The Face of Your Business, Part I

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The Face of Your Business, Part I

The Face of Your Business, Part I

When we initially started our businesses, we had to decide how we were going to market ourselves. Kind of an obvious statement - every business has to do that. But, we had an added challenge. We were new to the area. So, our goal was to get to know as many people as possible.

We did that by becoming "promiscuous networkers". We attended and joined any and every association we could afford. This was GREAT for meeting people. After a few months, we could walk into a room and just about everyone would recognize us. They knew us as the Johnsons, that young couple in business.

But, it wasn't so great for actually getting business. They remembered us, but often didn't have a *clue* about the services we offered. You see, we had missed a key part to networking, and all forms of marketing for that matter. We hadn't defined our market and therefore weren't attending events where our market was likely to be. Had we done that, people would have remembered us AND our services.

If you're a Micro-Business owner, you are the face of your business. People also may recognize you as soon as you walk into a room. After that, they should make an automatic connection to your services or products. Now, people seem to know us as "press release girl" and "database guy". Even though we offer other services, these are very good connections in our eyes.

What is the automatic connection that comes to mind when people see you? Is this the connection that you want? If not, what can you change to make sure that others know you for your services or products?

Leila Johnson co-owns Data-Scribe(tm), along with her husband, Brett. The New Mexico-based firm provides database, writing, and software training services to Micro-Businesses and government agencies. To get more tips like this, visit their E-Library or sign up for their Micro-Business Gazette at http://www.datascribe.biz

In The News:

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Ben Affleck visits refugee camps in eastern Congo (AP)

AP - Ben Affleck is visiting refugee camps in war-torn eastern Congo, where at least 250,000 people have been displaced by recent fighting, and says more aid money is needed.

NFL says Cowboys' Pacman Jones can return Dec. 7 (AP)

AP - The NFL is giving Adam "Pacman" Jones another chance. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday the suspended cornerback has been reinstated by league commissioner Roger Goodell, but he must miss two more games this Sunday and the following game on Thanksgiving. He'll be back Dec. 7 at Pittsburgh.

Weekly jobless claims surge to 16-year high (Reuters)

Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits rose by a larger than expected 27,000 last week to their highest level in 16 years, Labor Department data showed on Thursday, as a harsh economic environment forces employers to cut back on hiring.

Global job losses rise as recession plays on (Reuters)

Reuters - World economic misery spread on Thursday with forecasts of a global recession running well into 2009, Japan's exports to Asia falling for the first time in six years and job losses mounting.

Obama taps Arizona governor for homeland security: report (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's top choice to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.

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Reuters - World stocks dropped to 5-1/2 year lows and oil hit 22-month troughs as investors reacted to dire Federal Reserve warnings on the economy and fears about the viability of major U.S. auto makers and bank giant Citigroup.

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Reuters - Chances dimmed that a last-minute plan being crafted by Republican senators, with White House support, to provide $25 billion to bail out U.S. automakers would receive enough backing from Democrats to pass before the end of this week.

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California court to hear gay marriage ban case (Reuters)

Reuters - California's Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a legal challenge against the state's voter-approved ban on gay marriage and let the ban stand in the meantime.

Woman posed as teen online in suicide case: attorney (Reuters)

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Governments scramble to protect jobs as losses mount (AFP)

AFP - Governments scrambled to cushion the impact of the finance crisis Thursday with France launching a sovereign wealth fund and China unveiling a jobs protection plan as the car industry made huge new cuts.

Russia to send more warships to battle Somali pirates (AFP)

AFP - Russia announced Thursday it would send more warships to combat piracy in the waters around Somalia, as the Saudi owners of the Sirius Star negotiated with the pirates holding their oil tanker.

The Face of Your Business, Part I

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