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Articles from Susan Friedmann | Selfgrowth.com
- KYSS Chaos Goodbye: How to Keep Your Strategies Simple and Gain More Time to Enjoy Your Riches in Niches! - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2009 from Susan FriedmannToday, I have important advice just for you. Keep your strategies simple. You've likely heard of simplifying your life. From bookshelves to daytime talk shows, simplicity is a hot topic. When it comes to your business, pairing down and doing less isn't usually the prescribed strategy for ...
Views: 728 - Fighting The Fear - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2009 from Susan FriedmannExhibiting in economically turbulent times is problematic. Yet the challenge may not lie exactly where you think it does. It's not the falling Dow Jones that's the problem. It's not the S&P, nor the price of oil. It's not even the constant reiteration that we're headed into the Great ...
Views: 769 - How to Make Your Niche Follow You Anywhere - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2009 from Susan FriedmannIs your niche happy with you? Does the media hang on your every word? Will they still love you tomorrow? To build strong, lasting relationships, you must remain front and center. The allure is all in your availability. As an adroit Nichepreneur®, making constant, consistent connections helps ...
Views: 902 - Six Advantages to Virtual Trade Shows - by Submitted on Feb 12, 2009 from Susan FriedmannA virtual trade show is a cross between a webcast meeting and a video game. And it's the next big trend in trade shows. Although a mere 1% of all trade shows are now held online, industry experts expect that by 2015, more than 25% of trade shows will be conducted in virtual environments. That's ...
Views: 939 - Protecting Your Interests: Using Competitive Intelligence Gathering Techniques at Tradeshows To Safeguard Your Bottom Line - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2008 from Susan Friedmann"This looks absolutely amazing!" The attendee was smiling, eyes bright, a wide grin. "If this is what I think it is, I'm pretty sure this piece of equipment will solve all of our problems." He turned to the booth staffer, a young woman at her very first show. "Could you tell me how it ...
Views: 750 - Social Networking: The Five Biggest Mistakes Nichepreneurs™ Make - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2008 from Susan FriedmannOver half of all Americans between the ages of 15-34 consider themselves active social network users. They regularly visit well-known social networking sites, such as MySpace or Facebook, or log onto specialty social networks, like Ravelry (devoted to the fiber arts) or GroupRecipes (for the ...
Views: 833 - Rising Exhibiting Costs Places New Premium on Efficiency - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2008 from Susan FriedmannThere is good news in the world of tradeshow research: according to a recent study by Exhibit Surveys, an industry research group, a considerable number of new attendees are coming to tradeshows. At the same time, 39 percent of attendees report that their buying decisions are favorably ...
Views: 714 - Super Seminars: Enhance Your Expert Identity By Teaching the Classes Everyone Wants to Take! - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2008 from Susan FriedmannSeminars, workshops, boot camps and other educational programming is very popular, with the public and with savvy entrepreneurs. We're in an age where information is the ultimate commodity: our value is largely determined by how much we know and what we can do with that knowledge. Anything a ...
Views: 696 - Who Put All These Trees In The Forest? Making Pre-show Promotion Stand Out! - by Submitted on May 26, 2008 from Susan FriedmannThere's a lot of pressure on marketing departments today: a tightening economy and increasingly competitive environment means that every promotional effort must generate a positive return. Every decision has to be viewed critically, and that includes the decision to participate in ...
Views: 719 - Saving Time And Energy: A 6 Step Process To Adopting New Technology - by Submitted on May 20, 2008 from Susan Friedmann"You Tube? Best marketing tool EVER!" "If you're in business, you absolutely, positively have to be on MySpace." "All the best marketers have blogs...or podcasts...or streaming video on their websites..." Sound familiar? It seems as if a day doesn't go by without some new technological ...
Views: 789 - Consultative Selling for Nichepreneurs™ - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2008 from Susan FriedmannAchieving Riches in Niches means occupying a dual role: acting first as a skilled professional, you must also be a powerful, effective sales force. Not only do you perform the services your clients value, but you promote and market yourself as the best place to obtain those services. While you ...
Views: 1004 - The Power of Asking Questions: 7 Strategies to Discovering What Your Prospects Really Need - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2008 from Susan FriedmannMake no mistake -- you're in a rough spot. Exhibiting is a competitive environment. You're vying for attendee's attention, against companies that are larger, better-funded, with newer exhibits and cooler ideas than you've got. What this means is that anything you can do to differentiate ...
Views: 818 - Good Shows In Bad Times: Exhibiting When Your Industry Is In Crisis - by Submitted on Dec 29, 2007 from Susan FriedmannRight now, chances are you'd rather be in any industry than mortgages and home loans. A few months ago, pet foods were on the hot seat, and a good while before that, high tech was under a laser beam of disgruntled scrutiny. Every industry has its good times, when there's a lot of positive ...
Views: 794 - Are You Ready To License? - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2007 from Susan Friedmann"I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours." Jerome K. Jerome's famous quote may have been intended as a tongue-in-cheek celebration of laziness -- but there's a gem in there that Nichepreneurs™ can profit from. Licensing may not be the first word that comes to mind ...
Views: 828 - Four Generations In The Marketplace: What This Means For You - by Submitted on Oct 12, 2007 from Susan FriedmannEvery company on the tradeshow floor has a few things in common. They all want to capture attendee interest, and lure them into the booth with the new, the exciting, the irresistible. They're all facing similar challenges: short attention spans, myriad shows, and increased competition from every ...
Views: 813 - Riches in Niches: Why I Became A Nichepreneur - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2007 from Susan FriedmannIt's safe to say that I was good at my job. Actually, very good at my job. I loved working in public relations, and invested time, energy and money into my career. It showed, too -- my clients were pleased, my supervisors was pleased, and I was pleased with the work I did. For ten years, that ...
Views: 1277 - Narrow Your Niche: Six Ways to Define Your Target Audience - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2007 from Susan FriedmannOne of the most important things any Nichepreneur can do is define their target audience. Ask yourself: Who is my ideal customer? If your answer is "Everyone", you've got some work to do! While it would be nice if every single person in the world wanted your products and services, the truth ...
Views: 1087 - How to Avoid Eating Your Words: 10 Essentials for Networking at Tradeshows and Events - by Submitted on Jul 30, 2007 from Susan FriedmannEvery moment at a tradeshow is important. This includes, of course, all of the time you're on the show floor. Add to that the time you're not actively exhibiting but are on or near the floor -- visiting other exhibits, grabbing a bite to eat, or en route to your hotel room. You only have a ...
Views: 1120 - Eight Effortless Exercises to Improve Tradeshow Performance - by Submitted on Jul 05, 2007 from Susan FriedmannTradeshow exhibitors have something in common with the rest of humanity: We’ll do what is easy, but avoid what those things we find to be or perceive as difficult. It doesn’t really matter what sphere we’re talking about: human nature dictates that more often than not, we seek out the smoother ...
Views: 793 - Make Life Easier to Enjoy Greater Success - by Submitted on May 28, 2007 from Susan FriedmannI can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve talked with skilled professionals who can’t figure out why their career has stalled. “I don’t understand,” they say. “I’m working so hard!” Perhaps the answer is that they’re working too hard. It’s a common problem for generalists: those ...
Views: 722 - Athletes Train: Why Don’t You? - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2007 from Susan FriedmannThere’s nothing like watching an athlete at the top of their game -- the sprinter racing to the finish line, the star center sinking the game winning shot. They make it look absolutely effortless, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for them to perform that well. Appearances can ...
Views: 963 - Betting on your Future? Not a Good Plan - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2007 from Susan FriedmannRecently, the lottery in NY -- the state I call home -- reached a record jackpot, larger than ever before. When I penned these words, the grand total of funds just waiting to be won was over 340 million dollars. As you can imagine, this got people talking. Almost every local newscast covered the ...
Views: 1004 - Are You “Cell”ing Yourself Short? - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2007 from Susan FriedmannCell phones have changed our world. With few exceptions, we can now talk to anyone we like whenever we’d like. The staccato symphony of ring tones accompanies us through our days: from the morning commute to the crowded restaurant at lunchtime, during meetings and even during the quick stop at ...
Views: 951 - Winnie the Pooh™ and You…at the Tradeshow? - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2007 from Susan FriedmannAt first glance, there’s no connection between Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and tradeshows. The same is true of Piglet, Tigger, and the rest of the gang. What could this cuddly group of childhood favorites possibly teach us about exhibiting? Surprisingly, quite a bit. There are some very strong ...
Views: 971 - Expert Envy - by Submitted on Jan 22, 2007 from Susan FriedmannExperts have become omnipresent. They're everywhere: on your favorite television show, on drive time radio programming, on blogs and internet discussion forums, between the pages of nationally popular magazines and your local newspaper. You can't throw a dart, it seems, without having it hit an ...
Views: 829 - Bring on the Baby Eyes - by Submitted on Nov 26, 2006 from Susan FriedmannThey say, “you can't teach an old dog new tricks” -- but if that old dog is an experienced exhibitor, he'd better learn some new tricks to stay alive in today's competitive tradeshow environment! Recently, I had a range of experiences that brought home the importance of going to every tradeshow ...
Views: 936 - Niche Marketplace Demands Exhibitor Efficiency - by Submitted on Oct 28, 2006 from Susan FriedmannRight now, the business world is a-buzz about Chris Anderson's latest book, The Long Tail. Even if you haven't read it, chances are you've heard of it: the best-selling business book that predicts the future of business lies in selling less of more. Niche marketing, Anderson posits, isn't just ...
Views: 1080 - Back To School Supplies - by Submitted on Sep 08, 2006 from Susan FriedmannWhen September rolls around, parents all across the country gleefully take to the stores, loading up their carts with all the supplies their little darlings will need to make it through the coming academic year. After all, school is a really busy time, and to do well, you need to be ...
Views: 944 - That's Entertainment: Adding Some Show Biz to Your Tradeshow Exhibit - by Submitted on Sep 08, 2006 from Susan FriedmannWhat makes one tradeshow exhibit memorable and another so-so? What can exhibitors do to get attendees talking after the show? What can motivate visitors who may have had no previous intention of visiting your booth decide that they definitely have to stop by? Entertainment! According to ...
Views: 908 - Begin at the Beginning: Secrets for Success - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2006 from Susan FriedmannYou never get a second chance to make a first impression. It's a saying so true that it has become cliché -- a phrase used by suit salesmen and purveyors of shampoo -- but it's a saying that should serve as a motto for your booth staff. A trade show is a non-stop series of beginnings. Every ...
Views: 1061 - The Power of Podcasting: What Exhibitors Need To Know - by Submitted on May 28, 2006 from Susan FriedmannWhat's the most precious commodity in the world? Nope. Not gold. Not platinum. Not uranium. Not diamonds. The most precious commodity in the world is not something you can mine, or harvest, or hoard in safety deposit boxes. The most precious commodity is something you have an almost endless ...
Views: 919 - What’s In A Name? The Six Essential Elements You Need To Know - by Submitted on May 04, 2006 from Susan FriedmannSelecting a name for your new business is not easy. A name does more than identify your company. It tells customers who you are, what you do, and more than a little about how you do it. Your name differentiates you from your peers, peaks customer interest, and invites further investigation -- if ...
Views: 913 - Just a Click Away: Using the Internet to Facilitate Your Market Research - by Submitted on May 04, 2006 from Susan FriedmannMarket research is one of the most valuable selling tools a show organizer has. Up to the minute, accurate market data arms you with the type of valuable information you need to ‘sell’ your show to potential exhibitors, including who is attending your show, how well your exhibitors did at last ...
Views: 885 - Strong Arm Sales Stop Success Cold - by Submitted on Feb 26, 2006 from Susan FriedmannIt happens more often than you’d ever guess – in fact, it might be happening at the booth right next to yours. Recent surveys of trade show attendees show that the most dissatisfied attendees are those who purchase something that they really didn’t want. Needless to say, these attendees don’t ...
Views: 971 - Wagging the Dog : Plan Ahead for What Happens After the Show - by Submitted on Feb 26, 2006 from Susan FriedmannIt might seem a little backward. After all, why would you want to waste time and energy worrying now about things that won’t happen until the show closes? Doesn’t it seem like putting the cart before the horse? It might seem that way, but the reality is that preparing now for post-show ...
Views: 1034 - Make Some Noise: Seven Super Promotion Steps - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2006 from Susan FriedmannTrade shows are all about promotion. You are strategically planning to present your goods and services to a specially targeted audience, in order to meet clearly defined goals and objectives. To maximize your success, however, it is imperative to make promotional efforts above and beyond merely ...
Views: 946 - Countdown to Success : Twelve Things to do Twelve Months in Advance - by Submitted on Dec 28, 2005 from Susan FriedmannWhen a show’s a year away, it may seem like you have lots of time to get ready. But appearances can be deceiving. Twelve months is not long, especially with all the pre-show planning, training, and preparation you’ve got to do. Here is a checklist of sixteen vital items that need to be done ...
Views: 967 - The Changing of the Guard: Four Key Exhibiting Strategies for Generation Y - by Submitted on Nov 09, 2005 from Susan FriedmannSurvey the crowd at any trade show, and one trend immediately makes itself apparent. Attendees are getting younger. The infamous Baby Boomers are preparing for retirement, and Gen X’ers have moved into upper management positions. Now we’re exhibiting for Generation Y. The members of Generation ...
Views: 959 - Is Sponsorship Right for My Company? - by Submitted on Oct 02, 2005 from Susan FriedmannTrade shows are a bonaza of sponsorship opportunities. Talk with any show organizer, and they’ll be more than happy to explain how you can make sure your company’s name and logo are plastered all over the arena, on the program guide, over the hospitality suite, even on the tote bags everyone ...
Views: 986 - Back to School: Booth Staff Basics - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2005 from Susan FriedmannAutumn’s almost here, and you know what that means. When the leaves start changing color and the school buses start their engines, it’s time for back to school. It’s not just the kiddies who are headed back to class. It’s an ideal time of year to provide your booth staff with the tools and ...
Views: 916 - The View from The Aisle: Attending A Trade Show - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2005 from Susan FriedmannHow many teams does your company send to a trade show? Unless you work for the very largest of Fortune 500 companies, the answer is probably one. It’s very rare for a company to send two teams to a show. Instead the same small group of staff members have to pull double-duty at the trade show, ...
Views: 1023(1 vote) - Expecting the Unexpected Can Save Your Tradeshow - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2005 from Susan FriedmannCatastrophes come from out of nowhere. Massive thunderstorms can roll through a region without a moment’s notice, knocking out power and phone lines. An iffy meal at a local restaurant, and you have a staff member flat on their back with food poisoning. Open up your sales materials only to ...
Views: 943 - Motivation ABC’s: Tune Up Your Booth Staff - by Submitted on May 30, 2005 from Susan FriedmannAre your sales people burnt out? You may want to check. Have they clocked too many twelve hour days? Do they have enough frequent flier miles to charter a jet to Mars? Are their faces permanently skewed into perpetual smiles from chatting with hundreds of thousands of trade show ...
Views: 1129 - 10 Tips For Bringing Your Event To Life - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2004 from Susan FriedmannYour job as an event planner doesn’t stop with the meeting in the company boardroom. You may be call upon to organize an employee appreciation event, an awards dinner, a product launch, the celebration of a company milestone, a gala recognizing a longtime employee’s retirement, an incentive ...
Views: 2290(2 votes) - The Power of Buzz - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2004 from Susan FriedmannHow did Hotmail gain over 12 million subscribers in 18 months? How did the very low budget movie “The Blair Witch Project” become such an incredibly successful phenomenon? The answer lies in the power of “buzz.” Buzz or word-of-mouth marketing influences more people to buy, or not to buy ...
Views: 1067(1 vote) - Determining Visitor Types - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2004 from Susan FriedmannThe trade show floor is full of different types of people with different agendas. Some people have specific goals for attending the show; others do not. As an exhibitor your observation and questioning skills will be your key to determining who may be a viable sales prospect. Familiarize ...
Views: 975 - Avoid the Duds: 10 Strategies for Selecting "The Perfect Speaker" - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2004 from Susan FriedmannToday, more than ever, the success of meetings relies heavily on the strength of program content and presentation. Nothing can spoil a meeting more than hiring the wrong speaker. That’s because speakers do more than just convey the overall meeting message. You look to them to provide insights, ...
Views: 1054 - 7 Strategies for Handling Last Minute Meetings - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2004 from Susan FriedmannHave you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize a meeting at the last minute? Wouldn’t it be nice that if and when this daunting situation arose, you were well prepared with all necessary information ready at your fingertips? That’s why I’ve developed the following seven survival ...
Views: 1218 - Sponsorship: A Key to Powerful Marketing - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2004 from Susan FriedmannSponsorship is the fastest growing form of marketing in the U.S. It is still very much in its infancy, especially in the trade show arena. With this in mind, you can find unlimited opportunities to broaden your competitive advantage by increasing your credibility, image and prestige in ...
Views: 1112 - To Meet or Not to Meet…What are the Questions? - by Submitted on Jun 11, 2004 from Susan FriedmannMeetings can be a total waste of time or a powerful and productive communication tool that solve problems, stimulate ideas, promote team spirit and generate action. The results lie totally in how they are run. Organized and well-managed meetings will inevitably produce effective results. ...
Views: 1247(1 vote)