Bluespark - September 2021

Bluespark - September 2021

the

September 2021

Using Content to Rebuild Relationships How do you mend a relationship that’s gone stale? If we were talking about a romantic relationship, a love letter would be a good start. The letter would remind the recipient of the good times through stories that are designed to stir up emotional memories. Asking for money would feel a bit out of place until you established an emotional reconnection. Give to Get The key to regaining the trust of our alumni? Demonstrate the value of a continued relationship with the university. If you can do that, really connect with your constituents, you can engender a lifetime of continuous engagement. We need to genuinely engage our alum where they are in their lives so we can maintain that strong connection to the university even though they’ve moved on.

Emotional reconnection can be built by leveraging the fond memories of university life.

Alumni associations today are likely offering some great benefits, but how well are they explained to new alumni?

If someone were to think about all the things they did while attending a university, they would quickly become overwhelmed. On the other hand, there’s likely no single event memorable enough to generate enough content to meaningfully engage and continue a relationship

At one university, the only mention of alumni benefits is relegated to a bullet point in an email, saying, “Click here to see your alumni benefits.” It didn’t really explain why those benefits would matter to someone much less entice them to explore the value of remaining engaged with their alma mater.

Perhaps alumni can keep a university email address. But why would someone want that?

with each individual. Yet, this is exactly what we need to do. Every student had their own unique experience at the university; they have their own stories. And, given the state of the modern web, alumni expect the university to connect them to the stories and causes that matter to them. But how do we build these relationships at scale? How do we find the content, tailor, and personalize the content to build that emotional reconnection? And still do all the other day-to- day work that is required? One solution is the The Bluespark Story Engine. The engine aggregates news stories from all around the university and pulls that content into a tool that offers personalization. The Story Engine creates tailored, personal, and even individual experiences for each of your alumni. As your alumni interact with the site, we learn more about their preferences and begin presenting content (and causes) that align with their personal interests, increasing the chances that they will actually make a donation. This is genuine engagement. This is engagement that you can bank on. The key is regaining trust.

If you’ve ever signed up for a free trial for software or online services, you might have been given a tour or received emails that explain not only how to use certain features, but also why you would want to use those features. In the history of the world, there have never been more ways to connect and follow up. How often are these methods being used at the university level?

Bluespark has been extremely successful at helping universities reconnect and build lasting relationships. If your alumni organization identifies with these issues and would like to shift to a more effective strategy, contact us online today by scanning the QR code or visiting Bluespark.com/contact .

[email protected]

919.234.7876

1

5 Ways to Fit Extra Movement Into Your Day If you're restless at your desk, extra exercise and movement might be exactly what the doctor ordered. Even just a little bit of unplanned movement every day can help boost your mood and maintain good blood circulation. Here are five ways you can fit in extra movement without losing your productivity!

doorway to use, you can try doing shoulder shrugs or neck rolls right at your desk to ease some stress or even just clear your head.

No. 1: Park farther away. It might be more convenient to park as close to your destination as you can, but parking farther away can add some extra steps. It’s a small difference that certainly can’t replace regular cardio, but it doesn’t hurt either! No. 2: Drink more water. Drinking plenty of water is healthy for flushing out bacteria in your system, but it’s also a great way of helping you get up from your desk. The more water you drink, the more times you’ll have to refill it in your kitchen or at the watercooler. And, on your way back to your workspace, take the long way around to say hi to your coworkers! No. 3: Stretch in doorways. Our shoulders and neck can quickly get sore from the amount of time we spend slouching in front of our screens. An easy way to relieve the stress is to press your hands on either side of a door frame, then lean forward as far as you can. If you don’t have a

No. 4: Do more calf raises. One of the easiest

exercises to do in public or at home are calf raises. Do this by simply raising your feet high off the ground one at a time.

Squats and lunges are also easy to do but may require more flexible clothing than you’re wearing and a space where you can move freely.

No. 5: Walk for all of your phone calls. Sometimes, people start walking naturally while they’re on a phone call. Why not make it an intentional movement every time you take a call? Studies show that walking will keep your body in high gear by encouraging energy and productivity!

CAN FEEL LIKE GETTING A PROPOSAL AFTER ONE DATE CONVERTING TOO SOON

Imagine this: You go out on the perfect first date, the conversation is flowing, and you feel a real connection with whomever you are with. The dinner is coming to a close, but your date feels the connection is so strong that they do something drastic. They suddenly ask you to marry them and — of course — this completely scares you off. Hey, they might seem like a nice person, but you hardly know them … You probably wouldn’t marry a practical stranger after just one date. And when you think about it, this could be just as problematic as converting a sale too soon. Trying to make a sale during your first interaction with a client may feel like the right thing to do, but the result can be that neither you nor the client truly knows what you are getting into — and coming on too

strong can actually scare the client off. Clients need time to understand that they can trust your company if they’re going to buy your products or services. Likewise, it is important that you get to know them. It is always best to think of your clients in a long-term capacity. If you’re focused solely on making a quick sale and walking away, you’ll miss out on great opportunities for growth. If you show that you value your relationship with your clients, it will help to build loyalty and client retention. Always remember the importance of beginning this process before your client ever walks in the door. While you generate and follow leads, you can begin the relationship-building process. Whether it’s through an email, phone call, or initial meeting, the very first point of contact can set the stage for all future interactions.

It helps to be overly informative with your product or service so the client knows fully what they’re getting into. These discussions will also help you understand your client’s needs so you can create a personal selling strategy to encourage them to buy with confidence. Once you’ve made the sale and created a long-term relationship with your client, it’s important to not let it falter. Continue the same communication methods and be sure to check in to ensure they are still satisfied with your product or service. Communication provides a great opportunity to follow up on other products or services you offer and to continue growing. Always keep in mind that having strong relationships with your clients is the fastest way to grow your business.

[email protected]

919.234.7876

2

Easy Vegan ‘Cheese’ Sauce

Inspired by ShaneAndSimple.com

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups potatoes, peeled and chopped • 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced • 1/4 onion, chopped • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast

• 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp onion powder • Salt, to taste • 1/2 cup warm water

It’s rare to make a sale during your initial contact with a prospective client. While it does happen, it usually leaves the client wanting more in the long run. More often than not, to fully convert a sale, it’ll take multiple touches and various approaches. According to the Outreach Sales Engagement Platform, it takes eight touches to engage a client , let alone make a sale. Each client will be different. Some may require fewer approaches while others truly need to be convinced. How Many Contacts Make a Sale? More Than You Think

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add potatoes,

carrots, and onion, then boil until soft, 15–20 minutes. 2. Drain vegetables. Using a blender,

combine vegetables and remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding additional water as necessary. 3. Drizzle sauce over nachos and dig in!

SUDOKU

Your sales efforts to convert a potential client should be thought of in three parts: interest, consideration, and commitment .

Your first few contacts should be focused on gathering interest while advancing and encouraging a relationship with the client. As their interest grows and the potential client/business relationship blossoms, take it to the next step by setting up a meeting. When you’ve reached the stage where you’re ready to meet with the client, you’re in the consideration stage. The client is open to doing business but may need a little extra push to make a purchase. In most cases, the initial meeting will either turn into a long-term lead or nothing at all. Since it can take many attempts to get them to meet with you, it should not be surprising if multiple meetings are required. You should not worry if they don’t buy-in right away. It’s possible that they don’t feel an urgency to purchase your product or services. This is why it’s important to make the most out of every meeting. You will need to not only educate your potential client about your product or services but also inspire them to invest. Through these meetings, you may open up new avenues of thought that this client had not considered previously. This will help your relationship grow while also helping to secure the sale. After you share multiple meetings and communications, your client will be ready to commit to your business. However, you’ll have to decide when it’s best to stop pursuing a lead. Every potential client is different and you may have to adjust your methods accordingly to ensure that you complete your sale.

[email protected]

919.234.7876

3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

7610 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615 [email protected] 919.234.7876 bluespark.com

Inside this Issue

Using Content to Rebuild Relationships. ......1

5 Ways to Keep Yourself Moving...................2

Converting Too Soon. ....................................2

How Many Contacts Make a Sale?. ............3

Easy Vegan 'Cheese' Sauce.........................3

Tips for Buying a Home in a Seller’s Market................................................4

For the past year and a half, America has been experiencing a housing crisis. There has been a shortage of inventory caused by a lack of new construction for the past few years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these trends, causing house prices to skyrocket in many American cities. If you’re trying to buy a home in this market, you might be wondering how to put your best foot forward in all the craziness and ensure you’ve got a place to live when the dust settles. Well, while nothing is guaranteed in the current market, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you find a house that you (mostly) like and can afford. Get Preapproved for a Mortgage This lets sellers know that a lender has verified your finances and credit history and can attest that in your current situation, you’re able to own a home. It will make you a much more favorable potential buyer. Search Under Your Budget While this is just a good money-saving tip in general, in a hot market, the likelihood of getting outbid by other potential buyers is high. If you start your offers low, it gives you more room to bid up on a house that you like, if you have to. Tips for Buying a Home In an Extreme Seller’s Market

Make Compelling Offers Beyond Just a Higher Bid Sometimes, the best offer on a house isn’t always the higher offer. Depending on the seller’s priorities, they might choose to sell to the buyer who offered a higher down payment or to close the sale earlier. Sellers might find an earlier closing especially compelling if the buyers also offer a rent-back so the sellers have time to find a new home themselves. Hire a Good Real Estate Agent Real estate agents are an essential element of any successful home purchase. Their industry knowledge, negotiation skills, and network connections make them more than worth hiring when you’re just starting out your search.

Even though the market seems crazy right now, don’t worry — with the right tools and a little patience, you’ll find a home you’ll love.

[email protected]

919.234.7876

4