Greetings bloggers.
This week we are doing something a bit different.
Coming up soon is Twitter Blanket Drive.
A wonderful initiative started by @MelanieMinnaar last year. She thought it would be wonderful if each person from Twitter came to a tweetup and brought with them one blanket which they could donate to charity.
It was started last year and this year it is nearly time for the next one.
There will be Twitter Blanket Drive events all over South Africa on the 4th of June.
If you would like to find out where your nearest one is head on over to the website
and check out twitterblanketdrive.co.za
Click on the venue option to find the nearest place near you. It promises to be loads of fun.
So for those of you on Twitter start using the #TBD hashtag to promote the event.
You can even add the TBD icon to your avatar.
When you get to the event take some pics and upload them to Twitter with the hashtag #TBD.
Check in using FourSquare and tell all your friends on other social networking events about it.
In the Durban area there will be quite a few events so take your choice from:
@LunaRossa_DBN which is in Gateway shopping centre. From 11h00 to 16h00.
Your host is @waewest
@Livingstons_DBN which is in the Glenore Centre, Glenashley, just before La Lucia
Your host is @askashe Meet at 18h00
Even down the South Coast there will be one at @bistroramsgate in Ramsgate.
Your host is @SouthCoastLive
Meet at 18h00.
If you cannot make it to these events you are welcome to drop off your blankets
at your nearest Williams Hunt Dealership around the country.
See the website for the nearest one to you.
I'm taking part in Twitter Blanket Drive.
Are you?
Please pass this blog onto as many people as you know to help spread the news.
It's cold out and the poorest of the poor will really appreciate a blanket.
Fly high, Fly Free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Keynote Speaker - IT Consultant - Biz Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred Felton for a talk or seminar on Twitter.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
5 Tips For Your 30 Second Pitch
Greetings bloggers and readers.
Welcome to another entry.
Today I am focussing on something vital for every business owner. Your 30 second pitch.
Wait I hear you shouting in the back there. What's a 30 second pitch?
Here is the quick info. Your 30 second pitch is basically a quick CV about who you are, the name of your company and what you do. It's based on a elevator pitch and that is basically if you are in a elevator and a billionaire walks in you have about 30 seconds between the time they step in to the time they leave.
So what do you say to them?
Here are 5 tips to help get you started. The rest is up to you. Keep on working on it till it is pitch perfect and fresh and leaves people with a smile on their face.
1. Be confident
Nothing looks worse than somebody timid and bashful who gets up and immediately looks down and fumbles for words. Be confident, stand with confidence and look people in the eye. Speak with a smile. Tell people who you are, give your name clearly, tell people the name of your company and what service you do.
2. Be clear about what you do
Make sure you tell people exactly what you do. Are you kind of like a kind of speaker who kind of talks on this and that or are you a keynote speaker who talks on various interesting topics from motivation to business tips to how to network. Notice the difference?
3. Make sure the name of your company clearly represents what you do.
You will have to work out exactly what service you do and make sure your company name clearly states what you do so when people hear it they know what you do. No sense having a company called
ABC Business if you do Business plans. However ABC Business Plans tells me you do business plans.
4. Have a clever catch phrase
Work on a quirky catch phrase for your business and try work it in at the end of your 30 second pitch.
You just have to look at the big corporates to look at catchphrases that work. Work on yours and maybe even throw in some humour. If someone smiles they will remember you and your company.
5. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse
Keep working on that pitch, even while driving in the car, it will give you something to do. Record it.
How does it sound? Improve on it so that it sounds impressive.
Now let's put this all together.
The idea is to have everything come together.
So an ideal 30 second pitch would be something like this.
Hi There, My Name is Fred Felton, I am from the company ABC Speakers. I am a keynote speaker and do talks on interesting topics such as motivation, social networking and business tips. That's Fred Felton from ABC Speakers. Your speaker of choice.
Now that is just a sample but I'm sure you could improve on that.
Your homework is to work on your 30 second pitch for your business. You can use them in networking meetings or if you happen to be in a elevator and the richest man in the world steps in.
Fly high, Fly free.
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Keynote Speaker & IT Consultant & Biz Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com
Welcome to another entry.
Today I am focussing on something vital for every business owner. Your 30 second pitch.
Wait I hear you shouting in the back there. What's a 30 second pitch?
Here is the quick info. Your 30 second pitch is basically a quick CV about who you are, the name of your company and what you do. It's based on a elevator pitch and that is basically if you are in a elevator and a billionaire walks in you have about 30 seconds between the time they step in to the time they leave.
So what do you say to them?
Here are 5 tips to help get you started. The rest is up to you. Keep on working on it till it is pitch perfect and fresh and leaves people with a smile on their face.
1. Be confident
Nothing looks worse than somebody timid and bashful who gets up and immediately looks down and fumbles for words. Be confident, stand with confidence and look people in the eye. Speak with a smile. Tell people who you are, give your name clearly, tell people the name of your company and what service you do.
2. Be clear about what you do
Make sure you tell people exactly what you do. Are you kind of like a kind of speaker who kind of talks on this and that or are you a keynote speaker who talks on various interesting topics from motivation to business tips to how to network. Notice the difference?
3. Make sure the name of your company clearly represents what you do.
You will have to work out exactly what service you do and make sure your company name clearly states what you do so when people hear it they know what you do. No sense having a company called
ABC Business if you do Business plans. However ABC Business Plans tells me you do business plans.
4. Have a clever catch phrase
Work on a quirky catch phrase for your business and try work it in at the end of your 30 second pitch.
You just have to look at the big corporates to look at catchphrases that work. Work on yours and maybe even throw in some humour. If someone smiles they will remember you and your company.
5. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse
Keep working on that pitch, even while driving in the car, it will give you something to do. Record it.
How does it sound? Improve on it so that it sounds impressive.
Now let's put this all together.
The idea is to have everything come together.
So an ideal 30 second pitch would be something like this.
Hi There, My Name is Fred Felton, I am from the company ABC Speakers. I am a keynote speaker and do talks on interesting topics such as motivation, social networking and business tips. That's Fred Felton from ABC Speakers. Your speaker of choice.
Now that is just a sample but I'm sure you could improve on that.
Your homework is to work on your 30 second pitch for your business. You can use them in networking meetings or if you happen to be in a elevator and the richest man in the world steps in.
Fly high, Fly free.
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Keynote Speaker & IT Consultant & Biz Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
5 Tips To Market Your Brand or Company
Greetings bloggers and readers.
Welcome to another entry in my blog.
Today I am discussing marketing your brand or company. Ok so you have started that company or launched that brand. What now? How are you going to get that name out there? Here are 5 tips to help you get started.
1. Have a business card.
The first step is to print some business cards. You should probably have the basics on it such as the logo of your company or brand. The company name. Your name and position in the company. Your contact details. Address, mobile number, twitter username, website, email address. You could also add something that I saw @PlumberDurban from twitter do. He has added his BBM pin onto his biz card. Something new to try maybe. Hand out those business cards at the networking meetings you go to.
2. Have a online presence
This can include such things as a twitter page, a facebook page, a profile on linkedin. Join the groups on linkedin and ask questions on them and respond to questions.
3. Setup a website
You can even setup a basic website with just the major details of you business and contact details. Perhaps add Google Places to it as well.
4. Write a blog
You need to be active in the blogosphere and try to write a blog at least twice a week on useful topics.
Start interacting with other bloggers and building a presence in the cyberworld.
5. Newsletters and Ads
You can even look at sending out weekly or montly email newsletters and taking out adverts in community newspapers. Start advertising where your target market will be looking.
Well hope those tips help you out with your business. Wish you all continued success.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Motivational Speaker & Social Media Consultant & Biz Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for a motivational talk or Social Media talk.
Welcome to another entry in my blog.
Today I am discussing marketing your brand or company. Ok so you have started that company or launched that brand. What now? How are you going to get that name out there? Here are 5 tips to help you get started.
1. Have a business card.
The first step is to print some business cards. You should probably have the basics on it such as the logo of your company or brand. The company name. Your name and position in the company. Your contact details. Address, mobile number, twitter username, website, email address. You could also add something that I saw @PlumberDurban from twitter do. He has added his BBM pin onto his biz card. Something new to try maybe. Hand out those business cards at the networking meetings you go to.
2. Have a online presence
This can include such things as a twitter page, a facebook page, a profile on linkedin. Join the groups on linkedin and ask questions on them and respond to questions.
3. Setup a website
You can even setup a basic website with just the major details of you business and contact details. Perhaps add Google Places to it as well.
4. Write a blog
You need to be active in the blogosphere and try to write a blog at least twice a week on useful topics.
Start interacting with other bloggers and building a presence in the cyberworld.
5. Newsletters and Ads
You can even look at sending out weekly or montly email newsletters and taking out adverts in community newspapers. Start advertising where your target market will be looking.
Well hope those tips help you out with your business. Wish you all continued success.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Motivational Speaker & Social Media Consultant & Biz Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for a motivational talk or Social Media talk.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Interview With Writer Craig Smith
Greetings Bloggers and Readers.
Today we are doing something a bit different today. It's time for a guest blog.
We are going to interview fantasy writer Craig Smith.
He is based in Paarl, South Africa and I threw 10 questions at him.
Let's see how he did.
1. How did you become a writer?
I've always had a very active imagination and made things up in my head from ever since I could
remember. Often bugging friends and family with the weird things I came up with. Around 19 years old I walked past my bookshelf and realized if all these people can make it so can I!
2. Any tips for would be authors?
Write about what interests you. Start off with short stories. It's a good way to learn the craft. Try
join a writing group. A more active one the better. Take their feedback to heart, but like with all advice take things with a pinch of salt.
3. Tell us about your latest book?
Zoolin Vale and the Chalice of Ringtar is my latest book. It was released in December 2010. It's a
quite a mouthful isn't it? It's a follow on from my first book The Red Stone
It's a fantasy adventure novel suitable for all ages, but
younger readers do seem to enjoy it the most. It has everything from
wizards, trolls, ogres to dragons in it. It's a good place for people
new to fantasy to start. And it should have a few new things to keep a
more experienced fantasy reader's attention.
4. I see you are also a avid blogger, what's the secret to blogging?
get a better idea of who you are. And try post regularly, something
I'm still working on myself.
5. Can you give us 3 of your favourite websites and why?
I'm sure you won't be surprised when I say Twitter. A great place to meet like
minded people. Secondly I've started using some writing groups on
Linkedin. Every one there seems to be very friendly. And of course
Facebook. I used to be junkie, but now days mostly for networking with
other writers etc.
6. What do you do for fun?
I guess not the most exciting stuff to do,
but I like to watch movies, series and read. In addition enjoy quad
biking, roller coasters and having fun with friends. I'm also always
up for trying something new.
7. The beach or the countryside?
Mmm tough question. I like a good splash at the beach, but not a big fan of sand getting in everywhere!
Countryside is great for walks and spending some time away from the buzz of city life.
8. Favourite book and author and why?
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, because it captured my imagination and I've been an avid reader ever
since. If you're an LOTR fan and you haven't read the books or The Hobbit. I highly recommend that you do!
9. Favourite coffee shop?
Locally I would say Mugg and Bean. Great coffee and milkshakes, but I also love a Starbucks.
10. What's the secret to marketing your book?
That I'm still figuring out. It's a very tough market to crack. There are tons of other
writers out there and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, FB,
Twitter, Blogs, and Youtube are great ways to get your work out there and
connect with potential readers.
Well that was extremely interesting getting into the mind of a writer.
Links to Craig's sites, books and pages:
The Red Stone
For Sale On Amazon Also
Zoolin
Find Craig Smith on Twitter: Craig on Twitter
Find Craig Smith on Facebook: Craig Smith Author Page
Visit Craig's Blog: Craig's Blog
Thanks again Craig.
Today we are doing something a bit different today. It's time for a guest blog.
We are going to interview fantasy writer Craig Smith.
He is based in Paarl, South Africa and I threw 10 questions at him.
Let's see how he did.
1. How did you become a writer?
I've always had a very active imagination and made things up in my head from ever since I could
remember. Often bugging friends and family with the weird things I came up with. Around 19 years old I walked past my bookshelf and realized if all these people can make it so can I!
2. Any tips for would be authors?
Write about what interests you. Start off with short stories. It's a good way to learn the craft. Try
join a writing group. A more active one the better. Take their feedback to heart, but like with all advice take things with a pinch of salt.
3. Tell us about your latest book?
Zoolin Vale and the Chalice of Ringtar is my latest book. It was released in December 2010. It's a
quite a mouthful isn't it? It's a follow on from my first book The Red Stone
It's a fantasy adventure novel suitable for all ages, but
younger readers do seem to enjoy it the most. It has everything from
wizards, trolls, ogres to dragons in it. It's a good place for people
new to fantasy to start. And it should have a few new things to keep a
more experienced fantasy reader's attention.
4. I see you are also a avid blogger, what's the secret to blogging?
Engaging your audience. Give them something that will keep them coming
back for more. And if you can post samples of your work to help peopleget a better idea of who you are. And try post regularly, something
I'm still working on myself.
5. Can you give us 3 of your favourite websites and why?
I'm sure you won't be surprised when I say Twitter. A great place to meet like
minded people. Secondly I've started using some writing groups on
Linkedin. Every one there seems to be very friendly. And of course
Facebook. I used to be junkie, but now days mostly for networking with
other writers etc.
6. What do you do for fun?
I guess not the most exciting stuff to do,
but I like to watch movies, series and read. In addition enjoy quad
biking, roller coasters and having fun with friends. I'm also always
up for trying something new.
7. The beach or the countryside?
Mmm tough question. I like a good splash at the beach, but not a big fan of sand getting in everywhere!
Countryside is great for walks and spending some time away from the buzz of city life.
8. Favourite book and author and why?
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, because it captured my imagination and I've been an avid reader ever
since. If you're an LOTR fan and you haven't read the books or The Hobbit. I highly recommend that you do!
9. Favourite coffee shop?
Locally I would say Mugg and Bean. Great coffee and milkshakes, but I also love a Starbucks.
10. What's the secret to marketing your book?
That I'm still figuring out. It's a very tough market to crack. There are tons of other
writers out there and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, FB,
Twitter, Blogs, and Youtube are great ways to get your work out there and
connect with potential readers.
Well that was extremely interesting getting into the mind of a writer.
Links to Craig's sites, books and pages:
The Red Stone
For Sale On Amazon Also
Zoolin
Find Craig Smith on Twitter: Craig on Twitter
Find Craig Smith on Facebook: Craig Smith Author Page
Visit Craig's Blog: Craig's Blog
Thanks again Craig.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
5 Tips On What To Do With Business Contacts
Greetings bloggers and readers welcome to another entry.
So you have all those business cards and don't know what to do with them now what?
Here are 5 tips to help you use those contacts to get you big business.
1. Find those business cards.
Yes we have all done it, been to the conference swopped business cards, come back to the office and dropped the business cards in the inbox or desk drawers. Now is the time to go find them all, you might even find notes you scribbled on them for business ideas. Sort them out and setup a business database of contacts or clients or prospects, call it what you want. Add their names, addresses, emails, telephone numbers and schedule times to call them and setup meetings.
2. Categorize your contacts.
Some of your contacts might not be able to help you but they may be able to help other business contacts you know. Make sure you know who does what and remember it the next time you are at a meeting with someone.
3. Email them newsletters.
Email your contacts and ask them if you can send them your free newsletters and add them to your database of newsletter subscribers. Keep them in the loop with your sales or specials.
4. Remember their important dates.
It's always a nice touch to send your contacts a card or greeting for important dates in their lives such as birthdays or anniversaries or religious days that are important to them.
5. Keep in touch.
Stay in touch with your contacts and meet regularly with them for a coffee. You never know they just might be able to put you in touch with that billion dollar contact.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Motivational Speaker & Biz Analyst & IT Consultant
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for a talk or to help you with your social media brand.
So you have all those business cards and don't know what to do with them now what?
Here are 5 tips to help you use those contacts to get you big business.
1. Find those business cards.
Yes we have all done it, been to the conference swopped business cards, come back to the office and dropped the business cards in the inbox or desk drawers. Now is the time to go find them all, you might even find notes you scribbled on them for business ideas. Sort them out and setup a business database of contacts or clients or prospects, call it what you want. Add their names, addresses, emails, telephone numbers and schedule times to call them and setup meetings.
2. Categorize your contacts.
Some of your contacts might not be able to help you but they may be able to help other business contacts you know. Make sure you know who does what and remember it the next time you are at a meeting with someone.
3. Email them newsletters.
Email your contacts and ask them if you can send them your free newsletters and add them to your database of newsletter subscribers. Keep them in the loop with your sales or specials.
4. Remember their important dates.
It's always a nice touch to send your contacts a card or greeting for important dates in their lives such as birthdays or anniversaries or religious days that are important to them.
5. Keep in touch.
Stay in touch with your contacts and meet regularly with them for a coffee. You never know they just might be able to put you in touch with that billion dollar contact.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Motivational Speaker & Biz Analyst & IT Consultant
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for a talk or to help you with your social media brand.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
5 Tips On How To Run A Bank
Greetings bloggers and readers. Welcome to another entry in my blog.
Today I am giving some advice to banks. These are big companies and sometimes they need some help.
By the way this advice works for any company that is in the business of having queues.
Today I visited two banks back to back and noticed some interesting things. It was the beginning of the month and after a long holiday there was a huge backlog.
Here are some tips to improve your services:
1. Open more tellers.
The floor manager should be keeping an eye on the what is happening in the main section of the bank. If they notice that the queue is going over 5 or 10 people new tellers should open. Simple as that.
2. Staff should not close when there are long queues.
Nothing irks a customer more when they have been waiting in a long queue to see one till just close. Keep working to clear the backlog. Simple.
3. Have a staff member at the front to assist clients.
It helps when you have a staff member at the front of the queue who greets you with a smile and directs you to the nearest teller.
4. Consider having different branches for different clients.
Banks should also consider having a separate branch for business clients and a separate branch for private clients or separate sections for these two types of clients.
5. Always remember that the customer is always right.
If a customer has to wait for long periods of time and pay huge amounts of bank charges they will very quickly close their accounts and move to banks that look after them.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Motivational Speaker & Biz Analyst & IT Consultant
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for one of his talks on Twitter or Social Networking or Blogging.
Today I am giving some advice to banks. These are big companies and sometimes they need some help.
By the way this advice works for any company that is in the business of having queues.
Today I visited two banks back to back and noticed some interesting things. It was the beginning of the month and after a long holiday there was a huge backlog.
Here are some tips to improve your services:
1. Open more tellers.
The floor manager should be keeping an eye on the what is happening in the main section of the bank. If they notice that the queue is going over 5 or 10 people new tellers should open. Simple as that.
2. Staff should not close when there are long queues.
Nothing irks a customer more when they have been waiting in a long queue to see one till just close. Keep working to clear the backlog. Simple.
3. Have a staff member at the front to assist clients.
It helps when you have a staff member at the front of the queue who greets you with a smile and directs you to the nearest teller.
4. Consider having different branches for different clients.
Banks should also consider having a separate branch for business clients and a separate branch for private clients or separate sections for these two types of clients.
5. Always remember that the customer is always right.
If a customer has to wait for long periods of time and pay huge amounts of bank charges they will very quickly close their accounts and move to banks that look after them.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Motivational Speaker & Biz Analyst & IT Consultant
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for one of his talks on Twitter or Social Networking or Blogging.
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