Email Tips: What's in YOUR Signature?

Your signature line in your email is one of your most valuable marketing opportunities, and there are a lot of ways to convey the important business information that people need in order to connect with you.

Too often, I see professionals use .jpg images as their email signatures.  While they may look fantastic on your computer, they often don't translate well to cell phones and other mobile devices.

Here's the thing: 75% of people in the US use email on their smart phone. (Source: Nielsen's Mobile Consumer Report - Feb. 2013) So if you're email signature isn't translating to mobile, that's a HUGE miss!

Top 10 Business Texting Etiquette Tips (Know Your Etiquette Series #1)

It's happened to anyone who has done business in the 21st Century.  You're meeting/talking/relating to someone eyeball to eyeball.  As you are in the middle of a sentence, you lose the connection with those eyeballs the second their smart phone alerts them that a text has been received.  In that instant, their attention is diverted as they pull out their phone to check the message.

You Had Me AT Hello: The importance of doing business face to face

You know the process: You research your ideal prospects. You gain access to their contact information. You make The Call. Maybe it takes a few tries, but you finally get your prospect on the phone and a conversation ensues. A good one. One that you would consider a success.
Your prospect is actually interested

Stand Out From The Crowd

We've all heard about figuring out what makes our businesses unique, but what about the person behind the business? Whether you are self-employed, an employee of a large company, or an independent contractor hired to represent a company, it's YOU that the prospect is really sizing up. Whatever your business is, you have competition. And there's always someone out there that can provide your service or product better, faster, cheaper than you.

But there's one thing your competition doesn't have:

Reach Out: Business Relationship Tip of the Week

We all have business relationships that are solid. And very often, we forget to reach out and nurture those solid relationships as time goes by. But these are the most important relationships we have, and so we shouldn't be neglecting them!

I know I am guilty this. In fact, many of you reading this may be thinking, "Ya know, it HAS been a while since I've heard from Jacki!"

The biggest factor is often a simple matter of time slipping by. How many times have we heard, "Wow, can you believe it's already August!?" Time flies by so fast, and even though it feels like it's only been a few days, it may have actually been a few MONTHS since you've last talked to someone important to you.

So stop letting time slip by you. Make a phone call, send a greeting card, or even just a short email. Let the people who are important to you KNOW it.

Jacki Semerau © Copyright 2008

Burning Bridges: When to Sever a Professional Relationship

Toxic people. We've all ran into them before, and it's never pleasant. Some are toxic right out of the gate. There are the ones that SEEM normal enough, but then try to lure you down their path to darkness. Sometimes, perfectly good people can turn bad due to their own outside influences.

Whatever the case may be, these are people that you cannot afford to influence you. For the most part, we learn ways to deal with them, keep them at arm's length, and are able to coexist.

But that's not always the case. We do live in a professional culture where we are taught to "never burn bridges." But sometimes you HAVE to if you're going to survive. So let's look at some reasons to walk away.

1. Your reputation. In the end of the day, your reputation is all you REALLY have that will make you or break you. None of us can afford to tarnish it. And while it takes years to build up, it only takes one instance to bring it to ruin.

Our reputations can be destroyed by association. So maybe you have a professional relationship with someone who is unethical. Keep associating with that person, and it will be assumed that you are unethical as well.

2. Your quality of life. If you have a Toxic person that you associate with in business, they can literally take the joy away from you. I've had a person so filled with negativity in my career that every time I knew I would have to deal with them, I would get that sick feeling in my stomach and dread the encounter. Wow! That's no way to exist!

3. Your conscience. Maybe you have a client that is asking you to do something that you're not comfortable with. Or maybe it's a boss that is insisting you adhere to questionable business practices. Or maybe it's a strategic partner who is bringing you a ton of referrals, but you find out that they're talking bad about you behind your back. Whatever the case may be, it's time to listen to the instinct that is telling you to run!

Now I completely understand that it's not always a simple matter of walking away. And often times, the decision will cost you business, money, referrals, or even your job. But in the end, you have to weigh the potential loss against the cost of allowing that person to stay in your life. When the cost outweighs the loss, then it's time to burn the proverbial bridge.


Jacki Semerau © Copyright 2008

Take a Risk! This week's Business Relationship Tip

Take a Risk.

No two people are the same. I'm always amazed at all of our differences. And yet, we are all SO MUCH ALIKE! We're not that mysterious! And if you think about some of the things we all innately have in common, you'll find that one is our desire to stay within our comfort zone.

Oh sure, it's easier for some of us to step outside of that zone, but deep within, we all desire not to have to do it! Over the years, I've trained myself to take the risk of stepping outside of what makes me comfortable. I've been successful at convincing myself that I LOVE being in a room where I don't know anyone, and no one knows me. And truly, this has become something I now seek out. But don't think it's something I was born with, and don't think it came easily.

It's something you can accomplish as well.

Remind yourself every single day that it's OK to take the risk of talking to someone you don't know. Or to call someone who may not want to hear from you. Or to reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in a while. Whatever the case may be...give yourself permission to take the risk.

If you are willing to risk putting yourself out there, you will meet some phenomenal people, and you'll make some very valuable business contacts. But if you DON'T take the risk, you'll get left behind, wondering why your phone isn't ringing and business isn't quite to the level you desire.

The choice is yours!

Business Relationship Tip: It's the Little Things

From the July 23rd issue of "I Can Relate: Business Relationship Tips from Jacki Semerau." Enjoy!

It's the Little Things

We often get so wrapped up in the big things, that we forget what we consider to be "little things." But this week, I want to remind you that it's the little things that are infinitely more important.

Not too long ago, I had a client call me unexpectedly. I had done some extra work on their marketing campaign and put in some extra hours for to help the company meet an important deadline they were facing. This client called simply to say "Thank You" for putting in the extra effort. That was it...the entire purpose of the call. It took less than 3 minutes, and yet it had a tremendous impact on me.

It's cooking a meal even though you've had a tough day at work. It's giving your kids your undivided attention for just 5 minutes, even though you've got a million things on your plate. It's smiling at that complete stranger you just made eye contact with, instead of quickly looking away. It's sending flowers to someone who's ill. It's remembering what your client's favorite candy is, and then bringing some with as a gift the next time you'll see them.

Throughout the years, I've witnessed time and again the amazing power that the Little Things have had. If you stop and think, I bet you can come up with at least a dozen in the next 60 seconds. Go ahead....try it!
We're all after the big results, the big clients, the big score! But remember, the Big Things are just a lot of Little things all put together. So this week's tip is to take the extra few minutes to do something nice for someone...something little that could have a big impact.

Business Relationship Tip of the Week: Appreciation above Self-Promotion

From my weekly newsletter dated 7/16/08....enjoy!
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When we are trying to increase our profits, it's easy to think of getting in touch with clients and prospects to remind them why you are so great. We think of it as promoting. We think of it as advertising. We think of it incorrectly!

That's not to say that there is anything wrong with promotion or advertising. Quite the opposite. Remember, one aspect of my consulting is in helping business people create and execute marketing plans! But everything must be kept in it's proper perspective.

And there's a big difference between Marketing Opportunities and Relationship Building Opportunities. Many people confuse the two. And if you are thinking that you need to reach out to the people in your Sphere of Influence, then try thinking "Appreciation" over "Self-Promotion . Why? Because when you promote yourself to 100 people, maybe 10 of them will contact you, and maybe 1 or 2 of those people will actually close business with you.

However, when you reach out in appreciation to people who have either done business with you, or have somehow helped you in your career path, do you know what happens? They turn into evangelists about your services. Now they are busy spreading the word about your services. They are creating Buzz, and Buzz leads to increased business. They are actively looking to refer you, because they know if you treat them well, you'll treat their friends, family, and associates the same.

So this week's tip is to show your appreciation. Reach out the people in your business that you haven't thanked lately and let them know how grateful you are to them.

Jacki Semerau © Copyright 2008

Business Relationship Tip of the week: Show You Care

Every week, I'll post the relationship tip from the newsletter that went out the previous week. In other words, this post is the tip from the July 9th edition.

If you aren't yet receiving my weekly newsletter "I Can Relate: Business Relationship Tips from Jacki Semerau," Simply fill out your email address in the box to your right that says "Sign up for my weekly newsletter."
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Show you care while being sincere!

There's a popular phrase when talking about business relationships: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." I'm not sure who the first person to come up with this phrase is, but I can tell you that they couldn't be more accurate!

But the challenge for many is learning how to do this. How do I show someone I am just beginning a business relationship with that I care about them? I've only just met them, and so how can I possibly care about them already? And even if I DO care, how do I show them in such a way that they believe me, and don't just think I'm a big phony?

Here's the secret: when you care about people in general, you will naturally care about ANY individual you've just met. And if you care about people in general, you will earn yourself a reputation as being a truly caring and sincere person.

For some of us, that may come easy. But for others, maybe you really DON'T care. And I'm not saying that makes you Bad. But that comes through to people, which makes it harder for you to build that valuable relationship, which in turn makes it harder for you to earn referrals. You may make SALES, but if you feel that you have to work exceedingly hard for every deal, then maybe you need to evaluate your Care-Factor.

Caring for other people is a discipline, just like any other business practice. Next week, we'll take a look at some tips for creating that discipline within yourself. But you can start right now simply by making the conscious decision to Care.

When people know that you care about them, they naturally want to give back to you in whatever way that they can. In business, this usually takes form by way of a sale or a referral. So show you care...the more you do, the greater your chances of success!

Until Next Time,

Jacki

Jacki Semerau © Copyright 2008

The Winners of the "Name That Newsletter" Contest!

I am amazed by the creative thoughts and suggestions that have come through regarding the Name That Newsletter contest. I can assure you, making the decision on which name to choose was no easy task. In fact, it was so difficult, that I actually chose TWO winners and combined their entries!

Congratulations to the two winners:

Karen Kanefsky, who recommended Winners Relate.
Andy Kolton, who recommended Better Business Relationship Tips from Jacki

These entries inspired the official name of this newsletter:

I Can Relate: Business Relationship Tips from Jacki Semerau

This was a tough decision! I'd like to thank everyone who entered the contest...you had such wonderful and creative suggestions!

Allen Blaker
Andy Kolton
Anita Bell
Chef John
Jill Hall
Jim Kelder
Joanne Lipuma
Josephine Saineghi
Karen Kanefsky
Laurie Dickman
Mark Tait
Nicole Muench
Paul Hershenberg
Paul O'Brien
Robi Barkoff
Sherry Cornillie
Tammy Abernethy
Vicky Semerau


If I missed your name, please contact me immediately! I want to give you recognition as well!



Until Next Time,



Jacki