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Public Speaking: A Competitive Advantage You Can Attain

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Communication is essential to professional success and the quality of your communication skills can directly impact the trajectory of your career, whether you occupy a high or humble station on your employer’s organizational chart, or you own and lead a business entity, large or small. Regardless of your status or stature, well-honed communication skills can bring significant benefits to your professional fortunes, whether you’re attempting to network your way into a new employment opportunity, pitching potential investors needed to launch a start-up venture, trying to attract capital to fund the expansion of an existing venture, or searching for future clients. All communication formats, from personal conversations to videoconference meetings, telephone calls to email correspondence and even online social media chats, can help to polish your communication ability and contribute to your advancement in the professional sphere.

There is another communication format that delivers significant benefits and you should not ignore it—public speaking. If you aim to raise your profile in your business community, position yourself as an expert and thought leader and expand your professional network, recognize that public speaking will not only contribute substantively to your business agenda, but also showcase you as a leader. Public speaking enhances professional credibility and trust as it increases business growth potential. Public speaking is a competitive advantage that you can attain.

Step up to the podium

Public speaking is a valuable soft skill that you can make one of our strengths. In the public imagination, public speaking is associated with standing on a big stage and facing an audience of hundreds—a sometimes frightening prospect for many of us. However, public speaking is more often the domain of mere mortals—classroom teachers, speakers or moderators on panels, podcast guests and featured speakers at conferences and other events—and those who introduce those speakers. You can build your public speaking proficiency by taking on any of those public speaking roles.

Strong communication skills build networks and reputations that attract prospective clients, potential business investors or partners and may bring other business opportunities to your door as well. The key to public speaking is to clearly and confidently communicate your vision, value and unique offer to people who matter and whose support and cooperation you need— your team, investors, clients, or community. Developing your public speaking chops can be a game changer. While many skills matter in business, this one may be the most influential.

Public speaking skills suggest leadership ability

Engaging public speakers are perceived as more competent, likable and persuasive by their audiences; exceptional verbal communicators are likely to be perceived as experts and an authority in their field. According to a 2017 study published by the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, public speaking skills are associated with leadership ability, credibility and influence in professional settings.

Once you’ve demonstrated the ability, and the courage, to stand in front of a group of people and clearly and convincingly present relevant information, that is, tell your story, your plan and your track record, with confidence and passion, you will likely gain the respect and trust of audience members. That respect and trust will establish you as an authority and has the power to persuade many of your audience members to follow your call to action and hire, buy, invest, partner, or support you or your concept. Even now in the age of virtual meetings, to mount the stage and communicate your ideas, thoughts and unique offer in a relatable manner will set you apart from others.

When you speak engagingly and confidently, you naturally attract people. You become memorable and people want to connect with you. A reliable and supportive business network isn’t built by handing out business cards — it’s built by making connections and bringing value. When you speak at conferences or other meetings, the value you deliver to audience members is amplified and you are able to create connections at scale. Each public speaking venture results in a growing network of people who trust you and want to work with you.

Know Your Audience

Enable yourself to deliver clear, valuable and relatable information by ensuring that you are apprised of the audience’s understanding of your topic and what it means to them. For example, avoid using niche acronyms that are acceptable when speaking to those who are highly engaged or have deep knowledge of the subject, but are largely not in the lexicon of those who are interested observers, but not experts. Understanding the perspective of whom you’re speaking to helps you communicate your talking points more effectively.

Furthermore, be mindful that your body language and other forms of non-verbal communication can say more than words. Pay attention to your posture, facial expressions and tone of voice. Refrain from frowning, maintain a pleasant facial expression that communicates your engagement with the topic and the audience and keep good eye contact by looking at audience members seated in different parts of the room. Let your posture communicate your confidence by straightening your spine, relaxing your shoulders and standing with your feet at about hip distance apart, to take on the so-called power stance that radiates both authority and comfort, without appearing aggressive.

Prepare for your speech

Some of you are “natural” public speakers, but most need lots of practice to attain the confidence that makes one effective. Here are some tips to improve your public speaking skills:

  • Be confident – Confidence makes you appear more credible and likable.
  • Be authentic – Speak naturally, don’t over-rehearse or memorize and let the real you be present.
  • Use voice modulation – Vary your tone and pace to stay engaging.
  • Keep it short and digestible – Attention spans drop after 20 minutes.
  • Tell stories – Storytelling creates an emotional connection and makes messages memorable.
  • Use repetition – Reinforce key ideas by repeating them clearly—tell your audience what you’ll say. Tell them what you have to say. Conclude by summing up what you told them.
  • Practice with intention – Rehearse like you’re live to build confidence and flow but do not try to memorize.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: © freepik.com. University of Maryland Global Campus

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Six Strategies to Side-Step A Summer Slump!

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The long days and warm breezes of summer are here at last! Your projects are completed and clients could be heading out of town, en route to vacation. Maybe a client or two will green light new work just after Labor Day? You also may have a vacation scheduled—but what else will you do this summer? While it may be tempting to succumb to a summer siesta, July and August don’t have to result in lost business momentum. You may decide to work fewer hours, but you can still be productive.

This summer, you can choose to be creatively resourceful and move your business forward in key areas, even while many clients and prospects are otherwise engaged. In fact, because many clients and promising prospects who remain on your radar screen may be more available during July and August (when they’re not vacationing), it may be feasible to schedule some client face time. Positive business relationships are a competitive advantage, able to magnify feelings of trust and credibility that can make a difference when you’re on a short list for being hired.

The summer slowdown is also an excellent time to conduct strategic planning. Unless this time of year is a busy one for your organization, you may find the summer months to be conducive to examining your business operations, financial picture, marketing ROI, workflow efficiency and other areas that will get your company organized and operating efficiently. Once Labor Day rolls around, you’ll be happy that you gave yourself a jump start as the busier fall and winter seasons approach. The six strategies suggested below are meant to inspire you to take decisive action during this season and prepare your business to flourish and grow like a garden in summer.

1. Launch a Gratitude Campaign

While technology has enabled us to communicate and connect from any location that supports internet access, virtual and other online conversations cannot replace the power of face2face relationship building. To that end, consider scheduling meet-ups during July and August. The summer months are usually an ideal time to catch up and sit down with your professional contacts in your locale who’ve been especially impactful—clients, colleagues, prospects who were almost clients, your business support team—bookkeeper, accountant, business attorney, internet security expert and website host—plus the referral sources who have been your cheerleaders. Whether you meet over a “power” breakfast buffet, an al fresco lunch, or after-work drinks at a roof top bar, showing those who’ve advanced your success how much you appreciate their support by inviting them to be your guest will display your gratitude.

2. Host an event

Why not celebrate summer by hosting a networking event? Everyone loves a good party and an invitation to a summertime get-together has the potential to make those on your guest list anticipate a good time and happy to RSVP. A weeknight networking meet-and-greet event could be a wonderful way to nurture important relationships and get to know a few people better as well. A prime source for your guest list could be locally based LinkedIn or other social media business connections. You might also invite other colleagues with whom you’ve become friendly, including those you’ve gotten to know at business association events you attend, whether or not you are a dues-paying member. Schedule your reception to begin at 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM and run for two hours. Order three or four light hors d’oeuvres and consider offering guests a gratis glass of sangria (maybe with a limit of one drink per person) until it’s gone—after that, it’s a cash bar for all and the conversation is sure to flow.

3. Offer summer promotions

Summer sales and special offers are common in certain industries and may work well in yours. The goal of your promotion will be to pique the curiosity of clients and prospects and tempt them to do business now, in order to save money. For example, you might offer a promotion where clients can refer someone to you and receive 15%-20% off their next service or product purchase. Depending on your business and behavior of your clients, a summer promotion may or not may not be lucrative in the short-term but may instead persuade a lapsed client to reconsider your services and products or convince a previously reluctant prospect to finally do business with you. If the outcome of your summer promotion succeeds in generating revenue from either current, lapsed, or new clients, you would be wise to tweak the promotion and repeat the campaign during the December holidays or New Year.

4. Assess and refresh the customer experience

So much of client retention is connected to their perception of the experience of doing business with your organization. Life (and business) is about managing expectations—and you can obtain first person insights on how clients feel about the experience you deliver by sending out a four or five question survey. It’s good business to invite clients to express what they appreciate and would like to see more of and as well, let you know what is no longer useful.

Give your survey good visibility—send it with monthly invoices, post it on your website and social media home pages and distribute it by SMS (and simultaneously test client reactions to that format, if you haven’t previously communicated with clients in that fashion!). Be sure to include a response deadline on the survey to encourage quick replies and give yourself enough data to analyze answers and decide what, if any, changes to incorporate.

Your survey can also be a pathway to collecting and amplifying user-generated content, a resource that can be an excellent strategy for gaining brand exposure and showcasing original content. Using the business’s location geotag or a unique but simple hashtag can incentivize customers to share their experiences, delivering authentic social proof and organically expanding the reach of marketing activities.

5. Optimize business operations

How much more revenue might your entity generate or how much more time would you have—for self-care, family time, social activities, or working on the business—if you outsourced one or more operational functions? You may already have a retainer arrangement with a network manager to keep digital operations up and running and providing cybersecurity, but who else might you hire? What would describe the job specs and how many hours per week seem necessary? Also, how much can you afford to pay? Or maybe it would be better to explore tech or artificial intelligence solutions to automate certain functions, whether client invoicing, email marketing, or chat bot responses to prospect inquiries? A worthy goal for any hiring that you do is to promote optimal customer service while minimizing administrative overhead.

6. Get an SBA/SCORE business coach

Rather than attempting to figure out important business decisions by yourself, why not contact the Small Business Association and ask to be put in touch with one of their experts who can help you to address the issues referenced in item #5? Founded in July 1953, the SBA has provided high-quality and comprehensive business development guidance at either no charge or for a modest fee. SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, was founded in 1964 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors and a resource partner of the SBA. The mission of SCORE is to support SMBs, including Freelance professionals, with mentoring and educational workshops.

More than 13,000 active and retired business professionals, all of whom have entrepreneurship or senior-level corporate experience, volunteer their time and contribute their expertise to regularly meet with their SCORE clients to mentor and coach aspiring and established SMB owners. Mentors work with their clients to address issues and communicate best practices related to starting and growing a business, including writing a business plan, developing products, devising marketing strategies, financial management and business financing options, operations and hiring staff. Clients may connect with a SCORE mentor either virtually or face2face. Furthermore, SCORE presents a wide range of services including training, webinars, online workshops, courses on demand, and a library of online resources.

The SBA also supports female entrepreneurs at its Women’s Business Centers and focuses on veterans of both genders at its Veteran’s Business Development Offices, which operate in all 50 states. Members of Native American tribal communities, along with Native Hawaiians and Native Alaskans, may choose to work with the Office of Native American Affairs, which is also an SBA-sponsored program. Outside of the SBA, Native American current or aspiring business owners and Freelance professionals might also investigate The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development in Mesa, AZ and/or the Native American Development Corporation of Billings, MT.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: ©skynesher/Getty Images

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Remember My Name

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Face2Face networking has undeniably made its post-pandemic comeback, bringing with it the persuasive energy of body language—sparkling eyes, friendly smiles and warm handshakes—that paves the way to successful networking. The goal of networking is to meet people and build relationships and for that reason it is important to all working professionals, from Freelance photographers to physicians, ballet dancers to bond traders. Meeting professional peers, in particular potential clients or employers, is integral to your professional life and that is especially true for business owners and the independently employed.

When you think of networking organized events may come to mind, such as those hosted by neighborhood business association, chambers of commerce and professional associations but in reality, networking can successfully take place in any environment, from the golf course to a dinner party hosted by a friend. While networking can happen in either business or casual environments, the process requires good manners and a good attitude and you want to get the basics right. One networking basic you’d be wise to get right is remembering the name of the person you’ve just met.

Or maybe the two of you met six months ago but one thing is certain—if you want to make a good impression, remembering that person’s name is one of the best ways to do it. However, many of us are not good at remembering names.

“What’s in a name?” asks Juliet Capulet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Plenty. When someone remembers your name, it communicates the value that person has assigned to you and is, as you know, a great compliment. Keith Ferrazzi, author of the New York Times bestseller Never Lead Alone (2024) and founder and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, a research and consulting firm based in Los Angeles, who also presents a course on networking and relationship-building, advises that most of all, you should decide to care about remembering names, “If you make a conscious decision that you are going to remember names,” he explains, “it’s because you care about the people you meet and you will immediately become much better at doing it!” Here’s how you can reinforce your memory for names and give a good start to establishing relationships that are the purpose of your networking activities:

1. Listen and repeat
When meeting someone for the first time, pay close attention. Your goal is to create conditions that help you remember the name of the person you’ve had the good fortune to meet. Make the most of this networking opportunity by turning on your listening skills and focusing your attention as the introduction takes place. Look your new acquaintance in the eyes and smile, to acknowledge his/her presence. Your first opportunity to say his/her name is when you reply to the introduction, “I’m happy to meet you, (name).” This action is an important step toward reinforcing the name in your memory as you greet the new acquaintance.

Now that networking has begun, shut down competing claims on your attention, such as the sudden awareness that the prospect you’ve been chasing for six months is at the buffet table. Instead, start a line of small talk about the event; you might ask what motivated your new acquaintance to attend and if s/he has attended the event previously? During the pleasantries, as you learn something of his/her professional background, listen for socially appropriate opportunities to repeat the name. You might even invite him/her along to the buffet table as you chat. Who knows, your new acquaintance may be a colleague of the prospect you’d like to connect with and being in the company of this individual will work in your favor. That is the essence of networking, is it not?

2. Associate and anchor
Create if you’re able, an association for the name of your new acquaintance. As the two of you talk, you may discover common acquaintances or business or social affiliations and these commonalities can be used to help you remember his/her name. Charan Rangathan, a neuroscience professor at the University of California at Davis and author of the New York Times bestseller Why We Remember (2024), advises us to “… be intentional about remembering what matters.” Being intentional means taking active steps to remember what is noteworthy and relevant and allowing yourself to forget or ignore what is unimportant. 

Rangathan emphasizes that the secret to intentionally remembering a name is to make an association between the name and the face. “When you tell me that you find it hard to remember a person’s name, what you’re really saying is you can’t remember the association between the name and the face,” he says. In other words, you can recall a name, and you can recall a face, but you must make an effort to link the two. Simply repeating a person’s name isn’t enough–-the link between name and face is what matters.

Furthermore, Ranganath notes that, “…the more background information you have about a person, the name becomes easier to attach to the face.” So, as noted above, segue into a conversation and move toward organically building a relationship with your new acquaintance. Practice his/her name by using it once or twice more in the conversation as you get to know each other.

3. Admit when you forget
If a name slips your mind, don’t panic—just acknowledge the lapse graciously by asking, “I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name; would you remind me, please?” No one will think less of you for doing so; in fact, it’s safe to assume that most will appreciate your desire to remember their name and begin establishing a relationship by reconfirming the first step—remembering that person’s name.

4. Name tag strategies

The humble and utilitarian name tag is a valuable tool for networking and making connections. The name tag is an icebreaker and facilitates introductions, which is the first step of relationship-building. Name tags announce your name, business or company name and your title, information that makes you relatable and invites others to get to know you. Second, name tags ensure that you’ll remember the names of those you meet, especially those you’d like to follow up with. Name tags can also serve a third purpose—if you’re able to arrive soon after the event door opens, once you’ve claimed your own name tag you can often survey name tags that are on the registration table, waiting to be claimed. You may be delighted to see the name of someone you’d like to meet or with whom you’d like to reconnect—and that person will arrive soon!

Name tags can get the ball rolling on introductions that might lead to building good relationships, but did you know that there is a correct way to wear one? This may not be at top of mind, but you’ve probably met a few people who wore theirs incorrectly and you might agree that it makes for an awkward situation. After all, the purpose of a name tag is to identify registered meeting attendees and allow fellow participants to see (and remember) one another’s names. Below are practical hints that guide name tag etiquette and make the meet & greet easier at your next networking event.

  • Wear the name tag on your right side, two or three inches below your collarbone, which positions it to be easily seen while shaking hands, when your right side will move forward and bring the name tag into view. Right side name tag placement makes it easy for those you meet to read your name tag without having to ask your name or strain their neck to read it. Name tags worn on the left side can make it difficult for others to see your name during the handshake.
  • Keep your name tag (or lanyard) visible at all times and wear it throughout the event, so that your name (plus company name and title) will be visible and perhaps spark an introduction and conversation. Take care not to allow your name tag or lanyard to become trapped beneath clothing or accessories; make sure that your jacket, sweater, necktie, scarf, or other items do not obscure your valuable networking resource.
  • When name tags or lanyards are not pre-printed and attendees must write-in their name, use lettering that’s large enough to be easily readable from a distance. If your writing is too small, people will have to squint or get uncomfortably close to read your name. Remember that your name tag is a personal identification tool that has the potential to play a role in building your business or career by facilitating introductions and promoting the development of relationships.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: ©Zoonar (2013)

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2025 Can’t Miss Conferences for Freelancers

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The year 2025 has arrived and so, officially, Happy New Year! Shall we get down to business and press the start button on making this a very good year? Because the purpose of this diary is to pass along information intended to help you achieve your definition of a successful Freelance professional, I decided that professional development is the right topic to kick-off this years’ posts.

Professional development brings tangible benefits to every vocation, 1099NEC and W-2, and enables workers to acquire and incorporate new and relevant information and techniques. For example, you may be introduced to workflow methods that teach you how to work smarter— more efficiently and more productively by streamlining and simplifying processes that save time. In other cases, what you learn in a professional development conference may expand your business know-how and enhance your decision-making capabilities.

For those reasons and others, I’ve encouraged readers to consider attending conferences or other professional development programs. Continuing education, whether you find it in local professional or business association meetings, or regional and national conferences, are almost guaranteed to deliver useful benefits that can open your eyes and show you how to become a more productive, confident and successful Freelance professional.

Furthermore, along with the educational components as described in the conference agenda, the inevitable coffee-and-lunch break networking opportunities will allow you to meet fellow attendees, which at the very least can be an enjoyable experience. You might even meet someone, or reconnect with someone, who introduces you to a prospective client—or maybe you’ll make the introduction for someone (because generosity is good karma)?

In any case, many of you work from home, but still appreciate, and occasionally crave, face2face interactions, in particular those involve conversations that explore learning how to become more successful. Networking brings new colleagues and old friends into your life and may reward you with the discovery of a new and potentially lucrative and exciting opportunity, all as you receive a few pearls of wisdom from thought leaders in your industry.

My goal here is to give you some credible options, and also reasonable notice, of upcoming conferences where you’ll be sure to find useful professional development and worthwhile face2face networking opportunities. The search led to my discovery of Wisestamp, a company that creates business email signatures. I liked their list of seven 2025 national conferences that their team recommended and decided to share it with you. The Wisestamp team also developed a list of thoughtfully chosen questions you may want to ask yourself as you consider which conferences will best fulfill your agenda and fit your budget. See below.

Why attending a conference matters.

Attending conferences and other business-focused meetings can be very helpful to Freelance professionals, small business owners, or start-up entrepreneurs. You can expect to experience numerous tangible and intangible benefits, including:


1. Updates and implications of developing trends in your profession or industry.
2. Acquire new skills, upgrade existing skills.
3. Build your professional network.
4. Get energy, inspiration and pick up creative ideas while interacting with fellow attendees.

How to choose the best conference for you.

Consider these practical guidelines when evaluating which conference might best address your professional development goals:

  1. Support professional development goals. Every conference has a unique mix of topics and agenda focus (and sometimes, also a point of view to advance). As you might guess, the featured topic impacts who will be in the audience. That said if, for example, market research is the skill you’d like to improve, find a conference or other meeting that will cover the subject you’d like to learn.
  2. Check out reviews from prior year’s proceedings. Research conferences you may want to attend. To learn how they’ve impacted their audiences in the past, read reviews from participants and verify if what you’re considering is worth your time and money.
  3. Find out who attends. If you are attending a conference to further develop and hone your skills, make sure the speakers are well-respected in your industry. Also, since networking is key, contacting a conference organizer to inquire about attendee demographics will be worth your while.
  4. Budget for the right conferences. If your New Year’s resolution for this year is to curtail business expenses, you may still be able to attend a conference or other program that is meaningful to you. Plan spending to the best of your ability and every month, set money aside.

7 Great conferences in 2025

The Wisestamp team says their goal was to identify a sample of conferences scheduled for 2025 that can be expected to not only inspire and educate those who attend, but also provide an environment for developing meaningful connections and collaborations. With that in mind, the team evaluated the caliber of confirmed conference speakers, the quality of the information scheduled to be presented and the probable networking opportunities that should be available to those who attend. For more 2025 conference information, see WiseStamp.

1. B2B Marketing Exchange

  • Date: February 24 – 26, 2025
  • Location: Hyatt Regency, Scottsdale, Arizona
  • Price: $1,595 – $7,995

This conference is recommended for those who want a deep dive into the various marketing subtopics. Expect a great lineup of workshops and case studies. With 100+ speakers and 70 sessions spanning six tracks. The conference also includes an award-winning ceremony,“The Killer Content Awards” (AKA, The Finnys) for outstanding B2B marketers and campaigns. Previous speakers have included leaders from Google, Siemens, DemandGen, 3M and Oracle. #B2BMX Great for B2B marketers, CMOs, B2B Freelance writers and B2B strategists.

2. SXSW Tech

  • Date: March 7 – 15, 2025
  • Location: Austin, TX
  • Price: $795 – $1,895

The South by Southwest Conference & Festivals celebrates the convergence of the interactive, film and music industries. The main focus of the show is based on innovations and startups, including the size of 72,000 (including the music and art content). SXSW Interactive content is the most relevant to entrepreneurs and SMB owners.

3.  Startup Grind

  • Date: April 29 – 30, 2025
  • Price: $199 – $599
  • Location: Silicon Valley, CA

Startup Grind is an extraordinary event where 7,000 founders and investors, along with 200+ speakers, come together to participate in 100 sessions, workshops and investor Q&A sessions. This event will also feature 300+ exhibiting startups, setting a record for the decade.

Startup Grind is a unique combination of great content and remarkable people, all set in an incredible environment. The event introduces custom-built networking technologies, enhancing the experience for every attendee. Topped off with an unrivaled feeling of intimacy, the event is designed to ensure not only amazing business opportunities but also an awesome time for all participants.

The main focus of this event is on start-ups and SMB, making it the perfect venue for emerging entrepreneurs and seasoned investors alike. It’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights and learn about the latest trends and practices in the startup world. With its emphasis on quality content and networking, this event promises to be an invaluable experience for anyone involved in the start-up ecosystem.

4. Social Media Week New York

  • Date: May 12 –14, 2025
  • Location: New York, NY
  • Price: $299 – $1,119+

Social Media Week New York is one of the world’s premier conferences regarding social media. The main topic of focus is social marketing, media and technology communications. The size is roughly 3000 people and 60% of attendees are aged 25-35. Special note: attendees under the age of 25 can enjoy a significant ticket discount.

 5. MozCon 

  • Date: TBA, June 3-4, 2025
  • Location: Seattle, Washington
  • Price: $999+

MozCon is a three-day conference that has only one track. If you’re seeking a conference that doesn’t require a ton of decisions making this one is for you. Here you’ll have many opportunities to gain actionable takeaways from sessions that dive into SEO, analytics, content marketing, social media and customer experience. The speakers range from in-house Mozzers to marketing industry leaders. The conference is a good fit for SEOs, content marketers, agency employees with a specialization in content, analytics specialists and marketing consultants.

6. WBENC

  • Date: June 23 – 26, 2025
  • Location: Denver, CO
  • Price: $2,000+

The 2025 WBENC National Conference is the world’s largest conference for women-owned businesses. Thousands gather to network and do business, all united by a shared drive to uplift women-owned businesses. This is where connections become collaborations, insights turn into innovations and big dreams meet limitless possibilities.

7. World Business Forum (WOBI)

  • Date: November 11 – 12, 2025
  • Location: Sydney, Australia
  • Price: $1,890 – $3,290+

Organized by WOBI each year in a different city across America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The World’s Business Forum is a two-day event that brings together thousands of restless minds who share the same passion for business. A blend of content delivered by CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, thought leaders, and creative minds. 1000+ people will attend.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: © Forbes.com (2019)

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Your Business Needs Referrals

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Whether your business is B2B or B2C, getting referrals is hands-down the best way to bring in new customers. When someone you’ve done business with recommends your company to their colleagues, friends, or family, your chance of getting the project or sale is greatly improved. Referrals demonstrate trust—they’re a big vote of confidence and one of the the greatest compliments your company can receive.

Most businesses receive referrals at least occasionally and for some, nearly all customers are referred, but the importance of referrals should not be underestimated. Savvy Freelancers and business owners are proactive and develop strategies to encourage a steady intake of referrals. The objective is to identify and motivate high-quality referrers and persuade them to recommend your products or services to those in their network who are in search of a solution your company provides.

Leverage your network

Keep in mind, BTW, that a degree of finesse is necessary when looking to stimulate referrals; you must be sensitive to the fact that referrals are earned and not an entitlement. That said, Freelancers and business owners who’ve been operating for maybe just a year or two will probably not be seen as pushy when reaching out to friends, family, or even former co-workers to let them know that referrals of prospective customers would be appreciated.

Those in your network surely know business owners, decision-makers and other professionals; some will be happy to make introductions that allow you to expand your network and, if possible, will also make a referral for you. Make it easy for those who know you best and are motivated to help you succeed by sharing basic facts about your business:

  • Explain what you do using terms they will understand
  • Create a professional looking website and LinkedIn profile
  • Concisely and clearly describe projects you’re qualified for and interested in
  • Give examples of the industries you typically work with, if that is a relevant factor (e.g., hospitality, defense industry, higher education, publishing) and the job titles of those who typically hire or interview you (e.g., CEO, Executive Director, Marketing Director, VP Human Resources)

Invite new relationships

Good referrals can also be made by people you’re not especially close with; meeting new colleagues at conferences and other professional settings can present opportunities to grow your network. When networking, do yourself (and everyone!) a favor and squelch the temptation to push your business card onto all you encounter as you “work the room.” Instead, show a genuine interest in those you meet, as demonstrated by asking questions and listening to those you chat with. Adopt a mind-set that includes generosity along with self-interest. Be willing to help others as you would like to be helped. Try these relationship-building tactics to expand your network and potentially generate referrals:

  • Invite certain of your LinkedIn connections to in-person or virtual coffee dates to learn more about them and discuss how the two of you might help each other’s business.
  • Explore local organizations related to your industry and/or the business community. Chambers of commerce are a good starting point. Attend business education programs, meet & greets, and/or virtual events and introduce yourself.
  • If you listen to podcasts or webinars, start building a relationship with the host(s) by commenting or asking questions. If you especially enjoyed the program, invite the host(s) into your LinkedIn network. If a program attendee or guest stands out to you, get his/her name and introduce yourself in a private chat and propose follow-up.

Social media promotes referrals

Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (Twitter) enable you to nurture relationships with both your new and long-lasting contacts and make it easy to occasionally say hello and also remind them that you’re on the lookout for referrals. Periodically revisit and update your social media profiles, to ensure that your online presence will inspire confidence when new connections check out your organization as they consider referring you to one of their contacts.

As noted above, pave the way for contacts to refer you by clarifying the work you do and the job titles of those with the authority to green light your projects. You might also provide samples of your work, when appropriate. Create profile-enhancing posts that have the potential to cultivate your standing as an expert and encourage referrals:

  • Share industry news and thought leadership articles to establish yourself as an authority in your space
  • Participate in discussions that relate to your work and industry
  • Add customer testimonials or recommendations to your sites (and offer to make recommendations for others in return)

Exceed expectations

Referrals are 100 percent dependent on your ability to fulfill (or exceed) the expectations of customers. Whether your business occupies the B2B or B2C sector, you must ensure that the buyer’s journey, the quality and delivery of the products or services purchased and all touchpoints please the customers. Taken together, these elements comprise the customer experience; the customer’s perception of that experience determines whether referrals on your behalf will be made.

It is in the interest of business owners and Freelance consultants to both provide an exceptional end-to-end customer experience and also cultivate good relationships with customers. At stake are the potential for repeat business and referrals—important sources of revenue. You have ample motivation to keep lapsed customers on your mailing list, to give business updates when appropriate and to send December holiday cards to customers you’ve worked with (maybe within the past five years).

Remind customers that you welcome referrals

Once you have customers who are happy with your services or products, they may be willing to become a referral source when opportunities arise. Because they have direct experience working with you, they can speak with authority about the quality of work you produce and customer experience that you provide. Do you have a customer who’s told you they’re thrilled with the outcomes of a recent project? That’s the perfect time to ask for a referral!

  • Ask customers to write a LinkedIn recommendation for you (and offer to return the favor).
  • Ask customers to give you a written or verbal testimonial or participate in a case study that will appear on your website. Offer to include their company logo and website link, as a way to increase awareness of their company brand and provide a quality backlink for their company website
  • Tell happy customers that you’re thrilled they’re pleased with your products or services. Let them know that you’re open to performing similar work and that you’d appreciate their referrals if they know of anyone with a need for the products or services you provide.

Make referrals for others

If you are aware of an upcoming project for which you are not a fit, or that current commitments prevent you from accepting, there may be someone in your network for whom that project would be ideal. That’s why forming relationships with other Freelancers and business owners and leaders is essential. When you refer a project or customer to a colleague, it reflects well on you—enhances your professional reputation and portrays you as a true professional. Furthermore, When you refer work to others, you’ll be at top of mind the next time a project comes along that you’d be a good fit for.

Avoid a mindset that’s based in scarcity, envy, or other negative feelings toward business colleagues, including direct competitors. It’s draining and does not insulate your entity from competition. Instead, be cordial and cooperative with business colleagues. Get to know what they specialize in and the types of customers they work with. Become the business owner who colleagues and contacts enjoy referring.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: ©Natee Meepian

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Recipe For A Winning 4th Quarter Finish

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Ready, set, win! In business and in life, it’s not where you start it’s where you finish. When the bell rings at the end of the game—the end of the year—with all your heart, you want to be a winner. Whatever you’ve experienced this year, whether you struggled to close deals or were touched by an angel, your performance in the fourth quarter is going to be impactful. I think it’s safe to say that you’re motivated to leave no stone unturned as you aim to close out 2023 with a victory.

The 4th quarter officially begins on October 1 and summer ends on September 22, but you’re about ready to kick-off your year-end sprint now that September has arrived. It’s time to go full speed ahead; optimizing your visibility to potential customers and referral sources can be the wind at your at your back. Start your campaign by identifying organizations and venues that sponsor programs that align with your brand and will bring you and your company to the attention of the right decision-makers. Your objective is to position yourself as an expert, thought leader and trustworthy professional who, BTW, can deliver solutions to a certain target market and make those who hire you look good. Here are a few strategies that when implemented will propel you out of the starting gate and toward the year-end finish line.

Elevator pitch

You’ll have two or three versions of varying lengths that correspond to the person you meet but in general your elevator pitch , which is an introduction to you, your company and your product or service, should be 20-40 seconds long. Your name and the company name, what you do, for whom you do it (i.e., your typical client) and the primary benefit (outcomes) delivered are what you want to communicate. Hone your pitch until you can define your venture in just a couple of punchy sentences.  An effective elevator pitch will grab the interest of the listener, showcase your mission and get people hooked on your vision, all in less than one minute.

Personal brand

It’s not unusual to confuse reputation with the personal brand, but the two are not interchangeable. Reputation is earned and acquired, influenced by how you behave and communicate. It is external and reflects how others see you.  

Your personal brand, on the other hand, is internal and intentional. It’s also aspirational and is based on how you’d like others to see you. It’s your preferred identity, your unique selling proposition and what sets you apart from competitors.

 Personal branding involves creating and communicating a compelling story about yourself, maintaining a professional demeanor and nurturing a reputation that positions you as trustworthy and dependable. Remember that your brand reflects your core values and purpose, it should resonate with your target audience and inspire their loyalty and respect.

Networking

Networking is the process of meeting and greeting, having conversations and getting to know colleagues and competitors so that you can exchange information, find common ground and develop professional or social contacts. Once in a while, you might be lucky enough to meet someone who becomes a real friend.

You’ll find opportunities to network wherever you meet people. The essence of successful networking isn’t about what someone can do for you; it’s about what you can do for them. Ideally, the experience of networking results in win-win outcomes. The best networking agenda is to create value, be a resource and forge genuine relationships, so that you and your network will support one another.

Social media

Whether your preferred platform is LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok, establishing a consistent presence on social media will be a key element in your strategy to maintain visibility in your professional sector. Keep your audience engaged with promotional content, industry insights, interesting company updates and behind-the-scenes peeks, leavened with a dash of your charismatic personality. Because your customers and prospects feel more comfortable doing business with those they feel they know, make your content relatable.

Content marketing

Content is king, but not just anything will do. The content that you produce—text, visual, audio—must give the information and tell the stories that your clients and prospects find meaningful. Your content must also be high-quality, engaging and impactful to tell a memorable story , communicate your expertise and nurture your community. As well, remember that content marketing sidesteps a hard sell.

The format is about providing valuable insights, stimulating conversation and showcasing your genius to the audience. Publishing a blog and/or newsletter that explores topics that interest your target audience, producing or taking a guest spot on webinars and/or podcasts that allow you to personally speak to subjects you explore in your blog and/or newsletter posts are standard B2B content that you’ll post on your website and social media sites or send to your email marketing list. Creating video clips that show you engaged in a local charity event, receiving an award that honors your volunteer work, or even a clip of you decorating your office for the holidays are among the visual content possibilities you might use to present a less formal and more relatable aspect of yourself.

Public speaking

Public speaking opportunities are plentiful these days; your task is to identify venues that deliver your target audience. Panels, webinars, workshops, podcasts, rotary clubs or the chamber of commerce provide great venues for speakers.

If the very idea of public speaking gives you butterflies in the belly, start small and build your speaking skills. Practice in front of a mirror, practice and record yourself on your smartphone. Joining a panel or being a guest on a webinar or podcast are good ways to gain experience and build your confidence, as you get exposure to an audience that might bring you a customer or a referral. Soon, you’ll be commanding the room and leading the conversation in your industry. Public speaking is an investment with dividends in credibility, authority and a wider audience reach.

Press releases and media spotlight

While self-promotion is vital, third-party validation is perceived as impartial and objective and for those reasons, articles that appear in the media have the most credibility. Earned media is the term; to approach media outlets and invite them to in some way include you and your company in a feature, you must make contact with journalists or editors with press releases.

Journalists traffic in stories that they feel will interest their readers (or viewers), so your objective to obtain earned media must be based on a story that the media outlet’s audience will value. Write a press release when you win a business award, when you’re scheduled to appear on a local (or national!) television program, or when you’ll participate in a visible way in a noteworthy charitable event in your community. The story you’d like to share must be enticing and relevant to the publication’s audience. If done consistently and with viable story angles, media features can provide immense visibility and position you as a thought leader in your field.

Guest posts, podcasts, webinars

Engaging with your audience in virtual real-time has become standard practice in the digital era. There are now hundreds of podcasts and webinars broadcast nearly every day. More than just a knowledge-sharing medium, webinars and live sessions nurture a sense of community and belonging. They facilitate connection between you and your audience, fostering a dialogue that’s both dynamic and personal. The topic of your podcast or webinar session and information shared must deliver value to the audience.

Expand your writing credits and your reach by guest posting on popular industry blogs. Be sure to return the favor and occasionally invite a guest blogger to write for you and gain new readers as you do. Guest posting gives you exposure to a broader audience and solidifies your position as an industry expert. Whether you are the host or a guest, podcasts are a fantastic platform for showcasing your insights, opinions and your unique perspectives.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: West Aurora, IL High School’s Victoria “Tori” Spagnola, left, wins the 300-meter hurdles race. Alexandra Johnson, right. (June 2021)

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Board Service Is A Win-Win

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Creating and recognizing networking opportunities is a subject often addressed in this column, as regular readers know. One networking method that’s been less frequently discussed is serving on a not-for-profit organization board of directors or committee. I’ve served on half dozen boards over the years and have found the experiences to be rewarding, especially in terms of professional development and filling my network with smart, fun and interesting people. If time allows, I recommend that you consider serving on a board. To confirm that your role will be a good fit, you might first volunteer to provide day-of help at a special event sponsored by an organization whose mission is meaningful to you. If the volunteer experiment goes well, then inquire about joining a committee before making a commitment to join the board.

Serving on a not-for-profit board of directors or committee can potentially bring long-lasting personal and professional benefits. It’s a decision that you’re unlikely to regret. The ability to help an organization realize its vision and mission is tremendously rewarding. Service as a not-for-profit board or committee member inevitably involve responsibilities that teach you how other organizations operate. Board and committee service or other pro bono work can also enable you to develop or reclaim competencies either within or outside of your primary skill set. Board members are sure to learn more about marketing, governance, finance, branding, recruiting and managing volunteers. In some instances, your board or committee may embark on a project on behalf of the organization that calls for members to meet or collaborate with local politicians or community leaders.

Prospective clients, especially those who adhere to the growing corporate social responsibility movement, will be pleased to see your record of board service and other pro bono activities when they review your curriculum vitae, bio, or social media profiles. You may discover that you can “do well by doing good.”

When seriously considering board or committee service, remember to ask questions that clarify what will be expected of you. For example, ask how often, when and where board meetings are held and whether there will be business to conduct between meetings. You’ll also want to confirm the length of your term.

Since fundraising is a standard part of not-for-profit organizations, board members are almost always expected to participate in fundraising in some fashion. That often starts with a financial contribution that may have a suggested minimum amount.

Be aware that not-for-profit boards sometimes look for additional members because there are problems in the organization. Other motivating factors may be a pending major fundraising campaign or big project that’s on the horizon. Make it a point to have a frank discussion with a board member whom you trust about any current or past problems within the organization or with other board members. You’ll also want to know if the organization is financially healthy and whether there are any pending lawsuits.

There are caveats—-walk in with your eyes open. The benefits of board service typically include:

1. Exercise team working skills: Offer to chair a committee and you’ll quickly position yourself as a leader. Not only will fellow board and committee members appreciate your initiative, but you’ll also be able to fine-tune your group dynamics competencies as you work to motivate people who are not being paid to fulfill their roles so that your committee goals will be achieved. It’s called volunteer management and it is a subtle art!

2. Improve decision-making skills: It seems as though the appearance of the coronavirus and the subsequent year-long (or thereabouts) shutdown has caused nearly every organization to reassess and regroup because customers, donors and patrons have reevaluated their priorities. Inflation and the threat of recession have in some cases eroded the donor base and/or the patron or customer bases. Organizations must be nimble and resourceful. Leadership teams, staff and board, must understand risk management—risks to take and risks to avoid. Smart decision-making has never been more important.

3. Sharpen financial management skills: As a board member, you are responsible for the organization’s fiscal health. The ability to analyze the monthly financial documents and interpret the story that they reveal is a critical skill. Parsing the financials in board meetings, even if you are “only” listening to the board’s finance committee chair or treasurer giving reports, will improve your ability to understand and interpret your own businesses’ financial documents and improve the financial management and oversight at your own venture.

4. Gain the confidence to fund raise: In not-for-profit organizations, donor cultivation is a must. Many people, however, are uncomfortable with asking for money. Remember that recruiting donations is no different than asking for a customer’s business. It’s all about believing in your organization’s mission and relying on that trust and confidence to coax yourself into asking a donor to make a financial commitment to the cause.

5. Revitalize seldom used skills and develop new ones: Doing what you know is the most natural way to demonstrate your value to the board or committee, but it’s an exciting growth opportunity when you dare to try new things. Board or committee service is a safe place to take chances, something we cannot often do in our paid professions. Stepping into a role that requires you to reactivate a seldom-used skill or learn a new competency that you find interesting will enhance your commitment to and enjoyment of your board or committee service. Just do it!

6. Building relationships and networking

In your tenure as a board of directors or committee member you are almost guaranteed to meet successful and interesting professionals, some active and some retired. Your fellow board and committee members may hold, or have held, mid-level or senior positions in the for-profit or not-for-profit sectors. Others may be Freelance solopreneurs or entrepreneurs who launched and operate their own enterprise.

With your fellow board and committee members, you will discuss routine business, puzzle through decisions that solve problems, strategize to take advantage of opportunities and in general, work collaboratively to keep the organization relevant and preparing for the future. As this happens, you business acumen, judgment, resourcefulness, creativity, work ethic and EQ will be on display.

A fellow board or committee member may grow to trust you enough to introduce you to a colleague who is in need of your skill set, whether as a Freelance consultant or a full- time employee. You may do the same for another board or committee member. Boards are all about building relationships and that is the primary gateway to success.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

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Revitalize Your Networking Chops

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Networking experts who write books on the subject and get invited to contribute articles to prestigious business magazines often claim that there are “secrets” to networking.  I take issue with that.  I don’t think anything about networking is a secret or mysterious.  Networking is a meet and greet and unless you have advance knowledge about who is expected to be in the room, who you meet and talk to is random.

However, there are certain behaviors that might improve your networking success rate.  In general, one must be approachable and outgoing and in the frame of mind to meet people (smile!).  This can be uncomfortable for some of us but if you are shy, or an introvert, remember that all at the networking event (which can be a conference or a cooking class, a business association meeting or a reading at the library) have your presence there in common and that in itself is the starting point of a conversation.

Another behavior to exhibit at your next networking event (and every gathering is a networking event, potentially) is listening.  Demonstrate that you are listening by maintaining eye contact and responding to the flow of conversation by nodding your head, smiling and replying when appropriate. Resist the temptation to look over the other person’s shoulder to search for someone who might be “better” to meet and talk to.

Now how do you get a conversation going? After the introductions, ask a question that starts with the phrase Tell me and then actively listen as your new acquaintance does what s/he likes best—talking about themselves! You will make a friend.

Tell me is the favorite opening line of Jacqueline Whitmore, a noted etiquette coach and founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach in Florida.  Whitmore says, “To build trust with other people you have to let them know you’re interested in what they have to say.  One way to do that is to ask the right questions.” “Tell me what you thought of the last speaker.” “Tell me what you think of the workshop leader.” “Tell me how you like the trainers and instructors at this gym—I’m a new member.”

I used Tell me for the first time just a few days ago, when I attended the Ellevate Network’s Mobilize Women 2019 summit on behalf of Lioness Magazine and I can attest to the fact that Tell me is an effective ice-breaker that opens the door to good conversation every time.

Your networking experience can be considered a success if you discover that you may be able to somehow assist this person whom you’ve just met because the final recommended behavior to bring to your networking event is generosity.  While it is true that personal gain is a legitimate goal for networking and the 1.) Get a client  2.) Get a referral and 3.) Get information strategy remains worthwhile, remember that you and your new colleague have something in common by way of your mutual connection to the host organization that brought you both to the event and doing for others is good karma.  Be certain to follow-up with whatever actions you committed to. Your generosity will probably be repaid a couple of times over.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Photograph: Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939), a role that                         brought her the Academy Award for Best Actress

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Christmas Season Networking for Introverts

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Hello! Last week, we talked about how to network during the Christmas season and the meet & greet suggestions focused on attending parties and finding networking opportunities there.  This week, I propose that we revisit the Christmas season topic from a different perspective and explore how to network when the party scene is either not convenient or undesirable. This week, I’ll network with the introverts.

You may have noticed that I’m an extrovert by nature.  I love a good party.  I’m writing the first draft of this post on Friday December 1 and at a few minutes past 6:00 this evening, I will walk into a party and inaugurate my holiday season.

I’ll attend another party on Saturday afternoon at the branch library where I’m a board member and to round out the weekend, I’ll join the festivities at my neighborhood tree trimming party on Sunday afternoon at 4:00.  I’ll attend another three or four parties through December,  but I don’t expect any of them to be a networking bonanza.  All are social and that’s OK with me.

But be advised that in between holding glasses of wine I’ll do some targeted networking to support the roll-out of my newest content marketing service and I will not be in extrovert mode when I do.  The style of networking that I’ll employ as I prepare to beta test and launch the service I’ve been refining since September requires me to adopt the introvert mode.

Networking at parties is a subtle art.  It’s a turn-off when at social events some hyper-ambitious extrovert wrestles as many people as possible into participating in unsolicited business discussions, in a misguided attempt to find clients.  Introverts intuitively know that such behavior is a major faux pas.

So I’ll wear my introvert’s hat and email or call a short list of colleagues and good friends to propose that we get together soon. “It’s Christmas. Let me treat you!” I’ll reach out early this month, but won’t mind if we meet in January.  The two of us can catch up, compare notes and talk a little business.  I’ll broach the subject of my new service and describe how it can benefit the client’s business. “I’m looking to get this thing going quickly and I need referrals.  Is there someone at your company who might be interested? Who do you know at other B2B companies?”

We’ll figure out a strategy as we have a nice, uninterrupted talk that is free from blaring music, loud voices and friends plopping down in adjacent chairs, looking to join our conversation.  Extroverts get all of the attention when it comes to the subject of networking, yet introverts may have the inside track when it comes to relationship building and reaping benefits from their networking efforts.

Introverts know that a room full of chattering people balancing plates and drinks is a less than ideal environment for getting to know anyone beyond the surface gloss.  They feel most comfortable in small groups, where they can relax and get beyond superficial attempts at communication and that is why they can be so successful.

When an introvert does attend a party, s/he is likely to approach the girl or guy who’s sitting alone, to make some friendly small talk that might develop into a real conversation.  They often know how to make others feel included and welcome, in the most genuine sense.  That is the essence of networking and relationship building and it can be very profitable.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: Five O’ Clock Tea, Mary Cassatt (1880)                                                                   Courtesy of The Museum of Fine Arts  Boston, MA

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Christmas Party Networking: What Would Santa Do?

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Holiday season is here, hooray!  OK, maybe not hooray for everyone.  Not everyone celebrates Christmas.  Those who do sometimes feel pressured to spend more money and time on gifts and activities than they’d like, all the while projecting a façade of holiday cheer, in order to avoid disappointing others.  But the season is what it is and it’s not going to change.  If you can talk yourself into the right frame of mind, it’s probably possible to get something more valuable out of Christmas than 10 extra pounds and a stack of bills to pay.  Let’s talk about it.

Holidays mean parties and parties are about renewing and creating relationships.  If you go to the right parties you will have a good time, if you let yourself.  So why not go for it and make the holidays work for you?

Christmas party invitations will slip into your inbox and give you decisions to make.  Chances are you will not have the time, energy, or money to accept all of your invitations.  One way to plan your December calendar is to divide your party possibilities into business and social categories and edit from there.

It might be most enjoyable for you to attend a mix of business related and social occasions, to promote a healthy work-life balance for yourself.  Social invitations can be ranked according to your relationship with the host.  You’ll be happy to turn out for a party given by a dear friend or favorite cousin with a bottle of wine or some other host gift in hand, because you are a good friend and a good guest.  If you are a member of a social organization, you may choose to attend that party as well.

Professional association parties require a more carefully crafted strategy, because networking with the goal of identifying someone with whom you can create a potentially profitable business relationship will be on your mind.  Which parties are likely to offer good networking opportunities along with an atmosphere that makes it fun to catch up and schmooze with colleagues? There will be an admission charge and cash bar.  Where might you get the best value-added? Ask yourself two questions and evaluate your choices:

  1. Who are my best business prospects?

To which industries do you sell your products and/or services? Are your customers B2B, B2C, or B2G, for-profit or not-for-profit, small, medium or Fortune 1000? What are the job titles of the decision-makers and key influencers?

     2.   Where might I meet those prospects?

If your customers are small businesses, then chambers of commerce or neighborhood business associations are good places to find business owners, who are the decision-maker for all important products and services.

If your customers are Fortune 1000 or even prosperous mid-size businesses, you’ll be better off joining a committee or the board of a not-for-profit organization, or exploring service clubs such as the Kiwanis or Rotary Club, which are hubs for professionals who want to volunteer their services.  You will be much more likely to find decision-makers at the philanthropic organizations.  Invest your time and talent and get to know potential prospects and referral sources as you demonstrate your competencies and leadership skills through the service work that you do.

If networking is your purpose for attending a party, you’ll have more success meeting people when you go alone.  You’ll be forced to introduce yourself and talk with others and in so doing, you’ll meet people whom you may not have met if you brought along your spouse, good friend, or colleague.

Nearly all party invitations are now sent by Evite and that gives guests the huge advantage of seeing who has signed up to attend.  Otherwise, if you have the right relationship, call the host to RSVP by phone and tactfully inquire about the guest list.  Don’t be ashamed to perform an internet and social media search to help yourself prepare talking points and questions for guests you’d like to reconnect with or meet.

Finally, figure out the party dress code.  A Sunday afternoon tree trimming party at the home of friends or family means relaxed business casual attire.  Wear business attire to professional association parties, which are nearly always held on a week night. Gatherings at someone’s home or at a social organization on a Friday or Saturday evening can mean that guests will wear anything from black-tie to more relaxed, yet festive attire.

Now, go check your email!

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Image: Roman Sarcophagus (detail), 240-260 BC    Courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art  Kansas City, MO