Are you an emerging Chicago author looking for promotions? The city would like to sell your donated books. Please contact Danielle Chapman, director of publishing industry programs, at danielle.chapman@cityofchicago.org. For deets, check out a longer post at Litterateur. Good luck, please tell Danielle I sent you, and be sure to post here how it turns out so we may all benefit!
Archive for the ‘Networking’ Category
Neighborhood Networking is heading south… the South Loop, to be exact. This month, we are joining with Business by Referral Chicago (BBR) for double the networking opportunities. Connect with other businesses and as usual, sample great appetizers from a local favorite. Wednesday, June 24th from 5–7:30 pm at Cuatro Restaurant, 2030 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago IL. Tickets: $10 in advance / $12 at the door. Buy your tickets here. Bring lots of business cards and/or promo materials. Share this invite with fellow business owners and friends. Hosted by Lidia Varesco Design (IdeaXchange member) & Elizabeth Lulu Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals For updated info visit our blog.
Join us after work to meet a nearby business owner or make connections in a different neighborhood — as well as sample appetizers from a local favorite for BBQ, Smokin’ Woody’s. Great raffle prizes too! Mon, Apr 20th from 5-7:30 pm at Smokin’ Woody’s, 4160 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL. Tickets: $10 in advance / $12 at the door. Purchase tickets here. Bring lots of business cards and/or promo materials. Share this invite with fellow business owners and friends. Hosted by Lidia Varesco Design (IdeaXchange member) & Elizabeth L. Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals For updated information visit our blog.
Feel like you’ve met all your local business prospects? Do something valuable for your business: step out of your usual routine and make new connections. Join us after work for Neighborhood Networking in Northcenter. Meet a fellow business owner or make connections in a different neighborhood — as well as sample appetizers from a local favorite, Cafe 28. This event will be held on Tue, Mar. 31 from 5-7:30 pm at the TEFL Institute, 1910 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago IL. Tickets: $10 in advance / $12 at the door. To purchase tickets and get more information: http://www.neighborhoodnetworking.eventbrite.com Share this invite with fellow businesses and friends. Hosted by Lidia Varesco Design (ideaXchange member) & Elizabeth L. Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals
Courtesy of the last ideaXchange meeting Tried-and-true networking techniques used by members
How to find networking groups
If anyone has additional tips, please leave a comment!
From my friend Ilise Benun at Marketing Mentor: this looks to be a great event for all of us independents and you can’t beat the location! The Creative Freelancer Conference, slated for August 27-29, 2008 in Chicago, is the first and only business conference for self-employed creative professionals, serving graphic, web and interactive designers, photographers, copywriters, illustrators and anyone else who fits the bill of “creative solopreneur.” A panel of creative-business experts, led by Ilise Benun and co-founder, Peleg Top, will share best practices for pricing, marketing, building client relationships, crafting proposals and contracts, maintaining a work/life balance and other skills critical to freelance success. Creative Freelancer Conference Please share with other freelancers. Details are also posted on the ideaXchange Events page.
Truly, I would like to use the “R” word, but I’m trying to be an optimist. Adapting an entrepreneurial business in a down economy is challenging. You’ve got to get creative and stay positive, even while others around you may be faltering. Here are a few ideas: Marketing: It’s important to maintain client relationships without being too aggressive in your marketing efforts. One of my favorite marketing approaches is a simple postcard, mailed every other month or quarterly. Don’t get caught up in the big sale; instead, offer some tidbits of advice that remind your client base of your value. They’ll appreciate that you’re staying in touch, offering resources, and not pushing the sale extra hard. You’ll stay top-of-mind for a low price. (I recommend getting your postcards printed and assembled at Kinko’s or Staples. You can bring them your mailing labels and stamps and they’ll put it all together for you, saving you valuable time.) Proving your worth: This is the kind of climate in which clients most want to understand your worth. You’re likely competing with at least one other service provider, so you need to prepare yourself. Research market prices to ensure you’re competitive. Gather testimonials from past clients to post on your web site, use in your marketing materials, even include in your email signature if possible. Now’s the time to polish your resume, get your clips together, freshen up your sample books…generally get your act together so you can present the full package any time you have the opportunity. Networking: You’ve got to keep those non-client relationships strong, so networking is key. If your budget’s tight, you may be considering letting some memberships lapse…but don’t! Association memberships are comparably low-cost when you consider the networking possibilities. Use your LinkedIn connections to make new contacts, and participate in online communities and list-servs. You never know when a contact will refer you to a new client. Spirit: It may be tough to keep yours strong when you’re frustrated with a business slump. This is a great time to get in touch with old contacts that you’ve let slide, and to rekindle friendships that can offer support. Stay active with organizations and find new ways to hang out with business contacts - attend events together, take a class with a group, join up at a coffee house every week for communal work times - anything you can do to surround yourself with other creative, entrepreneurial folks. These are just a few suggestions that have helped me stay strong through the years. I would love to hear more of your tips so join the conversation!
Saturday, March 22nd is International Pillow Fight Day, which brings together large groups of people in public places, taking out their aggression safely with pillows. Chicago’s Pillow Fight is being held in front of the Art Institute (Michigan Ave & Monroe St.) at 2 pm. BYOP! Ok, perhaps it’s not networking in the traditional sense, but amidst whacking people with pillows, you could pass out a few biz cards…
The Trib featured ideaxchanger Jackie Sloane this month discussing the benefits of virtual networking. If you would like to learn more about e-networking and e-marketing, come to my presentation tonight. Hosted by Independent Writers of Chicago, I’ll be highlighting the work of several ideaXchangers in a discussion titled “Writing for the Web: How to Find, Get, and Do Your Next Writing Gig Online.” On Thursday, mix your virtual and physical networking at the mediabistro.com Chicago party for creative, content, media, and publishing pros at D4 Irish Pub & Cafe, just in time for the holiday. My cohosts and I enjoy getting to know your professional endeavors and introducing you to people with similar goals. Hope to see you at one or both events!
The Lincoln Park Chamber is having a Networking After Hours this Wed, Feb 20th. Brian Fons of Corporate Creations, who many of you know from a meeting long ago at my house, and I will be doing a Networking 101 at 5:15p. Event starts at 5:30. These are always well-attended and well worth attending! Feel free to share this with your friends and colleagues. Details: 5:30 - 7:30p Place- Walter E. Smithe Furniture 2009 N Clybourn Non-members: $30. You can pay at the door. Info: 773 880 5200 |