Something of Value, Something Cool and Something Funny
If you're managing your professional network and staying in touch with clients, prospects, and people who can introduce you to other people that you need to know, you probably face this problem as often as we do. You want to call and touch base, but you don't really have a reason for the call. You can't say, "Hey, I just wanted to remind you that I'm here if you need me!" Or rather, you can. But if you say it every time, you aren't moving the relationship further along.
A much better idea is to call with something to offer other than your services. Eric Standlee, who runs InHouston, says you have to give something first if you ever expect to get something from the people you network with. (He says it more eloquently than that. Visit InHouston and read it in his own words.) With that goal in mind, I subscribe to a bunch of different blogfeeds and newsletters so that I have a constant stream of concepts and ideas coming in -- and I can usually find one that would actually be of value to the person I want to call.
Something of Value
This one came in from Seth Godin. Take a look at TeuxDeux.com! They've created an online to-do list that I will actually use for more than a day or two. It's simple to use and I can get to it from my iPhone, my laptop, or that old desktop in my parents' guest room -- so I won't have to cart the laptop with me over the holidays.
The best part is that it's FREE. The second best part is the very short training video. Even if you don't need a to-do list tool, watch and listen to the video for pure entertainment.
Something Cool
I attended a class last week in web marketing taught by Brian Massey. If you are using your website as anything more than a billboard for your services, go to www.ConversionScientist.com and subscribe to his blog. (Another free thing!) Brian is on the cutting edge when it comes to using your website to generate leads or build your personal brand. You'll see the effects of Brian's class on the Consulting Stance website over the next few weeks and I'd be happy to explain the reasons behind some of the things we are doing. All you have to do is ask. Or take Brian's class the next time he offers it.
But the cool thing happened during the lunch break. Lynn Scheurell came over and introduced herself to me and we started talking about our businesses. Lynn works with entrepreneurs and has a number of different services she provides, all of which are explained on her website at www.mycreativecatalyst.com. As Consulting Stance focuses on the nuts-and-bolts of your business (how much to charge, how to write a proposal, etc.), Lynn focuses on the vision you have for your company and for yourself.
She offers a 90-minute individual session where you will chart out your personal business vision into a map you can easily follow to prioritize your service offerings and understand how your clients will reach the point where they buy your services. This is called a Business Vision Mapping session. If you approach the task with the right attitude, it seems like it could be the best thing you do when starting a new business or career. Visit her website and see for yourself.
Something Funny
Peter Shankman started his daily email today with this personal note: "At 5am this morning, I got up to check in online 24 hours before my flight, but the flight didn't exist. I actually yelled at my Blackberry when I couldn't check in. Only then did I realize that I am not traveling this week." Consultants who travel all the time get into a routine just like any other commuter. That's why we call business travel The Really Long Commute.
If you're traveling or thinking of accepting an assignment that will require you to travel, we've posted 57 Travel Tips for Consultants and Other Road Warriors on the site, which is a compilation of the best advice we've gathered over the years. Members can find it under Business Tools in the Tools & Templates repository. Non-members can register to get it via email here. (Don't worry. It's free, too.)