Networking, Communications, and Marketing
Objectives:
Understand the purpose of networking and how to do it well
Understand the proper email, phone, speaking etiquette
Understand social media and how to leverage it for marketing
Instruction for speaker:
Please provide an anecdote about how a connection helped push your business forwards. Perhaps describe a chance encounter that helped make your business successful. Also explain how you communicate with your coworkers through email, phone, and in person. Explain the value of clear and concise communication. Explain the thought process behind how you give offers to customers. Explain the role communications plays in entrepreneurship.
Questions for the talk:
How do you keep everyone on your team accountable for their work? Email? Tell them in person?
What are some rules that you use when you write an email to your team?
What are you pet peeves about communications?
- Does it annoy you when people use fillers such as "um" or “uhh”?
How do you network with someone smoothly and avoid awkward situations?
- What is the opening line that you use when you meet someone new at a networking event?
What are some mistakes that you see with communication in the startup community?
How do you communicate with your user base?
What is the most effective medium for your company to use to reach out to potential customers? Social media? Word of mouth?
How does your startup get word out the public? News releases?
How does your startup deal with bad publicity?
How does you turn impressions on social media into engagement and purchases?
What is your customer profile if you use one?
- How do you determine which audience to market to?
How do you prepare for the launch of a new product?
- Please explain this process in depth.
How do you promote your startup without annoying or alienating your potential customers?
What is a low cost strategy for marketing?
- Did your startup use guerilla marketing? If so, explain how you did so.
Do you have tricks with regards to negotiating?
- How do you get what you want when talking to another business?
How do you create a positive first impression?
How do you deal with a distraught customer?
How do you deal with a cold or unapproachable person when conducting surveys?