Affirmations for Starting a New Business
If you didn’t’ already know, I am a huge fan of affirmations and use them as part of my daily morning routine. They were especially helpful when I first started coaching. Not only did they help make major shifts in my mindset they reminded me that I have started and ran a successful business before, why should this one be any different?
If you are just starting out with affirmations, I recommend you speak the affirmations out loud for about five minutes – three times a day, morning, midday, and evening. An ideal time to do this is when you’re putting on your makeup or doing your hair so that you can look at yourself in the mirror as you repeat the positive statement. Another option that helps to reinforce the new belief and would be easy to do at work is to write out the affirmation several times in a notebook. Notice over time as you write it if your style of writing changes. This could be a clue as to how your mind perceives the new concept.
Here are a few of my favourites to get you started.
Blogging is a great way to grow your reach and engagement with your target audience. It’s also fun and easy to do and frankly, it can be quite profitable if you do it right. I invite you to join me for 30 days, inside the TVS Workshop for my Blogging Bootcamp. I’ll have a fresh new post for you each day that will help you accomplish two things:
1. Give You Plenty of Ideas for New Content to Help You Become a More Consistent Blogger
My first goal with this challenge is to give you plenty of ideas for things to blog about. Sometimes it is hard to come up with something fresh and unique to write about. So, when you’re stuck with writer’s block or just feeling a little uninspired, look no further than these quick and easy content posts.
Use them right away, or file them away for those days when you’re struggling to post consistently.
2. Tips, Strategies, and How-To Info to Help You Become a Better Blogger
My second goal is to help you and challenge you to become a better blogger. We all have things we can improve and strive to do better. Every other day I’ll have a new tip, idea, or strategy for you. Try them as we work through the Bootcamp and start incorporating as many of them as possible in your blogging.
The reward will be more engagement, more traffic, and more subscribers and hopefully, at the end of the day, more cash in your pocket – results will vary of course, but I promise to share my best stuff with you.
Once you sign up, each day for the next 30 days I will send you an email and share either a content or strategy tip with you. If you haven’t already, become a member of New Entrepreneurs Workshop in to find inspiration and discuss each day’s content with others that have signed up.
So don’t wait and start building your blog and your confidence online. Learn how to provide consistency, easily keep your commitment and find clarity.
I think you’ll love getting into the habit of blogging consistently and you’ll be amazed at how much your audience and your traffic will grow in those 30 days.
As an added bonus – be sure to bookmark 52 Blog Ideas for your business, to help you with some great content ideas for your blog!
5 Ways to Maximize Your Presence in Facebook GroupsMaximize Your Presence in Facebook Groups Use these tips to really maximize your presence in Facebook groups – and have the group owner love you for it.
Check Group Descriptions for Hashtags
If the group you belong to has themes for specific days of the week, make sure you check the group description to see if there’s a hashtag you should preface your theme posts with on that particular day.
Using the hashtag will not only please your group owner and moderators, but it will also ensure your post reach is targeted to those specifically searching for that hashtag (and by doing so, potentially reaching a wider audience, too).
Use Repetition
Whenever you submit a regular type of post to a group—such as a link to your Tuesday Tech Tip—use repetition to build trust and reassurance in your post. Use the same intro (e.g. “Time for my Tuesday Tech Tip.”) Use the same graphic—for example, an avatar icon such as a smiling cartoon monkey with a wrench, or your logo.
Repetition through repeating themes or post types will soon have those who enjoyed your first few offerings looking forward to the next one and being primed to check out each new post.
Always Check Photo and Graphics Licensing
When using photographs from either free or paid stock sites, watch out for the designation, “for editorial use only.” This means a photo cannot be used for “commercial advertising purposes”—only for educational and journalistic purposes.
Remove Links in Posts
Have you ever typed the link of something you want to share into a post, only to have a graphic box appear showing your post? If that happens, you can then delete your pasted-in link text before you press “Post.” Not only will your post be nice and “clean,” the image will remain linked and take them to the post or website you wanted to share.
Note: If you find you can’t actually do this from within a group because of permissions, post the link to your page instead, and share the desired link via your page.
There you have it! Five simple ways to boost your visibility in public Facebook Groups, without upsetting the admin.
Do you have any other tips you would like to share? Comment below and tell me – I’d love to hear from you!
5 Ways to Maximize Your Presence in Facebook Groups
Do you have specific goals? If so, do you have a Vision Board?
If not, think about what you want simply by asking yourself some questions:
• Where do you want to be with your business in the next year? In 5 years? In 10 years?
• How much money do you want to make in these same time frames?
• Do you want to hire employees or a virtual team?
• What services or products do you want to offer your clients?
• Where do you want to live?
• What’s on that bucket list?
One friend of mine who is in sales told me he likes to have two vacations booked a year with his family because he needs something fun to look forward to and the single summer vacation wasn’t enough anymore. Another friend in direct sales recently told me that she stopped dreaming big a long time ago because she got depressed when she couldn’t make those dreams a reality. Now she’s found great success with her company and has started dreaming big again.
I’ve also seen some gurus online say they are motivated to earn more because then they are able to give more to their favourite charities and causes that are close to their hearts. Again, there are no wrong answers when defining your goals. It’s more important to have them defined so you know when you reach those goals so you can find something new to achieve.
Create a Vision Board for Daily Motivation
Jack Canfield, the New York Times Bestselling Author of the “Chicken Soup For The Soul” book series, is a big believer in the power of vision boards.
Canfield said “Creating a vision board is probably one of the most valuable visualization tools available to you.” The Law of Attraction is a powerful thing. Our thoughts can lead to amazing things.
Simply put, the Law of Attraction is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we are focusing on. The Law of Attraction which uses the power of the mind to translate whatever is in our thoughts and materialize them into reality. In basic terms, all thoughts turn into things eventually. If you focus on negative doom and gloom you will remain under that cloud. If you focus on positive thoughts and have goals that you aim to achieve you will find a way to achieve them with massive action.
This is why the universe is such an infinitely beautiful place!
I adore creating vision boards because they are visual reminders of what you want to achieve. They also serve as a daily reminder of what makes you happy and they are meant to give you motivation when you just don’t feel like working that day.
Take those answers to the goals questions above and find visual representation for each one. In today’s digital age, most of us use Pinterest and create a vision board there. Some still love to use photos and magazine images onto poster board or even to paste images into a Word document. Do what works for you – what will motivate you. What you will see every single day.
When creating your board, take notice of photos that catch your eye, even if it doesn’t specifically answer a goal question. There’s something that attracted your subconscious to the photo so it’s worth posting on your vision board. Post your vision board prominently in your office or as your computer wallpaper so you can see it every day. And remember that action is mandatory in order to reach those goals.
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Happy New Year!
It’s a new year with a new vision!
It is that time again. Time to make New Year’s resolutions and start fresh. Everywhere you go you will be asked: “What are your New Year resolutions?” Why? Because that is just how it is. This year, my answer will be different than it has been in the past and I suggest you do the same. When asked what this year’s resolutions will be, I will have one simple answer:
No resolutions this year.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I made a New Year’s resolution that lasted longer than a couple of weeks, can you? This is why I say ditch the resolution and kickstart the year with something that will move your business forward.
Instead of yet another ill-fated resolution, articulate a vision. The good thing about having a vision, instead of a resolution, is they are broad and can evolve as you and your business grow. If you consider your vision with every action you take, you are more likely to move in that direction.
People are goal-driven and accomplished goals, big and small, keep the momentum going. So, create a vision and set the first goal to make it happen. Make it a SMART goal. SMART being specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-limited. These goals can only be achieved if specific actions have been taken to ensure it is accomplished within a timeline. They are easy to track and will be stepping stones to a broader destination, your vision.
So, write it down, create a vision board, yell it from the rooftops, whatever your method is – get started and create a vision. I would love to hear about it, so please share! We can accomplish goals and carry out our visions together.
Wishing you a new year rich with the blessings of love, joy, warmth, laughter, and success.
Questions to Ask Before Launching Your Business
If you have decided to launch a business, you have made a very courageous choice. There are many things you need to know before launching a new business. There is inventory to take into consideration, initial start-up cost and upkeep, hiring employees, sales, marketing…the list goes on extensively.
But first-things-first; answer these three critical questions before jumping in.
Are you doing this for the right reasons?
Sometimes an individual or a group of individuals will launch a business because they think it is expected of them or because it is a family tradition to do so. Other reasons are merely for monetary benefits. With high hopes and goals of only making tons of money, sometimes a new entrepreneur may lose sight of his or her customer.
Once you examine your motives behind starting up, go on to the next important question. Once you know what type of business you want to begin, ask yourself who your target audience is. Knowing that you want to create a business and knowing what that business is will simply not be enough. You need to know who your target audience is and who your ideal customer is.
Honing in on a target audience is something that you can delve into even deeper by creating a specific niche and then going on to create a sub-niche. In this manner, you will be certain that you have focused on a specific need for an even more specific customer.
Have you thoroughly researched your action plan?
Setting goals and measuring them is essential when launching a new business. Put a plan into motion, but allow yourself the flexibility to expand on that original plan. Ask yourself if your business plan is too narrow-minded or if it will achieve the desired outcome you seek and go beyond even that.
Make sure you research if there is enough demand for the product or service you are offering or if you will be just another company offering the same old thing. Ask yourself if you can put a new innovative twist onto something tried and true.
Do you have the time? If not, will you make time?
Ask yourself how much time you are willing to dedicate to this business. What if this business is something that you will find success with right away? Are you willing and able to put the time and trouble in if it does become successful right away?
Also, think about whether or not this is a part-time business or a full-time endeavour. Do you have enough funds to last for six months to a year until your business becomes steady enough to stand on its own two feet?
Once you can answer these critical questions, you can be well on your way to having a successful business endeavour.
Get started on your business with these free resources from inside The Virtual Studio.
Be sure to join us inside the TVS Workshop and share your expertise!
Starting an Online Business:
If you are starting an online business, you are joining the ranks of hundreds of thousands of others. There are many tasks to achieve when it comes to your online business. One of the most important and perhaps the most beneficial ways to achieve success is to set clear goals for that business.
There are several ways on how to go about setting clear goals. For many individuals, their goals are so broad that success is something that never happens. However, you can learn to rely on your set of goals to achieve success if you set them up correctly.
How to Set Clear Goals for Your Online Business
1. Be specific
When you set a goal, it is imperative that you be specific about that goal. Simply stating that you want to reach a specific target audience or to make money is not a specific goal. A specific goal would be something like “I want to gain 100 more likes on Facebook in the next three months.” Or, “I want to make an additional $5,000.00 in the next three months.” Goals need to be specific to be successful.
2. Write everything down
No matter how trivial you may think it may sound, it is imperative to write everything down on your action plan. Without writing it down, it is as though you are not declaring it to the world.
3. Break it down
Break down your goals into sub-goals. It is as though you are choosing a niche and then choosing a sub-niche. For example, if your niche is women over forty, perhaps you could break that down even further to make it divorced women over forty. Break it down and be specific.
Breaking down your goals makes them easier to reach. If you have a goal to gain three more clients in the next six months, break it down on how you plan to reach that goal. For example, “I will guest blog on other sites” or “I will join LinkedIn and promote my business.” However, you want to do it, make sure to break it down precisely.
4. Put a timeline to your goal
Giving yourself a deadline to achieve a goal is probably the best thing you can ever do for yourself. You are accountable to yourself and your business partners by attaching a timeline to your goals. By doing this, you put a little pressure on yourself to achieve that goal by or before the set time.
5. Be accountable
Being accountable to yourself and someone in your new business is an excellent way to make, keep, and achieve goals. Giving your word is a powerful tool not only reaching but also in exceeding clear and specific goals.
When your goals are specific and clear, success is just a stone’s throw away.
Get started on your business with these free resources from inside The Virtual Studio
Be sure to join us inside the TVS Workshop Community for inspiration and support the journey ahead!
If you are an entrepreneur, you are a salesperson. Every time you have a prospective client or a discovery call, you’re making a sales pitch. When you send an email or write a blog post with an offer – that’s a sales pitch. Creating an opt-in page? You’re making a sales pitch.
And you’re probably pretty good at it, too, or you wouldn’t be where you are today, would you?
So why do we continue to think we’re so bad at sales?
Because “Selling Feels “Icky”.
I hear this one a lot. You feel pushy or uncomfortable when talk turns to money. You don’t want to force anyone into a decision. You secretly think your rates are too high.
I’m going to be honest with you. This is one of those things that gets better only with practice. But the good news is, you don’t have to be on the phone with a prospective client to get that practice time in.
Instead, use the technique self-help gurus have been advocating for years:
Look in the mirror and talk to yourself.
When you were a little girl, did you ever dream of becoming a professional ballerina? I don’t know many women who didn’t, I know I did. I would put on my dance outfit and spin in circles in front of the mirror for hours! Why would any other business be any different?
Becoming a ballerina just wasn’t in the cards for me, however; I did learn a valuable lesson. A mirror is a fantastic tool. I suggest you take advantage of the ones you have.
Practice saying your rates out loud. Practice your transition from discovery to the sales pitch. The more you do it, the more natural it will sound, and the less uncomfortable you will feel when talking to a new customer.
Fix your mindset.
What if you weren’t selling anything, but instead were merely chatting with a friend about the incredible new product that was going to change her life? You’re helping your friend to improve herself by sharing your experience with this new product.
That’s exactly how you should think about selling your product or services. You’re not trying to get your prospective client to spend money. Instead, you’re offering a solution to her problems. You’re genuinely helping her to overcome some obstacle in her life or business.
When you can turn your thinking around from “sales” to “helping” you’ll find it’s much easier to have the sales talk.
Don’t be afraid of the follow-up.
Most clients won’t say yes with the first call, and maybe not even with the second. But good entrepreneurs know that many sales can be closed if you simply take the time to follow up. Send a quick email and invite your prospect to:
Schedule a follow-up call to answer her questions
Read some of your testimonials
Review your program outline or sales page
Or even join a different program of yours that might be a better fit
Don’t let that old “I’m not good at sales” thinking get in the way of making a real difference in people’s lives, and in growing your business and your profits. With these easy tips, you can quickly turn your sales blocks into a system for landing new customers consistently.
What do you think? Do you have any further tips or suggestions that have helped you? Why not join us inside the TVS Entrepreneur Workshop and share them, we’d love to hear from you!
Sales Tips for Reluctant Salespeople
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It seems the current popular advice for growing your business is, “You need a coach,” and you’ll see dozens of people waving and saying “pick me pick me” and advertising for clients. But the term “coach” is extremely broad so, the key to hiring the right coach is knowing what you’re looking for and what TYPE of coach to hire. After all, you wouldn’t hire a college basketball coach to lead the school’s football team to the championships, would you?
Every coach has their niche – much like your business – and within those niches, each one with strengths and weaknesses. Let’s look at some of those niches in full detail.
Mindset Coaches
A mindset coach will focus on your brain’s mindset, how you think and feel about your business and your life; and how to turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Mindset coaches do not solely focus on business; if you’re unhappy with any aspect of your life, a mindset coach can help you figure out your dreams and help you achieve them. Some mindset coaches are licensed psychotherapists while others are certified coaches.
Confidence Coaches
These coaches empower clients who struggle with limiting beliefs and shyness. Again, they are not focused solely on business owners; absolutely anyone who wants to combat negative self-talk and increase their self-esteem can hire a confidence coach. Some confidence coaches are licensed life coaches or have other degrees in addition to their coaching certifications.
Public Speaking Coaches
There’s much more to public speaking than reading PowerPoint slides. Public speaking coaches are skilled communicators who can analyze the effectiveness of your presentation; give hints about diction and enunciation, as well as give tips for making your presentation more engaging or entertaining. These speaking coaches can also help you combat your stage fright.
Writing Coaches
We all know the basics of writing from our elementary school days but writing is not a talent that comes quickly to everyone. Whether you need some critiques for your blog posts or want to get input on how to outline your book, writing coaches are language experts who often specialize in a specific niche – book publishing, travel writing, food writing, etc. – who can help you convey your information in a more effective way to your audience.
Branding and Visibility Coaches
As you know, branding is so much more than your logo and your business colours. Branding coaches will help you develop your company brand – or your company image – and will help you gain the visibility (publicity) that you need to build name recognition. Branding coaches have a firm understanding of how to convey your message to your audience and how to keep your business image positive.
And of course, saving the best for last…
Business Coaches
A business coach will challenge you to think outside the box, forcing you into stretching your goals. Of course, you have set your own expectations for your business, but to discuss the how-to strategy with someone who’s walked this road before—pointing out any roadblocks you may encounter and areas you need to strengthen is invaluable. Someone with a unique perspective and a history of business success will push you harder while also keeping on your own path.
An experienced business coach will know which niche coaches will best serve you and should also have contact names and professional relationships with those in each niche.
If you would like to talk more about what coach is best for you, reach out to me! I am here to help.
stop trading hours for dollars
Did you know TVS Launched a 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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