Something for nothing and your chick for free....

It never ceases to amaze me! Contacted hundreds of friends on FaceBook who have businesses to let them know of a new Free Business Directory that their websites should be listed on. Specifically one of our sites.

Jersey Shore Coupons

All they has to do was click the link and add their website info. Guess how many took advantage of this FREE help? Yeap not a one! I actually had several "Friends" unfriend me for making the suggestion and trying to help them.

Am I missing something? Am I going something wrong? Or is it that nobody wants or needs help?

Please, I'm at a lost. Someone fill me in?


Richard M.J. Jarosz on LinkedIn

PS Maybe I'll have better luck on LinkedIn???

SW, SW, SW, Next!

Some will, Some won't, So what, Next! This true for about everything. Last night networking event was no exception. There was no one from Monmouth County that I did not already know. There were, however, a number of Non-BNIers from Middlesex County.

Why, you may ask? As I was talking to the quests they found out about the BNI International Networking Week event via LinkedIn or Meet Up. The director from Middlesex County took it upon himself to use those forms of Social Networking to promote the event as well has the organization.

It's the little things in life (and business) that makes a world of difference.

Happy Networking!
Richard M.J. Jarosz on LinkedIn

International Networking What?????

This is almost a continuation of the last article on Free Publicity and the way organizations go out of the way to keep their events a secret!

This evening I will be attending an event connected with BNI's International Networking Week at the PNC Art Center. And yes I am ranting! Yesterday I attended two different local Chamber events (one organized by a BNI member and both attended heavily by BNI Chapter officers) and there was not one mention of today's event. I checked the Asbury Park Press Event Listings and did not find it. Hell there was no request to place the event in the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin which is FREE!

I checked my emails for the past month and no mention of it. No event set up on Facebook with invites! I even asked BNI members over the last week, in my normal course of networking, if I would see them there... and you guessed it! Deer in the headlights looks are all I got followed by "What networking event?"

Don't get me wrong, BNI is a most excellent organization. But with the Corporate Office trying to turn this into the Premier Networking event World-wide for the last three years the local area director is not helping...

I'll report tomorrow on the attendance of this secret networking events

Richard M.J. Jarosz on LinkedIn
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Nunchucks in Business?

The popular belief is that nunchucks were originally a short Southeast Asian flail used to thresh rice or soybeans (that is, separate the grain from the husk). It is possible that it was developed in response to the moratorium on edged weaponry. In other words it was a tool that was developed to overcome a bad situation using the only resources available.

In today's business there are a lot of nunchucks out there for business owners to use. But just like the nunchucks used in martial arts you need training and practice to use them effectively.

Let's take one tool for example, Linked In. A business associate of mine, who is about to retire, has been trying for the last several months to place a recommendation on my profile. He has managed to send me nothing but emails each time. He says he can't be bothered by this new stuff. I'm just glad his life does not depend on it like those poor rice farmers of old!

A potential client heard me speak about this same exact subject yesterday at my BNI meeting in Belmar, NJ. After the meeting he asked me if I could spare some time to show him how to get started with Linked In. Ahhh! Grasshopper..... Someone got it!

Remember: The right tool for the right job!
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

PROJECT: "What on your Shelf?" is Over!

And what a depressing project it was! Over half of the businesses gone in less that two years. Of the other half most are on their way... bad business people! And almost all don't know how to use their business cards or the phone!!!!

The raw stats:
Business Cards in the Box: 0 (Started at 1000)
Out of Business: 548
Businesses actually looking to grow: 102
Businesses that called back: 79

10% only were actually looking to grow. How did I arrive at that number? These were the ones that answered their phone like a business and starting a conversation with me. I did not sell them and they did not sell me... just a pleasant conversation between two local business people whom I have met before. We talked about BNI, Toastmasters, local chambers, the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and my FREE monthly seminars and how each could help their business. Some actually showed up to these meeting/events and we continued our discussions. Nice folks.

The other 400 (not out of business) were just rude! If I was not buying from them, right then and there, they they wanted nothing to do with me... Not exactly nice in this business environment! They will soon follow the path of the 500 currently out of business. I wish them the best but...

So I ask again, "What's on your shelf?"

Using your 60 Second Commercial as Blog Content

Most of the people I speak with tell me they have nothing to blog about. However most belong to networking groups. These groups let you do a 60 second commercial at the beginning of each meeting as a form of introduction.

These 60 Second introductions usually include who you are looking to meet in the upcoming week or some interesting tidbit to catch the listeners ear. One such example was at my BNI meeting this past Thursday. The Pest Control expert mentioned Bed Bugs as they have been getting a lot of press here in Monmouth County. He mentioned that he was an expert in their removal and used a greener (safer) method to do the job. A method not used by other local pest control companies. When I asked him if he put this info into a blog post or even an email to his current clients his response was typical. "No one wants to hear about it!" Well actually yes they do. It's been all over the papers and even the nightly news! Bed bugs are becoming a problem at the Jersey Shore. Even the local Multiplex theater make the nightly news with their bed bug issue.

So if you have invested the time and effort into a great 60 Second commercial why not use that as a basis for your blog entry. Most networking groups recommend that you have a different one each week. So you have a different blog entry each week. Now that is Working Smarter not Harder!

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Charter member of the Shore Money Chapter of BNI
We meet in Ocean Grove, NJ each Thursday morning.

Next installment of "What on your Shelf?"

This was to be a fun project... But alas, it has turned into work! Depressing, time consuming and basically a downer. Forget the businesses that are no longer around that is a given and a numbers game. But the ones that are still around I have to wonder how?

All the still existing businesses should take a look at my Recommended Reading List for a little inspiration. Maybe they can find some words of wisdom in these books. Most business owners have a copy or two, on their shelves, but have never cracked one open...

The latest round of calls from the business card box actually resulted in some call backs. After leaving a "detailed" message as requested I get a call asking "Who am I speaking with?" First off I believe it is "whom" Any English majors wish to comment? Secondly I left a detailed message explaining who I was and why I was calling! But they never checked their messages, they just hit dial last call. Why have voicemail in the first place and why don't they use it? Again this does nothing to add to their credibility as a business owner. Yes, people do make judgments bases on things like this. I do! I ask myself, is this the way they'll treat me or my clients in the future? Do I want to share clients with this person? Some interesting questions.

Good thing we have on our "Tea" and Seminar schedule "How to use the phone to promote your Website (business)." This will be Thursday July 22nd at the offices of Lone Keep Internet in Bradley Beach, NJ.

Have you read any good business books lately? If so, which ones?

Getting the Right Word Out!

I was at a client’s shop this morning when I got a bad feeling of déjà vu!

The story starts, about a year ago, at what used to be my favorite Hobby Store. It was great going there, getting away from the day’s issues to play a few games and talk to my buddies including the owner. Then things changed! Ever time you walked into the store the owner would start to complain. Little things at first. Orders were being shipped to him late. Vendors started to raise their prices. In all still a great place to get away….

Somehow the bitching started. Taxes were too high! No one could afford to live in New Jersey. It started to get depressing listen to him but “the guys” were still great to talk to. So it was still a good place to go….

Then the real bitching began! Customers started bitching that all the owner did was bitch, so some of them stopped coming. This caused the owner to bitch about losing customers and blaming everything and everybody but himself. This caused more of his customer to go elsewhere which caused him to bitch even more and louder!

It got so bad that one time I stopped in on my way to the bank to grab a quick snack (one of the cool things about the Hobby Store) and the owner was speaking with good buddy of his. He was bitching about the states of affairs in New Jersey politics when another customer can up with an arm full of models and paints and placed them on the counter with a credit card on top. Instead of helping the customer who was trying to pay, he keep up the bitching with his buddy…. And the paying customer? Well he got tired of waiting to spend his money so he picked up his credit card and walked out the store. You guessed it! This caused the owner to get even louder in his complaining that he hates it when people to that to him… Go figure?! Well I have seen that happen to him twice. After the second time of listening to him bitch about it I stopped going to his store and now go to a Game Store 20 minutes further south to spend my money!!!!

Now the déjà vu part.

I was sitting in a little coffee shop this morning when that owner mentioned that he was under staffed and there was a large party outside. I suggested that he could serve me after everyone else as I was not in a hurry. As more customers came in his casual mentioning turned into complaining….

When those customers left he was in the back preparing an order when another lady walked in. She had her money out, for her cup of coffee, but no one was helping her. She waited a minute and even before I could mention to her that the owner was in the back she picked up her money and went down the street to the next coffee shop! Déjà vu all over.

Now what do you thing this lady mentioned to her friends later in the day? What great service she got? It was a pleasure doing business with that coffee shop?

Remember people talk!!! Make sure you get the right word out!

Do people listen to themselves when they speak?

I mean really! Just got back from a monthly business breakfast. Sitting next to me was a photographer. A nice guy, so I asked how he got new clients? He replied he only does work by referral. Nice! So I invited him to my referral group and he replies "Referrals don't work for me." Shaking my head I just walked away at that point.

Am I nuts???? Or....

Let me know what you think and have found when speaking with people in general.

Love it when a plan comes together!

Let’s review some of the topics I have been spouting on about:

1. It’s Spring! Time to leave the Cave
2. What on your Shelf?
3. Social Networking is about being Socialable
4. What’s new with the New Year?

Well as most of you know today was a beautiful day. The sun was shinning and all was good with the world! How right that was…. Let me walk you thru it. First thing this morning I got up and did my exercises (Thank you Dr. Wells). Got the blood pumping and ready for my 1 mile walk to visit a client in Ocean Grove (Just the best Coffee Shop in Ocean Grove, The Barbaric Bean). I also scheduled a meeting there with a business associate so we can plan some additional upcoming seminars. While there one of the other Bean patrons overheard our conversation and started asking questions and now I have a new prospect. (I left the cave and got out to meet some new people.) After the meeting I walked back to my office and passed several business owners who were also out enjoying the sun.

Back in my office I continued my calls (a scheduled item on my calendar everyday) I started to empty my box of 1000 business cards (see sidebar for latest results). Today’s topic was “what’s new?” Once I got the standard answer of “nothing” I told them about my new “Tea” later this month. Bob Hilton, the new Executive Director of Jersey Shore Convention &Visitors Bureau, will be the guest speaker. Being socialable I inquired if they were on FaceBook or Linked In and got several new connections for both. I even gave out a several invites to my BNI group that meets Thursday mornings in Ocean Grove.

Having done all that, now I getting ready to go and really workout at A. Kastner’s Family Tae Kwon Do…

Overall, a very busy and profitable day. Working on having more of then. Anyone want to join me?

Project: What's on your shelf – Phone Courtesy

I’ve been making these calls from a number of Business Cards I’ve collected and again the one thing that stands out, besides 50% being out of business, is that most business owners don’t know how to answer the phone.

Looking up it up in the ‘net… I found “QUICK TIPS FOR PHONE COURTESY” and one of the first tips is “Identify yourself as soon as possible in the call.” Besides just good manners it’s part of Networking. Don’t make the caller guess if they reached the right person or company. If you put your company phone number on your business card don’t hide!!! Get out of the Cave!!!

To help your business, remember the acronym VCP. Visibility, Credibility, Profitability. This is networking! Working on getting the Word Out Not hiding it so people don’t feel comfortable calling you.

The Business Card should be a tool for your Networking. A very valuable tool if used properly! But I find most business owners don’t know how to network. They think showing up to an event and handing out a few cards is networking. They hope for the quick sale not realizing that it takes time to build up relationships.

To that end, this month’s Tea (FREE seminar Thursday, March 25th) will be on Networking. The title is “It’s Spring! Time to leave the Cave” and will be at the offices of Lone Keep Internet in Bradley Beach. We will cover all aspects of Networking including what organizations should be looked at and how to schedule the time needed!

If you are in the Jersey Shore area and would like to attend this Seminar, training session, give me a call at 732-988-4044. Upcoming Seminars will include: using Meetup, using the tools available from Google and even a “How to” on using the phone to promote your website.

It’s Spring! Time to leave the Cave

To quote Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI:

"I find that many home-based business owners suffer from the Cave Syndrome. They get up each morning in a large cave with a big-screen TV called their home. They go out to their garage and get into a little cave with four wheels called their car. They go to another really big cave with plenty of computers called their office. At the end of the day, they get back into their little cave with four wheels and drive back to the large cave with the big-screen TV, and they can't figure out why no one is referring them. If you want to build your business through word of mouth, you have to be visible and active in the community by participating in various networking groups and/or professional associations. It’s even harder for those working from home to get out of the cave. You don’t even get into that little cave on wheels to drive to the large cave with the computers!"

How many of us live and work this way? I attended a networking group this past Wednesday and after listening to all the complaints about the way the group could not grow... etc. I asked one simple question!

"Who here belongs to another networking group? A chamber? A Toastmasters Club? Any group?" The amount of silence was staggering! Not a single person belonged to another group not even a social, sports, religious or fraternal one! Talk about cave dwellers.

When I suggested that they join me at one of the many events I was attending for the week I got the universal answer... "I'm busy." DOING WHAT??????????????? Needless to say my association with this group will be short lived. I even invited them to attend my FREE Networking Seminar next week but again I got the universal answer (I think I'll start referring to it as the universal excuse!)

So if any of you readers out there want to get out of your caves and attend a FREE Seminar about networking... a real "How to" training seminar call the offices of Lone Keep Internet at 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.... Get out of your Cave.......

So Project: What's on your shelf begins...

Last week I made the first 20 calls. The results were what I expected. 10 were out of business or have switched jobs. 8 answered the phone like they were keeping their business a secret!! Several of these were Marketing Firms. None of the Internet based companies were around anymore - save one. This is why Lone Keep Internet has been around for over 22 years now...

Only two businesses called back. These were the ones who wanted to actually grow their businesses... So they are on my shelf! Next time I'll give you snippets of some of the actually conversations so you do not make the same mistakes on trying to "Get the Word Out" about your business.

Your Thoughts?

What on your Shelf?

In trying to come up with a theme for my blog entry today I put it to my friends on Face Book. The responses ranged from Helping Haiti to the use of Technology like Exchange mail, sync between pda and desktop in real time, voice mail to email and so on. The responses made my head spin! So I decided to clean up the office a bit to try and get rid my headache. In doing so I came across about 1,000 business cards that I have accumulated from BNI, Chamber and general networking meetings over the last several years.

Then it dawned on me! Today’s entry would be on Technology, not the latest but one of the oldest that people still can’t use correctly!! Business Cards! Why do business owners, sales people and just about everyone hand then out and never use then for what they are intended for.

Wikipedia, the online free encyclopedia, defines Business cards as “cards bearing business information about a company or individual. They are shared during formal introductions as a convenience and a memory aid.”

Well let’s put that to the test. When I get a business card I always follow up in a day or two. Most people don’t remember me even then. I guess I should be insulted! I would say about a good 50% don’t answer with their name or that of their business. They try to keep that a secret when you call… WHY? Why bother handing someone your card? Do they hope you don’t call?

So this is the Project. I am going to call all 1000 people whose cards were on my shelf. To the right on this page I will keep a running tab on the number I have left to call, the ones out of business already or switch jobs, the ones that want to actually grow in this “bad economic” climate and those that even bother to call back!

This should be interesting… Not sure what I will accomplish but I’ll start off the conversation with “What’s New?”

Missed Opportunities

This past weekend Ocean Grove had its Fall Festival. It was a great day! Lots of food and interesting “Autumn” things on display and for sale. My wife and I walked over to Main Street (Got to get my steps in. That’s over 2000 steps one way. Thank you Dr. Wells!). We also decided to check out the special Pumpkin flavored treats at one of our clients (Barbaric Bean).

Walking around checking out the vendors I ran into a member of one of my Networking Groups and another former member. I was surprised to see both as they never mentioned that they would be attending, never mind have a booth each. I believe this was a mistake as that Networking Group has over 40 members. Since both of them have family orientated businesses it would make sense to have over 40 additional people (families) stop over at their booths.

An announcement at the weekly meeting, an email or a blurb in the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin would have resulted in more people knowing of their involvement. All of these methods cost nothing except a little forethought and effort. Getting the Booths most likely cost some money so a little extra effort would have increased their rate of return. This is right out of Guerrilla Marketing “Maximizing your Effort.”

I will be speaking on this and other topics at my next FREE Guerrilla Marketing “Tea” October 23, 1 – 4 PM. It will be hosted at the Sixth Avenue House B&B in Asbury Park. Call 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.