I realize the topic of sowing seeds of success may seem like a gardener, farmer, or Johnny Appleseed to do but it is so revealing to one’s success. You may think, “How does sowing seeds actually apply to me?” In business, the more you build the relationships you have and create and the more people who learn or know of your business (your list), the greater your revenue stream eventually will be. Your networth is directly proportional to your network. People need to get to know, like, and trust you in order to do business with you. Sowing the “Seeds of Success” is not a overnight process. Have you ever planted a seed in a garden or watched a crop being put in the ground?Neither the gardener nor the farmer come out in the morning preparing for harvest. The seed requires the nutrients from the soil, water, and the glorious sunshine in order to grow and stretch to the sky. You, too, need to grow and nurture the relationships you build and during the process you also learn and grow into the person you were meant to be.

What is seeding and how does a person seed? The Free Online Dictionary defines a seed as a source or beginning. The same is true in your business, you are creating and nurturing new beginnings and relationships with others. Some relationships will develop and flourish and some with not grow at all and that’s okay. Some relationships need to be re-seeded as you may have had a misunderstanding or you may have lost touch with the other person. Seeding is about letting others know about your business and how you can help them.  They want to know about the results you create. You, in turn, will also grow your business.

Here are several ways to sow the seeds of your success:

• Take a genuine interest in people and learn about them. What makes the tick? What is their “why” for doing what they do? Look for the common thread between you and them. People appreciate that you take time to care about them as a person not as a commodity.
• Follow-up with a phone call (preferred) or email to connect with people following a meeting within 24-48 hours of meeting.
• Send a card of appreciation to your current client base.
• Utilize direct mail marketing with postcards or brochures – not as common any more but it has greater impact due its novelty.
• Create articles or blogs that provide content with tips, strategies, and techniques that would benefit your followers.
• Speak at conferences, trade shows, or associations to get yourself out there. The more your name and brand are out there – people will start to learn about you.
• Collaborate with others in cross promotion of each other’s businesses. Word of Mouth Marketing is continually one of the most powerful marketing methods.

You cannot sow just a few seeds, stop, and suddenly start to reap the rewards of growth. You must plant seeds regularly and consistently so you can grow connections and opportunities. Ensure you are sowing the seeds of success intentionally by connecting with people who are aligned with your values and you will start to see the seeds grow. The seed you plant today could be the treasure you reap tomorrow.

How do you seed the marketing in your business? How do people learn about you or your products or services? What have you discovered during the process of building connections?