It's December?

It is so funny how something you know is coming every year, seems to sneak up on you. Here we are again, the last month of the year. Why is it when this time rolls around, business owners are just saying to themselves, I should have made more money. December is the wrong time to think about how to increase revenues. Financials must be reviewed on a quarterly basis if not monthly. Then you have time to adjust the plan. It is sort of like a sail boat. You don't adjust the sails on a ship when you have reached your destination only to find out you are in the wrong place. You need to adjust along the trip. That requires a plan, then reviewing the plan and the behaviors, and finally adjusting the behavior and plan based on the results. I hope as you head into December it is to enjoy the season and not to look back with regret. If not, cheer up, you can still change the course for next year.

You want me to do what?

I was talking with one of my mastermind buddies. I was saying that when I work with my clients, they are always excited about the possibilities. They love the ideas we generate together. We always enjoy our time together. Then the reality sets in, who is going to do all this work? Most of my clients are Entrepreneurs who have limited staff and even more limited time. Each task we generate to be part of their business development strategy seems daunting at best. To me, it is like the saying "it hurts so good." You have to do the work, pay the price, invest the time. But who, where, when, what and how?

The task that is most daunting and needed is a way to communicate with their customers on a regular basis. How do you create an email with a call to action? How do you create an email newsletter? What about the whole email opt-in situation?

I have done my research and read lots of good material from forums and boards. I think for the novice who is serious about creating a culture of high touch marketing, AWeber is the way to go. Their pricing is great, they offer a money back guarantee and a free trial. The have a robust support system and indoctrinate you into their system by demonstrating to you the power of autoresponders the minute you sign up with them. Within an hour you could have an email campaign launched and producing for you. Aweber is the tool I chose to use.

The next question is who? Well to start I suggest you look it over and see what you are comfortable doing. The good news is there are lots of great Virtual Assistants (VAs) out there that can do this for you. They will set it up and update if for you as well as manage it. So it could be really not a burden at all. And the return on investment will be well worth any effort you put into it.

Go check out Aweber.com to see how easy it is to use.

Get Clients Now! It Works if You Work It

I had a great training session today with a group of 8 entrepreneurs. Each was unique in their offerings and business models. They all shared one goal, to get more clients. As we worked through the program and developed the plan, it became clear that they were feeling alone in their struggle to build their business; frustrated and feeling isolated. It was very nice to see the room relax and lighten up as each shared their struggles, goals and aspirations. It was amazing how they all had so much in common even though their businesses are so very different.

I share this because I think there are a lot of entrepreneurs out there thinking, no one understands what it's like to have someone hang up the phone on them. No one knows what its like to get rejected. And yet, I find that cannot be further from the truth. Owning your own business, being your own boss can be very rewarding and also very daunting. The key is to create a community so you are not alone. For me the Get Clients Now! program does just that. The eight people that sat at that table today will always have a connection. Whether they stay in touch or not, there is someone out there that knows what they are going through and is rooting for them. And if they are lucky, if they use the system, they are helping them stay accountable.

Cool Resource

I was on an online board recently and stumbled across this site. CJ Hayden actually recommended it. It is a collection of resources in the sales arena. It's worth a look. I am always looking for new and cool ideas. Here is a one stop shop for sales. Check it out at www.salesopedia.com.

It's not a Fad

Entrepreneurs are here to stay. Check out this recent blog post based on an entrepreneurial study done by the SBA:

Growing Firms in the Entrepreneurial Economy
Recent reports from the SBA find that entrepreneurial firms are now over 50% of the GDP, and have created about 78% of all new jobs every single year for the past twenty years. (To read the rest follow the link.)

The point is not only are entrepreneurs responsible for job growth, but their businesses are sustainable. I say that is good new!

Why am I so amazed?

It has been a good week. There have been a lot of reasons for this. The main reason is because I have been doing what I tell my clients to do, consistently behave. After four steady weeks of good marketing behavior it is finally paying off.



The next step -- to continue behaving. It would be really easy to sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor. The truth is there is still more work to be done. Just like planting a crop, the job is not done at the harvest. The soil needs to be taken care of afterwords. So to in marketing. As I continue to care for my clients, plan for my meetings and seminars, I must still cultivate. For without cultivation, there is no future harvest.

It's a process . . .

"It's not so much what you get from goals that matters, it's what you had to become to get it that's yours forever." ~ Jim Rohn

Believe to Achieve

"If you see it in your mind, you're going to hold it in your hand." Bob Proctor

I have always believed this and it is wonderful to see it come true. I worked with a client who was working on a dream. It was a big dream that was one of those uphill battles. Today I was able to see it is coming true. The amazing thing is they always knew it would.

In the movie South Pacific, there is a song that talks about having a dream and the words go something like this: "You have to have a dream, cause if you don't have a dream, how you going to have a dream come true."

What is your dream? Can you see it? It should be like a movie picture in your mind. Walk in it, smell the smells, taste the tastes, hear the sounds and be in the space. It's your dream and you can make it come true.

Know your audience

I have the privilege of giving a 10 minute presentation next week to a networking group I just joined. I honestly was not sure what to present. My business is very diverse. After talking with a couple of colleagues I decided to take an informal survey of the group to see what their biggest marketing challenge is. I am already getting responses. The good news is now I can try to tailor my presentation to the needs of the group.

Lesson learned: Know your audience, take a survey and give the results in your next presentation.

Virtually Yours

It's true, you can run a business and never leave your office. I have the pleasure of working with a new client who happens to be located about 500 miles away. We have never met in person, it was a referral from a happy client. What makes this so nice is that I never asked for the referral. It came all on it's own. My client was talking to an associate and marketing came up. He then mentioned what I was doing for him. Next thing I know I am working this his associate. So remember two things:

• First, if you have a phone and the internet, you can do business anywhere with anyone.
• Second, if you take care of your clients, they will take care of you.

Have a great day, where ever you are!

Networking - It works

I invited a client to a networking meeting I go to. He was skeptical, he's been to other programs and found them to be not productive. It was a great feeling to watch as he bonded quickly with the group and walked away with three good referrals. What made the experience exceptional for me is I prepared him for the meeting. He came ready and because he was prepared, he was successful.

The lesson learned: Research the networking venue before you go. Show up prepared and then work the meeting.

Business Marketing Gym . . . a seed

I have been working on developing this program now for four months. I am so close to launching this I can see it. When I get this close to a new program, I find it hard to sleep because I am so excited. I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea or a plan. It is so strong I have to run down to my computer and type it in so I don't loose the idea.

I think this is true with any great business idea. It starts as a small seed. Some seeds are good and so are some business ideas. Some are not. When the idea or the seed is good, with a little of attention and some TLC, it will grow big and strong. I have been watering and cultivating this idea now for four months and I know in a short time it will be big. That is because I stuck with it. I also had to let it rest a bit. Just like when you plant, you have to let the fields rest a little. I needed to let my ideas rest, and see if I was really committed to making it work. I am glad I did. It is going to be so awesome.

I work with an entrepreneur who has probably 10 business ideas a day. When asked how she manages all of the ideas and runs a successful business, she said she learned a great lesson. Whenever she has an idea that she thinks is really good, she sleeps on if for 72 hours. If after 72 she still thinks it is truly a great idea, she goes for it.

Enjoy the seeds, nurture them when you can and don't be afraid to let go of some.

Forget the Fear, Go for the Money

I know people would rather die than speak in public. But if it was going to make you money, don't you think you could work on conquering that fear? Public speaking is one of the most effective ways to generate leads and build credibility. After all, imagine speaking in front of a group of your target audience about something you know a lot about. Now have a seminar or offer to pitch or share at the end of the presentation. Hello, can you say ca-ching? Seriously, even if you don't want to "offer" anything at the meeting, have a drawing for a report or book. Collect all the business cards of everyone in the room. Give the prize away and run home and follow-up with all those warm leads. It just doesn't get better than that. I came across a good article that talks about speaking to make money. Follow the link and check it out. I think it might help you be focused as you prepare a speech and take some of those butterflies away.

Public Speaking as a Powerful Tool to Get Business

Mastermind Groups are Great

I met with my bi-weekly mastermind group today. I was in one of those "stuck" places. I did not even know what to ask. Thanks to the great energy of this group, it did not take me long to get unstuck. By the time I got home, I had developed a 26-week Marketing Implementation Training which I will launch in November. It's amazing when you are able to have someone else clear the forest so you can see the trees. I was just too close. Now I have clarity.

If you don't have a mastermind group yet, get one. It's like money in the bank.

Leesa Barnes - Podcasting for Profit

I had the distinct pleasure and privilege of interviewing Leesa Barnes. Leesa has been an entrepreneur for years and has become an expert in the field of Podcasting. For me this is a new concept in business. I never really understood what podcasting was, so when I met her at the recent Milana's Coaching Super Summit in Baltimore, I became a sponge soaking up her knowledge. I then purchased her book, just published called Podcasting for Profit. What's nice about the book is that it is good for the newbie or the experienced podcaster. I talks about the how to and then it talks about once you know how to, what to.

Leesa is an amazing entrepreneur who has a lot to offer any entrepreneur who wants to add sound, voice or video to their web site. Why would you want to add podcasting? Check out her site at http://www.leesabarnes.com/ to learn more. For me, the Internet can be a cold platform with faceless, nameless beings promoting product. I want my clients to be able to become a warm, live being that has a solution. Podcasting will add a different dimension to web site that cannot be accomplished any other way. Here is the link to the recording: http://www.leesabarnes.com/expo-recap-and-book-adventures/trackback/

Enjoy.

Someday Isle: George Allen Quote

Someday Isle: George Allen Quote

I found this blog and quote because I am now part of a networking group with Matthew Best, a Coach for Entrepreneurs. What it made me think about was how cool it is that in life I have reinvented myself many times. I imagine that is a life long process. The best part for me is that as I change and grow, I enjoy life and myself so much more. That is when business becomes fun. You do what you love and you never have to work another day in your life again.

Focus On What You Want

I know this seems obvious, but we often tend to dwell on what we don't want. What does
that have to do with business? How often do I hear people talking about those clients from @#$%. We talk about all the things we don't like about them and how they drive us crazy. What we don't realize is that when we do that we actually encourage more of those types of clients to wander into our lives.

Instead, focus on the characteristics you are looking for in a client. For example: "I want clients that are motivated, ready to take action and appreciate what I do." That sounds so much better then: "I don't want clients who are demanding, unappreciative and unmotivated." Focus on what you want and get more of what you want. Also, if there is something you want in a client, it might help if you are that way in your transactions. Remember like begets like. It's the law of nature.

Can You Hear What I Hear?

I had a great experience today. I was training a great group of people on marketing. My focus was the Get Clients Now! Program with a few extras. As we got into the session, I realized one of the team members had some internal dialog going on that might have been holding her back. You know what I mean -- the voices in your head? When we discussed the baggage we bring to sales and marketing or work in general, she made a funny comment. She said, "Sometimes the voices in my head are so loud, I think other people can hear them." Have you ever felt like that? I know I have. I really enjoyed her honesty and candor. The question is, are there any voices going on in your head that might be holding you back from your success?

Here are some of the things those voice might be saying?

"You don't deserve to be successful."
"What makes you think you deserve that?"
"It's not polite to talk about money with a stranger."
"Don't ask questions, that is too personal."

Those are just a few. Can you see how those voices could get in the way of closing a sale? Think about what internal dialog might be going on in your head. Become aware and once you are aware you must interrupt those conversations and change the words. Instead let the noise sound something like:

"I deserve success and it comes easily to me."
"People need what I have to sell so I will ask the right questions to help my clients."
"Questions are good, they help me understand what my client wants and needs."

I'm A Member!

Well I have finally decided to honor who I am, a blogger. To that end, I have joined Technorati. Check it out! Technorati Profile

Are You Replling Clients?

No, I don't mean because of personal hygiene. It's something so subtle we don't even know we are doing it. Let me give you an example:

The other day I was working with a client. During our two hour consultation we were very productive. We covered his niche and narrowed his focus. We discussed products and services. We even developed some steps to reach them and implementation strategies. As I was wrapping up the discussion with my client he said something to the effect, but let's be careful, because I am too busy for too many clients right now. It was in that moment that I knew why his business was not growing the way he wanted. He was sending out the message to the universe that he's too busy for more work, he had more than enough work to handle.

Are you sending out the message that you are too busy to add on another project? Do you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of more business while trying to develop a marketing plan. Remember, you are not alone. It is the plight of many a harried entrepreneur.

So what is the answer? First, take a deep breath, now exhale. It's time to take a look at what is keeping you so busy. Is there any thing you can outsource? Is there anything you can add to your stop doing list? It's time to re-frame your thoughts and to say to yourself, "I have all that I need to get it done." "I am open to working with new clients." It's time to reach out, get some help and then help those who need your help!