Powerful Notes To Help You Grow Your Business

Discussions Include:

• Why notes are important in business
• How to convey powerful messages
• Relationship building/networking opportunities
• Examples of powerful notes that help grow business
• Guidelines for writing notes

The Hangout:

This week, Creative Chat Cafe host, Zef Zan, joins her cohost, Lirone Glikman, and guest, Joanne Libby, as they discuss "Powerful Notes to Help You Grow Your Business!"

We now have "Table of Contents" for this video!

Not enough time on your hands? Check out the video's TOC (table of contents) to look for specific topics in the "About" section of the video on our YouTube channel!

View TOC for Video HERE!

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The Conversation:

Your Hosts:

ZEF: You must be wondering "what type of notes" are we talking about today, right? Well I am referring to the kinds that can help you grow your business and most importantly your relationships! Often these days, in our busy lifestyles, it's easy to overlook the little things that matter to others, such as sending thank you notes, "pleasure meeting you" notes, or even "special occasion greetings." These are examples of powerful notes that not only can impact our brand but also our lives in general. Why is it important? It is important to take the time to write and send these notes to people that matter to us and our business because when you give, you will also receive. On the other hand, times have changed and you don't really need to use snail mail to send out your notes - there are many electronic options. Phone calls are great, but everyone's busy these days and writing or sending a note is much more powerful and meaningful. It may seem simple, but to the person receiving it, you may have just made their day! Earlier I had mentioned "when you give, you will also receive." Lirone, how does writing notes to others assist you in networking and building relationships?


LIRONE: I would categorize the "notes" section under the "relationship building" stage in networking, even though it can be related to parts inside the networking activity. At the end of the day, "networking" is all about people, that human touch, showing you genuinely care, and expressing empathy to create that long-term connection. Some examples: sending thank you notes to those who have helped you, gave you advice, referred you to someone, or even assisted you to the place you are at today; following up on others to ask how a certain project is progressing, checking in after a while, and even commenting on social media, which are all examples of personal acknowledgement; giving notes, such as personal emails, can be used to give others something or to add value. We all want to feel special and have others find interests in us. It makes us feel good, as we are all social creatures. By letting someone in your network feel that good, the will remember you positively.


ZEF: Joanne, as a business coach, I am certain that you have written many powerful notes that may have gotten awesome reactions from the people to who you sent them. Do you have a story of a note that you have written or sent to someone in the past that has helped you grow your business or even had a huge impact on your life?


JOANNE: The example that first comes to mind is a "get well" note I sent to a man I'd met whose company was part of a consortium I was working for. Fausto had been in a car accident and, in my note, I said to let me know if there was anything I could do to help. He ended up being my best client for over five years, not only where he worked then, but at his new employer also.


ZEF: Lirone, as a networking coach, I am sure you write a lot of recommendations, and yes, recommendations are also a great example of powerful notes. I know I have received them several times from you and I must say that I truly appreciate them. When writing these recommendations, do you follow any special guidelines? 


LIRONE: I wrote a whole bunch of LinkedIn recommendations about people I appreciate professionally and personally, and it made me feel so happy! You must think about the positives in the other person. I was concentrating on what is good, amazing, and unique about those people I worked with and their businesses. Research shows that thinking positively about others makes you feel good too! When writing recommendations, I follow Marie Forleo's structure, which I will elaborate further in the "Tips" section.

Meet Zef Here!

LIRONE GLIKMAN
www.LironeGlikman.com

"Lirone Glikman is an energetic business networking coach, blogger and international speaker. She shares her networking knowledge and philosophy in order to help others take control of their lives, reach their goals, succeed, and most importantly, enjoy doing it! She is based in Tel Aviv, Israel and works with audience worldwide."

JOANNE LIBBY
www.GrowthCoach.com

"After over 25 years of helping win the deal, improve the system, and find the answer, Joanne Libby became an accredited and pumped-up owner of The Growth Coach franchise. Several programs are available but the backbone is The Strategic Mindset process for owners of small businesses, helping them get more out of life."

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Tips + Solutions:

ZEF'S TIPS FOR SENDING EFFICIENT NOTES:

I am not a "snail mail" kind of person; if I can avoid standing in post office lines - I will! I agree that a handwritten note is much more powerful than sending a note via email. I make a huge effort for big occasions and when I can.


However, we live in a day and age where we have the tools to work and live smarter.
I have learned a more efficient way of sending notes, which is most effective when I want to send notes quickly/immediately!

PAPERLESS POST

I have used Paperless Post to send thank you notes, referrals, recommendations, birthday greetings, "job well done" notes, and many others.

Key features that meet my needs:

• FREE cards - you can send via email to anyone with the option of upgrading to a PAID card membership, which includes greater choices
• Great selection on types of cards - there are plenty of choices available! Can be virtual cards or paper
• Customization - can customize cards with your own words
• Easy to use the editor - Adjust font, color, envelope customization, and images (may have to upgrade to a PAID account to add images)

LIRONE'S TIPS FOR STRUCTURING RECOMMENDATIONS:

I follow Marie Forleo's structure regarding recommendations.
Be sure to include:

• Where did you meet? (the background of the note)
• Field of expertise
• Emphasize the person's traits and skills that are so good
• What did you achieve from working together?
• Personal note - about the experience, the person

Make sure each one you write is different from the others!

JOANNE'S TIPS FOR MANAGING CONTACT WITH CLIENTS:

I use 22touch to manage my touches with clients, colleagues, and prospects. Basically, you import all of your contacts into the program, and prioritize them A, B, C, or D. The touches are email notes, hand-written snail mail notes, and drop-ins.  22touch also serves me as my Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process.

Every week I get an email with suggestions about which clients to touch and in what way. This helps me to not neglect my contacts, especially my A's and B's.

The bottom line is keeping top of mind. You want repeat business but you also want referrals. 

The key is to never ask someone to pass along your information. Always ask them to give you the contact information of the people who could use your service. When this happens, always send a thank you note, whether you get new business or not.