Television and other media - and your business

At the Australian Businesswomen’s Network we are often asked to put forward women for media stories. That’s generally easy to do cause we have so many women with diverse back grounds.

Media has been a great (and effective) promotional vehicle for my businesses over the years. Like any business skill, working with the media - crafting stories that are newsworthy, learning to be interviewed, being quotable, having access to great talent who can be part of a story - all that can be learned and I find that I keep learning more and more about how to do this better.

Two weeks ago I got to put these skills to the test when the Today Tonight show interviewed for a story that airs TONIGHT!  I find TV the most challenging of media to work with as the editing can really impact the story and how it all comes out in the end.

Having said that, my experience with the Dragons’ Den program was one of my career highlights.

So, with a little fear, I announce to you this media tonight and if you’re around before heading out for New Year’s Eve partying you may want to take a look.

Make it easy for others to be your Facebook friend

If you’re on Facebook then you’re probably interested in connecting with like-minded people. One of my pet peeves is people sending me an invitation to connect without a message to say ‘hi’ and to tell me a little about themselves.

Your network is only as valuable as it is, well, valuable. Facebook gives you a huge opportunity to network online with relevant people around the globe.

I’m looking to connect with relevant people that I can add value to and who can add value to me.

Here are a few tips to make it easy for others to be you friend:

• Send a message with your friend request
• In the message say a little about yourself (perhaps mention a common interest or comment on something they other person has shared on Facebook)
• Update your profile so that it’s informative about you. ie. can you link to your websites? Are you using the capabilities to share who you are and what you’re passionate about?
• Share knowledge, add value, connect, contribute

Using video in your blog

Hello. I’ve been learning (practicing actually) doing a couple of video clips that I can use to share information and resources to our members. 

Video (used well) can be a great addition to your mix of social media tools - and I’ve seen it done really badly - and really well. Over the coming weeks I’ll share with you as I’m learning about what works and what doesn’t!

Here is one of my first attempts - using just my built in camera and a microphone. Unedited (our video guru is on vacation)… so here it is warts and all.

Tips and feedback welcome

Welcome to the herBusiness Blog - Click here to watch the video

What are your new year’s resolutions?

Smart Company - “Australia’s number one website for news, trends, blogs, tools & resources for small and medium business owners and managers” asked me what my New Year’s Resolutions are.

I tend to make my resolutions and goals on 1 January. Working with my partner it’s ritual we’ve had for many years). Maybe this ‘getting in early’ is a sign of a more organised and well-planned me in 2009.

Here they are - and I reserve the right to write more!

Is Your Online Activity Leading Anywhere?

In today’s blog post marketer Seth Godin asks if the online work you’re doing actually leading you where you want to go, or merely keeping you busy?

The power of the tools available to us sure can keep us busy - but where do they fit in as far as moving us towards our goals.

Good insight (especially for those of us with slight online activity addictions!)

 

 

Business Mentoring - Get These Amazing Results for Your Business

Being in business can be hard. You can feel isolated, in above your head, unsure what to do next to grow your business. That’s  a normal part of growth.

What if, like these women, you could….

• increase your confidence as a business owner
• have more direction and a clear plan for your business
• get new skills in marketing, business planning, finances, technology, business development and more
• access the helpful advice and experience of a mentor
• collaborate with like-minded women who are also growing a business?

And, what if you could do this on just 1-2 hours investment a week, and the equivalent of about $8 a day*?

Watch this short video and hear how these women boosted their business, went from naive to confident, found a structure to help them grow their business and furthered their journey as a businesswoman.

The next MentorNet program starts on 25 March. The dates and details of the program can be found at our website where you can also read stories from other previous participants.

Apply today. The Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s MentorNet program gives a path to move your business forward to where you want it to go.

Talk to us. Where do you want your business to be in 2009?
We understand that you may want to talk more before you make a decision, to see if the program will produce results for you! That’s why we’d like to offer you the time to talk about what you want to do with your business, how you want to grow. Contact us today about an Are you Mentor-Ready? 30-minute consultation. It’s a no-sell session where we work with you to clarify where YOU want to go in 2009.

For more information email us or call us today on 1300 720 120. Or, you can visit our website for more details on this business-growth program.

*Tuition is just $56 a week plus a deposit of $250. More details here.

Marketing - Looking for a great headline?

As the official copywriter in my business I’m often writing headlines for marketing emails, newsletters etc.

I used to take a long time going about it, try variations of other successful headlines, study marketing pieces on ‘1000 all time best headlines’ etc.

It paid off - many times.

At other times have at times I have thought “Gotta get this email out. What headline will do? Let’s just get it out.” and rushed a marketing email or letter out the door.

This nugget by Seth Godin reminds me - good copy can make magic.

Small Business Summit: What would you want to table?

The Federal Government will hold a small business summit on the global financial crisis in Brisbane on Friday.

This Sydney Morning Herald article announced the small business summit will attended by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Treasurer Wayne Swan, Corporate Governance Minister Senator Nick Sherry and Small Business Minister Craig Emerson. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if some small-business representatives were also there!

What would you want to table if you were going along? What does government need to know about how the financial crisis is, or could, impact your business?

Meet My Mentor - Rebel Coach helps budding entrepreneur

In early 2007 Jade Harley and Dennis Roberts were partnered up as mentoree and Mentor for the first MentorNet program. Since them Dennis has mentored two more times for the program, supporting over a dozen women to grow their businesses.

Success Story: How Australia’s beauty put these bikers at the helm of a successful business

Cape York Motorcycle Adventures started when Renae Kunda’s husband toured the Australian outback and fell in love with the unique sites. Roy Kunda was so inspired that he and his wife Renae decided to start a tour business and have turned their passion into a leading Australian off-road motorcycle tour company. Renae tells us how word-of-mouth helped grow this award-nominated business.

Read the article here.

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