Does networking often feel forced and frustrating? After 5 years of networking in the community, I have found some valuable approaches you can take to make networking natural and achieve the results you desire. Here they are:

1. Having the Right Mindset
When meeting new people, we often ask “What do you do” … that question is informal and can turn many people off. A better approach is asking people “How do you spend your time?” It allows people to speak about what’s most important to them, whether its professional or personal.

2. Create Your Own Support Group
Henry Ford, Roy Firestone, and Thomas Edison are three of the greatest inventors and entrepreneurs in American history. They created a group together to support each other’s ventures, giving each other feedback and sharing ideas.

You should emulate these masterminds. Find others with values and aspirations and create a group based on similar interests.

2 years ago, I started a book club with other young entrepreneurs and it has been incredibly valuable to our company’s success.

3. Ways to Make It Fun
Make networking about your life interests. “Family” and “Health” are often the two things we care about most, make your conversations about shared experiences as opposed to exchanging businesses cards and discussing business jargon.

Instead of “networking mixers” you can attend:

Speakers Series (your local College or University is a great place to start. Look for guest speakers or lecture series going on. Maybe there’s an economic roundtable you can listen to and strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you after the talk.)

Book Signings (check out the Barnes and Noble schedule or a local bookstore. Go for some inspiration, and maybe you’ll end up bumping into someone that works at the company you want to work for or with.)

Photography workshops, take a UCLA extension course or participate in a sports league. (why not use your networking/marketing budget to learn something you’ve always wanted to and meet other adventurous people.)

Unlike a hard referral-networking group, you won’t feel forced to do business with people because you have to but because you like to.

4. Stop Meeting up for Coffee or Lunch!!
Do something different than having lunch when meeting people, instead go on a hike, grab a game of bowling or pool. Participating in a physical activity will create a greater bond and an experience you will remember.

5. Online Networking
Don’t treat social media like a buffet and put more on your plate than you can handle. Choose one platform – LinkedIn, Facebook, or Email are the ones we recommend – and pursue relationship building like you would at an event.

Meet someone, take his or her card and send an email, or connect on LinkedIn. Stay in touch!

These are 6 small simple approaches that with time will help accomplish the greater goals you have.

Tossed In The Recycling Bin! That’s the last thing you want to happen to your print marketing collateral. Many business owners fail to execute a proper print design for their business, wasting hundreds and often thousands of dollars. Whether you are hiring a graphic designer or designing your own marketing materials, these are common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using Small Text/Font Sizes
If the readers of your marketing material are 40 years and older, avoid using font sizes that are less than size 10. It makes the text illegible for those older (and wiser) eyes.

2. Too Much Variety or Inappropriate Typefaces
You should choose 1 font style and stick to it throughout your collateral, at max it should be 2 typefaces. And be careful with the typeface you use, it should be legible and represent your brand appropriately.

3. Low Res Images
Your images should be at least 300 dots per inch (dpi). That means do not download some random image off the web as they will look poor when you print them. Instead use a stock photography service like ZoomyImages.com to find photos that are the right size.
(.PNG and .GIF images do not print well so DON’T use those file types.)

4. Not Enough White Space
White space is a term used to describe areas in your design that are left empty on purpose. By using the right amount of white space around your text and images you are making your collateral more attractive and easier to read.

5. Not Giving Your Information Hierarchy or Proper Organization
When putting together your collateral, your most important information should receive greater prominence than all others. In addition, do your best to organize your information so that it can be easily scanned and digested by the reader’s eyes.

6. Lacking Call To Actions!
Shame on you if your marketing collateral doesn’t end with a “Call Us Today…” or “Visit Our Website…” It should ultimately create urgency in the mind of your consumer and influence them to contact you.

Don’t let your marketing material become another piece in the recycle bin. Hiring a skilled team to design and project manage your marketing collateral is the right investment to make.

Contact Us or call the Infinite team for a free review of your next Graphic Design project. 818.990.9843.

Google Pay Per Click marketing (Adwords) is a form of paid advertising to get exposure on Google search results; it essentially gets your site to appear next to or above unpaid search results.

With Google Adwords, you pay for the clicks your website receives as well as the number of times your ads are viewed.

Here are The Good and The Bad about Pay Per Click marketing:

The Good:

1. Show up for keywords your target audience is searching
2. Reach an audience based on geography
3. Control the page your web visitor reaches after they click your ad
4. Have better control over your marketing budget
5. See and Track Results with Analytics (unlike print ads)
6. Focus on specific services that bring you the best results based on tested campaigns

The Bad:

1. Poorly written ads are ineffective
2. First timers may overbid on keywords
3. Costs can be very high for certain keywords
4. Newcomers are unfamiliar with interpretive analytics
5. Bidding wars occur for competitive keywords
6. Money may be spent on keywords that yield little to no results
7. Ads linked to an unappealing pages won’t convert visitors

If you need a team that has Google Adwords certification and can help you maximize your dollars spent on this marketing, contact our team.

How many times have you attended a networking event and your fellow attendees have described their business using jargon that you don’t understand or providing a description that you’ve heard a 100 times?!?! You shouldn’t commit the same mistake either.

Here are 5 quicks tips to stand out and make every networking opportunity worth your time:

1. Tell a heroic story.
After you introduce yourself, tell a story about a specific client and how you helped them succeed. Make it extraordinary.

2. Share a statistic that will impress the room.
But when you use statistics make sure you put them in context. Or it won’t make an impact. For example, if I say our email newsletters have a 30% open rate, you won’t know if that is good or bad, but if I say that our email newsletters have a 30% open rate compared to the 20% industry standard, you know that we’re kicking butt!

3. Offer something of value.
You can end your intro with a call to action — “contact me if you’d like a free analysis on your….” “today we are giving away 3…to those who visit our website and sign up for our E-newsletter”.

4. Use impersonal language that people wouldn’t expect.
My favorite is describing Infinite Communications by proclaiming, “We make websites that don’t suck.” You don’t have to be as pronounced, but you get the idea.

5. Start with an inspiring quote.
People like to meet other people who are positive. Use a quote to inspire and as a gateway to describe the values of you and your company.

You’re investing your time and often $$ to meet new people and you have one shot to wow them, use these tips to prepare a memorable introduction.

Lets play a game, fill in the blank: People need to ________ you before they buy from you.

If you answered “Trust”, give yourself a round of applause. Parroting is a simple technique that allows you to build trust and discover the real reason why your prospect is telling you “No.” Once you are able to understand the core of your prospect’s hesitation, you can build trust and increase your chance of “closing the deal.”

Specifically, parroting is the technique of letting the prospect lead the conversation and chiming-in every now and then, repeating the same word(s) they used to object. Below is a great story that will drive home the point. (pun intended)

The Lamborghini Salesman

Paul was a used-car salesman in New Jersey. One day, Paul was walking around the lot with a prospect and his wife, who had expressed interest in a “sensible car.” Paul was showing them every sensible Chevy and Ford on the lot.

As they were looking at one very sensible family car, Paul asked the husband what he thought of it. “Well,” he mused, “I’m not sure this card is right for me.” Instead of moving on to the next sensible car, Paul parroted “Right for you?” Paul’s questioning inflection signaled the prospect that he needed to say more.

“Well, er, yeah,” the prospect mumbled. “I’m not sure it fits my personality.”
“Fits your personality?” Paul again parroted.
“You know, maybe I need something a little more sporty.”
“A little more sporty?” Paul parroted.
“Well, those cars over there look a little more sporty.”

Aha! Paul’s parrot had ferreted out which cars to show the customer. As they walked over toward a Lamborghini on the lot, Paul saw the prospect’s eyes light up. An hour later, Paul had pocketed a fat commission.

Want to take a rest from talking to save your throat and increase your chances of closing the deal? Next time, use this simple “parroting” technique to get your prospect off and running so all you have to do is listen.

The story above is an adaptation from “How To Talk To Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships”

Most businesses understand the importance of having an online presence, yet too few realize the value of advocates in their audience who share content. It’s better to have a small number of followers who are excited about what you have to say than many followers who could care less. If your followers aren’t reposting your content, it’s time to take a good look at your posts and ask, “How can I make this content more shareable?” Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating shareable content for your fans.

What’s the benefit? Social networks are for socializing, so blatant sales pitches tend to fail miserably. Whatever you post, step back and ask, is it informative? Funny? Inspiring? Spamming your friends is bad online etiquette, so if your content is all promotion and not genuinely interesting, they won’t share it. So how do you promote your business without going overboard? Aside from communicating about special events, you can showcase how a product is made behind the scenes; maybe post content related to your customers’ unique lifestyle, or even highlight your quirky company culture. Be creative with the topics of your content, but make sure they somehow relate to your brand image or line of business.

Is it easy to share? Some of the most viral content are video and images. This is because images can communicate much more than words with minimal effort by your audience. For example, an ice cream shop offering takeout boxes will entice more people using a picture of the box loaded with different ice cream flavors than a text post. When using text, keep it simple. If you’re posting huge chunks of information in text form, chances are, no one will share it because they may not even bother to read it.

Do they know what to do with it? Don’t forget to ask your followers to share posts with important information. Having a friends and family sale? Make sure to include “share with your friends” somewhere in your content. Studies have shown that followers are more likely to share content (as long as it’s useful!) when they are told to do so.

Advocates, or fans of your brand, are vital in increasing exposure for your business . If your content interests them, they will share it with others who have similar interests. This leads to more customers or at the very least, a bigger audience made up of people who care about your business. The next time you post for your business, whether on your website or on social media, keep these questions in mind to craft content that’s shareable.

Around this time last year, a UCLA extension instructor saw my LinkedIn profile and contacted me to guest lecture in his class. I have now spoken in his class 5 different times, and more importantly we have built a fruitful personal relationship. In fact, he made the introduction to one of our most notable clients and continues to be a champion of our firm – it all started all because he saw my LinkedIn profile.

A LinkedIn profile is important for making a great first impression and building a deeper relationship with associates. Don’t let your profile show you in the wrong light; below are five mistakes to avoid.

1. Unprofessional or No Photo! People feel a deeper bond when they can see a face to a name. Unless you are a club promoter, please do not use a picture of yourself looking inebriated at a party. Upload a professional profile picture in nice clothing. Pictures taken with smartphone cameras work fine for those on a budget.

2. Generic Language! You “provide solutions” and “help customers gain a high ROI.” And so do the other 50,000 people who are in the same profession as you. What does all that really mean? For your profile to make an impact use language that is original and clearly describe your skills.

 3. Not Showcasing Results! Your LinkedIn profile is the perfect platform to talk about your accomplishments. How else are you going to stand out from your peers and influence us into hiring you or your company?! Fill in the “Projects” section of your profile to show what you’ve done in the past and how you’ve helped your clients. Be as specific as possible and don’t forget to include your awards and memberships with associations and non-profits.

4. Keywords Matter! Your work summary should contain many keywords related to your profession. Believe it or not, people use the search function on LinkedIn. For example, as a bankruptcy attorney you should list the various types of bankruptcy cases you litigate.

5. No Recommendations! If you can’t get one recommendation or think you would be bothering someone by asking for one, then you probably shouldn’t get hired for any work! There is absolutely no reason not to ask people to write you a recommendation. Your best customer will be excited to write about your great work and you shouldn’t hesitate to ask.

Get LinkedIn with me today: www.linkedin.com/in/infinitecmo

Albert Einstein once announced “Creativity is contagious, pass it on”! From Super Bowl commercials to the latest technological products, we live in a world mad for creativity.

Creativity can help your business thrive in times of uncertainty and intense competition. We interviewed Entrepreneur and community leader Jane Skeeter to get her insight on running a successful business that thrives on creativity.

Jane Skeeter is CEO and Founder of UltraGlas, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of designed architectural and high-performance glass and glass tile. A successful entrepreneur for over three decades, Jane has won many awards including The San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s “Women in Business CEO of the Year” and “Business Woman of the Decade.”

How would you define Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is a way Entrepreneurs think. I see need.  People need a product or service.  How do I make that the greatest it can be?  Where can it go?  How can it evolve?  How can you make it scalable? Would there be a market for it?  And is it good for society?  Will it be beneficial?  Will it be seen positively?  Will it make the world a better place?

And there are different types of Entrepreneurs.  Some will just think of ways to get rich quick.  That’s not my paradigm.  You have to love it.

What are some ways you would advise people to develop themselves professionally and personally to prepare for the challenges of Entrepreneurship?

Believe in yourself and believe that anything is possible.  Adversity is how you meet it and deal with it.  Things are not a failure.  If I try something and it doesn’t work out or I have less than optimum results, it’s not a failure.  I tried it, I learned from it and maybe there’s some benefit I’ll reap down the road.  Everything you do makes you who you are.  Not to have to lick your wounds and put your tail between your legs.  What else can I do? Think grandiose and then chew it into little segments one step at a time — have that plan. My goals are always so big and lofty and then I have mini-goals, too, which helps.

If you were to give advice about standing out amongst your competition, what would that be?

I always put myself in another person’s shoes and think, ‘if I were them, what would I be doing differently?’  How can you set yourself apart from your competition?  For me, social networking is key.  You have a whole new tool, but how do you use it?  How do you push it further.  You’ve got visuas, you can create a buzz about a business.  We get to work on other people’s businesses, so you don’t get stagnant and stale all the time.  So it’s a little bit vicarious, we enjoy the fruits of our labor through other people.  Many people get to benefit by it.

In terms of our competition, what sets us apart is we pay a lot of attention to detail.  It has to be beautiful.  We have real competitive advantages. We pay attention to our environment and our sustainable practices.  It’s very important for me.  Maintaining our planet for generations to come.

Einstein has a quote, “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” are there any activities you partake in to bring out your creativity?

Any kind of physical activity, the more intense, the better.  I’m an endorphin junkie.  That’s what makes me high, and  enables me to think more creatively.

Was there a specific point that you decided you wanted launch a company that thrives on creativity?

I believe that if you do something you are passionate about, make a business that is special, that appeals to people’s emotional and artistic value, chance’s of success are higher.

You have a glass dress in your office that you’ve worn before, where did the idea of creating a glass dress come from?

I was a clothing designer, that’s how I made my business.  I made custom designs for individuals.  And then when I got interested in glass 40 years ago, to combine both of my loves and my passions would be awesome.  And then I heard the glass art society having a glass fashion show.  So it was a great opportunity for me and I knew that I would want to do it and I had created the design in my head.

You are active in the community, and very generous with your time helping organizations, how has this helped you thrive in business?

I’ve spent a lot of time in my businesses already and I need to grow and feel like I’m paying back. I do it not for the connections, not for the payback, but because I believe in what I’m doing.  The payback to me is the satisfaction that I get of expanding my world.  Fulfillment of knowing that I get to see what’s going on behind the scenes.

What were or are the challenges of being a women business owner? If any?

There are challenges just being a business owner.  I’d say that many of the challenges of being a woman in business were more significant earlier on, especially in a “man’s business,” which I am still in.  Manufacturing, construction, it’s very much a man’s world.  I was the only woman in a job site.  I got my contractor’s license in the mid-80s.  There were no women, and I did my own installations.

Focusing on ranking for the  “top 10-20 keywords” for your industry is too often the only strategy used to increase and maintain Internet traffic, but that can be a huge mistake. Sure, keeping your site on the radar by focusing on the top keywords of your industry may help customers find your site, but this doesn’t always translate into referrals, sales and leads. By managing only the top keywords, you may be missing out on a substantial amount of business.

Keywords and phrases outside of the “top 20,” known as Long Tail keywords tend to be longer, more specialized, and are searched by users who are looking for something more specific.

For example, let’s say you’re a retail store specializing in women’s footwear. In terms of searching for a new pair of shoes, the keyword “shoes” may be considered a head keyword. But when looking for a specific kind of shoe, using a string of key words like “black patent leather red heel shoes” is more effective in helping customers find exactly what they are looking for.

This is the basis of the Long Tail theory. The heart of it is that traffic drawn in by the Long Tail keywords is higher quality and more promising than traffic generated by the top 10-20.

Industry research and the results we have experienced with our customers supports this, yet many businesses are unaware of the Long Tail theory potential. For example, 57% of Amazon’s sales result from searches outside of what is “popular”.

The key to using a Long Tail strategy is utilizing your own website data. This information is your best source of Long Tail keywords, being more personalized, relevant to your business and descriptive of what defines you from your competition.

So which customers is your business missing out on? It may be time to reevaluate the keywords and terms you focus on. Our team at Infinite Communications can help you develop more effective SEO strategies that will get you in touch with the right customers who were looking for you all along.

Did you know that 83% of information processed is done visually? Let’s face it, we are a visual culture and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.

Recent proof continues to prove that our affinity for visuals is growing:

• Instagram, a photo sharing application just sold for 1 Billion dollars.

• Pinterest, a photo scrapbooking website generates more referral traffic than Google+, YouTube and LinkedIn combined.

• Just take a look at how Facebook is progressing with Timeline… you will notice that layout is a lot more visual than the old layout and results with our Facebook accounts show that images receive the most “likes” and “shares.”

Here are some ways to take a visual approach online!

1. Let Your Website Attract Through Pictures

Do not forget that your website is still the heart of your online marketing — and probably your overall marketing!!

Here at Infinite our website receives heavy traffic via search engines for people looking to hire a “Search Engine Optimization” firm. Receiving this feedback from our analytics, we developed a visual banner on the homepage that communicates directly to visitors who are inquiring about that service. The highly-visual graphic banner is one of the highest “clicked” elements of our site!

For your website think about using:

• Real photography! Photographs of your staff and facilities build greater trust.

• Call to action banners that include benefits/results/ and promotional offers.

2. Videos Make It Easier

If you have a product/service that is both expensive or is technical and needs explanation, video is an absolute must!

People would rather watch an instructional video than read an instructional manual. Check out the video we created for Vocado, a project-management service for vocational schools (the video is framed in the iPad):

3. Infographics Get More Attention

Infographics are very popular right now and provide you a great opportunity to receive increased exposure.

Copyblogger, a leading resource for copywriting and content marketing developed an infographic about grammar mistakes that many of people make entitled, “15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly” (click to view). Between January 1^st and March 5^th they received 15,000 visits to their website just from the infographic on Pinterest.

Think about ways that you can make your content and information more visual so that it appeals to our natural preference for learning.

4. Facebook Timeline Banner/Twitter Background

This is prime real estate to use exciting visuals that personalize your brand. Our approaches to creating these are to include images of people because of the fundamental business rule that people buy from people and those who they identify with.

Make sure you include images of your staff, customers and of your facilities. Facebook fans and Twitter followers love images; we’ve seen this proven, as the timeline banner we created for Sally Kashani DDS (above) has received 12 likes already.

Infinite Communications is proven in creating visual imagery that is appealing and delivers results. Don’t take an apathetic approach. Contact us today (818) 990 9843 to design your engaging content. We promise to make it visual engaging!