Create Connections and Build Your Business Through Networking

Networking is an invaluable, inexpensive, and effective tool for building your business.

Despite the digital age, people prefer doing business with companies they know and trust. Networking provides potential clients the connection and trust they need to later make a purchase.

According to Oxford Economics USA, 80% of professionals find networking essential to their career success. Because of this, 41% want to network more often. Networking may seem daunting, especially for those not naturally inclined to talk with others, but a little uncomfortableness outweighs the benefits.

A First and Lasting Impression

Before getting started, it’s important to look the part.

First impressions are important. After all, people are constantly judging and forming opinions of others. Once the initial opinion is made, it can be challenging to alter it.

Before networking, practice creating a good impression. This means focusing on a professional style of dress, creating good posture, practicing a firm handshake, and focusing on professional mannerisms. These all may seem insignificant on their own, but they add up to how others view you. Be professional, but be sure to remain confident and trust yourself. 

Search Out Events

Next, find events where you can network, such as business seminars, networking groups, professional associations, and community events.

• Business seminars are commercial programs that deliver information or training about a specific topic to the attendees.
• Networking groups are a great way to exchange business information, share ideas, and offer support.
• Professional associations are made up of members who are within the same industry. It’s a great area to network with others in your field and receive and share the most current methods and ideas.
• Community events enable you to meet local people who care about their community.

At any event, it’s important to make connections first and worry about the potential profit later.

People don’t want to be seen as money. However, people do like to talk about themselves. That’s why some of the best connections are made when you hardly say a word. Instead, ask lots of questions and let them do the talking.

Business Cards: The Ultimate Networking Tool

Business cards are an invaluable marketing tool to always carry around with you.

It’s an affordable way to promote your business by providing the potential client with something tangible they can hold onto and view later. Plus, the size is optimal for its ease of use and display.

Business cards are convenient for carrying around in your pocket and sharing at networking events. Best of all, business cards create a lasting professional impression and provide the most important information to the potential client.

Networking may take a lot of time, work, and effort, but the business it provides is worth it!

Need some fresh ideas? Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

What the Amazon Effect Means for Your Small Business

             What the Amazon Effect Means for Your Small Business

When Josh Silverman took over Etsy (an e-commerce website focused on handmade and vintage items), he faced immense pressure to revive the company financially.

He didn’t disappoint. While shedding jobs and increasing holiday promotions, Etsy swung from a $29.9 million loss (in 2016) to an $81.8 million net income in 2017.

Managing this feat in the face of Amazon’s competition was impressive. Amazon notched $51 billion in net sales in the first quarter of 2018, recently confirming it has exceeded 100 million Prime members globally. In contrast, Etsy has 1.9 active sellers and 33.4 million active buyers.

Amazon is everywhere: delivering groceries, storing music, and putting items at your doorstep in two days or less. Amazon has been so present that it has become a verb: as in, “I Amazoned it.” While Amazon brings smiles to many, it brings tremors to some small businesses. Many are outraged at the demise of mom-and-pop shops, and even large-scale retailers have taken hits.

What It Means For Small Business

The Amazon effect is a catchphrase used to describe how Amazon has influenced our interactions with other businesses.

Because so many people are Amazon subscribers, this platform has raised expectations for shopping experiences. As writer Corey Pemberton notes,

“Because the vast majority of us use Amazon regularly, we’re well aware of a new kind of customer experience. We used to drive to the shopping mall, painstakingly search for items, and wait in long lines with little complaint. But now that we’ve experienced the joy of picking out things in our pajamas and clicking to have them shipped straight to us, the alternative seems substantially less desirable.”

Subsequently, expectations of all businesses have increased.

How Your Business Can Adapt

Here are four ways small businesses can adapt in the wake of Amazon’s influence.

1. Work to develop distinct, personalized products.

Part of what makes your business irreplaceable is the individual products only you can produce.

While resellers can undercut some sales, a small business with a unique, quality product can’t easily be replicated.

2. Partner with e-commerce platforms.

A recent Insureon insurance company poll of 2,400 business owners showed 68 percent of businesses surveyed said that online retailers had a positive impact on their business:

"[Online retailers] have forced small businesses to embrace e-commerce as a critical route to reach their consumers and revenue source," said Jeff Somers, president of Insureon.

Businesses that don't sell online will struggle to stay relevant in the modern age, but e-commerce doesn't just mean partnering with Amazon. Typically, a small business's website is the most common place to sell.

3. Feature customer ratings and reviews.
When buying online, people need extra input to tip toward commitment.

When you’re looking to buy, who do you trust more: a long-time neighbor or a sophisticated salesperson? Obviously, humans are biased toward “ordinary people.” One of Amazon’s best features in their abundance of ratings and reviews. Capitalize on this yourself and allow the words of others to convince your prospects.

4. Become a destination.
Amazon is convenient, so make your business an experience, not just an errand. Change your product mix regularly and make it enjoyable for people to physically “discover.” Add entertainment with lessons, parties, samples, or anything to engage families. Tell your story and give people pride in doing business with you.

An Enhanced Customer Experience


Amazon isn’t killing small business, but it is changing the way we buy and sell.

Payoneer e-commerce manager Iain McNicoll says Amazon has given entrepreneurs a chance to create customer experiences they might have otherwise been overlooked:

"People see Amazon as crushing small business," McNicoll said. "Really, I think it opens up a door for small business, allowing them to now reach new customers that they wouldn't have been able to reach in the past."
For more of our informative blogs go to: https://store.printcafeli.com/blog/Print_Cafe_Blog.html 


 

Presentation/Pocket Folders

Presentation/Pocket Folders "Don't Leave the Office Without One"

Show Your Potential Customers What Your Company is all About

Pockets folders are a great way to keep all your marketing materials organized and readily available, when showing a potential customer what products your company offers. They come in many sizes starting with the standard 9 x 12 with one or two pockets. Pocket folders are also great for meetings, keeping all your importnat information on hand and ready for you to pass out.

Pocket Folder Sizes

Besides the standard 9 x 12 size the Print Cafe of LI offers other sizes like the 8.5 x 14 legal size. Most of these are used by mortgage companies, banks, and law firms. Another popular folder is the reinfoced capacity folder which has a 1/2" spine in order to accomodate several pages of documents. The Print Cafe of LI, also produces custom made folders, as an example we have the Glove Compartment Folder we print for Competition BMW of Smithtown.

This Folder is designed to hold the BMW Car Manual and any other important documents. This folder size is 7" x 10" wide and opens on the horizontal side. All our folders come in various stock thickness, with a variety of finishes like high gloss UV or Matte coating. Other specialities like gold or silver foil imprinting and die embossing are available. For more of our informative blogs go to: https://store.printcafeli.com/blog/Print_Cafe_Blog.html

 

 

"Banner Stands A Must For Every Business"

              "Banner Stands A Must For Every Business"

Trade Show

Whether it's a trade show or a networking event showcase. There is nothing better than a retractable banner stand from the Print Cafe of LI, Inc. These light weight banner stands can be assembled in minutes. Convey your message or promotion in Full Color on any of our available substrates such as 10 mil vinyl, or canvas. The Print Cafe of LI offers many sizes like 33" x  80",  47" x  80" and our 11" x 17" table top model. All banner stands come with carrying cases for easy transport.

 

Promotion

Another reason for your company to invest in a banner stand  could be in store promotions. Runing a special or a sale item can draw customers attention as soon as they walk through the door. Besides in store promotions you may be planning a trade show event. What we highly recomend is a Back Drop Banner Stand or also known as a Step and Repeat Banner. These make a great back ground for your up front dispaly and come in many sizes starting with a 8' x 8' and up. Although Back Drop Banners take a little longer to set up, they are also light weight and easy to assemble. These banners can be printed in Full Color on 13oz vinyl or canvas material. For more information on these products go to:https://www.printcafeli.com/store/product-view.html/31-Banners_with_Stand

 

 

 

 

Wrangling Your Week: Time Management Success Techniques That Will Give You Hope

Wrangling Your Week: Time Management Success Techniques That Will Give You Hope

It's painfully true that there are never enough hours in the day. If "normal humans" are having this kind of trouble, how are CEOs and leaders of major businesses able to run the massive scale of their days? As long as you consider that they haven't discovered time travel, there's got to be some tips and tricks that can be learned from their exceptional talents.

These time management success stories will give you hope that you can wrangle your week more effectively. You might be surprised to learn that many of these individuals found adequate time for sleep and budgeting part of their day for meditation or downtime.

Leave Time for Relaxation


Most famous for his theory of evolution in his book The Origin of Species (1859), Charles Darwin spent a great deal of his day in solitary study. His schedule also included walking his fox terrier pup and reading. Most interesting was the two hours each day that he devoted to lying awake in bed solving problems before starting his day. Victor Hugo, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Charles Dickens also devoted many hours a day to walking and personal study. Today, Arianna Huffington is one of the business leaders who believe that spending time with colleagues or eating lunch away from your desk makes you more productive -- not less.

Focus on Calendar Management

Focusing only on what is most important each day is one of the time management tricks that Mary Callahan Erdoes, CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co., swears by. Her busy day is most productive when she spends time prioritizing short- and long-term deliverables instead of reacting to new items that make it to her calendar by happenstance.

Sleep Soundly, Wake Early

People who are making an impact in their world are likely getting enough rest to be refreshed and ready to face their day, but those days often start quite early. Getting less than six hours of sleep on a regular basis can leave you mentally drained or fuzzy and make you less likely to be efficient in your work. The early morning hours are ideal for a quick workout, which not only helps the body stay fit but helps boost your brainpower for the day as well. Billionaire Richard Branson is famous for his 5:00 am ritual to kick off his busy day.

Stop the Multitasking

Sure, we all love to pretend that we're getting three things done at once, but is anything being accomplished in these sprints? Successful professionals know when it's time to turn off the electronics and stick to one task at a time. Koel Thomae, co-founder of Noosa Yoghurt, notes how easy it is to be distracted by your inbox and your phone. Add in some music and you're ready to take on the world!

Just Say "No"


"No," or "next" are some of the most powerful words in the English language -- allowing people to free their time from mundane activities and target those which are moving them forward. There may be some tasks that feel like busywork, so delegate these whenever possible. Turn your attention only to items where you add personal and unique value, and you'll soon find that it's possible to be present in your day while experiencing less stress. This can include everything from hiring people who complement your skills and abilities (a famous Jack Welch-ism) to outsourcing tasks when it makes sense.

Not everyone is running an empire, finding the cure for cancer, or creating the next great musical masterpiece. However, we are all struggling with a limited number of hours in the day. There is a great deal of hope and comfort in knowing that these basic time management techniques have been practiced for generations -- and are still helping some of the most successful people of our age be productive.

For more of our informative blogs go to: https://store.printcafeli.com/blog/Print_Cafe_Blog.html