Women are such natural networkers. They were born to share information with others. Looking for a good doctor, a new hair stylist, wedding shoes or just ripe melon - who you gonna call? You got it a W-O-M-A-N!

So what happens when women become entrepreneurs and have something to sell themselves? "The fear of sounding too self-serving", I hear from one woman, "being tactless" I hear from another woman. The fact is men have no fear of selling themselves, their product and/or service. Women need to follow their gut skills on the personal side of selling others products and/or services and start selling their own!

Every woman entrepreneur I speak with tells me how wonderful her business is. She has no trouble sharing her enthusiasm and the details of what she is doing. She hands out her business card with ease, talks on and on about the business and moves on to the next contact to part with another business card.

Of course, handing out business cards is critical to networking, but so is listening to others. People love to talk about themselves. As a matter of fact, if you don't listen to your potential customer how do you know if they need what you are selling? You must fill a need in the marketplace with your business if you want to make money. You must listen for the need and direct the conversation in that direction in order to do business. Once you have heard the need- you are ready to turn your contact into CA$H! So:

(1) Parrot back the need you have heard in your conversation. Make sure you know exactly how you can fill this contact's need.

(2) Tell your contact the benefit in working with you. For example, your flexible hours; your ability to personalize your product or service; how you customize for customers; pick up and delivery; and much more. Stress the value in doing business with you.

(3) ASK FOR THE BUSINESS! You have to be a closer if you want to turn contacts into CA$H. For too many women entrepreneurs this is the most difficult part of doing business, but without the ASK their is no CLOSE.

Asking for the business can be as easy as saying, "I can take a credit card today so we can get started" or "let's get this signed now so I can put the order through today and you can get back to your work". Whatever you say make sure it is clear that you have entered into a deal. Clarity is important here. People understand that a deposit or a signature means that they have made a commitment. But don't be afraid to ask.

Finally, contacts expect to pay for your product or service and if you are too afraid to ask for their money someone else will -- I PROMISE! Too often, you may be doing all the work in getting someone to know that they need your product and/or service and someone else will come in and get the business. How do I know this -- because it has HAPPENED TO ME! Yes, I have done the exit strategy work with entrepreneurs only to have them sign with another business broker to sell the business. Timing is everything. Don't get so lost in the cycle and details of the sale that you allow someone else to take it away from you. It happens much more often that you might think.

You can turn your contacts into CA$H starting NOW by following this simple advice. Let me hear how it works for you...vicki@vickidonlan.com