Archive for Marketing Ideas
The New Face of Marketing
This week is so exciting for me – in a stepping outside my comfort zone kind of way. My new 2010 series of free monthly teleseminars starts on Thursday, and I am so thrilled with the prospect of doing this that I’ve kind of got butterflies already! I am meeting a number of great people during this process, and I’ve gotten tons of welcome advice and assistance in putting it all together. Each month I’ll be sharing a lot of information about marketing your business, and often the topic will be related to social media. This link has all the details about the first call.
If you have questions about why you should be marketing with Facebook, I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and I’ll address that on my call this week. Or if you have other marketing questions, let me know those, too. That might wind up being a great idea for another month’s free call.
Now, back to the Olympics…
Train Like An Olympian
Have you been watching the Olympics? The sports I enjoy the most are Curling and Snowboard Cross, and I must admit I have the TV on during the day so that I can watch hockey and curling while sitting at my desk. Tonight they were doing some little snippets on some of the Olympians and there were a lot of scenes from training routines. What struck me was the variety of activities they all do that are NOT the sport they compete in. All of them are designed to improve some aspect of their ultimate performance. So that got me to thinking – what other activities am I doing that improve my actual job performance?
Here are some things that you and I need to practice so that we can perform our own personal best:
- Imagination – This is the “thinking outside the box” part of our job. Sometimes it helps to seek help from a marketing strategist in order to see the possibilities. You don’t want to have a copy cat business, and if brainstorming isn’t your strength, find someone to help you here.
- Tenacity – This is the “don’t quit” part of your job. You’ve heard it before – often people give up right before they would have won. Don’t stop pushing forward. Don’t stop moving. Always take action. Winners are always going in some direction. Even if your path seems wrong, keep on the path. The right way will open for you.
- Customer Service – Referrals are likely your best source of new clients, so take care of your contacts and your clients. As Kelly O’Neil says: have your clients turn into raving fans who build your business for you. Provide an excellent experience that sets you apart from your competition.
- Flexibility – While it probably helps to be able to bend over and touch your toes, what you may need more is the ability to “go with the flow.” Remain open to new ideas, seek out innovative products and processes, and choose things that stretch you.
What things would you add to this list?
I Get By With A Little Help
I’m sure you’ve heard this before. And you may have heard it from me already. But it’s a great help to have business friends you can count on to keep focused and on target with what you need to be doing. I’m blessed to have a number of these women in my life. It’s like a big sigh in my day when I can talk to them on the phone or share ideas via email.
This week I had at least three occasions when I needed, and received support from these great gals. I’ve been kind of stuck on some projects, and now, I am UNstuck! The brainstorming sessions and pep talks got me moving forward. In fact, one of these life savers has teamed up with me to get a couple of big projects taken to completion over the next couple of months. She will be emailing me a lot to check on progress, and I will be doing the same for her. Whew!
If you need to get unstuck, grab a business friend who cares about your success, and ask them to help you. Trade expertise and emails. Take no excuses. (Guess who sometimes has a few excuses?) We are going to be there for each other when we need to breathe into that paper bag or want to hide under the bed. Big success takes big steps. Step Big!
Deep Diving
Yesterday I was listening to a recorded teleseminar on my MP3 while at the gym. The speaker, Allison Babb, was saying that we should be listening to what our existing and target clients’ needs are. Write down everything they are saying, and don’t be thinking: “I don’t know how to do that.” That pointed up a good lesson. Often when I am talking to prospective clients they ask for something I don’t offer. And granted, it’s okay that I may not want to provide that particular solution for the client. But I shouldn’t make that determination just because I currently don’t know how to do it. I am going to step into whatever is holding me back because that is often based on lack of information instead of not wanting to do a task.
For example, lots of clients want help with SEO. While that is not currently something I offer, I am learning that my reluctance has more to do with not understanding what is involved in good SEO practices, rather than not being interested in doing this for clients. It’s a little mind shift for me and will have the potential to open up more opportunities this year. So, I am keeping my list of things that my clients already tell me they need, and then investigate them to see if it is something I want to offer. By investing a few days (or more) deep diving through a topic I may discover that what I originally shied away from may now be a perfect match.
What new things should you be investigating?
The Edge is Never Dull
This weekend I finally made my vision board. It really turned out more like one of my daughter’s collages from high school, but I am pleased with the results. Who knew you could find some of these things in a magazine. Since I have no magazine subscriptions my biggest challenge was coming up with some to cut up. Luckily, a neighbor brought a stack that were about to be trashed. And the jackpot was at the little used book store in my parent’s town. I knew they sold “used” magazines, but if the issues are more than a couple months old, they GIVE them away. She wanted me to take all they had (there were hundreds.) I took a couple dozen and got to work ripping and tearing.
Time passed. Life gets in the way. I finally bought the poster board and glue stick (!) and cut and pasted last night. It felt a little silly – got to admit. But the end result makes me smile every time I look at it. There are lots of cool things on it – in a vision board sort of way – but my favorite has the be this: The Edge Is Never Dull. I’m glad to say that is how I choose to live every day – on the edge. Sometimes it’s a little wacky and weird, and it’s usually a tad uncomfortable, but if I don’t push the envelope I don’t think I will grow into the person I want to become and the business I want to have.
Looking forward to a surprising 2010!
A Treat of a Retreat!
There’s only 2-days left! Don’t miss out!
This amazing deal is only around for TWO more days so I just want to tell you about it so you don’t miss out!!! Join Kelly O’Neil at the Marketing to Millionaires™ Retreat in Southern California on September 30 through October 2 for the incredible price of only $995 (or 3 payments of $387).
Marketing to Millionaires™ truly is THE results driven solution you need to not just survive, but to really SUCCEED in this transitioning economy. Nowhere else will you get the insider secrets to marketing to the affluent – a market who value expertise, are willing to pay premium prices, AND will build your business for you by raving to all their wealthy friends. Don’t just take my word for it, check out the testimonials here.
This year’s retreat is going to be AMAZING! Get your ticket now for only $995 (or 3 payments of $387), which is an unbelievable $2000 off the full admission price. It’s only going to be around until this Friday, January 15th at MIDNIGHT. Here’s the link again: click here. Don’t wait!
PS – This is THE event to take your business to the next level. But don’t believe me.. read all about her success stories for yourself here and register today: Register Today!
What I Learned in 2009
2009 has to have been the wildest ride ever! My business has gone from Point A to Point B to Point C and pulled me along with my hair flying behind me. I’ve coached and been coached, mentored and been mentored, delegated and been delegated to. The people I’ve met in person or virtually have impressed me beyond belief. I thought I knew a lot about being a business owner, but 2009 raised the awareness of my business potential to the nth power. My to-do list is crazy long; to the point that I’m almost stuck spinning my wheels. Thank goodness I have someone starting to help me soon. Maybe this week!
Here are some of the key things I learned along the way.
- Find a mentor or business coach. It should be someone who has been down the same road as you and reached success. You will need to invest in yourself for this one. But the amount you invest will come back to you (many times over) if you put into action what they tell you to do.
- Delegate! If you don’t know why or how, consider getting help in cutting the control strings. Check out Delegate or Bust!. Jessica can help you find the right match for what you need done.
- You need to have systems in place for everything that you do. It’s impossible to grow your business without them.
- Hang out or mastermind with other entrepreneurs who are on their way to greater success. Help each other with great ideas and accountability.
- Pick up the phone and stay in touch. As much as we rely on our computers, social media and email, the key to more sales in 2010 may be at the end of your phone cord.
Read, read, read. If you don’t have any recommendations for business books or magazines (just ask someone), go to the nearest bookstore, or log onto Amazon and see what they are displaying for sale. There are so many “classics” as well as new books. Keep a book at your bedside or in your car to read while sitting in line at the bank depositing all your checks! Better yet, download the audio version and listen while running errands or puttering around the house. I always have teleconference replays and books on my MP3 player. (Santa brought me a new Sony version in shiny red that I love.) You can load tons of audios so you never have to be without inspiration.
Stay tuned for more details about each of these in upcoming blog posts. Y’all have a safe and Happy New Year! Here’s to our prosperity…
Please Don’t Be A Copy Cat!
This weekend I was alone during the day. My son was working and my husband was playing in a golf tournament. Perfect timing for me since I had lots to do in order to be ready for a business trip I am taking. The weather was glorious – clear blue skies, 70 degrees, and all sunshine. This is amazing after the near month-long rain and gloom we’ve been having. I just admired it from the window as I slowly worked my way through the to-do list.
The highlight of my weekend was listening to a teleseminar series by Gina Bell, called “How Does She Do It?”
Fifteen amazing women business owners gave advice on “How To Stop The Knee-Jerk Reaction of Comparing And Copying So You Can Create Success Online (Your Way) With Authenticity And Confidence!” It was the perfect thing to hear since I have been falling prey to seeing what others are doing and feeling like I have to copy cat my way to success. As Dr. Phil would say, “How’s that working for you?”
Here are a couple of things that were Aha moments to me:
• You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. Be authentic to your own style. Discover what works for you. Create new paradigms! Don’t look outside yourself for definition.
• Talk about money with your business girlfriends. Get to know money so it will flow into your business. Love your money. Pay attention to it. That will start bringing it to you.
• Be generous with your contacts, but don’t give away everything. And there will always be a segment of your audience that will want you to do the task for them.
For me it all boils down to staying true to my strengths- which are completely different from everyone else’s strengths. What I bring to my work and clients is me. And you bring you! Listen and watch what your mentors are doing, and then take what you can that works with your business. But don’t BE them. Be You!
Be Unique
This morning I received a photo of my daughter taken last week when she was out with her friends. Earlier that day she had called to tell me she had found the perfect top for a “party” skirt she has. This skirt has been to many events, has a very expensive designer label inside, and is covered in sequins. Not exactly the kind of thing you might see on the dance floor at the local joint on a Thursday evening. However, after telling her she would likely be the only person not in shorts or jeans, and that some would probably loudly whisper as she walked by, she confidently went out for the fun.
Why am I telling you this? Because she “owned” her uniqueness. She admitted that there were lots of comments – both good and bad – but she embraced her style and probably carried it off just great. If you are in business, you know that you need to know what is unique about YOUR offerings. What makes you stand out from the crowd? How are you different, and better than, your competition. Once you know how your business is unique, then you are able to develop a marketing plan that clearly explains how you can solve your clients’ needs or problems. Without it, you are just like everyone else.
So, grab your party skirt and step on out there!
Leaping Up the Ladder of Success
2009 has been the year I really invested in myself and my business. On January 2, I started looking for a business coach to help me. For a number of months I worked with AssistU founder and Virtual Assistant coach- Stacy Brice. Not long after that began, I won a three month small business coaching program scholarship with the amazing small business coach Allison Babb. We met originally when she was looking to hire a VA. Between these two coaches I got really clear on my strengths and target market. Investing the time and money was a very smart decision.
Like many small business owners I listen to lots of teleseminars and read a ton of information by successful internet marketers. At the beginning of the summer someone new came onto my radar- Kelly O’Neil. It was at a time when I was determined to take a significant leap forward with my marketing efforts. I jumped at the offer for a new 6 month coaching program. The many coaching sessions, mastermind groups and calls each month have solidified some great ideas for other side businesses, and I am enjoying the support as I create new offerings. One of the things I have added to my business is speaking and teaching small business owners who are stuck in the 20th Century with technology. I have, therefore, developed solutions that teach them about current internet and social media marketing techniques. This works really well with my current VA clients, too.
Last week I decided to go to my first coaching retreat. While it was not on my list for 2009, the event very quickly was decided upon, and travel plans were made. It was explained to me this way: do you want to take baby steps in your business, or do you want to leap up the ladder of success? The answer was obvious to me, and I know the retreat will be an amazing opportunity to connect with other small business owners who are growing their businesses, too.
So, what are you doing to leap up the ladder of success? How have you invested in yourself this year?
