Key Business Partners, LLC

My dear friend Heidi posted a comment to a post that was done on her Ryze group, HER Mastermind that was started by Leah Jackman-Wheitner for the Monday Morning Marketing.

The question was…if you only had 1 hour to market your business for a week, what would you do?

Heidi started the conversation by writing a example of how she went to her local ice cream store (Carvel) and while she was there exchanged business cards and information with the manager to do some cross promotion between the two businesses. See, she was already going to the store to pick up an ice cream cake for one of her employees’ children, so while she was there she took the time to do some marketing and in return expanded her exposure to 200+ possible new customers. You can read the details here.

I thought that was quite clever of Heidi to be proactive in her marketing for her florist business while she was running an errand. And the manager at the ice cream store was more than willing to do some cross promoting (adding business cards to new customers and sending flyers with new order).

However, I wanted to bring something else to the “table” so here is my idea. I have chosen to show my example. My suggestion is to take 1 hr per week and become involved in blogging and leaving comments on different blogs AND add value by showcasing helpful advice. My suggestion is to build a blog “community” of those blogs that share a similar audience and your readers will enjoy spending time reading about as well.

Another friend of mine, Katherine Reschke did a post about blog commenting this week as well.

And I think that Dr Leah asked a great question and I would love to hear your suggestions as well to this question, If you only had 1 hour for marketing for your business, how would you spend the hour?

This weekend I had a great experience to be a part of Virtual Women’s Day hosted by Heidi Richards, owner of the WECAI Network. I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful ladies during the day and learn quite a few things as well.

Here a few highlights:

Found quite a bit about inventing, patents and the process from Julia Rhodes, inventor of Kleen Slate. She invented some wonderful useful tools for teacher and businesses alike…you have to check out the Kwik Chek II (cool paddles for the classroom or game playing like charades).

And Jenn Givler talked about social networking sites and how to utilize them for your business. Jenn is a intuitive business coach for helps healing businesses market their businesses using her Mindful Marketing Coaching Programs. Read more about her newest group coaching or her other coaching programs.

Also, at 2pm, Holly Buchanan and Michele Miller talked about their book, The Soccer Mom Myth, and how to properly market to women. Holly and Michele talked about how the misconception taking by some marketers that women think of themselves as a “soccer mom” is hurting their bottom lines.
Purchase the book Now

The event was sponsored by of course, The WECAI Network, HERMastermind on Ryze, Teresa Morrow of Key Business Partners and You’re One is a Million.

You’re One is a Million is an fundraising campaign by The Women’s Alliance, founded by Nicole Wild. This is wonderful idea started by one amazing women who rallied with two other people (read more about the details at You’re One in a Million and started a way for us help women in transition. If a million people donate just $1, then $1 million dollars can be raised to help women who need it. And hey, it is a possibility you could win a brand new Harley Davidson Motorcycle! Not bad!

So go right now and be a part of the movement…give $1 and be 1 in a million!

Thank you for all of those who came and made the day such a wonderful time!

Don’t forget the next great event by The WECAI Network….1st Fridayz on April 4th!

Here is what Heidi had to say about the Pre-Virtual Women’s Day Event today:

The first day of Virtual Woman’s Day is now HERstory and it was a huge success! Lisa Moren Bromma our kickoff Speaker and author of “Wise Women Invest in Real Estate” shared some fabulous tips. I got one idea that saved me at least $2,000! And several that will result in a nice income. She also gave a copy of her book to everyone who attended her session. The audio of Lisa’s session will be posted on the site next week.

Anyone who goes to http://www.virtualwomansday.com and leaves a comment will get a link to her session.

In addition, Rosalind Sedacca and Christina Rowe told the audience how they got MAJOR PUBLICITY and almost 400 people to show up at the worlds largest Divorce Party! There were so many ideas shared, my fingers were tired from writing them all down. Thank goodness we recorded their session too so I can listen later (and so can you if you leave a comment, or attend tomorrow’s sessions).

To check out the lineup for tomorrow, visit: http://virtualwomansday.blogspot.com/2008/03/virtual-womans-day-schedule-of-events.html

There are two ways you can attend.

You can join us via our teleconference bridge line – simply call the teleconference bridge line at (641) 715-3840 – Guest Access Code: 361467# (pound).

If you plan to join us in the web conference room (preferred) here are the downloading instructions for setting up and participating via our online conference room. You only need to download the room once, after that you can particpate in Virtual Woman’s Day(TM) as well as our other online conference events such as eWednesday Chat(TM) and 1st Fridayz^(TM)

1. To download the networking room please go to http://www.wecai.org/eWednesdayChat.exe

2. A box will pop up prompting you to save the program. We recommend you save the program to your desktop for easy locating each week. 3. After the download is complete, double click on the conference room icon on your desktop. 4. Once the room launches, you will prompted to enter your full name and click okay. (Please do not try to enter as Moderator.) 5. You do not need a password to enter the conference room.

*when you want to participate in the chat simply click on the conference room icon on your desktop! This will open the conference room and prompt for your name and password (above).

Be sure to join us, otherwise you will never know what you missed (okay, I’ll probably tell you later)!

and to get find out about the schedule of events for tomorrow…click here

AND….here is a list of all the lovely PRIZES

You don’t want to miss this event—it is a great time to network and meet new people and possible win some wonderful prizes!! Whoohoo!

I have the opportunity to interview two wonderful ladies who have written a business book that pulls no punches, has quick wit and great business advice about marketing to women.

In their new book The Soccer Mom Myth co-authors Michele Miller and Holly Buchanan use their experience in marketing to women to show companies and marketers how to market to women in general, but more importantly, how to market to women as individuals. Not all women buy the same way. And almost none actually call themselves
Soccer Moms. Buchanan states, “When I conduct marketing seminars, I will ask a direct question to a room filled with educated women with money and the urge to spend it. “How many of you in the room consider yourself a Soccer Mom?’”The silence is deafening and very seldom do I receive one or two hands raised. So if most women don’t consider themselves “Soccer Moms”, what does that say about the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of billions of dollars of advertising aimed at this group?”

In The Soccer Mom Myth, Miller and Buchanan break through the barriers of stereotypes like “soccer mom” to unveil proven persuasive marketing strategies to women. The book focuses on today’s most compelling mediums for marketing to women including the Internet, blogs and word-of-mouth advertising.
“Women are no longer a ‘niche,’” says Miller. “They are the majority of consumers influencing 80% of all spending. Advertisers know they need to talk to these consumers. The questions is no longer why market to women, it’s how.”

Holly Buchanan and Michele Miller, are the co-authors of The Soccer Mom Myth, Today’s Female Consumer, Who She Really Is, Why SheReally Buys.

Q: How did you meet each other?

Holly: Michele came to a copywriting seminar I was teaching at Future Now in Brooklyn – we had just moved into the building and were having trouble with the heat – well, the day of the seminar, the heat went out, and it was one of the coldest days of the year. All I could see of Michele was her eyes peeking out from beneath her hat, scarf, gloves, and winter parka for the whole first day of the seminar. (the heat came back on, at least partially, the second day). Anyhoo – she was a trooper and we instantly hit it off.

MicheleYes, I remember that chilly class – I swear the inside thermometer read 47 degrees (I’m NOT exaggerating!). I think Holly took pity on me ‘cuz I was holding a sign that said, “Will work for heat.”

Q: What made you wish to write this book together about marketing to women?

Holly: It was Jeff Eisenberg’s fault. He said – “hey, Michele, you’re a marketing to women specialist, Holly is a marketing online specialist, why don’t the two of you combine your talents and write a book together.”

Michele:Jeffrey may have introduced us, but it only took a few seconds to realize that Holly was going to be a dream to work with and likes fun as much as me. We’re both passionate about marketing to women, and with our individual areas of expertise, the match couldn’t have been more perfect.

Q: What is the one thing you would like to know more about?

Holly: Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) – It’s the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body.(Yes, I am a geek.) I think it will explain there really is a very strong mind/body connection. I think it’s going to revolutionize the way we treat health issues and healing.
Michele: I plan to continue my research into human behavior, especially where wiring in the female brain is concerned. I’d also like to learn to dance better (just watch the video!)

Q: What is next in the upcoming year for you and your business?

Holly: Please God, a vacation – preferrably to a small tropical island with no Internet or blackberry service. After that, I’m looking forward to working with fabulous clients on marketing to women projects that are both interesting and inspirational. I also hope there will be a second book in my near future.
Michele:Believe it or not, I’m at work on my next book! (Holly: Didn’t I say I wouldn’t be doing this again for awhile?) Plus speaking engagements across North America, on the topic of marketing to women – I love meeting folks from all kinds of industries.

Q: Here is a fun question just for fun sake. What is your favorite color and why?

Holly: Wind. Seriously. I was looking at women’s scarves, and there was a color called “wind”. What the hell kind of color is wind? It didn’t make sense to me as a color for a woman’s clothing product, but I like the idea that wind can be a color – for me it’s whatever color breezes by and just feels good that day.
Michele:Hmmm. I’d have to say cranberry (which you can tell from my blog). It’s red and POWERFUL, but centered.

Q: How can people get in contact with you?
Holly: holly@thesoccermommyth.com. They can also contact me through the Future Now website at www.futurenowinc.com.
Michele:My email is michelemiller@wizardofads.com. Or you could always shine the “bat light” into the night time sky…

Well, I would like to say that I truly enjoyed this interview so thank you both ladies for taking the time to answer my questions. And thank you again for co-authoring, The Soccer Mom Myth.

Let me ask you a few questions—-

Are most of your clients women?

And do you find yourself scratching your head on who they really are and how they buy?

Well, there is now a marketing book that is focus is on the subject of today’s female consumer, who she really is and why she really buys. That book is called The Soccer Mom Myth, co-authored by Holly Buchanan and Michele Miller.

I would like to share with you a few marketing lessons (out of many) I received from reading this book. Some lessons I learned created the infamous, “Aha moments”. Some lessons were reconfirming things that I was already aware of and other lessons I read and shook my head and stated, “Yes, Yes, Yes!”

In the first part labeled effectively, How to Market to Women. Quickly I was introduced to the importance of this book.

Right off the bat they bring up one of the biggest reasons why marketing doesn’t work for women—businesses aren’t speaking to us, women that is. I so agree with that! And women who are moms on top of that.

This lesson is important for any and all businesses….be sure that you are speaking your customer’s language.

I will share with you a recent experience that I had in my local office supply store that illustrates this point to a T (hehehe—to a T, Teresa). Sorry, I got a little off there. Here is the situation that occurred to me.

About a month ago, I went into my local office supply store to pick up a few items. I needed to get some paper, look for this really great pens I picked up about a month prior and feel in LOVE with them and also some organization folders for my business receipts.

Well, first, I went back to find these pens that are made by BIC. I had bought a set of them about a month ago and fell in love with them because they write so smoothly. As I was sorting through the peg rows of pens searching for these lovely pens, a lady had came up to me and asked me if I found what I was looking for. I kindly told her that I was seeking this smooth writing pens and she began helping me look for them.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have anymore…but she went on to tell me that pen manufacturers do “try” out different names and types of pens to see if they will “stick” and if they don’t after a certain period of time, they “retire” the pen and move on to the next one. Even though I was disappointed about not finding these particular pens, she did share with me two things that made a BIG difference to me AND created a purchase for the store. She stayed to help me look for the pens I wanted and when I didn’t find those, she told me about some other pens I might enjoy using. Also, she told me that if I wasn’t happy with my purchase of these new pens, I could bring them back and get a refund. Now, I pretty much knew the the bit about the refund, however, at the time I was only thinking about find those particular pens. I wasn’t focused on trying to see if some other pens might be just as good. HOWEVER, since she reminded me about the return/refund policy–I figured I had nothing to lose, so I purchased a new set of pens. I thanked her for her time and she went on to help another customer.

I went to another isle to find some folders to hold my business receipts and as I was going towards the front of the store, I thought, “Hmmm, let me see about what laptops they have and the features.” **Little more in depth information for you the reader. I currently have a laptop, however, I am looking for a new one for myself, so I am able to give this one to my daughter who is currently using a VERY old desktop computer.**

So, as I was walking in the direction of the laptops, a gentlemen stops me and asks me if there is something he can help me with. I think, “This is great. Good customer service in this store. The lady was nice and very helpful and this gentlemen wants to help me with looking at the laptops.” So I proceed to say, Yes, I would like to look at some of your laptops. Can you tell me about some of them and the features they offer?” He replies, “Yes, sure I can.”

Then he proceeds to lead me to the front of the store (the laptops were on the side wall lined up), so I was wondering where he might be going. However, I followed in kind. He proceeded to go to where the store circular was stacked in a bin, opened the page to show me the computers and said, “here you can look at this” and walked away.

Well, that really got my goat. I mean had he taken the time to tell me about even one of the laptops and tell me the features and such, he would have had a sale. However, for whatever reason, he figured I wasn’t in the mood to buy (big mistake) and so it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t take the time to talk to me about the laptops. I had questions also and he just acted as if what I wanted and was looking for didn’t matter. Needless to say, I haven’t been back in the store since.

So what does that tell you? 1) he wasn’t speaking my language (don’t treat women as if you KNOW when we are going to purchase and when we are not) 2) don’t act like we don’t understand or don’t matter (hello!!! women make more purchases than men for the household) I believe this is true however, I am not aware of the statistic.

I wanted to say thank you to Michele and Holly for the wonderful opportunity to help share this book (and its wit, intelligence, point on statements and business marketing savvy) with others by being a part of their marketing/online promotion team.
Ready to get your own copy? Well, it is pretty simple, click receive the book that will allow you to properly marketing to women.

Also, let me tell you, you can have the great pleasure of listening to a special interview of Holly and Michele at Virtual Woman’s Day, a FREE event by Heidi Richards and The WECAI Network on March 15th.
Holly and Michele are amongst the list of coveted speakers at Virtual Woman’s Day at 2pmEST.