Word Constructions

Anybody reading my blog or newsletter knows that I am passionate about helping people write clearly for their business purposes. Which I assume is why the Business Mums Network has invited me to speak at their next morning tea workshop.

The details are as follows:

Confident Communications

Monday, 26 May 2008 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Monash Incubator Centre, 5a Hartnett Close, Mulgrave

To register phone 03 9018 8947 or email events@businessmums.com

Click here to find out more.

I have just been reading part of the Small Business Diva blog where she wrote about networking, and her 6th point reminded me of a networking breakfast I attended a month or so ago.

Donna-Marie wrote ” When at networking events, don’t try to talk to everyone there and shove as many business cards as possible into everyone’s hands nor push your products/services on people. ” And I couldn’t agree more. Networking is about building relationships, not getting your name in front of the maximum number of people.

At the breakfast I attended, I happened to sit next to a man who didn’t tell me his name or show much interest in talking to me (his choice, and it doesn’t bother me!) However, as he stood up to leave he handed a business card to everyone within reach, said good-bye and left. He still didn’t say his name or use mine (I had introduced myself).

The end result? I left his card on the table and he gained nothing from handing it to me.

Compare that to others I have met at networking events where we have swapped cards and later exchanged emails and possibly helped each other in some way, even if we never used each others’ services.

So don’t go to networking events with the aim to hand out heaps of cards; reserve your cards for the people you click with or who specifically ask for a card or information about your services.

Walking out of a networking event with two or three, or even one, good contact is a great feeling - and a successful event.

Last year I was fortunate enough to attend the first Business Mums Network Conference. I presented a workshop and in a forum at the conference, as well as being an attendee at other sessions, and found the entire weekend beneficial.

This year’s conference is a bit earlier so I have just finished a proposal to present again at this year’s workshop - I have already registered to attend anyway! I should find out later this month if my proposal was accepted so I will let you know what I am speaking about (I proposed more than one topic.)

If you can be in Melbourne in for 12 - 13 July for the conference, please make sure you meet me!

Writing in a blog can be intimidating - and knowing how to set up a blog can be even worse for those not technically minded.

So I’m pleased to say there will be a Business Mums Network blogging for beginners intensive workshop in Melbourne in a few week’s time (17 November to be precise!) Lucie Battaini of MulitmediART will talk about choosing a blog and getting one up and running then I will talk about blog content - different styles, how to select content, etc.

Then we’ll brainstorm some blog topics for every participant, one by one. So those people will get to go home with the knowledge of how to start a blog that suits them AND have ideas to actually blog about. They’ll be experts in no time after this workshop and it’s under $100, too.

Hmm, speaking, providing notes - guess I’d better get writing!

Word Constructions ~ for all your business writing needs

I added 2 new articles to my site today, and just in case you’re interested in these topics, here are the links:

Getting your business ready for Christmas

The value of business events

Hope they’re useful to you.