The idea of “self-promotion” or “selling” leaves some women feeling like they are bragging, being pushy or not considerate of others. It can create anxiety and fear which in turn keeps you stuck and unable to reach your business goals. Women are nurturers by nature and the thought of putting their needs in front of someone else’s may feel unnatural.

I understand the feeling (I’ve experienced it too), however if you are determined to achieve your business goals, it’s essential you communicate your message about what you have to offer and how you help people. Do so often and to as many people as possible (otherwise, you will remain the best kept secret in town which in this case, won’t serve you). People are super busy and can’t read your mind so it’s up to you to take on the responsibility of creating interest in how you support people with your product or service.

When I have an opportunity to share how I support women entrepreneurs, I use the R&R approach (Relationship + Results). It feels both authentic and comfortable for me and I think it will for you, too.

1. Cultivate a Relationship – Whether I meet someone at a networking event, through social media or through a mutual friend, my first desire is to build a relationship and discover how I can be of service. I’m truly interested in people and enjoy learning about others. My goal is to find a common ground with people and if I can offer some advice or perspective on their current situation, I’ll share it with them right away. This is a good time to showcase your expertise and also show the other person you are genuinely listening to them.

2. Share Results – When it’s your turn to share more about who you are and what you do (if you’ve truly shown an interest in the other person, this happens organically) share the results you’ve had with your clients through telling stories. Storytelling is engaging. People will lean in and listen intently to what you have to say. Rather than talking about the name of your company and the services you offer, concentrate on someone you’ve worked with that had award-winning results. Talk about where this person was when they first began to work with you and the benefits or transformation they received after working with you.

This approach takes away the “heavy” feeling of self-promotion that women sometimes experience. It has a feminine feel to it. Women create relationships better than anyone I know and sharing the results others have had when they work with you eliminates anxiety.

I invite you to get out of the office today and try the R&R approach. It’s simple, easy and feels authentic to women entrepreneurs.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2012 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching .

Over the last few months, I’ve completely revamped my online presence and I’m in the process of updating my personal brand as well. When you have a big vision for your business, it’s essential that you stay “current” in every area. If you’re in a product business, you’ll need to keep a fresh, new look for your product packaging. If you’re in a service based business, you’ll want a “new and improved” version of who you are becoming as a leader in your industry.

OLD WEBSITE

NEW WEBSITE

You may be reading this and thinking, “This sounds like a lot of work; my personal and professional brand seems to be working for me.” I, too, was slow about creating my own “new and improved” upgrade for far too long because I didn’t want to spend the time making the necessary changes. In the last few months, amazing opportunities have presented themselves to me and I know this is no accident. It’s because I stepped up my professional and personal brand image to reflect who I am becoming as a leader in my industry.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips and solutions on how to give your business a “new and improved” look and feel:

Online/Offline Brand

1. Website/Blog – Take some time to review your website and ask yourself if it truly reflects your business and more importantly, where you are going in the future. This is one of the first places people look to “check you out” and make buying decisions.
2. Social Media – Make sure your profile or Like page reflects the message you desire to send to your potential clients and referral sources. Tip: Add a current photo to all your social media pages. There’s nothing worse than going to connect with someone and finding a photo of their dog or worse, no photo at all.
3. Printed Materials – Carry your desired “new and improved” look all the way through to your business cards, brochures and any other printed material.

Personal Brand

1. Manage The “Mane” – Is it time for a new hairstyle? For years, the length of my hair was much longer until one day I realized this style no longer served me or my business. I’ve opted for a shorter more current look.
2. Say “Cheese!” – Is it time for a new photo? It’s essential that you update your professional photo at least every two years. It’s not as expensive as you might think to hire a professional for a few hours and it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re ready to uplevel yourself and your business.
3. Hit The Mall – Is your closet full of clothes that no longer reflect who you are? You don’t have to break the bank buying a whole new closet full of clothes. Invite a “nutritious” friend who has great sense of style to join you for a day of shopping. If your budget permits, you might want to hire an image consultant for a few hours to give you some tips on what colors and styles highlight your beauty and genius.

If you’re ready to step out in your business in a bigger way, these tips and solutions will cause people around you to sit up and take notice that you are serious about success in business. Taking these steps will unleash more referrals, more clients and more income – 3 necessary ingredients for complete success.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

1. You save more time because you know exactly who you’re looking for.
2. You save more money because you spend your marketing budget wisely.
3. When you provide a great service, you’ll get highly qualified referrals from your satisfied clients to people they know who have the same problem.

Here’s a quick case study to illustrate how effective this is:

In our community, little league baseball is quite popular. From February through June, parents spend 6-10 hours a week taking their kids to and from practice as well as attending games. It’s a huge commitment and one many parents take seriously.

Enter Yoga Johnny.

Yoga Johnny is a pitching coach. He works with children who have a desire to be a pitcher in little league baseball. Yoga Johnny is a very smart guy. Baseball is played in every area of Los Angeles however, Johnny understands that our community is one where parents will do (and pay) just about anything to help their kids stand on the mound and pitch.

Johnny knows exactly who his ideal client is. It’s not children who want to be pitchers. It’s parents whose children want to be pitchers and are willing to pay for this level of coaching. He simply hangs out at the park where all the games and practices are located. When I think about Johnny’s marketing model, it’s really quite brilliant:

1. He’s saving time because he knows exactly where his ideal client hangs out.
2. He’s saving money because he only markets to his ideal client. He doesn’t need to spend time running all over Los Angeles looking for his ideal client. They are all nestled together right here in one community.
3. He continues to get a steady stream of new clients because everyone talks about the results their child gets when they work with Yoga Johnny.

Johnny also uses another effective marketing tool: Package pricing. You cannot hire Johnny one time. He requires that you commit your child to months of his training in order to see the desired results. He has a proven system that he uses and he doesn’t deviate from it. He knows what works for him and the clients he serves.

I invite you to take a few minutes and answer these 3 questions:

1. Have I identified who my ideal client is? Can I describe her/him to someone? What problem do I solve for this person?

3. Am I asking for rave reviews from my satisfied clients? Am I asking if they know others who might benefit from working with me?

Smart Women Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from a guy like Yoga Johnny.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

– My email in-box is empty and my phone’s not ringing. How and where can I find new clients?

– I’d like to fill my calendar with clients quickly and have a consistent income stream month after month.

– I love what I do but I’m scared I won’t be able to keep my business going. I need to pay my bills.

– I don’t have a lot of money for marketing. I need to know what works and gets results quickly on a shoe-string budget.

Then you’ll be delighted to know that my new 4-week, jammed-packed with information telecourse will solve these challenges and many, many more. I’m going to share everything I’ve used over the last 3 years to create consistent income, while doing work I love, with clients I love working with!

But you have to Hurry! The Early Bird Special Ends Monday, May 23 and there are Bonuses galore! Go here to learn more and grab your spot!

www.BusinessBasicsBlueprint.com

Marketing really is just like the game of baseball. And once you figure out the rules of the game, you will move around the “diamond” very quickly, scoring successful runs. First, you have to decide what you are marketing (product or service) and second, who your ideal client is. In other words, who benefits from using your product or service. When you have determined who your ideal client is, you can then create a “message” that will appeal to those people. Makes sense, right? Many times, when we start a business what’s the first thing we do? We create a logo, business cards, and possibly a web site. While all these action steps are important to a business start-up, if we don’t accurately communicate the r right “message”, then we have wasted valuable time and dollars with little or no success. Our ideal client must be able to understand how we can help solve their problems with our product or service. It’s essential that you develop your “message” first. Let them know how your product or service can solve the problem they are having.

Once you have your message developed, you can step-up to home plate. Every person that fits the description of your ideal client gives you a “chance at bat.” When you have your message developed correctly, you will connect with the right person.

First Base: When your ideal client becomes interested in what you have to offer, you move to First Base. First Base does not mean that they are ready to buy what you have to offer. They are thinking, “I’m interested in what you have to say.” This might be accomplished through them subscribing to your newsletter, calling for more information after you sent them something in the mail, following you on social media or seeing you speak at a local event and approaching you to ask a few questions.

Second Base: Getting to Second Base is when you realize that your ideal client would like to learn more about what you have to offer. This could be a phone call, a complimentary session with you to see if it feels right for them, or a complimentary teleseminar. You will need to communicate valuable information on who you are, what you have to offer and how it can benefit them.

Third Base: Your ideal client has learned more about you, your product and your service and says, “Yes, I believe that you have what I need and I would like to work with you.”

Score! Your only goal is to get back to home plate and score a run (a new client). This process is where you agree on how you will work together, when you will work together and for what time period.

Every boy or girl that steps up to home plate wants to hit a home run, right? We are no different. When I meet my ideal client (women who are ready to move their business forward to the next level of success), I get excited because I know what I have to offer will really benefit them. However, this is a process, like the game of baseball. Initially, it’s moving around the diamond, one base at a time, creating belief and trust with the ideal client. And by the way, there will be plenty of home runs. The more you follow this process, get your message out there in the field, create belief and trust with your community, you will meet people who will say, “I’ve heard about you and I want to talk with you about your service!” or “I need what you have to offer!” There seems to be only one thing left to say: “Play Ball!”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

When you make the leap into becoming a woman entrepreneur, one of your first thoughts may be, “I need to make money!” You’ve probably invested your own money in your Big Idea and now it’s time to get a return on that investment. There are 4 basic marketing solutions that you can use to help you grow your business. When you use all 4 effectively, the sky is the limit in your business. You create the visibility you need for an effective “buzz’ about you and the service or product you offer.

The 4 basic marketing solutions are:

1. Offline
2. Online
3. Joint Ventures or Collaboration
4. Public Relations and Media

When I first opened the doors to Smart Women Smart Solutions® 6 years ago, I used offline marketing as my primary source of marketing. The business grew but it was painfully slow. After the first 12 months, I realized that in order to reach my goals, I needed an online presence to take the business to the next level. Shortly after that, I began to seek out people who I could collaborate with. (By the way, you don’t need to do them step-by-step like I did.)

The goals you have for your business will determine how much and how often you use these 4 basic marketing solutions. For example: If you have a part-time business that you enjoy and are happy with making a part time income, having an offline and online presence along with a few collaborations could work well for you. If you are a woman with dreams to build an entrepreneurial empire, you’ll need a solid and systemized plan for all 4 of the basic marketing solutions. Just like nutrition, you’ll need to decide what your portion size is!

Here are some examples of the 4 basic marketing solutions:

1.Offline: networking events, public speaking, creating a letter campaign
2. Online: Effective website, electronic newsletter, blogging, social media, article writing for online sites such as www.EzineArticles.com.
3. Joint Venture or Collaboration: The most successful collaborations are when you and your collaborative partner appeal to the same target market. It creates a win-win for everyone. Some examples of collaboration would be hosting teleseminars together or live events.
4. Public Relations and Media: TV shows, radio shows, magazine articles. These are a great way to create a larger “buzz” about your business and gain visibility fast.

Just like a child who is growing to become a healthy adult, your business will have different stages of growth. These stages will require different marketing solutions.

In my son’s nutrition class, one of the best tips the teacher offered was, slow down when you eat. You will have the most success with your marketing if you slow down and take some time to decide which of the marketing solutions best fit your business goals at this time. This is where having a mentor, coach or trusted source can be beneficial.

Once you decide which solutions work best for you, go for it! The key is focus and consistency using a balanced portion from each selection you make.

Bon Appétit!

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

Register right now at:   

http://www.smartwomensolutions.com/joyasks

 When: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11am Pacific / 2pm Eastern

Where: From the comfort of your home or office!

Cost: Free with Registration
(We’ll be sending you the .mp3 of the call within 24 hours.)

Register right now at:  

 http://www.smartwomensolutions.com/joyasks
 

Join Joy Chudacoff, founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, as she interviews Susan Levin and get ready to learn…

*  Why speaking engagements offer many opportunities

*  Why you need a masterful presentation package that attracts meeting planners to hire you

*  How to create a game plan to create info products

*  Sources for speaking engagements

*  and much, much more
 
Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to learn more about The Speaking Circuit and increasing your profit . Invite a friend and join Joy and Susan on this very important call!

Register right now at:  

 http://www.smartwomensolutions.com/joyasks

Realizing a goal requires that you get into the game of making it happen. It’s essential that you make a statement to the world that you’re ready to take action on this idea, dream or vision that you have. In life, you are either in the game or on the sidelines.
 
Let me give you an example: A few days ago, I was speaking with a friend who shared with me her disappointment that she wasn’t chosen for a particular project. She felt she was “perfect” for the position and an expert in this area. As I explored this situation with her, it became clear to both of us why she wasn’t considered for the project. She was taking a “sideline” position with her business. She had not taken the steps necessary to market and promote her service in this game called entrepreneurship.

People are not mind readers. They have no idea what your abilities are or if you are in business unless you educate them. People make judgments or perceptions based on what they see and hear. If you want to get noticed, you need to get off the sidelines and get into the game of achieving your goals. Whether you’re a coach, speaker, writer, attorney, or stay at home mom, if you have a Big idea, Dream or Goal about which you are passionate, you must communicate it to the world so when opportunities arise, you will be considered.

Are you sitting on the sidelines of your business? Here are a few tips and solutions that will help you get off the sidelines and into the game:

1. Show up ready to play – In any sport, you must show up in your “uniform” if you want to play the game. My kids would not be allowed on the soccer field if they arrived in their baseball uniform. Be thoughtful about what you wear. Ask yourself a question: “If I were to meet my ideal client today, would I be presenting myself in a way that would entice them to work with me?” This does not mean that you need expensive clothing or jewelry. You need to look put together and that can be done on a budget.

2. Pick your position – Everyone has a “position” that they excel at. In the game of soccer, my son enjoys the striker position and my daughter enjoys playing goalie. What’s your area of expertise? What is your gift to the world? You need to communicate how you can help people when they use your product or service. In the example I gave earlier, my friend was “relaxed” in communicating to anyone that she’s an expert in her field. How in the world would anyone ever know?

3. Show them you can do it – When you are in the spotlight, this is your time to shine in your area of expertise. When a player gets control of the ball, this is his or her opportunity to show everyone that they know what to do. As a woman entrepreneur, you will want to showcase your work so people can clearly see you are the “go-to-gal” in your industry. You can:

A. Ask for “rave reviews” from your satisfied clients so you can include them in all of your marketing materials – both online and offline.

B. Write articles about your area of expertise and submit them to industry publications that your ideal client reads.

C. Public Speaking. Get the word out by speaking to groups that have a desire for your area of knowledge. This is a wonderful way to get noticed and create a “buzz” about your business.

Sitting on the sidelines of your business can be “comfortable.” It’s much easier to be a spectator. Promoting your business to the world can feel uncomfortable because of fear and the risk of being judged. However, the only way to build a thriving business with rave reviews is to get into the game of entrepreneurship and create a plan to let everyone know how your area of expertise can benefit them or transform their life or business.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at  http://www.ProfitsWithPassion.com.

One of the “pitfalls” I see in my work with women entrepreneurs is they spend a lot of time marketing online and they let their “offline” strategies fall away.  Let’s face it, having an online business sounds fun and exciting and it sure does feel like it’s a lot less work—right?  There’s no travel involved, it’s cost effective and you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas!  Online marketing should definitely be one of the tools you use to grow your business.  I love online marketing as it’s a wonderful way to reach your ideal client (you are most likely reading this article online right now!), but it’s not enough.  After being an entrepreneur myself for over two decades, I will share with you that having both an online and offline marketing plan is essential to reaching your goals and milestones.
 
Making a conscious choice to attend conferences and events is key to creating the momentum and visibility that your business needs.  As I look back over the years that I’ve been in business, most of the big “wins” for me came out of attending events.  Here are a few smart solutions to use when you attend your next event to grow your business:

1.  Dress with Intention – Think about the impression you want to make with the people you meet at the event.  Many times, I see people show up dressed in a way that does not resonate with the image they are attempting to create.  This does not mean that you need to have expensive clothes or jewelry, but you need to dress professionally in order to attract your ideal client.  Put some thought into how you want to show up and be remembered.

2.  Arrive on time – or even a few minutes early – This is a must if you feel a little uncomfortable going to events where larger groups feel a little overwhelming.  This will allow you to select the seat where you feel most confident and you can greet people as they trickle in.  It’s also a great way to meet the organizers of the event who are typically centers of influence.

3.  Find your “tribe” – As you move around the room, listen to conversations and join in where you find like-minded people.  I never try to meet everyone in the room when I go to large events.  My intention is to meet like-minded entrepreneurs with whom I can form a relationship.  (“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”)

4.  Prepare to share – This is where you need to have your marketing message well-honed.  Make sure you have your ideal client defined.  Share exactly what the benefits or transformation people receive when they work with you.  Be prepared with business cards or other marketing materials.  Don’t forget to ask people for their cards as well so you can follow-up.

5.  Follow-up after the event – This is the main key to success but often the one that’s most overlooked.  When you get back to the office, spend some time following up with the people where there was a real connection.  It’s important to take this action step 24-48 hours after the event.  This one step can create momentum for potential joint ventures, referrals and partnerships in the future.

Getting out of the office and attending events that attract your ideal client is a smart solution.  It allows you to interact in person and give people a feel of who you are and how you can help them.  It has been an effective marketing strategy for my business and it can be for yours as well.  I invite you to get a date on the calendar today to attend your next event and use the solutions above to increase your visibility which translates into more clients and more income.  

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.ProfitsWithPassion.com.

With all of the information we receive each day, it’s critical that you keep your message simple and easy to understand.  Getting laser clear on who benefits from your product or service (i.e. your ideal client) is key to your success.  When your ideal client reads your marketing message, you want them to understand quickly how you can help them.

Here are three tips to help you hone your message to your ideal client and ensure that when they open your email, letter, postcard or video they understand what you have to offer is exactly what they need:

1.  Offer Specific Benefits – You can go to Google or other search engines and obtain almost any “general” information you want online.  The days of offering “general” information and getting paid well for it are over.  In your marketing message, you need to share specific benefits or outcomes that your ideal client will get when they work with you or use your product.  Remember “WIIFM.” (What’s In It For Me?)  Your client has a problem and they want it solved.  Period.  I found myself “lingering” on promotions that were clear how their program or service could help me.

2.  How does it work? – Be very clear about how your program or service works.  Is it by phone?  In-person?  Online?  Let them know when the program begins, how long it will last and what they can expect.  If they can visualize your process, it will make it easier for them to make a decision.

3.  Make it a “no-brainer” – When you have an offer, make it easy for them to buy or sign-up right now on the spot.  Give them clear instructions on how to contact you or your team for more information.  I found myself attracted to certain promotions when I had easy to follow instructions on how to take the next step.

That afternoon, lying on the sofa reading my emails was a helpful exercise.  It gave me time to pause and reflect on my own marketing message and discover how I can serve women entrepreneurs more effectively.  I invite you to schedule some time for this as well.  It will make a huge difference in your marketing message, which in turn means more of your ideal client and greater income.  

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com.