A few years ago in the grocery store, I had an epiphany of the effectiveness of marketing message and marketing differentiation. How can you stand out in a crowded marketplace? My husband loves cheese -- specifically cheddar cheese. He swoons over the decision about which cheese to purchase. He'll stand in front of the display of cheeses in the …
It’s So Important to Take Time Off
Every weekend, my husband (who is also my business partner) and I take one day off from our busy schedules, either to go somewhere interesting and relaxing, or to visit with family and friends. We're just like you: we run our own businesses (which could keep us working 24/7 if we're not careful) and we have things that need to get done around the …
Has Your Website Designer Disappeared?
A strange phenomenon has been spreading like a virus over the past few years. In the past four months alone, three of my clients have told me that their website designer or virtual assistant has "disappeared." No return phone calls, unanswered emails. Gone, gone, gone. Kidnapping? Hardly. When the economy gets tough or the revenue numbers don't ad …
Go Look In The Mirror
Who creates your calendar and books every waking moment of your time? Who asks you to work evenings and weekends to grow your business? Who forces you to work with clients who are not really a good match, or pushes you to sell, sell, sell when you are tired or sick? Being self-employed means you are the boss. You set the agenda. If you're unhappy …
How to Facilitate Introverts and Extroverts in Your Group or Class
Whether you run training workshops, facilitate mastermind groups, or offer group coaching programs, understanding what makes introverts and extroverts tick will help you work effectively with clients. We all know there are two personality styles that are polar opposites of each others, right? I wish it were that simple. Introversion and …
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The Value of Double Opt-ins
When creating an email mailing list, there is a feature you should consider using: the double opt-in. A double opt-in works like this: First, a person who wants to be on your mailing list either fills out a form on your website or gives you their email address in some other way. That's the "first opt-in." Second, the mailing list system sends …