Almost Famous: Confessions Of A Proud Self-Promoter
I overheard someone say they couldn’t stay after The Tenors show to use a back stage pass, so I jumped right in to grab the photo op. And tweeted it to The Tenors. We’re BFF’s now!
With a name like Million Dollar Party Girl it was destined to happen. I've become famous. In South Jersey. Or, at least in my own backyard. Everywhere I go, people have heard of the M$PG. They don’t even know my real name, and that’s OK with me. It all happened because I’m a proud self-promoter. You see, one of my key messages for women entrepreneurs is to get your name out there, toot your own horn, and do some biz bragging. I kind of feel a responsibility to lead the way. I probably shouldn't reveal all my “secrets” but here’s a few true confessions of how I proudly promote the M$PG brand. Rinse and repeat with your brand, and you’ll be famous too. And, if you tell anyone my secrets, I’ll deny it all.
True Confession #1: I take advantage of every photo op. You might have heard that perception is reality. Thanks to social media, this has never been more true. Your pictures tell your brand story to thousands of people on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more. Are you maximizing social media? The truth is, whenever I do a book signing I make sure someone is on hand to capture the shot. Be prepared to take pics of your brands proudest moments to post, tweet, instagram and pin. When you see a fellow Visionista sharing her brand moments share the love and RT, Like, Comment and Share. Each women's success inspires another.
Success Secrets of a Million Dollar Party Girl book signing
True Confession #2: I look for opportunities to send out a press release, and ask friends to help spread the word. When the Somers Point Diner contacted me to kick off their new Literary Lunch series I said yes, and immediately got to work on a press release. “Jersey girl, and best-selling author, comes home to support the shore community” sounded newsworthy. Especially after Super Storm Sandy. It was a slam dunk. Thanks to the press release, and a "plug" from Go Jane News founder Janet Garraty, the story was featured in 3 local newspapers, as well as the Patch news outlets. The word got out, which helped the Literary Lunch sell out, launch with rave reviews and connect with local authors to book dates for the rest of the year. When you toot your own horn you'll not only build your brand, you'll bring other businesses along for the ride. Good Karma.
True Confession #3: I create my own buzz. I shared this proud FB post (with a photo of a champagne bottle) when I found out I was going to be one of Top 25 Women to Watch: “OMG! Just got an email from a local news reporter. Super excited! Reveal is coming……” When my friend nominated me to be the Most Happening Author I shared this post: “I’m kicking up my heels! Someone thinks I’m the most Happening Author in SJ! Vote for me and make it so.” Don't be afraid to let the world know you're excited about your accomplishements. If you did something great, tell us about it. We need more postive images of women rising, and achieving success, on their terms. As the saying goes, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
From Legally Blond to Million Dollar Party Girl, 5 Tips To Playing A Starring Role In Your Biz
Have you ever wondered who would play you in your life movie? I’ve always pictured Reese Witherspoon playing me, starring in the Million Dollar Party Girl Movie. From Elle Woods to June Carter, Reese is an Oscar winner who’s played fun, strong, smart women, AND she knows how to look classy on the red carpet. She’s my kind of girl! While we all wait for our life movie to be made, here’s five tips to playing a starring role in your biz.
Show Up On Set. Have you always been eager to show up, on time and ready to work, for your employers? When was the last time you showed up for your business? Most entrepreneurs I know have no problem building someone else’s dream, but hold back when it comes to their own. I frequently hear, “If I can’t make this business work, I’ll have to get a full time job.” Before you dedicate 40+ hours a week to someone else’s dream, do it for yourself, consistently, for a full year. I have a feeling you won’t be needing that day job.
Hire a Winning Team. Every star has a winning support team so they can focus on what they do best – Stardom! From stylists, to PR, to agents, an Oscar winner can’t get there alone. Neither can you. Your time is valuable; if you’re spending it on “task” activities, you’re losing money and customers. Focus your efforts on business building activities that will elevate you to “super stardom” and dump or delegate the rest.
Get an Entourage. Who you roll with is a key ingredient to your success. Your entourage is the people who influence you on a daily basis, and who create a perception about you and your business. Reach out to like-minded entrepreneurs and customers who play big and are dream builders like you. Social media and local networking groups are great places to start.
Be Ready for Your Close Up. Whether you’re presenting yourself in person or via your social media profiles, be ready for your “close up.” Smile, show up as your brand, and give an Oscar-winning performance. As the saying goes, you have only seconds to make a first impression. I never post, link or tweet about politics, religion or even illness. Did you know I fractured my knee last year? No. The world has enough pain, they don’t need to hear about mine. Choose to inspire, before you expire.
Practice Your Oscar Speech. “I’d like to thank the Academy, my fellow actors, and especially my husband….” Don’t wait for your Oscar moment to thank the people in your business who helped get you there. That includes your customers, family, sales team, networking friends, and even the person who cleans your house. A thank you can be a kind word, handwritten note, FB shout-out or small gift. It goes a long way in life. Timely Manner Consulting, who publishes my blog, recently sent me a thank you note that included a pack of post-it notes with a fun saying on them. Make people feel special, and your performance will always be memorable.
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
EVERYTHING I LEARNED ABOUT SALES, I LEARNED FROM WATCHING QVC
When QVC first launched in 1986, I was just beginning to hit my stride in corporate sales. By 1990, I decided to give up my full-time career to become an entrepreneur. Even though I had sales experience, selling to homeowners was a whole new thing for me. I turned to QVC, an innovative new business model, to get my “MBA” in sales and marketing. Here’s a few things I learned from watching the experts:
Use a Limiter: QVC is the queen (or king) of limited offers. They used to have a clock showing how much time a customer had to purchase the product before it would be sold out. We all rushed to the phones (that was before computers) to “Buy Now!” A limiter influences your client to act – and say yes – so you can “seal the deal.” Limited offers can be based on the number of people (1st 10 to buy!), a specific date (one day only!) or a time period (April special). I tuned in while I was writing this blog (research) and the Germack Berry Nut jars are only going to be available ‘til Sunday and they won’t be back ‘til Fathers Day. Darn! Now I have to stop writing to order them.
Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak: You can literally hear Kansas City Sirloins sizzling on QVC, “A great value when you buy today!” I learned the “sell the sizzle” expression early in my corporate sales days. It means to sell the benefits, not the features. Today, we call this “emotional selling.” Focus on how your product or service makes people feel. If you’re not sure, ask your customers. A survey is a great place to start. If you need more ideas, tune in to QVC anytime.
Use Testimonials: Let your customers sell for you. The most compelling sales tool is a client sharing why they hired you, how your product makes them feel and how they benefited. As soon as I hear “Sarah from Greenville” calling in to QVC to share how the (fill in the blank) has changed her life, I have to have one. Add client testimonials via quotes and video to your website/marketing materials and let them do the talking - and selling - for you. Make client testimonials part of your follow-up system by asking 3 simple questions after the sale: 1) What attracted to you my product (or service)? 2) How did it benefit you? and 3) How would you describe my product or service? You can glean a lot from watching TV. Infomercials, QVC, and those “As Seen On TV” commercials all offer valuable sales and marketing tips. Instead of shopping, have your pen and paper ready to take notes. Today’s Special Value is more revenue. Act Now!
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
How To Network: 5 Inspired Tips To Make Networking, Work.
As I keynoted a conference last weekend, I reminded the 200+ attendees that they were at a networking event. Their ideal client could be discovered in the hotel lobby or a new business mentor could be sitting in row 4. Every time you have an opportunity to make new connections, you’re networking. An event doesn’t need the word networking in the title in order for you to make new connections. You never know who someone knows, or what knowledge a business associate has, that can propel your business.
photo ©2007 by luc legay, Flikr http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
5 inspired tips to make networking work for you:
Think Outside The Box: Last year I became a 50 year old sorority “pledge”, as an alumnae initiate of Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority. I know what you’re thinking: "Sorority?". Yes, a Sorority is a network. DPhiE is 55,000+ members strong, with a vision to develop women leaders to be their best selves. The connections and friends I’ve made are priceless, and continue to grow, as I become more engaged both socially and professionally with my new sisters. From one-on-one coffee meet-ups to happy hours and joining the Fantasy Football Team, I make the time to get involved and develop connections for life.
Share Who You Are vs. What You Do: What’s the one question EVERYONE asks as soon as they meet you? “What do you do?” We’re so programmed to answer this question that sometimes we go on auto-pilot. There’s no inflection in our voice or enthusiasm about our business, because we’ve said it a thousand times before. It’s like listening to Charlie Brown’s teacher. Instead, be bold and say what no one else is saying. Stop telling people what you do. Tell them who you are. Who you are is so much more engaging and interesting. When people ask me, “What do you do?” I answer: I’m the Million Dollar Party Girl! (with lots of enthusiasm and energy). It leads to my new connection wanting to learn more about me. Always leave them wanting more!
Become A Connector: Even if you’re attending your first networking event, you can make your mark by becoming a connector. Fake it ‘til you make it. Think of it as a party that you’re hosting and your job is to introduce the guests that don’t know each other. You’re one of them, so start with YOU.
Before you go: Find out who you want to meet by checking the attendee list. Connect with the Leader of the group and ask who would be a good connection for you. The person running the event wants the networking event to be a success, too. Break the ice and use social media to introduce yourself via Twitter, LinkedIn or a Facebook event page. If you have a blog, or read one, that offers relevant content and expertise, share it on the event page or via a tweet.
At the event: Be mindful of who you met that are branding matches made in heaven. For example, if you meet an interior designer and a building contractor, ask if they know each other. If not, go into “Hostess” mode and become a connector. It could be their first event, too.
After the event: Whether it’s a business referral or someone looking for a car for their teenager, follow up with people you want to connect via an E-troduction.
Ask The Right Questions: Two questions that will multiply your networking results are 1) What are you excited about? and 2) How can I help you? When you ask “What are you excited about?”, you’ll connect on a deeper level and really find out what your new contact is passionate about. They’ll light up like a candle and you’ll be the person who allowed them to share their glow. “How can I help you?” communicates that you are interested in something other than handing out random business cards. Listen and offer suggestions. If you think of a referral, write it down on your business card. I can guarantee you, your card won’t end up in the land of forgotten contacts.
Show Up As Your Brand: We’ve all heard the saying, "you can’t judge a book by its cover". The reality is, people do. As soon as you walk in the door at a networking event, attendees are making a decision about who you are, and what you do, by how you show up. Your wardrobe, attitude, energy, the whole package, should all communicate your brand. I show up as the Million $ Party Girl. My wardrobe is a little sassy, make-up and hair are current, attitude is always positive and my energy gets there before I do. If you’re walking in the door looking like a hot mess because you were running late, or your first comment is a complaint about how busy you are, look in the mirror to find out why you might not be making valuable connections. I’ve even had people come up to me and complain about how busy I am by saying, “I see on Facebook how busy you are. Where do you get your energy?” What they are really saying is they have no time, and no energy. My reply? “I’m blessed to live an abundant life because I’m passionate about what I do!”
For more tips on how to show up as your brand, read: Visionista Brand Photo Shoot
Lynn Bardowski is a 23-year entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog, and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
The Fortune Is In The Follow Up
You know who makes the best customer service experts? Bartenders. I had the opportunity to interview entrepreneur Stella Collington on my radio show, Million $ Party Girl Talk. She spent 20 years as a professional bartender before taking the leap to join the ranks of entrepreneurs pursuing their dreams, as a Diamond Independent Business Partner with Rastelli Direct. When describing how she stumbled upon her purpose and passion, Stella’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Rastelli’s foods have literally been in front of her for almost half her life, but she didn’t really “see” them until she went to an event, Rastelli’s distributor business launch, seeking a business opportunity for her boyfriend (not herself). Stella was going to stay for a few minutes, just long enough to drop off his information. Instead she left with a new business that spoke to her heart.
Her vision is to Stellavate (I love that) everyone’s life by providing quality farm to family food, so you can have more time to Stellabrate your life. 20 years behind the bar taught Stella how to be a great listener and excel at customer service. She doesn’t sell, she serves. Stella’s passion even shows up in the name of her website: eatpaylove.com.
As Stella puts it, the fortune is in the follow up! Here’s some of her tips excerpted from my interview:
Lynn: Most sales, and opportunities, are lost from the lack of follow up. What are your top customer service tips?
Stella: Follow up can be daunting and causes great F.E.A.R (False. Evidence. Appearing. Real.) in many business people. Does this sound like your business? But, there is a fortune to be had! I have a system I follow and it keeps it simple, yet effective.
TOP 3 TIPS
· Contact your connection 24-48 hours after the initial meeting. Remember key words of the conversation by being a GREAT listener. People love to know you actually HEARD what they had to say. It can be business or personal…the key is to keep the conversation about them.
· Ask your clients their preferred method of contact. (e.g. phone call/text, email, social media). If you’re wondering why your contact is not calling you back it might just be because they prefer a text.
· Set APPOINTMENTS to follow up and qualify your leads. Your time and their time are valuable.
When was the last time a business called you after the sale? Rarely, if ever. Continued service after the purchase is very important. It’s one way you can stand out from the crowd.
Make sure you always thank your clients. I have a consumable product so it’s very important for me to make sure it has arrived safe and sound. Once I have been assured I will let my client know I will be back in touch once they have used the product. Good time for that appointment.
The back office of my website provides all the information I need to track purchases from the initial purchase to delivery and is a very valuable tool. Use the resources that are available to you and, if you don’t have them, there’s an app for that.
I question my clients about their needs by asking about their family size, products interests, budget, etc. Serving also means making sure my service is a value for them. By learning who my clients are I can follow up on a regular basis built around their needs and schedules.
We are all so busy with life these days…a valued service that offers convenience, time management and saving money is priceless!
“One unhappy customer is one too many.”
Bon Appétit!
Lynn Bardowski is a 22 year entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker and business coach. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, follow her blog, milliondollarpartygirl.
GAME ON! How To Use Social Media To Score A Marketing TD
The team is in the huddle – are you ready to rock your social media presence and rally friends, fans and followers to connect with your business? It’s Game On! Football connects fans of all ages and genders. Even if I don’t watch the game, I’m still wearing my Eagles green on game day. Here’s how I used Facebook to create a fun and profitable marketing promotion, in just a few minutes.
5 Tips To Using Social Media To Create A Winning Marketing Promotion!
1. Post “Socially”, not Sales-y: I did not use my logo or sale flyer; instead I used a photo of the team mascot. E-A-G-L-E-S! The less you post company logos or add flyers on Facebook, the more you’ll engage and connect with friends and fans. It’s about them, not you. Add a web link as a comment that takes your customer to the landing page you refer to in your post. My post was a BOGO candle sale so the link took them right to the candle >add to cart page on my website.
2. Timing Is Everything: I shared this post just minutes before kickoff – when everyone was on Facebook posting about their home team. It created a limited time offer without me having to say it. Everyone knew when the offer started and when it ended because they were all tuning in to the game.
3. Offer incentives that get everyone rooting for the home team: Offer a freebie every time the team scores. i.e.: The 1st to shop online (or sign up for your offer) are the first in the drawing. Watching the game has never been so much fun for your customers! I generated hundreds of dollars in sales in just a few hours while having a blast. When the Eagles lost I sent my virtual sale into OT, giving everyone a chance for a do-over.
4. Draft more players: If your customers are friends, promote your post (avg. cost $7) so you stay at the top of the news feed. My promoted post had 14x more views. If your customers are fans promote a post to get more views (avg. cost $5). Of my 630 Fans, typically 200 see a post. By promoting a post I increased the number to 1,700+ views, which also increased my page exposure and LIKES. It’s well worth a $5 investment.
5. Every Team Needs A Cheerleader: Post and tag winners. Tagging winners adds them to your marketing team. My winners posted what they ordered and how much they saved – all without any encouragement from me. They got caught up in the game time excitement, routing everyone else on to shop and save! We all want what everyone else is having. As the Eagles were scoring I cheered on my customers, “I do believe that was another SCORE! 7 POINTS! Picking the winner in 5 minutes – Get your Shopping On to get in the drawing…”, throughout the game in real time. When the team was about to score I set up the next play to engage people to take action.
Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest all give you the opportunity to connect with potential customers over a shared passion. You don’t need lots of planning to create a winning marketing strategy. All you need is your game jersey, a fun social post and fan engagement to win the game. SCORE!
Lynn Bardowski is a 22 year entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker and business coach. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, follow her blog, milliondollarpartygirl.
THE POWER OF TRIANGLES – AND OTHER VENDOR/EXPO EVENT SUCCESS TIPS
Tune in to inspiration, it can come from unlikely sources, including a photograph. Upon returning from exciting travel destinations I would rush to develop my pictures (this was before digital). Much to my dismay a majority of my photographs did not turn out well. If I was going to pursue my dream of traveling the world, I better learn a little about photography so I could capture my memory making moments. Off I went to sign up for a community college photography class. One of the concepts I learned about was the “Power of the Triangle.” My professor shared that “triangles break symmetry and create odd numbered compositions, giving the eye a pattern to follow.”
It was if a triangle fell out of the sky and hit me on the head. For years I had been teaching Customers about decorating in odd numbers. Now it all made sense. I could use the power of the triangle to create simple, attractive and eye appealing displays at vendor/expo events. A new idea, which I called “Triangle Marketing”, was born. Using this concept an attractive display can be set up in minutes by displaying your items in 3 varying heights. Utilize commonly found items including phone books, pots and boxes to add height to your display. Drape fabric or tablecloths to hide your secret props. While your competitors are placing products or marketing collateral flat on their tables – your display will win best in show and attract the biggest crowd at your event. You can find examples of the power of the triangle everywhere. The Mona Lisa was a triangle, your family portrait has triangles and The Beatles are typically photographed in a triangle.
The photo on this page shows an example of Triangle Marketing, which you can apply to product or marketing collateral displays. How many triangles can you find?
In addition to using Triangle Marketing, here’s 3 tips (also an odd number) to rock your vendor/expo event:
1. Connect with your ideal client. You have someone approaching your booth – now what? Stand in front of your booth to engage with a potential lead. Before you “throw up” on them by sharing how great your product or service is, find out if they are your ideal client. The easiest way to find out is to ask. For example, I sell candles so I introduce myself by saying, Hi! What’s your favorite candle scent?” That helps me connect with someone who wants what I’m selling. People love to share their opinions and tell you what they’re excited about (look at Facebook & Pinterest). The more a potential client is talking, the more chances I have to convert them to a Customer.
2. Draw a crowd with a contest, sample or treat -even if it doesn’t relate to your product or service. When I sold printing the most crowded expo booth was a printing company who was giving away chocolate candy. They knew how to put a smile on people’s face and connect over a shared love for chocolate. A contest idea could be to fill a glass holder with M & M’s and give a prize to the person who can guess the count – it adds a fun factor to your table. When people are trying to figure it out you’ll have a captive audience to connect with and collect contact information for follow up. Email, cell phone numbers and twitter handles are king if you sell to Consumers. Ask if they are on Facebook, Twitter or Pintrest – you can follow or friend them before they’ve walked away from your table. Linkedin and Twitter are best for business to business. Use apps like CardMunch to connect live at the event. Once you find out someone is an ideal client, I highly recommend giving away a free sample. Samples can be an actual product, a trial offer or a video/webcast. Always leave them wanting more.
3. Follow up. You did it! You used Triangle Marketing to create an awesome display, drew a crowd, connected with your ideal client, got their contact information and sent them home with a sample of your product! What's next? If you're social media savvy you've already connected on FB and commented on a picture of their kids or pet. If FB/Twitter is a no – connect via Text. No one answers the phone and Consumers are inundated with email. Engage your potential customer a few days later by asking if they enjoyed your sample and if yes, what did they like most about it? I like to use a survey with 1-5 ratings (private message on FB or text) so I can see what their interest level is. If the level is high, I follow up with an offer or coupon to close the deal. Voila! I have a new Customer. Increasing your client base is just like dating. Start slow by letting them experience your product or service. Then you can move on to first base.
You have one minute to make a good first impression. An eye catching display will attract your ideal client and open the door to more opportunities. Always put your best vendor table forward.
Lynn Bardowski is a 22 year entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker and business coach. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, follow her blog, milliondollarpartygirl.com and LIKE her FB page,https://www.facebook.com/MillionDollarPartyGirl. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
How to win friends and influence people, without changing your last name to Carnegie.
By Lynn Bardowski
My Mom, Barbara Joy Cusack, could have written How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. Thinking I could glean a few tips on how to gain more friends, I picked up the book off our family room book shelf as I was about to enter High School. Many of the ideas resembled things my Mother had already taught me.
As I was doing research for my book, Success Secrets of a Million $ Party Girl, I found out that Dale Carnegie was really Dale Carnegey. Apparently, he changed his name so that he would be associated with another Carnegie at the time, multi millionaire Andrew Carnegie. Maybe that’s how Dale won friends and influenced people.
Three key lessons I learned from my Mom about winning friends and influencing people…and you won’t have to change your last name.
More Customers…one Tweet at a time!
3 Tips to Tweeting your way to more Customers
by Lynn Bardowski
Media Diva Admires Million Dollar Party Girl Diva
Imagine my shock when I discovered Media Diva, Bev Mahone (who I’ve never met), devoted an entire blog to me. Arriving home at 10pm from my workshop, INpower YOU, I took a few minutes to check out my twitter feed. There was a mention from Bev Mahone. As I clicked on the link I was surprised to see the title of the Blog, “You Impressed Me Lynn Bardowski.” OMG! I thought I’d get a thank you tweet, instead I got an entire Blog written about me!
It all started when I got an alert that Bev Mahone was following me. I have 366 followers. Bev has close to 5,000. I always thank all my followers for following me (it’s the least I can do) and check out their website. Turns out Bev Mahone is a kindred spirit…empowering women to SHINE. I instantly connected with her purpose and passion and on May 22 I tweeted:
“Thanks for the follow – love your Diva-ness!’
Later that night Bev tweeted “My Terrific Tuesday Twitter Crew @leadtheway1 (my handle) @JaneCarroll10 @garrycam @careerengineer”.
Connect with Lynn