My great-great-grandmother lived on a dairy farm. She loved flowers, especially her roses. In front of the small, white farm house, she planted seeds each year. If the soil, weather and insect gods smiled down on her in the right proportions, she was rewarded with a lovely display which warmed her heart and soul. Trouble began to …
Crafting Your Core Message
For some business owners, it’s a struggle to clearly explain what it is you do, especially if your business is unique or you are trying to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Often, we explain what we do, but not how it’ll benefit the person we’re talking to. We need a clear way of saying, “This is what I offer and this is how it will help …
Are You Persuasive?
Much of marketing is about persuasion. Note that I do not say "manipulation." That's the kind of marketing we all hate. Dictionary.com defines the verb "to persuade" like this: 1. to prevail on (a person) to do something, as by advising or urging: We could not persuade him to wait. 2. to induce to believe by appealing to reason or understanding; …
Self-Employed Full Time or Part Time: What’s right for you?
When you're self-employed (or thinking about becoming self-employed), one of the more important decisions you'll need to make is whether you want to do this work full-time or part-time. That's a difficult question for many people, and here are some things to consider when making that decision. Full-Time Benefits You can have a business …
Self-Employed Full Time or Part Time: What’s right for you?Read More
Small Business Fear, Success, and Daily Rituals
What makes one small business owner more successful than another? Trust me, it's not lack of fear. We're all afraid of failing, of our offer being rejected, of making a complete flop of a project, of screwing up a business relationship. What's the difference between entrepreneurs who are successful and those who aren't? Successful entrepreneurs …
Why Marketing Fails: The Silo Effect
When you think of a silo, you think good thoughts: silos on a farm filled to the brim with an autumn's grain harvest. It sounds like a perfect metaphor for a successful business marketing campaign. So how can a silo be a bad thing? The Silo Effect in business refers to groups of people, or groups of projects, working independently from one …