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BUILDING A PRACTICE ON PURPOSE SERIES PART #2 - When Life Purpose is About More than What You Do
In our last installment of this series, I wrote:
"If you think your life purpose is "being a veterinarian (or any
other job, career, profession or primary role in life)" I invite
you to think again, because as we'll explore further in...
Everyone is an expert - who should you believe?
When I started my online business a year ago, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the number of web sites that offer advice. Everyone seemed to know how to make money on the Internet, which made it even harder to believe. The very first product I...
How To Start Your Own Teleseminar Business In Ten Steps
Up until the early nineties, there were only two ways by which you could learn. The first is through formal schooling by attending a certified college, university or institution offering a vocational course. The second is through self-study by...
Must-Knows for Marketing on the Internet
If you market exclusively through the Internet, or mainly through the Internet, you need to work on your communication style and develop one compatible with the Internet. Here are some tips: 1.WHO OWNS THE INTERNET? We the people. What does that...
Roman or Norman - A Customer Service Story
Roman Or Norman? It's The Difference Between Being Seen As A Partner Or An Invader.
With all of the discussion in recent years about the importance of understanding our customer's needs, it's a valuable exercise to try to see...
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A Live Human Being
A Live Human Being
by Bob Osgoodby
Ever try to call a company for information or assistance, and have to fight your way through a seemingly unending maze of instructions from an automated robot. "For this press one; for that press two", and so on. Some companies take you several layers deep in options before you get the choice of speaking with a live human being. I understand the efficiency involved, but at what cost? Usually it is at the expense of doing business with me.
Auto-responders are also great tools, and there are a number of ways to use them to your advantage. If they're set up to provide information about specific things, they can be a great time saver. But when they are used improperly, they can do more harm than good. If I request information and receive an auto-response, fine. But don't send me the same information once a week for the next seven weeks. All you are succeeding in doing is aggravating an otherwise potential customer.
While I'm pretty tolerant about receiving unsolicited e-mail, (spam) I do find it annoying to get the same ad over and over, all sent to a different address at my domain, day after day. It is pretty obvious that the sender has software to search the web looking for e-mail addresses, and harvesting every one they could find. If you try to respond to their message, it is returned as undeliverable, and in my judgment is not an offer from a legitimate company - another customer lost.
Ever try to get a question answered at Microsoft's web site? They ask you to describe your problem, and then give you an automated answer, which may or may not solve your problem. Efficient - yes, helpful - possibly. Don't get caught up in this trap. Sometimes there is no substitute for interaction with other people.
Yes, the Internet is a vast, impersonal place. But if you are hoping to do business on the web, you have to inject the personal touch. Personalized e-mail can be a great tool in your bag of tricks. If you get a question, take a few moments and try to answer it - if you do, you will most likely gain a long term supporter, and if they're a prospect, a customer.
Another thing that many are remiss at, is thanking someone who buys their product, or becomes a customer. Now if your business produces a lot of orders, it may not be possible to send a personalized thank you note to every customer. But you can have a "canned" letter hid away in your
word processor that you can copy and paste. A little attention here goes a long way.
Many times you will receive comments or suggestions. Some may be positive and others could be negative. You should take the time to personally respond to these. Thank people for positive comments. If it is negative try to address the issue, but don't get defensive. If someone has a gripe, and takes the time to write you, take them seriously. Maybe they are simply chronic complainers, but maybe their opinion has substance. Evaluate every comment you get, and surprisingly, you just might find a flaw in your approach that you never thought of, but someone else did.
Tread carefully when someone requests a joint venture. Many times these are thinly veiled pyramids. If you sell advertising in your publication or on your website, why would someone be willing to give you a healthy percentage of their profit, in return for your running an ad for them. Personally, I get offers like this all the time, addressed to "Dear Webmaster" and you know where they wind up.
Once in awhile however, someone will have a legitimate offer, and be willing to trade off a percentage of their profit for your advertising efforts. But if you do this, remember that you are putting your reputation on the line as well. Affiliate programs do this all the time.
In the cold world of the Internet, if you expect to do business, you must use a personal approach. Most people have the same reaction to some of the automated procedures in use that I do, and really appreciate the contact with a live human being. If you do offer this type of personal service, you will have a real advantage over your competitors, who believe that you can simply automate the process, and watch the money flow in.
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Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine the "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in the Newsletter. Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm
About the Author
Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine the "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in the Newsletter. Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm
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| How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear |
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| Allyn and Bacon Public Speaking Website |
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| Public Speaking & Speech Writing |
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| Presentation Tips for Public Speaking |
| Art of Public Speaking. Hints and tips on public speaking, ... On the Job: Public Speaking Tips - Twelve Steps to Great Presentations by Elise Bauer. ... |
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| 10 Tips for Successful Public Speaking - Toastmasters International |
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| Welcome to Toastmasters International where we are"Making ... |
| Non-profit organization developing public speaking and leadership skills through practice and feedback in local clubs since 1924. Members learn how to lead ... |
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| Strategies to Succeed in Public Speaking - School for Champions |
| Contents of online lessons to succeed in public speaking from the School for Champions. |
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| Public Speaking Home Page |
| Humor and quotes to help your speech - or just for your own enjoyment. History / Careers The history of public speaking and potential career options for you ... |
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| Public speaking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Public speaking is speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to ... Public speaking is almost as ancient as speech itself. ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN COUNSELING AND CAREER SERVICES |
| Public speaking anxiety is very common among both college students and the general ... The most common form of Social Phobia is public speaking anxiety. ... |
| www.utm.edu |
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| Painless Public Speaking |
| At Painless Public Speaking we keep you up to date with what's new in the world of ... Painless Public Speaking is not about the theory but the "how-to" ... |
| www.publicspeaking.com.au |
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| Public Speaking from Uncommon Knowledge |
| Public speaking couldn’t be further from your mind and your manager tells you have to do a presentation to fifty colleagues next week. What’s your response? ... |
| www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk |
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| Public Speaking Tips by Uncommon Knowledge |
| It’s possible for public speaking to be fun and hugely satisfying. Once you’ve enjoyed a presentation, or even part of it, your self confidence will get a ... |
| www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk |
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| Public Speaking Skills from Mind Tools - Speaking Tips & Techniques |
| Learn to speak and present clearly and effectively. Improve your speaking skills with this Mind Tools guide to speaking effectively in public. |
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| Public Speaking Information |
| Advanced Public Speaking Institute- -More than 120 mini articles on professional level ... Click here for additional articles on Public Speaking Information ... |
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| Basic Public Speaking, 2nd Edition - The Teachers and Students ... |
| New public speaking text for middle and high school Language Arts, ESL teachers and students. Written by a trained counselor and experienced teacher. |
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| public speaking tips - presentation skills tips, public speaking tips |
| presentation skills & public speaking monthly tips by Lenny Laskowski, Professional Speaker. |
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| Public Speaking - The Art of Speech Making |
| Public Speaking - Hints and tips on Public Speaking Skills, dealing with public speaking nerves and anxiety, public speaking skills and public speaking ... |
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| Advanced Public Speaking Institute |
| Public speaking articles, seminars, and educational materials. |
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| Public Speaking Training-Presentation Skills & Public Speaking courses |
| Public speaking training - Overcome your fear of public speaking with our presentation skills classes. We offer presentation skills training seminars, ... |
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