Mastering “The Pitch”
What a stellar event we have coming up on Wednesday Nov. 9th – Landing and Negotiating TV Deals. The following blog post, by Peer to Peer leader and public speaking expert
Alexa Fischer, will show you how to be in the room….so you GET that deal. Take a look.
Want even MORE info on getting your expertise featured on TV – either through a show around you and your business or as an expert? Register here and now.
Member Monday Featuring: Melany Cohen
Melany Cohen of Hypnoswitch
1. What is your business?
I am a certified hypnotherapist with a private practice in Santa Monica. The name of my business is Hypnoswitch. Using the power of hypnotic suggestion, I empower my clients to let go of limiting behaviors and beliefs so they can regain control of their lives. I work with clients of all ages, and especially enjoy working with kids and teens. My areas of expertise include: smoking cessation, compulsive overeating, stage fright, insomnia, test anxiety, performance enhancement (school and sports), fears/phobias and pain control.
2. Why did you launch this business?
Before I became a hypnotherapist, I was a courtroom litigator. I used to overeat as a way to relieve stress. Hypnosis helped me overcome my health challenges! It was so effective for me, I decided to switch careers and become a hypnotherapist so that I could help others overcome their challenges.
3. What gives you your greatest pleasure in your business?
Seeing people make major life transformations, like the heavy smoker who quits smoking after just one session or the insecure 15-year old who is now starring in his high school play.
4. Where have you run into challenges in your business?
I’ve had some challenges with creating an online presence. It’s hard to find the time to devote to doing all that I should (blogging, tweeting, etc) in order to drive more business through the web. I’m hoping to be able to hire someone to help me with that part of my business.
5. What is a key resource that has helped you?
The website www.helpareporter.com has been really useful for PR Listings. Also, Amy Swift-Crosby has been an amazing resource. My personal coaching sessions with her were very useful.
Experiential Marketing
Carolyn Coyne, Founder of Tadpole Event Marketing
Experiential Marketing: Help Your Clients Help Themselves
What is Experiential Marketing?
It’s simple, get your product or service in the hands (or maybe even face) of your consumer (the person or company who’s going to buy your product or service), so that they walk away talking about their EXPERIENCE, promoting you to their influential friends and colleagues.
How do you know what type of experience will reach your audience the most effectively?
Figure out what they like, where they hang out, what inspires them and do something for them that they like, where they hang out and that inspires them.
So how do you even do this?
Join me for a short informative 2 hour Peer to Peer Workshop on October 12, 2011 in Venice and I’ll show you the ropes of figuring out what you need to do for your own company or your client’s products so that people walk away talking, sharing and ultimately BUYING.
You will leave the workshop with:
1. An understanding of your product or company’s core values
2. How to determine what “consumer experience” is best for you or your client
3. An overview of what sponsors look for when sponsoring a marketing initiative
4. A template for bringing your marketing initiative to life
Learn more and register here
SMARTY Member Monday Featuring: Michelle Carrillo
Michelle Carrillo of The Suitcase Studio
1. What is your business?
I am the owner and photographer for The Suitcase Studio, offering a different take on the typical portrait session. I specialize in using interactive techniques to capture the unique personalities of the people involved. Think of my sessions as the experience, with the resulting photographs being the ultimate souvenir.
Over the years, I have found that the images people generally love of themselves are the ones where they are being 100% genuine. I create a comfortable space for this to happen, offering a more in-depth, emotional portrait experience where the focus is on capturing the real moments and connections between the people involved. Play is definitely a BIG part of my sessions, and very little posing is involved.
2. Why did you launch this business?
One of my main mantras in life is “I choose joy,” and my current job, though stable, certainly wasn’t joyful. Nearing thirty years old and bored out of my mind with my current position, I decided to take a leap of faith and follow my passion. Deciding to launch my own photography business was sort of a “lightbulb over the head” moment. I have always felt like I’ve seen things a bit differently than others, and have always kept my camera close at hand to capture those moments as they happen. My motto: It’s real life; it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
3. What gives you your greatest pleasure in your business?
I love being able to witness a seemingly shy or hesitant person come to life during their portrait session, and revel in the joy in getting to see the REAL them. One of my favorite moments so far has been during a recent session; the husband had told me at the beginning that he was only there for his wife but by the end of the session he was the one who was tearfully thanking me for giving them this gift of time together. I know I’ve done my job well when I am in the middle of the editing process, and seeing one of the images brings happy tears to my eyes.
4. Where have you run into challenges in your business?
Here in sunny southern California, there are a LOT of photographers. It’s been (and still is) a struggle at times to differentiate myself from the others, create my niche and stick to it. When I first started, I was far too willing to take on any job that was remotely related to what I wanted to do. It took me a long time to learn the strength in saying “no” at times, so I am able to stay true to myself and my brand.
5. What is a key resource that has helped you and might also help other business owners?
SMARTY has been an invaluable resource to me, not only for the incredible networking possibilities, but also in helping me work on my confidence in speaking to strangers and selling them on my ideas. Another big help for me has been Facebook, as most of my clients turn into friends, and my biggest source of new clients has been from word of mouth and social interaction.
Key Takeaways From Accessory Business 101
Christine Syquia of Accessory Business 101
Key Takeaways from Accessory Business 101, The SMARTY Peer to Peer Workshop with Christine Syquia
Facebook e-commerce:
Are you a small- to medium-sized retailer that wants to set up shop on Facebook on a shoestring budget? Well, San Francisco based Payvment has created a solution for you — and it’s free. The company’s software allows retailers to create Facebook storefronts that accept payments via credit cards and PayPal. Payvment’s ecommerce Facebook app allows anyone with a retail store to set up shop on Facebook and create a compelling storefront, complete with discount offers, incentive programs, and the ability for customers to complete their purchases within Facebook. The app even prompts buyers to become a fan of a store in order to receive exclusive deals. The app offers unique features for shoppers as well, allowing them to carry their goods with them across thousands of Payvment-powered storefronts on Facebook.
According to Payvment’s CEO Christian Taylor, the company was setting up 250 new Facebook retailers each day as of last December, and hosts more than 40,000 with 750,000 items for sale. Notable shops include Grayce By Molly Sims, Yes To Carrots and Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim UK.
Packaging in the USA:
Try RTR Bag. Their minimums are high, but they put out a great quality product.
Defining Success:
An article I wrote about how I define success. Click here to read it.
About the Peer to Peer Program:
The SMARTY Peer to Peer program gives experts within the SMARTY community opportunities to present content-rich information on topics ranging from social media, finance, accounting, branding, marketing, public relations and other areas of entrepreneurial interest. Attendees get the benefit of the presenter’s authority and experience in a field, while the presenter enjoys a visible platform from which to share her products or services. To attend a workshop visit our calendar
