Author: Bette Daoust, Ph.D

ISBN: 1883955483

The following review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN:  Editor of Bookpleasures. CLICK TO VIEW  Norm Goldman's Reviews

The dictionary defines a blueprint as a detailed plan or program of action. Just as architects need a set of blueprints to guide them in their professional lives, similarly, business people require a map to point them in the right direction in order to achieve success in the world of commerce.

One of the essential ingredients on the path to success is networking or interconnecting with enough people in order to sell a product or service. As was pointed out by Bette Daoust in Blueprints For Success-Networking 150 Ways to Promote Yourself, it is not so much as to who you know but rather who knows you. Networking, as the author states, is an art and the process cannot be taken lightly if you wish to succeed in attracting new business.

Daoust strikes just the right tone with her 150 one page suggestions, wherein readers learn about event marketing, which groups to join, strategic alliances, announcements, speaking engagements, relationships, keeping track of our plans of action, business card marketing, web relationships and printed networking. Quite noteworthy is that each section ends with a series of checklists summarizing the principle points. Moreover, she takes pain not to sound preachy, and her succinct recommendations are basically down to earth and practical advice.

For example, when dealing with alliances on the web, Daoust states: “Be picky about who will link to you: shoot and scatter does not always work.” The fact that you have a web site is not enough to achieve recognition. You have to seek out and network with other businesses that will be good fits for what you do. As for offering free information and products, this is likewise insufficient in itself. As the author states, “the offering has to have substance and also be worthwhile.”

Daoust has a background in education, technology, and enterprise administration. Her sage recommendations are the culmination of years in dealing with many business people, where she was a keen observer of the their creative and innovative networking techniques. She pitches her book to a wide audience, and even the knowledgeable business person will discover something useful.

Although, there is included at the end of the book a brief resource guide pointing the way for tracking down more information, I would have liked to have seen more extensive references, particularly web sites.