The Day The Lights Went Out on Facebook...

 

...And Instagram. And YouTube.

 I got a bunch of text messages and phone calls from people panicking because FB and IG being down meant they were losing money because they have no other way to communicate with their audience. They were having an absolute MELTDOWN and had no other way to function. It's rather disconcerting, actually, how dependent on social media so many of us have become. Including me to some extent. I was just thinking the other day that I couldn't recall the last time I used my phone for it's actual intended purpose...as a PHONE! I am very lazy about getting phone numbers from people. If I want to talk to someone I usually make calls on messenger. And it was down too!

But the one thing I have always done for 23 years now is get my best people onto my newsletter. And I have my blog. So I can ALWAYS communicate. The only two things you actually control online are your email list and your blog.

And if you are reading this then maybe you are beginning to understand why focusing your marketing just on social media...ANY social media...is not a good idea. It's a very dangerous game.

I know blogging isn't for everyone. But building an email list isn't difficult. Isn't it time you learned these skills once and for all so you are not at the mercy of a platform you can't control? If so, there are several options. Let me introduce you to the email marketing coach that taught me. Come hang out in the Smart & Sassy Business Women Facebook Group, where I will briefly go over some email marketing stuff periodically. Or do it yourself.

Beginning to build an email list is VERY simple and anyone can do it. Even YOU!

So while Facebook was down, I hopped over to Twitter...

(I know...technically it's "X" now, but it will always be Twitter to me)...

To read all the latest conspiracy theories.

Then after entertaining myself with all the foolery, I wrote my clients and team members and checked in on them. Now I'm writing this blog post and asking you how can I help you? Because losing money over things you can't control is definitely not a good thing at all. 

Let's face it. We're all hooked. Even me. I admit it. I spend way too much time on my phone. 

But writing an email is a 10 - 30 minute activity that can put you into profitability quicker than you think. And today may have been the day that makes you realize that having one is not optional if you want to have a successful, stable business. So leave a comment or hit me back on social if you are being beaten into submission today.

We can talk about whether the $9 a month my coach charges is worth it to you. Or whether hanging out in a group where I teach marketing stuff for free is the answer...as long as you're willing to wait until I decide to teach email. Or if doing it all yourself is how you roll.

Personally, I don't care which way you go, as long as you do something! Having an email list is more important than ever. Today just proved it.

 

Do You Know What You Want? What You Really Really Want?

What do you want? What do you really want to have happen? Why do you read my blog? Do you read them because you know I can help you? Do you read every post? Or do you only read it if I write a subject line that triggers you?

Are you just waiting around for someone to push you into taking action? Or have you realized that no on is coming to fulfill your dreams and the only way you are going to get what you want is to DO SOMETHING.

What do you want? What do you REALLY REALLY want?

Are you scared? Have I pissed you off? Are you going to stop reading and make a nasty comment and call me a B!%(H? Or have you finally realized that you have found someone that actually cares? Someone who's been down this path before you. Someone who knows the twists and turns.

Maybe you want to go give more money the the hot new guru of the week. Buy a course you'll never open. Sign up for a challenge you'll never complete.

Or have you finally grasped that we are already three months into 2024 and the days are slipping away.

Are you scared? I get it. I've been so scared, I couldn't move.

Are you mad? I get you. I've been so mad, I've cursed at people I love which is totally not me.

Are you just stuck? Afraid to move? I've been there. Woke up in the morning ready to "crush it." Went to bed having accomplished absolutely nothing.

I get you. Trust me. I get you more than you could possibly know. But there's a big difference between those that move forward and those that stay stuck. And it's got nothing to do with how much money you spend.

Successful people get help. They plug in. They show up. They know what they want and they prioritize their actions to get it. They don't let themselves get pulled around by the world. They make the world their oyster. And they grasp the work that is needed to get what they really want. They don't pretend that a video a week, or a letter occasionally, or going to half a dozen "networking" events is going to get them where they want to go.

What do you WANT? What do you REALLY REALLY want? Can you even answer that question? Most people can't.

And if you can, do you truly understand what it's going to take to make that happen and the help that you are going to need to make your wants become reality?

Now would be the time where a guru would make their offer. Get you all emotional and worked up and then send you to a sales page to wrestle with yourself. So you would hopefully convince yourself to buy something. Not me. That's not who I am. I just want to sell you on the idea that you are a magnificent being. I want you to see the AWESOMNESS that is YOU.

And if at some point you think I might be the teacher or consultant for you, sweet! But we're not discussing that now when you are thinking about the chance of living the life you were BORN to live.

What do you want? I'd love to hear about it if you feel like sharing. I mean...who else are you going to discuss this with? My ex-husband NEVER understood. My kids don't. My sisters definitely don't.

It wasn't until I found people who UNDERSTOOD my DESIRE for something more that I was able to turn the corner and go from counting days until my next paycheck and praying the check for the utilities wouldn't hit the bank before then to dropping $400 on an emergency vet bill yesterday and not even thinking about it.

It wasn't some magic course or webinar or workshop. It was about finding people for the first time who understood me and knew that I could do this. They didn't baby me. They didn't check my work. In fact, they often scolded me and told me that no one but ME could make it happen.

Do you want someone to hold your hand and tell you it's not your fault? Well I hate to tell you, but as I had to learn the hard way, if you are not where you want to be, it IS your fault. And the way to change that is to begin...

NOW

TODAY

A few years ago I drew a line in the sand and said ENOUGH. ENOUGH wallowing because life was going in directions I didn't want. ENOUGH crying because the marketplace was changing and technology was improving and everything was moving while I was whining that I didn't understand it. ENOUGH making it all about me feeling sorry for myself instead of thinking about my family, my team, my clients.

And then I turned to those I knew could help me and I learned.

And I did my first Facebook Live, because that was the hot thing then. In my bathrobe. With no makeup. Nothing fancy. Just me. Talking about how I was accepting the challenge to learn the skills and do the things. With NOTHING to prop me up.

Are you BRAVE enough to do that? If so, you are MY KIND OF PERSON! I'd like to get to know you better! Very much so.

Ok, I guess that's it. One of my LOOONGG posts that most won't read to the end. I'm not going to proof read it. I'm still exhausted from being up with my puppy last night. (Yes, the vet was real, my boy was SICK and I was scared). But being able to get him the care he needed no matter the cost just made me realize how many maybe couldn't afford a simple extra $400 without putting themselves in a bind, and it hurt my heart.

And so this is FROM my heart.

What do you want? After all I have been through in my 66 years I have come to the conclusion that my true passion...my calling...my WANT... is to help YOU. The people who are willing to take the time to truly believe in themselves despite all their flaws.

We all have flaws. The question is can see past them to you GIFTS? I can. And that's why I'm writing this today,

And with that. I am done. I am completely exhausted and out of words.

Hugs from me and Kai.