Business

Is being that busy really good for your business?

Are you really busy? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Multi tasking means screwing up several things at once.

I came across an article in the Huffington Post on how being busy is actually good for your brain.  After reading it, I just so happen to come across another article – again by the Huffington Post – on how being busy makes you unproductive.

We can’t win, can we?

The first article, which you can find here, discusses a team at the University of Texas looked at the difference in memory and other brain functions of men and women.  This was to see how people who are busy compared to those who are not. Lead researcher Sara Festini said “People who report greater levels of daily busy-ness tend to have better cognition, especially with regard to memory for recently learned information. Living a busy lifestyle appears beneficial for mental function.” I don’t know about that, I can’t remember what I had for breakfast – wait, did I even have breakfast? I guess I am not that busy.

I don’t buy it.

The article continues to say that maybe, the busier people are already just more cognitive and capable of doing more tasks. While their counterparts – not so much.  So I have to ask, did they actually learn anything in that research? I am thinking the answer to that is up in the air because the second article goes on to tell me that the busier you are, the less productive you are.  This I agree with. David Meyer from the University of Michigan published a study that showed switching what you are doing, mid-task, actually increases the time it takes you to finish each task by 25%! I firmly believe this and have always said so! Well, I didn’t exactly have the numbers before but now I do.

Science officially backs up my opinion that being busy is bad for business!  You can find this article here. There is no such thing as multi-tasking and society today believes that you have to multitask to succeed. Pfft. Not true, you have to be able to prioritize and focus to succeed. (In my humble opinion.) When you are busy, you are not really present.  There are a million moments happening around you, some good, some great, some – you’d rather not experience but when you are busy you are not able to be

When you are busy, you are not really present.

There are a million moments happening around you, some good, some great, some – you’d rather not experience but when you are busy you are not able to be in the moment.  You tend to opt out of opportunities. Which are always around you, but if you are too busy you will end up passing some really good ones by.  Which; in turn, causes your momentum to go stagnant.  You are no longer moving forward, you are just too busy and are bouncing back and forth on task after task not getting much done. I could go on for hours about this but in short, when you are too busy you forget to invest in yourself and your business. It feels like you are because you are so busy, yet you are burning the

I could go on for hours about this but in short, when you are too busy you forget to invest in yourself and your business. It feels like you are because you are so busy, yet you are burning the candle at both ends, not really living and your business is not really growing.

This can cause you to lose patience, lose sight of your endgame, lose quality control on your products or services, shall I go on? When you are too busy you forget your purpose and your “why”.  Your why is the reason you got into business in the first place, right? So, stop, take a moment, slow down, and focus.

With so much on your plate, maybe it is time to start delegating some of your projects or daily tasks. Helping your business grow, simplify your life and ensure you do not lose sight of your why!

Have you considered outsourcing some of your work or possibly hiring a VA? Leave a comment and let us know how you could slow down,  be less busy and grow your business as a result.

 

 

Facebook and your direct sales business.

When you think about Direct Sales, what comes to mind? Let’s face it, the direct sales business model has been given a bad rep. This is due to social media and the select few representatives that pushed and pushed their product, alienating friends and family along the way. Constant “buy my product” and “join my team” has cost some people more than a few relationships.

facebook and your direct sales business

Direct sales may be pretty close to the oldest way to distribute products since civilization began. If it is really that bad, why is it still around?  Because it is a solid and profitable way to run a business because of that it is more popular now than ever.  However; it is time to find the balance between the old ways and the new ways because direct sales businesses are not going anywhere anytime soon.

The world needs to know that the misuse of social media is what is bad, NOT direct sales businesses. That being said, let’s look at the best way to utilize social media for your new business venture!

First, set up a Facebook business page.

Be sure to post all your business content there and NOT on your personal profile. Only use your personal profile once in a while to share your new business venture with friends and family or to share the odd promotion that may be coming up. If you use your personal profile on a consistent basis for your business, it will only end in a lot of “un-friending”. Not to mention, promoting your product through your personal profile is against Facebook policy and a fast way to lose potential customers.

Make it personal.

Once your page is set up, be sure to send personal invites to those you want to take part in your page. Be sure that these are sent to people with who you actually have been in contact within the last few months. Don’t send an invite to someone you haven’t spoken to in 15 years, they will ignore you and possibly block you right away. Business is about relationships, so be sure to start off on the right foot.

Facebook and your direct sales business.

Provide value.

Even with only a few likes on your business page, it is time to post content. Be sure to create original content, you do not want to be an infomercial and post whatever your parent company is posting. Those that have liked your page do not want to support your parent company, they want to support you and your business. So, be sure to post valuable content, not just promotional material.

Be engaging, be human.

Post often, on your page, and be sure to reply to comments and questions. People want to do business with people they know, like and trust. So be sure to tell stories, introduce yourself and any of your team.  Hold a Facebook live video every week; a Q&A or tutorial on using your products, opening a new delivery – get creative. Show the world who you are and what you have to offer. These few and simple suggestions for your Direct Sales business on Facebook will help grow and start you off on the right foot!

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Do you know your website bounce rate?

Do you know what a website bounce rate is? I have had a few questions regarding this topic, the first being “What is it?”.

Are your readers bouncing away?

The bounce rate is one of the most important things you should track on your website. It measures is the percentage of how often visitors “bounce” off of your web page.

Why it is important.

It is defined as a person landing on a page of your site then immediately leaving. They could be closing a browser window, hitting the back button to get a new URL or clicking on a link to go to another site. Meaning they only saw the one page, the page they came in on is the page they left on.do you know your bounce rate

This percentage is something you want to pay attention to. In most cases, a high bounce rate is bad. It indicates that someone did not find what they were looking for and decided to leave your site. A visitor arrived for a reason then,  maybe they couldn’t navigate or thought the information is irrelevant, there is no way to know why they left, only that they left. What you do know is they came to the site for one reason or another, possibly a google search, a paid ad or a referral click, they expected to see something when they arrived and it was not there. The higher your bounce rate the more you are not meeting that expectation, which means it is time to correct this.

When you see this happen, you need to take action on the pages with high bounce rates and lower the percentage. A lower bounce rate leads to a more effective website that will have visitors more engaged and will help them find what they are looking for.

When looking at your percentages, keep in mind some pages you would like a higher bounce rate than others. Pages that you would like a higher bounce rate on, are pages that will lead visitors to your Etsy store, to purchase products. Or a lead page that does not require your visitors to keep navigating your site but to collect contact information. Essentially, if the goal is to get visitors to this page for one specific reason only, then you may not have to worry about the bounce rate on that page.

So, when looking at your website analytics, look at bounce rates per page and not overall.

My suggestion is to play the video below, bounce to the music why you check out your website bounce rate!

Bounce Rate

Be sure to follow the Studio’s Facebook Page, leave a comment and let us know! We’d love to hear from you. The page is a free space where you will find business-focused training and support for female entrepreneurs, as well as inspiration and Studio updates!

Start that hustle and turn it into a career!

So, what exactly is a side hustle? I am sure you are seeing the term all over social media and I am willing to bet you know someone who is doing it. A side hustle is a way to make some extra cash that allows you the flexibility to pursue your true passion. I could also be how you are following that passion – a chance to jump into photography, fashion, or whatever it is you care about the most, without quitting your day job. Hense the term side hustle.

More and more women are turning that side hustle into their careers, and it is amazing to witness. Most just start out by doing a little bit to start – when the kids are in bed, in the morning before they go to work, or on weekends. Over a time the little side project starts earning enough money to become a full-time career and so – jumping in is naturally the next step!

starting your side hustle

If you are looking at getting started with a simple side hustle, here are a few tips to help get you going.

Determine your focus.

First, determine what it is you want to focus on. What skill sets do you have that you are passionate about and can get you started as soon as possible? Photography, writing, event planning, project manager, dog walker, tech support? In short, it is finally time to decide what you want to be when you “grow up”.

The idea is to choose something you have some experience with, this way you can get started right away. However; do not let lack of experience stop you. If you are truly passionate about something, I am willing to bet you are already knowledgeable enough to get started.

Test your market.

Second, test your market. Do some market research, is there a need for what you want to provide? Is there a problem out there that you and only you can solve? Talk to family and co-workers, another way is to get social. By using social media you can get feedback on the product or services you want to provide.

Go for it!

Now you know you have the skills, the audience and the motivation to get going, so GET GOING! It is time to set a goal and start with a plan. Jumping in feet first is always fun, but can be full of regret. Sit down and create a simple business plan, this is important because you do not want to start a business you do not love. So ask yourself these simple questions and create an easy “just for you” business plan – and started.

start your side hustle

 

  • What is motivating you to start your own business?
  • What problems will you help others solve with your business?
  • What impact do you want to make?
  • What is different about you or your product that will make your business a success?
  • What is your business and personal mission?

Now you have the idea, the target audience, and the plan so what are you waiting for?

Your side hustle is now within reach and it is time to get started! There has never been a better time than NOW to start your own business. So join us inside the Idea to Income Group Coaching Program!

SPACE IS LIMITED

To ensure client success, the Idea to Income System is limited to 15 people per enrollment, so do not wait.

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO ENROL!

Idea to Income System. You will be a business owner within 90 days. Start that side hustle

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Start That Side Hustle!

 

 

How important is social media for your small business?

To some who have a small business, social media is the next big thing, a powerful fad that must be taken advantage of while it is still in the spotlight, and relatively cheap! To others, it is a time suck with no practical advantages and a complicated learning curve.

social media for small business

According to Hubspot, 92% of marketers claimed that social media marketing was important for their business, with 80% of them indicating their efforts increased traffic to their websites. According to Social Media Examiner, 97% of marketers are currently participating in social media; however, 85% of them do not know what social media tools are the best to use. This shows that there is a huge potential for social media marketing to increase your business, but a lack of knowledge on how to accomplish this increase. When used properly Social Media can boost brand recognition, improve brand loyalty and provide more opportunities to engage with your customers. Take a peek at these 5 reasons why it is important to use social media for your small business:

1. Exposure.

You can get more exposure through social media. As a small business owner, you want to become as visible as possible to your target audience. The world of social media has made this easier and has made your audience more accessible.

2. Social listening.

Aside from simply knowing what people think about your brand you are able to actively listen. Their thoughts and concerns will be given through mentions, reviews, and conversation. This gives you an opportunity to actively listen, respond, and address to grow your business in the direction you want. social media for small biz

3. Relationship building.

Now you are actively listening to your target audience you have the opportunity to build relationships. Trust is one of the most important parts of a successful business – Social media will give you the opportunity to build it with your audience.

4. Personal touch.

Social media will allow you to ensure that you are being seen by those who want to see you. Targeting who will see your business is a great way to ensure your marketing dollars are being put to good use.

5. Minimal cost.

Spending a lot of money to promote your brand is not necessary with social media. You can promote your brand yourself while in the comfort of your own office. Every chance you have to make your brand visible is a chance to find another customer. Social media accounts make your company accessible for new customers, familiar and recognizable for existing customers and will help in creating a loyal client base.

Take a peek inside our new accountability group!

Accountability benefits you in several ways as you pursue your dreams. Being held accountable isn’t only for those who are struggling with a particular issue, but for anyone with a goal. Working with an accountability partner or team is a key to success for anyone who wants their business to grow. If this is something you need, please, join us inside the Study Hall!

Become a founding member of the Study Hall community and gain access to exclusive content from the Studio Library, Mentorship, and experts in all areas of small business.

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Affirmations for business success!

Affirmations for business success, woman working on her laptop wearing pink blazer

Affirmations For Business Success

I am a huge fan of affirmations and use them as part of my daily morning routine – not only do they help make major shifts in your mindset they also serve as prompts and daily reminders on what you are truly capable of.

They help ensure you have an amazing and successful day, every day. Personally, every morning before I get out of bed, I read 3 affirmations. Each affirmation is said 5 times then followed by:

“This or something better now manifests for me in perfect timing!”

Ideally, your affirmations should be the first thing you think of when you wake up and the last before you go to sleep. Here are a few of my favourites!

affirmations for bizAffirmations For Business Success
Affirmations For Business Success

Be sure to follow the Studio’s Facebook Page, leave a comment and let us know your favourite! I’d love to hear from you. The page is a free space where you will find business-focused training and support for female entrepreneurs, as well as inspiration and Studio updates!

 

Follow Your Passionthe virtual studio, #womensupportingwomen, Follow Your Passion

Defining Your Brand Identity

Starting your own business and becoming your own boss isn’t a pipe dream, it isn’t exactly a fluffy daydream either. It is stressful and demands a lot of your time and focus. That being said, once you get into your groove, it is fulfilling and a wonderful experience. So, let’s have some fun creating your brand identity! Defining Your Brand Identity

“A brand is the way a business is personified in the minds of consumers.”
Melissa Bolton

Once you have a business plan, a mission, and a vision for your company and you are ready to jump in, you will have to start thinking about your company brand. Aside from what service or products you offer your brand is going to play a very large role in your success. Ms. Bolton is right, your brand is a visual representation of you to your customers, which is why it is imperative to put together a good strategy.

your brand is as good as your reputation - Defining Your Brand Identity

You should have a solid strategy in place and implement it so you will have an edge on the competition. Your brand will be derived from who you are because you are the only thing that no other business has. Therefore, you want to make sure your brand is a strong and genuine representation of you. So, when building your brand there are a few things to keep in mind.

Be authentic.

It is hard to try and be someone or something you are not. It is a lot easier to be yourself than to try and be someone else, not to mention how much easier it will be to keep it consistent. So, just be you. Because you are a real person and your brand is a reflection of who you are; build your brand on things that you believe in. Your values, your beliefs, what you stand for, and who you strive to be. Your business should have the same values, beliefs, and passion. As you grow as a person, your brand will grow and be more successful.

You probably already have an online presence, to stay connected with friends, family, and to express yourself. So, why not put your business out there? Create social media accounts, pages, and profiles for your company. Have these link back to your website, and vice-versa.  A website isn’t 100% required to be successful in business, however in today’s day and age, it is a good investment because you don’t know how long each social media platform will stay on top.

Know your ideal client.

If you follow any of my work, you will know how important I feel knowing who your customer is. Now,  asked yourself “Who is your ultimate client?” You have done the research on who you are going to market to, now implement this into your brand strategy. How will your brand appeal to them? What do they want? What do they care about? If your target audience is the DIY Mom, you do not want to go out and build a brand that uses girls in bikinis on cars for any part of your strategy.

Chose a name that delivers your message.

When deciding on a company name be sure it is in line with your business message. There is no secret formula for choosing the perfect name for your business. To make matters worse, once you have decided on a name that you are100% happy with, you will still second guess yourself.  So when you start planning the company name, it should be simple, to the point, and easy to remember.

Be sure to avoid annoying, random words with no meaning, double meanings, awkward puns and spelling no one would consider.   If Siri can’t spell it, your audience probably can’t either.

Use professional design for your brand identity.

If you are just starting a business or looking at tweaking one that is already up and running, I can understand being on a budget. However; using a professional-looking logo and design is imperative when creating your business brand. If you are able, hire a brand strategist, such as AW Design Co., to create the perfect logo and brand style that fits the vision of your business.  If that is not an option, look into purchasing a pre-designed brand and logo packages from a designer or community website like www.creativemarket.com.

Just keep in mind when you are purchasing a pre-designed package, there may be others that have that exact brand design and logo. So do not just buy the first one you like, keep digging! It is a budget-minded option, but it may not be the absolute best.   You do not want to look like a box store brand, so be sure you make the right decisions for your business and your brand moving forward.

Be sure to choose a defined colour palette.

Having a defined colour scheme for your brand is just as important as your name. No matter what stage you are at in your business, your brand colours will create consistency and easy brand recognition. To do this, make sure you minimize your colours for maximum impact. Your goal is to have your chosen colours be associated with your business. For this, I suggest narrowing your colour choices down to two main colours with only 1 accent colour.

When you choose three different colours, not shades but colours, try using the 60-30-10 rule. By this I mean use your main colour 60% of the time, your secondary30%, and the accent only 10%.  Following this rule will provide a simple way to create a professional colour scheme for your brand.

Do not fall into the 'me too' mentality.

When starting a business it is common, and smart, to check out the competition. You want to know what the leaders in your industry are doing to be successful but you do not want to be just like them.   As I mentioned before, you are the one thing no other business has. Use that to your advantage. What makes you different from your competitors, and how can you use that in your branding? Focus on being unique so you will stand out amongst the crowd.

Try not to forget that branding is a lot more than creating a logo and colour scheme. It is a representation of your business and it is how you intend your business to be perceived by others. Having a strong and professional brand will make your business memorable and will help build trust with your audience. So, when you are creating your business’s brand identity remember to be authentic, know your audience and choose your name wisely. Try to work with a professional design, define your colours with purpose and follow your own path.

If you already have a brand in place, step back and look at it. Ensure it is a genuine representation of you and your business values.

If you are just creating your brand and are in the planning phase, get planning! Peek at leaders in your industry and head over to Pinterest for inspiration!

Be sure to follow the Studio’s Facebook Page, leave a comment and tell me all about your personal brand! I’d love to hear from you. The page is a free space where you will find business-focused training and support for female entrepreneurs, as well as inspiration and Studio updates!

This is a Premium Article, more like this are available only inside the Entrepreneur Essential library! If you are not a member, don’t fret! You still can be AND it is totally FREE!

Sign up below, if that isn’t your thing, I still want to help you the best way I can! So be sure to check out other available resources I have that will help you grow your business!

ing Your Brand Identity

Defining Your Brand Identity

Inspiring Greatness: How bad do you want it?

Eric Thomas (aka ET The Hip Hop Preacher) shares The Secrets to Success in an energetic and passionate speech to students at Michigan State University.

inspiring greatness the virtual studio How bad do you want it

Take ten minutes to watch this video, or just hit play, close your eyes and listen because it is so inspiring and motivational.  And when says “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” Take a deep breath and realize just how bad you want to be successful.

Find more inspiration on the blog go here and be sure to check out Eric Thomas at etinspires.com.

How bad do you want it?

Inspiring Greatness: Women who are changing the world.

Women who are changing the world
There is no better way to start my Inspiring Greatness: Women who are changing the world series, then with the new trailer for Firsts, TIME’s new video series on 46 groundbreaking women.

For the past year I have been planning and preparing for the launch of The Virtual Studio, and the Path to Success programs, and to be honest, a good number of the women in this series have been true inspirations for me on my this journey.

I don’t think women need to do anything other than what they are doing right now, and that’s moving forward.

Aretha Franklin

The launching of this project could not have come at a more perfect time in my life. I do hope that these women, and many many more, can inspire and motivate you on your journey.

Take a moment and be inspired, by something as simple as the trailer for the project! I hope to post more on this project as I continue to watch the videos.

Head to the Time Magainze website to learn more about the project!
TIME Firsts: Women Who Are Changing The World 

Inspiring Greatness: Women who are changing the world.