I'm a member of LeTip of Lower Bucks County. LeTip is a professional organization of men and women dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips that puts dollars in your pocket. Recently, I celebrated my first anniversary as a LeTipper. At first, I approached this organization with trepidation fueled by skepticism. After all who really can make money simply from being a member of an organization? As it turns out, I did. I started my part-time business in February 2007 and made only $453.00 in the first year. I joined LeTip in January 2008 and during that year I made $12,604. And the influx of money is not stopping despite a weak economy. Today, for instance, I received three tips from business owners who need the type of services I provide. You can visit my website at www.rmovas.com to learn more about my services, but this is not about me it's about LeTip. At this point, you're wondering how is it possible to thrive and survive in the face of a deep recession. The media and Internet experts offer many solutions, my solution is LeTip.
LeTip is word-of-mouth marketing at its best. It is a sales force promoting your company on a daily basis without the overhead of salaries. It is a professional business meeting not a social event. You meet weekly and build relationships with the purpose of exchanging business leads. Through a cadre of LeTip members, you gain access to clients you never could have found on your own. LeTip's meeting structure is built to ensure that you succeed. Each week you introduce yourself and give your 30-second commercial. Two or more times a year you highlight your product or service at a showboat table (much like a trade show booth). And every six months you give a 10-minute presentation about your business. LeTip meetings are not standard "networking" meetings. Instead, chapter members are highly professional industry leaders who are serious about creating long-term business relationships. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Here's a partial listing of business categories that can put dollars in your pocket: architect, public adjuster, security systems, photographer, graphic artist, caterer, lawyer, insurance, computer consultant, fitness club, commercial real estate, travel services, signs/banners, supplemental insurance, financial advisor, exterminator, employee and employer benefits, florist, web designer, chiropractor, funeral director, general contractor, payroll services, banking, commercial printer, and mortgage broker. Categories currently open are: answering service, appraiser, bookkeeping services, chimney sweep, dance instructor, esthetician, hair stylist, handyman, music instruction, paralegal, safety consultant, speech therapist, wireless communications, and video production.
Networking expert Marsha Egan states that what people "don't realize is that when they build a network, much of the selling and prospecting can actually be done by other people.” She also emphasizes that "networking is not about collecting business cards. Networking is about building reciprocal, synergistic relationships with people throughout your organization, your community and your life." [Source: Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal, July 3-9, 2006, "Networking can be an effective, powerful tool" by Marsha Egan]