated. He brings up good points about getting involved where you will shine…this is where passion comes in…Engage it! Did you notice that he didn’t mention any formal business networking events?… and that’s an important detail. As much as we encourage networking organizations, you can “connect” anywhere! You can make connections outside of your referral group or chamber mixer. Think of the possibilities! Your next big business connection maybe standing in line next to you at Starbucks!

Create a Memory

by Dale Furtwengler

Nothing creates a memory like offering a referral or resource to someone you meet at networking events. What is that memory of? Certainly your generosity and kindness, but will that help you generate more referrals? Not if you aren’t clearly communicating who your ideal customer is. There are all sorts of mistake that I see when people are introducing themselves at networking events. Here are three: 1. They talk about what they do.

2. They don talk about what advantages their clients receive in working with them.

3. They identify their ideal client using demographics.

I’m going to concentrate on number three. You know that it feels like when someone is going on and on all about themselves. Boring! The third mistake is the least obvious of all the mistakes.

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One of the hardest presentations to make is the entrepreneurial pitch. You have a great idea for a business and you want someone to give you money to make it happen. The problem is that venture capitalists, angel investors, and even rich uncles are heavily predisposed against you. Why? Because 99% of the pitches they hear sound like sure-fire prescriptions to lose money!

If you are pitching investors to give you money for a new venture, you should subscribe to the following rules:

1. Explain exactly what your business is within the first thirty seconds. Many entrepreneurs waste valuable time giving loads of data, background and other info—all the while investors are left scratching their heads thinking “What does this business actually DO?”

2. Tell your audience who your customers will be. Paint a vivid, specific picture of these people.

3. Explain why your customers going to give you there hard-earned money.

4. Explain who your competitors are. (And if you say you have no competitors, that is a certain sign you are unsophisticated and deserve no investment money!)

5. Explain why you are the ONE to make this happen.

6. Give your presentation with confidence and enthusiasm. Investors want a founder/CEO to be a chief salesperson; they want to see that you can convince the world of your dream—not just them.

7. Explain what star you can hitch a ride to. Has Best Buy or Radio Shack agreed to distribute your new product? Investors feel much more comfortable knowing you have an established player willing to distribute your wares.

8. Ask for a specific amount of money. If all you do is ask for money, then you can’t complain if an investor gives you $3.25 for a cup of Starbucks coffee.

9. Tell prospects exactly what you are going to spend the money on (hint:a trip to Maui for you and your friends will not impress)

10. Dress well, act confident, and put on the air that you don’t really need their money, but would be willing to accept it if they bring enough to the table to be a strategic partner for you. Sad but true regarding human nature, but people are much more likely to give you money if they feel you don’t really need it.

Finally, make each pitch presentation serve as a focus group for your next presentation. When one group of investors asks you a series of questions after you pitch, write down all of those questions and make sure most of them are answered in your next pitch so that the next group doesn’t have to ask them. Keep pitching and keep improving your pitch and eventually you may get funded.

About the author: Ron has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his latest website over at http://www.climatizadordear.com which helps people find the best Ionic Breeze Air Purifier and information when they are looking for Ionic Pro Air Purifier .

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