In the beginning …

You know, when you’re starting out and trying to build your business and you can’t tell if what you’re doing is really making a difference? The you open your email …

“Dear Cathy, we’ve never met but twice during this morning I was given your name as someone I had to talk to. My friend saw you speak at an event a few months ago, and the other person  attended a Board of Trade event just recently where they met you.”

“Please don’t think it’s creepy but I googled you, saw your LinkedIn profile and decided to get in touch with you.”

Yup. It really happened and when it did that first time, I was doing the ‘yippy skippy’ dance – and then I went to the ‘dark side’.

“Is this person for real?” “Who’s talking about me?”  “What are they saying?” “Can I live up to it?”

Then I remembered. DUH! That’s what I do … I am purposefully getting out there so people notice me and talk about me. (key word: purposely) Good, bad or indifferent – my efforts to create a personal brand AND get noticed is working and that email just proved it.

So when something’s not broke, there’s no need to fix it, my Grandad was fond of saying. My strategy? (are you ready for it?)

1. Networking and
2. Speaking/presenting.

You know that networking event that you’re thinking of brushing off because you’re too tired, are uncomfortable in a room full of strangers, don’t know what to say (insert excuse here)  Suck it up buttercup.

I could tell you stories that would last a month of Sundays of all the times that I was making excuses not to go to an event. (yes me, the Connected Woman!) But I went. I gave away a door prize which is usually a book, which gave me a spotlight, which got me a client. I made money. So there.

Being an entrepreneur can be challenging as there’s no ‘boss’ to kick your butt out the door. There’s no manager telling you that it’s part of your job description. It’s up to you.

I tell my coaching clients, I’m not going to make you rich and famous (you can do that yourself!) and I don’t teach theory. I teach small, simple things that if you do them consistently, you will get results. So here’s five small and simple things that you can do to get noticed and remembered.

1. Get out of the house everyday. Which means get up, get dressed (nicely) do your hair and remember your business cards.

2. Be natural, be 100% YOU.  If that means you’re going to look a little foolish – so what.

3. Make networking a priority in your business especially if you are just starting out. Don’t stop networking ever. EVER.

4. Have a really simple message about who you are and what you do. Don’t embellish because you will mess it up. (yes you will…)

5. SPEAK! …at the front of the room. Getting in front of a group is the fastest way to get known as the expert in your field. If you’re not the presenter, stand up and ask a question even if it’s a simple request. – “Hi, Cathy Kuzel, Business Development Strategist and Your Connection to ALL Things Small Biz. Could you please repeat those last statistics? Thanks!”

Now Go Get  Connected!

About Cathy Kuzel
As a successful Entrepreneur and Business Development Strategist, Cathy teaches entrepreneurs how to let go of limiting beliefs and “Stand Up & Stand Out” to have the business success they dream of. Cathy is recognized across Canada for her expertise on “All Things Small Biz”. Named one of the Top Ten Mentors in Canada, the Founder ofThe Connected Woman Association, Author of “Are You a Collector or a Connector?”; “I’m on the Phone!”; the internationally known “Daily Espressos” and is a networking maven. (whew!)