2. Next, consider all businesses women might patronize, such as women's shoe stores, women's clothing stores, jewelry stores, supermarkets, mall stores, cosmetic stores, etc. Your goal is to consider businesses that are complementary to your own services, yet, are not in competition in any way.

3. Now, contact store managers and/or owners, informing them that you are a fellow local business owner, and request to know if they will consider handing out your CD of information to their customers and/or clients who have computers and, hopefully, have Internet service. You might even request to enter a barter agreement with these businesses, whereby, you distribute their sales information as well.

While all contacts you make might not be receptive to this idea, undeniably, you will acquire more than a few who will be interested, if for no other reason than opportunities to offer their customers a little something extra and/or to get their own business information into hands of new prospects (your customers) as well.

4. Also, be sure to not only consider distributing your CDs hand-to-hand on your own, always having them available on your person ready to hand out, but also having them available at your salon to give to your existing and new customers.

5. Another avenue, is to consider doing a local or regional mail-out campaign. You could simply contact prospects via telephone and attempt to qualify them by simply asking if they own a computer and, if so, that you would like to send them a CD of info regarding your hair salon and its services.

6. If your budget allows, yet, another method is to contact an area print publication that specifically targets women and request if you can pay to have your CD attached to one of their issues, or included as an insert.

7. To backtrack for a moment, be sure that your web site contains a form readily viewable on it so that when prospects with online service access your site, your form can readily capture their email address, as well as their mailing address.

In upcoming Part 2 of this article, we will discuss further, why this information is so vital, as well as list several other industry examples whereby this particular promotional aspect is feasible.

Copyright © 2002 Kenny Love Enterprises All Rights Reserved

The two most effective ways I have found to land speaking engagements are through networking and web. My clients who do most networking have jam-packed speaking schedules that others dream of. Attend local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and Lions Club meetings. After you attend a few of these meetings, present your one-sheet to meeting coordinator. There are many opportunities right in your 'own backyard'. These organizations will usually not pay any big speaking fees…usually these engagements do not pay at all. One of most important things I have learned is not to be greedy, especially if you are just starting out. More than likely reason you wanted to get out and speak in first place was to inspire, not profit. If you do keep that important fact in mind, paid engagements will follow. The internet is a vast and infinite source of leads. It's as easy as doing a search on your target audience and contacting organizations you feel could benefit from your expertise. There are also websites that contain complete listings of conferences throughout world on any and every subject. Spend some time doing research and make calls.

Most importantly, promote yourself. Public Relations Master Strategist, Jill Lublin (www.promisingpromotion.com), says it perfectly "it's not who you know, it's who knows you". Jill's advice for an upcoming speaker is "to create ooh-aah syndrome. You have to find ways to express who you are with an expertise and unusual way to say who you are. The point is to get your name in as many places as possible…people listings in your local business journal, articles written by and about you, your college alumni, your local chamber of commerce…the possibilities are endless."

In conclusion, author of Top 10 Traits of Silicon Valley Dynamos, Joan Clout-Kruse (www.cloutpower.com), states, "You can read all good books in world on public speaking, and I have. You can attend workshops by all great leaders in speaking field, and I have. Yet, everything you learned means nothing until you actually get out there and do it. That is real learning experience." We learn most by doing, by just getting out there and taking chance. So if you feel you have something to say that will contribute to lives of others, just get out there and share your message with world.

Jennifer Geronimo is a Speaker Coordinator / Public Relations Contractor located in Northern California. Her clients include musicians, authors, and motivational speakers throughout the United States. She works with clients she feels inspire others, which is why she has named her business, Life Enlightenment. You can contact Jennifer at (415) 444-0401 or by email: jennifergeronimo@go.com.