TheWeathSpa.com is Giving Away "The Money Tree"

I've been enjoying the blog at The Wealth Spa for some time. Elizabeth Potts Weinstein has attracted an amazing array of guest bloggers to add to her own on-target posts about business, money, and success.

Elizabeth has announced a contest where she'll be giving away three copies of her program "The Money Tree." What perfect timing... I'm at the point where I'm ready to launch my speaking and networking "hobby" into a business. I'm more intimidated by the accounting than the speaking! Here is my contest entry:

My biggest challenge in attracting more money into my business is that I haven't even started bringing money into the business, and yet, I already "know" that I'm going to hate doing the accounting. This is a limiting belief. By telling myself "I hate accounting," I'm already setting myself up for failure. The ironic part is that I teach people how to overcome their obstacles to networking, such as negative beliefs about networking. But here I am, letting my thoughts hinder me.

Elizabeth, I would be a grateful winner of the Money Tree System because it will set me on the earliest possible path to success in my business. Since I'm ready to launch, I'll need to put the system to use right away. I won't have to unlearn or undo any mistakes; I'll be a "clean slate" example for your system. And, my future clients will benefit. I haven't had obstacles to networking, but I'll have overcome this barrier. The experience will help me empathize with my audiences. I'll be my own best example.

I'm enjoying your blog and look forward to the results of this contest!

Do you have a similar experience? Or other reasons why you could use such a system? Please leave a comment here, or visit Elizabeth's post to enter your own submission.

You're in a Networking Rut, Now What?

Developing a pattern of networking can be very beneficial. Once you've made a habit of networking, consistency is no longer a problem. And consistent, regular appearances are a foundation of a great networking strategy.


But if you've been attending the same organization meetings, with the same people, and the same agenda year after year, it's not a good habit anymore. You're in a rut.


You left your comfort zone of home and office to start networking. It was awkward at first, but you gradually became comfortable with your group. Too comfortable.

Photo by AdamCohn

If you're not meeting a handful of new people at every one of your favorite organization's meetings, it's time to add a new group or range further out for your activities. Don't drop the old organizations. Like the Girl Scout song says: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."

I've been a member of the Fresno Women's Network for nearly 10 years, but the group is dynamic and always growing, so I meet new people at every meeting. And, I've been working for the Clovis Chamber for six years, but again, new people are joining all the time.

Are you in a rut? Get yourself out now, before you can't see over the sides.

Are You in a Networking Rut?

Today I was the guest speaker for the Fresno Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers. My presentation on networking that I give to job seekers and new members tends to be geared toward the more basic aspects of networking, because many of the people in those groups are new to business or haven't been networking.

I had expected that the today's group would include a lot of people who are fairly new to the financial planning industry and that's how I put together my presentation. So it set me back for a few minutes when I saw that the vast majority of the group were experienced business people. Well, even experienced people need a refresher once in a while, I told myself.

The presentation was well received, they were an attentive and appreciative audience. Afterward the President of the Chapter made a few comments and asked the audience how many of them were involved in other organizations besides NAIFA. I was surprised that less than 10 people (out of 70+) raised their hands.

I guess even experienced people get into a business rut, going to the same luncheons, seeing the same people, and doing the same things. There are so many demands on our time that just keeping up with our existing tasks are exhausting some days. I don't blame them for not getting out more. It can be very difficult.

But, like not being the lead sled dog, the view gets pretty monotonous when you're in a rut. And the deeper it is, the harder to climb out.

Tomorrow's post: How do you know you're in a networking rut?

The Networking Motivator Newsletter is Launched

I find myself wishing I could talk to more people on a regular basis to encourage them to "get out there" and promote themselves. I'm very realistic about the challenges we all face in our personal and business lives. Sometimes it's difficult, even for enthusiastic extroverts, to network when it seems that we're all working harder than ever.

So for those who don't have time to read daily blog posts, or who are just looking for a short boost of motivation, I have created The Networking Motivator Newsletter.

This free, twice-weekly newsletter will focus on only one very clear and concise tip, idea, suggestion, or strategy per issue.

I'll provide encouraging ideas, relay motivating success stories and link to helpful resources; whatever it takes to help you be more strategic in your networking efforts.

You can subscribe here. And feel free to share with a friend (especially those who don't get out and network much!).

*I respect your privacy. This list belongs to me personally and will never be sold. You have the option to unsubscribe at any time.

Is Networking Losing Ground?

A friend told me today that she's picking up accounts from local companies because her large national company has lower prices. People are dropping their current relationships in order to save money. Whether or not their current provider is local, has an established relationship, or great service.

How much would you have to save in order to drop your account with someone local or that you had an established relationship with?

Now that more and more business people are rediscovering the effectiveness of networking, I wonder if the ironic part is going to be that more and more companies will be going with the lower bidder.

If your prices are much higher for comparable services, I think you're going to have a hard time networking enough to keep those customers who can save. But, if your prices are comparable, I still believe that people want to do business with people they know and trust.

What do you think?