Content is Queen

Content is Queen when it comes to Lead Generation

What is the most powerful force in the world of business? That’s a good question. There are many possible answers.

Some people might say that its money. That would be a very good response. Money is certainly the motivating force in business. It is the reason why every business exists. It is also the reason why many businesses no longer exist. However, it may be too obvious of an answer.
To figure out what really is the most powerful force in the business world, we need to be a little more creative, a little cleverer and think outside the box a little bit.

We need to peel back the layers of the onion, so to speak, and take a look at what is really going on.

To begin with, let’s look at what businesses do. The answer to this one is fairly obvious. Businesses sell things.

From there it’s an easy step to say that because they sell things, they make money. Therefore, what businesses do is make money. However, this line of reasoning is flawed. The purpose of business is to make money.

This purpose is the end result of a process that begins with what businesses do. So, we find ourselves back where we started.
Let’s begin again, by agreeing that what businesses do is sell things.

Now, instead of jumping to a conclusion, and confusing purpose with process, let’s take a closer look at the idea we’ve agreed upon. If businesses sell things, then what are those things?

In general, a business can sell products, services or a combination of both. However, these are simply categories.

We need to look deeper to see what common element makes up both products and services. If we can determine that, we have probably come close to answering our original question.

If you think about it, both products and services are a form of information.  They are content.

Products perform a function because of the information that went into the design.

Services do the same, except that the information is contained in the expertise of the person performing the service.

So what all businesses really do is sell information.

Because of this, information is actually the most powerful force in the world of business. This way content is Queen (King) when it comes to generating sales leads.

Content is information. When you give potential clients valuable information, you establish a trust relationship with them that paves the way to converting them into paying customers.

Before a business can sell you their product or their service, they have to sell you themselves. And that is where content plays a critical role. It is your content, that develops your expertise, who you are as a business leader and why they would want to do business with you!  It becomes YOU that they are buying, not the product, not the service, but the company or the owner.  They want YOUR service, because of YOU and YOUR reputation and their feelings for YOU.

Don't miss this critical step.  It changes the dynamic of the sale from salesy to educational.  The focus becomes educating the buyer about the company, the product and the service.  They could love the product, but if they get a bad feeling about the company.... the sale is lost.

Content is Queen because it becomes your part of your effective sales strategy

So, your content can be the pathway to sharing who you are, who the company is and why they would want to do business with you.  The content on your website, your emails, your advertisements all contribute to this.  It is worth investing a bit of time in your content.  Remember, if you hire it out -- it still has to be in YOUR voice.

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5 Keys to Overcoming Procrastination

Procrastination: The Enemy of Success

Do you put off your work for later, only to find your deadlines steadily creeping in? Then you, my friend, are one of the millions of people afflicted by the procrastination virus. Procrastination is the biggest reason for loss of productivity and late output. Though many would not admit it, they would benefit greatly if they start their work on time.

For many people, putting off their work for later is more habit than desire. It can be so hard to get into a groove where starting your tasks in a timely fashion is a priority, especially if the consequences for being late are things that one can probably bear.

If you are one of these people, yet you desire to shake off your propensity for procrastination, then you have come to the right place. Here are a few tips to help you overcome this dilemma and become a more productive and reliable person.

Here are the 5 Keys to Overcoming Procrastination

1. Set schedules – It is very important that you have a list of activities to accomplish per day. This will help you realistically budget your time and resources. One of the cardinal sins people commit in regards to performing their tasks is to put off their work because they feel like there is so much time left. A journal, organizer, or calendar of events will help you plan and schedule your task so that you can start them promptly and finish them on time.

2. Save the Vacation for Later – Many people put their work off for later saying, “I'll just have a little fun then buckle down to work later.” While it may be true that they may have more than enough time to accomplish their tasks, it would be better if they finished their work first and relax afterwards.

Vacations are important, vital, in fact. But you can vacation with much more ease when you have completed your work!!

Wouldn't relaxation be sweeter if it were after a taxing job? If you choose to lay back and relax before doing your tasks, you will be more prone to burnout and will have nothing exciting left to look forward to after accomplishing a task. It is always better to have slack period AFTER a job than before one, especially considering that people are wont to overusing their slack time. This is suicide if you are heading towards a deadline.

3. Never Underestimate Your Tasks – Sometimes procrastination sets in because people underestimate the resources, difficulty, and time spent for a particular task. They will usually say, “It's just mowing the lawn, its easy; I could do it in a jiffy.” The problem is, no matter how trivial the task, it still takes time and resources to accomplish. If you underestimate a task, you will most likely set too little time to do it and schedule it too close to its deadline.

4. Don't Allow Yourself to Get Comfortable Doing Nothing – It would definitely help if you kept a subconscious alarm whenever you are doing nothing. Get this alarm to remind you of things that may need to be done. This will help you foster the notion that jobs accomplished now means more time for relaxation later. However, even if this is the case, do not forget to put ample time in for rest and to remove all thoughts of troubles before hitting the sack. The trick here, however, is not to overdo you rest. There is a difference between resting and idling. Always set the right amount of time for rest and stick to that schedule.

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Successful Marketing With A Plan

How to Plan Your Marketing Successfully

Marketing isn't simple. To do it right, it requires a great deal of planning. Small businesses without massive marketing budgets have to handle this aspect of their business themselves and for many this is no easy task.

This is why businesses create a marketing plan. A marketing plan is a detailed document that includes the data you need to make marketing decisions and set a course of action that you can implement immediately. Drafting a marketing plan takes a great deal of time and work, but here are a few questions to get you started.

Who Is Your Target Market?

If you're already selling, take a look at your existing customers. Who are they? What do they like about your company's products? Try to recall any positive feedback you've gotten from them. Naturally, if your brand resonates with these individuals, it will resonate with others like them.

If you don't already have customers, defining your target market may take a bit more work. Look at companies that offer similar products to yours. Who is buying from them? Who could benefit from your products? Try doing some market research to glean some idea of who your target market is.

What Makes Your Products Unique?

There are bound to be other companies out there selling goods similar to yours. So, what makes yours different? Why would someone buy from you and not another company? Remember here that 'products' actually means your offering, which includes services as well. The term refers to whatever people buy from you.

If the unique qualities of your products don't come to mind immediately, some work needs to be done. Do some soul searching and look for the strengths of your products. If, in the end, you find that your product unfortunately resembles basically everything else on the market, how can you change it to make it unique?

What Do You Want Your Marketing to Achieve?

Every business takes for granted that it needs to market, but why? The 'why' is critical. You need to identify exactly what you hope to achieve through your marketing because this will guide all of your efforts and help you choose which tactics are most appropriate.

Once you know who your target market is, what's unique about your product or service, and what you want to get out of your marketing efforts, you're ready to get started with your marketing plan.

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The Importance of Building a Community Around Your Brand

In today's highly competitive business landscape, it is no longer enough to have a great product or service. Building a strong community around your brand is becoming increasingly important in order to differentiate yourself from the competition. Let's  explore why building a community around your brand matters and the benefits it brings to your business.

1. Foster Trust and Loyalty:

Building a community creates a sense of connection and trust between your company and your customers. When people feel a part of a like-minded community, they are more likely to trust the recommendations and opinions of fellow community members. This trust and loyalty can lead to long-term customer relationships and increased brand advocacy.

2. Increased Engagement:

A vibrant community surrounding your brand encourages engagement and interaction among members. This engagement can take place on various platforms, such as social media groups, forums, or even through in-person events. Increased engagement not only strengthens the bond between your brand and your customers but also sparks discussions, generates ideas, and gathers valuable feedback for your future business endeavors.

3. Word-of-Mouth Marketing:

A strong community acts as a powerful word-of-mouth marketing tool. When community members have a positive experience with your brand, they are more likely to share their experiences with friends, family, and colleagues. These organic recommendations hold significant weight as they come from people who genuinely believe in your brand and its offerings.

4. Co-creation and Collaboration:

A community provides a platform for co-creation and collaboration. By actively involving your community in the decision-making process, product development, or service enhancements, you tap into the collective creativity and expertise of your customers. This not only leads to better solutions and offerings but also makes your customers feel valued and appreciated.

5. Market Research and Insights:

Your community serves as a valuable source of market research and insights. By actively engaging with your community members, you can gain valuable feedback, opinions, and ideas on existing products or potential new ventures. This customer-centric approach allows you to stay ahead of market trends, anticipate customer needs, and make well-informed business decisions.

6. Customer Support and Advocacy:

Building a community provides the opportunity for excellent customer support. When community members have a question, concern, or issue, they can turn to the community for assistance. This peer-to-peer support not only eases the burden on your customer support team but also provides a quick and reliable solution for community members. Moreover, satisfied customers within your community often willingly become brand advocates, promoting your products and services to others.

7. Expansion and Growth:

A thriving community offers the potential for expansion and growth. As your community grows, so does the reach and influence of your brand. Through word-of-mouth marketing and organic engagement, new members are drawn to your community, increasing your brand's visibility and attracting potential customers.

Building a community around your brand is a powerful strategy

that can offer numerous benefits for your business. From fostering trust and loyalty to encouraging engagement and collaboration, a strong community serves as a valuable asset in today's business landscape. Remember, it is not just about the product or service you offer; it is about creating a sense of belonging and connection that goes beyond the transaction. Invest in building and nurturing your community, and watch your brand flourish.

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Business Owner Commitment and Determination Create a Solid Foundation For Success

Are you committed??

As a business owner, your commitment to the business and your determination to succeed build your solid foundation for success.  But there are challenging times when you might need an extra dose of determination and commitment, as your personal supply dwindles..

There are hundreds of stories that model this type of determination and success.  The “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series was submitted to many, many publishers that turned it down. Each of those publishers later kicked themselves, I’m sure.  But it was the determination of the authors that kept them sending it out one more time. Or the actor, accidentally discovered while waiting tables or by a fluke ended up at a talent search.

Determination, commitment and belief are often at the core of these stories.  It is the passion and belief in your own abilities that moves you into continuous action, and then determination keeps you there.

Your positive attitude exceeds just a “we can do this” type of attitude. But rather it takes your belief and passion, or your love of what you do that helps you to see it through to the end, your success.  For many that means taking that leap to move into the realm of success and turn your business into one that thrives, using all of the resources at hand to get you there.

The technology of the Internet adds massive resources for all business owners.  The Internet is a resource for networking with your target market, building your expertise and market your services or products.  Using the Internet can be a low cost option if done correctly. You can use the Internet as your market place or as an additional market place for your business.  It gives you the ability to quickly do research on your business, your market and how to access them.

It is all there and it is easily accessible.

Despite What You Might Want, Marketing IS a Requirement

With business, it is rarely, “If you build it, they will come”.  Usually, they only come to your business when you market the business and tell people about it.  You have to build a reputation and rapport with your clients and prospects in order to build your business.  Marketing is a requirement, and a passion for marketing will help.  If you hate marketing, then you will struggle with effective marketing.  If you can find a way to become passionate about marketing, just like you are for your business you will do better. Whether you are an online business or an offline business, you HAVE to market.

The Internet offers many marketing resources, but there is also a learning curve that for some will be mountainous. But it is worth the effort in the payoff.

Personal Development Keeps You On The Cutting Edge

Your positive attitude most likely also gives you a passion for learning.  In the world of business it is important to be open to new technology, new ideas and new strategies.  By remaining open to learning about each of these you stay on the cutting edge of business. Increasing your knowledge gives you advantages over competitors. Your knowledge makes you valuable to the business, but also to your colleagues, clients and prospects.  People will seek you out.

When you learn new skills and tasks it gives you more information for outsourcing each of these eventually and the ability to be effective in working with specialists. It also enhances your confidence.

Profitable businesses take time.  Staying the course through this development timeline is the challenge.  As a business owner you can become weary.  But when you have a foundation of your passion and positive attitude you are stronger in the business environment. With determination you can see your business succeed.

Keeping a focus on your business vision gives you energy for continuing to do the work each day to build that success. With a clear and compelling vision that you are tied to makes you even more determined.

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5 Business Networking Tips

Top 5 Networking Tips for One-on-One Meetings

Not all networking happens at events. Some of the most effective networking you can do happens over coffee meetings. One-on-one catch ups, whether they’re in real life or virtual, give you a chance to really connect without the distractions of being in a big crowd.

Here are five networking tips to make your one-on-one networking meetings even more effective.

Networking Tip #1: Have a point to the meeting

A networking meeting is more likely to be effective if it’s clear why it’s happening. Are you looking for a mentor, or a new position? Has the person been recommended to you? Maybe you’re new in town and looking to connect with peers. Do you want to establish a collaborative partnership or joint venture for your business?

If it’s a get-to-know-you meeting, it’s okay to talk about common interests like books, movies, or sports. Sometimes it is those personal interests that solidify a relationship, so don't be shy and leave them out.

Networking Tip #2: Be strategic

Do your research and identify leaders that you really want to connect with. Be clear about where you want to be in a year, five years’ time and seek out the people who can help you get there. Part of the point of networking is not just the people you meet, but the people they know who can help you grow your own network.

If you have changed jobs, sectors, or towns, connecting with the right people can help you hit the ground running.

If you are growing your business, know how you want to grow and identify the key people that can benefit your network. It is not all about selling, it is about building relationships. People do business with people that they --- >> KNOW, LIKE and TRUST!!

Networking Tip #3: Make it mutually beneficial

A networking meeting isn’t just about what you can get out of the other person – there has to be some benefit for them too. Think about what you can offer. What are your special skills or connections? Do you have acquaintances or experiences in common? Pay the other person the respect of doing some background research so you know where they’re from, and what their career path and big projects have been.

Networking Tip #4: Respect their time

Remember this person has made time for you in their day. Be respectful of that and keep to the agreed time (don’t be late!). Don’t hog the conversation, and make sure the meeting doesn’t go over time, unless the other person is keen to keep talking. Give them your business card, but don’t hand over your resume unless it’s requested.

Networking Tip #5: Remember your manners

Be polite during your meeting and remember to follow up within twenty-four hours with a brief email thanking them for taking time out to talk. Hand written notes are a nice touch as well and will stand out as no one is sending cards!!

If you committed to sending an article or book reference, remember to follow up. You want this first meeting to set the tone for a future meaningful relationship. If it feels appropriate you could connect on LinkedIn.

These networking tips are just a few ideas to maximize the benefits of your one-on-one networking meetings.

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Residual Income

Have You Created Residual Income Strategies in Your Business?

Residual Income is a strategy that keeps money flowing into your business or your personal life, consistently, month after month.  A true residual income strategy involves making one sale, or one referral and then receiving income from that without the need to make additional sales or referrals to the same customer over and over.  The product or service is typically one that the person uses each month and pays for each month. Let's look at a few strategies for consideration:

Residual Income Strategies:

- Membership Sites:  many businesses have created membership sites that offer information to their clients each month.  The site bills the client each month and new content is provided for that monthly membership fee.  Many businesses can implement a membership strategy for their target market.  The Womenpreneur's Resource Center is our membership site.  It provides new content each month in the form of courses that include step by step over the shoulder videos or reports, templates and other incredible business growth resources.  Once set up a membership site can operate automatically and deliver the content to its members without the owner having to do anything.

- Books- Writing target market e-books can provide income that continues to come in month after month if you have selected a good niche market for e-books, you have good content and you work on key promotional strategies.

- Affiliate Marketing:  Affiliate marketing is used by many on the internet.  You create a product and then offer others a commission for referrals.  If you are promoting a membership site then you create monthly income other products result in one time commissions.  The Womenpreneur's Resource Center offers an affiliate program that pays a 50% commission.

It is important to evaluate strategies that are right for you.  But adding a multiple streams of income strategy to your business has many benefits.

Some of the benefits, of course, include -- new money flowing into your company.  Consistent income flowing into your business.  Services and products that you like that benefit you and your family or business while increasing your income.

The power of working with different strategies for your business can be incredible.  As you see people liking what you are offering, you build more and more and soon the income generated can provide the resources that you need to pay off loans, credit cards, mortgages and save for retirement.  When many do not have retirement plans, incorporating a strategy that will build consistent income is just plain smart!

Enroll Today in Micro-Memberships for Success!!

Explore the exciting recurring income strategy for your business!! The Micro-Memberships course is a great introduction to building a continuity program or membership program and includes a working session to generate ideas for your business.

Enroll Today
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7 Strategies For Finding Ideas For Your New Membership Site

Once you find an idea for your membership site, there’s a specific process you can follow to get it launched.

Fortunately, there’s also a simple process that you can follow to get ideas for your membership site. If you’re unsure how to begin and are stuck for ideas, try out these tips. Your next membership site may not be that far away.

PERSONAL.

Begin by brainstorming your own life. Get personal!

Creating your membership site is going to be much easier if you know a little bit about the market.

There are a few rules for brainstorming.

1. Write everything down that comes to mind
2. DO NOT judge the ideas just write them down
3. Have fun with it!

We use to have lots of fun with post-it notes, writing one idea per note and putting them up on the wall.

The advantage of post-it notes comes later when you are sorting through the brainstorm….

Get started with YOU – the things you love, your hobbies, favorite activities, special interests. You can even dive into your past if there are things that you have given up but still love – add them to your list.

Next, expand to your family and jot down all the things that fit into the same categories for your family members: hobbies, interests, activities, passions. This list could be a goldmine for your membership site.

This list could be a goldmine for your membership site.

PRODUCTS.

There are many product launches that happen each day. Plugin to these. Watch what is selling, what people are offering in your niche or primary area of interest.

In the Internet Marketing arena or the Make Money Online Niche – you might see that there are many products about video marketing or article marketing or social media. These each could be a great membership program for you.

If your niche is fitness, again, watch what is selling. Amazon is a great resource for looking at trends, as is Facebook.
Find a few people to follow and sign up for their email newsletter and subscribe to their blog or YouTube channel. Watch what they are doing, what they are launching.

PERUSE.

Peruse means “to examine in detail”. It also begins with “p” so it fits my outline. :-)

If you want a comprehensive list of existing electronic products that are selling well, JVZoo or Amazon or Clickbank.com/marketplace are each great resources.

“Peruse” these sites to see what is a hot topic right now in your area of interest.   What is your target market searching for? Add each of these to your list!!

These give you new ideas for product development and content development. Adding affiliate products can be part of your back-end sales. You can sprinkle them through your membership site.

POPULARITY.

Amazon is a great research resource for figuring out what to develop.
Check out the best-seller list to see what is selling.

The bestseller list is divided into categories and that will be helpful to you in zoning in on hot topics in your area of interest. It makes it easy to gather membership site information.

Hint: Go with the topics that are popular. :-)

PULSE.

Forums and groups are where you can find the pulse of your market. When you identify forums or groups with your target market in them you can see what they are talking about, what they are asking about and what they are buying.

It’s easy to search for forums – just put your keyword into the search and add the word “forum” and see what pops up!! There is also some great software for this. But a basic search will get you started.

Be sure that you check out both the FAQs section and hottest threads. Both of these will give you tons of information about what might be a good membership site topic.

The other place to do this research is on Facebook Groups. Look for groups both open and closed that are talking about your topic or area. When you find an open group – again, you can check out the hot topics.

PERIODICALS.

Oh my, it feels like a flash from the past.   PERIODICALS. Remember that section in the library? I do, I spent hours there!!

But NOW…..

You can visit – right online Magazines.com!

This site has categories, best sellers, and more… a treasure trove of potential membership site ideas!

If your market has a buying audience, then there is most likely a magazine or periodical ;) out there that is totally dedicated to it. Magazines cost money and without an audience and advertisers that see that market they will NOT be published for long.

If you see that advertisers are paying BIG $$ to get in front of that market, then it is a pretty safe bet that you can create a membership site for that very same market. I love this place!

PROBLEMS.

The last stop on our journey here are email discussion lists. You can easily find these with both Yahoo groups and Google groups. These free e-mail discussion lists cover a wide variety of topics.

Sign up for a couple of these groups. You might want to set up a special email account for these emails. What you will find on these groups is people asking questions – getting information but basically it comes down to problems that aren’t be solved with other services or products.

By going through these simple outlets you are sure to find a great idea for your next membership site.

Learn how to use YOUR content for YOUR membership site!  Pick up a copy of Content Repurposing today!! or Join Micro-Memberships and learn more about building a membership program. Both are totally free!!

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Traffic - Critical

Traffic is the first Growth Metric to Sell More. It is critical for building your business and growing your revenue.

Whether you are operating a service business or a store front or an online business -- traffic is key.

Every business should have a a web presence and have an online strategy for driving traffic. For online traffic there are four key areas of focus.

But the number one thing that you need is to KNOW YOUR NUMBERS!

Get Free Traffic from Your Content

One simple way to get a boatload of free traffic is from writing high quality content. Not a great writer? Not to worry there are still ways you can produce quality content without having to write it from scratch yourself.

Be sure to use your website. Adding new content via a blog is a great way to use your blog.

Then share that content across your social media networks.

Repurpose that content to share in different formats.

Engage with readers and comments.

Invite guest bloggers to your site and be a guest blogger on other websites.

Continue to learn how to make your website a key piece of your lead generation.

Create an special report or free gift for people opting in to your list. Have a good follow up system to build the relationship.

You probably already know how important sales leads are if you’re the owner of a business. If you don’t, then you should. Leads are the lifeblood of every business that currently exists or has ever existed and leads come from TRAFFIC!!

Leads were important to businesses hundreds of years ago. They are important to businesses today. They will remain important to businesses in the future.

As long as someone has something that they wish to sell to someone else, a lead on the identity of that someone else is vitally important.

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Offline Marketing Strategies for Your Business

Offline Marketing Strategies...for business growth

There are several offline marketing strategies that you do not want to give up on.  They are effective in acquiring new leads, prospects and eventually customers.  It is vital that you remember that it is always about building relationships.  Selling services or products is something that happens down the road.

1. Business Cards

Having good business cards is essential to all other forms of marketing your online business offline. Every time you go to a networking event you should hand out your business card. The best way to do this is ask them for their first, then when they give you theirs, give them yours.

If they do not have one, have some blank cards to hand them so they can put their information on it. Make sure your business card has the following information: Your name, Your business, Your URL, and your title. Use both sides if you need to so that you can offer discounts, consulting and more.

2. Press releases -- Press releases maximize your exposure, are essentially free unless you hire someone to write it or pay for an expensive distribution service, and will give you a lot of free local coverage. Local press loves a local success story, so make yours interesting and make sure to include the appropriate contact information.

Make sure you find out who a good local contact is with your local media as they are a lot more picky about what they bother reading, so sending it to the right person is imperative. For instance don't bother sending your press release to the person who writes about education, unless your niche is education related, and don't spin too much if it's not related, it's not related.

There are a few press release sites that I have used with good success:

www.1888pressrelease.com: this site has a free version.  I have had better success when I upgraded to at least the $25 press release.

www.prbuzz.com: this site has a flat annual fee of $299.  Once you pay the fee you can submit unlimited press releases.

Womenpreneur's Resource Center in Business Growth Project goes into depth on press release writing, calendars and distribution.

3. Volunteering:

Volunteering is an excellent way to promote your online business offline. Putting your business in a positive light is an excellent way to promote good will, get your name out there, and do something that feels good in the process. If there is any cause you've always wanted to help with get started now. There are many boards who do not have enough members, many a parent teacher association who needs more volunteers.

One point to note: Do not join a group  that is too politically controversial unless you want to end up working with only people in that group. Also, join something you really care about so that you feel good doing it.

There are many great organizations that you can join:

- Rotary International

- Habitat for Humanity

- Global Volunteers

- Heifer International

- Food pantries

- Local environmental groups

- Women's clubs

- Interest Clubs

- Toast Master's International

There are various networking groups off line that you can join, from women's business groups, to groups like Business Networking International (BNI) that are there to help you promote your business. But, there are also non business networking groups that are good places to network too, take a look around and join something that looks interesting.

4. Joining groups:

Joining many groups offline can be much like joining groups online; They don't want you to openly and loudly promote your business. Participate in the group, volunteer for events, and when appropriate let people know what you do, but don't SPAM them.

Look first at your target market.  Do they have a group that you can join?  The "Association of XYZ Professionals" ie. excavators, massage therapists, lawyers, accountants -- they each have professional organizations.  If your target has a group it can be an incredible networking resource for you.

5. Speakers Bureau

Establish yourself as an expert by getting on a speakers list. Prepare yourself with a few different talks about your business, or topic, perhaps a talk teaching others how to do what you do online, and then offer your services. You can speak in classrooms (marketing class is a great one), chambers of commerce, women's business groups, and more.

You can also set up and offer workshops, training, coaching and consulting on your own, all you need is a venue and great marketing. When speaking at your own venue, you can charge. When you speak for others you can speak for free, then have some products to sell after the event. Once you become better and more sought after,  you can start commanding a generous fee plus travel expenses. Having a published book is a great strategy for increasing income and value at speaking events. Event planners can negotiate with you around your book. Include a book for each attendee as part of your fee. That increases your value to the planner over other speakers.

What other offline marketing strategies are you using in your business?

What makes them effective for you?

Be sure to leave your comments!!

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10 Questions Your Marketing Plan MUST Answer

Your Marketing Plan should answer these 10 Questions!!

Marketing plans are often neglected or ignored by business owners. But putting together a good marketing plan can actually SAVE you thousands and make you even more, because planning keeps you on track and focused.

In putting together a good marketing plan you need to ask yourself and answer ten questions!

1. Who Are YOU?

Part of your marketing plan is a description of your company. This should include your target market, products and services, unique value proposition, and your mission or vision.

And finally – your mission statement – why do you do what you do?  What is at the core of your business?  This is your mission.

2.  How is your business assessed? (check out our business assessment if you haven't done so already.)

Your marketing plan should include an assessment of your business. A good way to do this is through SWOT analysis. SWOT creates an analysis of your business in terms of four factors – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.  Start off looking at WHAT you do really well….

3.  What are your marketing goals?

Your marketing goals are a subset of your business goals. They outline specific goals you need to achieve on the marketing side of your business in order to reach your overall business goals.

Marketing goals should follow the SMART criteria that we use for business goals.

4. How is your marketing tracked?

No matter how amazing and ambitious your goals sound, if you can’t track them, then you’re just shooting in the dark and won’t know where to shift your efforts with change.

5. What are your 4 P's?

The 4 P's are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. We can use the 4 Ps to take a marketing objective and create an actual roadmap of concrete tactics which, once implemented, will help you to attain your business goals.

Product – Your products or services; in other words, what you're offering.

Price – The price at which you set the product. This price should conform to the market and its expectations.

Place – Where you can put your offer in front of your market. This includes distribution channels and all other factors involved in getting the goods to buyers.

Promotion – How you can promote the product and spread the word.

6. What initiatives do you expect to complete?

From a quarterly perspective, what are the marketing initiatives you hope to achieve this year? What are your goals?

7. What resources are needed for each initiative?

Get clear on what you have and what you need to achieve the goals and initiatives that you set out.

8. What is your marketing budget?

As a general guideline, your marketing budget should be 1% to 10% of sales. Of course, when you're just starting out, your marketing budget should be whatever you can afford. But if you're a new business, you should expect to spend closer to 10% than 1% on marketing. You may even want to spend more.  As you are developing your marketing budget you need to look at your costs and fixed expenses. Do NOT spend your future revenue.  Spend only money that you have.  Be conservative.

9. What are your ongoing activities: blogging, social media, advertising, email.

Don’t forget to consider your ongoing marketing activities that run throughout the year. These activities still need to be planned, budgeted and tracked.

10. What is your executive summary?

At the top of your marketing plan should be an executive summary. This is a summary of your entire marketing plan. It spells out the basics and the sections of your plan explain each in detail. The executive summary should be short and concise without any of the minutiae. It should allow the reader to take in the entire plan at a glance.

Although the executive summary goes at the top, it should be the last thing you write. It's much easier to write a summary of what you've already written than what you're planning to write.

Make sure you have answered the 10 questions with your marketing plan. If you haven't then rework that marketing plan, chances are it is NOT working for you and is instead working to drain your bank account.  A good marketing plan will give you a day to day action plan for promoting your business effectively.

Learn how to put your marketing plan together. Don't neglect it and use the hope and winging it strategy. They just do not work!

Marketing Plan

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Leadership- A Key to Business Success

Leadership is Essential

In history students learn about the activities, good and bad, that individual historians label as  a good leader and leadership. We study their personalities to extract the qualities required for leadership.  Experts argue if leaders are made or born. I think it's some of both, based on situations and the individual.  You can teach someone to lead but they must have the desire and certain personality or character traits to be effective and a high quality leader. Others are never taught leadership but in a situation that calls for leadership they emerge as a natural leader.

Leaders are sometimes defined as revolutionaries. During times of conflict or change one individual usually stands out. That person has the ability to motivate individuals to fight for something that is difficult. Martin Luther King Jr. is an example of a leader involved in a social cause. Wars require a leader. The absence of a leader in situations like these would be chaos.

In business, the roles of leader and manager are somewhat intertwined.

“Leader” usually implies a broad view, the person at the top, the visionary. The buck stops here usually means the leader is the one ultimately responsible for the success or failure of a given mission. Leaders utilize managers to help them complete their tasks. The “managers” are often not the “leader” but rather the implementer and at the same time they are expected to lead.

The current world situation calls for strong leadership. Recent changes in technology, economics, communication and social issues created problems that individuals and companies are struggling to deal with.  It seems as if there's a whole new arena of leaders emerging. Bookstores offer numerous viewpoints by individuals promoting what they believe it takes to successfully lead a company. Some of these are excellent resources. Is there a magic formula? Can someone learn to lead by reading a book?

Many of the qualities of successful leaders from the past are still essential today.

Some things like integrity never change. Perhaps some individuals we looked up to as leaders forgot or disregarded qualities such as character. Society is fed up with immoral living, dishonesty and selfishness of today's business leaders. Emerging leaders need to restore the "good name" formerly associated with leadership, as well as embrace the changes in our current global society.

Experts have different opinions on what makes a good leader. Most people would agree there are certain characteristics that all good leaders must possess.

The following qualities I believe are essential for effective leaders. They are not necessarily in order of importance.

Passion. All strong leaders have passion.

They are totally committed to and sold on their cause. The end goal or result is the over driving force in their life. They eat breath and sleep this; sometimes to excess. Driven to succeed they also have the ability to ignite excitement in others. Without passion they could not enlist followers. Sometimes this is confused with enthusiasm or charisma. Having passion can lead to those behaviors but they are not requirements. Mother Teresa was not known for her enthusiasm.

Vision. Leaders have vision.

They look beyond today and see the big picture. Not content with how things are now they see something better in the future. A good leader is realistic about current circumstances but they don't feel trapped. Their desire to succeed or make things better drives them to find ways to make this happen.

Self Confidence. Leaders possess self confidence.

They've had past success, they know what they're capable of and most of all they understand the importance of never giving up. If they fail they continue trying until they succeed. Philosophers believe that thinking you can do something is half the battle. If you don't think you can do something you probably will not even try. A confident leader inspires their followers to believe in themselves. They do not have a problem delegating duties to others.

Integrity. A good leader is truthful and dependable.

Followers of leaders with integrity do not have to wonder if something their leader said is true – they know it is true. This is based on past behavior and reputation of the leader.  Lies and deceitful behavior eventually surface. If this happens individuals are reluctant to follow someone they do not trust. Sometimes a leader doesn't reveal all they know and they might even dress something up due to sensitive issues but integrity is buried deep in their essence. They don't look for dishonest ways to do something or how to cheat the system. Jack Welch is a modern business leader known for his integrity.

Humble. Great leaders are humble.

They do not feel they are better than anyone else. They are willing to do everything they ask their followers to do. A leader recognizes the importance of teamwork and gives credit to others. It's not their success but the team's success. They don't boast or brag and sometimes even have difficulty taking credit. Sometimes humility is incorrectly defined as weakness. Jesus, washing the feet of his disciples and other acts he did, is a great example of humility.

Knowledge. A leader must posses the knowledge required to complete their mission.

Leaders are usually avid readers, life long students, and view every situation as an opportunity to learn more. Knowledge and education are not the same. Sometimes individuals with advanced learning possess little knowledge. Knowledge is like advanced common sense. Much of it comes from life experience. A leader's knowledge could be defined as wisdom. Wisdom is not only having knowledge but knowing how to use it in the most effective way. King Solomon, in the Bible, is sometimes referred to as the wisest man ever.  His writings in the book of Proverbs are thought by some to be the best how to instruction manual ever written.

Think outside the box. Leaders know that things and life constantly change.

They know clinging to current methods and refusing to consider all possibilities prevents growth and eventually leads to stagnation. Individuals who think outside the box know their ideas are not always right therefore they seek input from others. Sometimes this leads to radical change.  People resist change especially something drastic that affects them personally. Doing things like everyone else makes you "normal". Breaking away from the status quo makes you "different". Good leaders do not follow the crowd but rather search for the best way to complete their mission.

Accept Failure. Leaders know they do not always make the right decision but that most of the time they are right.

They admit their mistakes without making excuses. Mistakes for them are opportunities to learn. They don't give-up or wallow in self pity. By admitting mistakes a leader reveals their humility. Though we want our leaders to be like super heroes, we also want them to be human.

Effective communicator. A leader can have all the above qualities but if they can not communicate with their followers it's difficult for them to lead.

Communication isn't just talking. Leaders are good listeners. They pay attention to the details, remember the important things and have the ability to say the right thing at the right time.  Communication from a good leader is positive. They give criticism if needed but don't destroy egos. Leaders know people react more favorably to praise.  They praise more and criticize less. A leader does not reveal everything they know.  They don't gossip or engage in communication that's harmful to someone else or to the mission. They limit their complaining to those who can do something about the problem. Conflict is not discouraged but rather controlled. A leader knows they will not be friends with everyone but they are friendly. The leader who practices the above principles will have the respect of their followers.

Courage. Leadership takes courage.

With courage, passion, vision, integrity and humbleness a great leader can climb mountains.  Their businesses and the people that work with them excel and greatness is attained, not for the purpose of greatness but for the accomplishment of vision and mission.  Their goal is clear and compelling and being such their teams work with them to achieve it.  Great leadership remains unchanged decade to decade, century to century, and perhaps bad leadership remains unchanged as well.  But it is with great leadership that we continue to thrive and build great companies, communities and ultimately the world.  When leaders lead with quality, organizations thrive.

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Screaming Employees

Handling Screaming Employees

Do you have employees that are out and out fighting with each other at work?  Yelling, screaming, not getting along or perhaps has difficult relationships with their supervisor?

Conflicts in the workplace happen frequently and the fallout can be costly to the employer and the employee.  Developing the skills to resolve conflicts that arise can save your company significant money.  First let’s look at the costs:

- Decreased productivity due to the emotions involved in interpersonal conflict.

- time lost from work by employees

- time lost from work by managers involved in the conflict

- recruitment and training of new employees

- decreased productivity by other staff due to tension/stress and the overall work environment

The root of many conflicts is communication: either unclear communication, resulting in misunderstandings.  One strategy to address rising incidents of conflict is communication training.  Teaching people how to listen and how to talk clearly can prevent and decrease conflicts.  Communication is such a challenge.  So often, we feel we have been really clear, only to find out that the other person really misunderstood us.    Being a clear communicator takes commitment.  You need to be able to talk in a neutral sort of way, eliminating inflammatory emotions.  Speak from the heart and listen from the heart are good basic guidelines.  Beyond the basics, are to listen deeply to what the other person is saying and then to check-in with them.  Ask them: “is this what you are saying?”  It lets the person you are talking with know what you have understood and gives them the opportunity to clarify or correct misunderstandings.

What do you do when the conflicts have escalated?  Resolving conflicts are good for everyone involved, but sometimes it’s hard to see that in the moment for the people directly in conflict.  As mentioned earlier, conflict is costly.  Sometimes as the owner, or manager we forget that there is a great cost to us but also to the employee.  Changing jobs due to a conflict means a great deal of change for an employee.  They might not be able to get the same level of pay; benefits; shifts, etc that they are accustomed to.   The impact to the employee and their family can be high.

As the leader you can set-up an effective environment to resolve the dispute by following some simple steps and laying out a couple of guidelines.

First, spend time talking with each person involved.  Let them know that your belief is that developing a shared solution is important to each person and that you value each of the employees involved.  During the individual meetings you can begin to gather information about what they see as the possible solutions.  Let the employees know that your intent is to meet with each of them and then with them together, to talk about their perspective and possible solutions to the conflict.

Use a simple & effective process: 

- Create a safe space for involved parties to talk. (private, neutral) 

- Set out the guidelines:

-        Only one person talks at a time

-        No interruptions, defending or justifying

-        Come in with an open mind, open to the possible solutions and be willing to compromise. 

- Give each person an opportunity to tell their story, from their perspective.  Remind the other people involved that we are each listening, listening to each person’s perspective.  This is a key. 

- Paraphrase the stories of each person. This ensures that each story has been understood.  Using phrases such as “What I am hearing you say is…. Is that right?”

- After everyone has had an opportunity to tell their story, brainstorm possible solutions. Again, this isn’t a time to judge.  Whenever you are brainstorming you want all the ideas, good or bad, or out in left field.  One of them might be the idea that helps someone come up with the BEST solution.  

- Identify the solutions that work for each party. Ifs important that the solution is agreeable to each party and the company.  In order for the agreed upon solution to work and be successful, you need buy in. 

- Agree to do the solution.  The last step is the key to moving forward.

Some common pitfalls:

Don’t take sides. As the manager your interest is the company, the resolution of the conflict and each employee.

Don’t mandate a solution; you want the staff invested in the solution.

What do you do if staffs refuse to participate in conflict resolution?

Offering staffs the opportunity to resolve conflict is a much better option than being disciplined, having supervisor mandated solutions or taking no action at all.  When staffs refuse to cooperate or participate, its time to talk with them about your company policies, their personal responsibility for their behavior and actions and your responsibility as the owner or manager to take actions based on their behavior.  The intent of this type of conversation isn’t to threaten disciplinary action, but to talk about the reality of the situation and the need to resolve it. Each individual makes choices, as supervisors our actions are based upon the behaviors and actions of the employee.  As the supervisor you are encouraging good choice making, but the reality is that some people will make a poor choice and choose to continue to act in ways that are not acceptable in your workplace.  In these situations you must then follow your organizations policies as outlined for your employees in the employee handbook.  Resolving the conflict and creating a good work environment for everyone is my first choice as the manager/supervisor/owner.

Conflicts in the workplace can be successfully resolved, by listening. Giving each person space to tell their story validates them and communicates to them their value to you and the organization.  Using the simple process outlined keeps you moving in a positive direction.

What are the challenges that you face at work?

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Benefits of Getting Organized

Getting organized is not just a good idea because your mom said so. There are lots of benefits to being in control and developing a clutter-free lifestyle.



1. Less stress

When organized you are automatically less stressed, you know where your keys, wallet, important papers, phone charger and phone are. Similarly, if your project plan is up to date and you complete your reports on time, there's no need to worry about on-the-spot requests for project updates or meetings.

2. More time

Planning your time and keeping up-to-date means you can allocate time for everything in your life, including downtime. Being organized means, you wont get sidetracked or panicked by not being able to find important items. You'll be punctual and more productive.

3. Ready for the unexpected

You can be prepared for last-minute requests or deadlines because youre not distracted by untidiness or the mental cloud of not being quite sure where things stand. That is true for everything from planning your child's birthday party to that big project at work you are overseeing.

4. Better health

Studies have shown that being organized has demonstrable health benefits. Lower stress levels mean lower blood pressure and less body inflammation. Also, your immune system is stronger, and you're less likely to be at risk of depression. You set up a positive feedback loop that spills over into other areas of your life. Better organization habits lead to better eating, exercise and sleep habits.

5. Nothing feels overwhelming

Having your life running smoothly, means youre much calmer and in a better mental position to deal with things. You can look at your to-do list without panicking because you know you can do it. You know that you can tackle the list task-by-task without feeling overwhelmed.

6. More energy

It might seem counter-intuitive but putting effort into planning and organizing your life gives you more energy. You're less stressed because your mind isn't obsessing about all the stuff you have to do. When you have a plan, you're in control and know you can get it all done. If your papers, ideas, and tasks are in order, you can see a way through. Life is no longer a chaotic mystery!

Finally, being organized signals trust and reliability. If you are on time, follow through on your commitments and are ready for whatever comes at you, you will project an image of professionalism and responsibility. You will look promotion-ready and get more respect from your colleagues and your family.

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