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If you want to know how to get people to pay you to hear about your opportunity and products, then this might be the most important information you will ever read about prospecting online or offline.

With over 100,000 students from around the world, including 7-figure networkers, CEO's, real-estate investors, and Internet marketing "gurus" who make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year there is no question that this proven prospecting sytem works in almost any industry.

Remember people follow people, not your business opportunity or your products and services.  It's all about branding yourself and learning the industry to become an expect and helping others to do the same.  When prosepcting, know who you're talking to and know their personality traits.  You're looking for dominant traits such as:

YELLOW TRAITS

• family oriented
• all about a "cause"
• team players
• will come to any event to show support
• Occupation of Yellow's: nurses, teaches and moms

BLUE TRAITS

• fun people
• people person
• may or may not be top producers
• love to have fun; bring life to a party
• good at sales
• Occupation of Blues: event planners, Network Marketers, musicians

GREEN TRAITS

• fact motivated
• they take action
• they need proof or need to research
• analytical
• very loyal but not easy to convince or close on the first conversation
• the opposite of blues
• Occupation of Greens: IT, accountants, CPAs

RED TRAITS

• money motivated
• need to know how much they can make
• normally CEOs of a company
• love being number 1
• very flashy people
• love to win
• need to know how fast they can get to the top
• Occupation of Reds: Doctors, Lawyers, Professionals

When talking to a prospect on the phone:

1. Introduction phase - introduce your self and ask questions about them
2. Rapport building phase - don't try and sell to them.  Find out what their problem is, then offer them a solution.  Ask them what they are looking for or what they need then suggest a solution.
3. Fact finding phase - give them facts and know your product
4. Close phase - close the deal with credit card in hand

I hope this information has been helpful.  I'm definitely working on these nuggets in my business as well.  So let's all get to the top and much success to you all!

Please click on my websites for more information about prospects who are ready to join!

http://sheilaccaldwell.magneticsponsoringonline.com/

http://sheilaccaldwell.magneticsponsoringonline.com/letter.php

Sheila Caldwell

Magnetic Sponsoring

We need not look any further. Black Business Women Online membership have the expertise, creativity, skills and talent. The very best in business industry is represented and right at our collective fingertips. If  you're building a business or if you have a business requiring the knowledge of experts, the experts are here. Black Business Women Online has one stop shopping. There're many choices to choose from. Choices to fit everyone's business style and needs. The services are endless.There're food lines, decorative items for the home, clothing lines, accessory lines, grooming and cosmetic lines, authors, professional coaches and technological services just to name a few. 

The women of Black Business Women Online are phenomenal!

We have the power within our hands to support, encourage and lift up each woman business owner. Black owned businesses are alive and well! In our networking let's keep the spirit of sisterhood and cooperation alive! 

What image are you projecting to the world and the world of business? Does your profile photo say I'm a business and professional person? Does your profile photo project the essence of who you are? Does it say, I'm a successful, confident, intelligent and articulate professional? Does your image represent your business?

I happened upon a profile photo on a site which shall remain nameless, of a woman in a bikini. This was a business and professional website. She was a member with a professional business. Her service was not escorts or related services. Nor was she marketing a swimsuit line. Another person had a derriere shot, you read correctly a derriere shot. I wondered what were these two persons thinking?

You want to be taken seriously. You want to be respected as a professional. You want to become successful. As I stated in blog #1 of this series, we live in a superficial appearance orientated society. Appearances and first impressions can mean the difference between success and failure.

Tips in projecting a Professional Profile Image.

       a. Business Attire: (skirt/pant suit and blouse, a dress or skirt and blouse.)

       b  Modest Jewelry

       c. Well Coiffed Hair

       d. Business Makeup 

Until you have the professional profile image you wish to project, leave blank!

Check out my blog: 

The Best, Most Highly Effective Strategies for Black People.  Fourth in this series.

Have a great day!

Let me paint a portrait. I'm new to Black Business Women Online. You can imagine my horror when I received what I thought was a welcome greeting from a member on this website. Instead it was an unprofessional overly aggressive, ineffective marketing solicitation. An unsolicited invitation to join in a  business venture. I literally felt as though I were being bullied. I will not hesitate to mention It read like an attempt to emotionally, psychologically and spiritually brow beat me into submission. A person I did not know had the audacity to claim to know me, and my aspirations. She went on to state, she just didn't invite anyone. I wish she had never thought to invite me.

The invitation would have been laughable, if it had not been threatening and aggressive. A stranger who did not have the slightest clue as to my credentials, goals and aspirations. A stranger was invading my privacy armed with crude tactics. Tactics which can best be described in criminal terms as a strong arm mugging.

I can appreciate enthusiasm for ones product. However, brow beating potential employees or clients is totally unacceptable. My suggestion to this person who shall remain nameless, is to employ the marketing expertise of fellow BBWO members. Thus learning the art of successfully and professionally marketing your product.

This is #2 in an ongoing series of blogs to address the negatives on the journey to building ones business.

 ©2011 Lorraine Currelley.

Sadly, your appearance can make or break your business. The manner inwhich you present yourself speaks volumes. In today's business and professional world of work, it can be the deciding factor on whether or not your business is a success or failure. The facts are, we live in a society which places a great deal on outward appearances. Yes, it's a superficial way inwhich to view the world. However, it's the reality. Let's be honest. When you're in the market for hiring a professional, you want someone who fits the profile, both as a company and as an individual. Money attracts money and success attracts success. If you're building a company or want financial advice who are you going to ask? Right, you're going to ask the person who is successful. Examine the list below. Do you see yourself in any of these examples. If, so you have a lot of work to do. The examples you see are not exaggerations.

The List

Unkept hair.

Wrinkled and soiled clothing.

Run over shoes.

Poor dental /oral health

Inarticulate.

Poor hygiene.

Inappropriate personal music blasting and greeting clients.

Clients kept waiting for hours.

Unappealing and confusing websites and other promotional materials.

Familiarity with clients.

Consuming full course meals while meeting with clients.

Disorganized and unclean office.

Family and friends socializing during business office hours.

Being the ultimate professional requires work. This translates into personal development and the acquiring of all the tools needed to make your business a success.

©L011 Lorraine Currelley.

Here are the 5 top reasons why your network marketing business is not growing online.

• You are ruining your credibility – You regularly post your sales, company promotions and discounts across all your social network platforms. Of course you are excited about your products however, operating your business this way devalues what you offer and lacks professionalism. There is nothing wrong with discretion, share this information with only those who are interested in the first place.
• You are attempting to market to everyone – Again, you know your products and services are great, but no matter what your company tells you…I’m sorry, everyone DOES NOT want it! Stop offering to everyone whether it is through status updates, email or inbox messages, you must be selective. Learning to target your specific market will yield much better results and prevent you from missing the opportunity to establish solid business partnerships.
• You are promoting a company replicated website – Having a company website is a great tool to share with prospective customers or business partners you are following up with but using this as your main website does not allow you to stand out from other reps within your company or give prospects a reason to want to do business with you. Instead, send people to your own branded website or blog where you display your area of knowledge and expertise while encouraging a personal connection with you instead of using a generic approach.
• You are promoting your company instead of branding you – The harsh reality of this is nobody cares about your company’s accolades, facts or what makes them so great. People do business with people –people they like. You need to make yourself stand out amongst the sea of other independent reps in your company. Give people a reason to want to shop with you are partner with you.
• You are looking for customers and not business partners – The biggest reason why most network marketers are not growing in their business is because they are online looking for customers. Network marketing is a people business, as stated above, people are far more likely to do business with people they know, like and trust. With the millions of individuals already selling “something” online, mix that with the number of reps in your company selling the same thing as you, it is highly unlikely you will earn a consistent amount of income online that will sustain you. Sell your products offline and focus on building your business team/organization online. Statistics show individuals online seeking a business opportunity far out way those looking to buy products.

These are just a few of the reasons why your network marketing business may not be growing online. I suggest taking some time to discover what you may be doing wrong and correct it to start getting the results you deserve.

1. Politics-Talking about politics is always a touch subject.  Some people are very passionate about their political views.  If you don’t agree with something that has been said, just acknowledge what has been shared by nodding .
2. Health-People really do not what to hear about your latest surgery.  Sharing too much bad news can bring the conversation down.
3. The cost of things-Ever been around someone and all the talked about was how much they paid for their car, house.  Don’t ask and don’t tell.
4. Personal question-Don’t ask questions such as “How much money do you make?” Or “When do you plan to have children.”
5. Don’t gossip-When you gossip you destroy your creditability and trust with the group.
6. Your boss/or job-You never know who knows whom. 
7. Off-color jokes-I tried to justify this by saying, “If you are with close friends and you all share the same views; however, I cannot.  It is never acceptable to joke about another’s weight, religion, racial heritage, physical limitations, or make any remark that will hurt another person.
8. Doom and gloom-People hear enough bad news, all one has to do is turn on the TV.  If you want to draw people to you, be happy and optimistic.

So, what can you do to avoid putting your foot in your mouth?

Learn the art of small talk.

   Definition of small talk:  n. polite conversation about matter of little Importance, especially between people who do not know each other well. Encarta World Dictionary.

• Be well informed-Read the news paper, Keep up with current events, locally, nationally, and internationally. Watch interesting documentaries on TV.
• Don’t interrupt-Interrupting a person’s conversation is very rude.  People could see you as being argumentative.
• Focus on the other person-Use the others persons name during the convection.  Pay attention to what they say, the other person will say something you can comment on.  They may share their love for a certain sport, or a movie or book they’ve read. 
• Maintain eye contact-Eye contact shows you are interested in what the other person is saying.
• Ask for their advice-Keep the topic light.  You may ask their advice or opinion on a new restaurant, or play.
• Don’t give advice-Give advice only if the other person asks.  It is best to hold off giving advice on personal matters, even if asked.
• Think before you speak-There have been more times than I care to admit, when I should have not said one word. 
• Always apologize if you say the wrong thing, or even is what you have said is misinterpreted.  People will respect you more.

Hello everyone,

My name is Kimberly Clark.  I'm a website designer.  I have just joined BBWO after discovering Lashanda on youtube a few months.  I look forward to getting to know as many of you as possible.  I'm still getting use to the interface of the site, but I'll be filling out my profile more fully once I do.

Exciting new for me, I have just launched my newest web venture this past week.  Its called http://www.just1page.net - I create one page website themes (built on wordpress) and html/css templates.  Please check out my facebook fan page and consider 'liking' it, if its something you're interested in. 

You can also visit my site directly and sign up to be a member.  All new members are given a free download of the one page wordpress theme 'Launch Page' - available for immediate download.  It is a wordpress theme perfect for anyone launching a new website, product, or anything that requires a countdown clock. 

Thank you for your support!

Kimberly C

Chari T of "Chari T's Inspirational Creations", ran a contest to win a free pair of handmade Peacock earrings.  I entered yesterday, the last day of the contest, and I won! Since I haven't won a lot of things in the past, I'm thrilled! Check out the blog post she made for me:

http://charitsinspirationalcreations.blogspot.com/2011/04/and-winner-is.html

Visit Chari's BBWO profile:

http://mybbwo.com/profile/ChariT

Also please check out Chari's face book fan page!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/ChariTs.Inspirational.Creations

P.S: Chari I hope you don't mind but that random generator you used to pick the winner is cool, and I'm going to use it for my own contest! :-D

Check out my free advice for Black business owners:
http://www.squidoo.com/More-Black-Success#module78319751

Plus, I've just been listening to a great interview with Rickey Johnson. You can earn a lot from him - I sure did!

What is the best business for you?
Why are you in business? Is it to make money? Or for some other reason?
What are your priorities?
What are the steps you need to take to have a successful business?

Rickey has loads of information that can help your business. Plus he is offering free business consultations. Check it out:
http://interviewswithblackentrepreneurs.com/rickey-johnson/

Plus, see my blog:  Advertise Your Business to 100,000 People.

Here's to your success!

I am so excited to announce the launch of Caribbean Women Who Lunch, Inc. (www.mycwwl.com). This is an organization with a mission to provide global networking and learning opportunities aimed at helping to grow the careers of women of Caribbean descent.

Women are notorious for not engaging their networks in the same way that men are able to do, so my dream for CWWL is to provide a forum for professional women of Caribbean descent that will facilitate access to global networks online, while also encouraging members to tap into their local networks through power lunches. This way you can build some truly meaningful relationships that help to move you forward professionally. The CWWL website is a social networking site that allows you to invite your own networks and also tap into the networks of other members, all of whom have some connection to the Caribbean, so you are already starting off with something in common.

This idea came to me a couple of years ago when I decided to launch my coaching practice. I wanted to start a group of women who would be able to offer advice and support to each other as we progressed in our careers. I also thought about how migrating to New York when I was 26 had impacted the networks I had back home in Jamaica. Essentially I had to start over upon moving to the U.S. so I thought why not create a network that women can access from anywhere in the world?

In order to help the membership grow quickly so it offers immediate benefit to the membership, the first 500 members will get the first year of membership for free. Just click on this link www.mycwwl.com, and with a few clicks you’ll be on and ready to invite your own networks by connecting to your email account(s).

Let’s network, learn and succeed!