The other night I was in stitches watching comedian Bill Engvall perform his wildly popular routine “here’s your sign..” where he points out people who are oblivious to the obvious and then gives them a “sign” as a warning to the rest of us to stay clear. I got to thinking about how as business owners we get so caught up in the “doing” of our business, we may not always see if these activities are in our best interest to be doing, if they’re really helping us achieve the results we desire or if there is an easier and more cost effective way to achieve similar or better results.
I’ve been very busy these past few months strategizing with people who want to move from what they feel is a “stuck” place and into a position of creating true abundance in their business. The place of being in the zone as it relates to revenue, relationships, recognition for your work, happy customers, etc. I use a 4-part process that is guaranteed to get you results and this month I packaged it into a complete system that you can take into your business and in 30 day increments, can completely transform the results you’re getting. The people I’ve been working with have reported that all my strategies have been fairly easy to implement and have produced profound results. They were just so close to their situation, they couldn’t always see what the very best solution for them was. Go to 30 Day Revenue Makeover for pre-launch specials or to download a FREE program overview which will help address some of your most immediate needs.
Wondering if you need a revenue makeover? Here are a few “signs” to look for:
1. Feeling less than passionate about what you’re doing these days and find yourself doing tasks that don’t bring you joy.
2. Too busy trying to stay ahead to focus on long term goals or your vision.
3. Business you were counting on seems to go away very easily.
4. Feeling like you can’t really handle on any new business even though you need the revenue.
5. Don’t have enough resources to accomplish your goals.
6. Revenue coming in the door but there aren’t enough profits going into your
bank account.
7. Having trouble delegating to others so you find yourself doing most of the work.
8. Too much time being spent on busy activities and serving customers and not enough time bringing in new revenue.
9. Constantly having to attract new customers who’ll buy your products and services and it feels like you’re recreating your business each month.
10. Have a great product or service but people don’t seem to get it.
11. Feel like there’s too much competition and no one is buying from you.
12. Can’t seem to attract or retain the right support people who see your vision and are willing to carry it out.
13. Expenses so high you’re not sure if you’re even making a profit.
14. Marketing strategies that used to work don’t seem to have the same effect anymore.
15. Have a negligible budget to invest in any additional advertising or marketing.
Sometimes people think if they just had more money, their problems will be solved but that’s not necessarily the case. You can make some simple changes in how you approach your business, how you approach your customers, streamlining your operations, and zero- cost marketing efforts and this may completely change your revenue landscape without any additional financial investment. So if you feel like YOU could use a revenue makeover, think new strategies and simply go to 30 Day Revenue to make a purchase at the special pre-launch price AND use coupon code 50 off to get an additional $50 off. To discuss next steps to creating spiritually rewarding and financially abundant businesses, email admin@passion2prosperity.com to schedule a private consultation.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Ways To Build Your Company’s Karma-01K Plan
Years ago I became acutely aware that our actions in the present set the stage for all our future circumstances. Some people know it to be “karma”, or the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. I believe understanding and appreciating this dynamic at play in our lives is at the core of living a conscious, enlightened life. I’ve seen this cause and effect manifest instantly and at other times, it shows up months or years later. But it’s there nonetheless. For instance, someone who is regularly disrespectful to those around him cannot expect to be treated with much respect himself or at least won’t be able to see it even if it is happening to him. The same actions are true with regard to money, love, and success.
With this knowledge, I’ve committed to living more responsibly and impeccably in the present –and to always be in the present – and know that I’m paving the way for a more joyful and abundant future. Especially as it relates to Business. When I’m working with clients, my “secret sauce” is to balance business knowledge with Universal knowledge so that true success can be realized more effortlessly. I’ve watched my clients become magnets for money relationships and resources while having a lot more fun.
There are actions we can all take each day in our business to set the stage for more respect, love, joy and financial abundance to flow into our own lives. For those that have a 401K plan established in their life, you know that it requires small, regularly scheduled contributions to reap the rewards later on. Same with your Karma-01K plan. If you take the time each day to make a deposit into your “Good Karma” account, you’ll have a wonderful cushion of support to fall back on. Unlike your traditional 401K Plan however, you can begin reaping the rewards immediately and there are no early withdrawal penalties. Think of all the wealth you’ll accumulate with simple daily deposits.
Here are just a few of mine...please share yours as well!
1. Invest some of your time and money in those who are coming up behind you.
2. Look for ways to collaborate with a competitor.
3. Tell your team how much you appreciate them.
4. Reduce waste, conserve energy and recycle as much as possible.
5. Take a day off once in awhile to recharge “just because”.
6. Make it easy for others around you to do the same.
7. Give gifts for no reason.
8. Volunteer with a charity organization dedicated to improving quality of life.
9. Create a community project that your team, customers and vendors can get involved with.
10. Set aside products or services to regularly give away for fundraising activities.
11. Offer to write an endorsement or letter of recommendation for someone before being asked.
12. Let someone’s boss know what a great job their employee did.
13. Give something away to a prospective customer.
14. Connect two people who you know should meet.
15. Back away from profit activities that exploit or take advantage of others.
To discuss next steps to creating spiritually rewarding and financially abundant businesses, email simone@passion2prosperity.com for a private consultation.
Share your "Good Karma" deposit tips below!
With this knowledge, I’ve committed to living more responsibly and impeccably in the present –and to always be in the present – and know that I’m paving the way for a more joyful and abundant future. Especially as it relates to Business. When I’m working with clients, my “secret sauce” is to balance business knowledge with Universal knowledge so that true success can be realized more effortlessly. I’ve watched my clients become magnets for money relationships and resources while having a lot more fun.
There are actions we can all take each day in our business to set the stage for more respect, love, joy and financial abundance to flow into our own lives. For those that have a 401K plan established in their life, you know that it requires small, regularly scheduled contributions to reap the rewards later on. Same with your Karma-01K plan. If you take the time each day to make a deposit into your “Good Karma” account, you’ll have a wonderful cushion of support to fall back on. Unlike your traditional 401K Plan however, you can begin reaping the rewards immediately and there are no early withdrawal penalties. Think of all the wealth you’ll accumulate with simple daily deposits.
Here are just a few of mine...please share yours as well!
1. Invest some of your time and money in those who are coming up behind you.
2. Look for ways to collaborate with a competitor.
3. Tell your team how much you appreciate them.
4. Reduce waste, conserve energy and recycle as much as possible.
5. Take a day off once in awhile to recharge “just because”.
6. Make it easy for others around you to do the same.
7. Give gifts for no reason.
8. Volunteer with a charity organization dedicated to improving quality of life.
9. Create a community project that your team, customers and vendors can get involved with.
10. Set aside products or services to regularly give away for fundraising activities.
11. Offer to write an endorsement or letter of recommendation for someone before being asked.
12. Let someone’s boss know what a great job their employee did.
13. Give something away to a prospective customer.
14. Connect two people who you know should meet.
15. Back away from profit activities that exploit or take advantage of others.
To discuss next steps to creating spiritually rewarding and financially abundant businesses, email simone@passion2prosperity.com for a private consultation.
Share your "Good Karma" deposit tips below!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Creating Abundance With Joint Venture Alliances
Intentionally creating WIN-WIN-WIN promotional opportunities with those who have a vested interest in your success can set the stage for abundance to flow effortlessly into your business. Collaborating with like minded individuals can be one of the fastest ways to promote and sell your products and services. I have experienced substantial growth in many areas of my businesses including revenue, attraction of customers more aligned with my offerings, a substantially larger mailing list, reduced marketing expenses, and so forth. A Joint Venture (JV) happens when 2 or more entities come together to create a mutually beneficial relationship that not only supports one another’s success but also creates more value for the customer. Because it has become such an important and effective marketing strategy over the past few years, I devote a fair amount of time going over the nuances of creating and sustaining these relationships in my business development programs. The strategies include:
1. Establishing a common objective to base the relationship on.
2. Finding your ideal Joint Venture partner.
3. Making that initial contact and inspiring a JV to do business with you.
4. Crafting a WIN-WIN-WIN scenario beyond basic financial compensation.
5. Execution of the promotion.
There are many reasons WHY one would want to create a JV relationship. Here are a few scenarios that tend to produce the most fruitful outcomes for me and the clients I’m working with:
1. Rapidly expand your subscriber base. It’s easy to quickly increase your list of prospective customers when you can tap into someone else’s list and the goodwill they have already established.
2. Establish instant credibility. If you’re new to your industry and would like to quickly establish trust with your market, having an endorsement from a well-respected player could be exactly what’s needed.
3. Create a successful program or product launch. Allow your JV to assist with promotions of your products and services to their already established markets that contain your ideal customer. For instance, if I owned a scrapbook supply company and my JV had a substantial mailing list of scrapbookers, it would be in my best interest to collaborate with them for my product promotion.
4. Offer more value to your customers. Who doesn’t enjoy a “gift with purchase”! Bundling your products and services with those of your JV partners truly creates a WIN-WIN-WIN because your JV partner gets exposed to a new market, you get to offer more value which will help increase sales and your customer gets to take home the prize.
5. Use the JV partnership to establish a milestone. There’s strength in numbers and your JV partners may be able to help you achieve bestseller status if you’re an author, win an award or contest or help you make an outstanding contribution to a non-profit simply by reaching out to their database.
6. Use it to attract necessary resources. There are resources you need in your business to be able to serve more customers. Your JV partners can help you attract these resources and may include capital, media attention, team, and manufacturing support.
To discuss next steps to creating profitable and rewarding Joint Ventures and how to include them in your business, email simone@passion2prosperity.com for a private consultation
1. Establishing a common objective to base the relationship on.
2. Finding your ideal Joint Venture partner.
3. Making that initial contact and inspiring a JV to do business with you.
4. Crafting a WIN-WIN-WIN scenario beyond basic financial compensation.
5. Execution of the promotion.
There are many reasons WHY one would want to create a JV relationship. Here are a few scenarios that tend to produce the most fruitful outcomes for me and the clients I’m working with:
1. Rapidly expand your subscriber base. It’s easy to quickly increase your list of prospective customers when you can tap into someone else’s list and the goodwill they have already established.
2. Establish instant credibility. If you’re new to your industry and would like to quickly establish trust with your market, having an endorsement from a well-respected player could be exactly what’s needed.
3. Create a successful program or product launch. Allow your JV to assist with promotions of your products and services to their already established markets that contain your ideal customer. For instance, if I owned a scrapbook supply company and my JV had a substantial mailing list of scrapbookers, it would be in my best interest to collaborate with them for my product promotion.
4. Offer more value to your customers. Who doesn’t enjoy a “gift with purchase”! Bundling your products and services with those of your JV partners truly creates a WIN-WIN-WIN because your JV partner gets exposed to a new market, you get to offer more value which will help increase sales and your customer gets to take home the prize.
5. Use the JV partnership to establish a milestone. There’s strength in numbers and your JV partners may be able to help you achieve bestseller status if you’re an author, win an award or contest or help you make an outstanding contribution to a non-profit simply by reaching out to their database.
6. Use it to attract necessary resources. There are resources you need in your business to be able to serve more customers. Your JV partners can help you attract these resources and may include capital, media attention, team, and manufacturing support.
To discuss next steps to creating profitable and rewarding Joint Ventures and how to include them in your business, email simone@passion2prosperity.com for a private consultation
Thursday, April 29, 2010
BE Your Magnificence
I've found there are many activities in life that are more quickly mastered by not only DOING that thing
but doing it alongside someone who has done it and can demonstrate success to you.
Like learning to drive, paint, cook (my grandmother taught me) and especially growing a business.
In the past, the times when I’ve launched a new project on my own are the times I’ve struggled more, felt overwhelmed, spent more money then I should have and took a lot longer than I thought it would.
This also seems to be an obvious truth with many of the people I work with, is it the same for you?
My clients start taking off in ways they only imagined once they’ve had the opportunity for immersion with me.
That means I’ve gotten into the “doing” with them as opposed to them just reading about how to do it or listening to CD’s.
I’m committed to helping Conscious Entrepreneurs create their millions in a meaningful way over the next couple of years
and that’s why I want to make it as easy as possible, as well as IRRESISTIBLE for you to work with me and my team.
For those who appreciate structured support---we’re now taking enrollments for our latest support program for entrepreneurs, speakers and service professionals.
Doors are officially open for “BE Your Magnificence- A Transformational Business Experience” beginning May 11th, 2010.
This COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT Package was created with women entrepreneurs in mind and includes:
*Weekly calls for 16 weeks with a small group as we walk you step-by-step into creating more sustaining revenue in your new or existing business.
We create a Business Blueprint so you have a plan to execute, support in clarifying your passion and purpose, help structuring your marketing funnel so we can automate many of your business activities, develop products and services that will quickly get you into revenue, online and offline marketing strategies so you’re attracting customers with ease, social media marketing, funding strategies, learn to charge what you’re worth, and breaking through any obstacles you may have about money and success.
This support alone is valued at almost $15,000.
* One-on-one support throughout the months from myself and my technology expert husband as we work specifically on your business agendas, valued over $1000.
*Monthly Call-in Q & A Coaching Afternoons for 6 months where the spotlight is on you and your progress, valued at $600.
*Access to our database of resources. Includes templates, people, promotional opportunities, investor contacts and so much more.
*One month of SEO and social media promotional support to help you jumpstart your marketing campaign, valued at $500
*A ticket to my 2-day BE Your Magnificence Intensive in Scottsdale, AZ, June 26-27, valued at $3500.
My team of millionaires, marketing, systems, transformation and funding specialists will work with you personally on Joint Venture development, product creation, design, mindset, funding, implementation of your social media marketing plan and so much more.
*A ticket to “Powered With Passion”, a 2-day unique abundant living retreat in breathtaking Sedona, AZ, http://poweredwithpassion.com valued at $497.
*We create an AUDIO PRODUCT and design other products/programs for you that you can sell over and over again, valued at $600
*ADDITIONAL BONUSES focusing on wealth creation, branding, publicity, creating instant revenue streams, and developing a conscious business valued at over $1000.
How’s that for immersion?
This total business building support package has a real value of $22,700 but we’ve bundled it into an incredible offer that starts at just $599.
I know it's hard to believe--- I think it's a pretty wild offer myself! You can see all the program details once you sign in at http://passion2prosperity.com
(NOTE: all the bonuses listed above are included but are not all visible on the website).
Go ahead and register today if you're heart is saying "YES" right about now. We only have 16 spots available and will sell out.
We’re serious about helping you move into meaningful, financial success and if you’re serious about it too and want to discuss it, send an email to simone@passion2prosperity.com and my team will schedule us for a heart-to-heart chat.
but doing it alongside someone who has done it and can demonstrate success to you.
Like learning to drive, paint, cook (my grandmother taught me) and especially growing a business.
In the past, the times when I’ve launched a new project on my own are the times I’ve struggled more, felt overwhelmed, spent more money then I should have and took a lot longer than I thought it would.
This also seems to be an obvious truth with many of the people I work with, is it the same for you?
My clients start taking off in ways they only imagined once they’ve had the opportunity for immersion with me.
That means I’ve gotten into the “doing” with them as opposed to them just reading about how to do it or listening to CD’s.
I’m committed to helping Conscious Entrepreneurs create their millions in a meaningful way over the next couple of years
and that’s why I want to make it as easy as possible, as well as IRRESISTIBLE for you to work with me and my team.
For those who appreciate structured support---we’re now taking enrollments for our latest support program for entrepreneurs, speakers and service professionals.
Doors are officially open for “BE Your Magnificence- A Transformational Business Experience” beginning May 11th, 2010.
This COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT Package was created with women entrepreneurs in mind and includes:
*Weekly calls for 16 weeks with a small group as we walk you step-by-step into creating more sustaining revenue in your new or existing business.
We create a Business Blueprint so you have a plan to execute, support in clarifying your passion and purpose, help structuring your marketing funnel so we can automate many of your business activities, develop products and services that will quickly get you into revenue, online and offline marketing strategies so you’re attracting customers with ease, social media marketing, funding strategies, learn to charge what you’re worth, and breaking through any obstacles you may have about money and success.
This support alone is valued at almost $15,000.
* One-on-one support throughout the months from myself and my technology expert husband as we work specifically on your business agendas, valued over $1000.
*Monthly Call-in Q & A Coaching Afternoons for 6 months where the spotlight is on you and your progress, valued at $600.
*Access to our database of resources. Includes templates, people, promotional opportunities, investor contacts and so much more.
*One month of SEO and social media promotional support to help you jumpstart your marketing campaign, valued at $500
*A ticket to my 2-day BE Your Magnificence Intensive in Scottsdale, AZ, June 26-27, valued at $3500.
My team of millionaires, marketing, systems, transformation and funding specialists will work with you personally on Joint Venture development, product creation, design, mindset, funding, implementation of your social media marketing plan and so much more.
*A ticket to “Powered With Passion”, a 2-day unique abundant living retreat in breathtaking Sedona, AZ, http://poweredwithpassion.com valued at $497.
*We create an AUDIO PRODUCT and design other products/programs for you that you can sell over and over again, valued at $600
*ADDITIONAL BONUSES focusing on wealth creation, branding, publicity, creating instant revenue streams, and developing a conscious business valued at over $1000.
How’s that for immersion?
This total business building support package has a real value of $22,700 but we’ve bundled it into an incredible offer that starts at just $599.
I know it's hard to believe--- I think it's a pretty wild offer myself! You can see all the program details once you sign in at http://passion2prosperity.com
(NOTE: all the bonuses listed above are included but are not all visible on the website).
Go ahead and register today if you're heart is saying "YES" right about now. We only have 16 spots available and will sell out.
We’re serious about helping you move into meaningful, financial success and if you’re serious about it too and want to discuss it, send an email to simone@passion2prosperity.com and my team will schedule us for a heart-to-heart chat.
Friday, March 19, 2010
How To Dramatically Change Your Revenue With An Automated eCommerce Platform
No matter what your product or service is or how great it is, you won’t achieve measurable financial success unless you have a platform to sell from. The more you sell, the more money you make. Seems simple enough but developing a productive sales and ecommerce platform that works to attract customers and sell products 24/7 is often a great challenge for people in business. For the past few years I’ve been helping entrepreneurs develop their own successful selling platform. Here are some solutions I’ve used that are scalable which means you can start this process even before you have a product or service to sell.
1. Install a multipurpose eCommerce-ready Shopping Cart. My revenue changed dramatically the day I automated my selling process. If you’re manually taking orders or collecting payments, this will have an effect on your ability to grow. I recommend implementing more automation and switching to a Shopping Cart such as http://www.prosperitycart.com . This is my cost effective private label of 1ShoppingCart and I’ve been using it in multiple businesses for many years. This allows you to catalog and sell your products, services and digital products; integrate all your payment methods; and automate a follow-up sequence. There are multiple service options available which means it grows as your business needs grow.
2. Install a merchant account. You could be losing out on new business if you don’t accept credit cards these days. People will take their business elsewhere if the buying process is too tedious. The easiest payment gateway to use is PayPal.com but it comes with higher transaction fees and lots of restrictions (they can hold/suspend your transactions at anytime and business comes to a halt if that happens). Also, your business may not be thought of as highly professional if you’re only using PayPal as a payment gateway. I recommend obtaining a professional merchant account from a reputable company or banking institution. Make sure you compare transaction fees and discount fees, which is a percentage of each transaction, to get the best deal. Some of the lowest fees and fastest money turnarounds I have ever seen are with wholesale merchant accounts that are backed by reputable banks. My husband Michael Murdock is a resource for those accounts. Feel free to see what a difference this type of account would have in your business by contacting him at ceo@docmurdock.com . His clients are now saving upwards of $5000-$6000 in fees each year.
3. Place email opt-in areas everywhere you can. Think of your Shopping Cart as a bucket that can collect names for you 24/7. You want to attach that bucket anyplace where people visit you. That includes your website, product landing pages, blogs, social media profiles, email signatures, etc. The more names you collect, the more people will have the opportunity to get to know you. Ultimately, you’ll be offering your product solutions to people you now have a pre-existing relationship with. The “gold is in the list” as internet marketers will tell you.
4. Plan a follow-up email marketing campaign. The strength of your relationship with your subscriber list will be in how well you follow up with this group. This includes thank you messages, product offerings, invitations to try new things or attend virtual events, newsletters, surveys and a variety of other regularly scheduled communications. This can all be written and loaded into the system in advance when using an automated shopping cart system. With ProsperityCart.com, our communications are planned up to 2 years in advance and passively work for us 24/7 even while on vacation.
5. Create products or offers of different price points. It’s easy to inspire someone to try you out when you’re offering them something for free, not to mention the Goodwill it creates. Following the tried and true marketing funnel formula, you may want to offer something of a lower price point for the next level of commitment and so on. We’re all comfortable buying, and continuing to buy, from people we know and trust so you want to create that scenario in your business whenever possible.
To discuss the creation of a robust and profitable eCommerce platform in your business, email simone@passion2prosperity.com for a private consultation.
1. Install a multipurpose eCommerce-ready Shopping Cart. My revenue changed dramatically the day I automated my selling process. If you’re manually taking orders or collecting payments, this will have an effect on your ability to grow. I recommend implementing more automation and switching to a Shopping Cart such as http://www.prosperitycart.com . This is my cost effective private label of 1ShoppingCart and I’ve been using it in multiple businesses for many years. This allows you to catalog and sell your products, services and digital products; integrate all your payment methods; and automate a follow-up sequence. There are multiple service options available which means it grows as your business needs grow.
2. Install a merchant account. You could be losing out on new business if you don’t accept credit cards these days. People will take their business elsewhere if the buying process is too tedious. The easiest payment gateway to use is PayPal.com but it comes with higher transaction fees and lots of restrictions (they can hold/suspend your transactions at anytime and business comes to a halt if that happens). Also, your business may not be thought of as highly professional if you’re only using PayPal as a payment gateway. I recommend obtaining a professional merchant account from a reputable company or banking institution. Make sure you compare transaction fees and discount fees, which is a percentage of each transaction, to get the best deal. Some of the lowest fees and fastest money turnarounds I have ever seen are with wholesale merchant accounts that are backed by reputable banks. My husband Michael Murdock is a resource for those accounts. Feel free to see what a difference this type of account would have in your business by contacting him at ceo@docmurdock.com . His clients are now saving upwards of $5000-$6000 in fees each year.
3. Place email opt-in areas everywhere you can. Think of your Shopping Cart as a bucket that can collect names for you 24/7. You want to attach that bucket anyplace where people visit you. That includes your website, product landing pages, blogs, social media profiles, email signatures, etc. The more names you collect, the more people will have the opportunity to get to know you. Ultimately, you’ll be offering your product solutions to people you now have a pre-existing relationship with. The “gold is in the list” as internet marketers will tell you.
4. Plan a follow-up email marketing campaign. The strength of your relationship with your subscriber list will be in how well you follow up with this group. This includes thank you messages, product offerings, invitations to try new things or attend virtual events, newsletters, surveys and a variety of other regularly scheduled communications. This can all be written and loaded into the system in advance when using an automated shopping cart system. With ProsperityCart.com, our communications are planned up to 2 years in advance and passively work for us 24/7 even while on vacation.
5. Create products or offers of different price points. It’s easy to inspire someone to try you out when you’re offering them something for free, not to mention the Goodwill it creates. Following the tried and true marketing funnel formula, you may want to offer something of a lower price point for the next level of commitment and so on. We’re all comfortable buying, and continuing to buy, from people we know and trust so you want to create that scenario in your business whenever possible.
To discuss the creation of a robust and profitable eCommerce platform in your business, email simone@passion2prosperity.com for a private consultation.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
How To Connect With Your Most Perfect Contacts
We don’t operate our businesses in a void so no matter where you are in the success continuum, you’ll always be in search of PEOPLE to help you fulfill certain roles. If you’re just starting out, you’ll want mentors and advisors. Investors are out there as well as people to help you with marketing, manufacturing, operations, etc. Of course you wouldn’t be in business very long if you didn’t have customers.
Here are some strategies I use to constantly put me in the right place at the right time to be able to connect with any “human” resource I may need at any given time. People constantly say “Maria knows everyone.” It’s more like “Maria knows how to MEET anyone”.
1. Regularly create profiles of the contacts you need. Whatever you’re looking for, it really helps to have an idea of the person that can help you get it...not just what “it” is. Most of the time, you’ll find you already KNOW someone that fits your new profile. You just hadn’t yet thought of that person as a resource. I use this technique to help manifest strategic partners, investors, clients, etc.
2. Attend industry events. If you want to meet the movers and shakers of your industry, start attending the same tradeshows and conferences they do.
3. Put it out to your network. Don’t forget to tell the people you know WHO you’re looking for.
4. Hang out where they hang out. I’ve met my investors exactly where I’d thought they’d be--- at fundraising events, out with other investors, at various community events, social and business gatherings.
5. Attend networking functions to meet with the organizers or featured guests. Many people will attend a networking event to meet potential clients but my mission goes a bit beyond that and is usually to create strategic alliances with people who have complimentary talents as well as their own following. Those people can usually get you in front of a much larger group of your ideal “whatever”. So mingle with the participants but also make yourself known to the experts and organizers in attendance.
6. Search for people online or in your local press. If you do a Google search using industry specific terms you’ll find out who the talent is within that industry. This is great if you’re looking for C-level folks and advisors. Once I can associate a name with an expertise I’m looking for, it’s just a matter of tracking that person down. Same goes for a name you read in a newspaper. EX: You’re looking for an advisor in waste management and one day you read about the retirement of the Chairman of the Board of XYZ Waste Management Co. Chances are, THAT’S the person you need to connect with.
7. Use search functions on the Social Networks. Nothing has accelerated my connecting as much as the social networks have. You can pick a few people who are your perfect contacts and easily connect to who they know using the follow functions. In the search boxes, simply put in keywords that describe their industry or what they would be talking about and see who pops up. People are also generally more accessible on the social networks as well.
8. Let them come to you. Consider hosting an event or being part of something bigger that will put you directly in front of the contacts that you would need. This is a great time to support others who are doing similar work as a way to increase your visibility.
9. Meditate on attracting the most perfect contacts. Success does not happen by just working hard you know! I meditate daily and visualize the most perfect people showing up to support my efforts. Usually during that time or shortly afterwards, names will pop into my head or the phone will ring with a perfect opportunity. If you want success that’s more flowing and effortless, that’s a sure way to create it.
Here are some strategies I use to constantly put me in the right place at the right time to be able to connect with any “human” resource I may need at any given time. People constantly say “Maria knows everyone.” It’s more like “Maria knows how to MEET anyone”.
1. Regularly create profiles of the contacts you need. Whatever you’re looking for, it really helps to have an idea of the person that can help you get it...not just what “it” is. Most of the time, you’ll find you already KNOW someone that fits your new profile. You just hadn’t yet thought of that person as a resource. I use this technique to help manifest strategic partners, investors, clients, etc.
2. Attend industry events. If you want to meet the movers and shakers of your industry, start attending the same tradeshows and conferences they do.
3. Put it out to your network. Don’t forget to tell the people you know WHO you’re looking for.
4. Hang out where they hang out. I’ve met my investors exactly where I’d thought they’d be--- at fundraising events, out with other investors, at various community events, social and business gatherings.
5. Attend networking functions to meet with the organizers or featured guests. Many people will attend a networking event to meet potential clients but my mission goes a bit beyond that and is usually to create strategic alliances with people who have complimentary talents as well as their own following. Those people can usually get you in front of a much larger group of your ideal “whatever”. So mingle with the participants but also make yourself known to the experts and organizers in attendance.
6. Search for people online or in your local press. If you do a Google search using industry specific terms you’ll find out who the talent is within that industry. This is great if you’re looking for C-level folks and advisors. Once I can associate a name with an expertise I’m looking for, it’s just a matter of tracking that person down. Same goes for a name you read in a newspaper. EX: You’re looking for an advisor in waste management and one day you read about the retirement of the Chairman of the Board of XYZ Waste Management Co. Chances are, THAT’S the person you need to connect with.
7. Use search functions on the Social Networks. Nothing has accelerated my connecting as much as the social networks have. You can pick a few people who are your perfect contacts and easily connect to who they know using the follow functions. In the search boxes, simply put in keywords that describe their industry or what they would be talking about and see who pops up. People are also generally more accessible on the social networks as well.
8. Let them come to you. Consider hosting an event or being part of something bigger that will put you directly in front of the contacts that you would need. This is a great time to support others who are doing similar work as a way to increase your visibility.
9. Meditate on attracting the most perfect contacts. Success does not happen by just working hard you know! I meditate daily and visualize the most perfect people showing up to support my efforts. Usually during that time or shortly afterwards, names will pop into my head or the phone will ring with a perfect opportunity. If you want success that’s more flowing and effortless, that’s a sure way to create it.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Strategies For Getting Early Traction For Your Products and Services
Like the adage “which came first, the chicken or the egg”, many entrepreneurs find themselves at a crossroads when trying to launch their product. To do it properly requires financial or other resources they may not have but in order to get those resources, they’re asked to “prove” their concept. One of my specialties is supporting people through this stage so that they have the opportunity to prove out the validity of their concept & get early “traction” (interest from buyers) while being very prudent with resources.
What’s important to note here is that before you invest lots of time and money in creating a product or service and then trying to sell it, it’s more prudent to SELL the concept before you actually create the product. In the past, I’ve gotten 5 and 6-figure commitments before I even produced a product. Obviously, your risks are greatly reduced if there is a nominal investment required to produce and distribute your product--- that’s why I love working online and with digital products.
Why do this? You’ll save yourself time and money as you avoid risks and produce a product that’s exactly what your market wants; establish credibility; attract investors and sponsors who can now see the validity of what you’re creating before it’s fully launched; and finally, have a market already established when it comes time to actually sell tangible products and services.
My complete list is quite extensive but here are some ways to get proof of concept and early traction:
1. Conduct some basic market research. Make sure you have really spoken to your customers and end users (if the two are different) to see if this is something they would like have and would purchase if available. Thoroughly document this research.
2. Build a list. Start creating a list of followers who would be potential customers when the time is right. The bigger the better and I recommend managing your growing list with one of the Autoresponder tools listed at http://intentionalincome.com
3. Network Within Your Industry. It’s much easier to garner the support of your industry if you’ve already established a good reputation. That’s why it’s imperative to show up and network at industry tradeshows; events where your peers and potential customers would be; media outlets; and online via social media activities.
4. Create and test a prototype as soon as possible. Depending on the resources you have available, develop a working prototype or sample of your vision as soon as possible. Even it’s just a graphical mockup. Having something tangible for people to look at will dramatically improve their interest.
5. Sell your “concept” as soon as possible. Before you commit to manufacturing your product, look at establishing your distribution channels first. Knowing where your product will sell will make a difference in how you package it. Also, it would be ideal if you can pre-sell your product (within legal parameters of course). I’ve gotten contracts and letters of interest for products prior to manufacturing. You can do the same for information products, books, events, etc.
6. Can you start small and scale up? You my not have the resources to be fully operational but is there some aspect of your business you can launch with limited resources, test and then expand? This will not only provide further validation but can also help fund other stages of growth.
7. Partner up with someone that has the resources you need. Perhaps consider licensing, private labeling or co-branding with another company to help you initially launch a product. Manufacturing and marketing could be your biggest expenses initially so find people who will cover that for you.
8. Get the media talking. Having the media pick up on your “story”, the circumstances surrounding your journey, or any tie in to current events really helps to establish credibility and interest from buyers and partners.
9. Gather testimonials. Paint the picture about how great your product or service is through the eyes of someone who has experienced it (or you). This will help make your Company more real to potential customers.
What’s important to note here is that before you invest lots of time and money in creating a product or service and then trying to sell it, it’s more prudent to SELL the concept before you actually create the product. In the past, I’ve gotten 5 and 6-figure commitments before I even produced a product. Obviously, your risks are greatly reduced if there is a nominal investment required to produce and distribute your product--- that’s why I love working online and with digital products.
Why do this? You’ll save yourself time and money as you avoid risks and produce a product that’s exactly what your market wants; establish credibility; attract investors and sponsors who can now see the validity of what you’re creating before it’s fully launched; and finally, have a market already established when it comes time to actually sell tangible products and services.
My complete list is quite extensive but here are some ways to get proof of concept and early traction:
1. Conduct some basic market research. Make sure you have really spoken to your customers and end users (if the two are different) to see if this is something they would like have and would purchase if available. Thoroughly document this research.
2. Build a list. Start creating a list of followers who would be potential customers when the time is right. The bigger the better and I recommend managing your growing list with one of the Autoresponder tools listed at http://intentionalincome.com
3. Network Within Your Industry. It’s much easier to garner the support of your industry if you’ve already established a good reputation. That’s why it’s imperative to show up and network at industry tradeshows; events where your peers and potential customers would be; media outlets; and online via social media activities.
4. Create and test a prototype as soon as possible. Depending on the resources you have available, develop a working prototype or sample of your vision as soon as possible. Even it’s just a graphical mockup. Having something tangible for people to look at will dramatically improve their interest.
5. Sell your “concept” as soon as possible. Before you commit to manufacturing your product, look at establishing your distribution channels first. Knowing where your product will sell will make a difference in how you package it. Also, it would be ideal if you can pre-sell your product (within legal parameters of course). I’ve gotten contracts and letters of interest for products prior to manufacturing. You can do the same for information products, books, events, etc.
6. Can you start small and scale up? You my not have the resources to be fully operational but is there some aspect of your business you can launch with limited resources, test and then expand? This will not only provide further validation but can also help fund other stages of growth.
7. Partner up with someone that has the resources you need. Perhaps consider licensing, private labeling or co-branding with another company to help you initially launch a product. Manufacturing and marketing could be your biggest expenses initially so find people who will cover that for you.
8. Get the media talking. Having the media pick up on your “story”, the circumstances surrounding your journey, or any tie in to current events really helps to establish credibility and interest from buyers and partners.
9. Gather testimonials. Paint the picture about how great your product or service is through the eyes of someone who has experienced it (or you). This will help make your Company more real to potential customers.
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