Some Tips and a Question

First...

Before we get to the tips and the free stuff, I need your help making more content that will help you. What are you struggling with most? itdoesn't need to be a long paragraph. Checklist style will work. I'm gearing up to create more trainings in 2023 and want to make it exactly what you need

Now, how about some email marketing tips:

• Just do it. Can't put it any more plainly than that.
• Get to know your audience better. In 2023, make it a priority to really get to know your audience. Don't just know who they are. Know what makes them tick.
• Be more transparent. Don't try to be sneaky about getting email addresses. Don't add people who didn't opt-in. You'll alienate your audience and damage your brand.
• Reward more. It pays to include free content in your emails. These types of resources are great for improving engagement.
• Send at the best time. Timing matters a lot. Tuesdays and Thursdays are best. Realistically, you will need to do your own testing to determine the best time to send your email. Make that a 2023 goal!
• Clean up your list. If you haven't deleted inactive subscribers, it's time. You should update your list twice a year. If you don't it can negatively impact email deliverability.
• Simplify. The new year is a great time to declutter. And that includes your email design. Minimalistic designs are popular. Look at your colors, fonts, and layout. Do you have enough white space? These are all things you should reevaluate in 2023.

Got any questions? Just post them in the comments and we can chat.

One more thing...

If you're actively building your business online, and you're not generating the leads you need, you might want to tune into our FREE walkthrough showing you the exact lead generation method used by the most successful online businesses in any industry.

It's a simple 3-step model for finding and connecting with your ideal prospects.

Plus it is totally duplicatable (OMG, there's that word. The one ever MLMer knows all too well).

I use it in my own business so I can promise you, it works.

If you're ready and you want to level up your game, join me tomorrow on a no-cost training.

Register here

You've got nothing to fear...for Pete's sake, you already read my blog so you know I'm not some crazy stalker chick!

How to Get Your Prospects To Take Action More Often

Just because I've shifted my focus in my business, doesn't mean I'm not going to be talking about marketing....

A LOT!

Being able to market my offers effectively is what allows me to live the life I do.

So today, I've got a marketing tip for you. It has always worked. It will ALWAYS work to get people to take action more often.

Here's the tip...

Whenever you're promoting an offer of a product, your success relies on how much action you can get your prospects to take. And one thing that moves people to action better than anything is PRESSURE.

I'm not talking about the type of hard pressure that makes you feel sleazy and uncomfortable. I'm talking about creating a sense of URGENCY. "Do this by (time) or you'll miss out on (benefit)." Why do you think so many events have early bird pricing? Why holiday sales have time limits? "On sale this weekend only!"

A strict deadline is the key to creating urgency. The fact is most people will wait until the last minute to take action even with a deadline. Which is why you want to apply pressure right before the deadline strikes. To create major FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

There you go! Try creating a little urgency with your next offer and see what happens.

5 Steps for Niching Your Business

To niche or not to niche...that is the question. There are lots of opinions on this. 

Personally, I think niching makes marketing so much easier. It helps you determine exactly who your market is. It helps you narrow down what you offer and what results you give. 

The big problem with niching is that most entrepreneurs don't know how to find their niche. They try to market to everybody. Or they try to work multiple businesses. This is especially true of network marketers. And when that doesn't work they get discouraged and quit.

If you are ready to find your business niche, here are are some tips to help you.

1. Determine your interests. What do you like to do? What are you passionate about? What is it that would make you jump out of bed every morning  ready to get to work? If you are starting a business that bores you to tears just because someone said it's a money maker, chances are you won't be successful. Your heart won't be in it and prospects will pick up on that lack of enthusiasm.

2. Determine your skills. What are you good at? What can you help other people with? Just because something interests you doesn't mean it's a good business niche. I'm a data junkie. I love facts, and figures and numbers. But I am absolutely no good at building spreadsheets or accounting. So I just settle for a "fountain of useless information" as my husband says. (But I will definitely kick a$$ on trivia night!. Need a team mate?)

3. Determine who you want to help. Everyone is not necessarily a good fit for you and your business. When I started, I wanted to help every network marketer everywhere. But then I discovered there were definitely those I did not enjoy working with. So then I decided I wanted to focus on women. But still...there were ladies that made me want to cry by the time I was done working with them. It took me a while to figure out that I was really looking for people like me. Those who don't necessarily subscribe to the popular definition of "success", but are looking to create a lifestyle that suits them...even if that doesn't include big houses and fancy cars. These are the folks I love working with because we can relate to each other. They are my niche.

4. Do your research. Who are your competitors? What do they offer that you don't? What can you offer that they don't? 

5. Hone in on your specialty! This is probably the most important thing you'll need to know – make sure that you put the time and effort into really focusing in on your specialty and deciding what you will (and won't) do for your clients.

Too many entrepreneurs start out trying to be all things to all people. After all, any client is better than no client, right? But finding your niche is the best way to successfully break into a market. You can always grow from there.  

I'm Doing It My Way

I have to admit it. I'm not fancy. I'm pretty low-maintenance. Even when I lived in places like Washington DC or NYC, I was still a small town girl at heart. So it's no surprise that when I finally found my "dirt road", it was an actual dirt road!


Have you found YOURS yet? Fancy marketers call it LIVING THE DREAM. I think it's just freedom. Freedom to live where and how you choose.

All the gurus telling you how to be successful are showing you pictures of big houses, and fancy cars, and exotic vacations....I never had any interest in that. I drive a Jeep Gladiator. I live in an old country home. And our vacations are usually things like camping in the Everglades or skiing in Lake Tahoe. I totally understand some people like all the glitz and glamour, but it's just not me.

My life...my way.
Your life...your way.

That's what I teach.

Imagine creating a life where you could do what you wanted, when you wanted.
No job you hate. No need to live somewhere you weren't absolutely in love with just because that's where your job was. Just living YOUR dream. That's what life on the dirt road is and that's what we're going to be working on from now on.

It breaks my heart to see people stuck...in a job, in a location, in a relationship....in a RUT...with no way out. Or so they think.

I was talking to a friend yesterday who was telling me she and her family were getting ready to move...again...because her husband was once more being transferred by his company. She wasn't excited about packing up everyone in the middle of a school year and moving across the country. But she was also sort of glad because they had just spent the last 2 years living in a city they absolutely hated. But that's where her husband's job was. And all I could think to myself is that this just doesn't make sense. It never has.

Life is far too short to be miserable! Which is why when I began to understand all the ways I could bring in extra income, based around whatever I was already doing, and create multiple streams of income, I took what I learned from everyone along the way, adapted it to my way of doing things....

And...VOILA!

Here I am enjoying life on my "dirt road".

Have you found yours yet? I'd love to help. We have something coming up that just might be what you're looking for. Stay tuned for details! I'm truly excited about this.

Are You Ready To Be "Reel" Famous?

Back in the pre-Covid days, I used to hold live workshops where I taught folks everything I was learning about social media and marketing. They were a lot of fun and hugely successful! I love nothing better than working hands-on and face-to-face with people! But the best part was seeing the look in someone's eyes when the light bulb came on and you knew they understood the power of social media and attraction marketing.

Then came the pandemic and everything changed...including, it seems, how people feel about live events. Where I used to fill a conference room, now I struggle to get half that.

And it's not just me. I've been to events lately where I expected at least 1000 people...only to find 200-300.

It's sad really. There's nothing like networking and learning in person! Maybe we have gotten so used to isolation, we forgot how to interact with people. Maybe we've just gotten too used to Zoom as a part of our life. I don't know what has changed. But I don't like it.

But if you can't beat 'em, as they say....

I'm joining them. But not on Zoom.

I'll be honest....

The next few months are going to be very busy for me and I do not have the time for daily or weekly Zoom meetings. So my logical move is to use a tool tailor made for bringing folks together in one place to learn...

My FB group.

For the next 28 days in the Ninja Marketer group, we'll be doing a Reels Challenge.

I am going to be seriously building my presence on TikTok and upping my Reels game on FB and Instagram and I'm looking for folks who see how short form video can help build their audience and want to really capitalize on it.

If you've ever wished you had a posse to run with and a safe space to practice a new skill, this is it. The challenge is just starting so you haven't missed anything.

You see, when it comes to building a business, there are only two things that matter...

Lead generation and sales. If you are spending your time on anything else you are wasting your time. And short form video is a great way to build your audience so you have people to talk to and share your offers with....

Especially if you are creating Reels with PURPOSE and INTENTION.

So this month, come along with us and let's do this Reels thing! It's going to be fun. And it could be profitable as FB pays creators for Reels. And YouTube will begin doing the same for YouTube Shorts in January.

If that sounds interesting, join the challenge HERE!

I am pretty excited about this! I may not be standing in front of you seeing the look on your face as you master a new skill but seeing all your cool new short form video content is the next best thing!

My Top Ten Tools for Coaches

Coaching is often presented as a wonderful way to leverage your skills while serving clients who need your expertise. But what many new coaches lack is a toolbox they can use to keep their workload manageable. Here are ten tools that will save you time and energy…

Coaching Tool #1: Card Decks

Card decks are useful for allowing you to start conversations with clients. Typically, each card in the deck features an open-ended question that your client can answer. From there, you can dive into a deeper discussion.

There are plenty of card decks available for sale such as The CBT Deck by Seth Gillihan or QCards from Little Leaps Press. Of course, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you could always create and design your own deck of cards.

Coaching Tool #2: Podcasts

If you’ve been thinking of starting a podcast or already have one, it can be an amazing tool to use in your coaching. The Life Coach School has a popular podcast where the host, Brooke Castillo shares valuable insights with her community.

When you have a podcast, you can dedicate each episode to solving a certain problem for your client. For example, if you teach clients how to launch Kindle eBooks, then you might have an episode where you discuss keyword research and another one where you talk about cover design.

Now when you have clients that run into these problems, you can refer them to that specific podcast episode. This saves you time in the long run and gives your clients a way to face their problems.

Coaching Tool #3: Worksheets

As a marketing coach, I noticed I often work through the same problems with my clients. So, I typed those questions up in a document and created a worksheet.

I give the worksheet to new clients and have them complete it after their first session. Doing this allows me to streamline my coaching while still serving my clients.

Coaching Tool #4: Core Training

A core training is a wonderful way to help your clients. If you’re a copywriting coach and your clients struggle with writing content, you could create a core training on the different types and formats of content.

Then when one of your clients needs help in a specific area, you could point them to the correct module within your core training.

Coaching Tool #5: Voice Messaging

A voice messaging app, like Voxer, lets you and your client leave messages for each other. You can then check these messages as your schedule allows.

The advantage of voice messaging is that it promotes easy and frequent communication. It gives your client the ability to reach out at the exact moment they need help and talk through the issue that’s troubling them.

Coaching Tool #6: Retreats

Sometimes, clients need to be able to get it away from it all if they’re going to have big breakthroughs in their mindset. Other times, you may schedule retreats to give your client space to achieve a large goal such as writing a book in two weeks or designing their website.

By creating a retreat, you’re creating a  cocoon - a warm, safe area where they can dig deep and work on transformation.

Of course, a cocoon isn’t meant to be a permanent housing answer, and neither should your retreat. Set a clear timeline for when the retreat begins and ends.

Retreats can be fun and empowering for clients. But make sure you factor in downtime for yourself before and after the event. You’ll be pouring a lot of energy into your clients and you want to refill your own well once you’re done.

Coaching Tool #7: Onboarding

Many coaches that end up overwhelmed have this happen because they don’t have a smart onboarding process in place. Onboarding lets your clients know what to expect, how you’ll be helping them, and what they’ll need to do to achieve results.

Onboarding can include assessments, quizzes, and inventories. For example, if you help high-powered executives find their next job, you might have them perform an inventory, so you know which skills they already possess and which ones they don’t have.

Keep in mind that you can refine your onboarding process as you go. You might find that the inventory rarely serves your clients, but the personality type assessment often causes them to experience breakthroughs. Then it’s OK to let go of the inventory and hold onto the assessment.

Coaching Tool #8: Trackers

If you help clients develop smart habits, then a tracker can be a wonderful tool for your coaching practice. You can create a tracker and ask your clients to fill it out daily, weekly, or monthly depending on their needs.

The advantage with using a tracker is that it motivates clients to do the work by fostering accountability. It also encourages them to see the progress they’re making and that creates powerful momentum.

Of course, you can create a tracker around almost any goal. Your clients want to earn more? Create a daily earnings tracker so they can watch as their income soars.

Your clients want to get more clients of their own? Design a cold calling tracker so they can see the connection between the calls and their growing client base.

Coaching Tool #9: VIP Days

A VIP day is one you focus on just one client or a very small, select group of clients (typically two to four). The advantage of having a VIP day is that it allows you and your client to map out a strategy for reaching their goal.

It’s also useful for getting a large project done at once. For example, if you help job seekers then you might want to spend the VIP day helping your clients learn how to use LinkedIn effectively.

How many clients you serve at once during a VIP day depends on what you’re trying to achieve and how clients might benefit from time spent with each other.

You might find that your LinkedIn clients need one-on-one attention, but your web design program might thrive when you have a small, focused group of three clients working together.

Coaching Tool #10: Books

Just because books are low-tech doesn’t mean they should be overlooked as a coaching resource. Books can be valuable in that many people are more willing to read through them whereas with a course or product, they may skip entire sections.

A book also allows a client to dive deep into an issue that’s troubling them. For example if you have a client that’s struggling to make sales calls consistently, you might recommend they read BookYourself Solid by Michael Port.

After they finish it, encourage your client to read AtomicHabits by James Clear to learn how to turn self-promotion into a regular habit. By recommending books and nudging them to implement the advice they read, you slowly help your client design the life and business they want.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

The truth is coaching tools come in many different styles and forms. A coaching tool that works well for your best friend may not work for you at all. But a tool she hates may be just the thing you need to assist difficult clients.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools. Study which ones seem to work best for your clients and use those often!

The Night The Lights Went Out in Rogers

True story!

When we first moved out on the dirt road, we weren't exactly ready to make that move.

Oh we had a plan...

My mom and dad were getting to the point that they needed some assistance. And the house we were living in at the time had everything they needed to make life a little easier for both them. Raised garden beds, no stairs, and a walk in shower for my mom. Chatty, nosey neighbors and a patio with a rocking chair for my dad. It was close to stores...and medical facilities....and not that far from us. It was perfect for them!

And so the plan was to move my mom and dad into our old house when we made the move to the dirt road. They would stay with us in the original house so we could help them get settled and get our new home ready for us. And then, when everything was finished, we would move.

But the best laid plans, as they say...

Before we could even put the first coat of paint on the walls, or finish the stairs to the 2nd floor...

(Did I mention the house wasn't quite ready for prime time?)

My mom passed away. And my dad was far enough along in his Alzheimer's journey that he could not stay alone, even with nosey neighbors!

So with two houses, which meant two mortgages, we did the only thing we could. We put the original house up for rent and moved. Ready or not. We would just finish the house in our spare time, after work and on weekends.

We moved in late fall, and immediately got swamped with helping my dad get settled into his home with us.

Holidays Dealing with the longer commute to work.

Everyday, we would say, "Tomorrow. Tomorrow we really have to work on the house." But of course, tomorrow was just a repeat of the day before. Before we knew it, it was just a few days before Christmas and we still hadn't really accomplished much.

On December 23rd, I came home from work and parked my car in the driveway. (We still hadn't enlarged the garage to accommodate 2 cars). I remember the date perfectly because it was the last time my car would move until mid-January.

Now if you know anything about Arkansas winters, you know they can run the gamut from mild fall-like weather most of the season, to bitter cold with ice and snow measured in feet! This year, it happened to be the latter. A storm dropped 6 inches of ice, which was then covered by snow. Lots of snow. My car was buried. The road was impassable. And, of course, we lost power.

Do you know what you have in an all-electric house when you lose power Nothing. No lights. No heat. No way to even make a hot cup of coffee.

And while we were all huddled together trying to stay warm, I vowed we would never be caught unprepared again!

Now, obviously we survived. We used every blanket we had. And fortunately, the power wasn't out very long. But it could have been disastrous, especially for my elderly father. Because we weren't ready.

But there was another problem. Remember, when I mentioned my car didn't move until mid-January? That's a fact. Private dirt roads don't get plowed or sanded. Schools were still closed also so even if I could have gotten into work, I didn't want to leave my girls and my dad home alone.

Fortunately, again, my husband and I were both salaried so between that and the fact that we had already put in for holiday vacation, we were okay. But I'm sure many hourly employees either didn't get paid, or literally risked their lives to get to work to keep food on their tables or pay the rent.

You've heard the story of how having to care for my dad was the trigger that catapulted me into learning about attraction marketing. Well this storm was the event that showed me I needed to have MULTIPLE INCOME STREAMS. And I've spent the last 22 years learning exactly how to do that.

But what about you? Would a job loss, a health crisis, a divorce, or a natural disaster be a minor inconvenience? Or would you be struggling to figure out where your next dollar was coming from?

And let's be real. In today's uncertain economy, it's simply not enough to have just one source of income anymore. You need multiple income streams. And I'm not talking about 2 or 3 (or heaven forbid...more) jobs. I'm talking about passive, residual, make money from home in your spare time income streams.

I'm not going to promise you'll make $10,000 a month in your sleep with no work, but it's quite possible to make an extra $500 a month. Or $1000. Yes, you can even build up to $10,000 a month...WITH WORK!

I'll be talking a lot about this in future, I've learned a lot about what it takes to make sure you always have at least one income stream no matter what, although multiple income streams are better. If you want to learn how to insulate your finances from WHATEVER is coming next...

(I keep hearing the RECESSION word a lot lately)

Stay tuned. I'll be right here. Sharing all the goodness.

If you want to get a head start and discover the pro’s & con’s of 5 proven (and legitimate) ways to start making money from home, download my free report HERE.

How many of them are you already doing?

Life On The Dirt Road

I live in a big old country home with a wraparound porch on a dirt road surrounded by plenty of land.

There is room for kids and grandkids.

Friends are welcome.

I can sit on my porch in the morning and watch the sun rise, hear the birds sing as they greet the day.

I can drink my coffee and watch the squirrels play and the deer come through the field to feed.

I can sit in the peace and stillness of a country night and listen to the sounds of crickets and watch the fireflies...

And see the eyes of little raccoons watching to see if they might steal some food from the bird feeders.

I travel with my husband to visit family and friends...or just to see our favorite places.

I started in the industry in 1975...

And there have been many times since then when I questioned that decision.

Days when I felt like I would never figure this whole marketing thing out.

But then I would be reminded of why I had started and so I didn't give up.

I just kept moving forward...

Some days a little...
Some days a LOT!

But I never quit.

I just kept plugging away, day after day.

I knew I was progressing, however slowly it may have seemed.

And now, in 2022, my husband and I live life on our terms and enjoy every minute of it!

I don't say this to boast.

It took a long time to get here!

A gal who is living a life she loves on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.

And that's the point.

I never dreamed of big cars or fancy houses or traveling around the world.

I have EXACTLY what I always wanted.

And isn't that what this business is all about?

The ability to live life the way you want...

To make the choices that are right for you and your family...

And it doesn't matter how long it takes to get there...

As long as you keep moving towards your dream.

If you JUST keep going, those efforts you make, day in, day out, no matter how small, are all bringing you closer to your "dirt road".

My "dirt road" is an actual dirt road. But yours may be a NYC high rise.

An RV that you travel the country in.

A cabin in the mountains.

Endless hotel rooms as you travel the world to see all the places you dreamed of visiting.

Life on the dirt road is above all else about FREEDOM!

I want you to go find yours.

And I want to help you get there.

If you want to run with me, and get on the inside to help grow YOUR business and find your path, join my Marketing Mastery Facebook Group.

The group for people who want FREEDOM above all else!

See you on the inside!

The Reboot

Okay...

You read all about my big new vision for my business. There wasn't anything wrong with the way things were going. In fact, quite the opposite. I was much too busy. But I was busy doing things that didn't bring me joy. So, after some soul-searching and sessions with my two amazing coaches and mentors, I realized it was time to refocus and reboot.

In my previous post, I outlined my plans for the refocus.

Today I'm focusing on the reboot. Not everything about my current business is broken. It just needs some tweaking. And just like that, it will fit well into my new vision.

Rebooting is a wise first step in lot of situations. We reboot our computers when they don't work as they should. We reboot our brains by getting a good night's sleep. We reboot our creativity by doing something fun or unexpected.

You can reboot your business too. Like me, you can pivot to something bigger and newer. Or you can simply try a new marketing strategy.

Email that list you've been neglecting.                                                  Launch a new product or course.                                                        Polish up your website.                                                                        Start a podcast.

Where in your life or business are things not working as expected? What would a reboot look like? Now is the perfect time to take action.

Meanwhile, here's what I'm working on...

Rebooting this blog. Less focus on straight marketing techniques. Writing more about mindset, creativity, and all the other aspects of designing your dream life.

Rebooting my CafePress and Zazzle shops. Going to focus just on Zazzle. Not giving it up because this is my creative outlet. My stress relief. I'm not an artist by any means! I can't even draw stick people. But thanks to technology I can still create with the best of them. But managing 8 different shops is too time consuming. So I'll be moving everything to one shop on Zazzle.

Rebooting my digital products. So in addition to things like my FB Profile Cheatsheet and 10 Ways to Make Real Money with Your Network Marketing Business ebook, I'll be creating more things like my Vision Board Journal and my Abundance Log.

Rebooting my social media marketing business. I'll still be teaching marketing. But I'll be phasing out the agency part of my business. I want to focus more on teaching. You know what they say...teach a man to fish.....

Rebooting my YouTube Channel. It's a pretty sad hodgepodge of videos right now. But I have plans on how to fit it into my new focus very nicely.

What about you?

Is it time for a reboot in your business?

The Secret To My Success

Success...

What is it?

How do you define it?

It's different for everyone.

For me success was making enough to take care of my dad.

Then it was making enough to spoil my kids and grandkids.

Then it was making enough to retire comfortably.

Then it was multi, multi six figures. Yes...I wanted to be rich!

Briefly...but for a few months, I seriously looked at what would it take to get there.

And now..

Well my definition has changed a lot.

Now it's all about freedom and choices.

But in the end one thing has never changed....

I wanted to have a business that didn't require me to pester people all day every day.

In fact...

I didn't want to pester anyone EVER.

So when I found Attraction Marketing I knew it was my answer and I pursued it like crazy.

In a short period of time I went from approaching people in supermarkets and malls and holding home meetings and making cold calls to working a few hours a day around my family life and making more money than I ever imagined.

So yeah....

I HIGHLY recommend Attraction Marketing!

Learning it could be LIFE CHANGING for you.

But let's be real for a minute.

Times are changing.

Inflation is scary high.

Rumors of recession are becoming increasingly prevalent.

We even have folks...

Folks I know and trust...

Predicting economic collapse...

Civil War...

And basically the end of life as we know it.

Now, while I do know and trust these folks, I'm not sure it's going to get THAT bad.

But I do know that there's a lot of uncertainty in the world.

And I do think 2023 is going to be a year where many people get scared and wipe out so being a part of something that keeps you alive and protects you in scary economic times will be a blessing.

And if the past few years have taught me anything, it's that we need to be prepared....

For ANYHTING!

And that's why I am changing the focus of my business.

Now don't worry...

I'll still be teaching attraction marketing for people who want to learn.

But it's going to take more than marketing skills for you to survive if things get even half as bad as some folks think.

You're going to need multiple income streams...

You're going to need to know how to generate quick cash flow...

You're going to need the tools that enable you to work no matter where you are....

Basically, you're going to need what I already have...

Freedom

Choice

And there's no better time to start than NOW.

So that's what we are doing.

I'm going to teach anyone who's interested how to achieve total FREEDOM.

I'll be building sites and templates and all that jazz.

I'm going to try to bring together all the good parts of our industry without all the crap!

IT'S TIME!

This is not a "program".

There's nothing to "join".

I'm done doing programs.

We don't do programs...

We utilize them.

Our commitments are to ourselves and our customers.

We find high quality products, services and opportunities to serve them.

And that's it.

Now it's just a matter of who sees and understands.

Acquiring this mind shift could change things for you FOREVER.

If that's you, hit me up. I'm creating a list for those who "get it" so I can update you.

This is the future folks.

And once again, I am leading the way.

How to Create a Webinar with Your Business Bestie

A webinar can be a great way to reach a new audience and build your business. But putting together your first webinar can be a bit nerve-wracking. 

That's why I often collaborate with other entrepreneurs. Hosting a webinar with one of my "business besties" not only makes it easier, but also a lot more fun. If you’re considering doing the same with your business bestie, here are a few decisions you’ll need to discuss…

What Is the Goal of the Webinar?

There are many different reasons you may want to do a webinar. Maybe you want to sell your product, promote an offer as an affiliate, or add new subscribers to your sales funnel. Whatever the reason, decide on the purpose of the webinar before you proceed.

What Is the Topic of the Webinar?

Sometimes, the topic may seem obvious. For example, if you and your business bestie are hosting the webinar to promote a course you created together, then the topic should be related to your course.

If you and your business bestie are serving two different niches, then you want to choose a topic that has cross-over appeal for both your communities.

Imagine you blog about the paleo diet and your friend runs a parenting blog, then you could create a webinar on topics like: “paleo diet for busy moms” or “paleo friendly family meals”. This will result in more viewers since both your circles are already interested in these topics.

Which Style Will You Use?

The most common webinar styles are tutorial, interview, and a presentation. In a tutorial webinar, you and your bestie show the audience how to do something. In an interview, you or your business bestie ask each other discussion questions. For a presentation, you’ll share slides as you educate your viewers.

Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong style to use. Pick the one that feels the most natural to you and your business bestie.

How Will You Promote the Webinar?

When you and your co-host are talking about the webinar, consider how you can both promote it. Look at resources you may already have. For example, if you have a Facebook group with five hundred members who are in your niche, then tell them about your upcoming webinar. If your business bestie has a mailing list with fifteen hundred subscribers, she could email the webinar link to them.

What Will You Do with It Later?

After our most recent webinar was over, my bestie and I left it as a free opt-in gift for our subscribers. We continued to receive rave reviews about the content inside the presentation so we bundled it with a workbook and began selling it as a self-study course. Now we are getting ready to add an upsell option for group coaching and hopefully earn even more.

Don’t record a webinar only to let it gather dust on your hard drive. Have a long-term plan for how you can use it to build your businesses. Proudly recycle your content and use it again!

Creating a webinar can feel scary when you’re doing it alone. But with your business bestie by your side, it can be easy (and fun!) to launch a webinar.

Where to Find Your Business Bestie

When you run a digital business, it can be difficult to find people who can relate to your struggles and your triumphs. Your family and friends may be supportive of you but they don’t understand what it’s like to work online.

The wonderful thing about having business friends is that they do understand what you’re going through. Other digital business owners can sympathize when you’re dealing with difficult tech problems or struggling to rebrand your site. They can also celebrate your successes with you and provide valuable guidance along the way.

But how do you find these business besties? Where do you go when you want to form friendships with digital business owners? Consider looking for new friends in these places…

Join Facebook Groups

Look for Facebook groups for online business owners. You’ll want to join a mix of groups—some should be general business groups. These are perfect for finding friends who may be in various niches or have business models that are different from your own.

You also want to look for groups that are specific to your business. For example, if you’re a virtual assistant, look for a few groups that are made up of just virtual assistants. If you’re a coach, you may want to search for specialty coaching groups.

Once you’ve joined a few groups, introduce yourself. Tell the group a bit about yourself and how you got started online. This isn’t the time to promote yourself or your website. Simply share a simple bio and mention that you’re looking forward to getting to know the other members.

If you're looking for a great group to join, check out our very own Ninja Marketers!

Attend Business Conferences

A business conference like the Like a Goal Digger Event can be the perfect place to meet new people. It’s important to understand that conferences come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re an introvert who prefers quiet, look for a small single-track conference with a small number of attendees. If you enjoy offline events and crowds energize you, then try to find a larger conference.

Some digital business owners approach a conference with the wrong mindset. They want to hand out as many business cards as possible and meet as many new people as possible. While this may feel more productive, it doesn’t allow you to plant the seeds for deep relationships.

It takes time to get to know people. Focus on making a few meaningful connections, rather than thirty or forty shallow introductions. You’ll be more likely to make lasting friendships this way.

Dive into a Mastermind

If there’s an area of your business that you want to excel in while finding like-minded friends, a mastermind group could also be useful. For example, if you want to improve your copywriting skills, then joining a mastermind dedicated to the topic will be helpful.

The advantage of a mastermind is that it gives you the opportunity to meet others who are also working on improving their businesses in a similar way. You can engage with the other participants by asking (and answering!) questions, giving feedback, or sharing notes.

When it comes to finding your business besties, you have to put yourself out there. That might mean joining a mastermind, attending a conference, or hanging out on Facebook groups. These activities might feel uncomfortable or even scary at first, but keep showing up and participating with others!

4 Myths That Keep You From Connecting and Collaborating

Social media marketing is all about building relationships.

Collaboration is the currency of entrepreneurship.

And yet it's easy to let assumptions about connecting with other business owners keep you from developing deep relationships. 

See if you recognize any of these myths in your own thoughts.

Myth #1: They're My Competition

If you think of other entrepreneurs as competition, it's hard to build a relationship. You're constantly worried that they might steal your ideas or take your clients and customers away from you. You feel like you have to protect your business from outsiders.

Rather than viewing everyone as competition, what if you started looking at them as co-workers? Sure, your goals might not be exactly the same but you're all working towards the same mission - building a business that supports your dreams.

Myth #2: I Am Not As Far Along

Sometimes, what holds you back from building connections isn't your beliefs about others. It's your beliefs about yourself and what you do. Maybe you think that an award-winning coach won't want to hang out with you because you run a tiny mom blog that gets only a trickle of traffic each month.

But we don't pick friends solely for where they are in their business. We choose our friends for how they make us feel, for their support and encouragement during the different seasons of life.

Myth #3: You Need to Be in the Same Niche

You don't have to connect with others based on which niche they're in. Maybe you know a blogger who runs a website about parenting and your niche is al about low-carb eating. That doesn't mean you can't connect or collaborate with them. It just means that you have different interests and desires and that can be a good thing!  You can still learn from each other. You can still promote each other. And you may be surprised to find that there is something you have in common that you can collaborate on.

Myth #4: She's Not Like Me

You think you'd be great together. She has the same wacky sense of humor or passion for health and wellness. But a quick look at her Instagram or Facebook page and you see she's in a totally different place in her life.

Sometimes, we create an idea of what a friend will look like in our heads and when someone new doesn't quite fit that mold, we automatically dismiss them. This can be a terrible mistake that keeps your from making wonderful new connection.

Stay open to new relationships that might not look like you'd first expect. Be willing to take your time and get to know other entrepreneurs. Be willing to take your time and get to know other business owners before making a snap decision.

Discover your next business bestie! Join the Ninja Marketers!

I'm Not A Coach

I'm not a coach....


I'm not a "guru"...


I'm a Trainer...


Have been my entire career....


Or as someone nicknamed me years ago...


Sage...


Bringer of knowledge...


Giver of wisdom...


And I love nothing better than working with people face-to-face....


Answering their questions


Showing them how things work


Watching them put concepts into action


And seeing the look on their faces when the light comes on and you know they understand.



If that's how you like to learn...


Then my next live workshop might just be for you.


Come hang out with me and let's see what we can do together.

Who's Using Reels?

In case you missed it....

Reels are HOT right now. In fact, all aspects of short-form video are taking the online marketing world by storm!

TikTok

Instagram and Facebook Reels

YouTube Shorts

I'm using them all and you should be too.

I recently did a VERY BASIC training for my folks on the mechanics of creating TikToks and Reels.

And after thinking about it for a while, decided I should share it with my loyal readers as well. 

Watch the video. Then go do some REELS...or TikToks...or Shorts...

Or all of the above!

Books, Trainings, Podcasts...Oh My!

Personal growth. Personal development. You've heard the words. But do you understand how important they are to you as a business owner? 

"Of course I do, Melodieann! I'm always learning new skills."

That's great. But that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about developing your mindset. I'm talking about working on YOURSELF. I'm talking about feeding yourself material that develops that millionaire mind... that forces you to think bigger, get uncomfortable, and develop your unlimited potential prosperity mindset.

Personal development can help you grow stronger and more confident. It can help you make the most out of your life and your business so you can experience all the success you're hoping for.

That's why it's so important to incorporate time for personal growth/development into your DMO (daily method of operations).

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Read. You knew I was going to say that. An avowed bookworm like me would never let a chance to encourage someone to pick up a book slide by! Read. Read often. Read at least one book a month. More if you can. 

Not only does reading expand your knowledge and vocabulary, it also helps stimulate your mind and improve your critical thinking skills.

Some of my favorite personal development books? The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

2. Online Training. For those of you who don't like to read (gasp), enrolling in online trainings is an option. You'll reap all the benefits of reading. By engaging in personal development courses, you can develop skills in areas such as strategic and creative thinking, listening, problem solving and mindset development. With the right skills and knowledge in place you will become more confident, fulfilled, effective and empowered not just in your business but in life as well.

Of course I have favorites courses. Check out The Science of Well-Being by Yale University. Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects. Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential by McMaster University

3. Podcasts. Okay. Don't like to read. No time for training courses. Don't worry, We've got you covered. How about listening to a podcast while you're doing whatever keeps you so busy each day. There are a ton of great personal development podcasts out there. Some of my favorites? Optimal Living Daily. Happier with Gretchen Rubin. The Tony Robbins Podcast. And of course the MLSP Daily Wake Up Call (not exactly a podcast but close enough). Just dial in at 11 am every day. 512-807-0222.

4. Find a mentor. A professional mentor can help you achieve real improvement. If you don't have a mentor, but want to be surrounded by upbeat, encouraging people, join the Ninja Marketers Facebook Group. Who knows? You might even learn a marketing trick or two.

There are many ways to incorporate personal development into your daily routine. Not all of them will work for everyone. But there is something that will work for you. So always be learning, growing, and working on YOU.

What to Offer in a Bundle

I remember when I was asked to participate in my first bundle. I was excited at the idea of contributing and building my mailing list. But I had no idea what to offer in the event. So I did some research and found these suggestions:

An e-book

If you already have an e-book up for sale, you can easily provide a copy of it to bundle buyers. You can do this by having subscribers sign up for your mailing list and creating a welcome email with the link to your e-book.

Of course if you already have a shopping cart in place, you could create a special discount code that gives participants 100% off. Just make sure to keep the coupon specific to the product. Otherwise someone may use that coupon code on other items that aren’t part of the bundle event.

A Planner or Workbook

Planners and workbooks are popular right now and they are low-content. That means you don’t need to take a lot of time or energy to create one.

Many people use the term “planner” and “workbook” interchangeably. They are similar but the big difference is that a planner typically teaches users how to do something while a workbook helps participants explore a topic in-depth.

A Collection of Templates or Checklists

Another idea that could be useful is creating a collection of templates or checklists. Try to make sure your templates are related to what you offer so the people who claim it will be interested in your other products or services.

For example, if you’re a graphic designer then offer a collection of graphics templates. Don’t try to create a copywriting checklist. You’ll muddy your branding and confuse new customers.

A Webinar

If you don’t have a product available yet, you could create a simple webinar. You can use a program like PowerPoint or Canva to design your presentation and make it look professional.

Then you could put up a sales page that features the information about your webinar as well as an area to sign up for it. If this is a bundle that involves paid products, be sure to include a price somewhere on the page so participants understand that.

Use PLR

Private Label Rights (PLR) content is special content you buy with the right to edit and brand it as your own. You can find PLR e-books, PLR planners, PLR workbooks, and other amazing resources.

Of course, not every bundle host is open to PLR. Some creators want to keep the products offered unique so they don’t allow any form of PLR content. If you’re not sure if PLR is acceptable, reach out and ask the bundle host in advance.

It’s OK if you don’t have any products before the bundle. Just take this as the opportunity to create a product that will serve your community and grow your mailing list!

I Hate To Break It To You....

This is a tough post to write. Because I think I'm probably going to piss a few people off. What I have to say is going to be hard for some folks to swallow. But here goes...

If you aren't actually working on your business every day, it's your fault if you don't get ahead.

You can't just cold message a few random folks...

Put up a cat video on Instagram...

Spam your link all over Facebook...

And then spend the rest of the day watching Real Housewives...

(Or whatever the hot show is. I'm so out of touch with television, I don't actually know.)

And then tell me you are building a business.

Now that might hurt a little. I can already hear the collective gasp of indignation. Followed by the usual litany of excuses.

"I'm still working my job so I don't have time."

"I don't have money to advertise."

"I don't have all the right equipment."

"I don't know how to do __________ (fill in the blank with whatever)"

"I'm too ________ (again, fill in the blank)"

Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera...

I hate to break it to you, but none of these excuses are valid. 

Still working? So are lots of other up-and-coming rockstars. Can you spend an hour...just one hour...every day doing something to move your business forward? If you say no, you and I need to talk. How serious are you about this?

No money? No problem. Most of us didn't have money when we started. That's one of the reasons we started a business. We needed more money! Fortunately, with the internet and all of the tools available, you don't need a lot of money to get started. 

No fancy gadgets and gizmos? All you need anymore is a laptop or smartphone and a way to connect to the internet. 

Don't know how to do something? Google it and learn. Or go search YouTube for a how-to video. Or join my FB group. We teach you stuff!

And if you think you're too (rich, poor, fat, thin, old, young, whatever), you're wrong. There are literally hundreds...maybe thousands...of people just like you who are doing this. Successfully.

The difference? They treat their business like a business. It's not a hobby that they work on only when everything is perfect. It's NEVER perfect. So when they hit a speed bump and those excuses start to creep into their heads, they push forward. The rest of you grab the popcorn and the remote and complain about how tough it all is. 

I'm being tough with you right now because I don't want your business to be like this. If you are a reader of my blog, I assume you are an entrepreneur at heart. Even if you're struggling to get started. 

So let's make some changes.

Change your mindset. If you want more out of your life and your business, you have to believe that it's possible.  

Look for ways to learn and grow. Sure you may need a few new skills. You can learn most of them for free or very inexpensively. Then it's just a matter of practice.

Start making connections. Sometimes it feels like you're the only one struggling. I promise you, you're not. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who are building their businesses. You might be surprised how many of them have been right where you are now and found solutions. You might even have the solution for someone else's problem. 

So...I hate to break it to you, but...

If you REALLY want to build a successful business, it's possible. You just have to do the work. Or you can continue to whine and complain. 

But if you have time to whine and complain about something, you have time to do something about it!

How Often Do You Meditate?

Wait...WHAT?

Yes, that's right. How often do you meditate? Meditation and visualization can have a profound impact on your business. When you begin to meditate regularly, you create a feeling of focus, calm, and positivity in your life. And what entrepreneur can't  use a little more focus, calm, and positivity? 

Elite athletes, world-class musicians, and top performers in many fields have used visualization and meditation for years. When you visualize yourself performing an activity or task, your muscles and brain react much the same as if you were actually physically practicing it. 

You've heard the quote, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." Visualizing yourself building a successful business actually helps reinforce that positive mindset. What happens in your mind happens in reality. If it works for athletes and musicians, it will definitely will work for you. That's because being an entrepreneur is as much mindset as it is physical activities. Your DMO will take of the daily activities to build your business. Visualization and meditation will help with the mindset.

Meditation and visualization can also help you shut down at the end of the day. I don't know about you but I often have trouble shutting my mind down at the end of particularly eventful day. Whether I'm excited about new opportunities and running through all the possibilities in my head....or it's been a less than productive day and I'm rehashing all the mistakes...trying to sleep when my mind won't be quiet is HARD! All too often we may start the next day worn out and frustrated from lack of restful sleep. Many may even turn to unhealthy remedies to get the sleep they need. Meditation and visualization can help you quiet your thoughts, calm your mind, and create a sense of positivity and well-being, allowing you to rest. 

If you are going through a rough spot in your business, meditation and visualization can help there too. First, meditating and repeating positive affirmations while visualizing yourself achieving your goals can help dispel any negative thoughts and energy. We attract what we focus on so you want to be filling your mind and space with positive thoughts. 

Meditation and visualization can also help you tap into your intuition and subconscious mind. How many times have you had a problem. You've stressed over it and thought about it, with no solution. So you decide to find something to focus on to "take your mind off it" and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, comes the answer you needed. By taking your focus off the problem, you just opened your mind to receive the answer. Meditation and visualization work the same way. .Deliberately tapping into the power of your subconscious mind and your intuition can help you find answers to questions, new ways to do things, and new opportunities.

So...how often do you meditate? Ideally, the answer should be every day! Sit down first thing in the morning to visualize, mentally rehearse, and step into the vision of your future potential that sets every single cell in your body on fire. You must get up a different person. And then your goal is to sustain this new state of being throughout the day.

 

 

5 Tips for Building Your Business On Social Media

I LOVE social media. I didn't grow up with all this technology but I have learned to really tap into the power of the internet...especially social media. It has allowed me to find my audience, build my tribe, generate exposure...and yes, make money. 

I build my business almost entirely online. Which means I don't spend a lot of time going to "networking" events. I don't make cold calls. I don't do three-way calls, or "opportunity" calls. I have no need. I generate plenty of business without all that.

Think about it. You can use social media to sell your products or services, either directly or by sending people to your website or email list. You can use FB groups and your email list to create a community of people who love you and will become raving fans. You can use it to grow brand awareness. And you can reach people anywhere, because...HEY, IT'S THE INTERNET!

How can YOU use social media to build YOUR business? Here are some tips:

1. Find your market. This is the most important step in building your online message. It can also be the hardest. Most of us, especially network marketers, have been taught to think of everyone as our market. That is simply not true. You need to be as focused as possible. For example, you might think that my market is anyone who wants to build their business with social media. But it's not. My target market looks more like this:

"Small and home business owners, age 50+, who want to use social media marketing and the internet to help build their businesses but struggle with the technology and understanding attraction marketing concepts." 

Does that mean if a 40-year old asks for my help, I'm going to say no? Of course not! But when I'm marketing, I target my my copy and my images to that specific market. And I pick up a lot of "overflow" because guess what! 50-year-olds aren't the only ones who struggle with technology. And a LOT of people don't understand attraction marketing.

2. Go where your market is. You want to get your message in front of the people most likely to relate to it and take action. That means you have to be on the platforms your folks are on. Yes, everybody immediately thinks of Facebook. But there's also Twitter. Instagram. LinkedIn. Pinterest. YouTube. And now TikTok. Do your research and find out where your people are. For example, I don't use LinkedIn much. Most of those people are either professionals with firms or agencies that do their marketing for them. Or they understand things well enough that I am not their person. But I am on TikTok. (Why? Isn't that for like 12-year olds?) I hear you. But again...guess what. There are a lot of more "mature" folks there too. And the fact that they are there shows me they already understand some basic marketing concepts and may be open to learning to do it more effectively.

3. Build your brand. 

People often confuse brands with things like logos, slogans, or other recognizable marks, which are marketing tools that help promote goods and services. But it's so much more than that. It's who you are. It's who you serve. It's what you believe in and value. It's how you serve your market. It's your vision and your mission. It's what makes you different from everyone else out there promoting the same products or services. It's knowing why people should trust and follow and ultimately do business with you.

Once you have all that figured out, you can create a logo, or slogan, or tag line that helps get that message out to your audience.

4. Create content that helps your audience get to know, like, and trust you. Everything you post should have a purpose...either building that audience, engaging with your audience, or selling to your audience. Think of building an audience that trusts you by share valuable info like tutorials, tips, how-tos, or training.

Help them get to know and like you by sharing your life with them...behind-the-scenes look at your workspace or office, family photos, pet photos, your story of how and why you started your business.

Inspire and motivate them by sharing inspirational and motivational quotes. People love them. And don't forget to share the story of your results in business or using your products. If you sell weight loss, share the story of your own weight-loss journey. Cosmetics or jewelry...share the story of how much more confident you feel when you know you look your best. Trying to recruit? Share the story of how your business has impacted you financially.

5. Yes, you can sell on social media...if you do it the right way. First remember the 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should be value. Only 20% of it should be promoting your business.

Use your social media content to connect with people. Don't pitch them! Just talk to them. Once you start interacting with them, you will be surprised at how easy it is to work what you do into the conversation. If they don't seem interested in your offer right now, get them on your list or in your group. Just because they say no today, doesn't mean things won't change tomorrow. Once they are on your list, you can market to them 365 days a year.

Make sure all your promotional content has a call-to-action (CTA). I know it's sounds strange, but people really do need to be told what to do. So make sure you tell them whatever it is you want them to do to move to the next step.

I know. This seems like a lot. But I promise you it works. Take it one step at a time. Make sure you understand each step before you move to the next. For example, it's hard to know where to look for your audience if you aren't sure who they are.

And if you want to be part of an amazing group of supportive, encouraging, helpful, entrepreneurs who are growing their business just like you, join our Facebook group!