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Archive for June, 2011

Attract Ideal Clients: The REAL Reason They’re Not Buying

Do you ever feel like you know you’re special, and have something unique to offer, yet no one else seems to notice it?

Well, maybe if you marketed your business more, maybe that’ll do the trick, and people will finally notice and buy from you.

The truth is, the REAL reason no one is buying probably isn’t because you’re not marketing enough. 

Sure, maybe you have to ramp up and do more marketing activities… do marketing more consistently… and stop “hiding out” by continually tweaking your website or marketing materials.  Marketing more may help.

But, imagine if you diligently marketed more, would you be guaranteed you’d be succesful “getting the word out” about your business, getting noticed by your ideal clients, and getting more business?

More marketing MAY NOT equal more customers.

The reason is, because even though you are “marketing enough,” you are not getting noticed by your ideal clients.  Let’s face it.  There’s a lot of noise and distractions in the marketplace.

What’s the solution?  You must create a well-positioned brand that STANDS OUT and glitters, sparkles, and attracts your ideal clients’ attention.  You know the expression “All that glitters is gold”?  You have to sparkle to get noticed!

“Spotlight” Self-Assessment

Your brand is your audience’s perception of you.  And, it is up to you to shape that perception (or someone else will).

Here is a quick self-assessment you can do to see if you are ready to step into the spotlight and get noticed (more marketing WILL help you attract more clients) —

or, if you have some more work to do to before you’ll be able to attract your ideal client (more marketing WILL NOT help you attract more clients).

Answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions:

♦ Do you *glitter and sparkle* in public? (people seek you out)

I suggest you be a “better version of you” when in public.  Kick up your personality a notch.  This doesn’t mean become louder, because we filter out noise.  Be engaging, host-like when you are networking and meeting people.

 Do people say they’ve heard of you?

By meeting people, being engaging, and getting involved, you’ll begin to stand out.  Public speaking is a great way to get known and build credibility and celebrity.

 Do followers act on your information and advice?

I suggest when speaking, take notice if people are writing what you say down.  Solicit feedback about whether what you’re advising people on is working for them. 

 Do you have a distinct persona? (look, language, philosophy)

Do you dress and speak how you’re “supposed to?”  Or, do you have your own unique style and view on subject matter.  Be confident to shine and be yourself, and not melt into the background.

 Do you have a clear niche carved out?

I suggest your niche be specific, viable, and yours to own.  I know this topic seems so over-cooked you can put a fork into it… and this is the very reason why it continues to be a stumbling block to success, because not enough attention is given to niche-ing, and becoming specialized in who you serve.

 Do you have your own position? (you own a category in the market)

Which drawer do you fit in?  Carve out a specific position that you can own in your market.  Is everyone else a “6-Figure” coach?  Then find a new position!  (I am revealing my new position shortly.)

 Do you know what you’re selling? (results, outcomes, feelings, values)

Know for sure what people are buying from you.  And, it’s not writing services, marketing help, or a website.  It’s something MUCH more important to your ideal client!

 Do you know what you stand for? (your unique philosophy, a manifesto)

If I’m not speaking my mind, and having a few people unsubscribe from my list when I get on my soapbox, I know I’m being too “plain vanilla.”  Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and take a stand for what you believe in… and what is possible for your clients and followers.

 Do you do business with, hang out with, and learn from influential people?

You are who you spend time with.  Learn from successful people, model them.  You are silly if you don’t.  (Okay, I’m speaking my mind here.)

 Do you have a great 30-second infomercial?

Don’t be “Ms. Bore Me Some More” or “Mr. Yackety Yanderson”.  Tell a story about you, and how you help so it is memorable to your audience.   

 Do you know if you’re an exotic truffle or an everyday Hershey’s bar?

What brand personality and perception do you want to put forth?  Are you beer or fine wine?  Speak, dress, and ALWAYS be the part when in public, even when shopping on Saturdays when you might run into someone who knows you.  “Live your brand!”

 Do you get fan mail? (do people let you know how much they love your work?)

The more “Yeses” you have, congratulations!  You’re probably easily attracting people who want to work with you.  People seek YOU out, rather than you having to chase after them to become a client.

Have more “Nos”?  Then, you have some work to do to create a glittering, attractive brand persona that attracts your ideal client.

Once you “glitterize” your brand, you’ll find that marketing becomes easier, you’ll market less, and you’ll get more business because you stand out in the spotlight!

I am REALLY excited about a *BRAND NEW* program I am creating that will help your brand stand out in the SPOTLIGHT and get noticed, so clients come to you — and you can stop chasing after clients once and for all! (YEAH!) 

Cracks in the 6-Figure Veneer: Must-Haves to Grow Your High-Income Business

It would be a rare bird-of-a-solo entrepreneur, indeed, who’d say they’re not interested in growing their income, and the profits in their business. 

So many solo entrepreneurs dream of building a thriving business.  However, ask them how they’re going to do it, and they hesitate because they really don’t know what it takes to build a 6-Figure+ business.  The reason is because they don’t have this specific experience or knowledge.

And… this is where the cracks in the “6-Figure Business Dream” appear.

That’s why in this week’s article, I decided to share with you a list of required components you need to create a successful business.  In no way is this list exhaustive.  It will get you started evaluating cracks in your business’ veneer, and identify areas you need to give attention to fix, and get help with.

Building Blocks of a 6-Figure+ Business

I created a mind map last Saturday (I’m kind of a geek, I LOVE charts and tools), where I brainstormed the building blocks needed to create a successful business, specifically a high-income 6-figure+ business.

In this mind map, I came up with over 150 different specific skills, knowledge, and activities a solo entrepreneur needs to “know and do.”  It’s no wonder solo entrepreneurs become overwhelmed!  This breaks my heart wide open, because only about 15% of solo entrepreneurs get the help they need from experienced mentors and coaches, whom they can model to achieve success.

I can’t share with you my entire mind map, because it’s part of a new signature system I am creating, my Millionaire Entrepreneur’s Business and Marketing Mastery Path.  But, I will share with you the broad categories.  Review them, and see where your business may have “cracks in its veneer:”

  • Lucrative and authentic-to-you market niche (focus marketing efforts, market less, sell more)
  • Client-attractive signature system (step-by-step system to solve problem)
  • Authentic personal brand (archetype, story, design, external and internal, essence)
  • Profitable business model (activities you do to make money)
  • Multiple packages and programs that solve an urgent problem (offerings at various price points)
  • Leveraged strategies (multiple ways to deliver content; 1-to-many marketing)
  • Profitable high-end offers (less work, make more money, create more impact)
  • Value-driven pricing strategy (profitable, charge the value of what you’re worth)
  • Mastery in—a) how to make money, and— b) keep more of the money you make
  • Purposeful cash flow planning and marketing of programs (to meet income goals)
  • Successfully overcoming fears, doubts, limiting beliefs
  • Authentic sales enrollment conversations (client makes a decision to work with you)
  • Juicy vision, bold goals, objectives, action plans (dream it, implement it)
  • Passion (the juice that gets you up in the morning)
  • Regular high-value content e-newsletter (follow- up and sales tool)
  • Profitable teleseminars that—a) sell, and— b) teach fabulous content
  • Skilled to speak, network, build joint venture partnerships to generate leads
  • Smooth selling from the stage (lead generation and sales skills)
  • Relationship-building workshops and master mind retreats (leading is a valuable skill)
  • Online marketing strategies and tactics (lead generating website, back-end business tools)
  • Offline marketing strategies and tactics
  • Emotional copywriting (for website, sales letters, articles, etc.)
  • Courageous coaching skills (challenge clients to achieve more)
  • Ethical persuasion through credibility
  • Spotlight yourself by building celebrity (get known)
  • Communications strategy (Big Idea, 30-Second, problem you solve for who)
  • Valuable content (organize what you know into a saleable format)
  • Time management (focus on revenue-generating and activities you enjoy and are good at)
  • Profitable marketing launch sequence (online and offline)

If you look at this list, you will quickly realize that all these elements represent multiples of systems you must create to build your business.  Working with a successful mentor means they’ve already created the systems YOU need.  That’s why working with someone who already has this figured out is sooooo valuable.

My coach’s request of you this week is to review the list of business-building components, and choose one you will focus on improving.  Make a 30-day goal and action plan.  This plan will detail out how you will improve this area of your business.

You can get help by researching online, buying a book or other content, attending a workshop, taking a class, or seeking 1-on-1 help with a mentor.  Persistent and daily forward movement will ensure you achieve your goals, and dreams.

I am growing my business, and have opened up 5 spots to mentor with me.  I specialize in the artistry of 6-Figure business and marketing development systems, and mentor women entrepreneurs who struggle to get new clients and grow their income, how to transform the dream of their business into a financially rich 6-figure+ business, so they increase their income, and create financial security in their lives.  To qualify for a FREE 30-minute coaching session or to apply to one of my programs, please contact me at http://bonitarichter.com/contact/.

Success Story – Kathleen Nelson

Kathleen Nelson
kathleennelsonfineart.com
Program: Breakthrough Secrets: How to Become Irresistible to Clients teleseminar training series

What did you get out of the program that will help you grow your business? How to be more organized in my approach to getting new clients, and how to proactivley invite clients into my world, rather than waiting for them to show up. The scripts, Done-for-You templates, and worksheets Bonita provided were so helpful, and saved a lot of time implementing what I learned.

What did this program clarify for you? I needed more guidance how to make my offerings concise and to-the-point for the client, so they knew exactly how my services were unique, and how I could help them, so they would invest in my services more readily.

What were you excited about learning in this teleseminar series? We learned new ideas to reach our prospective clients, and how to create programs that we could charge for higher fees, because of the added value. It also made me feel more energized to extend myself “outside of the box”. We learned how to be creative in designing and presenting our offers to clients, and how to be genuine, and not “salesy.” It increased my confidence that I can get new clients, and be successful.

What success have you achieved? I was invited to be a vendor to showcase my renderings of homes/businesses for a home builder who was having an open house. I welcomed the invitation to showcase my product to many potential clients and homeowners, and get some new prospects to follow-up with. Now, I have the confidence to know how to present my work in the best way and get new clients more easily. I know what I learned will help me get new clients!

Your Uniqueness: Do You Radiate Mojo (or Nojo)?

I just learned the definition of “mojo” last Sunday when looking online for local spa products, inspired by comfort foods (like cupcakes and martinis) from Mojo Spa, in Chicago.

Mojo is one of those words that I ignored because it sounded ‘slangy’ to me, kind of like a cross between chocolate and coffee, maybe a word having an identity crisis with java.

Well, I finally looked up the definition and was pleasantly surprised, because the sound of the word is nothing like what the word means.

Your Positive Personal Spirit

Mojo is a noun and means “a magic charm or spell” (I like this!), and more commonly, nowadays refers to a “talent based on personal appeal.”  Your mojo is the positive personal spirit that is on the inside that radiates to the outside for others to see, and feel.

So, why am I writing about mojo?  Because having your mojo working for you IS part of the magic of you that can be oh-so-powerful an attractant to other people to want to work with you.

As Austin Powers said, “You got to have mojo baby, yeah!”

Mojo is that special something that melts away personal objections people have to potentially working with you.  It radiates a powerful positive energy that makes people want to be with you.

Mojo energetically pulls others to gravitate toward you, rather than slinking away at a mere sighting of you.  So, to get new clients, you definitely want to have your mojo working for you!

Can everyone have mojo?  Absolutely.  The ingredients of mojo are a magical combination of positive attitude, energy, enthusiasm, and that ‘special something’— a brilliance that sets you apart from every other human being on the planet.

What is Nojo?

The opposite of mojo is “nojo,” as coined by author, Marshall Goldsmith, and means an “air of negativity about a person.”   You know the type of person that has nojo working for them, because you’ve met them one place or another.  They exude the opposite of positive radiance.

Do you have mojo?  Use the table below to do your own self-assessment, and determine if you have your mojo—or nojo working for you.

 

You’ve Got Mojo, Baby!

Love what you’re doing
Get comments about sunny outlook, + attitude
People are happier after meeting you
Make the best of situations
Inspirational
Zest for life
Determined
Accountable for results
Take responsibility
Go the extra mile

NoJo’s (Not) Workin’ for Ya’

Feel you “have to do it”
People think you’re a “hard luck” person, – attitude
People feel down, depressed after meeting you
Endure situations
Painful to be around
Zombie-like
Lazy
Make excuses
Victim
Running in place

Getting your mojo on feels good to you, AND makes others feel good in your presence, too.  Having mojo means you’re in alignment with your brilliance, who you are meant to be.  And, this, my friends, is a powerful attractant to creating desire in those who want to work with you, which will help you get more clients, increase your income, and achieve success.

Do you want to build momentum quickly in your business, but can’t seem to quite do it on your own?  I am creating a new program where I will give you daily support to create oodles of cash flow in 30 days or less… so you reach your new client, income, and list-building goals.  How awesome is that!  Many of you have been telling me this is the type of support you need to move your business forward, and create momentum that is critical to create success.  Look for details very soon!

The Key to Rapid Business Success

One thing I’ve noticed working with my clients is most of them know “what” things they can do to grow their business, like offering teleseminars, group programs, 1-on-1 services, information products, master minds, memberships programs, etc.

The problem is many women quickly become overwhelmed with all these options, and try to do too much too soon, before they are ready.  Then, confusion and frustration kicks in, and they remain stuck because they don’t know what to do next.  “Analysis paralysis” sets in their minds.

The way to solve this common problem is to gain CLARITY and FOCUS about what you need to work on FIRST to grow your business.  This removes the complexity from growing your business.  Then you can breathe easier, and have more fun serving your clients AND making more money.

Here are three business-building tips to help you know where to focus FIRST to grow your business:

Tip #1: Define or Switch Your Niche

If you’re new in business, define your niche.

If you’ve been in business awhile, switch and upgrade your niche, and find new niche opportunities.

The most common problem with new entrepreneurs is they don’t have a defined niche, and try to get their message across to anyone who will listen.  Problem is, their message resonates with no one.

When you are beginning out, there is a lot of value in talking about your business to people who are already in your world, in your list, in your Rolodex.

A strategy to get business quickly is to create an offer specifically for these people, even if they aren’t your desired niche.

And, fairly quickly, new entrepreneurs will want to define their choice client, because this is the path to selling more programs, services, and greater income.  A decisive choice about a niche has to be made sooner in business, rather than later.

If you’ve been in business awhile, say 2 or more years, and you haven’t changed your niche, now is definitely the time to revisit the “niche topic,” and consider switching and upgrading to a new one, or identify new niche opportunities you may not have thought about.

How you do this is focus on “hot” niches in your industry, and begin to brainstorm different specialty niches you can serve.  For example, I serve women entrepreneurs, which is a broad, large category (it’s NOT a niche because it’s too big).  Small business is a “hot” niche.  I can break the client group of “women entrepreneurs” into smaller groups or niches, such as—

women coaches ===> women business coaches ===> start-up women business coaches ===> start-up women business coaches in Chicago.

Then, I market specifically to this group to get and grow my business.  The group of “start-up women business coaches in Chicago” is a much more defined niche than “women entrepreneurs.”

Tip #2: Get Client Success Stories

A big mistake a lot of women entrepreneurs make is they hold back from getting client testimonials and success stories because they fear “taking undue credit” for their clients’ success.

Here’s a personal confession; I am guilty of feeling this way, and letting oodles of testimonials slip through my fingers.

Testimonials are an absolute requirement for getting business, because it is proof that what you do works!

To get quality testimonials, collect them throughout the entire time you’re working with someone.

For example, I had a private personal retreat with a client yesterday, and during the day as we completed modules of the program, I asked her for how what we covered— helped her, what impact it will have for her in her business—and recorded what she said.  Next, what I’ll do is draft a testimonial and send it to her for her approval to publish on my website, in my e-newsletter, program sales pages, etc.

Another tip, write your testimonials for your clients.  If you don’t you will probably wait a very long time to receive one from them…or may never get one.

Tip #3:  Get Expert Help

The only shortcut to shortening the learning curve to business success is to get the best mentoring and advice you can.

Why? Because modeling someone who is successful , and has accomplished what you want to achieve just gets you from Point A to Point B, C, D, etc. much faster….which means your income rises faster, too.

Working with a mentor gives you clarity and focus you lack, because you’re “too close” to the issues at hand growing your business.  It’s not rocket science that other people see things you don’t, and they can give ideas and build awareness about issues, so you can tackle the gremlins holding you back.  They will be there to support you through this journey of self-discovery and growth.

By getting help, you’ll be surprised at how quickly this helps you move closer and closer to your goals and dreams.

Continually seek help, whether it is 1-on-1 coaching with a mentor, participating in a group program or master mind, or listening in on a teleseminar series.  When you do, I can guarantee you will achieve rapid business success!

I am sooooo excited about a program I am offering late June that will help you get NEW CLIENTS and identify NEW INCOME opportunites for your business you may have overlooked… so you will increase the money you have flowing into your business and life.  Stay tuned!  As always, I’ll have a special offer for early adopters. :)