Top tips on how Twitter can help women in business

Last evening I had the pleasure in interviewing Sam Russell on Building Your Business Using Facebook and Twitter. As it happens Sam and I have both been inspired and guided by Mark Shaw, Mark has built a reputation on helping clients effectively Twitter.

Mark recently published a great article and I am pleased to be able to share it with you here.

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Women face many particular challenges in the business environment, from juggling work and family commitments, to establishing authority in a world that is often still male-dominated.

Online social networking technology can be a great way to overcome many of these challenges, and probably the most important network at the moment is Twitter.

Twitter allows you to stay in touch with your customers while you're on the run, connect with industry leaders, gather accurate market information in real time, and much more besides. I'm convinced it's one of the most powerful new tools available to help people in business, from struggling small business owners to busy executives.

Why do I need Twitter?

There's been a lot of coverage of Twitter in the media recently, so it's natural to be a little skeptical. This is one case where you should believe the hype, however. Twitter is a simple but great idea that has been picked up by millions of people, and in the process has become a highly versatile, very cost effective business tool.

You probably already know that Twitter allows you to build a network of contacts, then communicate with them via messages of 140 characters or less. Typically, people use Twitter messages (tweets) to describe what they are doing, or to link to interesting online content.

The really exciting thing about Twitter, though, is that it allows you to do your marketing, networking, and business research much better, and on a lower budget, that you ever could before.

Once you're set up (which takes a minute and costs nothing), you can target your particular business niche very accurately, while getting global reach. In your marketing, for instance, you might choose to focus on reaching customers in your home town, or alternately you might reach out to users all over the world who have expressed an interest in your product.

You can speak directly to your customers to get feedback on new product ideas. You can track trends in your market as they happen.

And if you're running your own businesses, on those days when you're feeling a little isolated Twitter allows you to connect with collaborators, experts, and investors around the world, without leaving the office.

Making the most of Twitter for your business

In any new community, it pays to know a few ground rules so you get the maximum benefit (and don't make a fool of yourself!). Here are a few tips that will give you a head start on the rest of the pack:

1. Your profile page is very important. Use a high quality photo of yourself, and give enough information to give a sense of who you are, what your business is, and what you're hoping to achieve on Twitter.

2. Try tweeting about ten times per day, and make sure you share useful information and links as well as posting the 'I'm walking down the street' style of tweet.

3. You'll find the Twitter website is very limited, so try downloading a third party application Tweetdeck helps you manage your contacts and messaging, and Tweepsearch will help you find users who share similar interests to your own.

4. Try to convey your true personality and don't always be talking about your business. Users will be turned off quickly if you try too hard to sell to them, but by being honest and transparent you'll connect with people who can help you.

Like anything new, you'll need to spend a bit of time listening in, while you get the hang of it. Soon you'll see how the Twitter community can help you in every aspect of your business. Have fun! So why not get started today twitter.com/

About Mark Mark has been twittering for over a year and has made it his business to help others effectively use Twitter to help their business. He has amassed a wealth of knowledge and techniques on how to make Twitter work and how to get the most out of it. He currently advises clients on how to establish themselves on Twitter, how to grow their following, how to become recognised as an expert in their field, and how to generate leads from the medium.For more information go to www.markshaw.biz/

Using Twitter and Facebook to Build your Business 'How to create Social Networking Success’

Every networking group or business related function I attend at the moment the topic of conversation sooner or later turns to that of Twitter or Facebook.

The extraordinary growth in Social Media has led to a huge amount of public attention so it is probably inevitable that it is constantly at the fore of many peoples minds.

Facebook and Twitter have also become prominent marketing tools for business. Marketing strategies have certainly changed in the last five years since I started out in business and any wise business owner knows it is important to keep up with the latest trends if they wnat to stay ahead. I’m not saying every business owner should have a Facebook or Twitter account to generate business but both applications do open you up to wider social network that will help you make powerful connections, forge strong relationships and an opportunity to share information.

To find out why you need to be participating in social networking NOW and to hear Success stories from small and big businesses that have used Social media as a platform to market from click here

How Are You treating your Clients?

If you want happy satisfied customers, treat them well!

I spent the best part of yesterday inviting complete strangers in to my home to quote for some pressing plumbing work, I had two experiences that were poles apart.

One of the guys briskly pushed passed me, climbed the stairs to the bathroom where he took no more than a second glance at the job in question and abruptly told me that he would have to knock down part of a wall to do the job, that it would be very difficult for him as there was little space, he tutted, he sighed and his general negativity towards the job made me feel very uncomfortable.

In stark contrast I was met with a smile and an extended hand as I opened the door to the other tradesman. He asked my permission to go and look at the job, he was courteous and allowed me to lead the way. He enquired about the job in hand and gave me the impression he was genuinely keen to help.

First impressions count! Whatever your business.

It’s simple really - Happy customers will buy from you and tell more people about you.

What Is the difference That Makes The difference?

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to present my ‘Secrets of Effective Marketing’ talk to the Southsea Business Networking Forum. It was well attended and I really enjoyed delivering the presentation and connecting with the other women. Women united in a common goal: professional and personal empowerment


Surrounding yourself with positive and like minded women, I beleive is vital for the survival of your business. It’s amazing what happens when a group of women come together and are encouraged to share their tales and experiences.

I’m certain that as I revealed " The Top 12 Reasons Why Clients Aren't Buying" (and no mention of the recession either) there were several lightbulbs going on.

So is knowledge King?

What are your thoughts? Let me know what you think.

When opportunity Knocks Will You Be Ready to Open the Door?

The story goes that Frank Sinatra got his big break while working as a waiter. One day, as he was waiting tables, he noticed one of the biggest names in the music industry sitting in the restaurant. Old Blue Eyes did the most unbelievable thing. He cleared off the table next to the gentleman, climbed up on to it and sang! He knew he'd blown his job at the restaurant for doing so, but how many times would this door of opportunity open up? Needless to say, the rest is history.

I believe opportunities are waiting around every corner. You never quite know when that door of opportunity is going to open wide. I'm also a great believer in the Law of Attraction, one of the fundamental laws of the universe, which states, we bring into our lives a reflection of what we are attracting, be it negative or positive.

Consequently if you have a positive expectation you will likely open yourself up to more opportunities than if you just go through your days fault finding and complaining about how hard and difficult your life is. Please don't assume I live in a idealistic world, sure we all face stressful events, but sometime's what we perceive as life's ups and downs, can be seen as opportunities for us to achieve or understand something new about ourselves at a higher level.

Try this exercise. Take an A4 sheet of paper and draw a line directly down the centre. At the top of the left hand side write down a list all the opportunities you have seized, the list can include anything. Now on the right hand side, compile a list of missed opportunities that you can recall.

Now take a look at your list. Focus first on the missed opportunities and ask yourself, what stopped you from taking the opportunity? What did you have to lose? What have you learnt from not grabbing the opportunity? What would you do if the same opportunity occurred again?
Now focus on the opportunities you embraced. What was it that made it easy for you to take each opportunity? What did you gain? What have you learnt? How has it helped you? Where has it taken you? For each and every one of us who is ready to grab the next opportunity, there are thousands more who won't and don't.

The average person has 630,000 hours (72 years) to do with them what they will, watching TV, sleeping, working, playing, living, being, doing and having.

Will you be ready when opportunty next knocks?

Are You Following the Yellow Brick Road?

My good friend Wendy Dashwood-Quick, (who some you met last week at Winning Women) is launching her first book and has a fantastic special offer for you all.

She has taken 2 years, acres of paper and dozens of biros getting her book into print. She has literally poured everything she knows about coaching and helping people 'get out of their own way' into 300 pages.

Her book is already receiving rave reviews and making a difference in people's lives. She wants to make a big splash with this book and has a plan to achieve this, read on... Here, she outlines the publication day celebrations!

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"When you buy my book, "Discover Yourself On the Yellow Brick Road", at Amazon.co.uk on Monday 8th June, you are entitled to over £500 in free bonuses including e-books, memberships and services - but you have to act on Launch Day (8th June - not before) to claim them!

I won't go into detail here but if you love a bargain, would like to get well over £500 in powerful bonuses and want to either re-evaluate your career, change directions or move on after redundancy along with a step-by-step plan to help you get there then you will find this very interesting...


So here's how you can grab these valuable free gifts....

You see I'm celebrating the official publication of my new book "Discover Yourself On the Yellow Brick Road" in a big, BIG way.

It's the birth of this book but the gifts are for you!

How's THAT for a win-win celebration? You buy one £14.25 book on 8th June 2009 and you get £500 in amazing free products, business resources, downloads and books!

Best of all "Discover Yourself On the Yellow Brick Road" is a great buy for that person who's currently at the crossroads of their career, is facing redundancy and would like some strategies to discover what they want to with their career and how they're going to get there.

Inside the book you will find out how to:-
* Identify and celebrate your own uniqueness
* Smash through the glass ceiling and aim higher
* Package yourself to magnetically attract opportunities
* Power up your self-belief and create unwavering self confidence
* Clarify and strengthen your deepest values and purpose
* Programme your intuition to guide you in the right direction
* Stop following the herd and discover what success means to you
* Develop and work on your own personal success plan* and much, much more... including some interesting case studies, personalworkshop activities and your own personal action plan

So make sure you grab yourself a copy of "Discover Yourself On the Yellow Brick Road - 7 Core Principles of Success"

But don't do it now, diarise for the 8th June! Then all you have to do to get your free gifts is just complete the form at www.7coreprinciples.co.uk and I'll send your free gifts right over to you.

The ONLY way you can grab all these free gifts is to purchase your copy of "Discover Yourself On the Yellow Brick Road - 7 Core Principles of Success" and complete the form on 8th June!


With my book and the ton of free gifts you have everything to gain when you spend just £14.25!

All the best

Wendy Dashwood-Quick

Author of "Discover Yourself On the Yellow Brick Road - 7 Core Principles of Success"

http://tinyurl.com/Amazon-YBR

Read a Sample Chapter Here: http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=7008PS:

Remember, to receive your £500+ in free bonuses you must complete the form at www.7coreprinciples.co.uk by midnight (GMT) 8th June 2009!

PPS: This book is also a perfect business gift for clients, friends, and family

PPPS: If you have received a similar invitation by email, I apologise for the duplication and congratulations on being well connected...!
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And a postscript from me! Don't forget to check out the bonus I'm offering as part of this promotion.

Now, can you see why I couldn't wait to spill the beans?

Allison

Winning Women Travel The Yellow Brick Road

Last Thursday evening Hampshire Winning Women were entertained by Wendy Dashwood –Quick, Author of Discover Yourself on the Yellow Brick Road.

Wendy had a difficult start in life, she overcame more obstacles than most of us would face in a life time and then at the age of 36 Wendy’s world fell apart completely. Going through a divorce she lost her home, nearly all her friends, most of her possessions and her car. Then she was bullied out of her job.

The only thing that kept her sane was one book on Personal Development. Rather than throwing herself in the river she decided to throw herself into Personal Development. Several years later she became a Coach and now helps others gain clarity and perspective in their careers, re-build their self confidence and point themselves in the right direction.

Listening to Wendy it is clear that she is passionate about making a difference and has found her purpose. Not only a coach Wendy is also a practitioner in both EFT and NLP and has drawn upon her own personal life experiences and her professional qualifications to write Discover Yourself On the Yellow Brick Road.

Winning Women all had such a fantastic evening with Wendy that I’d like to invite you to read a sample chapter here.