Announcements and Opportunities

Manhattan NAFE Gathering a Great Success! NAFE New Yorker Network hosted a special event July 27th at the Sheraton New York Hotel in conjunction with Working Mother’s National Conference for Multicultural Women. Roxanne Natale, NAFE Member Services Coordinator, greeted the crowd of approximately 100 women, and then introduced NAFE President Betty Spence, who encouraged the group to continue with plans to develop the new NAFE network. Dr. Spence then moderated a panel discussion on the critical importance of networking to your career, with three speakers in diverse fields: non-profit, corporate public relations and peer-to-peer social networking. Panelists included Victoria Bailey, Executive Director of the Theatre Development Fund; Jen Prosek, Managing Partner, CJP Communications, and Jan Wallen, author of Mastering LinkedIn in 7 Days or Less. The frank and engaging discussion provided concrete learning opportunities and the best of NAFE: a chance to meet face-to-face and learn from others. Cocktails followed, provided by Working Mother Media.

Is a Master’s Degree in Your Future? QS TopMBA Connect matches MBA candidates with the world's leading business schools, for a meeting designed to put both parties one step ahead. These events provide a unique opportunity to meet admissions representatives in person at prescheduled times: no waiting, no lines – and no interruptions. The Fall 2010 schedule in the US includes San Francisco (Sept. 12), New York (Sept. 25) and Washington DC (Sept. 27). Click here for more information.

NAFE Online Calendar Listings. Are you taking advantage of this FREE promotional tool for your network and other events? Is your local group having a monthly meeting? Are you speaking somewhere, producing a business workshop or helping to organize a community fundraiser? As a NAFE member, you can post information about all your events simply by filling out the online form here.

Want to promote your business? A square display ad (120x120 pixels) in one issue of NAFE News & Notes is just $75.00. Larger skyscraper ads (600x120 pix) are also a bargain at $175. Contact newsletter editor Paula Damiano to place your ad.

5 Tips… on Keeping Your Direct Mail Out of the Trash

By Greg Brown

With direct mail costs on the rise, businesses need to be sure that when they DO do a direct mail campaign, their message is noticed AND they’re reaching the right contact.

To help companies on both fronts, Melissa Data (a leader in data quality solutions) and its Marketing Director Greg Brown have put together these tips. [Editor’s note: These suggestions are also applicable to eblast campaigns.]

1. Select the right list and keep it updated.
A crummy mail campaign sent to a good list can make money, but even brilliant mail sent to a bad list will fail every time. And make sure your list is current. Lists go out of date at a rate of 15% or more every year, according to NCOA (National Change of Address) services.
2. Go bold!
Choose a clear, bold headline and a color that pops for maximum notice!
3. Watch out for “muleta.”
Muleta is the little red cape bullfighters use to distract the bull. Similarly, look for anything in your piece that will distract potential customers from your offer, message or product.
4. Now or later?
Be sure to present a call-to-action and an offer. One of biggest mistakes is burying (or not including) a call-to-action. Tell your prospect exactly what you want them to do.
5. Commit!
Be consistent and commit. Consumers rarely get multiple pieces from a business. Hit your prospect with different communication about the same thing, or hit them with different products with the same look or feel, or both. Repetition makes your reader think “Hmmmm…these guys are still contacting me.” Demonstrate that type of persistence and for added credibility.

Network News

The Greater Washington Women’s Network (GWWN), Washington D.C.’s NAFE affiliate, recently hosted its 7th Annual Leadership and Award Program, honoring an impressive group of people and their achievements. The event was held at Charles Sumner School Museum with Mistress of Ceremonies Sherreen Ogletree. The keynote speaker, Marissa Levin, received a standing ovation for her speech “Leadership: Empowered to Influence, Execute and Succeed.” Thanks to sponsors and donations, two $1,300 academic scholarships were awarded to Muala Mutinda Ndaka and Jessica Ofelia Stamp. For more information on this network and its programs, click here.

Learn all about your fellow business women on nafe.com under Member Profiles. The Flood Sisters are currently featured, as well as Janice Gallick of CareCircle, Robbie Motter and Teriilee Harrison. Click here.

Know another outstanding NAFE member you’d like to see profiled on nafe.com? Send details to NAFE News & Notes editor Paula Damiano at pauladamiano@hotmail.com.

Upcoming Events

For a complete list of events, see our online Calendar!

Las Vegas, NV
August 12-13, 2010
Empower yourself right into that dream job with The Ignite Summit 2010: Breaking through the Ceiling. The event organizers say they’ll provide you the roadmap, defining the things that you need to do to get that new job or promotion! Full details here.

New York, NY
December 2, 2010
Save the date! Join us for a celebration of NAFE's Women of Excellence winners at a breakfast event at The Times Center, 242 W. 41 St. in New York City. More details here.

• Go to nafe.com to view our ever-expanding Calendar of Events for opportunities around the country. The new Search function makes the Calendar even more useful and accessible.
• Use the Event Submission Form online to let us know about events in your area. Events submitted for the website will also be considered for the NAFE News & Notes– twice the exposure for one listing!

Check the NAFE Calendar of Events for network meetings, workshops and other happenings around the country.