My friend Tiffani, over at Accidental Chic, shared this today via twitter.  I liked it so much, I wanted to pass it on.  Check out this video by Marie Forleo as she answers a reader’s question about being too old.

See Marie’s full post at: marieforleo.com/2011/09/are-you-too-old/

This morning I experienced one of my business networking pet peeves – The Bum Rush.  If you don’t know what that means, Urban Dictionary will give you lots of variations.  My favorite definition – and the one most appropriate for this particular situation – is:

“To attack someone or something by wildly charging them full force with
no sort of tact or skill other than one’s own momentum and possibly the
backs and sides of their fists as they randomly flail them out of rage,
but certainly consisting of no precisely swung blows.”

I arrived at a networking mixer for women (that I attend every month), slapped on my special name tag, and found a seat at a table with a few other ladies.  No sooner did my tush hit the chair, than a woman from another table came up pushing her business card into my face while demanding one of mine in return.  (At this point I had horrible visions of the flood of spam about to come my way.)

Now, I’m all for making connections to grow your business, but this aggressive pursuit of contact information is just out of line (and, by the way, a complete turn-off to most reasonable people).  Alas, there is almost always one of these people at any networking event (and sometimes they like to travel in pairs), so one must learn to tolerate them.  But, I can guarantee that along with telemarketers and door-to-door salesmen, I will never do business with this type of person.  I don’t care if they’re selling golden eggs . . . no thank you.  You have just indicated that you don’t care anything about anyone and are just trying to make a sale.

So, this time, I’ve just been pushed over the edge and felt the need to share just a few of “Kristen’s Rules of Networking.”

1. Do NOT try to target the entire room, they are not ALL your target market (even if you’ve been told “everybody has skin” or “everybody uses the phone” or any other version of “everybody needs what you’re selling”).
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2. DO remember that these are PEOPLE you are dealing with (not just your next sale).
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3. DO have actual conversations with those around you (and please talk about more than just your product or service – take a minute to find out who you’re talking to and then look for ways you can help them).
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4. DO hand your business card to those with whom you’ve actually made a real connection (and, of course, get theirs as well).
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5. DO NOT (under any circumstances) add anyone to your mailing list (both postal and e-mail) who has not asked to be included.  First, if sending via e-mail, it’s considered SPAM – and therefore illegal.  And, second, you will gain a reputation as a regular annoyance they have to deal with.

Okay, I’m climbing off my soapbox now.  I hope these tips will help you the next time you are out and about, moving and shaking, and growing your business.  (Or, at the very least, I hope a few of my entrepreneurial friends will give me a hearty “amen.”)

This week is Administrative Professionals Week (because one day just wasn’t enough to show appreciation for all our admins do for us).  Today’s the big day, though.  So, if you have a secretary, an assistant, a receptionist, or anyone else who helps you out with all of those things you need to have done in order to do business, be sure to say thanks today (and maybe do something extra nice for him or her).

If you’re thinking “I WISH I had someone to thank and appreciate today!” here are a few virtual assistants and administrative managers that I happen to know.  Maybe they can help you make your business run more smoothly.

Julie A. Henfield, Virtual Assistant (JAH-VA)
http://www.julieahenfieldva.net

Gwen Little (Simple Favors)
http://www.simplefavors.net

DeAndra Hutson (An Administrative Touch)
http://www.anadministrativetouch.com

Petal Pennycooke (Executive Right Hand)
http://www.executiverighthand.com

I’m sitting at Strongbox West (a co-working space in Atlanta) and I’m really excited about an event that took place here tonight.  Erik Wolf and Stephanie Frost of Zero-G Creative held a book signing and presentation featuring their newly released “Marketing: Unmasked – insider’s tips + tricks for success in small business marketing.”

First, I have to give them props for the great presentation.  One of my biggest pet-peeves when I attend presentation-oriented events is the evidence of the heaps of bad (really bad) presentation materials in the world.  These two get an A+ from me.  Not only did they have great slide design (just enough text + engaging graphics), but I also happened to agree with every bit of marketing advice they shared.  (I’m pretty sure that means they’re geniuses.)

A couple of dozen entrepreneurs listened as Erik and Stephanie shared valuable marketing tips in a clear and concise way.  After a short Q & A session, I got my copy of the book signed, and the authors mixed and mingled with their adoring fans.

I can’t wait to get started reading the book!