We can all agree that Zoom conferences or any online meetings are tricky when you are not prepared and when you treat them as a cup of coffee with friends. Especially those one to one, when trying to sign a new client or start a new partnership.

Being authentic still means that the common sense rules apply, if you wish to be the one in control and get the results you are hoping for each time. In the first part of this topic, last week we talked about group conferences and now we will address the more private communications, where the goal is to sign a new client or start a new partnership.

Zoom meetings give a business owner the precious advantage of TIME, time won by not having to travel to a specific location. And truth be told, we think a lot of people have found out that not all the business meetings have to be held in person but we were all in a silent agreement that if you wanted to sell, you had to be the one making the effort.

Nevertheless, online meetings or calls present a challenge of their own: how to keep the attention of our participants and have them engaged with whatever our subject is. The main difference between in-person and online meetings is the presence of distractions: phone notifications, the temptation to go browsing online, and so on.

So in order to keep your participants engaged, some skills are required, that we may not have considered before. In this episode we will go over 5 important tips on how to make your Zoom meetings efficient and interesting.

Willingly or not, we have adapted to the idea that our business needs an online presence but also we as entrepreneurs need to be active and figure out how to communicate from a distance with new or existing clients, possible business partners and so on. And that means being able to close a deal or to acquire new clients over Zoom or Skype. Easier said than done!

These online interactions are in a way, removing the socialising part of the exchange which for most entrepreneurs is vital, since it lets the person in front of you see how involved and passionate you are about your product or service. Small business owners are usually doing a double sales job, selling the product on one hand and their own drive that goes into believing in that product, on the other hand.

A lot of partnerships or idea for new products have originated during social interactions and unfortunately, nowadays, on Zoom we start the call with the topic already half-way open and so ignoring those precious moments of fraternising. So what can we do to ease into a more real communication on the currently prefered digital platforms like Zoom or Skype?

From building trust to taking risks, in this episode we are addressing the topic of keeping your connections while being online savvy.

Selling any type of product or service is basically building a relationship between 2 parties, understanding and anticipating the other’s needs and desires and finding ways to provide for those needs.

A trust bond is vital for any type of sell. Since the development of online businesses and the recent surge in the virtual business world, it is safe to say that people are quite reluctant to give their trust away. And for good reason, seing the amount of frauds and deceits happening. Nevertheless, when we present ourselves in an authentic matter and engage truly with our clients, we stand a better chance of making a sale.

This episode is focused on 2 main keys of increasing your sales. Find out the second tip by listening to the full episode.

This week we are proud to present the latest collaboration interview with our dear friend Elizabeth Gould, for the Australian “Feeling Forwards Podcast”. Her questions were really insightful, wanting to take a peek into the heart and mind of an entrepreneur and we dived deep into how emotions can help or hinder entrepreneurs on their path to success.

In this interview we discuss:

- How to overcome loneliness when you are an entrepreneur

- The challenge of managing the expectations and criticisms of family and friends;

- The danger of entrepreneurs getting stuck and unable to be vulnerable or ask for help;

- Is it possible to manage how entrepreneurs feel about hearing 'no' over and over;

And so much more!

This episode was originally aired on April 21st 2021, on the Feeling Forwards Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s02e16-want-to-take-peek-into-heart-mind-entrepreneur/id1470547674?i=1000517977476

Please visit www.elizabethgould.com for Elizabeth’s coaching programs and expertise. 

In last week’s episode “What’s the secret of buying?”, we were talking about the predictability and impulses of the human behaviour when it comes to buying goods and services. Since we are heading (one foot in already) into an economic crisis, the keys to still sell in 2021 don’t need to be changed, so much as they may need to be personalised.

The “what”, “why”; “when” and “how much” our clients needs and desires have to be met, and getting the right information is crucial. Having conversations geared towards understanding them and asking open-ended questions so they have a chance to further explain would be a first important step.

We have structured this episode in 5 steps or keys that will help any entrepreneur better grasps the evergreen reasoning behind buying and selling.

Doesn’t it seem that we are focused on selling “better” and sales techniques but often forget to go back to the basics of the need or impulse to BUY?

Are our needs real or someone creates them? What’s the exact moment when we realise we have a need that has to be fulfilled by a product or service from the outside ?

Human behaviour is predictable but marketing is still a key factor when it comes to impulse buying. Nevertheless, is also about trust, creating relationships and adding value to the act of serving ur clients as entrepreneurs.

In this episode we go over the subtleties of buying and selling, especially in times of crisis.

As we were mentioning in the previous episode about why is important to be creative and innovative as an entrepreneur, creativity doesn’t come on demand. Nevertheless, it can be cultivated and practiced regularly in order to wake up that enthusiasm that is taking a break right now.

Our 5 easy steps to awaken your innovative side, are accessible and clear and can be used in your business and your personal life also.

We really like the last step, “The Parking list”! Find out how to utilise this simple tool to become more creative.

In entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation are pretty much connected and interlaced with eachother, as they help any business get ahead in a market which would be otherwise dominated by the same old patterns.

As we all are all aware, creativity doesn’t come on demand but in the same time, being stuck only in the operational aspect of the business doesn’t also have benefits in the long run.

Creativity can be a source of enthusiasm and a way to reduce stress and uncertainty, especially in times of a crisis. In this episode we are going over some meaningful reasons why being creative can help you and your business have new energy moving forward in 2021

It would be fair to say that being self employed can be tricky sometimes. Besides the time invested to get to the point of being well known and gaining a reputation in your field, deciding your workload and schedule comes with freedom but also some insecurity in the long run.

So what is the appeal of being self employed?

We are taking the time in this episode to go over the many layers of being an entrepreneur and the different opportunities that this rather flexible business profile has to offer.