Strategic Relationships: 3 Questions to Get Started

May 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

handshake

Profitable Partnerships to Power Your Business Growth

One of the key things I work on very closely with my clients is building strategic relationships. I believe that the more you try to do on your own, the longer success will take, and that’s why I’ve been so passionate about spreading the message of Smart Networking.

Referral partnerships, joint ventures and other forms of collaboration with like-minded professionals can help
 connect you to a stream of new clients without your 
having to do as much work.

Here’s
 an example: If I meet an insurance agent at a networking event who wants to follow up with me to talk about my insurance needs, I’ll probably politely decline. But, if my financial planner
 says to me, “Go speak to this insurance agent, you really need to think about
 this right now, here’s his card,” then I’d do it. Because someone I already 
trust and who knows my situation is suggesting that I do so.

When prospects are pre-sold on working with you because of a strong recommendation from your networking partner, this shortens the sales cycle for you tremendously.

As a speaker, I look to form partnerships with companies who have an audience but need content, and where we can work together year in and year out. When both of you can contribute something that the other needs, that’s a win-win, and can help sustain your business for the long-term.

Here are some examples in other professions where partnering for referrals can help all the way around:

  • Real
 estate agent, interior designer, landscape architect
  • Wedding
 planner, florist, caterer
  • Nutritionist,
masseuse, personal trainer

What kinds of strategic partnerships can YOU form to help you bring in a steady stream of new clients? Here are 3 questions to get your thinking started:

  • What kinds of businesses serve the same audience you do?
  • Whom do you already know who is a leader in their field?
  • What other products and services do your clients need?

An important additional benefit of building strategic partnerships is in the eyes of your clients, you 
move from being just a vendor who looks out just for himself, to a trusted
 advisor who looks out for THEM and connects them to the best people.

Filed Under: Building Your Business, Success Principles Tagged With: ,

Network Authentically: The Art of Heart-Centered Networking

April 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

network authentically

Free Telesummit: How to Network Authentically, Strategically and with Heart

Did you know that 92% of successful business professionals credit “networking” for playing a crucial role in their success?

That’s just common sense when you think about it.

Effective Heart-Centered Networking is about nurturing relationships, not just making contacts or promoting yourself. And when you have strong collaborative connections you have an endless source of new clients, programs and revenue.

The KEY to being heart-centered and effective is to network authentically AND strategically…you simply can’t have one without the other, or else it’s going to be a bust!

I’m delighted to announce that I’ve joined 13 of the top Heart-Centered Entrepreneurs who are sharing how they achieved immense success by networking in a heart-centered and strategic way.

Join us for The FREE Heart-Centered Networking Virtual Training. You will learn all the secrets behind the energy, the mindset AND the specific step-by-step strategies before, during, and after networking opportunities – both offline and online,  that the top Heart-Centered Networking Masters have used to make their businesses incredibly prosperous.

Check out the 14 powerful topics and register HERE

… AND the best part is that this virtual training gives you everything you need to get started, including

  • Full access to each of the LIVE training sessions, plus over $1000 worth of bonuses hand-picked by the master teachers
  • Participate in the Private Heart-Centered Networking Facebook Community
  • The Heart-Centered Networking Challenge of the Day (so you can begin applying these principles right away).

If you know it is time to get out there with your gifts and serve more people, don’t put this off any longer. We will be giving you ALL the details you need to make networking finally work for you.

Register for the Heart-Centered Networking Virtual Training HERE

The training starts on May 1st. Even if you can’t make all the calls live, no worries. Go ahead and sign up anyway. You can catch the replays of the calls for FREE for 48 hours after each call!

Hope you can join us!

Filed Under: Success Principles, Teleseminars & Training

How to Build a Strong Brand: Smart Networking Shift Expert Interview Series

April 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

build a strong brand jennifer bourn

Liz Lynch Interviews Jennifer Bourn On How to Brand Your Brilliance and Build a Strong Brand

Do you know how to build a strong brand for your business? The kind it takes to be memorable and helps you land the clients you deserve?

There’s a big difference between marketing and branding. It means the difference between merely existing and becoming a magnetic force in the marketplace.

This month, I’m thrilled to interview branding expert Jennifer Bourn, who will share the FIVE simple steps you must take (that most people skip) to build a strong brand that positions you as a thought leader in your niche and makes you the ONLY choice, instead of just another choice.

Mark your calendars for our NEXT…
Smart Networking Shift call
WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2013 at 9am PDT / 11am CDT / Noon EDT

“Brand Your Brilliance:
Discover 5 Simple Steps to Create an Extraordinary and Lucrative Brand”

 Learn more and register for the LIVE call here 

 During our conversation you will learn…

  • The true meaning of “branding” and why your brand will make or break your business
  • The difference between marketing and branding and why you may need to adjust your focus
  • Five crystal clear steps you must follow to transform your business into an extraordinary and lucrative brand
  • Three crucial things you must do to build a brand online
  • Tips to ensure your brand always “shows up” in a way that reinforces your brand message and builds your reputation
  • Jennifer’s field-tested “works every time” magic sentence your brand can’t do without

Whether you just want to update your bio or need to redo your entire marketing content, you will NOT want to miss this call!

There is no charge to attend the LIVE call. Hope you can join us! Learn more and register HERE 

Filed Under: Teleseminars & Training

Articulating Your Compelling Purpose Through Brand Story

March 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Small_LizWalterOn a trip to Atlanta a few months back, I sat down for a quick chat with my friend and personal branding strategist Walter Akana to ask him about personal branding, and specifically, the power of a brand story.

Your brand story helps you stand out with your network. It’s also an engaging way to share your business purpose with prospective partners and clients, and get their support.

Learn more in the latest issue of “Smart Networking Success.”Enjoy!

Filed Under: Personal Branding, Smart Networking Success Ezine, Success Principles

Persuade With Purpose

February 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

GSBI’m on the West Coast this week where yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at my alma mater in front of 200+ alumnae, students and staff at the Women’s Initiative Network annual conference.

I shared some key principles from Smart Networking and led the entire group through a “progressive networking” exercise that always gets everyone talking, making connections, and feeling confident about their networking skills. It’s one of my favorites!

Then I flew from there to another conference, so I thought it would be apropos to share my latest “Ask Liz” video on my #1 strategy for maximizing conferences and events.

It’s posted to my newsletter along with my newest article “Persuade with Purpose.” Hope you enjoy both!

Filed Under: Networking Events, Networking In Action, Smart Networking Success Ezine, Success Principles

Why Do You Love What You Do?

February 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Hands of Love (with Clipping Path)

Nearly every time I interview an expert on a teleclass or webinar, the first question I ask is “How did you get started in your business?” It’s a question I usually ask at networking events as well, to break the ice and find a connection with the person I’m speaking with.

I love hearing their stories, and I feel in that moment their reconnection to their “why,” their greater purpose. I wish I could hear more of that more often instead of the same, staid elevator pitches.

My latest article talks about why it’s important to share not just WHAT you do, but WHY you love to do it:

“WHY Do You Love What You Do?”

I hope you enjoy it!

Filed Under: Smart Networking Success Ezine, Success Principles

Conversation is a Numbers Game

January 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment

AskLiz-MiamiI hope you had a great January! Short newsletter this week, but I wanted to let you in on a couple of things…

First, I would LOVE your help on a new video series I am launching called “Ask Liz Lynch.” After taking an extended hiatus from video, I’m now back in full force! I’ll be dipping into the mailbag of questions I get every day about how to build relationships effectively in person and online, and how to convert those relationships to revenues. It would be great to hear from you on any questions you have, or any ideas for questions you think I should cover.

Second, I wrote a new article all about the importance of conversations. If your business is not growing the way you’d like, you’re simply not talking to enough people.

To help you with that, my friend Wendy Weiss, the Queen of Cold Calling, is hosting a webinar next week on how to conduct successful prospecting conversations via the phone.

All this and more in the latest issue of Smart Networking Success.

I hope you enjoy it!

Filed Under: Marketing Yourself, Smart Networking Success Ezine, Videos & Audios Tagged With: , , ,

4 Ways to Be Well Armed for Growth

January 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

oahmOne of the things I worried about when I left my cushy corporate job 12 years ago to start my own consulting firm was being able to balance the time required to serve clients and promote myself enough to attract new ones.

It seemed like there was an overwhelming number of things to do — launch a website, build a network, publish articles, and on and on. It was hard to know where to focus, what to do next and what would really work.

Of all the things you think you need, there are really four that matter most. Read about them in my newest article:

“4 Ways to Be Well Armed for Growth in 2013″

I hope you enjoy it!

Filed Under: Building Your Business, Marketing Yourself, Smart Networking Success Ezine, Success Principles Tagged With: , , , ,

The Power of a Strategic Plan

December 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Well, I finally made it to Florida and even though I’ve been here for only a couple of hours, the warm sun and the ocean breeze are working their magic to recharge me. I hope all is well where you are.

Regardless of where I spend the holidays, I enjoy this time of year so much. I get a chance to reflect on what I’ve been able to accomplish this year, and get inspired to dream of what I will create for next year.

It’s been a ritual for as long as I remember to use this downtime to get my goals out of my head and on paper, and outline a solid strategic plan going into the new year. Some people like to ski during the holidays, I like to plan!

I’m sharing my strategic planning process right now with a stellar group of professionals as part of my Relationships to Revenues training. We’ll be kicking off the year with a bang, focused on our highest priorities and with a roadmap to build a steady flow of clients. It would be great to have you join us!

We just started last week, and there’s plenty of time to catch up since each weekly lesson and assignment take just 1 hour total to complete.

Over the course of the training, you’ll be taking small but powerful steps each week towards building a thriving practice and generating greater demand for your services.

Claim your spot here:
www.relationshipstorevenues.com

There’s a special surprise bonus waiting for you when you enroll before midnight Thursday, December 21st. (That’s tonight!) It’s a copy of my Marketing Success Pack of 6 interviews with top experts on blogging, LinkedIn, personal branding, cold calling and more (a $400 value).

Come join me in creating an inspiring vision for 2013 and taking step-by-step actions to bring it to life!

Filed Under: Building Your Business, Marketing Yourself, Smart Networking Success Ezine, Success Principles, Teleseminars & Training

Promoting Professional Services: 5 Unique Challenges

December 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I’m just back from Atlanta where I squeezed in one last speaking gig before the holidays to lead a strategic discussion on social media for a small group of senior executives from some of the world’s largest corporations.

The focus was on getting them to think differently about how they can leverage “social principles” to improve operations and foster innovation in their organizations. It was an amazing experience to see the flashes of inspiration go off when they began to realize the possibilities. What a great way to wrap up the year!

Since I’ve been so blessed in my business this year with the up-leveling of opportunities I’ve received, I wanted to give something back and help more members of my Smart Networking community kick off 2013 with a bang.

On Tuesday, December 19th at Noon Eastern, I’ll be leading a special year-end Q&A call to share some insights and answer questions about converting more relationships to revenues. If you’re a consultant, accountant or financial professional looking to generate greater demand for your services and build a steady flow of clients, I’d love to have you on the call.

Here’s the link if you’d like to join me:
2012 Year-End Q&A Call

PLUS: Don’t miss the latest issue of “Smart Networking Success” where the feature article highlights:
“5 Unique Challenges of Promoting Professional Services”

Happy reading!

Filed Under: Building Your Business, Smart Networking Success Ezine, Social Networking, Teleseminars & Training Tagged With: , , , ,
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