Seeing Needs

This is my last blog on here; however, you can read this blog at agentspayingforward.blogspot.com

Be well,

Erick

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For those of us who grew up with cartoons like G.I Joe and Duck Tales, we forever have mantras such as “And knowing is half the battle!” and “Work smarter, not harderer!” stuck in our heads. By now, many of you know that I am the guy who runs SEOBridges.com, and I have connected with many of you via Facebook or Twitter. A week after I launched my site, I am on the top of Google’s list, but I need to keep gaining knowledge in order to stay there.

Right now, I am gathering addresses of potential clients here in the San Diego area.After I gather all 560 or so of those address, I will research several of those companies. It doesn’t make sense to research an entire population, when a sample will do the job.Then, I will provide services to meet the needs of those companies. After that, I will send out letters of introduction to those companies. Yes, actual letters.

It’s important to slow down and take the time to development relationships with people. I have come to understand that people care what you know, as well as who you know, but they also care that you know their needs.

When I get ready to send out those letters of introduction, I will take the time, as best I can, to find out those companies’ needs. Running a business is about developing relationships, seeing needs, and letting your clients know you care about their well being.

Until next week,

Erick

What's in a name?

About a month ago, I came to the painful conclusion that I was fighting an uphill battle by offering to write SEO content, yet offering it on erickpettersen.com. I chose to name my site erickpettersen.com for two reasons. The first was that I consider myself a man of many talents and the other was that I wanted to get my name out there before I got my product out there. Now, that I have chosen which of my many talents I feel is the most financially lucrative, as well as I feel I have gotten my name out there, it is time for me to start marketing the service I offer.

So, yesterday I launch my new site (http://www.seobridges.com), which features a slightly new design and different services than before. I chose this name because for the last few months the saying, “Building social bridges one word at a time” has appeared on almost every page of my site. So, when I checked Godaddy and saw that that name was available, I snatched it up. Then, for the next month, which has been for about the last month, I redesigned my site.

After a month of hard work, the work is not yet over. The work is never over. For anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit, we know that the work is never over. Yet, for us, it’s almost like the ultimate chess game of the mind.

When I lived in Boston I adopted the motto, “the approach is everything,” and that attitude landed me a pretty decent job in the hospitality industry. When I started looking for a job, I had little money, but I knew if I didn’t look the part no one would take me seriously. And if nothing else, I knew I wouldn’t take me seriously. So, I shelled out some big bucks for a new suit and a nice pair of shoes. I think I wore them three or four times, but that fourth time was the golden ticket.

During my tenure with that company, which required me to act ac liaison between our clients and other businesses, a client asked me why I chose to use a certain business over others. (I can’t tell you much because they might be listening; though, the company was Circles, for those of you who might know of them). Anyhow, I told my client that I chose that business for two reasons: when I looked at their website, it was very professionally done; and when I called and told them of the reason for my call, they were very polite and answered all of my questions. In their case, the approach was everything. The next day, my client called me back, after I had put her in contact with the business and she said she was very pleased that I had chosen them.

So, I am not wearing a suit. I haven’t worn a suit for more than 6 months. I dress nice when I go out, but a suite would be overkill. The approach is everything. Now that I’ve gotten my name out there, it’s time to start getting my business out there. Erickpettersen.com was my way of introducing myself to the San Diego community. Now that I feel I have done that, it’s time for the service I offer to take the lead. In that sense, introducing myself, and now introducing my services is the approach.

Check out my services. I offer various packages and specials, especially for non-profits organizations; and you can hire me on Agentspayingforward.com. In the future, I hope to offer my services as Green SEO content, but first I need to focus on what’s right in front of me.
Keep connecting,

Qualities of Leadership

This last weekend, a national audience viewed a great example of how not to connect.  At the end one of the greatest upsets in sports history, the leader of that team left the game without shaking the hands of the players on the other team.  The day after that event, that player faced accusations of his unsportsmanlike like conduct, excused his behavior rather than accepting responsibility.  In the same way that a player or coach walking off of a court without shaking the hands of their opponents shows something about their character, any business person who does not conduct him/herself in a team like manner reveals something about their character.

I played high school baseball, and my coach told us that we practice like we play.   Everyday we dressed in full uniform and practiced like we played.  Over a three year period (I transferred my sr. yr.) we went 29-1 during the regular seasons.  I believe ‘presentation is everything,’ and I surround myself with people who also follow that principle.

It is important that you practice like you play; though, it’s just important that you surround yourself with others who also practice like they play.  First, always dress in full uniform.  Everyday, I wake at 5, take a shower, get dressed, grab a cup of coffee, and read.  Everyday, I make sure I’m working in a clean room with a made bed.  I work at home, and my clients don’t care what I or my room looks like.  They only care that I get the job done.  The environment we create for ourselves begins at home.

Whether you are self-employed, an employer, or a co-worker, the people on your team are part of your environment just as much as your daily routine.  The clients you attract is evidenced by the team you create, and the team you create is evidenced by how you conduct yourself in all situations.   

Since that sports upset this past weekend, Sports analyst have begun to question the future of that one player and that team.  I suspect that like other teams that have experienced major upsets, how that one player conducts himself in the months and years to come will determine the future of that organization.  In the same way, if you are a leader of any type of organization,  how you conduct yourself in all circumstances will determine the future of your organization.

 

Until next week, Keep connecting.  And come join the growing list of people on People Connect and AgentsPayingForward.

 

Erick