We all have them. Stories about how long it took to get paid. For creative business owners it can take months and months to see receipts come in long after a project is complete, in the clients hands and active.
Lucky for me, knock on wood, every single client has paid their invoices in full. Although, not all necessarily with 30 days. But, other creatives aren’t so lucky. And, not being paid on time is not restricted to creative service firms only. When Gary Bohringer, of Bohringer Creative, mentioned to me that he’d written a book about how to collect outstanding invoices without using a collection agency, I was intrigued. Read More…
LinkedIn keeps getting better and better. And that’s why I like sharing these updates. Have you used LinkedIn’s Card Munch App, updated event interface or the group statistics feature? If so, I’m interested in your impressions. Tell me – what did I leave out?
LinkedIn’s Card Munch iPhone app Digitizes Paper
Am I the only one out there who misplaces business cards? Maybe I have too many pockets. It’s time-consuming to search and rescue all the cards I pick up at events when I get back to the office.
Cards play hide and seek in my business card case, in my pockets, in my briefcase, in my car – and sometimes even in my wallet!
I love to meet people and exchange cards, but if we don’t continue the connection, what’s the point?
How quick would it to be scan one and you’re done? That’s what you can do with the free Card Munch iPhone app.
When to Use . . . While You’re There
at networking events – scan while you’re there and either toss or return the card, preferable, while you’re there
on appointments – scan, impress the client and send them a LinkedIn invitation, while you’re there
at a trade show – input new connections right away, while you’re there
Why to use the Card Munch iPhone app
automatically adds to your contact list
shows how you’re connected via LinkedIn
lets you recycle paper and preserve information
Side, but Big, Benefit: You don’t have to worry about whether or not you mistype when you input contact information on your iPhone.
I love the look of LinkedIn’s new event interface and I like the comment section. Now the event dialog can start before the event begins.
But, I do miss the option to confirm whether you’re a presenter or an organizer. Now you can only be an organizer. Since I set up events for clients and often add events where I’m speaking, I’d rather not be listed as the one in charge.
Also – it looks like, right now, that there is no way to delete an event.
Have you found any other kinks in the new interface?
While we don’t use LinkedIn as a primary registration site, we do use it as a promotional outpost. Why? It’s easy to set up, our event is in LinkedIn’s search and we can easily share – to twitter and Facebook – and invite people from LinkedIn.
Your event will stand out because there’s less competition for listings. In fact, the number of events that have a listing here is much lower in comparison to what’s really going on in Chicago. How do the number of listings match what’s happening in your area?
How to set up a LinkedIn event page:
Go to the more tab on the top nav bar. Click on events in the drop down menu. Click on create a group in the box at the top of the right column.
You’ll need the basics: time, date, place, registration site
Compose an event description that starts off with the most important details first, like names of speakers. You only have 200 or so characters to work with in the preview section, but you can add more detail in the complete description.
Write a great headline or event title that includes keywords.
Think about industries and titles: you’ll include those in the listing.
Add an image or a logo
Share the event via email, on networks, etc
Invite key people to visit the page and click attend so that they show up.
LinkedIn Group Statistics Reveal Dynamics
These beauties popped up on the eve of one of my LinkedIn webinars. That’s why I always check the LinkedIn blog right before I go on. It’s fun to “break news.” People love being the first to know – and I like to be the first to tell them.
To find statistics in groups you already belong to, click the more tab in the vertical nav bar. Look for statistics in the drop down menu. It should be the last item.
For groups you’re checking out, but don’t belong to yet, look for the group statistics icon on the right hand side of the page. Click on it and you’ll see them.
smc-chicago-linkedin-group
What you get with LinkedIn group statistics:
Demographics snapshot of the members by level, role, location, and industry
Growth over time
Activity shows what’s going on inside the group
Information about groups your group can connect with for cross or co-promotions, event invitations and broader community discussions.
What do you find most interesting about group statistics?
Why you need group statistics:
Decide whether or not to join a group based on demographics
Target communications: to execs or entry level to save time and be direct
Track growth: if you’re the owner or manager you can see how your group is shaping up and how activity is flowing
Thanks for sharing your thoughts – how do you use LinkedIn as a marketing tool?
It’s the time of year when you have more buying power than ever. You can choose where to spend your holiday budget: big box or small business.
Thanks to American Express, Saturday is being declared “Small Business Saturday. President Obama is a big promoter:
“From the mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our Nation’s promise. Through events such as Small Business Saturday, we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century.” President Obama via ABC News
Felicia Slattery - Steve Sipress - Barbara Rozgonyi
Here’s an invitation to join me and a room full of Chicago’s sharpest entrepreneurs on November 19. Join GKIC [Glazer Kennedy Insider's Circle] Chicago for a day of learning, networking , and taking action.
I’m excited to be one of five small business experts who will present ways to rethink, reorganize and reroute your business plans. That’s me with Felicia Slattery and Steve Sipress at a Peak Performers mastermind group event.
You will leave with new ideas, contacts and plans. It is all free, but reservations are required. Hosted by Steve Sipress, leader of GKIC Chicago and Chicagoland’s Sharpest Entrepreneurs.
.::. .::. .::. .::. .::.
Join GKIC’s Chicago chapter for a day of learning, networking and taking action.
Make your 2011 holiday season the best ever. And, get a head start on 2012 success. You deserve it!!
GKIC Chicago Entrepreneurs and Marketing Event Promo Video
Steve suggested I make a promo video. It was fun and easy to do – especially after enjoying an evening of improv at Social Media Club Chicago’s third anniversary party.
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that commissions are paid when sales are made. I only recommend products and services I believe in and use personally. I joined GKIC in July, met Bill Glazer in September and am delighted to discover so many other successful people credit Bill and Dan Kennedy as mentors.
We’re all in the same club: #MsTech on Facebook, a small group of women technology enthusiasts in Chicago. While we help each other out every day, it’s not often that we get to hear each other speak.
Thanks to Hope Bertram, Social Media Masters Summit organizer, I got to hear three of our members, all small business owners, talk about what big brands can learn about social media from small business. Disclosure: Because I participated in the summit’s seven day video challenge [more on that in another post], my admission ticket was complimentary.
Here are my notes with apologies in advance to the speakers for any inaccuracies. Read More…
We all have them. Stories about how long it took to get paid. For creative business owners it can take months and months to see receipts come in long after a project is complete, in the clients hands and active.
