Business cards give people the ability to follow up

1.  Business cards give people the ability to follow up

When you meet someone and develop that instant rapport you want to give them a chance to follow up with you instantly without having to reach for a pen or their phone.

If left with no other choice do not hesitate to hand over your phone to the other person and have him type in his contact details and vice versa.

Another option is to use phone apps that allow the gadgets to exchange contact information.

Although these options are available to many there will always be instances where you meet someone who may not have all of these technological things on them or isn’t comfortable using them.

This is why nothing can still replace the business card in encouraging people to follow up with you.

2.  Business cards show that you are a professional

The littlest things we do send out the biggest messages.

Something as simple as a business card is indicative that you took the time to actually put your information in a card. This immediately separates you from 99% of the other men out there who may be students like you or are out there seeking a job like yourself.

3.  Having a business card keeps one focused on the goal

In situations where one is trying to look for work it is not unusual to participate in a few networking events.

If you decide to go to events like these with a certain number of business cards on your person then you can immediately create a goal for yourself.

An example of a goal would be to make to distribute the 50 business cards that you brought along to the event. You can also create secondary goals such as collect at least 20 of others’ business cards or have at least 15 to 20 people express interest in following up with you.

If you decide to approach networking events in this manner then your business cards can serve as a reminder and keep you focused on the goal -which is to follow up with people regarding possible opportunities.

4.  Business cards can help make you referable

Business Card Exchange. A good business card will not only contain one’s name and contact details. It should also mention what that person’s skills are.

Having this extra detail can make all the difference because although the person that you initially give your business card may not know what to do with you and your skills, he may know someone in his network that has in need of someone like you.

It is good to remember that random encounters with different people happen all the time. And when they do, you always want to be prepared to take advantage of these meetings and the opportunities that could arise from them.

To me there is no such thing as luck.

Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.

In saying that make sure that you always have your business cards with you so when opportunity comes you are already prepared and you too may get “lucky” and find success.

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Why Business Card Are Important

Here are five reasons why the old school business card are still important -- and why you should have a pocket full of them at all times.

1. Networking is about making genuine connections. Sending contact information via text or email on the spot is convenient but it is also extremely impersonal. Engaging in eye contact and actual conversation is how real relationships begin.

Two individuals with their heads buried in their phones typing away won’t create any kind of significant memory of the encounter. You can easily transfer the information from a business card to your mobile device after the conversation.

2. Email marketing, search engine optimization and paid media all do a great job of attracting leads and prospects, but they still aren’t as effective as an in-person meeting sealed with a handshake along with a business card exchange.

You can encounter a potential lead or contact at any time -- tradeshows, industry conferences, happy hour, airport lounges -- and arming yourself with business cards at all times will ensure that you never miss an opportunity to make a valuable business connection. Keep some in your pockets, wallet, money clip or laptop bag so the next time you encounter a prospect you are prepared.

3. When you meet someone that could potentially be a great prospect or connection, don’t you want him or her to walk away with a great first impression? A memorable business card does a lot more than just pass on an email address or phone number. Your goal is to make a memorable first impression.

Yes fancy cards, they cost more -- but think of how many unnecessary expenses you can cut to allocate funds for great business cards. Hold off on the ping pong table and espresso machine for the office and get some business cards that will make a great first impression.

4. A business card is a physical object that a potential prospect leaves the encounter with. Your brand stays with them.

If you meet a prospect and exchange email addresses and phone numbers you each walk away with another contact on your mobile phone -- it ends there. If you hand over a creative business card that makes a great impression that person is likely to show it to other people -- putting you and your brand in front of additional prospects.

5. Have you ever had someone write his or her contact information on a cocktail napkin and hand it over to you? How about someone that had a mobile phone with a dead battery? It isn’t the most professional approach.

If you met two individuals and one was scrambling to find a pen and something to write on and the other person simply pulled out a business card, who would you want to do business with? Showing that you are prepared at all times is a great indicator that you are professional.

www.bouncemarketing.org | 386-734-9600

Business Cards Designs for West Volusia and all of Central Florida!

We all know, you can get business cards from almost anyone...

But, when you think about ordering some more - why don't you consider calling Bounce! - Bounce Marketing is a 501c3 charity supplying free youth workshops to at-risk teens since 2011. We give away over 1000 hours of dedicated time to young people at no cost to them - so we humbly ask for your support. 

So stop getting business card designs from just 'anyone' - go to 'someone' like Bounce!

Target Your Clients with Bounce Marketing

Remember to target the client's interest and lifestyle to quickly find common ground to talk about. Free advice from: bouncemarketing.org

We were established in late 2011 to help assist with improving or starting any organization, helping the underprivileged, and inspiring youth. Since then, we have grown rapidly and continue to focus on their important needs.

Inspired Marketing!

Enjoy new blog posts regularly at the cflprofessionals.com ... enjoy!!

We create amazing designs for printing and websites. Plus we offer computer repair, online marketing management, and training too! All these great investments make our charity workshops and programs possible.

bouncemarketing.org - 386-734-9600

Bounce Marketing Institute wants to help you get noticed!!

Create a 10 year plan which aligns with Your Vision...

bouncemarketing.org - 386-734-9600

Web Design | Print Design | Computer Repair | Training

610 Deltona Blvd., Deltona, FL 32725

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Bounce Marketing, Institute provides training and free youth workshops. Plus our design studio offers printing, websites, and more.

We supply full service branding plans and products for our client's to ensure business, civic, or personal growth.We wish to give free consulting services to businesses, individuals, & community groups, plus to offer various affordable solutions to assist in the successful efforts of those in the community.

We offer to give free educational workshops for professionals and youth groups. This is made possible by designing (or re-designing) websites, creating business cards, logos, banners and other affordable advertising solutions. Please visit our blog webpage:http://bouncemarketinginstitute.blogspot.com/ OR our webpage: www.bouncemarketing.org

Bounce Marketing shares when to say 'no'

We are all busy.  Actually busy has become the new status symbol and that isn’t just at work.  We spend our time prioritizing – sorting out the urgent, important and the things that can be left for later.

As a business owner or manager, it would be wonderful if you could dedicate the time needed to all staff; however, this is often not the case.  It is necessary to prioritize competing demands.  It is important that you don’t get caught up and engrossed in the trivial just because it seems urgent at the time from the person making the demand be it a staff member or a customer.

There is an empowering word in our language that is not used enough and that is the word “no”.

Check out our other blog - www.cflprofessionals.com 

 Whether you are a manager or a parent, using the word ‘no’ allows you to:

• Set boundaries
• Have more control
• Improve your time management
• Have some free time
• Less stress and pressure
• Increased energy
• More clarity around what is important

When you can’t say no, you may feel:

• Overworked
• Stressed
• Not in control
• Resentful

There is an art to saying ‘no’ and not actually saying ‘no’.  Some examples include:

• Can I get back to you later today?
• I can’t see you now, how about 2 pm in your office?
• I wish I could help you but …
• I wish I could do that but …
• I know someone who would do a great job with that …

When as a business owner or manager you are using your time wisely, that means you can be focused on what you are meant to be focused on, which is usually building the business and achieving goals and objectives.

www.bouncemarketing.org

Targeted Networking Strategies by Bounce Marketing Institute

Printing for Deltona, DeBary, Sanford, DeLand, Lake Mary, and all of Central Florida!

Ed Pisani can help you make your print designs turn out great!  

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Why use Targeted Networking Strategies?

In any growing business, it is critical to spend every dollar wisely. Many business people don't understand network marketing and quickly get disappointed with the results (or lack there of). They view time, money to be invested, sometimes low self confidence, little ROI, and various other factors as reasons not to network.

Mainly, the challenge to overcome is not having a networking strategy.

Just going to any networking meeting available is not a strategy by the way. Further, most small business people do just that - they go to the first networking group and join! They feel great because they got some 'networking done' without considering was that the right group for their business. What would be a better use of their time initially is defining and planning a 'Targeted Networking Strategy'.

So - what is it?

A Targeted Networking Strategy is communications with specific messages to targeted recipients, making the business's message more relevant and helping a business person communicate more effectively in a networking group (or at an event). That's the easy answer, but there is more factors to consider.

1 - Money = Does the networking event supply your business with people that can 'afford' to buy your product or service? Most business owners believe every networking group has their prospective buyers available and investing in that networking group is money well spent. But if the product or service is a high ticket value and the attendees are not qualified to buy. Why be there? It is better not to assume but to research the group to ensure your target audience is actually there.

2 - Time = Does the networking event produce sales over the long term? Again, many small business owners only want the fast sale to help pay the bills now and don't consider entrenching themselves for bigger sales once strong relationships are established. These sales may come from referrals or the prospective buyer understanding your business is involved for the long haul.

3 - Visibility = Does the networking event give you the chance to deliver your message briefly during each meeting? Many small business people are happy to be present at a meeting because they are the face of their business but miss the fact that they are representing themselves until people know they are representing a business as well. Consider this for a second: it is great to attend an event, but if a buyer is on the other side of the room and doesn't know your business is there. Why be there? Or, if your right next to a buyer that doesn't know what you business is fully capable of doing because you don't get a chance to speak. Why be there?

Want more or have questions?
Call Bounce Marketing at 386-734-9600 to schedule a 'no cost' targeted networking strategy appointment for your business.

BounceMarketing.org talks about Mentoring and Coaching!!

Coaching and mentoring are two forms of training that provide employees with:

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Attitudes

This enables employees to perform their job to the best of their abilities.  The aim is to develop people for future jobs within the organisation.  Training was known as a long-term investment in human capital; however, in today’s work environment, continuous learning is imperative.

(Stop By at 610 Deltona Blvd., Deltona, FL to learn more)

Training has the following benefits:

• Improves quality
• Boots productivity
• Helps the organisation to be competitive
• Strengthens employee commitment
• Responds to customer needs
• Assisting in meeting individual and organisational goals

Training and mentoring are indispensable in your organisation; this can include:

• Informal
• On-the-job training
• Classroom training
• Electronic training
• Experiential training
• Mentoring
• Coaching

Needs Analysis

The first step in the process is to identify any training gaps or areas for improvement either for the individual or the organisation as a whole.

Once you have identified the training needs, it is about finding the training that suits the individual.

Just keep in mind, the more you invest in your staff and their training, the more they will reward you with improved work practices and generally getting more done in less time.  This, in turn, will impact on your bottom line.  That is one reason why it is well worth investing in training, coaching and mentoring.

Learn More about this subject at BounceMarketing.org

SEO Tipswhen it comes to Keywords!

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques related to keywords, and how they can help your business get found online.

Keywords are words and phrases people type into the search engine (i.e. Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.), to find what they’re looking for. This is the verbiage that drives the web; triggering advertising and marketing initiatives. Effective use of keywords means inserting them into appropriate website content, which search engines use to “find” content online and index it according to specific search terms.

This process works exactly the way traditional book indexing does, in that the system identifies the location of words of interest and enables users searching for the words to know where to go to find them. The only difference is that the medium is digital instead of print, and the words are accessed by clicking “search,” as opposed to looking them up in an alphabetical list

Psst...Our offices are located at: 610 Deltona Boulevard, Deltona, FL 32725, USA 

Researching Keywords 

All this only works if the keywords used in your content are the right ones. There’s no point, for example, in using keywords relating to your brand, unless people are likely to use your brand name to search. For example, if users search for “facial tissues” and your keyword is “Kleenex,” they aren’t going to find you, so you need to know which specific terms they are using when they search. “Tissues,” “facial tissues” and even“soft facial tissues” might do it, but if what they are really searching for is “extra thick soft facial tissues,” some research using Google’s keyword tool will demonstrate this fact. 

Long-Tail Keywords

The more specific the keywords are that you use, the fewer the results will be and the better your chances of appearing in them. So, while millions of people search for “tissues,” only a small percentage may be looking for your product. However, if you sell only extra thick soft facial tissues in pink, you want to use keywords that say just that. This is called a long-tail keyword, and it’s far more targeted and specific, so only users who type in the full phrase will arrive at your search result. However, given that those who do are more likely to buy your product than, say – someone searching for green tissues, it’s a worthwhile effort to make. 

Keyword Density

Gone are the days when you could publish content jam-packed with keywords. At one time, a keyword density of 7 % was considered optimal. That means using the keyword seven times in every 100 words, and it was called keyword stuffing at one time.

Now, that might be doable if you’re using a generic term like “marketing,” but for a long-tail keyword like “extra thick pink facial tissues,” it’s a little more difficult.

When Google realized that too many websites contained text that read like gibberish, just for the sake of getting keywords in the text, and/or used a higher density than 2% or 3%, their Panda and Penguin algorithm updates of 2011 and 2012 penalized those sites. Now sites are also checked for quality grammar and spelling, as well as duplicate content. Today, keyword density is down to between 0.5% and 1.5% tops! 

Keyword Ranking

This is the effective use of keywords everyone wants to achieve – high keyword ranking on their main keywords. “High” ranking means your website is ranked in the top 100 sites for use of a specific keyword. After 100, they stop counting. The level of difficulty of the keyword, as determined by its competitiveness, also has bearing on this, because it helps to balance the equation. For example, the lower the number of searches on a keyword, the less competitive it is, and the more likely you are to be in the top 10 or 100 with that keyword. So it might be easy to rank highly for “extra thick soft pink facial tissues” because nobody else is using it, than it is for simply “tissues,” which might have 100,000 monthly searches, but is also being used on countless unrelated websites.

Understanding the effective use of keywords is a critical “get found” online marketing strategy. Using it to your advantage can be a difference maker in your online marketing success.

Are you ready to schedule an appointment for: web. print. training. IT or to learn more about one of our community improvement programs?  Call us at 386-734-9600 or visit at bouncemarketing.org.

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Are you in the right career or not?

All the professional development programs, time management techniques and goal setting won’t assist and support you if you are not engaged at work.

Ask yourself, “Am I in the right job?”

• Do I look forward to work?
• Can I attach personal importance to the work I do?
• Can I see myself in this profession in the medium to long term?
• Is this job a short-term step to a greater long-term plan?
• Are you making a good living wage?

There are many stories of people who have worked in a particular industry or location for a long time and eventually realize that it’s no longer for them. Bounce!., can help you!

Signs that you could watch out for which can let you know that you might be disengaged at work:

• Frequent colds
• Headaches
• Forgetfulness
• Tiredness
• Poor sleep
• Loss of sense of humor
• Bad tempered with family, work colleagues and friends
• Drinking
• Job Hunting online or in the newspaper

Of course there are a lot more signs but these are just a few.

If you are disengaging at work, ask yourself why are you there?  Some people find themselves in a particular profession because:

• Your parents wanted you to
• Your partner wanted you to
• You made a mistake
• You had financial pressures and this was an option at that time
• The work was attractive but it has now changed
• You thought you could grow in the job
• It was the easy option
• It was the first option

You may have disengaged from work not because of the actual job; it may be because of the environment.  We spend a lot of time at work and the environment is important.

It is time you started to ask yourself some questions.  We spend a lot of time at work, so it is important to be engaged and enjoy what you do.

• Think about what aspects of your work you enjoy.
• Think about what aspects of your work you don’t enjoy.
• What could you do differently at your current workplace?
• Are you still at the same workplace because of the pay?
• Are you at the same workplace because of the benefits – sick leave, long service leave, easy job?
• Do you see yourself in this industry for many years or not?

When you have taken time to evaluate and answer these and other questions honestly, then you can either make some changes to your current work position and profession or change?  It’s always your choice!

Bounce Marketing Institute is available with training courses to help you!

Visit us at bouncemarketing.org

Habits of High Performing People!

Here are some habits of High Performers.  Are you high performer?

• Tell people what you are doing and be willing accept help
• Ask people what they are doing and if they need any help
• In non-industry jargon way, share your achievements to your friends and family
• Communicate progress to staff and staff leaders regularly
• Learn and discuss failures - learn what you did and didn't do to recover
• Find a personal business / career coach
• Always ensure that your goals and objectives are S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound)
• First focus on the top priorities
• Focus on your performance objectives
• Attend company parties, activities, gatherings, and events
• Tell the truth
• Share solutions when reporting a problem
• Praise people regularly 
• Volunteer to be the spokesperson
• Be sponsor for youth programs, leagues, worthy causes, or professional events when possible
• Prepare for meetings ahead of time
• Learn professional skills and don't stop learning
• Share the positives not the negatives of your personal time
• Take predetermined risks
• Find fun things to do in your personal time and invite others to join you
• Have integrity
• Make decisions and stick to them
• Be loyal to others
• Be honest and upfront with people
• Be nice to everyone (retail workers and administrative assistants)
• Go to networking meetings regularly
• Be a people person
• Be creative and if your ideas are rejected - try again / don't give up
• Respond quickly and be available via email, phone, or in-person
• Always follow up
• Accept and ask for feedback regularly
• Focus on your strengths, know your weaknesses but don't worry about them
• Smile often
• Empower yourself and assume a leadership role until told otherwise
• Stay fit and healthy
• Dress for success but not for conformity
• Help other people and accept help from others
• Be a role model for others and get a few positive role models to look up to
• Read books regularly
• Be different and stand up for what is right
• Have your own thoughts and opinions
• Engage with upper management without fear
• Share knowledge and fruits of success
• Know when to sell and when to tell
• Never Stop Making New Friends and remember their names
• Just do it and get it done
• Arrive early
• Avoid excuses in any form
• Proof read what you write
• Ask questions especially when you are in doubt about something
• Take time to eat so you are not running on empty
• Know your goals 
• Organize your work space regularly
• Don't avoid conflict if it's necessary
• Be real to yourself and others
• Hold people accountable
• Take the blame - don't blame others
• Help make new ideas happen vs. being a barrier for them to happen
• Remember delegation is a form of empowerment
• Be a good listener
• Allow people to make mistakes but hold them accountable for repeating the same mistake continuously
• Protect the producers
• Be committed - use words like: do, will, yes, and no
• Know the deadline and conditions for success
• Don't Procrastinate
• Get to an agreement 
• Remember your time and other's time is precious

Learn more about Bounce Marketing's Managing Director at: www.bouncemarketing.org

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How to Build Communication Bridges with Your Clients

Building the perfect business relationship with potential client doesn’t come with a book of instructions.  If it did, the task would be much easier… (Yet a lot of gurus say they know how to build a relationship with clients and have written books about the subject.) But the reality is every client relationship is different.

Just when you think you survived the startup phase with your new venture, you learn the easy part is over and now the growth years are on the way. Facing the growth years within your venture is not something you need to be afraid of, it simply means there is a lot of work ahead of you. This blog post will help you take the experience one day at a time and learn how to bridge the communication gap.

The Message

As your sales team goes from new to veteran, sometimes what you ‘say’ gets lost in translation.  They can give you that blank stare or worse yet they misunderstand how to sell the product or service correctly which costs you time and money.  But with regular trainings on products, services, and selling techniques you can overcome this hurdle.

The Bridge

It’s not easy to keep the communication bridges open with a client because they too are trying to grow and make the choices that will have a vital impact on their future. They are becoming capable of spending larger amounts of money, having less and less time available to meet with you, and have their own difficulties they need you to help address.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1.       Watch your body language. 

How you move says a lot about you.  When a person is tired, they tend to slump.  When angered, your jaw muscles tighten and your eyes narrow into slits.  Believe it or you’re your clients are good at interpreting body language.  Yours will betray you when you are talking to them.  Keep it open and honest.  Avoid sitting with your arms crossed, eyes looking away from them or squirming in your seat.

2.       Make eye contact. 

When you don’t look at the person - you are non-verbally showing that you are either hiding something or you are not at all interested in what they have to say.  Your client will shut down emotionally when they suspect that you are not “tuned in” to them or worse yet end the meeting early.  Sit comfortably and give your client undivided attention with consistent eye contact.  It lets them know that you care.

3.       Keep your emotions in check. 

Remember back to when you were in high school?  Some of the things you said to your parents were aimed at freaking them out.  Clients will push your buttons if they can - don’t go overboard and get upset.  Their target is opening lines of communication for sharing their concerns or disinterest, sometimes they know it may make you mad.  Instead, take a deep breath, listen closely, repeat what you hear back, and ignore the taunt.  Do the opposite of what they expect because really, they want you to see through their ploy and find out the real problem.

4.       Ask them about their day. 

This technique works with spouses also.  Even if your client only grunts or says the obligatory, “It was okay,” ask anyway.  This shows you care. How many sales people really ask that question anyways? (Your show of caring will go a long way to convince them that you are interested in the things that they do and how they feel.)

5.       Be honest with them.

If you don’t understand or have an issue about something then say so.  Clients like your kids know when you are being insincere.  Discuss everything honestly and openly, say ‘I don’t know’ if you don’t know, but provide follow up when you find out the answer. Sometimes situational selling works when your client will explain an idea of where they are coming from.  Your client won’t mind explaining as long as they know you are listening. This way they know you really want them to be successful.

6.       Allow them their privacy. 

This one is tricky and since you want to know your client better than anyone else, you need to draw the line.  Clients value their time alone to think about the proposal.  Take a ‘break’ for a coffee and come back to answer questions later. Sometimes, planning a follow up meeting works well too. Never adopt the policy of the hard sale because it could burn the bridge and end the relationship with that client.  Remember, they need to hear your message but you need to listen their desires.  Also, in their office may be that there are no locks on the doors, always show respect by knocking before entering.  If they don’t want to be pressed about placing an order at the moment, wait until they are ready (if it’s not urgent for their timeline) and then make the close.

Being a sales person or a manager of a sales team takes a tough skin, a willingness to be vulnerable and lots of passion for what you do.  You will make mistakes but whatever you do, don’t stop talking ever to your client or training your sales team.

www.bouncemarketing.org 

Thinking of owning your own business or starting a charity?

Opening your own new venture is exciting and thrilling. But be mindful that everything which comes after the excitement and thrill has worn off that dictates whether your new startup will survive. It’s up to you to keep the thrill alive (forever).

So now what?

Bring to write and create a business plan (and yes the term business plan can be used for charities). This plan of action is needed to fulfill your dreams (and financial goals) Remember – you – are your own boss and running a successful venture is up to you. Your success lies with the approach you choose to take and the plan you write. Remember, re-read your plan and make changes as needed to avoid making costly mistakes. (By doing this you will avoid the common pitfalls that many new small startups make when rushing to get going.)

Bounce Marketing offers free consulting workshops to help you…

·         Prepare an initial business plan to clarify your marketing, management, purpose, vision, objectives, and financial goals.

·         Determine your start-up capital needs.

·         Identify sources of start-up capital and backup sources if needed.

·         Evaluate and quantify your organizational plan for the short and long term

·         Identifying the best business structure that best fits your needs by evaluating it’s advantages and disadvantages.

·         Operational Structure of your venture - ease of operation, establish billing and collection procedures and portability should you need to relocate.

·         Select the right accounting software by evaluating your budget, needs and hardware.

·         Consulting if setting up a home office is a good fit while potentially creating a tax deduction.

·         Resources to help prepare and file all required state and local licenses and permits.

·         Resources to prepare and file your application for your Federal Employer Identification Number.

·         Resources to identify your business insurance needs.

·         Develop a solid Partnership or Board of Directors Agreement. This is an extremely important document for all new partnerships / boards and will help prevent a tremendous amount of problems down the road.

Let us help you succeed by getting your new organization off to a good strong start.

Reach us at: www.facebook.com/bouncemarketing or email us at: design@bouncemarketing.org