Solo-E Certified Expert Shares Secrets to Better Electronic Communications for Entrepreneurs

April 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Francestown, NH – April 1, 2012 – Since the 19th Century, electronic communication has been a part of our lives. It began with the telegraph and has now morphed into email, mobile phones and social media. Although the medium has changed when it comes to electronic communication, the basic etiquette still applies, explains Solo-E.com Certified Expert  Paula Eder, Ph.D. during “Electronic Communications Week”,  April 10-16.

This Time Management expert and master coach has monitored blogs and article postings and tracked comments from clients throughout the year.  Based on that feedback, and with input from the team of solo professional industry experts at Solo-E.com, Eder has selected five factors that are needed for effective electronic communications for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

According to Eder, who owns and runs Finding Time in Francestown, NH and has been using electronic communications in her business for more than 6 years, “Things like email and social media can make things easier for any solo-professional. However, these tools can also be abused, losing you prospects and profits.”  

Founded in 2006, Finding Time helps heart-based entrepreneurs and small business owners align their core values and energy with their time choices and behaviors so that they can make more money, create more freedom, and find more time. Eder is one of 50 solo professionals who have met the requirements of the only international post-graduate certification program for solo entrepreneurs to become a Solo-E.com certified expert. As one result of her affiliation with Solo-E, she has been able to monitor trends in her niche much more effectively.

“It surprising how many times we see some of the same mistakes happen with electronic communication,” says Terri Zwierzynski, CEO and founder of Solo-E.com. “Using Electronic Communications Week as a way to highlight these mistakes, we hope entrepreneurs and small business owners will become more aware and start effectively using these tools as they were intended.”

Together Zwierzynski and Eder share the top five mistakes in electronic communications and how to correct them:

1.   You’re a spammer. You meet someone at a networking event. You exchange cards. And when you get back to your office, you add them to your email newsletter list.  “It sounds harmless, but the fact is unless you have permission from them to add them to your list, you are spamming, which is not only bad etiquette, but also illegal!” says Solo-E.com founder Zwierzynski.  “Ask if you can add them; most will happily agree.”

2.   You blast your messages on social media. “Social media is supposed to be just that - social,” says Eder.   “Just telling people to buy your products or attend your teleclasses isn’t going to work. It’s important to engage people in conversations and start building relationships, instead.”

3.   Your communications are misunderstood.  According to Zwierzynski, “It’s hard to pick up on things like humor, sarcasm and other emotions using most kinds of electronic communications. It’s best to stick to the facts – and use video – another form of electronic communication – to convey emotions.”

4.   You find that electronic communication becomes a time trap.  “It’s easy to lose track of time on the internet – and especially when you are building relationships on social networks,” says Eder.  “Be sure that you have a plan and a clear stopping time – and use a timer to keep track.  It’s so important!”

5.   You tell, but forget to ask.  “When you are an expert,” Eder notes, “you can easily fall into the trap of thinking that you know what people want or need.  That couldn’t be further from the truth!  A wonderful thing about engaging electronically is that you can ask, as well as answer, questions.  You may be surprised at what you learn!”

About Solo-E.com
Solo-E.com, is one of the leading online resource centers for solo entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals. It exists to promote the practice of solo professionals, and provides education and growth opportunities for subscribers. In addition, it offers marketing opportunities and assistance for entrepreneurs, coaches and consultants. For more information, visit http://www.solo-e.com

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At Finding Time we are devoted to helping very busy people align their values with their daily habits around time.