GO! Network Entrepreneurs (1:30 – 3:00)

Defining Your Unique Service Proposition

Before she started her own business in 1990, there were two things Lori knew she had to do before she “hung her shingle”:

1. Set up a prospecting database and
2. Nail her USP (unique service proposition)

Lori never doubted that database marketing would be the cornerstone of her business development strategy. Consequently, her company actually made sales before her first rent check was due. Doing business today is tougher, there’s no doubt about it. Trying to connect with prospects is a sales professional’s nightmare. People (even some customers) hide behind their voice mail, fax broadcasting has pretty much been outlawed, direct mail is expensive and responses takes longer than email. Email is often ignored or sent directly to the junk folder. Fortunately, the most important thing hasn’t changed: People still want to solve problems.  Which is great because the good news is, it’s easier than ever (and often free) to set up communication channels that invite future customers to explore your world–but only if you know how to position yourself as THE subject matter expert. Join Lori for a hands-on session to define your USP, get a database checklist for establishing a subject-matter platform and discover actionable ideas for attracting new business to your new business.

 Lori Feldman is known as “The Database Diva” because she helps start-up entrepreneurs, sales teams and marketing departments squeeze more profit and get more referrals by integrating their customer list with their social media communities. She is a national speaker, author and veteran Social CRM consultant. Her e-newsletter, “The Database Marketing Hotwire,” won the APEX Award for newsletter writing excellence two years in a row and she is a recipient of the Direct Marketer of the Year Award from the DMA of St. Louis.  Lori has used social media to get famous, get better customer service from Fortune 100 companies and find more fun clients to do business with worldwide. She is @LoriFeldman on Twitter and on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorifeldman

Joining Lori is Harry Liebman, the founder of Candy Torahs, LLC. CandyTorahs.com manufactures personalized, Jewish-themed party favors and place cards for special occasions. Unlike most of its competitors, the company specializes in serving a niche of Bar Mitzvah moms, planners, Synagogues, Jewish agencies, clergy and schools.

It’s a “one-man” show, says owner Harry Liebman, who develops the products, builds the website, designs the promotional materials, manages the customer database and drip marketing campaigns, takes the orders and customizes the designs. “My family helps me make and ship orders,” he says.

Harry will share how he defined his unique service proposition and how he leverages technology to develop his customers.

NOTE: Lori will be providing hands-on examples, so feel free to bring your laptop to the session!

Join us on Tuesday October 26 for a great working session!

In Preparation for next week's session, please draft a brief statement about either...

- Your idea, if you are considering or have started a new business.

or

- What qualities you bring to an organization if you are looking to join an emerging enterprise.