The landscape of business and communication has changed so significantly in the last ten to fifteen years, due to the change in our technology, devices and also communication channels. Think about your work and what is possible now that you couldn't do a decade ago.
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One of the areas that I continue to see many solopreneurs and business professionals struggle with is the amount of time and focus on social media. Consider your time spent in the last week or two. How much time was dedicated to social media? What did you do? Did you surf? Have connections? Follow a trail that maybe took you into a rabbit's hole?

While social media can be a great ecosystem to spend time in and has leveled the playing field for many of us that are "one person businesses" it does not always mean that social media may be your most important channel.

Relationships are important to cultivate in all their varieties. While social media may be a great connector, it may not be the best place to have detailed conversations or make deeper connections.

I love social media as an enhancement to face-to-face events — people who I have met at conferences, or when I have been speaking.
 
As much as my own business is virtual, after all these years I've found that the face-to-face connection still yields an important return I can't find in the social media space.
 
Questions to consider as you think about this myth for yourself:

• How does your time spent on social media translate to business results?
• What is important for you as a business?
• What connections are you looking to cultivate?
• What blend do you want to have with social media and other channels?
• What is the role of social media in your work — marketing, programming, programming support etc.?
• Are there certain social media channels you want to invest your time in? If so, how much time? Which ones?
• Where are your folk/community?
• What's important to note for yourself going forward?

Enjoy your exploration,
Jennifer

Over the last two months I’ve been spotlighting nine different marketing vehicles you might want to consider incorporating into your marketing strategy as a coach, solopreneur or virtual entrepreneur. They all are valuable in terms of enhancing your visibility and building connections with prospective clients. If you haven’t seen the past posts, be sure to check out those in podcasting, speaking and also product development.
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Today’s post takes us into the marketing landscape of conferences and trade shows. Depending on who you work with you might consider this one strategy or two.
Trade shows are still very common in larger urban centers and can provide a valuable way to “get out” in front of prospective clients and most importantly have conversations with those who could benefit from your skills.

Trade shows can be an expensive investment for larger events so you might want to consider partnering with others to show case your skills or thinking about another way to provide support. For example, could you sponsor a meal, insert something into tote bags, sponsor a lanyard.

Like other strategies, being clear on your intended purpose – to build brand awareness vs. have conversations with those who you serve - is key for choosing the right vehicle and strategy.

Related to trade shows is one of my favorite approaches – conferences. Conferences are an amazing way to connect with your clients and showcase what you have to offer if you enjoy speaking. Building in time to attend other sessions while you are there can also provide invaluable insights into what is truly important, topical and emerging for your client group.

If you are considering speaking at conferences, consider:

1. Where do you want to speak?  (Think: where do your clients attend)
2. What is the timeframe for submitting a proposal – not some proposals have a 9-12 month lead time?
3. What cost will be associated – consider travel and time out of office?
4. How many people attend? What is the average size of presentation room?
5. What would your clients want to learn about?
6. What do you want to showcase?

​Conferences can also provide the value of supporting your ongoing professional development. Consider how you might cover both off at the same time by attending, and speaking at, a couple of conferences in the next year.
 
As we round out this series, what are your next steps around marketing? What time have you earmarked for this?

Best,
Jennifer

​Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author multiple books including the Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner (2018), Effective Group Coaching (2010)
Potentials Realized
Phone: 416-996-8326
Check out the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series of daily prompts for your work and business over on  Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder.

As we continue along our marketing voyage through section 3 of the Coaching Business Builder’s 9 promotional vehicles, this week we are going to explore lunch and learns, and associations.

Lunch and learns have the benefit of bringing an audience to you, without you having to bring them together yourself. Lunch and learns are usually short, 45 -60 minute lunch time (or breakfast) presentations delivered in organizations or associations on a range of topics. They can be a great opportunity to pilot or trial new content.
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Questions to consider:

• What is the content or program you’d like to bring out to a new audience but haven’t had the opportunity to pilot yet?
• What piece of a larger body of work could you deliver to an organization or association?
• What stand alone content do you have to deliver?

Lunch and learns are a great way to expand your repertoire and connect with new audiences (especially if you are delivering a session for an association). Be aware of the time it takes to develop and deliver. With an engagement in the middle of the day, what else can you schedule if you have to travel?

Associations and Professional Bodies
Associations and professional bodies are another great marketing source. From becoming a speaker at their annual conference, hosting a webinar or attending as a vendor at a trade show, associations are a ready-made community resource of professionals.

Activity:
What are the associations your clients/prospective clients belong to? What events do they offer throughout the year? How might you connect in and add value to their members? Take a look at what associations and organization around you are looking for speakers. What is their deadline for applications?  Pull together a list of possible topics which could be of interest to their audience.

What action steps do you want to take this week around lunch and learns and/or associations? Be sure to check out the relevant exercises in Section 3 of Coaching Business Builder.

Best wishes,
​Jennifer

​Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author multiple books including the Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner (2018), Effective Group Coaching (2010)
Potentials Realized
Phone: 416-996-8326
Check out the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series of daily prompts for your work and business over on  Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder.