D.A.N.C.E. With Me

Recently, a client asked what he could do to help my business, but I wasn't ready with the answer. A lot of us probably miss these opportunities because we don't think through what we need and how to respond when someone offers to help promote us.

Let's take a look at the D.A.N.C.E., a few simple ways you can enlist your network to help promote your organization.

Distribute and Display. Do you have literature or product samples that you can ask someone in your network to distribute for you? Perhaps you could ask them to place your information in their next client mailing, or hand out your brochures or samples at an upcoming meeting they are attending. If they have a high traffic office, ask them to display your products or material.

Arrange. Your contact knows a lot of people that you also should know. So, get her to arrange a meeting for you. It's best if you can get your friend to accompany you to the meeting. This helps place everyone more at ease.

Nominate. There are all sorts of awards and recognition programs. Ask someone to nominate you for appropriate business and community service awards. Your local Business Journal has a number of awards ranging from Women in Business and 40 Under 40 to Diversity awards. Client Heidi Hines just won a Business Journal Women in Business Award.

Don't forget the community service related awards, too. For instance, client Jayson Colavella of Youth Link was named a hometown hero by WBT Radio.

Contact. Your network also can provide you with leads and referrals. Maybe he heard about plans one of his clients has for expansion. He could pass this lead along to you and direct you to the appropriate contact. Someone in your network could give you the names and addresses of people they think would be good prospects. Better still, they could make the first contact with the prospects and then provide you their information so you can follow up.

Endorse. Testimonials are a time honored method of getting others to promote your business. Ask your client if he would provide you with a quote on what he gained from your products or services. This endorsement can then be used in a multitude of ways from your website to direct marketing.

A good way to get others to D.A.N.C.E. with you is to do the same for them first. So, make a list of those who could help your business and then offer to help them first.

Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Bank of Commerce, Bray Law, Brent Dees Financial, Focus Four, Levolor, New World Mortgage, North Carolina Tourism, TeamHeidi, VELUX and Verbatim.