Student Looking for Help with his Marketing Assignment

Occasionally I receive an email from a university or college student asking for help with his marketing assignment. So far it has only been males. Not sure what that means. Are guys more lazy and looking for the easy way out?

The email has followed a similar formula of flattering me, introducing himself, stating the assignment and then asking a vague question with an appeal to my generosity. The students seemed to be searching for a free homework writer. The students have asked me to write their paper or at least give them the content for their assignment. The odd one has stated that he is totally lost on where to start. But none has asked good questions. They haven’t referenced one of my articles or challenged my opinions.

In every case the student has demonstrated a lack of thought about the topic. They seemed to think that because I’m an expert on marketing I owe them. Actually I believe that I need to protect the world from flim flam artists, deceptive marketers and lazy thinkers.

I have been offended by each of these requests. The student doesn't seem to be interested in the topic enough to ask better questions, think about the topic and research my articles and blogs.

With a little bit of research they would find my articles, blog posts and YouTube videos. They would learn a lot about marketing and my thinking by studying those publications.

My first and lingering thought when I receive these messages is “You deserve to fail this course.”

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
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Marketing Presentation video: How to Appear to be More Successful

We would rather deal with successful people and successful companies. How can you appear more successful - especially when you don't feel successful?

How can you feel more confident?

Enjoy this video clip from a live presentation of George Torok speaking to a group of business owners and representatives. The message is practical and the performance is engaging and entertaining.




George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Be Perceived as An Expert by Writing Tips Lists

Write a list of tips or warnings for your clients and prospects. It’s an easy and effective way to position yourself as a concerned expert.

Tips                                                                

The number one principle for success. . .   

Two ways of approaching . . .  

Three questions to ask when buying . . .

Four common mistakes. . .

Five key elements of . . .

Six steps to creating a . . .

Seven ways to save money. . .

Ten tips when using . . .  

Warnings

The single biggest fallacy. . .   

Two dangers of . . .

Three wrong turns made by . . .

Four cornerstones of . . .                                  

The five myths. . .

Six major obstacles. . .

Seven deadly sins. . .

Ten ways to waste . . .

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Promote Your Personal Brand by Writing

One of the best ways to become known as the expert is to write. You could write to or for newsletters (association, corporate, community), newspapers (community, business, trade, weekly, daily), or magazines (general, trade, association, business).

Write a letter to the editor

This is the easiest way to be published. Watch for an issue that you feel strongly about or that touches your business. The issue doesn’t have to relate to your business. This is just a chance for people to know you. Take a stand. If you can make your communication funny, that is even better. Write it well. The editors will correct grammar and edit for length. Sign the letter with your name and a moniker that you like, or your business name. If you find nothing gets your juices flowing enough to write a letter of opinion, write to the editor to say what you like about the publication. They always print those letters.

Write a letter to a columnist or writer

Some columnists never get mail, and they will love you if you write them a letter. Pick a columnist that you like. If you like them, there is a pretty good chance that they are similar to you in some way, and they will like you.

Write an article

Even if you think you can't write, write. Then edit your work by rewriting it again and again, until it sounds good. No one will ever know how many times you rewrote. When you admire a movie you never judge it by how many takes it took to get the shot, or by the film left on the editing room floor. When others read your article they see only the finished product, not the rewrites.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Networking or Sweatworking?

I believe that networking works.

Yes, I can give you examples of how networking helped boost my career and my business.

No, networking is not a quick fix.

Yes, networking can be frustrating - even when you are doing the right things. It's more frustrating when you are doing the wrong things, and even more frustrating when you are not sure if you are doing the right things.

What are the most common mistakes in networking?

The myth is in thinking that networking is an event.

The reality is that networking is a process.

Perhaps you have attended a networking event and witnessed "Mr. Power Networker" in action. He runs around the room distributing his business card like a cheap flyer. He shakes as many hands as he can grab, while spewing his 30-second commercial like manure. Then he quickly pounces on the next victim.

This misguided networker is not networking - he is sweatworking. He is sweating as he works the room. He believes that he is doing good - because he believes in the mantra - "no pain, no gain". He knows this is painful and sweaty work - he just doesn't realize how much pain he might be inflicting on others. After the event he sweats by the phone and wonders why nobody calls.

Networking is only one part of your marketing. Your networking must fit with all of your other marketing activities and there must be synergy among the different marketing activities. Don't try to adopt a networking persona that is incongruent with your other marketing activities. Your message must be consistent.

Networking is a strategic process. To be more successful at networking you must formulate and follow a plan. Any good strategic plan includes goal definition, systematic processes, resource allocation and skill development. Remember to measure results along with inputs and make necessary course corrections.

A good network can give you a strategic advantage over your competition. Yes, networking takes time and patience. Any new process or skill set is slow at first. Once you reach that sweet spot on the learning curve your results take off.

Yes, you will still attend some networking events. But you will be more strategic in choosing which to attend and you will make better use of your time. Consider each networking event that you attend a personal marketing event just for you. Prepare for that event. Set goals for each event. Draw a simple plan for the event. Rehearse your lines. After the event review your performance, measure results and learn from what actually happened. Follow up with your contacts. Then start preparing for your next networking event.

When you follow a good networking system you will be better rewarded for your efforts. The only sweating you will do is sweating over the details. Yes, it is important to sweat the small stuff because it is the small stuff that will give you the edge from your networking process. You will net more and sweat less.

Want more tips for practical networking? Get your copy of "Your Guide to Networking Success"

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

How to Promote Brand YOU! Video Interview on Full Potential

How to Promote and Make Brand YOU Stand Out
- George Torok interviewed by James Rick, host of The Full Potential Show

Enjoy this enthusiastic video interview on the Full Potential Show to:

• Discover the key principle to building stronger relationships.
• Learn the strongest way to build a stronger personal brand.
• Hear why you should not worry about your weaknesses.
• And much more...

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

The Best Personal Marketing

Smile

Personal marketing is about marketing your personality.

The number one thing you can do to sell yourself is to smile more. Smile when you greet your clients. Smile when you enter their place of business. Smile at the receptionist when you ask to meet your contact. Smile when you say your name. Smile when they give you the order. 

Smile even when you don't get the business. (That's a tough one, but it's important.) 

Smile when they are talking. Smile when you describe your services. Smile - don't look guilty when you tell them your price. Smile when you are on the phone. Smile when they hand you the payment - don't leer, just smile.

A smile conveys confidence in yourself, your product, and your company. A smile builds trust. We would rather do business with a face that smiles than one that frowns. When I line up at the grocery store, I will go to the checkout with the friendly cashier, even if it has the longest lineup.

In the global marketplace, a smile is the one gesture that is understood in any language, in any culture. And smiles are infectious. When you smile, others will smile back at you. Try it; it's hard to resist. 

When you smile, your brain releases endorphins that make you feel good. Imagine that. Every time you smile, you make yourself and others feel better.

Your smile is your best tool for personal marketing. What could be more personal in marketing you?

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

4 Backdoor Secrets to Add More CEOs and Presidents to Your Network

Do you want to meet more business leaders? Would you like to include more presidents, CEOs, and executives in your active network? Imagine how that would help your career and business opportunities.

The first and most difficult step is making first contact. Here are four creative methods that work. I know because I have successfully used every one to connect with CEOs, presidents and senior corporate executives.

Volunteer
Volunteer for a community cause, program or event that you support. It must be something that you believe in because you will then give your best effort without expecting repayment. That’s when you are at your best. This is where you can meet and get to know business leaders. You might volunteer with your daughter’s soccer team, a community center committee or even a political campaign. CEOs and other executives are regular people and they participate in these community activities.

Some volunteer groups require more of your time than others and some will tend to pay off better than others. Rotary International is a good business connector. Hospital boards will introduce you to community and business leaders. The United Way is a popular charity and powerful avenue to build relationships with movers and shakers. These are just a few examples. There are many other volunteer opportunities for you.

When you volunteer, do it for the cause and the leaders will be attracted to you.

Become a Reporter
CEOs, presidents and senior executives talk to reporters because these business leaders want to convey their message to others. Reporters are a means to do that. So you become a part time reporter. How do you do that? First adopt the mind set of a reporter. They are always looking for a story. Reporters will approach anybody to get their story. When they make contact they are not selling anything – they only want a story – so they ask good questions and then they listen well. Can you do that? It’s tough. It’s a skill. It can be learned and it takes practice.

So how do you present yourself as a reporter? You have several options. You offer to research and write an article for your association, a local publication or a school project. CEOs love to talk to students.

When a local business magazine asked me to research and write an article for them I jumped at the opportunity because of the contacts I would make. The editor suggested that I interview half a dozen people for the article. I called 30 local community and business leaders and interviewed 19 of them. Bonus - the magazine paid me for the article.

Another way to become a reporter is to be a radio interviewer. Most college and universities have a radio station run by volunteers. I have hosted the weekly radio show, Business in Motion, at the local university for more than a decade. During that time I have met and interviewed hundreds of business leaders. After the thirty-minute rapport
they like me and remember me. It’s a good start to a profitable relationship.

Arrange a guest speaker
This is a variation of the volunteer role. Be the person to arrange a guest speaker for your club, association or group. The guest speaker is someone that you want to meet. Be very helpful to your guest speaker. After the event, send that person a nice thank you and offer to help them whenever they need you. Then do it again to meet more business leaders.

Award
Give the person an award. This is a variation of the “Arrange a guest speaker technique”. This works best when the award comes from an organization that carries some credibility. Toastmasters International uses this technique to get powerful speakers at their conferences. The award conveys prestige to the award winner and Toastmasters gets a credible speaker to speak for free at their conference. Both the guest speaker and the organization get some quid pro quo. You benefit when you are the person to nominate and contact the award winner. It’s not necessary to get the award winner to speak at your conference but it helps build the relationship.


© George Torok is the co-author of the national bestseller, “Secrets of Power Marketing”. He is the author of “Your Guide to Networking Success”. Get your free copy of “50 Power Marketing Ideas” at http://www.PowerMarketing.ca Find more networking ideas at http://www.BusinessNetworkingTips.net Arrange a speech or media interview by calling 905-335-1997

http://www.powermarketing.ca/marketing_articles.php

5 Tips for Introducing Yourself at Your Networking Meeting

Before you say, “Hello my name is…” read these tips to make a better impression at your next networking meeting.

Networking is a process
It is a sequence of events and touch points with your contacts. It is critical that you follow your networking process. It is also important that you make each touch point count. One of the most common touch points is introducing yourself at the networking meeting.

If you want to make the best impression when you introduce yourself use the following tips to present yourself with greater impact. Be a smart networker by making a positive impression every time you speak.

Drink Water
Before you speak drink water – not coffee and never alcohol. Why? Water lubricates your vocal chords, improves your voice and gives you needed fluids that you lose while speaking. Room temperature water is best. Cool water is acceptable. Avoid ice water because it is harsh on your vocal chords. Avoid dairy products (cheese and milk) because that creates phlegm in your throat which makes you gag and cough. Coffee contains caffeine which might make you more nervous and it is a diuretic that dehydrates you. Alcohol both dehydrates you and clouds your judgment. Stick with water.

Emphasize Your Name
While introducing yourself to one person or a group, emphasize your name, so they hear it, feel the respect you have for your name and remember it. State, "My name is (short pause) George (short pause) Torok (smile)." Say it loud enough to be heard. Most importantly - say it much slower than you normally do and smile.

You know your name so you might get tired of saying it. But there are people at the meeting who don’t know it and you want to be sure that they hear it and remember it.

When someone asks you to repeat your name – don’t be annoyed – be honored and state it proudly (for the millionth time).

Make Your Name Memorable
If your name is unusual, difficult to remember or pronounce, say it extra slow and repeat it, 'Torok'. Help them remember it by adding, it sounds like 'tore - rock.' You might add, It means 'Turk' in Hungarian. Or you can call me 'nickname'.

State a funny word that your name rhymes with or spell it slowly.

When you can have fun with your name people will like you more. If you make people laugh as you explain your name, they will remember you.

Stand and Wait for Everyone's Attention
It’s your turn to stand up and give your 30-second presentation at a networking meeting. Stand up. Look proud. Don’t play with your chair. Pause. Wait until you have everyone's attention before you speak. It might take a few seconds. It might seem like forever. When you speak it makes your information seem more valuable - and they will hear you.

Use Action Verbs
When you are telling people what you do, use action verbs and words that paint pictures of results. Avoid using nouns ending in 'tion'. These used to be action verbs. Don't say, "We are in the telecommunication business." Instead say, “We install and maintain phone systems for small and medium sized business." “We specialize in designing customer friendly systems for busy offices with unique needs.” Use the word 'specialize' – it suggests that you are special.

Networking will pay off for you when you are noticed and remembered. Use these tips to speak well and to be better noticed and remembered at your networking meetings.


© George Torok is the author of “Your Guide to Networking Success”. Find more networking tips at http://www.Business-Networking-Tips.net Connect with George at http://www.facebook.com/PowerMarketing1 To arrange a speech or media interview call 905-335-1997

Get your copy of "Your Guide to Networking Success"

Get a Job

The most important marketing that most people will ever do is to get their next job. Your next job can be crucial to your financial and emotional stability - and your family. Not having a job can be very destructive to your family.

Many things have changed over the past several years (and decades) – yet so many people still try to get a job the same way as their parents or grandparents.

Enjoy and listen to the lines from this 1958 song, “Get a Job.”

Especially the line, “When I get the paper, I read it through and through.”

How’s that any different from reading the job adds on Monster or any of the other online job boards. Are you still modeling your job search on the way they did things in the 50’s?

If so – break out the Brylcreem.




George Torok

Personal Marketing

Jumpstart Your Networking for 2009

JUMPSTART YOUR NETWORKING:
A FRESH APPROACH FOR 2009

by Roz Usheroff

Recently, I had a conversation with a longstanding client. Having just missed the latest downsizing in his Fortune 500 company, he reminded me of our discussion in 1997, when I cautioned him to be proactive. "Don't wait until you need a network to start building one," I had said. Unlike many today, my client is so well connected that he is optimistic about the future and expanding his network weekly…just in case.

The corporate world has changed dramatically. To survive and thrive, you must become your best PR person. A respected colleague and marketing guru, George Torok, author of Secrets of Power Marketing, states that "you must be seen. You must be heard. People must talk about you. And they must know where to find you." So, let's start 2009 with a fresh approach.

As you create your 2009 resolutions, make networking a must. As I reiterate in my seminars, your network is your networth. Whether you are looking for a job or not, you must continuously network, promoting yourself and your expertise to management, peers and those in positions to champion you. This lays the groundwork for your next career move, and it distinguishes you from your competition.

The challenge for some people, however, is that they confuse networking with being insincere or fluffy. Sometimes this is just a cover for social insecurity, or bone-laziness. Ultimately, the purpose of networking is:

Read the rest of this article on networking

Written by Roz Usheroff
www.usheroff.com

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Niagara College Alumni

Niagara College Alumni

Promote Brand You - for a more promising career

Recently I spoke to the Niagara College Alumni Toronto Chapter. This group was engaging and interested. I enjoyed speaking with them because they were at tentative and asked challenging questions.

I usually speak to business owners. So you can imagine how I enjoy speaking with students and recent graduates because they challenge my perspective and force me to rethink some things. It helps to keep me sharp.

Enjoy this commentary about my presentation.

George Torok

----------------------

Hi George,

Thank you again for your presentation last week at Oakham House.

As well as the informative and insightful messages of your presentation, I must comment on your flexibility and commitment to personal conversations with the participants. I realize that the numbers were not at the level that we would have liked and some logistical issues (e.g. like the food coming earlier than expected) interrupted the flow of your presentation; however, your flexibility in talking after the mini-break really helped to pull together some key concepts and provide the opportunity for the participants to discuss/share some of their ideas - thus enriching the learning experience.

I especially appreciated the number of intense conversations that you had with participants. I was conscious of you consistently engaged in intimate dialogues with individuals and small groups around their questions and really focusing on their needs and issues. I had several positive comments from participants about the quality time that you took to listen and talk with them, rather than the peripheral discussions that often happen with presenters.

Thanks again for sharing your expertise and I hope that the marketing materials forwarded to other colleges trigger some direct contacts to explore your services. I also hope that we can work with you again as we continue to develop related programs. Obviously we need to find ways to market more effectively and strategically expand the number of alumni contacts that are engaged with Niagara College so that we have a registration base.

Steve Cino

Alumni Affairs Coordinator

Legacy Leadership Project

Niagara College, Welland Campus S110

scino@niagarac.on.ca

905-735-2211 ext. 7865

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George Torok

MBA Games 2008 DeGroote

MBA Games 2008 DeGroote

The MBA Games for 2008 was held last week at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

The MBA Games is an annual national competition for MBA students from Canadian business schools. It was started about 20 years ago by Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. The MBA Games challenges MBA students to compete on several levels – academically, athletically and on the basis of spirit. In addition they face the challenges of team work, performance pressure and social distraction.

My congratulations to all the participants in the MBA Games competition!

The Michael DeGroote, (MGD), school of business at McMaster University was the host for the 2008 MBA Games.

As a McMaster graduate I was delighted to participate in the MBA Games in three capacities.

1. I was a judge for the Marketing competition. (will talk more about this in lator posts)
2. I was a sponsor by donating 56 copies of my book, Secrets of Power Marketing to each of the participants in the Marketing Competition.
3. I was a keynote speaker for the closing ceremonies.

Invitation to 2008 MBA Games Participants
I invite the 2008 MBA Games participants to offer their comments on this blog about their experience. I extend a special invitation to the participants in the Marketing Case competition to comment about my book, Secrets of Power Marketing.


George Torok

Keynote Speaker

Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing

Graduate of McMaster University

Marketing for Your Career

Marketing is not just for business owners and marketing departments. Regular working folks need to market themselves. And don't wait till you are out of a job to start marketing yourself.

Marketing oneself should be an integral part of every employee’s career development plan. Sometimes it is not just for career development but also job sustainability. Yes, you need to be marketing yourself and your value just to hang on to your job.

The purpose of your internal marketing is to demonstrate your value and your efforts to increase your value. Here are a few ideas on how you can market yourself within your company:

Volunteer to train staff.

Volunteer to be part of testing or implementing new technology.

When you read a good business book, recommend it to your boss and colleagues.

When you complete a course or seminar send a copy of the certificate to your boss.
Interview the CEO for an article in the corporate newsletter.

Take leadership roles in your professional association and give the boss a copy of your association newsletter.

Stop griping and avoid the whiners and complainers. (You are who you associate with.)

At least once a month go above and beyond the call of duty.

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The above came as the result of being interviewed by my colleague, Sharon Bar David. She is a specialist in employee resilience. Learn more about Sharon Bar David and resilience at her blog.


George Torok
Personal Marketing Expert