Author: Admin

Your brand is the story you tell

Society often makes us believe there’s only one thing to be or do. The way we look, the way we live, exercise more, eat less etc.

In reality there are many ways to be.

Everyone is an individual and it’s not only alright, but beneficial, just to Be and Embrace Yourself!!

Even if you are part of a huge corporation you can have your own Person Brand that incorporates the company brand, but is unique enough to be yours.

Your brand is the story you tell that develops the relationship you have with others.

Networking Events – Week of March 9, 2020

Networking in Talbot! What’s Up For Lunch?
Tuesday,March 10, & March 17 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Washington Street Pub (20 N Washington Street), Easton

Come join us for great business to business networking and lunch. Meet & greet 11:30 a.m. to noon, round-table/presentation noon to 12:30 p.m., and lunch with conversations will follow until 1:00 p.m. Events are free to attend. Lunch is available for purchase by Washington Street Pub.

There are no memberships or fees to join our networking dates. We are a “show up” kind of networking group with fun discussions and good conversation. Bring yourself, bring a friend, and grab a few business cards to make great Mid-Shore connections!

Thanks Discover Easton, What’s Up Media and Talbot Chamber of Commerce for being the Networking Host

Networking in Annapolis
Every Tuesday, 7:30am at Iron Rooster Annapolis – Free Networking and a Free Workshop.
On March 10th, strategist and business coach Lee Crumbaugh. will present “Responding to the Threat of Coronavirus to Our Businesses.” Lee will identify potential mitigating actions and strategic and operating changes that you can take now to mitigate the possible damage and make your business more resilient. Open networking until 8am, followed by announcements and introductions. Then a free workshop.

Every Wednesday, 11:30am at O’Loughlin’s Restaurant and Pub, in Arnold, Free Networking and a Free Workshop.
On March 11th Laura Gordon Buckley will present, “The Goal Achievement Model”. Explore new ways to dealing with stress in the modern workplace. Then a free workshop. As Usual, No Fees, No Memberships, No Rules

Thanks John and Michelle Maggio of Hawk Marketing for being the Networking Hosts.

—-

Dates to put on your Calendar.
What’s Up at 98 Cannon in Chestertown – Monday, March 23 – 5-7pm

Networking in Talbot Evening Business Mixer
March 24 | 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Doc’s Downtown Grille (14 N Washington Street)
Join us for networking and great food at Doc’s Downtown Grille for our March Evening Business Mixer from 5-7 p.m. Doc’s will have happy hour drinks and menu specials. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere to mix, mingle, and network with locals!
The event is free to attend. Bring business cards and a friend or two to enjoy great food & conversation!

—–

Personal Branding

Even individuals need to develop a brand for themselves …. Whatever your area of expertise, you can take steps to make people think of YOU when they think of your field.
– Accelepoint Webzine

When working on your Personal Band you have to think that your brand is not a company.

Your brand is the story you tell and the relationship you develop with your customers.

The Need for Business Contacts

“Content builds relationships. Relationships are built on trust. Trust drives revenue.”
– Andrew Davis

You may be thinking, I’m in retail and don’t really have a need for any business contacts. Even though your consumer is the average person, there are times you need a business. Insurance, Book Keeping, Lawyer, Tradesman (plumber, electrician, etc.) or Personal Brand Photographer.

You should create a network of business contacts. The number of contacts aren’t as important as the value of these contacts to you and your business.

How do they bring value?

The biggest value comes from referrals. People like to do business with people they know. This is a phrase you will hear from me often. Often people will ask others for a referral. Even though you may not be doing business yourself with that business contact, they may think of you.

Why should you be Networking?
– People like doing business with people they know
– Brings your name as a expert in your field
– Builds a network of referrals

Are you Networking enough? I have created this site for those who may not be able to attend Networking events. Or you may not know where to go to Network. I am working to create networking opportunities on the shore.

Each week, probably sometime Monday morning, I’ll be posting a list of Networking Opportunities on the Eastern Shore.

People Want to do Business with People They Know!

One of the way we get to know people is through Networking.

The Eastern Shore of Maryland MD Eastern Shore covers a large region. Even when you divide it in half.

The purpose of this site is to assist us in Networking on the Northern Eastern Shore. This would include Caroline, Cecil, Kent Queen Anne’s, Talbot and North Dorchester (Cambridge and North) counties. Both face to face Networking by letting us know when and where Networking events are being held. As well as doing online networking through conversations on this page.

In the upcoming months I hope to create and host networking opportunities in Chestertown, Denton, Centreville, Kent Island and other locations on the shore.

As entrepreneurs we want to grow our business and this is one of those resources to help us grow.

The Reason for Eastern Shore Connect

Since early 2018, I have been attending weekly Business Networking functions. Many of these have either been on Kent Island or across the Bay Bridge. I have meet many amazing people and have learn a lot about networking and marketing.

During the last half of 2019, The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce along with Discover Easton have been holding Networking Lunches in Easton and I have attended some of those.

However, I have yet to find many of these type of free, come as you like, Networking events elsewhere on the shore. I would like to have Networking events at other locations, such as Denton, Centreville and Chestertown. This would be the Networking part of this project.

I have found that personal relationships are important in finding success. One’s personal branding is a key component.

As 2019 came to a close, I was looking for a way to further market my photography services through Personal Branding Photography. From this idea, it seemed natural that part of this service would include ways to use these photos in marketing. Since I have gain valuable networking and marketing knowledge attending these Networking events, I decided to add this as well.

I am working on a pamphlet of marketing tips using this page as a sounding board as I write them.

Thank You
Steve Atkinson