Women: Is Being NICE Harming Your Business?
January 5th, 2009 | Books, General
Photo courtesy of victoriafee
Whether they’re business owners or not, most women are great at making people feel comfortable. We nurture. We listen well. We interpret and respond to body language without even knowing we’re doing it.
Despite this, we’re forced to walk a fine line between being nice and being bitchy. Men—and occasionally other women—expect us to be cooperative and agreeable all the time. And in business, that’s not always realistic.
How Being Nice Bit Me In The Butt
A web designer once told me that he could complete an important project within a week. Then two weeks went by without a word. I e-mailed him asking him what happened, and he replied with a bunch of excuses. A family member was sick. Another was pregnant and expecting soon.
“Sorry to hear about the illness,” I wrote back. “But congratulations on the new addition! Take another week on the project; just be sure to complete it by the end of the month. Thanks.” Read more »
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How Giveaways Can Make YOUR Business A Winner
December 31st, 2008 | General, Internet Marketing
Over the past month or so, I’ve been brainstorming ideas for the Womenwise Marketing e-mail newsletter. Around the same time, Antonia Chitty of the Family Friendly Working Blog held some fabulous giveaways and competitions on her blog and e-newsletter.
I’ve always operated under the mindset that if you don’t ask, you won’t receive. So I asked Antonia if she would offer some tips on how she operates these giveaways.
She generously responded with the following information, and told me I could share it with you—my readers. (Aren’t women in business awesome?)
A shameless plug, before I turn it over to Antonia: if you want to participate in some fun monthly giveaways, don’t forget to sign up for the Womenwise Marketing e-newsletter at right. It only takes two seconds, and you’ll get access to exclusive Womenwise Marketing resources and other valuable freebies.
Antonia Chitty On Competitions
I aim to have a competition every month in my newsletter. It gives subscribers an added incentive to read the newsletter. I also like the fact that it encourages people to interact and not see the newsletter as simply something to read and discard. Getting people to click the links in your newsletter increases your chance of taking them to your website too. Read more »
Trouble Tooting Your Own Horn? You’re Not Alone…
December 30th, 2008 | General
Before the holiday I mentioned an article on marketing consultants in the Bay Area Business Woman.
The article has a great quote from Diana Kimbrell, founder of the marketing and PR firm Kimbrell & Company, that I want to highlight. Turns out, even marketing consultants sometimes hesitate before tooting their own horn. Kimbrell says:
“I have a discomfort in marketing myself, even though that is what I do for others. Part of my thinking is that it isn’t ‘client work,’ so it takes a lower priority, but beyond that I just don’t feel comfortable. I would rather wash my windows than work on my web site. I’m sure that is my upbringing that was wired in me to ‘not toot your own horn.’ Read more »
How to Build Your Business Through Networking
December 22nd, 2008 | General, Networking
The following is a guest post by Katie Skow, a small business owner who blogs about women entrepreneurs. For more information, visit her blog Entrepreneur Goddess or Diva Mogul over at Twolia.
Networking is the key to growing your business. Joining business women groups, chambers, and industry networks is a great way to both see and be seen in your community.
Having built a successful business from networking alone, I’ve made a list of the unspoken DOs and DON’Ts of networking:
DON’T:
• Be a serial networker.
This means passing out business cards as fast as you can say “hello, good-bye” and leaving the event without ever really getting to know anyone. People will not remember you and you will not remember them.
• Expect a fountain of free advice.
People don’t like to feel used. Networking, like any relationship, involves give and take. Don’t assume the person you just met wants to give you $500 worth of advice over cocktails. Follow up and make that appointment! Read more »
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