Christian Business Women's Association - Opens Today!

March 1st, 2010 marks a very important milestone for the Koinonia Business Women's organization...

The Koinonia Business Women's Association (KBWA) officially launches today!

Rather than give you the whole scoop here, please stop by our new membership section now: http://kbwa.memberlodge.com/

You can read all the details, benefits and information about KBWA Membership. All the who, what, why, and how's will be answered, and you can also view our current Member Directory.

Special Bonus: Join as a Full Member in March & receive a 3-mo Membership extension!

Please share the news! We even offer a free membership level to start out with.

Thank you, and we look forward to meeting you.

Reality-based Marketing: 5 Objections You Can Overcome with Testimonials

Article reprinted here with permission from Judy Dunn, Cat's Eye Marketing http://catseyemarketing.com/

Have you ever read every testimonial on a business's website and still had your doubts about the product or service?

It might not work.

It might cost too much.

Can I trust this person? Because I've been burned before.

All legitimate objections.

You can write the best marketing copy in the world, but if you don't address your customer's burning question, and in a way that is believable, that lingering doubt can kill the sale.

A good testimonial, one that speaks to your prospect's biggest fear, can bring them over to the customer side. Because it's not you talking. It's a customer who had the same doubt your prospect has, but whose story had a happy ending.

First, you need to identify the reasons your prospect may be wavering (that's the topic of this week's e-tip) and then develop questions that get the answers from your current customers that will address those objections. (See next week's e-tip for how to collect them.)

5 Objections You Can Overcome with Testimonials

1. It's too expensive.

What they really mean: You haven't shown enough value for the price or the competition is selling a similar item or service for less.

Sample testimonial: "I had heard that XYZ Company's accounting services were exceptional, but I was afraid I couldn't afford them. They saved me $15,000 in the first three months and I am still way ahead, even deducting what I paid for their services."

2. It's hard to use or understand.

What they really mean: I'm afraid I won't get my money's worth.

Sample testimonial: "I bought a lot of audios and CDs on becoming a better copywriter but I found the process described in each one to be complex, hard to understand and difficult to apply. Kevin's "30 Days to Improved Copy" spelled out exactly what I need to do to put together marketing copy that actually motivates my prospects to buy."

3. I don't believe you.

What they really mean: I don't trust you. I've been taken advantage of before by businesses that don't deliver on their promises.

Sample testimonial: "It's easy to make promises to your customers and I've been on the receiving end of inferior products and services. But my experience with ABC Company was nothing but pleasant. I can tell you that there is a face behind the company and that Sandy answered every question I had and delivered a website that is already turning more leads into customers."

4. I don't think your product or service will work.

What they really mean: I've tried all kinds of solutions that didn't work. What if this is another one?

Sample testimonial: "At first I was skeptical because I've tried a lot of skin products that promised to make my wrinkles less prominent, but I just ended up dumping them. Finally I found something that works! New Hope facial creams and moisturizers are amazing."

5. There is nothing new here.

What they really mean: I've been around the block and I don't need your product or service. I already know everything you want to show me how to do.

Sample testimonial: "I used to think I knew everything there was to know about developing my executive team's leadership skills. I have a Master's in leadership development and have been a senior level manager for 15 years. But Elizabeth just had a way of cutting to the core issues. She improved my team's sales revenue records by 30 percent in the first four months."

Do your customers have doubts that are keeping them from buying? What might they be?

Stay tuned for next week's e-tip on how to collect testimonials that overcome your prospects' biggest objections.

Thank you Judy! Excellent advice for all of us. To find out more about Cat's Eye Marketing, visit http://catseyemarketing.com/ today!

Connection + Collaboration = Growth

So far, February has been a great month of collaboration with other business women of faith and partnering with other organizations. Over the past year, my opinion of connecting and collaborating in business with others has changed significantly. Collaboration chases the scarcity mindset and competitive spirits away. It allows God to work through relationships, setting up a framework for joint success. When we are collaborating with other people for good, we are actually collaborating with God and His purposes too.

In my estimation, without connection and collaboration, growth comes extremely slowly, if at all. Think about it;

• Without our connection to God's Spirit, we do not grow in Godly things.
• Being disconnected from people damages relationships and stunts our learning curve in life.
• In business, relying on our own understanding and not using mentors or other experts can lead to a collapse.
• Without proper support, anything in life is at risk of breaking down.

In your life and business, who are you connecting and collaborating with? Are these connections and collaborative efforts leading to the kind of growth you want for your future? Do these relationships have a foundation of faith in God?

Next week, something is coming to help all of us "Connect, Collaborate & Grow." Please seriously consider joining us in the Koinonia Business Women's Association (KBWA). Frankly, the community needs you and you need the community. No one of us alone has all the answers, but joined together, and with God's direction, we WILL see God's power working through us in amazing ways.

As one of my mentors says, "Life is a team sport." It's time to rise up and build; build ourselves, build up others and build God's Kingdom. Now that's my idea of worthwhile, effective collaboration!

~Krista Dunk, http://www.kbwomen.com

Hello All,

I received this important message from a friend in my network yesterday, asking if I would please consider posting this heart-breaking, yet important information. If you have the opportunity, you may wish to hear this information on how to help stop crimes against children.

"A mile a minute - that is how fast your child can disappear." Haunting and truthful words posted on the website for the Klaas Kids Foundation.

On Friday, February 19th, Margaret McSweeney will interview Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas who was kidnapped and murdered in 1993. As a legacy to his daughter, Marc founded KlaasKids Foundation to help stop crimes against children. Please tune in to Kitchen Chat with Margaret McSweeney Friday at 11:00 am CST!

Here is an excerpt from Marc's journal that is posted online: "There is nothing that can prepare one for a murder trial. My family sits as the last few hours in Polly's life are dissected, analyzed, de-constructed, reconstructed, cross-referenced and compartmentalized. The constant assault on our sensibilities by horrible revelations that defy the principles of civilization seem overwhelming much of the time. It is impossible to withstand or rise above the continual dehumanizing facts that are revealed in a constant, monotonous stream of revelation. There is no room for anything but the processing of nightmarish information. The killer laughs throughout the video tape and I want to shout, yet I must sit unflinching and stone-faced for fear of causing a mistrial. Every day my family is drawn into the world of murder, mayhem, rape and deprivation and there is no way out." Learn about effective ways to keep your children safe from harm and find out what you can do to help stop crimes against kids.

Please tune in and call in with your questions for Marc this Friday 11-12 CST on Kitchen Chat.

Thank you to Amy Lathrop of the Litfuse Publicity Group for letting us know about this interview. To connect with Amy and get more information about her services for authors, speakers and business owners, visit http://www.litfusegroup.com/ today! You can also follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/litfuse.

Business Networking Chapters

Today is the day! A dream is becoming reality...a dream for our organization, and a dream for Christian business women across the country. So what am I talking about?

KBWomen Chapters are launching in several cities later today!
Renton, WA
Mt. Vernon, WA
Olympia, WA
Omaha, NE

Would you like to join us later today? If you live near one of the cities listed above, click on your city to get full details. Be sure to pre-register to attend here: www.kbwomen.com/chapter-registration.htm. When you pre-register, the cost is just $5. Pay at-the-door is $10.

Why should you come?

• Dedicated networking time
• Monthly business skill learning topic
• Opportunity to introduce yourself & business to the group
• Encouragement & fun!

Our monthly learning topic this month is "Getting Help to Eliminate Skill Gaps," which is sure to get some great discussion going! It includes a handout.

We look forward to meeting you! Blessings,
Krista

P.S. No KBWomen Chapter in your area? Learn more about becoming a Chapter Leader HERE.

What Season is Your Business In?

I don't know about you, but here in the Pacific Northwest, it seems like Springtime already. Unseasonably warm weather has been hanging around for weeks, and my Italian prune tree has decided to send out its' leaves this week. Later this month, it's also my birthday, which makes me another year older and closer to new seasons of life. Not to mention that with all that's happening with KBWomen right now, it feels like a season of tending tender plants after the seeding time is done.

Can you relate? What season are you, or is your business, in? Imagine this scene in your mind:

You are a farmer with 10 acres of farmland. Your house is on the first acre, near the road, then behind that, is 9 acres of garden. Right now, the garden needs much preparation; weeds, rocks, grass, sticks, and vines have taken over. After weeks of removing the old gunk and turning the soil with some new fertilizer, you look out from your porch and see the rich, dark soil ready for seeds. Seeding takes time, and you have to have a sound plan to ensure a good harvest.

You push seed after seed into the ground, carefully aligning each row. Finally, seeding is complete. You take your position in the rocking chair on the porch and wait. Much effort and work is done, for now. Although there is zero evidence that anything is happening, you have hope for your harvest. Each day you water, and wait. Water and wait.

A couple weeks later, you wake up, go out to the porch and see signs of life. Small, green shoots have come up sporadically. It's very exciting! About a week after that, you survey the field to see that it is completely covered in fresh, green plants bursting up everywhere. Something big is on the way. Are you ready?

As we know through the Bible, our life in the spiritual realm matches this natural process. That goes the same for our businesses as well. I'd like to share some commentary that goes along with the story above. Here goes:

• Too many times, we try to plant something new before we prepare our soil. Get rid of the old gunk (bad habits, negative actions and emotions, unhealthy relationships, etc.) and turn the soil (renew our minds) and add fertilizer (new wisdom) first.
• Leaving a cleaned-up field idle invites the weeds to grow again. Quickly replace the gunk with intentionally planted seeds.
• Have a plan when planting, otherwise your harvest will be a jumbled up mishmash. Probably not what you'd enjoy.
• Waiting takes great faith. Don't walk away from your field prematurely.
• Signs of life is the evidence of things hoped for, but not time for slacking off.
• Seeing a huge, coming harvest can be intimidating. Plan ahead for an overflow of blessing so that you are ready to receive it.
• Good stewardship in small things qualifies you for more. Increase your capacity.
• We can all use a little (or a lot) of help during this process from wise mentors and those willing to co-labor with us! As one of my mentors says, life is a team sport.

Be intentional about what is happening in your fields - relationship fields, business fields, spiritual fields, physical fields. Plant, tend and harvest with purpose!

Krista Dunk, www.KBWomen.com

KBWomen Radio Joins CWA Network

Special Announcement! KBWomen Radio is back...and will be joining forces with the CWA Radio Network on Blog Talk Radio. Learn more about the CWA Network by clicking the picture below! Stay tuned for show times and more details.

http://www.kbwomen.com/

Layers of Vision

All of us have layers of vision for our future. What layer level are you working on right now? Let me explain more about what I'm talking about with this story...

Last night, I was talking with a good friend about her goals and dreams for her future. Let's call her Deborah. Deborah is a great, single lady who is believing God for her first home and a Godly husband who shares her heart for the Lord and children. I also know she also has an amazing dream to own a B&B for ministry sabbaticals.

She was expressing her frustration to me about how she is feeling that her B&B dream seems unreachable right now. She was comparing her current "small" vision of home and family with my current vision for the national expansion of KBWomen. Here is what I told her.

"Deborah, everyone has layers of vision. You can't start at the huge, global plan at first. Right now, you're at the setting up relationships and home layer. Once that layer is established, you can move to the next layer level, then the next. There are layers of vision."

Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all saying that a single lady has to get married before she can move forward with God-given vision, or buy a home. However, this is a big desire of Deborah's heart. This is her focus right now, therefore meaning that is the next layer to pursue. In fact, she wants her dream of the B&B is to be shared with her future husband.

Think about how societies evolve. At the basic level, they are focused on finding food and shelter. Once that layer is established, they can move on to specializing in crafts or building community structures. Then financial systems and government, then higher learning, etc. Layers build upon layers. Once a layer is established and stable, the next one builds upon it.

What layer are you working on right now? What layer is next? Do not despise small beginnings. Small beginnings are just a place where you can prove yourself a good steward, ready for the next layer to arrive!

~Krista

http://www.kbwomen.com/