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Women in Business




Developing a Contact List- Part One

by Nancy Roebke
Profnet, Inc.


One of the most essential things to successful networking is your Contact List. When you start a business, developing one is the first step in promoting and marketing your company. As you write your business plan, it is helpful to make this list to start to develop an idea of who your customer base will be.

The first source of clients would your family and current friends and acquaintances. Depending on your product or service, these people may actually become your clients, as well as being family and friends! When making this list, it is important to write down everyone you know- EVERYONE! Not necessarily because they will become your customer, but in Part Two of this article, we will discuss how these people will LEAD you to customers.

The following is called a MEMORY JOGGER. It is used to...you guessed it...JOG YOUR MEMORY! You may find it helpful to save this list to a file, and print it out to work on over a period of time. Write down everyone- not just the ones who you think would be clients.

Memory Jogger List
RELATIVESWHO IS MY:WHO SOLD ME MY:
ParentsMilkmanHouse
GrandparentsMailmanCar/Tires
SisterPaperboy (Parents)T.V./Stereo
BrotherDentistFishing License
AuntPhysicianHunting License
UncleMinisterBusiness Clothes
CousinFloristWedding Rings
LawyerGlasses/Contacts
Insurance AgentVacuum Cleaner
AccountantBoat
CongressmanCamper
PharmacistFurniture
VeterinarianOffice Equipment
OptometristAppliances


I KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS A:
NurseGolf ProStudent
Fashion ModelSecurity GuardSheriff
Fire ChiefSecretaryWelder
Music TeacherArt InstructorSeamstress
CarpenterPilot/StewardessBus Driver
Bank TellerGarage MechanicEditor
Lab TechnicianPrinterRestaurant Owner
Office ManagerSurgeonLibrarian
Real Estate AgentInterior DecoratorLifeguard
FishermanWaitressNotary Public
Antique DealerContractorChiropractor
ElectricianMotel OwnerDietitian


I KNOW SOMEONE THAT:
Lives Next DoorIs my Barber/HairdresserTeaches My Kids
Was my Best ManWas My Maid of HonorWas my Photographer
Is My Baby-sitterWas My Navy BuddyGoes Bowling with Me
Is my Former BossWas my TeacherRepaired my TV
Teaches CeramicsWas in my Car PoolCuts my Grass
Painted my HouseOwns my ApartmentIs in Rotary, Lions
Is in my Book ClubDry Cleans my ClothesHung my Wallpaper
Sells me GasolineDelivers Parcels & PackagesSells Ice Cream


This short list will provide you with about 100 contact names- a great start for any business. Next is an article dealing with what to do with the list once you have completed it. Go to Next Article



Nancy Roebke is the Executive Director of Profnet, Inc., a professional business leads generation corporation.

Send email to nancy @ profnet.org

"We bring business professionals together in a non-competitive environment to help each other make more money"



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