reading

Praise for 21 Ways to Powerfully Network
Your Business and Kristen Eckstein

“Do you really know how to network? Kristen Eckstein answers that question and more in her latest book, 21 Ways to Powerfully Network Your Business. Not only do I use her easy-to-implement techniques, I recommend her to all of my clients.”

—Linette Daniels, author of Passion Won’t Pay the Bills
www.EmpowerMoreYouth.com

“21 Ways to Powerfully Network Your Business is the best ‘little black book’ of networking and wonderfully illustrates the importance

of building solid relationships. Kristen shares no-nonsense techniques to prepare you for your next event. Pick up your copy today.”

—Kelli Claypool, President & CEO Small Business and Learning Institute
www.BusinessAndLearning.com

“Imagine going into a room and knowing no one. How can you make an impact? How can you be heard? Kristen Eckstein’s 21 Ways to Powerfully Network Your Business is the answer. It will give you a variety of ways (21 to be exact!) to fnd your voice and create a powerful presence that brings you more visibility, credibility, and profts. A perfect gift for anyone attending a live event for sure!”

—Shannon Cherry, Your Creative Relationship Marketing Expert
www.BeHeardSolutions.com

“21 Ways to Powerfully Network Your Business by Kristen Eckstein is an easy-to-read book that is full of practical tips to take your business to the next level. It is a phenomenal way for new business owners to start their businesses of on the right foot, and it is also great for seasoned business owners to read to enhance their networking skills. Give this book to all the people you know who are working on establishing a solid plan for meeting customers to grow their businesses.”

—Stevii Mills, Founder of The Beauty From Head To Toe Tour

“Kristen Eckstein shares the secrets of networking in her latest book—21 Ways to Powerfully Network Your Business. You no longer need to be afraid of how to approach people in the social scenes, how to dress, where to sit… Kristen shares all that information and more in this little book—definitely a must have in your library.”

—Lisa Benavidez, Event Planner for MCE OnSite

“Kristen is such a joy to work with and honestly, one of the most effficient, action-oriented and conscientious providers I’ve ever worked with. She is one of my favorite resources to recommend!”

—Carrie Wilkerson, The Barefoot Executive™, BarefootExecutive.tv

“Kristen’s heart for business-done-right and business-done-well are at the very core of here interactions, and it shows. She’s a natural ‘connector’ and a true resource for all entrepreneurs. She’s wonderfully unforgettable.”

—Jenna Lang, Content Consultant

21 Ways™ Series, Book 2

Published by Discover! Books™
an Imprint of Imagine! Books™
PO Box 16268, High Point, NC 27261
contact@artsimagine.com

Imagine! Books™ is an enterprise of Imagine! Studios™
Visit us online at www.artsimagine.com

Illustrations by Drawperfect, purchased at istockphoto.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means, including informational
storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from
the copyright holder, except for brief quotations in a review.

ISBN 13: 978-0-9767913-8-6
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011933263

First Discover! Books™ printing, July 2011

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to:

My first mentor, Barbara Skivington,
who taught me the value of putting
others first in my business.

My coaches through the years: Mack Arrington,
Carrie Wilkerson, Bob the Teacher Jenkins,
Felicia Slattery, and Shannon Cherry.
Learning from you is the secret to my success.

My editor, Erin Casey, for all your hard work
making the text (and me) look great.

My husband and guru book designer,
Joe Eckstein, for making the design of this
book series stand out from the crowd.
And for your support with this crazy
idea we started called a business.

All my clients past, present, and future, with
whom I have built solid relationships. Without
you, I would not be in business, and I would be
without the best of friends.

Introduction

Let’s face it. Running a business is hard work. Still—even when we wake up and wonder how it came to this, how we got here, and why someone in their right mind is awake at four in the morning—we love our businesses.

Why? Because when we implement the great idea that woke us up before the crack of dawn, that idea then works for us. We know that those pesky, brilliant ideas combined with our passion for what we do generate income for us while we enjoy the luxury of taking a nap in the afternoon.

Few people will ever understand the passion entrepreneurs feel for what they do. Thus, the relationships we build around our businesses may lead to some of our deepest friendships. Relationships drive and continuously fuel our businesses. But building relationships takes time, hard work, and typically begins at a networking event or conference when we meet people for the first time.

I decided to write this book because so many people have asked me how they can easily make a bigger impact on their businesses through stronger relationships and networking, as I have. I hope you enjoy discovering what I have learned through the years. But more than that, I hope you will use these simple, powerful strategies to grow your business in a meaningful way.

Happy Networking!