Have You Ever Turned Down a Client?

by "Get it Done Girl" on July 20, 2010 · 3 comments

in Free Agency

Working as a Free Agent since November 19, 2010 (a day I will never forget), I have projects that cross my path that I know are a perfect fit:

  • My skills match the needs of the client
  • We have a good rapport
  • They “get it”

Then there are those projects that I’m approached with that make me hesitate:

  • My skills don’t quite match their needs (this is when I reach out to my network of Free Agents for collaboration)
  • The Client and I do not have a good rapport (this is going to be challenging – I usually weigh the cost vs. benefit)
  • They don’t “get it” (I oftentimes turn down these projects)

Then there are those times where I’m asked to provide what I know is a short-term solution to a long-term need. This is where my ethics kick in and where I usually turn down a project. I’m speaking primarily about social media at this juncture. If I provide social media services for a client for a month (coaching or community management), or if they want 2 hours of Facebook coaching – where will this leave them in the long-run? If they’re not satisfied with their business growth after our interaction, this could potentially hurt my business in the long-run. Word of Mouth is pretty powerful.

What are your thoughts? Do you take on all projects you are presented with? Do you pitch to clients who you know won’t be a good fit because you’re in a slump? Have you ever turned down business?

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Office Hours

by "Get it Done Girl" on July 14, 2010 · 0 comments

in small biz

Have you always wondered what that Google Reader thingie is that everyone is talking about?

Or are you getting started on your own website in WordPress and you’re hung up on a few things?

Have no fear, Office Hours are here.

Every other week (sign up for my e-newsletter to get the exact date/time/location) I’m at my “office”, aka Smokey Row, and am available to take any and all questions. Bring your laptops and we can work on what’s troubling you in your business.

Perhaps you have questions about how to use social media in your business; or how to start a business all-together. All questions are welcome. Hope to see you there!

By the way, I’ll be at Smokey Row tomorrow morning from 9-11am if anybody wants to come out!

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If you’re wondering how you can get involved in social media – look no further than the Social Media Club of Des Monies. The Board of Directors were announced on March 4, 2010 and we’ve been organizing community events ever since.

Social Media Club Des Moines is a local chapter of Social Media Club, an organization whose mission is to promote media literacy, promote standard technologies, encourage ethical behavior, and share best practices in social media.

The Des Moines chapter of Social Media Club seeks to bring together area technologists, business owners, educators, professionals, enthusiasts, and users of all vocations to provide a forum for education and collaboration on social media technology, platforms, and strategies.

Some great events coming up include:

SMCDSM Sponsored Event~#RockinTheBeerFloat

Time: July 14, 2010 from 5:30pm to 9pm
Location: AJ’s on East Court
Street: 419 East Court Ave
City/Town: Des Moines, Iowa
Website or Map: http://www.facebook.com/#!/aj…
Phone: (515) 282-1888

Everyone LOVES ice cream.
Most everyone LOVES beer.
Why not splash em together and Rock The Beer Float?

Imagine sucking down Olde Main’s Sudbuster Stout drizzled over a big ol’ scoop of cream kicking it on AJ’s on East Court’s patio. Pure #awesomeness.

AJ’s is offering special pricing for Beer Floats at $4.50. But if you want to kick it olde school, regular Root Beer Floats will cost ya $3.50.

Hope to see all the social media freaks and wannabes there! Party starts as early as 5:30pm with karaoke at 9pm! I know some of you will come just to sing New Kids on the Block.

Facebook Hack Night

Time: July 14, 2010 from 7pm to 9pm
Location: Smokey Row
Street: 1910 Cottage Grove Avenue
City/Town: Des Moines
Website or Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f…
Phone: 515-314-8165

Bring your laptop and an inquiring mind and we’ll poke around the Facebook Fan Page platform to see what kind of mischief we can find.

Christian Renaud: Can B2B Prove ROI in Social Media?

Time: July 28, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm
Location: Jasper Winery
Street: 2400 George Flagg Parkway
City/Town: Des Moines, IA 50321
Website or Map: http://www.jasperwinery.com/
Phone: (515) 282-9463

Do you have people asking, “Great – so where’s the return on investment?”
Christian Renaud, CEO of Palisade Systems has a few answers. Join us to hear one of the more dynamic business leaders in Central Iowa give us his insights on how social media marketing really does pay off, even in a B2B world. His tips certainly apply to B2C as well. Note: Mr. Renaud will speak at 7:00, preceded by a social hour.

Think about it: his audience is in data security, but it still works. Some background in case you didn’t catch the 5/30 DM Register feature about Christian and his company. Check out his blog. Not one to miss.

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Women of Worth (WoW) – Great Networking for Women

by "Get it Done Girl" on July 2, 2010 · 1 comment

in Free Agency

There’s a great networking group in Des Moines that I discovered earlier this year. Even though they don’t have a website yet, it’s so 416995244great that I heard about it from other women business owners in town.

It’s called Women of Worth and they meet once a month at the Walnut Ridge Retirement Center in Clive and once a month in Ankeny. What I’ve come to love about this group is that they really understand how to get a networking group started and thriving.

They charge no formal membership fees. A lot of groups just starting out are VERY quick to charge you their $25 (oftentimes a LOT more) membership fee without you getting the chance to “date” the group for a while to see if you want to make the commitment. The first time you attend a WoW event, you’re a member.

They limit the number of attendees to their Clive event to around 75 (haven’t been out to Ankeny yet) and they are consistently sold out! Their format for the event is fantastic…The first 15 minutes consists of informal networking; vendors can bring their wares and set up tables in the entryway. We then go through the lunch buffet line (haven’t had a bad meal yet out there!) and sit down to eat and network with others at our table. The speaker begins just as we’re finishing eating. The programs are short and sweet. The best part of the event comes at the end; each person has the opportunity to deliver a 30 second pitch to 74 women business owners.

This group really believes in women helping women. If you’re a women business owner looking for another networking event, make sure this one is on your radar…did I mention that I’m their guest speaker in July? Come check it out!

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How to Supersize your LinkedIn Profile

by "Get it Done Girl" on June 23, 2010 · 0 comments

in Free Agency

Most everyone nowadays has a LinkedIn Profile. The challenge is how to make yours stand out in the crowd. Below are some LinkedIn Applications I talked about at last night’s LinkedIn Workshop that you should incorporate into your LinkedIn profile. Go to your profile page and scroll part way down until you see “Applications”. Click “Add Application” and you’ll be taken to another screen. Below are three applications that I use:

  • SlideShare Presentations – SlideShare allows you to upload and share your PowerPoint and Keynote presentations, Word and PDF documents as well as profesional videos. Go to www.slideshare.net to create an account and upload your content. Return to the Applications section of LinkedIn and click on the “SlideShare Presentations” Application. LinkedIn will automatically display your latest uploads to SlideShare on your LinkedIn Profile. I know some job-seekers who are uploading various versions of their resume in the hopes of catching the eye of a recruiter.
  • Reading List by Amazon – this application allows you to list what books you’ve read, are reading or would like to read. You can also comment on what you thought of the book. As a job seeker, this application lets those who view your profile know how you’ve been spending your time off. As a Free Agent, clients/prospects can get to know a bit more about me through what I’m reading.
  • WordPress – If you write a blog in WordPress, this application will automatically feed your most recent blog posts in an abbreviated format to your LinkedIn profile. By doing this, you’re providing the viewers of your profile not only with another way to connect, but also a means by which they can learn more about you. Blogging with TypePad? Don’t worry, there’s an App for that as well…

How do you stand out from the crowd on LinkedIn? Are you creating content that you could share here to supersize your profile?

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