Taming Technology: How to Easily Manage Your Business If there is one thing that confounds most people and holds them back from building a solid business, it’s technology. Trust me, I see this over and over - talented people, with great ideas, but no tech skills, end up lost and overwhelmed in the online business world. You struggle to figure out how your autoresponder connects to your website, and what page to send buyers to after they complete their purchase. You’re confused by the sheer volume of choices available for every aspect of your business. And you can’t even decide if you need a credit card processor, or if PayPal is enough. You’re not alone. Every business owner goes through this. Depending on your type of business this may include many more programs and applications, but speaking to just the coaches out there, you really only need a few pieces, and they’re not that difficult to manage. Your Website This is your home base online. It’s where potential clients will go to learn more about you. It’s where you’ll blog, post videos, maybe host a podcast, and create your sales and landing pages. Sound complicated? It’s not. All you really need is Weebly, and any good VA can help you get that set up and running in just a few hours.
Email Manager The next step is to begin building your mailing list, and for that you’ll need an autoresponder service such as AWeber or MailChimp. Ideally, you’ll want to create a series of follow-up emails that are sent on a pre-determined schedule. These are a part of your product funnel, and are designed to promote your products and services to your new and returning subscriber. You’ll need to create an opt-in offer—perhaps a free report or cheat sheet—then place a form on your website to collect email addresses. Again, this is not something you must learn to do yourself (unless you really want to) as any good VA can quickly create an opt-in form and put it on your site. Shopping Cart or Payment Processor Customers must have a way to pay you, whether for a product or private coaching. The simplest way to set this up is to simply create a PayPal button, then paste the code generated onto your sales page. You’ll receive an email whenever someone buys, and then you can follow up with welcome packets or product delivery. If you’re looking for a more automated system (and I highly recommend it as a massive time saver), then consider purchasing a shopping cart. These can be self hosted or as a monthly service, but they all operate similarly. Your cart will take care of product delivery, add your new client to the appropriate mailing list, and even send follow up emails. You can even choose a cart that tracks affiliate sales, if you’d like to entice others to promote your products and services. Start with your website and branch out form there. It really isn't as daunting as it seems. Need more business insights or tips? Sign up for The Bliss Business Newsletter. Speak soon! Sarah I’ve said it before and I will say it again…”Keep your circle small”.
When you are focused and working towards success, you will realize quickly who your true friends are. This small circle of friends that genuinely wants you to succeed. You will instantly know them because they will be full of positivity, love and support. These are the people you need around. These are the people that will celebrate your successes, great or small and when times get tough, they’ll be there to remind you that you can do anything your heart desires… If you are looking for a positive, proactive group of like minded business owners to share your triumphs with, learn from and celebrate the road to success with, I might have just the group for you. Let's Discuss, Sarah The first step is always the hardest. You may have the biggest, brightest ideas, but if you do not take that first step you will never be successful. Begin by writing out your plan, then break it down into smaller, more "do-able" steps. From there you must commit to doing one step every day to move you closer to your goal. Remember it is possible to change your situation. Just keep moving forward towards your goals. Success is within your grasp!
Do You Know the Best Way to Market Your Book?
(Hint: It's probably NOT what you think!) First, I hear you, “Sarah, what book?” Well you know your going to write one.. What if I told you that you need to work on the marketing end of it NOW before it’s published or even written? How are you going to market something before it’s completed? Well guess what? The #1 most important book marketing strategy you should be using to get tens of thousands of eyeballs on your book is… Any guesses? TV Spot? Facebook Ad? NOPE It’s not a short-lived and expensive TV spot, it's not radio, it's not Facebook or Amazon ads... and it's not even using Facebook groups. (Which honestly, who has time for?) Don’t get me wrong, all those are good avenues for putting your products/books in front of people, but they're not the most important tool in your book marketing toolbox. The best way to get ongoing traffic to your book is... Wait for it… To have your own website, and specifically a blog! Have you heard that blogging was a dead or dying art? Guess again. Blogs have the staying power to continue to drive traffic to you and your books for years, beyond any other form of marketing and that’s not even considering the cost factor! Where else can you get this much coverage for so little cost?! Websites add value for your readers, promote you as an expert or celebrity if you write fiction and give you a platform to launch dozens of additional profit-boosting projects from just one platform. #WinWin So even if you have not completed your book, start your website today! It doesn’t have to be prefect…you can tweak it as you grow, just as your business evolves. The sooner you start, the sooner people can start following you and connecting with you. Which means when you do publish or launch your audience will be lining up, ready to purchase your books or buy your products. Need help with your blog or have questions about websites? I’ve been building websites since the 1990’s and blogging professionally since 2011. It’s not as difficult as you may think. Let’s discuss it. S- Why a Sacred Business?
Because you want to help the world heal. I can help you. You can have it all. I can teach you how to help others and still take care of your family. You can run a successful, heart centered business and make a difference in the world. . Contact me for more info and the next workshop. Speak soon, Sarah Real Business Talk- Ask anyone who has ever offered coaching services before and they’ll tell you that a certain percentage of clients simply will not (or cannot) do the work. Sure, they love the idea of having a coach. They might even know a good coach is the secret to business and life success. But for some reason, they just aren’t ready. Maybe they aren’t as advanced as they think they are, and they choose the wrong program. Maybe they choose programs to intentionally fail at as a self sabotaging behavior. Maybe they’re simply professional students, who never intend to build a business, but instead just like to learn about it. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that you eliminate these people from your potential VIP client pool and do it now rather than later. This is especially critical if you are hosting a group event. It will be uncomfortable for everyone if you have 4 clients attending, and 3 of them are advanced students while one is just starting out. In addition, if you only work with clients who have reached a certain level of success, you’ll need to eliminate those who simply aren’t a good fit for you. Think of it as attending school, there is a reason why all age students don’t attend the same language class, yeah? Pro tip: The ability to pay is not a good indicator of success. Many people have (and spend) lots of money on training without ever doing the work required to complete the course or without the desire to get a business off the ground. Design Your Application Process to Self-Select the Best Candidates
The easiest way to avoid clients who aren’t a good fit is to require an application before payment. This can be as simple as a PDF or email questionnaire with just a few questions. You can ask things such as:
These will all give you a feel for the applicant, and allow you to know ahead of time if they’ll be a good fit. But you can help eliminate applicants who aren’t a good match simply by changing some of the language on your application. For example, you might ask about the applicant’s current income, but rather than allowing her to write in any answer, give her a list of choices. If you only work with people who are earning six figures and up, then a conspicuous lack of those lower income brackets will be enough to make someone who’s just starting out think twice about applying. You can do the same thing with language on other questions. If you only want to work with people who have a positive attitude about coaching, then you might ask, “Tell me about the best coaching experience you’ve had and what you loved about it.” Debbie Downers will have a difficult time answering that one, and you’ll be able to spot them immediately. Even if you only invite current coaching clients to VIP days (so you already know and like them) it’s still a good idea to have some kind of application process. After all, VIP days are far more intense than a monthly coaching program, so you want to be sure all applicants know what to expect. And the best way to do that is through a formal application. Are you enjoying the Tuesday Business blog posts? If you want to know more I've launched a new FB sacred business coaching group. Follow me on FB HERE and dm/or comment for details and maybe a FREE slot in the group. Speak soon, Sarah Your third chakra is also know as the “Personal Power Chakra” and it is a busy and complex energy center. Traditionally, it is known as the Solar Plexus chakra or Manipura. It is the place where anxiety, panic and mistrust manifests. So many people suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Working on this chakra can be helpful in controlling this difficult energy. I have complied these affirmations to help you balance this fiery energy center and move back into a state of calm and peace. Affirmations:
Repeat this affirmations upon waking and before going to sleep to jump start you're healing. If you want to know more about Chakras why not grab a seat in the new Bliss 5 Week Chakra Course? Its self paced, completely on line and loaded with helpful information.
If you prefer a private session, we can delve deeper into your energy, goals and needs. We can work together in person or over Skype. The result is the same as a face-to-face appointment so location isn't an issue. Why not schedule a free complimentary 20 minute Discovery Call today? Speak Soon, Sarah Due to the incredible response we have received with the Sacred Business Classes and Coaching services, I am pleased to announce we have added a new private Face Book Group for serious entrepreneurs and business owners who are ready to go to the next level of success.
This is an added bonus to my Sacred Business Coaching Clients. This private FB Group comes complete with a full library & daily tips. Surround yourself with successful people and change your mindset as we learn, grow and prosper together. Why am I adding this? Simple, I want you to succeed! To learn more or sign up for an initial Sacred Business Coaching session click here. Speak soon, Sarah Oh! Remember the group is private but you can still follow Sarah on FB for tips and additional content. You Are Your Brand Here’s secret successful marketers know: Customers don’t buy a product. They buy you. Your personality. Your experience. The unique qualities only you possess. There was a time when “branding” meant a corporate-looking logo and a slick catalog, but in today’s online marketplace, the real value is not in appearing to be a big company, but rather in just being you. And your personality shines through in a variety of ways. Your Authentic Voice How you speak, write and even how you act on camera or in an audio interview has the power to instantly identify you to your audience. You can see this in action if you scroll through your Facebook feed. It’s easy to know who has posted a particular image or status update, just by recognizing the voice with which they generally speak. Here’s an even more important aspect of your “voice” though: it has the power to attract a specific audience. In recent years, a few high profile coaches and product sellers have become celebrities of a sort, largely because of their harsh, “don’t hold back” language. These volatile coaches, (plus yours truly), makes no apologies for use of offensive words, and guess what? Our clients and fans love us for it. They love us for being US. But what about those that don’t like this? Well then blessings and I hope you find a coach/mentor that resonates better with you. This isn’t a cookie cutter, one size fits all world and your business should not be either. Now I’m not saying snarkiness and foul language is not the only way to go, though. You have to build your brand on content and your own personality. I also try to be an inspiration to my clients and I give a lot! But that is my personality. What traits to you bring to the table? Whatever approach you use, just be sure and be authentic. It should be clear that if you were to meet your clients in person, you would speak and act exactly as you do online. And that ladies and gentlemen is how you build a strong brand. Your Story
How did you get to where you are today? The backstory—which to you might seem boring and uneventful—is a powerful tool that can help solidify your brand and attract just the right audience. Are you a struggling single mother? Your success could be an inspiration to your audience, and is a huge part of your personal branding. Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic, and you certainly don’t have to share more than you’re comfortable with, but it does have to be yours. Be your true self, and you’ll never have to worry about attracting the right audience. They will self-select, and your perfect client will find you. Are you enjoying the Tuesday business blog posts? If you want to know more I’m about to launch a new FB sacred business coaching group. Follow me on FB HERE and dm/or comment for details and maybe a FREE slot in the group. Speak Soon, Sarah |
Sarah"My zone of genius is around mentoring, guiding and coaching inspired, creative, conscious and spiritual entrepreneurs and individuals to connect with their deepest desires and values so they can rise with grace. I believe in treating the "whole person" and with simple energetic shifts they can reach their highest potential and serve from a place of inner peace and fulfillment." Archives
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“If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?”
― Maya Angelou "Every day is a new beginning, choose wisely."
-Sarah Parker Thomas “We are all a work in progress.
And the possibilities are endless.” Sarah Parker Thomas |
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