As a marketer and a B2B sales guy sometimes it’s hard not to get caught up in the social media craze and expect business to go through the roof because of all my tweeting, facebooking and blogging (thanks for reading btw). In the video above you learned that there are 300K businesses on Facebook, Dell sold 3M computers via Twitter and Genius.com converts 24% of its social media leads into sales opportunities. What that means is that social media does produce an ROI (and that return depends on your business model and goals) What that does NOT mean is that you don’t have to build relationships anymore!

The internet has compressed time in so many ways, but sales always has and always will be centered around establishing confidence and building relationships. Social media just means that you have more opportunities to touch your prospects and clients to build on that relationship.

The sales that occur quickly are very nice and I really do hope that I am able to sell $3M worth of logos over Twitter, but my bread and butter will remain organizations and companies that get to know me over a period of time and remember to reach out to me when they are ready to get serious about their corporate branding and online presence. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/timmccoy2

Read this article, Adapt to the New Nuancesof Building B2B Relationships by Andrew Wetzler. Sometimes the Media Post website is down so sorry if you can’t get to it.

Creatives all across the world know of “the Spark”. Sometimes we really “just aren’t feeling it”. We look for creative inspiration in all directions: street signs, TV commercials, websites, competition, antique stores, magazines, play-lists and the very popular (not for this guy) cup of Joe. What ever it is, once it hits you, it’s an artist’s race to the finish to get it down and recorded (on paper, wax or screen) before a distraction hits and it fades away.

Although it began with a TV commercial, a global campaign centered on a digital push launching March 1 will allow consumers to produce their own mixes of music and, beginning in April, create animated films at Sprite.com. They say you must “demonstrate what the brand was about and allow you to experience the brand.”

I get mine from Bruce Lee movies [and now maybe Sprite]. Where do you find your spark?

Here’s a link to the rest of the article.

Too often I run into small business owners who either “can’t afford to be a chamber member”, “doesn’t have the time” or “it’s just not their thing”.

This article is not to speak on the value of joining the chamber. They are all different and have a sales team for that. This will give the “What to do and how to do it” after you’ve educated yourself on how a chamber membership can positively impact your business.

Read this short article for tips on taking advantage of the local chamber organizations within your market place.

TIP #1 – Where’s the bar?
If you are not currently a member, almost all chamber of commerce organizations accept guests at 1 or 2 of their core networking events. There are 6,936 chambers in the US according to the US Chamber of Commerce and I’m willing to bet that all of them have a website. Go to it, check out the Calendar of Events and pick one where you can potentially meet a prospective client and go! Best place to start is at an event with alcohol. I’m just saying.

TIP #2 – Roll out the red carpet
Contact a vendor, client or friend who is a chamber member and say, “Hey, aren’t you a chamber member? I’m looking to join but I wanted see what its all about. Can I be your guest at the next [insert specific event that you researched here].” Make sure whom ever you are a guest of, RSVPs and lets the chamber know that you’re coming.

Bonus Tip: The chamber hosts or sales team will see you as fresh new meat; being the potential new member that you are they will give you the red carpet treatment, introducing you to potential clients, matching you with vendors and other local bigwigs that will have you wide-eyed with fortune. Take advantage – you’re VIP!

TIP # 3 – Pull the “I’m new here” card
When you go, be on time, even before your friend gets there. That way you can meet people on your own. When they ask you who you are you can say “I’m so & so, with so & so company, a guest of so & so with so & so company. We go way back! One time we worked together on [insert short and memorable story about a business experience].” Now that you’re talking about what you do, lead into other services you offer and even more about yourself. And you did it all without it being forced or sounding sales-ee. And if for any reason you feel like you messed up, it’s okay, you’re new here!

TIP # 4 – Reservation for one please!
Question: What if you don’t know anyone that is already a chamber member?

Answer: Call the chamber directly. Introduce yourself and the company you represent and follow the Bonus Tip above accordingly. Remember, the chamber is a business just like yours. Don’t you love when clients call YOU? I do!

TIP #5 – I just ran out (don’t be that guy)
Please have at least 15 business cards on you at all times. Granted it’s always best to get “their” info so you have the power to follow-up but you don’t want to look like Joe Schmoe with no logo who runs his business out of his garage…even if you run your business out of your garage. Plus, there are usually door prizes for those who drop their business card in the fish bowl. Free stuff, yay!

Bonus Tip: Check out Overnight Prints or Print Place for affordable, high quality cards at the last minute.

The evolutions in design…

The inspiring interior…

And last BUT not least. The absolutely bizarre…

I love Vegas

Walking by the Allegiant check-in

We made that Banner!