We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Janice Porter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Janice below.

Janice, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

I love to send a REAL card and gift to show appreciation to my clients who have been “the best” to work with and made it easy! They aren’t expecting it, and most often are really expressive and appreciative of the gesture. I have had clients call or message to say thank you. I have had clients post a photo and shown their appreciation with a lovely post on social media.
The thing is I’m not expecting anything in return – so those things are a bonus.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I always knew I wanted to be my own boss … I just didn’t know what that would look like.

Teaching was my first profession – and I loved it. What nobody told me was that I had to deal
with politics, bureaucracy and people who were so set in their ways that it was a constant downer. I took some time off for health reasons, and began to see that perhaps teaching school wasn’t going to be IT forever. When it was time to go back to work, I couldn’t do it – and as luck would have it (there really are no accidents, in my opinion), I was given the opportunity to do some corporate training.

My next adventure, in the world of “adult education” began.
I was one step closer to being my own boss and parlayed a contract position into a pretty steady 18-year gig. Then it all came crashing down in the early 2000s as the economy changed and contract employees were being squeezed out. No job, no pension, no gold watch.

Now what?
There was no chance I was going to be an employee with a 9 – 5 routine – perish the thought.
I had 2 daughters and a busy “mom” schedule that included dance and piano, for one daughter and three sports for the other. The reality was I needed to work to help pay for all those activities, but I also needed the flexibility to be where I needed to be – cheering on my kids.

But here’s the problem – I didn’t know a thing about business – how to start one, how to run one, and how to finance one. I discovered that I didn’t qualify for government assistance to go and learn how to become a business owner – except for a 2-week program that gave the Cliff/Coles Notes version – just enough information to be dangerous.

I began networking like crazy. Networking was now a thing, and I made sure I got myself out there, meeting people, learning by asking questions, and getting involved at my local Chamber of Commerce so I could see what “small business” was all about. I thought I could set myself up as an independent, corporate and tech trainer in the same industry I had been in. Sounded easy, and I knew my stuff – but I soon realized that no one was going to feed me the work – as the scheduler had in my previous contract position. I had to market myself and get out there.
I also had to keep up with the latest iterations of the equipment I was training on – which was much harder to do on my own. Things didn’t go so well.

One of the women I met networking was a true entrepreneur who had a couple of businesses going … I learned lots from her and actually began my next venture by licensing her business – and became a professional organizer, focused on small office, home office clients.
I worked hard to make my skills known at networking events, started doing presentations to
give value and build a client base. I also learned some business acumen from my mentor and business partner. That lasted for a couple of years – and at the same time I started to build my reputation as a master networker – joining several networking organizations and helping to build the local chapters. Being a good networker and connector has really helped me a lot along the way – and, guess what? I was able to train others how to be more successful at that skill too – and get paid for it. Progress!

Somewhere in the middle of all that I was introduced to network marketing. I’m sure I was lured once to a secret meeting in someone’s living room that had a stranger up at the front of the room with a flip chart drawing Xs and 0s. The dark ages of MLM for sure. That didn’t work for me. But I seemed to be drawn to the next one and the next one as I was curious and always seeking another way to make extra money.

The journey wasn’t easy, but by the time I came to my 3rd company, I felt “at home” and comfortable with the products. That was a start. The person who brought me into this company was there to support me as needed and had my back. Now I began to really learn about the industry.

I really believe that network marketing is continuous lessons in personal development, as you are always being challenged to push yourself and see what you are made of.

My introduction to LinkedIn as an online social media platform was a big addition to my evolution as a business owner. It was the first social that made any sense to me. AND I quickly realized that I could train others how to use this platform to enhance their businesses. I was excited to be able to teach again … and began to do just that.

Today I describe myself as a Relationship Marketing Specialist – I teach business professionals how to show up on LinkedIn as their “best selves” and helping them optimize their profiles. Then I show them all the strategies around messaging and content that will help them use the platform for building authority and growing their businesses – including increasing revenue. My sweet spot is teaching how to actually find the best prospects – turn them into connections – then convert those connections into conversations that convert to business. For me it is always about relationships!

Once relationships are created online -and taken offline – I share my secret weapon – an online program of greeting cards and gifts that sends REAL cards and gifts in the mail – a tangible touch that helps nurture the relationships going forward. I show people how to stay connected, be remembered. This definitely builds a predominantly referral based business. I feel that people want to be appreciated, and if you can show them kindness and appreciation – it will take you a long way.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I think the new clients come from three sources : Presentations (in person or online) , LInkedIn , and Referrals.

Doing a high-level presentation on video or in-person works well – because I love engaging my audience, and they can see my personality and know if there is a fit for them.

I think LinkedIn is such an under-utilized platform for networking – and that is a great source of new clients for me.
I do a lot of outreach, meeting new people, and from their profile form my first impression – do I want to get to know them, or not. What or who may we have in common – and how can I engage them quickly.

The best source of new clients for me is always referrals. Do a great job, exceed expectations, show your client you care, and they will tell others of their experience with you.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One of the first personal development thought leaders that influenced my work is Jim Rohn. He was one of my first inspirations as a mentor and I used to listen to his network marketing CD over and over again – especially the parable about sowing and reaping. It just said it all – and that’s how I learned the MOST valuable information about not taking things personally. You can’t control who is going to come to your meeting, you can’t control who is going to buy, you can’t control who will leave, you can’t control anything other than YOU and your feelings.
The sooner you don’t take things personally the easier it is to move on and find the people who want what you want.

The book “The Power of Human Connection” by Kody Bateman is a book that highly influenced my work also.
This is where I learned about showing appreciation, spreading kindness, and acting on your promptings.
The best lesson from Kody is to send out to GIVE – not to GET. What you send out comes back tenfold… the law of
reciprocity works in magical ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janiceporter.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janiceporter1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceporter/
• Other: Podcast: Relationships Rule https://link.chtbl.com/RelationshipsRule