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An Interview with Ross Rayburn for BFUniv.org
We are proud to present this recent interview of Ross Rayburn, the creator of the course B501 "Start Your Business Right!" The interview is by the Rector of Bastiat Free University. Ross Rayburn had a distinguished prior career in sales, in sales...
Create a Positive, Upbeat, "Can-Do" Workforce and Dazzle the Customer with Your Caring!
Given the choice of dealing with a positive, upbeat employee with a "can-do" attitude or dealing with a disgruntled, distracted, uninterested one, which would you choose? No contest. Customers always want the best experience possible; they want...
Powerful Presentations Build Your Business
*Article Use Guidelines* Use in opt-in publications, or on Web sites, but please include the resource box. Please send me a copy, if possible. Many thanks. ** Summary: Take the time to create presentations for your meetings, and sign up more...
The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Speakers
Successful speakers do not do all the right things all the time. They often take risks and risk bombing. But all top speakers take daily action, to move towards their goals with many adjustments. Here are ten ways to be a highly effective...
The Ultimate PR "Scam"
It happens to business, non-profit and association managers when their public relations budget fails to deliver the crucial external audience behaviors they need to achieve their department, division or subsidiary objectives.
Behaviors they...
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Marketing For The Self-Employed
Marketing is the key to any business' success. If you don't have any clients, then you don't have a business. But before you go out looking for clients, you will need two things. The first is a business card. This is probably the most important piece of marketing and promotional material you will ever use. This little piece of paper will tell people who you are, what you do and how to contact you. It is the most common item people will have from your business and it must look professional.
Your business cards should have all the following:
* Precision cut edges. If you are printing them up yourself buy microperforated stock so no little nubs are visible on the edges of the card. * Be highly legible. * If you have a company logo, it should be on your card if it is simple enough to be recognizable. * Clearly indicate what it is that you do. * Include your address, phone number, e-mail, FAX number and all other contact information. * Don't print anything on the back of your card. If you need more space use a fold-over card. * It should be standard business card size (2" x 3.5") so that it fits into a business card folder and Rolodex. * It should be very different from all your competitor's cards so it stands out.
I would suggest that you start out printing your own business cards. This will let you make changes to layout and information without needing to have new cards printed at a print shop. You can use one of the many programs that will design business cards. While I'm no big fan of Microsoft, I do use their Publisher '97 program to create my cards. Then, after you work out all the bugs in your card, you can have them printed up professionally.
The next thing you will want to make is a company brochure. This promotional piece will let you go into more detail about what it is that you do. You can include client testimonials, artwork, photographs and much more. I have two that I use. The first one is used as a general handout that goes to all clients the first time that I mail something to them. Do be sure your flier fits into a business size envelope. The second one is designed to be passed out at trade shows and other special events. I usually customize this one for the audience at the event. Recently, I was a speaker at a science fiction convention, so the brochure I passed out talked about my ebook "The Writer's Dictionary Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror And Mythology," and how it would benefit science fiction and fantasy writers. Before that, I attended a business trade show. My brochure for this event emphasized my experience writing articles, newsletters and booklets. It's always best to tell your prospective clients what you want them to know. Don't assume that they will deduce something. If you want them to know that you write newsletters, tell them that you write newsletters. This is where the customized brochure comes in handy.
Once you have a business card and brochure, then you will need to promote yourself. There are numerous ways to do this, including:
* Creating your own website. * Networking at chamber of commerce meetings, clubs and organizations. Actually, you should network everywhere. This is where your business cards will come in very handy. * Using classified ads and display ads to promote your products and services. * Purchasing mailing lists for direct mail marketing. * Public speaking. Yes, I know it's scary, but it works. * Cold calling, either on the phone (it's easier if you make a script to read from) or knocking on the doors of potential clients. Be sure to follow up on these first contacts. * Sponsor something. A local sports team or event. * Donate your time and expertise to a charity or city project. You will make excellent contacts, and people will know that you care about your community.
Once you have started contacting prospective clients you must stay in contact with them. As a rule of thumb, you won't get a project from someone until your third to seventh contact.
There are many ways to do this. I have a list of potential clients, and I call everyone on this list at least once a month. I also send out postcards to everyone on the list four times a year. Hot prospects
also get two additional special mailings a year.
Postcards can be made cheaply by creating the card in a program like Microsoft Publisher '97. Fit four cards on a page, then photocopy this design onto a very bright card stock. Cut the postcards apart and mail them. The very bright paper really stands out on a client's desk that's piled high with paperwork.
Other things that I have done include: mailing out monthly calendars, sending out small gifts (pencils, pens, small photo albums, etc. with my name and phone number printed on them), mailing Christmas and birthday cards and sending thank you cards after every completed assignment.
You will need to establish pricing for your services. The best way to find a starting point is to check with several professional organizations in your field to see what the national average is. Then call several people in your area who are doing what you want to do and ask what they charge. I would suggest calling as a prospective client as you'll get more cooperation from them. Remember that prices will be higher in large cities than in small ones.
If you think that finding clients, and getting assignments, are the end of your problems, think again. You still need to be paid.
Most of your clients will pay you. They may take longer to pay than you would like, but they will pay. In two years as a freelance photographer in Southern California, I had only two clients that I had payment problems with. The best way to avoid problems with payment is to have a signed contract. Many professional organizations can supply you with sample contracts that you, or a lawyer, can customize for your specific needs. Be sure the contract includes what services are to be rendered, what fees are to be charged and when payment is due. Even if your contract states that payment is due in thirty days, it's not uncommon to wait ninety days to get your check. It's something you just need to live with. It's better to wait for payment than get bent out of shape and lose a client. But feel free to call the client every two to four weeks to get an update on your payment.
You can also find clients by setting up your own website. Showing examples of your product or service, along with testimonials, can be a great help. It also allows prospective clients see your work instantly. You could even find clients using only a website. I sell my ebooks on my website, and I have friends who sell their web design, writing, audiotapes, astrological forecasts and other services exclusively from their website. If you have the skill and time, you may also want to have an e-newsletter to send out regularly to those who have signed up for it. It's a great, and cheap, way to promote yourself and keep your name in front of prospective clients. Doing anything on the Internet can be time consuming, but it can cost almost nothing. I pay $25 a year for my domain name and $10 a month for a website. That's about the cheapest promotion you will find anywhere.
The real secret to promoting your business is to stay motivated. Be excited about your product or service, and show that excitement to your clients. Excitement is contagious, so get your clients excited about you and you'll have a much better chance of getting a sale or assignment.
Suggested Reading
1001 Ways To Market Your Books by John Kremer - Even though this book was designed to help writers sell their books, it's full of useful marketing information that anyone can use.
Any of the Guerrilla Marketing books by Jay Conrad Levinson - These books are a great source of marketing information.
The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman - Peter will show you how to be financially self-sufficient as a freelance writer in a big city in six months or less.
About the Author
http://www.CreativeCauldron.com Jeff Colburn is a freelance writer who specializes in websites, newsletters, poetry and genre fiction. His books, "The Writer's Dictionary Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Mythology" and "The Youngest Ninja," can be purchased from his site, www.CreativeCauldron.com. The Creative Cauldron is a site filled with information for writers, photographers, artists and other creative people.
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How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear |
A report that covers the common causes of public speaking fear and tips to overcome it. Book available. |
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Allyn and Bacon Public Speaking Website |
A five-step guide to preparing and delivering effective speeches. |
wps.ablongman.com |
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Public Speaking & Speech Writing |
A free guide to speech writing and delivery for every occasion. From best man speeches to eulogies. |
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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. ... |
www.aresearchguide.com |
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10 Tips for Successful Public Speaking - Toastmasters International |
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www.toastmasters.org |
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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. |
www.school-for-champions.com |
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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 ... |
www.mhhe.com |
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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. |
www.mindtools.com |
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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 ... |
www.selfgrowth.com |
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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. |
www.capital.net |
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public speaking tips - presentation skills tips, public speaking tips |
presentation skills & public speaking monthly tips by Lenny Laskowski, Professional Speaker. |
www.ljlseminars.com |
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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 ... |
www.impactfactory.com |
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Advanced Public Speaking Institute |
Public speaking articles, seminars, and educational materials. |
www.public-speaking.org |
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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, ... |
www.publicspeakingskills.com |
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