Embrace Good Habits

Thursday, Aug. 19th 2010

As we shake off the sand from the summer and look to make the last part of 2010 a real organized happy womansuccess, it’s important that we engage good habits in our business life. Success will not come from sloppiness!

1. Email Overload – set up rules for your Inbox
This is easily done in Outlook and other mail software systems. Because we’re naturally nosy, as soon as an email pings into our inbox, more often than not we read it and then get sucked into the content. Remember – an email is someone else’s emergency! So don’t jump and react as son as you hear the ping – and if you can, turn the noise off! Do whatever you can to keep yourself from being distracted. Set up rules in your inbox, so emails are automatically assigned to specific folders, so you don’t have an overflowing inbox, where you can’t find anything. Equally, look at all the mailing lists you’re on, but don’t take much notice of (hopefully not this one!) Unsubscribe from any lists where you don’t get immediately curious about what they’ve got to say and save your email from overloading.

2. Operate a Great Desk Policy
Now, this is different for everyone – some people can operate surrounded by clutter, whereas other people find it difficult. The question you need to ask yourself is – what is your first thought when you sit down at your desk at the beginning of the day? Does it make you sigh with despair, or are you inspired by the delights of the new day? If it’s the former, you need to make some changes. Clear out the clutter, rearrange your files and papers so they’re easily accessible and tidy and create some space for you to think clearly, concisely and creatively – every day!

3. Clear down and set up
Following on from your clear desk policy, at the end of each working day in your office space, clear down what you’ve been working on. Even if you know you’re going to be coming back to it tomorrow, that’s no excuse for leaving everything scattered all over your desk. That’s like a teenager refusing to make their bed and saying, “I’m gonna be messing it up again tonight, so what’s the point?” !!
Tidy up, then ask yourself this question: “Tomorrow – if I could only do three things in my business, what would those three things be?” This is the start of your set up for the next day – your Action List. You may want to get other things done, but just create your Action List of your absolutes. That way, when you go to bed and when you get up, you know exactly what you’re going to be working on and anything else is a bonus!

WAHW-

The Association of Work At Home Women was founded on the principle that every woman should have a place of support, expert information, resources and the chance to grow their home-based business.

The opportunities of women to work from home and earn executive level incomes while balancing the fine intricacies of family life, lead to the foundation of the AWHW.

As fellow Work-At-Home professionals, we recognize the need for a complete, easy and trusted resource that will guide you with the right information, when you need it, so you can spend your time implementing and growing professionally, spiritually and personally.

We recognize that women have different learning styles, different time commitments and different business models. We strive to provide quality, researched and tried & true techniques in various formats to meet your personal needs while leveraging the power of a community.

We look forward to your joining us on the road for success and great achievement! Check out our purpose and passion and see a little inside our hearts at www.theMOREMovie.com

Follow us on Twitter: @AWHWorg

Jenny, Director

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14 Ways to Grow Your Business by Publishing a Book

Thursday, Aug. 12th 2010

No matter what kind of business you are in, there is no better way to become an instant expert than by publishing a book. Better than any business card, brochure, advertisement, website or blog, a book is a powerful tool that will open doors and lead to tremendous business growth opportunities.

Think about it from the consumer point of view. Let’s say that you want to hire a personal trainer. You interview a trainer with typical credentials. He’s friendly, says the right things, and his price is just right.

You interview a second trainer. He is also friendly and says the right things. At the end of your meeting he hands you a copy of his book “The Healthy, Wealthy and Happy for Life Program.” He even autographs it for you.

Who are you most likely going to hire? (Did I mention that the author’s rate is also higher than his competitor?)

Still not convinced? Here are 14 reasons why business owners who are authors have the leading edge:

1. Increased Credibility
Writing a book demonstrates your expertise in your subject matter. It is a form of mastery that can elevate your status in the eyes of your potential clients, peers, the media, and many other key contacts. The potential is truly unlimited.

2. Sharpen Your Competitive Edge
Just as in the example above, there is nothing like a book to impress prospects and close deals. Give away books like you hand out business cards and your business is sure to grow.

3. Earn Higher Fees
If you are a service provider, such as a consultant, coach, graphic artist, doctor, therapist, financial advisor or other service professional, your book gives you a license to charge higher rates. It all comes back to that credibility factor. You are not just an average expert in your field, you are a published expert. Of course your rates are higher than everyone else.

4. Capture Hard-to-Get Appointments
Want to speak with the CEO, head of Human Resources, a political leader or some other unreachable contact? Send them a copy of your book along with a personal note. Odds are much better that your next call will go through. “This is Annie Author calling…”

5. Generate Referrals
Several years ago, a family law attorney sent copies of her book to marriage therapists all over town. Since therapists were often talking to her potential clients, she took a chance that the book might make an impression. Her practice quickly became the largest of its kind in her city.

6. Capture Media Attention
Open any newspaper or magazine and notice how each article includes quotes and advice from experts. Most often, these quotes come from authors. Tune in to any talk radio show, The Today Show, or even your local news programs. Authors are constantly in the spotlight. In fact, media professionals from print, radio and television frequently search Amazon.com for authors of books related to their needed subject matter.

7. Stand Out at Trade Shows
Your typical trade show booth won’t be ordinary once you showcase your book and your work as an author. Prospects and potential alliance partners will be eager to meet the author.

8. Get Known Online
If you want to develop celebrity status and build a following of fans, there is no faster or more effective way to do that then by showcasing your author platform online. Share tips and resources through your website, blog and social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Host teleseminars and promote videos on YouTube. The Internet is an ideal place to capitalize on your author status and reach a global audience.

9. Generate Passive Income
As you become known online and build a following of loyal readers, adding information products such as ebooks, special reports and teleseminars can generate passive income–money you make while you sleep. Information products are quicker and easier to produce than a book, and they perfectly compliment your efforts as an author.

10. Develop Programs that Support Your Book
If you don’t already have programs that support the theories in your book, you will want to have them available. Whether you ask them to or not, readers will call, write and send e-mail inquiring about how to implement the strategies in your book. Consider developing coaching programs, training packages and various products and services that compliment your subject matter.

11. Build a Team Around Your Brand
You can use your book as the foundation to teach others your system for doing what you do. You could develop your own certification program and recruit agents who deliver services under your brand, while they also promote your book and generate revenue for your business. For examples, check out Jay Conrad Levinson’s Guerrilla Marketing Master Training program, Jim Horan’s Consulting Team or Michael Port’s Book Yourself Solid Certified Coach program.

12. Schedule Speaking Engagements
Commanding the attention of a room is a phenomenal way to grow your business. Authors are often invited to speak at trade association meetings, the local Chamber of Commerce, non-profit organizations, corporate functions, conferences and events. Once you have captivated an audience, wrap up your presentation with a special offer for consulting services, training programs or other package offering. Also, be sure to sell and autograph copies at the back of the room.

13. Become an Instructor
Authors are welcomed as instructors at adult learning programs like the Learning Annex and many colleges. The organizations will promote your classes through their catalogs and direct mail campaigns and that publicity can bring tremendous exposure and new business opportunities.

14. Hold Your Own Events
Authors like Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki and countless others leverage their notoriety and experience to host their own revenue-generating events and workshops. Events can range from half-day meetings in a rented office space to week-long events at a hotel or even on a cruise ship.

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to leveraging your own book to grow your business. If you have ever considered putting your thoughts on paper, stop thinking and start writing. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can reap the rewards. Publishing a book is one of the quickest and easiest ways to build the business of your dreams. It is up to you to harness the power and make your dreams a reality.

About the Author:

Stephanie Chandler is an author of several business and marketing books including:

From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money with Books, eBooks and Information Products (John Wiley & Sons)

The Author’s Guide to Building an Online Platform: Leveraging the Internet to Sell More Books (Quill Driver). The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide (Aventine). LEAP! 101 Ways to Grow Your Business (Career Press, coming fall 2009). As a small business marketing expert, Stephanie has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Business Week, Inc.com, MORE Magazine and many other media outlets. She is also the founder and CEO of http://www.AuthorityPublishing.com, a custom book publishing service specializing in business, self-help and non-fiction books.

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What My Exercise Program Taught Me About Business

Wednesday, Aug. 4th 2010

I’ve been involved in fitness for as long as I can remember. My fitness regime of choice has always been running and going to the gym to life weights. However, in March, I was visiting my brother in Palm Springs for the weekend and he introduced me to an extreme fitness program called P90X. And even though I thought I was in pretty good shape, it kicked my butt. I was so sore after two days of doing P90X, that I KNEW what I HAD been doing, wasn’t really working anymore.

So I ordered the DVDs and in March I started my own P90X 90-day extreme fitness challenge. Two and one-half months into it, I am feeling better, I’m in great shape, I’m having fun, and I’ve learned a lot…not just about fitness, but about life and business.

Here are 3 key lessons I’ve learned that can be applied to your business:

1)  Doing the same thing for too long results in plateaus and diminishing returns.

I’ve been running and lifting weights for as long as I remember. Yes, it was good to have a consistent exercise habit. But what I hadn’t realized was that it was no longer improving my fitness levels. When I switched things up and tried something new, my results improved dramatically.  While I was spending the same amount of time, and in some ways still doing the same thing ( I was still exercising, just doing it differently), I was able to really improve my results.

How does this apply to business?

I have realized that when we find something that works in our business, we very often make it a habit and just keep doing it, often not looking closely at whether it’s still getting us the same results. And odds are, if we were to step back and take a look, it’s probably not getting us the same results as it did when we first started doing it. After all, over time we change, our clients change, our marketplace changes, everything changes … so we need to evolve our business with the changing environment if we want to keep growing and improving.

I did this in December when I decided to stop publishing my ezines, something I had been doing for 5 years. But I realized I wasn’t enjoying it anymore, and I wasn’t getting the same results from them either. When I switched to writing blog posts and sending out email blasts when I felt inspired, or had something to share, I started connecting more effectively with my clients again, and my results started to improve.

What are you doing in your business that has become a habit, that you might need to “shake up a bit” in order to start getting better results?

2)  Habits can lead to complacency.

Related to point #1, when we are doing something for a very long time, we do tend to get complacent about it. It becomes something we do because “we’re supposed to do it” and not because we’re inspired, or because we enjoy it, or because it’s working.

In business, we can never take anything for granted. Not our clients, not the idea that our programs or services will always be desirable, not our marketplace, not our mailing list. As soon as you take something for granted, and find yourself just going through the motions, you’re NOT putting your all into it.  This leads to complacency, and complacency leads to stagnant results.

In the last 10 months I’ve stepped back and re-evaluated what I was inspired to do. I’ve talked to LOTS of my prospects and clients to find out what they really wanted and needed. As a result I’ve revamped my business to allow me to do what I love most, and I’ve created new programs to fill the needs my clients have NOW.  And the results have been incredible.

How in touch with yourself and your market are you? Are you doing what really inspires you most?  Do you know what your clients really want and need?  Maybe it’s time to step back, re-evaluate, and make some changes so you can enjoy your business more, and you can serve your clients better.

3)  It’s extremely important to do what’s RIGHT for YOU.

When I do my P90X workouts every day, I have noticed there’s one thing the instructor, Tony Horton, repeats over and over on the DVD’s:  “Do what’s right for you. Do what works for you. There’s variety and it’s a beautiful thing.” And he always shows different variations on each exercise, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

The same thinking can be applied to your business. It’s not always about doing what has worked for someone else. If you’ve heard me speak recently, you’ve heard me say that I’m not a big fan of modeling or the idea that if you want to do something, just find someone who has done it successfully and do exactly as they have done.  There are just too many instances in my business, and in my clients’ businesses, where that has NOT worked.

You are a unique individual. Your business situation is unique. Your experience is unique. Your personality is unique. Everything about you is unique. And that’s why it’s so important to find what works for you. Find what you love doing. Find what you’re good at. Look at what others have done successfully and draw from it, but run it through YOUR filter and only keep what fits you.  As Tony Horton of P90X says, “Do what works for you.”

Debbie LaChusa

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Posted by Janette | in Uncategorized | No Comments »

13 Best Ways to Stimulate CREATIVITY

Friday, Jul. 30th 2010
Recently, I was speaking to an advisor of mine who told me she perceived that I was a creative person. I grew up avoiding reading and writing because I was criticized and punished frequently by my parents and teachers. Of course, I avoided working on those skills because I thought I was weak in them. I convinced myself that I didn’t like to read, because I read slowly and couldn’t write because I couldn’t spell. This issue really affected my self confidence all through formal schooling and as an adult. As an adult, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Finally, there was a reason I had difficulties – I hadn’t been making excuses after all.

As our conversation advanced, she asked me the “bucket list” question. You know the one, “If you only had 1 week to live what would you do?” I responded by rattling off my initial reaction responses. In the middle of the list was the topic of writing. She asked, why since you had so much trouble most of your life? I commented that I was beginning to enjoy writing because I am having fun and able to be creative while writing my current writing more than ever before.

In this article, we’ll explore 13 of the best ways to stimulate creativity. Whether it’s tackling the writer’s block, fear of the blank computer screen (and a deadline approaching), developing new products or programs in your business, or jump starting your brain with new ideas. Your creativity, or lack thereof, may be the key ingredient to what is driving your level of success or holding you back.

13 Best Ways to Stimulate CREATIVITY or
Unlocking “Brain Freeze”
1. Associate with Many Diverse Individuals
Getting to know people of different races, religions, cultures, and countries is fun and educational. The more you learn from other people the more you will be open to new ideas and concepts. Don’t be judgmental – just be open to the difference and celebrate it. Having a diverse center of influence will surely enrich your life and broaden your perspectives.

2. Spend Time with Children
This is one of my favorite things to do. If you watch young children play and play with them, you’ll find that their innocence and lack of fear in life spurs creativity. Adults hold themselves back because of “rules” and fear. Shed rules and fear, play with children like a child. You’ll have some fun!

3. Eat and Drink Different Foods and Beverages
Have you ever noticed that you can get bored real fast eating the same foods day after day? Try new foods, recipes, be creative if you cook, try foods from around the world. It’s all fun. Food, smells, and tastes all stimulate the mind and can invite creativity to creep in.

4. Try a New Hobby or Start a Project
Just what entrepreneurs need is a new project, right? Starting a project or researching a new hobby is exciting. Researching and visualizing a new project can jump start your creative mental juices. Give your mind something different to work on consciously so the subconscious can work on solving business issues. Take up photography, paint a picture, or build a pirate ship in your front yard (like I did last Halloween). Whatever it is – do something different.

5. Fly a Kite
You will be amazed at how relaxing and calming flying a kite can be. If you haven’t flown a kite since you were a kid, try it again. Focus on the wind and the sky and the beauty of nature. This is sure to be a fun activity.

6. Exercise
Yep, exercise – you knew it was coming. This is my worst disciple right now. When you exercise you stimulate endorphins which give you a sense of happiness and well being. When you take care of your body by exercising you will have more energy all day. While exercising, your mind will work on solving problems with less effort and stress.

7. Relax and Review Mementoes That Make You Smile Inside
Everyone keeps memories in the form of pictures, videos, scrapbooks etc. When your energy level is low and you feel stuck, maybe even a little down, it always helps pop you out of the mood if you surround yourself with mementos of those times and things that made you happy and smile. You know the feeling. Wasn’t that a good time? Feeling happy and relaxing can regenerate the creativity you have inside.

8. Meditate
Many people meditate daily. Meditation is relaxing and refreshing. Creativity is best raised to the surface through simple methods of meditation.

9. Go to a Cultural Celebration
Attending an occasional arts festival, cultural celebration, a chili cook-off, whatever it is. The change in sight and textures out of the normal keeps the mind active and stimulates creativity.

10. Visit a Museum
Think of all of the sights, textures, sound and history available to your senses at a museum. Appreciating where the human race came from, the strides of invention and culture will help break staleness in your thoughts and take creativity up a notch.

11. Walk in the Woods, Go to the Beach, Go to the Mountains
Another one of my favorite creativity boosts. For me, nothing is more spiritually moving and inspiring than walking in nature, going to the beach and listening to the sound of the waves, or as I did as a child, walking in the mountains. I’d find a special rock by a creek I called my escape rock and listen to the sound of the deer in the woods and my dog, Blue, as she looked for small creeping critters. Sometimes I even take a notebook and begin to write down what I was thinking. I always returned home refreshed and relaxed.

12. Listen to Music
Music is a wonderful creative spur. It doesn’t matter if it’s Classical, Jazz, Blue grass, pop, country, rap or hip hop. Music will set a mood. Your body will respond to music in an energetic way or a relaxing way. Music can be soothing and therapeutic. Your mind changes focus and creativity can flow.

13. Encourage Creativity in Others
When you help someone else, doesn’t it seem like it’s easier to be creative just because it’s someone else? The “someone” else can be you… but because it’s not “personal” it seems easier to be creative with someone else or their business. Relate it to a master mind concept. A group of likeminded folks all focused on helping you. Ideas flow with creativity that blows your mind. Creativity breeds creativity.

As you may have noticed, the 13 Ways to stimulate creativity could also be the 13 ways to relax and have fun. As an entrepreneur, you tend to be focused but continually moving from project to project, finishing some, ignoring many. You get so overwhelmed by opportunity and the “shiny object syndrome that you exhaust your energy. If your mind and body are depleted of energy, so is your creativity depleted and stagnated.

Creativity is essential to the nature of an entrepreneur’s success. It needs to be nurtured. The 13 Best WaysTo Stimulate Creativity are suggestions you can use as they are or add your own.

Diane Conklin and Gail Saseen

DChoose Gsuccess Logo Complete Marketing Systems
211, Crockett Blvd, Suite 14, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Toll Free Info : 866-293-0589
Fax : 321-449-0244
info@CompleteMarketingSystem.com

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Turning Lemons Into Lemonade

Tuesday, Jul. 20th 2010

You will never be the perfect entrepreneur. No matter how hard you work to avoid catastrophes… at some point, disasters will happen. At times, you will look bad, and your reputation will be injured. But, that doesn’t mean you or your company have to suffer long-term repercussions because of it.

Here are some steps for embracing your own humanity, and turning “bad” situations into incredible, marketing situations.

Step 1- Laugh at yourself and your mistakes. (Getting upset about the situation won’t fix things. Look at this as an opportunity instead.)

Step 2- Fix the disaster, tenaciously.

Step 3- Offer the injured customers or prospects even more than they expect. (If done properly, these individuals may become your biggest fans.)

Step 4- Use the situation to fix your current systems. (Making a mistake is alright. Repeating that mistake can be devastating.)

Step 5- Freely share these experiences in marketing messages, blogs, webinars, or as a “reason” to have another sale or promotion.

People are generally more forgiving than they seem. If you are willing to “expose” your weaknesses, your contacts will feel your honesty and sincerity. The harder you try to be the “perfect” small business owner (and hide your errors), the more detached from your contacts you become. And, the more likely they are to mistrust you.

Enjoy your imperfections and learn to use them to your advantage!

Clate Mask

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An Appropriate Choice

Tuesday, Jul. 13th 2010

This has nothing to do with the posts I usually put up in my little space of the Internet, but tonight my husband decided he wanted to see a couple movies that he’s been dying to see. The theater in our town closed down last month, which means we have to drive nearly 45 miles to a theater, so if you’re going you better make it a good trip.

His choices were ‘Eclipse’ and ‘The Last Air Bender’. Now, I must say I was curious to see the air bender, because my grandchildren are a huge fan of the cartoon.

I’m sure many people will disagree with me when I say both choices were bad. I think I would have been happier and made a better investment seeing the new ‘Karate Kid’ or even ‘Knight and Day’.

I’ve not been a huge fan of Twilight, since it came out. Didn’t care for the initial movie; haven’t read the books. My husband read the books, as well as my step daughter and sister, they were all so into it and thought the books were fabulous.

The second movie ‘New Moon’ was a bit more interesting, when the wolves came into the picture. That made it more exciting, but this whole lovelorn thing with the vampires doesn’t do anything for me. So, tonight we saw ‘Eclipse’ and OMG, in my personal opinion it was a complete waste of money and time. I learned nothing from it, and it produced no entertainment whatsoever. They’ve dragged this whole romance triangle thing out to the point that it’s completely boring and I was ready to learn 30 minutes in.

If I’m going to drive 45 miles one way, spend the kind of money they charge I at least want to enjoy myself. Movies are supposed to be entertaining and take you away from reality for a little bit.

Well again, just my opinion, but I’m sharing it just the same.

Hopefully, next time you see a movie you’ll make a better choice.

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Posted by Janette | in Life | No Comments »

Be Authentic In Your Business & Your Life

Friday, Jul. 9th 2010
There’s a lot of talk these days about being authentic – especially as it relates to your business. The question is, what exactly does that mean?

Some business owners have taken this to mean they can say and do whatever they want to because it’s just them being authentic. Everyone’s talking about it in different ways lately, but it seems everywhere you go, somebody’s talking about being authentic.

The dictionary defines authentic as “the quality or condition of being trustworthy or genuine.” It also used words like genuine, real, and character.

Being authentic is also about being who you claim to be.

We’ve all seen examples of public figures, athletes, celebrities and politicians who just weren’t who they appeared to be, and somehow, the true person you are always seems to come out.

We all should be authentic – in our business and in our lives in general. It’s really just the right thing to do. Do what you say you’re going to do. Have character. Be genuine, real and trustworthy. We’d all probably agree with that.

The question becomes in how far do you take this? For example, if you’re a t-shirt and jeans kind of person, and let’s face it, who isn’t more comfortable in that attire, is that what you wear to an important business meeting so you can be authentic and true to yourself? That probably seems like a silly question to even ask, but if you look around you’ll see that we’re getting more and more casual all the time – many times in the name of being “authentic”.

Part of being authentic is respecting others around you and appreciating opportunities that are presented to you. Sometimes, we do things out of respect for other people and not necessarily because it’s what we would normally do. Is that compromising your authenticity? Not at all!

Wearing a suit, dressing up a little more than normal, or going out of your way to be respectful has nothing to do with you being real and genuine. It’s still you in the suit, you showing character and genuine respect for others – it doesn’t get more authentic than that. Being authentic is all about doing the right thing based on the situation you’re in. That’s real character.

Be authentic with your clients, prospects, staff, friends and family. You owe it to yourself and to them to give them the best you have to offer. And, doing that, while being one hundred percent yourself, and who you are at your core, is the best possible way to give of yourself. They’ll love you for it, you’ll make a bigger impression, have longer lasting relationships, and in your business, you’ll make a lot more money in the long run as well.

Be you, give them the real you. That’s what they came for in the first place. They were attracted to do business with you based on something and more than likely, it was something about you.

Be authentic in your marketing, in your business dealings, and in your life and watch your life soar.

Diane Conklin and Gail Saseen

DChoose Gsuccess Logo Complete Marketing Systems
211, Crockett Blvd, Suite 14, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Toll Free Info : 866-293-0589
Fax : 321-449-0244
info@CompleteMarketingSystem.com

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Three Ways to Build Relationships Beyond Social Media

Monday, Jul. 5th 2010

Two of the biggest components of effective marketing are reach and frequency. Reach refers to the number of people you “touch” with your message; while frequency refers to the number of times each person is reached on average. Frequency is a way to build trust and drive your particular message home.

In the marketing world, it is often said that you need to “touch” a prospect 7 to 11 times before they buy. Online, someone needs to hear your message at least that frequently—if not more–before they will be ready to spend money with you.

shakinghands Three Ways to Build Relationships Beyond Social  Media

We know that social media is great for building relationships, but what about outside of that? Just as there is more to the Internet than social media sites, there are many other ways to grow and strengthen relationships with potential prospects online.  Here are three of the most effective ways to do that:

1) Build a list of email subscribers.

It is important to build a list of targeted subscribers to market your products or services to. You want a list that’s responsive and your job is to keep in touch with them regularly so that you remain top of mind for them.  Most people won’t be ready to buy after only interacting with you a couple of times on a social site or visiting your website once or twice. It’s the building of trust and the relationship that makes it more likely they will make a purchase down the line.  Having permission to contact them on a regular basis means your emails do the heavy lifting.

2) Maintain a blog and build a list of blog subscribers.

What makes a blog a blog and not a website is the fact that it’s updated frequently.  When people visit your blog and see that it has consistent, fresh content, it’s likely they will keep coming back for more. The goal here is for those visitors to become subscribers of your blog via RSS feed or email.  This allows them to be notified as soon as your blog has a new post published, either in their email inbox or their favorite feed reader.

3) Send a regular email newsletter.

Once you’ve begun building a list of email subscribers, your job is to provide value to them on a regular basis. It’s not enough to send emails that only promote your offerings or ask for the sale.  The members of your list have given you the privilege of contacting them because they have decided they want to hear what it is you have to say.  An email newsletter is the perfect way to give them valuable content while staying on their radar screens.  A newsletter does not need to be in HTML or be especially long.  A few tips, a top ten list or some recommended resources are fine.  The key is for your list to see your information as useful, and to keep you and your business in front of them.

Once you’ve attracted people into your community and begun furthering that relationship, be sure to take good care of them.  It can pay off handsomely in the end.

Christine Gallagher, The Online Marketing and Social Media Success Coach, is founder of Communicate Value, where she is dedicated to teaching small business owners and professionals how to conquer the overwhelming aspects of online and social media marketing to increase business and maximize profits. To get your F.R.E.E. 5-Part E-Course and receive her weekly marketing & success articles on leveraging technology, building relationships and boosting your profits, visit http://communicatevalue.com.

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Top Ten Tips for Taking Action in your Business

Wednesday, Jun. 30th 2010

  1. In the words of Nike…..Just Do It! (Don’t overthink it)
  2. Make the goal of your action so compelling that you can’t help but implement the action
  3. Use an accountability buddy to keep you focused
  4. Decide TODAY on the first action you WILL take – however small
  5. Put posters or post-its around the office or house to remind you….change your screen saver to remind you
  6. Reward yourself when you take action and make progress
  7. Model and surround yourself with people who are excellent at action and ruthless implementation
  8. Make a public commitment and ask for reminders from others – leverage the energy of the AWHW community
  9. Put yourself in a positive mindset and get excited by what you want to achieve
  10. And this one is up to you – what’s YOUR favorite strategy for making it happen?

The Association of Work At Home Women was founded on the principle that every woman should have a place of support, expert information, resources and the chance to grow their home-based business. The opportunities of women to work from home and earn executive level incomes while balancing the fine intricacies of family life, lead to the foundation of the AWHW.

As fellow Work-At-Home professionals, we recognize the need for a complete, easy and trusted resource that will guide you with the right information, when you need it, so you can spend your time implementing and growing professionally, spiritually and personally.

We recognize that women have different learning styles, different time commitments and different business models. We strive to provide quality, researched and tried & true techniques in various formats to meet your personal needs while leveraging the power of a community.
We look forward to your joining us on the road for success and great achievement!
Check out our purpose and passion and see a little inside our hearts at www.theMOREMovie.com

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Jenny
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Why The Most Important Stuff Is Always Hidden

Monday, Jun. 28th 2010

By Noah St. John, PhD

“Everything in Nature contains all the powers of Nature. Everything is made of hidden stuff.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a young man, Walt Disney loved going to theme parks. But he was always frustrated that they were dirty, messy, disorganized places.

He had a vision to create a new kind of theme park – one that re-created the youth of his imagination. His vision became reality when Disneyland opened in California.

But one day, while walking through his park, Disney saw something that bothered him tremendously. It was the sight of a cowboy walking through Tomorrowland – in full costume – to get to his post in Frontierland.

Disney knew that for a child who saw such a sight, it would ruin the “Disney magic”. So when his next park was set to open in Florida, Walt Disney vowed that such a scene would never be repeated.

He instructed his Imagineers to develop a system of “utilidors” – a series of underground tunnels that would enable Disney cast members to literally appear and disappear from their assigned stations, like magic.

The Imagineers ultimately built the utilidors as the FIRST floor of the park. That’s why, when you walk through the gates of Walt Disney World, you are actually arriving on the SECOND floor.

The 9 acres of utilidors make up the park’s actual first floor, and include functions that Disney preferred his guests never see - such as waste removal, electrical operations, costuming and food service.

When I worked as a secretary, one of the companies I worked for was Walt Disney Imagineering. As I walked the corridors, I was constantly amazed by the sheer brain power housed within those walls.

My point is sharing this with you is that when we look at someone or something that is highly successful, we tend to only look at the “outer game” that is we can see.

But what’s hidden on the inside is the stuff that really counts.

For example, one time I wanted to launch a product online. So I bought a course on how to do online product launches. The course included email and web templates that you could copy to do your own successful product launch.

I literally hand-wrote every email and copied the templates word for word, inserting my own product benefit statements just like they told me to do.

I hired an expensive web design company to put up the web pages, following the templates to the letter.

I spent an entire month doing everything they told me to do. I sweated every detail. I worked on nothing else and lost a lot of sleep.

When launch day finally came, I figured I would have to open a new bank account with all the money I was going to make!

Fingers trembling, I wrote the final email directing people to the site… hit “Send”… and waited for the onslaught of orders.

And by the end of the day, I had amassed a grand total of…

One order.

I couldn’t believe it. I had done everything they told me to do, and all I’d produced was a staggering failure.

I got a text the next day from someone I really admire in Internet marketing, asking how my launch went. I told him the truth, that it was a total bomb.

He took one look at my site and immediately sent me corrections, things I had missed. I reluctantly made the changes he suggested, even though the thing had already bombed.

But I swallowed my pride, made the corrections, and re-launched the product (sure it wouldn’t work this time, either).

And in the next 48 hours, I made over $30,000.

What’s the lesson? This expert was so unconsciously competent at doing online product launches – such a Natural – that he saw things that were HIDDEN to me, a product launch novice… even though I had followed the instructions to a tee!

This taught me a valuable lesson about the Naturals. Namely, that even though they THINK they’re telling you everything about what it takes to succeed, they’re always going to leave stuff out.

What stinks is that what they leave out – the hidden stuff – is probably the most important stuff of all!

So, here are 4 things you can do to take advantage of this:

1. Realize that the Naturals of Success often can’t tell you how they got there… This is the most common situation. They’re so unconsciously competent, it’s like asking a fish to tell you about water.

2. …Or sometimes, they simply don’t want to tell you everything. Because if they tell you everything, isn’t that like giving away their trade secrets?

3. Realize that it’s better to fail and get it over with. As I tell my Platinum Club coaching clients, the key to success lies in two words: Fail Faster.

4. Remember that there is no such thing as “failure”. There’s only Feedback. In my example above, I didn’t “fail”. I tried something new and learned what didn’t work. Then I was open enough to try something new, and it did work.

Bottom line: Learn everything you can from the Naturals, whether you buy something from them or not.

Just remember that what counts the most is hidden… sometimes, even to those who succeed the most.

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