The Marketing Mix | official blog of the Marketing Mentor community

Don’t miss these March events!

Spring is around the corner, and it’s time for new growth. What better way than by expanding your brain and skills? Don’t miss these great events from Freelancer’s Union, a live event in NY on March 8 with me and Galia Gichon and a webinar on March 16 with Luke Mysse. Read on for details….
 
IN PERSON- Brooklyn, NY: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (ET)
The Cure to "Feast or Famine" Freelancing

Join Galia Gichon and Ilise Benun—financial and marketing experts—at a workshop especially designed for freelancers focused on their bottom line. You’ll walk away with an easy to use spending and savings plan, realistic income projections, and a simple marketing plan. Learn how to:

• Budget for the freelance lifestyle
• Figure out what you really need to earn and identify key expenses
• Save for a rainy day—and for retirement
• Identify what types of clients and projects you need to find and how to pursue them
• Decipher which marketing tools attract the best and highest-paying clients
• Fit simple marketing tasks into your day to day life to avoid the Feast or Famine Syndrome

More info & sign up here:  http://feastfaminefreelancingmarch2011.eventbrite.com/
 

WEBINAR - Which Hat Are You Wearing Today?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 - 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM (ET)

Freelancers, in Luke Mysse’s view, are really “solopreneurs”—entrepreneurs who single handedly wear a lot of different hats, and he knows firsthand how donning all those different hats can make you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world. A veteran solopreneur himself, Luke will show you how to feel lighter by wearing these hats better and getting more done both professionally and personally. (Hint: Wearing your hats better increases the velocity of your business, which in turn leads to more success—and more time to do the things you love.)

In this webinar, Luke will help you organize your hat rack. That is: identify your different hats, understand how they fit into your life and your business, and see what you can accomplish when they're well organized. You'll learn about:

• The Operations Hat: Envisioning your perfect week.
• The Marketing Hat: Identifying your business’s wants and needs.
• The Creative Hat: Staying fresh and discovering your reset button.
• The Planning Hat: Knowing your next move.

More info & sign up here: http://whichhatmar16.eventbrite.com/

Our first time was all smiles and candy bracelets

We are just back from Denver where, after a very successful CFC, we moved over to the HOW Design Conference where we had a Marketing Mentor booth in the Resource Center (see photo below). It was our first time at a trade show, and we had so much fun meeting new people, hearing what they do – and sharing what we do.

We were like kids in a candy store. Speaking of candy… people seemed to love the candy bracelets we were handing out, and we found ourselves to be quite popular because of them. We were thrilled when one person said, “I was in a bad mood, and this candy bracelet just made me so happy!”

From talking to so many people at the trade show, something became very clear:

The more you talk about what you do – the more natural you become.

Deidre and I got plenty of practice talking about Marketing Mentor – and as the time passed, we got more and more casual and adaptable. Conversation just flowed, and we found ways to connect with people depending on each unique situation. By immersing ourselves in this trade show situation, we got better.

Here we are in the booth:

 

Want to practice your 10-word blurb?

Join me and Dyana Valentine in NYC this Wednesday, June 16th, at 6:30PM. Details here: http://workingtoday.org/events/2010/winter/speed-networking.html

How far are you from Denver?

We're counting down – only 10 days 'til the Creative Freelancer Conference.

And it’s not too late to attend -- especially if you’re near Denver! If you can drive there, take the bus there, or even get a last-minute deal on a flight, we know it will be worth your while.

Join us on Friday, June 4th for the Tweet Up. It’s open to all (even if you’re not attending the conference). Details here: http://twtvite.com/summertweetupdenver

Save $25 and enter to win a free iPad and 2011 conference registration too! Details here: http://www.creativefreelancerconference.com/twittercontest/

All CFC attendees get a free 6-month trial subscription to Creative Business –which includes the incredible newsletter devoted to creatives as well as unlimited phone and email support.

Are you hesitant because you don’t know anyone? Don’t be. Most people come to CFC alone looking to make new connections. Find out more in this video I did with Dyana Valentine.

Are you a techie who wants to speak up for success?

Marketing Mentor client and talented speaking coach, Jezra Kaye, is offering a Conversation Workshop called Small Talk for Techies on Thursday, May 6th from 6:30-8:30PM at In Good Company Workplaces in NYC. Here are the details:

Do you feel awkward meeting new people? Making eye contact? Starting conversations? Do you get tongue-tied talking to people who aren't in your field?

If so, Small Talk for Techies is for you!  This fast-paced, full-participation workshop will reveal:

* The Secret of Small Talk (Hint:  It isn’t small, and it’s not about talking!)
* The Ping Pong Paradigm
* How to Sound Like an Expert on Any Subject
* When to Hold ‘Em, When to Fold ‘Em; and much more

With plenty of time to practice and explore, Small Talk for Techies will help you build skills while having fun.  Don’t miss out on a unique experience that could lead to business opportunities! 

More info and register here.

Do you really know who your best prospects are?

You’ve heard that to bring in the big bucks, you should specialize in a target market (or two). And you've probably spent some time trying to research a market to focus on. Sign up for this online seminar to help you cull through the information out there and decide which market is right for you.

If you need to…

• Determine if a market is viable
• Find the actual (and best) people to reach out to
• Get their contact information without spending a bundle
• Find out if you should buy a mailing list or subscribe to a mailing list
• Know how many prospects a freelancer really needs

…then join me for a Freelancers Union Online Seminar – Who Are Your Best Prospects?

When: Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST
Where: Your computer and phone
Register online now.

 

Why are they so inspired?

Inspiration comes in many forms – but we feel like some of the best are through learning and networking. That’s why we started the Creative Freelancer Conference.

This week, on Blog Talk Radio, Colleen Rice Nelson interviewed me and two Creative Freelancer Conference veterans. Listen to Alisa Bonsignore and  Dyana Valentine talk about what they learned at past conferences. Alisa shared how CFC helped her to see her business as a business and take it more seriously – and we all tried to describe the amazing networking, support, and camaraderie that sizzle during the conference. Oh yes, and I outlined all the topics that will be covered at this year’s conference. Listen here: www.blogtalkradio.com/freelancer-forum/2010/04/11/creative-freelancer-conference-2010-news-updates

Feel inspired too? Sign up today. The early bird discount expires Thursday, April 15th!

Ready to Reinvent, Re-imagine & Reinvigorate your career?

Join me in Boston this weekend (April 15-18) for the ASPP (American Society of Picture Professionals) Reinvention Weekend. The event is sponsored by Adbase (among others) and is intended to help picture professionals renew their approach to the image business.

Our conferences bring together the key people engaged with keeping the essential elements of our image community humming: stock agents, researchers, editors, publishers, art buyers, photographers and consultants. Expect spirited dialogues with your photo contemporaries from around the world!

I’m on the panel for the session: Click, Tweet and Repeat: Social Media, SEO and Brand Management on April 16th.

Can’t attend the whole weekend, but want to come to a session or two? No problem. They are offering entrance to single sessions on Friday and Saturday. More info here.

On the East Coast? Join me.

I have a few speaking events coming up in Albany, N.Y., and Stamford, C.T. If you’re in the area and want to attend, here are the details:
 
Sunday, Jan 31st, 2010 - AIGA Upstate N.Y.
Sage Albany Campus, Albany, N.Y., 6pm - 8pm: Build Your Marketing Machine
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to grow your business and get new clients, you'll need a strategy and a marketing plan. Join me for a hands-on workshop where you will learn which are the most effective, and least expensive, marketing tools for freelancers.
http://upstatenewyork.aiga.org/events/2010/01/40019477

Wednesday, Feb 3rd, 2010 - Hilton Hotel, Stamford, CT 8am - 7pm
Small Business Expo & Conference
I’ll be the keynote speaker at this year's expo.
www.smartbusinessmoves.us

Get All the Tools You Need for Freelance Success

A successful freelance career isn't fueled by talent alone. You also need a good grasp on the business aspects of working solo.
 
And that's exactly why you need to sign up for the 3rd annual Creative Freelancer Conference. Presented by HOW and Marketing Mentor, CFC will take place at the Hyatt Regency Denver on Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6.
 
Our panel of top consultants and veteran freelancers will share practical, real-world information, including:

• sessions on crafting contracts that protect you and your work
• finding great clients and managing their expectations
• making the most of your online presence (without wasting your time or money)
• effectively managing your finances and becoming financially empowered
• and more

Plus, you'll save when you sign up by the March 12 Early-Bird deadline!
 
Whether you're already established or still thinking about going solo, you'll get the information you need for business success in any economic situation. Find out more at CreativeFreelancerConference.com.
Register today!
 
Stay connected at the CFC Blog and join the CFC Groups on LinkedIn and Facebook.
 

How to get your work published

To celebrate the release of Designing for the Greater Good, co-authored by Peleg and Jonathan Cleveland of Cleveland Design, Peleg is hosting an L.A. area on Nov. 5th called, “How To Get Your Work Published.” It will show designers how to catapult their design work with the best free PR in the business -- getting international exposure in a high-end design book.

At this event, limited to 40 people, Peleg will talk with Nancy Heinonen, Publications Director of Crescent Hill Books.

During his interview with Nancy, you'll learn:

• What top editors and designers look for when selecting work for publication

• How anyone with a paying client can qualify for international exposur

• The easy steps you can take to streamline the submission process and maximize your chances for success

• How to develop and submit ideas for your own design book

• Plus: You'll have the opportunity to ask Peleg and Nancy your own questions in person.

Here are the details:

When: Thursday, November 5, 2009
7:00 pm: register & meet other LA creatives
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm: program followed by Q&A.
Where: The studio of our friends at Lime Twig Group, South Pasadena, CA 
Cost: $18.00- **advance registration required**

Click here to register and save your spot!