Two of My Favorite Low Cost Resources for Entrepreneurs

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Resources

When starting new ventures, I recommend not investing a lot of money in higher quality marketing materials.  Your vision and ideas are likely to evolve and you will want to have the freedom to make changes without feeling like you are wasting money.

Giving yourself the freedom to play with ideas and make changes as needed feels lighter and healthier than trying to create something that will be perfect forever. Paper products may look different than you expect when printed and websites and graphic arts may not translate well to mobile devices.  Taking the pressure off can free up your creativity, intuition, and make the process more fun.

And now, for my two favorite “cheap” resources: 

Fiverr – The idea with this site is that people offer to do specific things for only $5.  Offers include graphic design, writing, virtual assisting, cartooning, video editing, and more than you can imagine.  This is a great inexpensive way to get started and the investment is so low that you can hire more than one person and then use the idea you like best.   http://fiverr.com

Vista Print –This is a great resource for business cards, post cards, and other printed marketing materials.  They offer free cards that you only pay shipping on and special discounts after your first order.  You can choose from their templates, upload your logo, or have them design one for you.  http://vistaprint.com

Don’t let yourself get stuck in the perfection trap that keeps many potential entrepreneurs from getting started.  Use these resources to try out some ideas, play with them, and let your marketing vision evolve.  The end result may be better than you ever imagined.

Feeling Stuck? Try This …

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Stuck

I often refer to the things that keep us stuck as stories or fantasies even though they may feel very real.  These blocks to our success often feel huge and powerful even when they are simply ideas or programming from our past and do not exist in the real world.

Here is an exercise I use with my clients that can help you move through what is keeping you stuck and create forward momentum toward your goals.

  • All you need for this exercise are a pad of paper and a pen.  Start by listing all of the things that you feel are keeping you stuck.  Include circumstances, people, and what is going on inside of you.
  • Challenge each item on your list.  Is it true?  Can you know absolutely for sure that it is true?  Could anyone else in the same situation see it differently?  You get to choose if it is worth hanging on to the things do not pass the truth test.  If you want to let go of something, take a deep breath, form an intention, and cross it off the list.
  • If there is anything left on your list, go over each item and brainstorm strategies for moving through it to the next level.  Write as many strategies that you can come up with.
  • At this point, you are likely starting to feel a shift toward confidence as you see solutions, strategies, and the possibilities before you.  The final step is to simply review what remains on the list and make a commitment to any items you want to take action on.   I encourage you to start moving forward as soon as possible.

Your possibilities are endless!

Four Steps to Empowered Thinking

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Empowered

Intention – Setting a clear intention will provide focus, clarity, and a sense of purpose for what you want to achieve.  One of my clients describes it as pulling together their inner resources and giving them a mission.  The power of this intent can be felt energetically and will attract what will support you.

Knowledge – Gathering the information and learning that will support your intention keeps you on your intended path and prevents time and energy consuming detours.  There are different layers of knowledge that will support you.  Some will be part of the foundation before you move toward your intended outcome and others will come along the way.

Belief – Most of the people I come across have a warped belief system on some level that can keep them stuck.  Part of the journey is to clear the misbeliefs that are standing in your way so that you can move forward successfully.  While these misbeliefs may seem big and powerful, they are really just stories you make up in your mind and only have power over you if you allow it.

Knowing – There is a level of intuition inside of you that just knows.  The internal voice of knowing is solid, calm, and does not try to convince you.  You just know.  It is the voice of truth.  The more we tune into that voice the more we will be tuned into our highest selves and the vast resources available to us at that level of awareness.  Cultivating a relationship with your inner knowing can be one of the greatest gifts you give yourself.

7 Success Skills that Will Help Your Business Dreams Come True

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Communication: Possibly the most important thing you can do for your business is to learn to listen well and communicate clearly.  This will support positive interactions with your clients, successful enrollment conversations, and help all areas of your business flow more smoothly.

Professionalism: Demonstrating a professional way of being gives people a sense of trust and confidence in you and what you offer.  This includes how you interact with people, present yourself, and your business materials.

Organization and Time Management: Keeping your business organized can save time and frustration when you find what you need easily. When you stay focused on the most effective use of your time you will be able to accomplish more while maintaining balance in your life.

Intentions and Goals:  Your potential for success improves dramatically when you have clear intentions, goals, and a system for taking action.

Adaptability: Entrepreneurship can be an adventure and it is likely there will be times when being flexible and able to adapt to new circumstances will support you.  Adaptability is also about being creative as you refine your business and its path to success.

Gratitude: When you focus on gratitude you reinforce a positive mindset and let the universe know what you want more of.

Celebration: If you are like most people, you forget to acknowledge yourself for what you do.  Tracking your daily wins will show the truth of your accomplishments and remind you how great you are.  This can build self-confidence, which will lead to even more success.

Boost Your Blog by Participating in a Blog Challenge

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In most blog challenges the intention is to write a certain number of blog posts in a specific period of time.   It is also suggested that you comment on other participant’s blogs and they will do the same for you.  The leaders of these challenges usually provide motivation and support that will help you participate successfully and reach your goal.

Joining a blog challenge may be right for you if you want to:

  • Increase the visibility of your blog
  • Attract new readers and followers
  • Learn from the experienced bloggers leading the program
  • Connect with other bloggers
  • Build your muscle as a blog writer
  • Create a rich body of content
  • Find opportunities for sharing your blog or guest blogging
  • Read interesting posts written by fellow bloggers about a variety of subjects

How do I know this?  I participate regularly in the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  I may not always meet my goal for number of posts, but I always feel great about the connections I make and followers I gain.  I also have a lot of respect for Michelle Shaeffer who leads and motivates us along the way.

The Ultimate Blog Challenge is free and I would love to see you there.  The next challenge starts April 1st, 2013. You can click on this link or the ad in the lower right column of this blog to learn more or join.

http://ultimateblogchallenge.com/

I’m going to sign up right now!

Improve Your Enrollment Success by Addressing What Your Potential Clients Really Want to Know

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Client MagnetUnder all of the surface questions there are four basic things your future clients want to know before they hire you.

  • Can I trust you?
  • Do you really care about my success?
  • Do you know what you are talking about?
  • Can you help me accomplish what I want?

Making sure that these areas are addressed before asking a client to enroll can make the process flow much smoother.

Give it a try and see what you think.

 

How to Avoid Feeling Desperate and Really Connect at Networking Events

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business_networking_events

If you have attended any networking events, you have probably met Desperate Diana.  You know; the nervous, intense one with the twitching eye.  She talks a lot about herself or her business with a glazed look in her eyes and never notices there is a human being before her.

Perhaps you can identify with her.  I sure can.  I remember what it was like to be that nervous around people and worried about getting clients.

But, think about it.  When you meet a Desperate Diana, how does she make you feel?  Does she inspire you to want to connect and learn more?  Probably not.  If you are like me, I feel ignored and doubt any potential for connecting at all.  I send her love, wish her the best, and then step aside.

The truth is that when you relax and be yourself, people are able to feel into who you are and want to connect.  Listening and looking them in the eyes also support a deeper level of communication.

But wait!  What do you do about feeling nervous?  It’s simple: 

  • Be prepared with a quick and clear statement about what you do
  • Form an intention for the meeting
  • Focus on being of service
  • Operate from an observer state
  • Listen more than you speak
  • Look for opportunities to really connect and support each other

 Happy Networking!

If you would like support in creating a successful business you love:

Email: simplesmartbusiness@gmail.com

How to Engage Your Potential Clients with Compelling Success Stories

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I Did It

The human mind thinks in pictures.  When you use stories with your clients and audiences, they can connect more deeply with what you are presenting and will be more likely to move forward.

This can be especially important in a client enrollment (sales) conversation.  Use a true story about a client or one from your own life that:

  • Reflects their own experience and shows that you really understand
  • Demonstrates successful navigation of the situation or one similar it
  • Generates trust in who you are and how you can help them

You Can Create Your Powerful Story in Three Easy Steps: 

The Juicy Details – this is where you describe in detail how awful the situation was.  Spend some time here painting the picture and bringing forward things that echo their own experience,

The Solution – tell them what you did to change the situation.(This should be related to what you are offering.)

The Happy Ending: Share how your life has improved and how much better you feel.

Example:  I was very stressed, getting daily headaches and my stomach was tied up in knots.  I felt stuck and could not move forward, which was very humiliating for me.  It felt like I was not capable of making it happen.  And then, I tried _____.  My life has completely changed.  The stress and physical symptoms are gone and I feel lighter and more confident.   I know that with these tools I will never have that challenge again.  

We all have hundreds of stories in our backgrounds that we can turn into compelling success stories.  I encourage you to choose one and try it out. You will find that it makes it much easier to convey your message successfully.

Your Turn: I would love to hear your Compelling Success Story.  Feel free to share it in the blog comments or email it to me.

The One Minute Business Assessment

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Assessment

It is important to have a clear picture of where you are at in your business and which areas need more focus.   Many business assessment questionnaires are pages long and require an investment of time to complete.  This quick and easy evaluation tool is the one my business clients use weekly and forward to me before their sessions.

Try it out and let me know what you think.

Here it is: 

Rate each of the following areas on a scale of 1-10 (1=extremely low and 10=wonderful)

(   ) Overall level of satisfaction with your business

(   ) Client attraction/Marketing

(   ) Positive feedback from clients

(   ) Physical space

(   ) Confidence

(   ) Level at which you are enjoying or excited about your work

(   ) Systems/Management

(   ) Learning/Education

(   ) Progress on priority projects

(   ) Support systems

(   ) Effective time utilization

(   ) Personal self-care and work/life balance

(   ) Level at which your business is meeting your financial needs

 

Your Turn: I would love to hear how this worked for you and what you learned in the process.  You can connect with me in the comments section of this post or by emailing me at the address below.

Ask to schedule a  Free Consultation if you would like a deeper level of support, for your business challenges and dreams.  Email: simplesmartbusiness@gmail.com

 

 

 

Clear Up Your Thinking with a Little Mental Hygiene

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Thinker

There are some days that just make our heads spin.  We can only handle so many decisions, challenges, and things to do.  In order to keep up, our thoughts come faster and faster, often in complete disorder until we feel overwhelmed.  Whew!  Just writing about it is tiring.

When you find yourself stressed, procrastinating, overwhelmed, dazed, and confused, it is time for a little Mental Hygiene.

Mind Dump –Get those thoughts out of your head and onto paper.  Write down all of the things that you are trying to keep track of in your head.  You can organize them more easily on paper.  What are the goals?  What are the actions steps?  Where can you keep track of them outside of your mind?  And, most importantly, what can you let go of?  You will find that this Mind Dump process will relieve your mind and put some order back into your life.

Clean Up Your Thoughts – Are your thoughts uplifting or undermining you?    When negative thinking comes forward, make a choice to think of something else.  Focus on positive possibilities, gratitude, cute little babies, or someone you love.  Find things that inspire you and surround yourself with them.  Spend time in gratitude every day.  When you do, good things will start to happen.

Release Self-Judgment – Chances are, some of those thoughts filling your mind are judging you harshly.  They may involve fear, anxiety, or some variation on your being incapable or unworthy.  These thoughts are just stories that clutter your mind.  Practice letting them go or shifting them.  You can also try making friends with them.  Give them a name or persona and let them know you appreciate their attempts to help you, but have things handled.   Invite them to take on a new job that focuses on helping you feel positive.  They really just want to help.  And, don’t forget to acknowledge yourself for everything you do well, no matter how small.   You will find yourself feeling better and accomplishing more.

Remember, your thoughts are not who you are and half of what you think is unnecessary or untrue.  Practice mental hygiene to keep your mind clear and ready to be used as the powerful tool it is meant to be.  It really just wants to help.

Your Turn: What thoughts would you like to let go of?

How to Make Every Day a Winning Day

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sun

  1. Get up early
  2. Start your day with spiritual time
  3. Set an intention for the day
  4. Create a plan and stay focused
  5. Take action steps toward your goals
  6. Exercise and eat healthy
  7. Let go of negative thoughts
  8. Learn something new or allow time for reading
  9. Celebrate what you have accomplished at the end of the day
  10. Spend time in gratitude

How to Guide Your Business to Success with One Simple Question

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question

Could one question be all you need to evaluate your programs, offerings, marketing efforts, and business overall?

Could you free up loads of time by asking this simple question?

Can just one question guide you to success?

Possibly…..  Here’s how it works:

List your offerings, marketing strategies, and where you spend your time, and then ask yourself the super powerful question:  Is it working?

If the answer is yes – keep doing it.

If the answer is no – tweak it, drop it, or make a stronger commitment if a lack of focus was the issue.

There you have it – a full business evaluation in just three words.

Your turn: What isn’t working for you and what are you going to do about it?

What to Do When Things Go Wrong

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oops

No one is perfect.  Things happen.  And when they do, we often get upset and beat ourselves up.  We may feel defensive or apologize again and again, which can make things worse.   The other person will have two needs at that time: to be heard and resolution.  Here is a simple process you might want to keep handy that can support you when things go wrong:

  • Stay calm
  • Let the other person say what they feel without interruption or defensiveness
  • Apologize once clearly
  • Offer a solution, compromise, or alternative
  • If applicable, thank them for understanding
  • Acknowledge yourself for seeking to resolve the issue
  • Release any emotions or judgments against yourself or the other person that come forward

How to Create a Fun, Playful, and Highly Effective Marketing Plan

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Yoga

Most successful heart centered entrepreneurs will tell you their best clients come through referrals.  These clients have a high level of trust, readiness, and are prepared for what the work entails.

How do you get referrals?

You go out in the world and connect with people.  Be seen.  Be known.

What would happen if you redefined marketing as meeting, connecting, and having fun with other people?  What if you could play during work hours and call it work?

What if your new marketing plan included:

  • Joining a hiking, yoga, or exercise group?
  • Taking up a hobby you have always wanted to pursue?
  • Volunteering?
  • Taking classes that interest you and your ideal clients?
  • Joining a book club or meetup groups?

You get the idea.   Why make it hard on yourself?  If you are going to spend time marketing, you might as well have fun!

Your Turn: What new things can you do to start meeting your ideal clients in their world?

Linda Luke  Email: simplesmartbusiness@gmail.com

Are You Falling Into the Black Hole of Marketing?

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b

There are times when marketing works and times when it just feels like a big black hole.  You can spend hours trying to connect with potential clients in the virtual world.  You build lists, write blogs, do joint ventures, create offers, and even enroll in programs that promise to give you the secrets to attracting your ideal clients and making millions of dollars.

But, is it working?

What might you learn if you were to list all the things you do for marketing and evaluate their effectiveness for time spent?  Where are your clients really coming from?  Wouldn’t it be wise to put your energy into that?

It is possible that you are spending hours behind the computer working hard at what is not working.  I wonder how much more time and energy you would have for your family, friends, and self, if you chose to focus on what works instead of what everyone says you should be doing.

Go ahead.  Make that list.  You might be surprised what you find out.

The Tortoise and the Hare

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If you are like most people there are times when you move quickly toward your goals like a hare and others when you just plug along in tortoise mode.  So, how do you plan action steps for your goals that will work with both your tortoise and hare energy?

You keep the action steps easy and small.  Very small.  Here is an example:

Goal: Name your book

Steps:

  1. Brainstorm and list ideas
  2. Search existing titles at Amazon.com or other book resources
  3. Review websites related to your book subject
  4. Check Google analytics or similar sites to evaluate your ideas
  5. Narrow down your list
  6. Take the remaining ideas and check them for viability (see: Creating Marketing Materials )
  7. Ask for feedback or do a survey
  8. Listen to your heart and make a choice 

This list of steps may take weeks or be completed in a day.    The important thing is that instead of setting your tortoise self up to feel like a failure, you have created a map that shows progress and achievement every step of the way.  A plan of action with small steps can also prevent inertia and feeling overwhelmed.   Be sure to commit to completion times or doing at least one step a day or week to keep your forward momentum going.

So, go ahead and start creating the action plan for your goal.   What will your first small step be?

What is Your Vision for the Coming Year?

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Creating a vision for your business in the coming year is an important step in your success process.   I recommend going to a quiet, peaceful place and evaluating each of the following areas for opportunities you would like to make happen in 2013.  When you are clear, you can turn them into intentions and goals.

  • Physical Environment
  • Systems and Management
  • Education/Learning
  • Client Attraction/Marketing
  • Client Retention/ Up leveling Sales
  • Client Support and Relationships
  • Financial/Pricing
  • Support Systems/Network
  • Effective Time Utilization
  • Work/Life Balance
  • New Projects or Offerings

Do What You Love – Don’t Get Stuck in the Details

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I see many new entrepreneurs and coaches spend months and sometimes years, creating their websites, logos, and packages.  Some get stuck and never move beyond that stage into the work they are passionate about.  They give up before they even get started.

The thing is, if you want to be a coach – coach.  If you want to provide a healing service – focus on that.  It’s not all about the website, or the perfect business card, or being on Facebook and Twitter.  They are just tools.

Don’t become the person sitting behind your computer every day wondering why you don’t have clients.

Do what you love.  Share your excitement for your work.  Connect with people in a meaningful way.  That is how you really attract clients.

The rest can come later…..