2009 August

31 08, 2009

Real You: Five Common Networking Mistakes

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:39+00:00August 31, 2009|business, networking|1 Comment

Whether you’re looking for a new job or not, you need to get out there and network! You can build new business, find possible colleagues and learn a lot from other people in your industry and beyond. Check out these common networking mistakes to avoid at your next luncheon. Mistake 1: Waiting for the right time. There is no right time to start networking and making connections. It’s much easier to say, “I’ve been in X industry for five years, and I love it” vs. “I recently lost my job, and I’m looking for a new opportunity.” Get involved now. Google your industry plus your city and see what comes up. There are many general networking groups out there as well. Mistake 2: Arriving without an elevator pitch. Be prepared with a three-minute pitch about yourself. Who you are and what you do is a [...]

28 08, 2009

Real You: Are you marching forward on your purpose and vision?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:47+00:00August 28, 2009|business, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, passions, vision|Comments Off on Real You: Are you marching forward on your purpose and vision?

If you are, you are stepping into your power. You are shining bright, sharing your vision with others and moving forward. You know who you are—The Real You—and you know where you are going. Your passions are defined (step 2 of the Real You process), and your personal brand is fully formed. You truly have found it within. When you are following your purpose in life—and applying that purpose and passion to your business—your competitive advantage crystallizes. You are able to use your fully formed Real You competitive advantage to delight your customers. And when you’re in business, that’s the end game. Truly. Whether you are a full-time entrepreneur, considering becoming one, or somewhere in between, your personal brand and your business brand are unstoppable as long as they are aligned with purpose and vision. Remember the strength found in conviction, in confidence. Remember, you [...]

25 08, 2009

Real You: Is your marketing to blame? Probably not!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:02+00:00August 25, 2009|Uncategorized|1 Comment

Hmmmm. You bought an ad. Attended a networking function. Redesigned your website. Created a new name for your business. And, you finally put together your vision board. But, still, nothing. No new business. So what's wrong? Maybe it isn't your marketing message - maybe it's that your product/service offering isn't quite right. If you've forgotten the critical step of clearly identifying your target audience - those people most likely to buy/enjoy your business' offering - then your marketing message won't resonate. Take the time - today - to be sure you know who your best customer is, clearly. If yours is a new business, imagine who it is. Create a vision board - for your customer. Where does this customer live, work, shop, eat, laugh, play, visit - online and off, vacation? Drill down, as much as possible. Does your customer have pets? Kids? During [...]

21 08, 2009

Real You: The Fun of Constant Learning

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:09+00:00August 21, 2009|blogs, facebook marketing, social media, twitter|Comments Off on Real You: The Fun of Constant Learning

Recently, I hosted a a webinar for the Women’s Council of Realtors. The focus was on how to get your business up and going as a new sales associate in the real estate business. The thing is, the advice for new real estate entrepreneurs is the same for new entrepreneurs in any business. Today, you are your strongest competitive advantage. It all starts with you. Your personal brand, clearly articulated, is your killer app. Your shining story. Uniquely yours and there for you to use to connect with your perfect customer. We spent a lot of the webinar discussing personal branding and target marketing. As you know, the ability to target, truly reach the right customer at the right time, has never been better. But it’s also really confusing to folks unfamiliar with the social media tools and platforms. I know, I’m learning every day, [...]

20 08, 2009

Real You: The Power of Twitter Babble

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:22+00:00August 20, 2009|social media, social networking, twitter, twitter marketing, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The Power of Twitter Babble

A new study by Pear Analytics said 40.5% of tweets are “pointless babble”. Hrumph. Yes, some of it is: “I just had the greatest new ice cream flavor.” But some of this said babble is for a point. When businesses and entrepreneurs share information important to them and their industry, insights into how they’ve achieved what they have and the like, it’s far from pointless. It’s illuminating. As Twitter has grown from small personal networks (how most people start on Twitter) to a blend of personal and professional networks of people—followers—the great potential here is to connect. These tweets humanize each of us. They connect us with like-minded people, folks who are interested in similar topics, and these simple tweets actually can lead to life-long friendships, new clients and referrals. Some of the most-followed people on Twitter provide both “useful” book-type knowledge on a regular [...]

17 08, 2009

Dog days customer lessons

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:32+00:00August 17, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Dog days customer lessons

Family driving vacations are a blast, no matter if it's a staycation or heading a bit farther - like our family is doing. We're driving from Ohio to California, and the dog is with us! What does that mean? Well, fortunately, Oreo is a good traveller. Also, fortunately, a quick perusal of my AAA State Guide Books - love AAA and their discounts, and even the TripTiks in the era of Navigation Systems - gave me a range of choices for overnight stays with pets. We haven't done this before - travel with Oreo - and I didn't realize how many motel/hotels offer the perk for pooches. First night: Springfield, Missouri. Perfect property. Candlewood Suites, a franchise concept from Intercontinental Hotel Group. Clean rooms, friendly staff welcoming Oreo and us. Next night: Albuquerque, New Mexico. La Quinta Inn and Suites. Welcoming dog biscuits at the [...]

11 08, 2009

Just survived a snark attack!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:41+00:00August 11, 2009|entrepreneurs, Real You Incorporated, snarks, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Just survived a snark attack!

If you've read my book, you know I'm fond of labeling snarks as the folks who try to inflict harm on the Real You as you strike out to step into your power and grab your entrepreneurial dreams. And unfortunately, it's almost always the case that the more successful you become, the more yourself you become, the more you stir up the snarks. That's why I've created a microsite called Snark Infested Waters for you to rate snarks and tell your story of survival. Because it's also true that with each set-back, with each snark attack you do become stronger. (I know, it still hurst while it's happening, and you may need time to heal.) So which snark attacked me today? Was it a Con-Artist Snark, Bubble-Bursting Snark, Sexist Snark? I'm not telling, suffice it to say it was enough of an attack for me [...]

10 08, 2009

Real You: The importance of a happy mug

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:47+00:00August 10, 2009|Uncategorized|1 Comment

Here's the thing - each morning when the coffee is ready, I reach for my happy mug. I have several, and depending on my mood, and the weather, and the like, there is a unique mug for the situation. It's a reminder of happiness - and makes me smile. What's your happy mug? Do you have something on your desk, in your car, on your key chain that makes you smile? Not just photos of your loved ones - those are in a separate category - but are you surrounding yourself with tangible happiness with meaning just for you? It's important as an entrepreneur and a woman with a busy life, to have expressions of the Real You in your surroundings, as a part of your work day. So what's your happy mug?

7 08, 2009

Real You: The Movie!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:24:48+00:00August 7, 2009|business, entrepreneurs, passions, Uncategorized, women in business|1 Comment

It’s been a summer of inspiration—speaking with women all over the country about how to put—and keep—the Real You in your business and your life. It made me realize certain themes pop up, no matter the audience, and those themes are the ones I want to share with you in The Real You Movie. Grab your power, and shine! If you like the movie, please pass it on!

4 08, 2009

Real You: Change

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:25:08+00:00August 4, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Change

All of us in small businesses across America are waiting for it. The change that lets you know it really is the bottom, that tomorrow really will be brighter. Whether it's a florist who moved into new space just before the recession hit, or the high-end hair stylist who's best clients cannot afford her services now, or the frame store owner who can now go days without a customer walking in - we are all waiting.In most posts, I write about accepting change, embracing it and making your dreams come true through entrepreneurship. And that type of active change still applies. But if you, like many of us, are waiting for the economy to change - the passive change - well, that seems even harder to embrace. Remember, though, you are not alone. Walk outside your store and talk to the retailer down the street. [...]

Monthly Archives: August 2009