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Believe it or not, cold calling is still an effective sales tactic. If done properly, you can get the business attention you've been craving. Unfortunately, most of us would rather sit in the dentist chair listening to the smooth sounds of the drill extracting the cavity in the back of our mouth! Cold calling should not make you feel THIS ill. The following 8 tips will help you realize how effective good cold calling can be for your business and maybe ease some of your fears.

Cold Calling Tip #1: Research your target market. 
Make sure you research the market you are interested in calling. Do market research (or google it! Save yourself some time and see what others have done already.) Find out as much as you can about the types of people or companies you're trying to reach. Will there be secretaries or employees answering the phone? Does the phone call go directly to the owner? What do these companies need that you can offer them?

Cold Calling Tip #2: Always have a script.
I know you want to be yourself when you call, as to not have it seem "scripted" or "planned" that you were calling this company. But believe me. If you don't have written down all the details you want to share in the call, you will fumble over the words and get hung up on! Make sure you have a step-by-step script written in advance so you know how to lead the conversation.

 Cold Calling Tip #4: Keep in mind, the gatekeeper is your friend!
The "gatekeeper" is better known as the secretary, employee, receptionist, or relative that keeps the "riff-raff" away. They are there for a reason so you should appreciate them. Get them on your side! A great way to do that is to say, "Maybe you can help me...". Make sure you always get their name and refer to it several times in the conversation.  

Cold Calling Tip #5: Focus on your goals and reward yourself.
Make goals for yourself, like if you are calling huge corporations, you will talk to at least 6 owners within the week. Or, if you're contacting small businesses you will get 2 new clients. Remember that cold calling isn't ALL about getting a sale, but a chance to make a sale. If you're able to make some appointments or share what you do with a few people, then you've had a great week. After you have reached your cold calling goals, reward yourself! Have that massage, go to that fav restaurant, get that long-awaited mani/pedi, whatever. But do something to get yourself motivated to keep going!

Cold Calling Tip #6: Be specific.
If you are setting up appointments or call backs, make sure you specify when you will meet. INSTEAD of asking when's good for the customer, say something like, "it would be great to meet up, how would this Thursday at 4pm work for you? No? Well what about Friday at 4pm?"...be specific all the time, so people feel even worse if they bail on you :), that's just reality.

Cold Calling Tip #7: Know the facts.
According to AllBusiness.com, "Eighty percent of new sales are made after the fifth contact, yet the majority of sales people give up after the second call". So don't be that person that thinks, "it's not working". You have to build relationships and work people up to where you want them.

Cold Calling Tip #8: Outsource it!
These calls are not the most fun thing to do with your time. Most of us have other things we need to worry about within our business, that cold calling takes a backseat. So, why not outsource it? Have someone else do it for you! I know what you're saying though, "it's too expensive to hire a professional to make these calls!" But I have news, now it isn't!

Busy925©  is in its beta stages, helping small businesses grow one cold call at a time. Busy925© makes the calls you're 2 busy 2 make! Any cold calling, marketing surveys, customers you need to follow-up with and see if they're interested in more products or services, post expo calls, Busy925© will call them too! If you have constant leads, follow ups, or reorders  that need to be made monthly, Busy925© has affordable monthly plans that take the responsibility of your cold calls right out of your hands! Let them worry about it and tell you how it goes. Right now, Busy925© has a Grand Opening special. Get 30 calls made  for only $20! Don't miss out on this opportunity. Only available until 11/11/11!

Cold calling is the new black. The thing to do to build a successful business, the thing to do to find new customers. Believe it or not there are people out there that need your business! Find them or let Busy925© do it for you! Check them out here... Busy925.com

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If you are a woman in business, you need to incorporate online videos into your social media marketing strategy. By doing so, increases brand awareness and creates viewer action leading to more inquiries and sales. In fact, according to Online Video Marketing Statistics, adding video to small business profiles:

• Increases number of business profile views more than 100%
• Increases number of profile clicks more than 30%
• Increases number of calls generated by more than 18%

For the past several months, I’ve had creating a welcome video for my blog and online community on my ‘to do’ list but have avoided it like the plague. Why? Well, just the sheer thought of having a video of myself floating out there in cyber space is nerving. After reading such staggering statistics on the importance of video marketing to small businesses… AND knowing that Google loves VIDEOS, that is, Forrester Research has reported that websites with video are 50 times more likely to gain an organic first page ranking, I realized that it’s time to stop procrastinating and get down to the business of video marketing.

While researching, I found several inexpensive ways to create professional videos and handy tools to help you in the process:  read more...

(New scholarships posted everyday)

Students Seeking Education by Experiencing Academic America. (S.E.A.)
a Houston, Texas based mentoring program for high school students,
students at-risk, and college bound student, wanting to attend an
Historically Black College / University, (H.B.C.U.)

S.E.A will post a scholarship for minority students each day. If you are a high school, junior, senior or a transferring college student, these scholarships are for you!

FREE MONEY! We all know through life there is nothing Free;
you have to apply to receive this money.

Your cost is - time!

The time it takes to fill out the scholarship application.
Look for the S.E.A. blog each day, highlighting a new scholarship listing 2011/2012

SCHOLARSHIP OF THE DAY
11-1-2011
United Water

Scholarship Detail:

The program is two-fold working with the United Water Foundation and United Water forprofit companies. The United Water Foundation, is a non-profit private foundation formed in January 2009. United Water is one of the largest environmental services companiesin the United States. Headquartered in Harrington Park, New Jersey, we serve 27million people in more than 40 states. Our parent company, Suez Environment, is a global water and waste treatment company whose activities focus on provider water to those without access, the distribution of water from alternative resources, the management of industrial impacts and coastline protection.

The United Water employee culture is built on the strategic business drivers of business efficiency, customer
service, employee development and managed growth, with a strong commitment to,ethics, safety, diversity and environmental stewardship. We strive to provide an environment in which the best talent can grow, develop and be challenged tocontribute every day. At United Water, we truly believe making the planet sustainable is the best job on earth!

The UNCF Scholars program will provide selected candidates a 10-week paid internship at a United Water for profit facility and UNCF will provide a $5,000.00 scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year paid for by the United Water Foundation. The internships will be offered at the following locations: Harrington Park, New Jersey. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Wilmington, Delaware, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Pontiac, Michigan, and Indianapolis, Indiana. . Each candidate will need to go through the United Water for-profit hiring process and will be expected to present to key Project/Department staff a final report and/or PowerPoint presentation of theirinternship experience. This program is made possible by a grant from the United Water Foundation to provide the dollars to the UNCF and by United Water for-profit companies whichwill provide work opportunities.

Scholarship Name: United Water Corporate Scholars Program 2011

Scholarship Value: up to $ 5000

Classifications:College Sophomore

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Eligible Majors: Accounting,Finance, Environmental Science(s), Civil Engineering,
Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Human Resources, Mechanical Engineering

Eligible Schools:Open for 4 Year Colleges Only

Eligible Locations:Open

Application Deadline : Friday, January 27, 2012

How to Apply : Apply Online

Donor/Sponsor URL: http://www.unitedwater.com

Donor/Sponsor URL: http://www.uncf.org/forstudents/scholarDetailSGA.asp?id=688

Visit S.E.A. website: WWW.SSEEAA.COM

(For more information scan with you Smartphone)





Could your mindset be holding you back from realized Social Media Success?

Any level of Woman Entrepreneur Empowerment requires continued personal, spiritual and business development endeavors.

Social media is playing a BIG role in business development. Believe or not your mindset also plays a BIG role in weather you are successful or not successful.

Your mind is a powerful thing and although there are many contributing factors the wrong mindset can hold you back from realizing the results you desire.

Here are three mindsets that will stop you every time.

1. Scarcity mindset. When you operate from a mindset of scarcity you see everything from a perspective of lack. You may resist trying to learn new tactics or even attempt to apply what you’ve learned because you feel there are already so many people out there in your field so why try? Truth be told there are many individuals out there who need your expertise and are waiting for you to step up and out so that they can resolve some of their problems with your solutions, however, how will they know if you never get out there. Also you may choose not to invest in additional resources that will empower your results but your scarcity mindset kicks in again causing you to hold on to every penny because there may not be enough for something else.

2. Inferiority mindset
Here you always size yourself up with others who are miles ahead of you. Stop! When you do this you will end up giving up and this is fuel for low self esteem. Instead tap into your brilliance. What makes you unique? What are you bringing to the table that gives you a competitive edge? It’s important that you take the time to discover this. Once you are clear on the value that you offer you will no longer practice the activity of comparison,however, you will arise and shine for all the world to see!

3. It’s too late for me mindset
Sure things may not have happened the way you want them to happen, however, as long as you have breath in your body there’s hope. Take inventory of why things are not working. Don’t be a victim of time. There are many who started in there latter years and actually realized more in their latter years than their earlier years. Spend your time discovering new ideas, strategies and resources. Determine who it is you are here to serve. Develop an appropriate brand and make sure you have an online visibility plan that works.
Where are you in your Social Media Marketing endeavors? Do you recognize yourself in any of the mindsets mentioned? There are many more. Take inventory of some of the negative chatter that happens when you attempt to move forward with Social Media.

Effectively using Social Media can dramatically increase your visibility, bottom line and position you as an authority in your industry.

I’d like to offer you an opportunity to do something positively different to POWER up your
Social Media endeavors.

You’re invited to join me for my 2 part Social Media Tele-series. Get Results, Profits using Social Media. I’ll be sharing insights specifically towards Facebook and Twitter. 

Click here to secure your seat now for this empowering Tele-class for your Social Media Empowerment now!

I know by now you know that I was at Blogalicious the weekend before last. What I haven’t mentioned was the theme of this year’s conference: Making Masterful Connections. Besides connecting with the brands that were presented, we were encouraged to make connections with each other.

If you are shy and introverted like myself, attending and networking at a big conference may be nerve-racking. I don’t have a magic formula to help you get over that (not yet) but what I can say is that the more events of this nature I go to the easier it gets. Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there.

Read more

As owner of a growing business there are a lot of benefits to look forward to. Like working for yourself, setting your hours, MAKING MONEY, and helping people with whatever you're offering. One thing we don't look forward to while building  business are the rejections. Always hearing the word "NO". Not only can this word be disappointing but effects the growth of some businesses. Although this word can be upsetting to hear often, you have to get use to it. Rejection is apart of the business package. Think about it, never have you heard of someone having a 100% close ratio. You have to learn to bounce back from rejections and not take them personally. In fact, the way you respond to rejections may effect the customers decision. Use some of the following suggestions from Greg on sellingandpersuasiontechniques.com on what not to do when overcoming rejections.

1) Never but never argue.

Even if you are right you'll probably lose the sale.

2) Never, but never attack the person.

Separate the person from the objection and deal with it as apart from them. If you fight a person's feelings, more negative emotions will emerge and you will lose! (Not a good Rapport building tactic)

3 ) Never assume you understand an unspecified word

When overcoming sales objections if a prospect uses a word that is a Nominalisation.don’t start answering until you first understand their meaning. ( Briefly, a nominalisation is a word you cannot place in a wheelbarrow, it’s a concept not a tangible thing.)

For example, if a prospect says: “I need versatility.” Don’t start talking about flexibility or the range of products you have or your payment options because that may not be what your client is talking about.

Better to ask: 'Could you explain to me what you mean by versatility?' or

4 ) Never Insult the Prospect

Let’s look at an example.Prospect: 'Your prices are too high.'

It would not be very smart to reply with, 'Aren’t you interested in quality?'

You could reply with:“High prices compared to what?” or you could soften that with,“I understand your concern about pricing, we all need to ensure we’re competitive in this modern world, and could you tell me who or what you are comparing us to in making that comparison? ”

5 ) Never Avoid the Issue

'Quite frankly, your service is useless.'

It would not be right in overcoming sales objections to change the subject or talk in theory about what is good service because you are dealing with an emotion here. The client is obviously angry or frustrated when the use a word like “useless”. You need to help them vent their emotion.

Much better to stick with the issue, 'Obviously something has happened to make you feel that way. Can you tell me about it?'

You need to do your best to establish and maintain Rapport in these situations.

6 ) Don’t Shift Responsibility

When there is a problem don’t try to blame it on your office staff or your delivery people. Think about how that is perceived by your customer. Your customer will only understand that you are dodging the blame. What your customer wants is for someone to accept responsibility and fix the problem.

You need to be responding with “We….”, to show that you stand with your company then with “I’ll fix it.” The “I” bit is important as you are the company in the eyes of your customer and if you have any sort of relationship with him / her they will feel more comfortable knowing the person who is looking into it for them.

7) Never, but never make the person wrong.

When overcoming sales objections never make a person wrong because you will create an enemy.

Making the person wrong is not a good Rapport building strategy.

8 ) Never Contradict the Prospect

Prospect: 'You guys always seem to be having production problems.' Mistake: 'No, that's not correct. We had some problems when we upgraded the plant two years ago. Did you know we have not had any downtime in the last 18 months?'

A better reply would be: 'Yes, we had some production problems when we upgraded the plant and currently the plant is running flawlessly, in fact, it’s been running like that for the past 18 months. Can you tell me if you have experienced any delays so that I can investigate further?'

In the second reply, the sales rep acknowledges the prospect's perception of a problem. Remember, first you meet them where they are and then move them to where you want them to be.

9 ) Don’t dwell too long on an objection

When overcoming sales objections don’t dwell too long on an objection because you will amplify its importance in the mind of your customer. Better to answer briefly. Your answer should be just long enough to satisfy the prospect, and no longer.

10 ) Never guess an answer

When overcoming sales objections don't guess at an answer. Admit you don't know. Say: "I'm sorry, I don't have the answer to that question, but I promise to get the information to you."

When you actually get back to them with a reply, this will show you have the courage to admit what you don’t know and that you “walk your talk” and follow through on your commitments. This can only improve the client’s perception of you.

Now you know what not to do.

 The 10 responses were written by Greg from sellingandpersuasiontechniques.com. Keep your reactions in mind when doing business. How you handle situations can determine how much your business grows. Keep in mind that EVERYONE in business encounters rejection. It's how you handle it that makes or breaks your company! Food for thought!

Tamara
garrisonprosperitysolutions.com
Get your free copy of "The Lazy Person's Ultimate Guide to Starting a Business"
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(New scholarships posted everyday)

Students Seeking Education by Experiencing Academic America. (S.E.A.)
a Houston, Texas based mentoring program for high school students,
students at-risk, and college bound student, wanting to attend an
Historically Black College / University, (H.B.C.U.)

S.E.A will post a scholarship for minority students each day. If you are a high school, junior, senior or a transferring college student, these scholarships are for you!

FREE MONEY! We all know through life there is nothing Free;
you have to apply to receive this money.

Your cost is - time!
The time it takes to fill out the scholarship application.
Look for the S.E.A. blog each day, highlighting a new scholarship listing 2011/2012

SCHOLARSHIP OF THE DAY
10-29-2011

Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship

This program seeks torecognize outstanding young people who are promoting American values on college campuses.

The scholarships are designedto alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education, permitting the winners to devote more time both to pursuing their academic goals andadvancing their leadership initiatives.

Applicants must be U.S.citizens enrolled full-time in good standing at any accredited, four-yeardegree-granting institution in the United States or its territories.

Deadline: January 2012

Award Amount: $1,000 - $7,500

Website/Contact Info:

www.thephillipsfoundation.org

Visit S.E.A.
Website: WWW.SSEEAA.COM

(For more information scan with you Smartphone)

(New scholarships posted everyday)

Students Seeking Education by Experiencing Academic America. (S.E.A.)
a Houston, Texas based mentoring program for high school students,
students at-risk, and college bound student, wanting to attend an
Historically Black College / University, (H.B.C.U.)

S.E.A will post a scholarship for minority students each day. If you are a high school, junior, senior or a transferring college student, these scholarships are for you!

FREE MONEY! We all know through life there is nothing Free;
you have to apply to receive this money.

Your cost is - time!

The time it takes to fill out the scholarship application.

Look for the S.E.A. blog each day, highlighting a new scholarship listing 2011/2012

SCHOLARSHIP OF THE DAY
10-24-2011
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program

The National Security Agency (NSA) is currently accepting applications from across the country for the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program. This program is looking for high school seniors, particularly minorities, who are interested in pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering.
Selected participants in the Stokes Program receive an annual salary, full college tuition and mandatory fees, and reimbursement for required books.
A position in the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program means you will attend classes full-time at the college of your choice in the U.S., and then work during the summer at NSA in areas that are related to your course of study. If you are selected as a program participant, you are required to work in your area of study at NSA after your college graduation for at least one-and-a-half times your length of study. If you should leave NSA employment earlier, we'll make arrangements for you to pay back the government for your tuition and book costs. Also, students accepted into the program must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale each semester after their freshman year.
While the eligibility requirements for our Stokes Program are subject to change from year to year, below you will find our basic prerequisites.

High School Students: (applying for Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering):
- U.S. Citizenship
- Minimum SAT score of 1600, or ACT score of 25, or equivalent College Board Score.
- Preferred GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
- Demonstrated leadership abilities
.Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
Salary: $20,493 annual plus locality pay.

Application Deadline:

September 15th-November 15th of each year.

National Security Agency, Attn: STOKES
9800 Savage Rd, Suite 6779
Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-6779

1-866-NSA-HIRE or 410-854-4725.

Visit S.E.A.
Website: WWW.SSEEAA.COM

(For more information scan with you Smartphone)

Christmas is almost here and we all want to make sure we get all are gifts out the way early for our friends and family. So this would be a great way to get them something new and sassy, crochet, beaded and handmade your style your way. For every order made up until Nov.10.2011 GET A FREE PAIR OF EARRINGS WITH AND ORDER WITH PROMO CODE: FREE10 IN THE COMMENT BOX @ www.etsy.com/shop/snchastang25

Aside from being used as a jack-o-lantern, pumpkin is a rich source of Vitamin C, an anti-oxidant, vitamin A and Zinc. Collectively, they cleanse,  sooth, exfoliate and moisturize allowing ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin. What's even more wonderful is that it's beneficial for all skin types. Here's a pumpkin face mask recipe.

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Sheila Caldwell

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Many of you will be going a different path than some of your peers and going to beauty school this fall and the world will soon have a new fleet of FAB new stylist ready to make the world beautiful. As with anything else there will be a whole lot of new suprises! Here's one bloggers journery through beauty school, and the things that she soon learned that no one had prepared her for.

Read More

Fashion is an obsession that we are share. But even more than just being a fashion lover, I also am a sucker for a cause. I absolutely love www.wheredoyoustand.com a website designed by leading fashion designer Kenneth Cole.

Read More

Visit S.E.A.
Website: WWW.SSEEAA.COM

(For more information scan with you Smartphone)

Pat Troy-Brooks reveals her 10 step plan to motivate, educate, and inspire you to remove limiting beliefs and explore the xtraordinary possibilities that exist within you, while laying the groundwork for you to achieve career success and create the life you really want to live.

You will become empowered in your job search and take control of your destiny by learning how to...

▪  Utilize 21st century job search strategies.
▪  Uncover your true passion, work value, and skills through career assessments.
▪  Utilize technology, social networking and more to enhance your results.
▪  Re-invent yourself and re-tool in order to grow with the changing employment landscape.
▪  Brand yourself and differentiate yourself from the competition.
▪  Connect directly with hiring managers.
▪  Overcome barriers to employment, such as lack of education, criminal conviction, over-qualification, under-qualification, more.
▪  A bonus chapter for aspiring entrepreneurs.

PLUS!  Motivational stories and affirmations, insight into the changing employment landscape, research and statistics, and much more.

http://www.patriciatroybrooks.com