the write approach » biz development

new examiner article: building your business through your chamber of commerce

Taura — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:56:57 +0000

Knowing the importance of networking to build business, last week I attended the L.A.’s Largest Mixer event at the Shrine Auditorium. This event was attended by over 2500 people streaming through the aisles of over 225 exhibitors. Not only was it a great opportunity to meet prospective clients, but also it proved an excellent resource to build partnerships and for business development…

For the rest of the article go to www.examiner.com

making contacts at l.a.’s largest mixer

Taura — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:49:50 +0000

Taura Mizrahi at LA's Largest Mixer

Last week I attended the L.A.’s Largest Mixer event at the Shrine Auditorium. It proved to be a very productive event. I talked with various businesses about ways we could work together. To read more about the importance of networking check out my two most recent Examiner articles, “Writers get out there! Networking ideas for writers in Los Angeles”, and “Building your business through your chamber of commerce”.

It was a fun event with over 225 exhibitors and 2500 attendees. Booths lined both levels of the auditorium and streams of people wove through them. There was also a bar and some of the exhibitors were giving out samples of food. Unfortunately, I was not able to sample any of it as I was in the middle of a three-week cleanse (but that’s another story). Exhibitors ranged from dog trainers to legal advice and everything in between. There was also a good showing of various business groups and chambers of commerce.

Aside from the business networking, I also ran into some friends at the show. It was great to see my old friend Melissa Sanders who had a booth to represent her company, Essential Chocolate Desserts. While I wasn’t able to sample any of her delectables at the mixer (that damn cleanse!), I can say from her experience that her flourless chocolate cake is to die for (and perfect for us gluten-free peeps)! The girls all enjoyed this one at my bachelorette party (I’ll spare you the other gory details from that night).

It was great to see Cory Newman from DJ Party Pros (he was the dj at our wedding and had people on the dance floor all night long). He was there with his networking group, TEAM Referral Network. They have chapters all over town and I think I’m going to check out my local Beverly Hills meeting.

Stasi at the Rovia booth

I also got to hang with my friends from Rovia who had a booth to promote incredible vacations at bargain prices. Stasi Hartwick from Epitome Salon was there helping people learn how they can take dream vacations. To check out some of the vacations (there are over 350 this year), visit my site at www.MizfitTravel.worldventuresdreamtrips.com and if you are looking to save money on the next trip you book become a preferred customer on my travel site at www.MizfitTravel.rovia.com. We used Rovia to book the honeymoon and saved a ton!

On a side note, I know that I mentioned the wedding, the honeymoon, and the bachelorette party, and I promise you that I will blog about all of it. We just got our photo proofs from our photographer, Robert Evans, and are so excited to share them. Once we have finished sorting through all 800 (yes, 800!), I’ll put some up here. He captured some really beautiful moments. Thank you, Robert!

new examiner article: writers get out there! networking ideas for writers in los angeles

Aimee — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:09:46 +0000

For writers it is common to work in a very isolated environment. Many of us need peace and quiet to get our work done. We usually have our own methods that work for each of us to undertake the task of putting word to paper (or monitor, as the case may be). However, this can be problematic if you are trying to make a living as a writer. Finding the balance between writing time and networking is critical for the success of a professional writer.

(For more, see the article at http://www.examiner.com/)

fun in the sun at the santa monica college internship fair

Taura — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:52:40 +0000

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to search for summer interns. And what a better place put out our ‘help wanted’ sign than at the Santa Monica College internship fair?

Intern Jill and I spent a busy morning in sunny (and breezy!) Santa Monica chatting with students from a multitude of different majors and backgrounds. The response was amazing! In two hours I had ten times more interested candidates than in two months of searching online. I look forward to the daunting task of narrowing the list and picking our summer interns.

Thank you to Judy White, the SMC Internship Program Director, and the rest of the SMC team for putting together a wonderful event and making us feel welcome. Thank you to intern Jill for helping get everything ready. And thank you to all the students who stopped by The Write Approach table. We are excited to read your writing samples!

SMC Internship Fair

what recession? freelancing is a viable option in a down economy

Taura — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:34:40 +0000

Los Angeles is a city that is comfortable with the term “independent contractor,” thanks to the large mechanism called the entertainment industry. Cast and crew are often hired on a temporary basis during production and then released to tackle the next project. Come tax time, many L.A. mailboxes are stuffed with 1099 forms.

We’ve all read the headlines about job lay-offs, foreclosures, and businesses struggling to survive. What we don’t see, are the numbers of independent contractors who are thriving right now. As a freelance writer in Los Angeles, it behooves you to take advantage of the abundance that this city has to offer. Not only are Angelinos comfortable with the concept of the independent contractor or freelancer, but our economy is ripe for this type of business relationship. It’s the perfect storm of opportunity.

Read the full article at examiner.com.