Whoooooooosssshhhhh

Did you hear that?
It's the sound of all the days of October just flying by.

The days were filled with:

• A visit to At The Office, in Woodstock - and reconnecting with business owners there.
• I attended 2 conferences about AODA - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.  Why?  One of the advantages of being a Marketing Person is being able to see the big picture, and work on many facets of a business.  I am flattered by being invited to partner with Beyond Rewards on a huge project: providing information sessions on the Integrated Standard (Employment, Transportation, Communication and Information).  Panel members include an Employment & Labour Lawyer and experts in Human Rights and Employment for persons with Disabilities.  This applies to ALL Businesses. Mark November 15th on your calendar and please visit www.beyondrewards.ca for more information.
• Of course November 10th is the Guelph Business to Business Network Meeting.  Special Exercise to help you plan for success in 2012. 
• There was Small Business Week
• Meetings with a number of interesting new people for coffee 

So, see you on the 10th and the 15th.

Finding Your Clients

It's an absolutely wonderful day today with a blue sky, sunshine and warm despite a sharp gusty wind.  I have just returned from my annual foray to feed my soul with local art in the Fergus Elora Studio Tour. 

I marvelled at just how well one of the artists has done since taking that leap of faith to create her own business, successfully grow it and be in demand.  She has managed to find her ideal clients and discover and fill their needs, making a good living from it.  There is a lesson here for all entrepreneurs.

"How do I sell my stuff?" is one of the usual questions. 

It doesn't matter what you are selling - art or heavy scientific equipment, the quest is the same.  You have to identify your ideal client, define their needs, determine how you can fill those needs (solve their problem) and go and find them so you can connect with them.  Communication has to be in the language of the customer, and you have to remember WIFM (What's in it for me?  Me being the customer).

What's in Art for me?  Tons - too much to define here - it feeds my soul, it makes me feel good and gives me the energy to help my clients!