Author Archive
How to be seen as an expert
Posted by: | CommentsIf you are are new to your business or just looking for a way to gain visibility, then being seen as an expert in your field is an invaluable way to earn trust, gain respect and increase attention to your business.
Before I tackle the “how” to be seen as an expert, I have to first say this very, very important thing: You can not be seen as an expert if you are not already an expert. This is not about lying about your qualifications, tricking people into believing you know what you are doing or stealing from true experts to make it look like your own material.
This is about promoting the amazing gifts, talents and experiences you currently have so potential clients benefit from your knowledge and becomes aware of the services you provide. No trickery, lying or fabricating allowed.
Below are some tips for being seen as an expert in your field.
1. Write for an online magazine, blog or other site where people come to read quality articles filled with solid content. Sites likeEzine Articles, Self Growth and Women on Business are great places to be seen by a wide variety of people looking for information on your industry.
Nine steps to developing a social media plan
Posted by: | CommentsSocial media is not longer an option for entrepreneurs and small businesses. It is a must. Just as having a website establishes credibility and provides information to potential clients, social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn do the same thing, as well as show you are in touch with the latest technology and coolest tools.
How does an already overwhelmed business owner add social media to their normal marketing and networking responsibilities without spending hours on the computer, and away from serving clients?
By being very smart and strategic. Here are nine steps to developing a social media plan that enhances your marketing efforts and creates a buzz for your business, without wasting time and energy.
1. Know who you are trying to reach and go where they are. Chances are your potential clients are on Facebook, but how do they use the site? Do they only play Farmville or catch up with family and friends? Or do they use Facebook as a business networking tool? Knowing which sites they use and how they use it will help you customize your posts and online efforts.
What’s all the chatter?
Posted by: | CommentsOne of my favorite things about Twitter are the chat groups. On any given night, you can join dozens, or even hundreds, of other Twitterers in a lively discussion about a specific topic. Not only can you learn from others in the field, but you can establish yourself as a leader and expert while gaining new followers.
How does a Twitter chat work? The moderator of the group will post questions for everyone to tweet about during specific time. Everyone who participates in the chat tags their posts with the hashtag name of the group (i.e. #socialmedia). You can search for the group name and read all of the posts associated with the chat. You can even go back and read the transcripts of the chats if you miss it.
Here is a list of some of my favorite chat groups, along with the time they “meet.”
#4change: monthly discussion of using social media for social change (second Thursday of each month from 5-7 p.m. EST)
#blogchat: bettering your blog (every Sunday from 9-10 p.m. EST)
#brandchat: discussion between experts, strategists and those interested in learning more about personal branding and managing their personal brand (every Wednesday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. EST)
Six tips to creating a business that means something
Posted by: | CommentsStop a minute and think about the impact you have on your clients and the industry you serve. Are you presenting yourself as a leader in your field, full of great ideas and providing valuable resources to everyone who comes your way? Are you making a difference in the lives of the people you meet, either online or in person?
Sure, the goal of every business is to make money- we have bills to pay after all, but what if our goal was to make a difference in the lives of every person we meet, no matter if they are clients or not? What if we made such strong connections with those we “talk” to that they would miss us if we were gone?
Shouldn’t that be our ultimate goal?
Here are some tips to create a business of value and appreciation.
1. Be generous with your knowledge. Sharing real solutions to the problems facing your niche market is more than just a great marketing tool, it shows you care enough about your clients’ success that you are willing to help them for free. While some people may take advantage of your generosity, many will be impressed at your efforts and will remember your kindness when they are ready to hire someone.
Who is telling your story?
Posted by: | CommentsWhether you realize it or not, you are telling a story about your business in every thing you do. Question is, does that story accurately reflect who you are, what you do and the clients you serve?
Every page on your website, every sales letter, every elevator speech, even every tweet you send – all of these communications tell the world about your values, attitudes and personality. It is up to you to put forth consistent, accurate and positive messages that reinforce your business story.
So, how do you take control of your story and make it one that you can consistently utilize to brand your business and galvanize your message?
First, pull out all of your marketing tools- anything that a client or potential client sees. Print off your website and any other online tools you use to reach your audience. Take a look at what you are saying and answer the following questions.
You can’t do it alone
Posted by: | CommentsLast Thursday, I jumped in the car and took a road trip to Atlanta with three of my favorite, and most inspirational, female entrepreneurs to attend a seminar on mindset.
While the seminar was amazing, it was the three-hour car ride that still resonates with me. We each took turns talking about “stuff” we are facing. It helps so much to have a strong support system, especially if you work from home in isolation.
The concept of a mastermind group is still pretty new to me. I managed to read about a fifth of “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill last fall. I never really put much stock into it, but the more I keep running into the same challenges, the more I realize I can’t do it alone.
Having a strong support system is an invaluable tool for any business. Just as every new venture needs a plan, every entrepreneur needs a group of honest, caring, bold colleagues to hold your hand while simultaneously kicking your butt.
We are not meant to be solitary creatures. And that goes for your business, as well. To be successful in any industry, you can’t do it alone.
Running your business with soul
Posted by: | CommentsI recently met a life coach that I had admired for many years. She wanted to talk about ways we might be able to work together. I was honored and excited about the possibilities.
She is one of those people I could just listen to for hours. So wise, authentic and passionate.
She said one thing that has really stuck with me and is making me rethink how I run my business.
“Life is too magical and mystical to do something you don’t love.”
Wow. Imagine only taking on clients that you love. Imagine only working on projects that you love. How would that transform how your run your business?
If you made every decision based on what you love and what your soul is telling you is right, how would your business look?
Several times throughout our conversation, she said her heart was telling her to go in a certain direction. She just felt it was the right move. She runs her business with her heart and soul, allowing her intuition to guide her.
I’ve heard a lot of business coaches preach this idea, but I’ve never met anyone that actually runs their business with soul.
Four questions about core values and your business
Posted by: | CommentsValue is defined as something intrinsically valuable or desirable (human rather than material). The word can also be used to rate usefulness, importance or general worth.
Values in business often relate to the business strategy of a large company and usually describe its commitment to shareholders, customers and employees.
For example, Zappos lists their core values on their website as:
1. Deliver WOW Through Service
2. Embrace and Drive Change
3. Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
4. Be Adventurous, Creative and Open-Minded
5. Pursue Growth and Learning
6. Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication
7. Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
8. Do More With Less
9. Be Passionate and Determined
10. Be Humble
For entrepreneurs and small business owners, business values are personal values. Your personal core values define who you are and what you believe in, align your business with your true self, make it easier to identify your ideal clients, establish a powerful voice and provide a clear path for the tough decisions every entrepreneur faces.
The value of integrity
Posted by: | CommentsI wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about being in integrity. Basically, I was feeling very stuck and heavy in business and in life, so I made a list of everything I was intentionally avoiding or blatantly ignoring. It was a long list and included everything from returning overdue library books to deciding to drop a couple of clients with whom I no longer wish to work.
After marking off just a few of the items from the list, I felt freer and lighter. Business seemed to take off. Out of the blue I received an invitation to speak at a business meeting and had a friend of a friend provide me with the best testimonial. Wow, all that for just a couple of checkmarks.
So, what did I do next? I stopped working on the list and went on with everyday life. Guess what? I feel stuck, stuck, stuck again. And it feels bad.
What I failed to learn was integrity is adhering to a code of values. My values. I have been leaving my values out of my business and my life. That is what is causing the big disconnect. A-ha.
