Archive for October, 2009

Once upon a time you dreamed of a carefree life as an entrepreneur.  You saw the vision of a business where you would satisfy all your clients needs, make tons of money and live the lifestyle of freedom and joy…..wait a second, stop the presses…the reality is hauntingly different.

Now don’t get mad or upset.  I know that you are working your tail off sometimes 12-14 hours per day to turn that dream into a reality.  You eat, sleep (when you do) and think about your business 7 days a week with little return on the investment and a ton of anger to show for it.  But let’s take a step back and really look at what it takes to turn that hobby into a business so you CAN have the business you always dreamed of.

Today Is That Day

Right now in this moment you have a wonderful opportunity to closely examine what it takes to have a successful business.  Here are five action items that you can implement right now so that you can make the transition from a hobby to a business:

1.     Develop a Business and Marketing Plan

When you decide to start a new hobby you don’t need to sit down and write out what you’re going to do and how you are going to do it; you just go out and get your supplies, set up a card table in the basement or spare room and start.  If this sounds like how you started your business, let me explain why this was a BIG mistake.

You want to be successful don’t you?  How will you know if you are?  By writing out your business plan you are taking the necessary steps to plan out your course of action; to identify the goals that indicate you are on the right track.  Without the plan how will you know that you are making the necessary gains in your business that you desire?

So many business women hate marketing but I am sorry ladies it is necessary to develop a marketing plan.  Pick two or three marketing activities and make the commitment to do them consistently.  The activities can range from attending at least one networking event each week to writing a newsletter.  No matter what activities you choose, do them consistently to see results.

2.    You Act Like You Are In Business

There are a couple of really important issues that fall under this heading of “acting like you are in business”.  The first I would like to point out is you have a business email that is tied to your website or domain name.  For example, maureen@daretobephenomenal.com instead of using a generic email address such as yourname@gmail.com. See the difference?  In the first example you know I have a legitimate business, the other, well you’re not so sure.

Second issue is you have branded yourself.  You have a distinct look and feel.  When you brand yourself with colors, taglines and logos you begin to stand out in the crowd.  All of your marketing material must have a cohesive look and feel to them, if they don’t, begin to work towards branding yourself.

Finally, you are treating your personal and business financial accounts as separate; you are not mixing your money.  If you are not doing this now, please go and seek the help of a quick books expert or bookkeeper who can help you separate your accounts so that you clearly know what you are spending and taking in on your business.

3.    Show Me The Money

Here is the plain hard truth…if you are not making any money than you have a hobby and not a business.  Your business needs to be making money or at least be on its way to profitability.  You can’t continue to live on your savings account forever,  and racking up credit card debt to run a business is extremely risky particularly if you own your own home.  Your business won’t survive for very long if you can’t bring in clients and turn a profit.

4.    You Have A Support Team

Part of the trap that many business owners fall into, is they spend many hours a week working in their business instead of on their business.  They do tasks that would be better done by someone else.  You have special talents and skills that bring in the revenue for your business.  If you are spending your time cleaning the house, managing the books,  or managing your data base then you have less time to go out and procure clients.  Find a VA, housecleaner or personal assistant to help you; learn to delegate!

5.    Learn, Learn, Learn

As I mentioned in my opening article, investing in yourself is the biggest gift you can give yourself.  I have two coaches and belong to a mastermind program with a different group of people.  I made a commitment to myself that if I wanted to make my business successful I knew I would have to make the time and monetary sacrifice to make it happen.  If you are struggling with your business or know deep in your soul that all you have is a hobby, I encourage you to consider hiring a coach, mentor or joining a mastermind so that you can turn that hobby into a thriving business.

My challenge to you this week is to take a good, hard look at your business and pick one area to work and improve on.  Make a goal and outline the steps that are necessary for you to achieve success.

Yesterday, the Success Minded Women’s Business Network reached a new milestone when the 300th member joined the organization!

This group was formed in March and we had our first event in April.  Since that time the group has grown consistently over the 7 months at an average rate of 1.4 members joining each day.

If you live in the Greater Boston, Southern New Hampshire area and want to be part of an inspiring group of women dedicated to supporting each other grow their business and have a phenomenal life then I would love for you to join us!

When you close your eyes, and envision what you business will look like in a year; three years and beyond; what do you see?  Is your mind filled with doubt that you can’t build a successful six-figure business?  Do you find it hard to see clearly what your business will look like next year and the year after that?  If you answered yes to these questions this simple secret will help you get clear and focused so that you can have that six figure business you desire.

Read on to get the all the details!

Many women entrepreneurs are filled with fear and doubt. They feel that are not worthy or good enough to make their business successful.  They mistakenly believe it can’t be that easy to have success.  Or, if they start to experience success they fear they won’t be able to handle it.  Does of any of this sound like you?

I want you to remember that fear and doubt is not what is TRUE about any situation. Ok, I hear you saying, “but I feel fear!”  Your right, you are feeling fear and  I am not suggesting that you stop feeling a feeling; that’s just not possible.  But what I am suggesting is that you stop and reboot your mind and tell yourself “IT IS NOT TRUE”.  When you experience fear or doubt consider reciting the following statement:  “I’m feeling (fear/doubt) but I don’t believe it to be true just because I feel it.”

Try this exercise and feel the results:

1.  Close your eyes and vision something specific you want in your business.  Maybe it’s to make a certain amount of money or to get a specific number of new, ideal clients.  Whatever it is, vision it.   Do those old doubts and fear creep in when you think about what you want?  That’s ok, it’s totally normal as you begin to train yourself into a new way of thinking and believing.

2.  As you are face to face with those doubts and fears notice how it makes you feel and where in your body you feel it.  Now say to yourself:  “This is not true. There’s that feeling. It’s just not true.”

3.  Next go back to your vision and identify what IS important to you.  Remember what it is you want so much. Notice how it makes you feel inside; joyful, exhilarated, excited about the possibilities.  Stick with that feeling! Realize that you have a choice in how you will feel and how you will move forward in your beliefs and actions.  When you realize this, the possibilities become endless.  You understand what was possible once is possible again and again.  It all lies in your ability to switch on your empowering belief system coupled with choosing the actions that will move you forward.

When I was filled with doubt and fear it had a paralyzing effect on my life and my business.  Once I learned how to rid myself of the thoughts and beliefs and replace them with an empowering mindset I quickly remembered I had many successes in my life from which to recall and it was possible to have all I desired.  If success was possible once it it possible many times over.

I firmly believe everything always works out.  I am not always sure in the moment exactly how it will, but my belief system tells me it always does.  When I find  I don’t have all the answers it means I need to look for assistance from friends, business associates and most importantly from my own coach and mentor.

Finally, know that you have choices, evaluate the possibilities and go with the option that you want. Don’t listen to anyone or anything but your inner knowing and go for what you recognize to be true and right.

Often times when I am working with a client or answering question at a presentation the topic of online networking comes up.  In effort to answer some of the most common questions about which online networking sites to participate in, and to help you figure out how to use online social networking most effectively read on.

1. Facebook

Ok I can hear what you are saying already.  Facebook?  Do I have too?  Well if you are in business and you are trying to get connected online the answer is yes!  Here are some statistics to help encourage you to get a Facebook account:  there are over 200 million active users on Facebook;  more than 50% are over 35; and Facebook users have more degrees and their median income is above average.  Some of the best features to use if you are trying to attract clients and build your brand is the fan page.  It acts similarly to your personal profile page and therefore allows for the highest degree of interaction.  To see what a fan page looks like and how to use it effectively visit: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/Maureen.Campaiola.DAREToBePhenomenal?ref=ts

2. Twitter

Twitter is a micro blogging platform that allows you to post mini updates to your network of followers.  You are only allowed 140 characters per post and that includes any links. I have been using twitter for over a year and I must admit that it takes some getting used to. At first you may think, as I did, what’s the point? But just like any networking method, twitter takes time to build relationships with the people that you connect with; so don’t expect instant results.

3. You Tube

I am just getting started with using video, but right away I saw the awesome power of using video to build my brand and my business. You get to connect with your customers and potential customers in a more intimate and personal way. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but video is even more potent because they get to see and hear the real you.

4. Friend Feed

Friend Feed is a site is similar to twitter but instead of giving people updates about “what you are doing” it aggregates all of your online activity. This tool gives you a more in depth view about the people in your network and what they are up to. You are able to link up all of your “social media accounts” together at the site; this is set it and forget it technology.  Useful for all of us that are super busy and don’t want to go to several sites to update information.

5. Your Blog

Don’t have a blog?  Not every business needs a blog, but quite honestly I don’t know too many who can’t benefit from one.  If you are a Real Estate Professional you can write a blog on a variety of topics like the 8K tax credit or information for first time home buyers.  If you own a house cleaning company you can posts tips on keeping your home clean.  You see how it can be utilized in ways that you may never have thought of?

6.  LinkedIn

When I think of LinkedIn I think of it as Facebook for professionals.  It acts like an online resume with information about where you went to school and the jobs and positions that you have held.  If you blog you can even connect you blog posts directly to your  LinkedIn account.   You build your contact base much in the same way you build it on other sites but it also allows you to ask and give recommendations and to see the contact sphere of your connections.  If you are looking for a contact the search tool helps you hone in on who you are looking for.  LinkedIn is a must for professionals!

These are just a few of the many online networking tools you can use to gain exposure and build connections.  Try them all or just a few and see if helps you achieve the results you are looking for.

Many of us are deeply entrenched in the viral networking world these days.  We are connected on Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn and Plaxo.  There are so many sites available to us that often times we forget that there is one very handy networking tool at our disposal that is very effective; the business card.

As many of you know I am the founder of DARE To Be Phenomenal Success Minded Women’s Business Network.  These events are designed to connect savvy business women with others who are looking to engage in business building and joint ventures.  Since the group is so large and you are sure to meet someone new at each event, it amazes me when I hear someone say they “forgot” their business card or worse yet that they don’t have a business card!  This is one of the most cost effective ways to market yourself and your business.  Rule # 1:  If you don’t have a business card get one; they are not obsolete.  And make sure you take them with you everywhere you go!

Ok, so you have your business card and made sure that you took them with you when you left your home or office; now what?  I remember when I first started out in business and got my first set of business cards.  I handed them out to everyone; and I’m not kidding even the waitress at the local coffee shop!  But as I got more sophisticated with my networking and business skill set I learned that everyone doesn’t need my business card and that it should only be given to those who ask for it.  Rule # 2:  Never, never force your business card on someone; ask them for their card first.  Most people will reciprocate and ask you for yours.  Even if they don’t, remember you have their contact information anyway.

When working with my clients I am often asked “How can I make my business card stand out from all the rest?”  Great question isn’t it?  There is a ton of debate on what to put on your card but obviously the basic information should be included.  A lot of business owners are moving away from including their addresses since so much is being done virtually, but if you have a business that people need to find by all means continue to include it.  I am in the process of redoing my card and plan on including my URL’s for my Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.  If Facebook and Twitter are not something you use for your business that is fine to exclude them.  But, all professional business people should have a profile on LinkedIn and that SHOULD be included on your business card.  Rule # 3:  Thinks outside the box and include URL’s to other sites where people can connect with you.  If you don’t have a LinkedIn account get one!

The next tip continues to address the question “How can I make my business card stand out from all the rest?”  Most business owners never use the back of the business card.  Using the back is a great way to add additional and thought provoking information about you and your business.  The back of my card is a call to action for people to visit my web site.  Parts of my updates include changing the back of the card to ask people to go to my web site to sign up for my FREE report.  This change is subtle but important in that I am asking them to do something very specific.  Rule #4:  The back of your business card is “valuable real estate”.  Use it effectively with a call to action to visit your website, sign up for your free report or other action related to your business.

When I had my business cards made the last time I made the mistake of having them printed on glossy card stock.  Although they looked great and are extremely eye catching they are literally impossible to write on.  And that my friends is NOT good!  Lesson learned for me.  Don’t make this mistake.  Have cards printed on high quality, non-glossy card stock to make note taking easier.  Rule #5:  Print cards on high quality flat card stock for easy note taking.

Business cards are one of your best marketing tools available in your marketing tool box. But you must remember to use them to have the greatest impact!  Just like everything else you do to promote your business they will help you to spread the word about you and your business.

Anyone interested in a great networking event this week?  If so, come to the Friends of Kevin Event at the Harmony Hall on Lakeview Ave, Dracut, MA  on Thursday October 8th, 6 – 9 PM.  See you there!

Everywhere you go you hear people talking about the recession, job losses and the rising unemployment rate.  Some of my friends have been laid off, some of them are trying to figure out creative ways to draw more revenue into their business and sadly some are giving up.

As more and more people are experience these hardships there are a group of people who are not just doing well but are thriving…finding the right job, increasing sales and finding innovative solutions to their business challenges.

Wondering who these people are? They are the people who are highly connected to their network! They are the people who understood way before the recession hit the importance of establishing, building and cultivating quality relationships.  They have their insurance policy and it’s in the form of their network!

Sadly, most people I know, despite the fact that they go to countless networking events and belong to a ton of organizations were just not prepared for these economic conditions and where caught with their panties (or pants) down.  So instead of sitting, wishing  and waiting for the economy to do a 180, do these five things right now so that you can turn your business around, get a new job or find the opportunities that are waiting for you.

1. Call Everyone You Know

Get on the phone and start calling your network and ask them how  you can help them.  I am a strong believer that giving always comes back to you ten fold but you must put yourself in the giving position first to end up being the receiver in the end.  Plus, it just feels great to be of service to someone else.

I know you know plenty of people that may be going through something similar and would love it if someone reached out to them to lend a hand or help them make a contact.  In the end, this gesture will be remembered and will open opportunities up for you down the road.

2. Strengthen Your On Line Presence

It never ceases to amaze me how many business owners are not taking advantage of the online sites that can help them increase their visibility and exposure.  As a business coach I teach my clients the on line sites that best suit their business and objectives so that they can be more visible and attract the types of joint venture opportunities that could catapult them to success.

I have met some wonderful people through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and as a result are currently working on two lucrative projects.  Find a way to increase your presence on line and look for creative ways that you can leverage your time and talents to increase sales and get the clients you are looking for.

3. Get Out There

I hate to tell you but you must put yourself out there and make new connections all the time.  Business is not going to fall from the sky into your lap just because you are wishing and praying for more business.

How many networking events do you attend weekly?  On average I attend at least 2 events each week and often times many more.  Get out there and pound the pavement! Meet new people and find opportunities to work together.  I challenge you today to find a networking opportunity in your area and go to it!  Stop wishing and hoping for new business and make the connections you need to grow your business.

4. Make New Connections

Is there someone you would really like to be introduced to?  Do you have a strategy of how you are going to meet this person?  If the answer to the questions are “yes” and “no”, listen up.

Sit down and make a list of the people you would like to meet.  Are you on LinkedIn?  If not, get on it NOW.  This is one of the most useful online tools for getting introduced to people.  But the good old fashioned way of picking up the phone and asking for an introduction is just as fabulous.  Who are you going to ask for help in making the introduction?

No matter how you get introduced, whether you do it on your own or ask assistance from a business associate make sure that you are warm, friendly and personal as you reach out to this new person.

5. Relax and Enjoy

These are stressful times and we don’t need more stress in our lives.  Go out and have fun.  One of the things I enjoy seeing is how much fun the women have who attend my monthly networking events. They are making friends, building new relationships and forging ahead working together to make their businesses stronger.  So don’t be afraid to have fun in the process.

Your network can be vast, strong and powerful if expanded and cultivated appropriately.  Never take your network for granted and do everything you can to strengthen your existing relationships and to build new ones.  In the end your will have the best insurance policy money can’t buy.

We all have to start somewhere.  Let’s face it, when building a list we all start at zero.  Fast forward …. several years later you may have a list of thousands, but maybe it took you years to build it to that level.  It doesn’t have to be that way!   If you are new to list building check out my first article Five Sure Fire Ways To Build Your List for some great ways to get started.  If you have been list building for awhile  here are some more strategies to grow your list quicker and easier.

1. Include a “Join My Email List”  Link At The Bottom of Your Email Signature: I have said it before that this is the most underutilized piece of real estate that you have to market your business and build your list and best of all it’s FREE!  Remember to keep  it to 5 lines or less with a call to action like “Sign Up For My FREE Newsletter Filled With Tips, Tools and Strategies To Grow Your Business”!  Send it out with each email that you send even if it’s to your Aunt Alice in Oklahoma.
2. Run A “Forward My Newsletter Contest”:   I just love this idea because it gets your readers engaged and it helps you to build your list fast!   If you newsletter is filled with great content it makes it easy for your readers to forward to a friend or colleague.  Have a link included in your email so that it makes it fool proof for subscribers to forward and then let them know if they forward it to at least one person they will be entered into a drawing for a great prize!     Your email management system will keep track of who forwards the newsletter.
3. Join Forums and Participate:  There are thousands of forums on the internet.  You literally could spend days browsing them.  These forums are where people share information on a particular topic and post opinions, ideas and participate in ongoing discussions.  Most forums allow you to put a signature line underneath your post.  This is where you can include a link to your subscription information…very easy isn’t it?  Make sure that when you are posting in forums that you provide useful and relevant information in your posts.  If not you will loose credibility and that is sure to damage your ability to draw new readers to your site.
4. Engage in Joint Ventures to Grow Your List: Writing articles and blog posts are great but you want to be able to grow your list by leaps and bounds, not dribs and drabs.  By working with someone that works with your key audience on a special event you have a better chance of growing your list quickly than by other methods.  You can easily put together an on line tele-series, or tele-summit or other event.  No matter which method you choose make sure that each expert is required to promote the event to their list and have each participant register on your site for the event.  This way you are ensuring that these people are ending up in YOUR database!
5. Promote, Promote, Promote: No matter what list building strategies you use you must continually promote your free offer, free give away or tele-series.  With the tele-series if you record it people will still sign up to hear it after the fact so leave the opt-in box up!  Like anything else, list building requires consistent effort to achieve the results that you are looking for.

Growing Your List Is Easy When You Have A Plan

Follow these simple steps and you too can be a master at list building in no time flat!

For more ways to grow your list and market yourself for success I encourage you to sign up for my free report Mastering Your Marketing Mindset.  It’s yours FREE!  Enjoy!