Posts Tagged ‘for women entrepreneurs’

Your headline is the first impression you make on a prospective reader.

If your headline isn’t compelling, all of your content marketing efforts could go to waste.  According to Jim Ackerman of Ascend Marketing, Inc, your headline accounts for up to 80% of the success of an ad or blog post!

Last week 15 experts shared their top tips for writing headlines that “draw traffic to your site or article;” here’s a selection of the great responses received.

https://www.vappingo.com/word-blog/15-top-tips-for-winning-headlines/

My tip is #13.  Tell me what you think.  I welcome your comments and thoughts.

What else would you add to this list?

Too many new solopreneurs get hung up in colors and logo design to brand and launch their website. Although these are important aspects to think about, it should not be your primary aim.

Instead, focus on the things that REALLY matter — and that is, the bottom line:  attracting clients and making money!

Below is your checklist of 5 musts when launching your website:

Professionalism. Remember a first impression is a lasting one!  Your website should be appealing, but not fancy.   Too many bells and whistles is not only distracting,  it doesn’t make you any more money or attract more clients.  It will just cost too much!

It is also important to avoid misspelled words, grammatical errors, or missing punctuation.  Arial, Times New Roman, Verdana are always great font choices.  Font size of 10-12 point is sufficient.,

Message.  The primary objective of your website is to invite a unique visitor into a “sales conversation.”   But this can’t be achieved if you don’t give them a reason to want to visit more than once.

Communicate authentically what problem you help them solve first (not what you do).   This is a mistake many newbies make.  No one cares what coaching, consulting or training is.  They’re seeking solutions to their situation.  Do this effectively and watch your website become a favorite.

Invitation.  How do you convert a visitor into a prospect?  After you’ve communicated authentically, give them a means to continue the sales process. Do this by including an opt-in on each page of your website.

Yes it’s a sales process because ultimately you will want them to spend money on your services and/or products.  But first give them a free offer of perceived value, so they can sample what you do and how you can help them — risk free.  This will make a purchase decision easier down the road.

Navigation.  Think about the end user’s experience first and foremost.  The KISS method applies here big time!  Keep tabs simple and don’t add too many.   Information should be accessible, and easy to navigate overall — ladies, a site map really shouldn’t be needed for your website.

Also your site should be easy for you to manage.   Consider using a blog as a website:  it’s easy to update on your own without always relying on a webmaster to make changes or updates.  You can add fresh content on a regular

basis much easier (by the way Google loves this and will regard your site as more relevant, which ultimately can lead to higher rankings).

Software.  The website building software you choose should be:

- Affordable within your budget (did you know a custom website can cost as low as $100?)

- Offers downloadable updates to ensure seamless integration and use moving forward.

- Provide support from set up through launch and maintenance.

If you are unsure of which software/platforms to use,  ask around. My website is a WordPress blog and I love it; therefore I highly recommend it.   However, in the end, choose what works for you.

Additionally consider also the capability to integrate user friendly e-commerce solutions; and the ability to optimize content and code for search engines and linking campaigns. Although, these are more advanced consideration points, it’s better to factor this in now, so that your website can grow as you and your business grows.

There are many resources and solutions for you to choose.   You don’t have to figure this all out on your own.  If you are looking for a list of helpful freelancers, and other done for you services to help you successfully launch your business, obtain a copy of my free mini ecourse .

There are many traits of successful entrepreneurs — decisiveness is one of them.

Nothing is more powerful than making conscious choices that shape your life’s path and also reflect your priorities and what you value most.

But the challenge for some is figuring out how to make sound decisions without waffling back and forth, or worse, rethinking what you’ve already decided over and over again and not taking action.

Not only is this approach a huge waste of time, it also robs you  of your energy, creates unnecessary stress and anxiety, takes your attention away from other important aspects of your business, and produces nothing.

Here are some quick strategies to become a more masterful decision maker:

1. Trust your instincts. If you’re like me, your gut will never steer you wrong.  Listen to it instead of  second guessing yourself  and over analyzing your options. Let go of the need to have every angle of the scenario revealed before moving forward.  Remember no decision is permanent; if it feels right, go for it and redirect as things continue to unfold.

2. Do your research. Making reliable decisions requires the correct information. Get your facts and figures straight by doing some research on your own or consulting those with the relevant expertise.

3. Map out your pros & cons. For complex decisions, it’s often helpful to create a mind map of the pros and cons.   Additionally, assign a value to each based on their importance to you.  It amazes me how this simple visual aid can help you figure out next steps.

4. Start small. Practice making quick decisions in areas where the consequences are relatively minor.     Over time you will be able to make more significant decisions with greater ease.  Learn to trust your judgment and accept the consequences too.  Remember, it’s the small wins along the way that matter most.

5. Set limits. The longer it takes you to make critical decisions that affect your bottom line, the more money you are leaving on the table.  Consider making a bold promise of when you will complete or deliver something to your clients or mentor. Not only does sharing this information raise the accountability bar, it forces you to work through places of indecision more quickly and take action within a specific timeframe.

6. Face your fears. The fear of making mistakes is a huge barrier that prolongs decision making.  However, at some point you must decide that moving forward is more important than standing still  — no matter the outcome.  There is much learning that comes about even when things don’t go according to plan.

If you are looking for more helpful tips on how to be a successful solopreneur from startup to launch and beyond, obtain a copy of my free business start up  mini e-course.

“Those who lose dreaming are lost.”  Austrailian Aboriginal  Proverb

If we are to have any hope of being in touch with the process of the universe or with a power greater than ourselves, we must learn to move beyond our rational, logical minds and to let ourselves dream.

From 365 Meditations & Reflections for Women Who Do Too Much, by Anne Wilson Schae

A first impression is a lasting one indeed.

What will someone say about you after they meet you personally or interface with some aspect of your business or brand for the first time?

Check out this impressive list of tips and advice from 137 experts who share their insights on how to be “memorable”  from the first encounter and beyond.

http://www.carolroth.com/unsolicited-business-advice/?p=4429

At number 136,  I share how to make your website a favorite at first glance.

Looking forward to your thoughts and insights.  What else would you add to this list?

…If this is the case, you’re not the only.

Most of us are in the habit of  setting resolutions at the beginning of the year and then abandoning them  or losing momentum a few weeks later.

It’s intriguing to me why this happens.  What intrinsic value do they really create in our personal lives?  If they are so essential to our business why is it so easy to lose traction?

New Year’s resolutions can be extremely enriching, self improving, and have a powerful impact in your life.  It can be the conduit to charting a new path, turning a corner, or simply having a breakthrough year.

But the only way this can happen is a shift in how you see resolutions.

I used Dictionary.com to look up the definition of ”resolution” and found the following:

• a formal expression of opinion or intention made.
• a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
• the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
• the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

Here are some practical tips paired with questions to help you recommit to your resolution goals:

1. Really embrace change. You must be willing to make a strong commitment to change in order for your resolutions to be successful. Believe that you can, and will, accomplish what you set out to do. If you give yourself unwavering support, then you’ll bolster that belief and achieve what you seek.

- Did you share your resolutions with others? Remember when friends and trusted advisors know what you’re setting out to achieve, they can help hold you accountable.

- Do you have “made it up at the last minute” goals? Effective goals setting is deliberate,  intentional and requires a great deal of  thought .  The longer you spend planning and preparing for your resolution goals, the better the results will be.

2.  Have realistic expectations. Continued motivation is the key to achieving your goals. If you set the bar too high, you may be self sabotaging your success without even realizing it.

- How much is too much? It’s important to stretch beyond your reach while also aiming realistically at the same time. There’s a delicate balance between challenging yourself and setting yourself up for disappointment.  Find that sweet spot between the two so that you keep motivation levels high and maintain forward moving progress.

- Are you revisiting the past?  If you plan on setting similar resolutions as last year, consider first and foremost what went wrong previously.   Although “failures” don’t yield the results we seek,  they teach us valuable life and business lessons.  However,  it’s important to clearly understand what didn’t work first in order to avoid a repeat performance.

3. Put it on paper. When you put your resolutions in writing, you make them real. Be sure to post your commitment where you can be reminded so you won’t forget what you’re setting out to achieve this year.

- What’s your plan? Articulating what you intend to achieve this year is a big part of setting resolutions, but planning how to achieve them is of the utmost importance.  Get your thoughts out of your head and write down a plan for each resolution that you want to achieve rather than simply hoping for the best.

- Are your goals flexible? Not everything is going to work out perfectly, so be flexible.  Don’t allow rigid resolutions to throw you off track if something doesn’t go quite how you planned it.  To minimize the impact, try to anticipate what challenges or roadblocks you may face, and create a contingency plan for those situations just in case.

If your resolution goals are on the blink, take time now to  revisit and refine. But most importantly renew your commitment to them.

You may be just a tweak away from achieving what you want most, but in desperate need of a fresh objective perspective,  or new angle or approach to your business.

Perhaps it’s the unanswered questions that have persisted for too long and have gotten in the way of realizing your goals, executing your plans, or making critical decisions.

Join me for webinar Advice You Can Count On Right In Your Back Pocket,  to learn about a new service offering that can help you move past stuck places, gain clarity, and get questions answered so that can move your business forward.

Running your own business presents many challenges but also provides many perks over a regular 9-to-5 job.

It’s an opportunity to reinvent yourself and create a life of greater self-fulfillment and purpose beyond the confines and limitations of your full time job.  The potential of doing more of your life’s work, on your own terms,  is truly what this “launch while you work”  journey is all about.

However, with great reward comes along great responsibility. One of your responsibilities as an independent professional is marketing yourself effectively to launch and grow your business overtime.

As a first time solopreneur, marketing is probably the area of business development where you struggle more often than not.  It’s truly one of the things you resist doing the most and feel the least comfortable.  It’s undoubtedly the last thing that was covered in your  training or licensure/certification program —  if at all.  So it’s perfectly understandable that you may be feeling  inadequate.

The good news is, you can overcome this place of angst or insecurity about promoting yourself and your business, if you choose to.

Here are some personal success tips to begin marketing yourself like an expert:

1. Go for it. If all you do is dream up marketing schemes, you’ll miss the opportunities to implement them. Instead, create one solid marketing plan and stick to it. Tweak your tactics according to your results.

* A marketing plan generally includes several marketing techniques, so choose several of your best ideas and start implementing them today. The faster you get out there and start “peddling” your business, the sooner you’ll begin to increase your revenue.

2. Exude confidence. When you’re confident, people tend to trust your professionalism more than someone who seems timid and unsure of himself.

* Present yourself with poise, and ease. Always maintain confidence in the offerings of your business and your ability to succeed as an independent professional.  This is the trait that has allowed you to be successful in your career job, the same is required as a solopreneur.

3. Test different techniques. Spread your marketing efforts across a number of different strategies. If one or two tactics are less successful, the success of other marketing efforts will keep your business afloat while you determine what gives you the best results.

* To mitigate risk of a failed marketing plan, diversify.  Choose both short and long term marketing strategies for optimal results.

4. Network like a pro. Jump at the opportunity to attend networking events related to your industry. It’s one of the best ways to find clients and make industry contacts that may hire you at a later date or recommend you to their colleagues.

*Free isn’t always key.  Be willing to spend money on conventions or events that provide opportunities to connect with a roomful of your target clientele.  Just one new customer or potential high level jv partner alone can enable you to earn back your investment and then some.

5. Be consistent. Marketing your business is an ongoing task that should be addressed regularly throughout the year. The more you market your business, the more you increase your exposure, make a name for yourself , and meet your financial goals.

* Marketing is to your business what food is to the human body; without it, it’s impossible to survive.

Use these personal success strategies to get out there in 2011 in a BIGGER way and increase your income level to new heights.

Are you ready to make 2011 your best?

Remember this bottom line: if you’re not marketing, you aren’t finding  clients.  If you want to know the formula for how to attract more clients than you ever thought possible in the new year,  join me for the last telelclass of 2010, Countdown to Prosperity 2011!.

Hope to see you on the call.

I wanted to share this affirmation with you today…Today, let’s speak what you desire most into existence.

I have goals and dreams that matter to me. I see these as important, and I work toward them each day.

Goals and dreams are important and attainable. Nothing is too difficult for me, because I believe in myself. My dreams are coming true, and my goals are being reached. I know I have what it takes to see continued success.

Each day I move closer to the dreams that are in my heart. I visualize what I want in my life, and then I go get it. Because I have goals and dreams, I have plans for the present and the future. I have hope because I have dreams. I meet my goals and encourage others to do the same.

I enjoy making plans, setting goals, and following my dreams. I move forward with my life quickly and confidently.

I am brave, strong, and powerful. Each day I work on improving myself and improving the lives of others. People emulate my work ethic and planning abilities. I am proud of what I can accomplish.

I know I am able to see my dreams come to pass. I am able to reach every goal I set for myself. I focus only on goals that are really important to me. I avoid worrying about what others are doing or what they think of me. What I think and do is all that matters when it comes to reaching my goals and seeing my dreams come true.

Today, I take action to accomplish my goals and bring my dream of business ownership to reality.

Now ask yourself:

1.      What can I do to move closer to my most important business & personal goals in 2011?

2 .     What action do I need to take right now to achieve my goals?

Perhaps you are confused and feeling lost and unsure about what  next steps to take.

Join us for teleclass, Countdown to Prosperity 2011 and learn how to turn a so-so year into a more successful, prosperous one.

Although one of the first steps to becoming an entrepreneur is locating a profitable business idea, the true foundation of entrepreneurial success rests within your mindset.

A good idea can take you only so far. However, true determination to stop at nothing to achieve your goals can carry you through to the finish line. You have hundreds – if not thousands – of competitors in your field. Many of them sell similiar products or services as you. Yet, one business may be raking in huge monthly revenue, while the other can barely get off the ground.

So, what separates these two businesses?  Again, it’s the difference in mindset of the entrepreneurs behind the ventures.

Let’s examine the distinctions between the success of those who thrive even in a sluggish economy and others who fold:

Successful Womanpreneur Mindset

- Always reaches higher and focuses on the up-sell. She knows how to turn $25 into $100.

- Has an elevator speech prepared and will recite it to anyone who’s willing to listen.

-Values the power of marketing and employs proven marketing tactics.

- Markets her business whether business is booming or in a lull.

- Believes in her ability to achieve the best and constantly pushes herself beyond her comfort zone for the greater good of her business.

- Believes that customer service is just as important as promotion and providing quality products.

- Problem solves.

- She knows how to run a tight ship in order to keep revenue up and overhead down.

- Values and trusts her intuition over the advice of another.

- She truly understands what’s best for her business.

- She’s always quickly moving on to the next task that must be done to improve her business.

- Thrives under pressure. She’s always attentive and alert.

- Implements sound ideas into her existing business plan in order to increase revenue, customer service, and promotion.

Unsuccessful Womanpreneur Mindset

- Just “good enough” is her mantra.

- She believes that a dollar in revenue is better than no revenue at all.

- She is afraid to toot her own horn and often downplays the complexity of her business.

- Employs marketing tactics only when business is slow. She’s all about cutting corners, and when business is booming, marketing expenses seem unnecessary.

- Allows her personal low self-esteem to translate into her business leadership. Because of this, her marketing, networking, public perception, and revenue take a hit.

- Customer service is an afterthought. She takes personal offense to most customer complaints.

- Is a problem solver only when it comes to menial issues, but she cracks under pressure when the hard times come knocking.

- Ignores her intuition and runs to all the wrong people for advice before taking action.

- May thrive under pressure, but it’s her fear that keeps her going rather than her optimism.

- Lets her ideas lie dormant until her business is bringing in more money.

Which of these characteristics describe you? What else would you add to this list?

Ladies, as you can see, a heightened mindset is foundational for attaining higher profits and long term sustainable success.

The time is now!   Change your mind.  Change your thoughts.  Change your behavior.  Take action.  Prosper!

Join us for the Countdown to Prosperity 2011 Teleclass to find out what action steps you need to take to break the mold and make 2011 your best.

I came across a very cool website that provides free start up business resources  but most importantly private funding,  for rising women entrepreneurs like yourselves. 

Women entrepreneurs are truly the ones to watch…why?

We are fully capable of operating successful businesses, even though obstacles and heavy life demands may get in our way.  Despite these challenges, women business owners contribute so much to the global economy that if we were a country, we would be ranked 5th for GPD in the world!!

According to a report by the National Womens Business Council, women contribute $3 trillion to the global economy.  So you see, our businesses are necessary and essential to the economy at large…and will continue to be, but we must thrive!

Below is a sample of how women are getting the private funding they need to make a difference in the world today, and impact change in the lives of others.

The first Women’s Business Grant was awarded to Tanisha Cunningham of The Underground Railroad To Success, a non-profit helping foster children.

The second annual Investing In Women Business Grant, was recently awarded to recipient Gazelle Simmons, founder of Admin Services, a virtual assistance company in Georgia, dedicated to encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs in the USA.

The third grant will be open for applications in January 2011.   Next year also marks the first annual Eco-Biz Grant for environmentally friendly businesses and the Edu-Grant for students studying business in college.

Remember entrepreneurial and money mindset is critical and necessary for long term business success.

These are examples of solo professional women who did not allow lack of financial resources to get in their way of getting in and staying in the game… and the same ought to be the case for you. 

For more information about this grant opportunity go to www.iiwomen.webs.com

Investing In Women is a free business resource site, grant program and networking community for entrepreneurs.

Be prosperous in 2011!!