It’s with deep gratitude that I share with you my newly-released TEDx Talk today (click on the image to watch it):
I feel like I should pinch myself.
I’ve been watching TED talks for years, at my desk, showing them to clients and watching them with my family after dinner to educate them with ideas worth spreading.
To me, these talks are a window to the world of knowledge and possibility. They bring me great inspiration and the motivation to think bigger about what I’m here to do…
…and what you are here to do too.
And because of that, it is surreal for me to share this clip with you today.
The topic is Activating Your Potential for Greatness and in this 18-minute talk, I share with you the valuable lessons I’ve gained in own my life and as a result of working with tens of thousands of entrepreneurs…
…who boldly commit, with their heart and soul, to play a bigger game in service to others.
The contents of this talk (and my 8 simple but powerful activators to greatness that anyone can employ) are what I believe most in the world.
You can watch the TEDx talk and post a comment for me to read here.
I believe that you too have the potential to do great things, even if you don’t yet feel equipped or believe you have what it takes to crush all your existing limitations.
I promise. You do have what it takes.
Can’t wait to read your thoughts about the talk in the comments.
Love you,
Fabienne
p.s. Hey, I believe that this is indeed an idea worth spreading. Who do you know that could use a boost of confidence today? What group of people or network do you belong to that needs to hear this message? It would be my greatest honor if you shared this link with them.
Thank you. You are awesome and I am so grateful for you. xoxo
I had a secret for many years that I refused to share, for fear of people thinking I’d lost my mind.
And I felt like a fraud because of it.
You see, I realized something.
I realized that marketing doesn’t work…
Well, it doesn’t work… by itself.
If you want to grow a successful business, get more clients, make more money, experience true abundance and accomplish anything you want in your life, and I mean anything, you need 3 things.
Watch this week’s video to find out what those 3 things are:
So, here I was, running a successful business teaching entrepreneurs solely about good marketing (and yes, I’m a master teacher of all things that have to do with authentic and integrous marketing).
But deep down I knew that it wasn’t enough to make an entrepreneur experience a massive shift.
I knew that things like chaotic vibration were getting in the way.
And once I started sharing this with my clients, and teaching them what I now teach hundreds and hundreds of our students, they got exponential results in our Business School.
This week’s 5-minute video outlines what’s absolutely, positively, supercalifragilisticexpialidociously necessary for you to gain massive traction in your business and move to that next level.
Without it, you’ll stay where you are.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, OK? Please post a comment below.
With deep appreciation for who you are and the work you’re here to do.
Love,
Fabienne
Are you feeling the pressure to send out your company newsletter more frequently? Many of our students feel the need to push themselves into a biweekly or even weekly regimen. While there is no question that keeping in touch with your community is really smart marketing, your newsletters shouldn’t completely monopolize your time.
The good news is that – especially for new businesses – you don’t need to pump out a ton of content in a short amount of time. In fact, slowly increasing the frequency of your newsletter is a better approach. The last thing you want in your attempt to build relationships with prospects is to overwhelm them suddenly with tons of emails.
Instead, feel free to move slowly and go step-by-step. For example, if right now you only send out about six newsletters per year, try pushing that number up to twelve per year, or once a month. Or, if your newsletter is monthly, go for every other week. This gives you a chance to slowly work up to greater frequency, while still sending at a level you can maintain.
From my experience, I’ve seen too many people jump aggressively to a weekly newsletter and then back away because it’s too much of a challenge. Oftentimes, it can be difficult for new business owners to think of new topics to write about, and if they take on too much too quickly, they can burn out.
A great way to get going on your newsletter initially is to come up with a format that feels realistic. Perhaps you provide a technique or strategy for the first email of the month and share a client success story for the next. I recommend coming up with your own editorial calendar. Planning out the topics for three months at a time actually is a huge time saver in the long run. It helps to plan out your content.
Once the bi-weekly newsletter is going like clockwork, then you can move to a weekly publication. You may find that between the editorial calendar and choosing a good format, the newsletter becomes a breeze. Just know you don’t need to move to weekly emails unless you feel you can handle the increase comfortably.
Your Client Attraction Assignment
When was the last time you looked at your newsletter strategically? It makes sense to freshen up your newsletter every so often. You might need a new design or to rethink the content. Lastly, do you offer a special or use a call to action that encourages readers to contact you? Don’t miss out on prompting people to buy or hire you while you are sharing your amazing knowledge.
This is just one of the many best practices we dive deep into with the students of The Client Attraction Business School, the premier training school for growth-minded entrepreneurs looking to quickly attract more clients and make more money. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit www.ClientAttractionBusinessSchool.com for more details. To speak to an enrollment coach, click here
It goes without saying that networking is an amazing marketing method for building your business, which is why I encourage my students to join networking groups that meet regularly. Different groups meet weekly, monthly or even quarterly, which means there is a group out there that can work with every schedule. Through women’s groups, trade associations and local Chambers of Commerce, it is actually quite easy to find a networking group.
Another great way to make sure you are taking full advantage of networking is to seek out those individuals I personally like to refer to as “Centers of Influence” or COI. These Centers of Influence are the people who seem to know anyone and everyone – and they are great people to have as contacts.
Identifying your Centers of Influence will help you make connections to people who can power up your networking in ways you never imagined.
1. Identifying your COI
Whenever I speak of COIs, the number one question I get is: where can one find these amazing Centers of Influence?! The funny thing is that you likely have a COI in your life but you just don’t know it. So think of that friend you have who just knows everyone – and that person is your Center of Influence! If you don’t already have a COI in your life, the networking events and groups will help you identify one.
These COIs are master networkers who know droves of folks and can regularly refer you to the right people. Most COIs absolutely love to make connections and introductions. They like to provide referrals for when you need service or help. I call them natural “bridgers” because they get a thrill from bridging one person to another.
2. Meet with your COIs regularly
When you meet regularly with your Centers of Influence it will have a direct impact on growing your business, which is why it is important to meet with your COIs often. Making a point to stay in touch keeps you top-of-mind when they are out networking. Personally, I like to meet my COIs for lunch or a cup of coffee about once a month.
3. Getting referrals
Centers of Influence are one of the fastest paths to referrals. Even if you feel weird asking for referrals, just remember that your COIs really enjoy it. They feel awesome, valued, proud, confident and influential whenever they help their friends out. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship!
4. Reaching out to your COI
Because reaching out to others about networking is uncomfortable for some people, here is a sample email you could send: “Hi Jane. It’s been a long time since we’ve caught up. I’d love to hear what you are up to and also let you know what‘s new with me. How about meeting for coffee? My treat. When are you free?” I recommend coffee because that’s a lot cheaper than lunch or dinner.
You can reach out to COIs by phone, email, text or social media. If you want to connect with people outside your area, go virtual! You can Skype, FaceTime or try a Google Hangout. Be creative and find a way.
Your Client Attraction Assignment
Right now, make a list of 10 influential people who could be your Centers of Influence. Don’t get hung up on how well you know them. Remember, they enjoy networking and connecting people. You can even list 10 people you’d like to meet because of their influence and connections. Then contact them this week and watch your business grow.
This is just one of the many best practices we dive deep into with the students of The Client Attraction Business School, the premier training school for growth-minded entrepreneurs looking to quickly attract more clients and make more money. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit www.ClientAttractionBusinessSchool.com for more details. To speak to an enrollment coach, click here.
Are you currently tracking prospects and how they find you online? If not, start now. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is for building your small business.
You need to know how prospects find you so you can turn up the dial on that marketing tactic,or maybe even start a new one altogether. Without knowing where your potential clients are coming from, it’s impossible for you to know what’s working and what isn’t when it comes to both your marketing strategy and your online presence.
Here are two tactics for tracking your marketing results and understanding what methods are working for you.
1. Create a lead log
Whenever you speak to a new prospect, whether by phone or email, make note of it. I suggest that students make what I call a “tracking log” for all potential new clients. This way, all of the information is in one place. There are a few different options for tracking logs, including: a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, a table in Microsoft Word, using software like Infusionsoft or ACT (for the high tech people!) or even just a pen and paper. It doesn’t have to be fancy – it just needs to work.
Each time you get a new bite, consistently ask every caller (or emailer) how they found you. If they don’t remember specifics, make note of what they do recall. Perhaps they read an article on the web, stumbled onto your site while surfing or were referred to you by a friend. Even ask them what keywords they typed into Google, but just be careful not to push. You don’t want this to seem like an interrogation! With time, you will start to see patterns letting you know which marketing tools are the most productive. Then, concentrate on those techniques.
For example, if you discover that most of your new clients come from referrals, you might want to establish a referral program, such as offering an incentive to anyone who sends you a potential new client. Announce this in your networking groups and let your clients know as well that they will be rewarded when a new customer signs up.
2. Install Google Analytics
Make sure your website has Google Analytics installed. This is a free service that tracks your website’s statistics and analyzes traffic patterns and visitor behavior. With Google Analytics you can find out your most popular landing pages, which sites refer the most traffic to you and which keywords people use to find you when searching for answers to their problems. If you don’t know how to set this up or read the data, hire someone who does so you can benefit from the information.
Once you have a better idea of how your potential and existing clients are using your website, you’ll be able to further improve these areas to leverage them even more and improve your pages that under perform. Find out how many visitors return to your site and what percentage of people are new. All of these factors can contribute to improvements in your website and your online marketing, as well.
Your Client Attraction Assignment
What tracking system do you have in place to know which marketing tools are delivering the results you need? If you don’t have a system, it’s time to create one. It’s okay to start small! Once this becomes a solid habit, you can expand to gather more details. Then be sure to look at your results quarterly so you know where to focus your time and money.
This is just one of the many best practices we dive deep into with the students of The Client Attraction Business School, the premier training school for growth-minded entrepreneurs looking to quickly attract more clients and make more money. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit www.ClientAttractionBusinessSchool.com for more details. To speak to an enrollment coach, click here.
Recently, a student of The Client Attraction Business School who runs a very successful interior design company told me that she was completely overwhelmed.
Despite the fact that she has a great team in place and effective systems, things weren’t getting done fast enough.
After a few clarifying questions, it became clear that she was actually the one getting in the way.
Even though she wanted things to be moving faster, she was the one slowing things down by being too involved in her business.
Because so many entrepreneurs are overwhelmed, even when they’re successful, I recorded a video to help you navigate these waters:
To get yourself out of being involved with everything (and able to focus on the big things!) you’ll need to do less, better.
In this week’s short 5-minute video, I’ve outlined what you can do to get over the feeling of being over-involved.
After you’ve watched the video, understanding that to accomplish more, you have to do less, better, please let me know in the comments section:
If you could focus on just one project to significantly move your business forward, at the exclusion of all other projects, what would that one project be?
Is it writing a book? Bringing on a team? Scaling your existing business models? Systematizing your entire business? I’d like to know… Please leave your answers in the comments section of the blog and I will see you there!
Sending you lots of love,
Fabienne
P.S. We just had the pleasure of welcoming a new class of students into The Client Attraction Business School after the Mindset Retreat event! Just want to give them a shout-out because they are truly awesome and ready for BIG things.
If you’re ever interested in learning more about our Business School, you can click here to easily schedule a free Strategy Call with one of our caring Strategy Coaches, to map out your next 12 months. We’re here to help. 🙂
I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of our standout coaches of The Client Attraction Business School™, Jen Levitz, The Strategic Automation and Marketing Consultant for Automate With Love. Please welcome Jen as a guest contributor to the Client Attraction blog. As always, we’d love to hear your feedback. Please post your comments and questions below. ~ Fabienne. Connect with Jen on Facebook here.
When it comes to marketing automation, the first big question is usually: “What system should I use? MailChimp or AWeber, GetResponse or ActiveCampaign, Ontraport or InfusionSoft?” The truth is that if you’re focusing on the technology, you aren’t focusing on the right thing. You see, the technology is just a tool to help you get a specific task done.
Here is what I’d like you to do instead. Think of your automated marketing system as the first employee you are going hire for your business. The job title is going to be “Director of Customer Relationships.”
Now before you hire someone – and even before you start to interview candidates – you’ll need to figure out what exactly this role entails in your business. And ideally, you’ll look at what your business needs now and what it will need in the next 12-24 months.
You see, just like a real person in your office, your automation system is going to need some training in order to be able to do the job you want it do. And if you are going to be investing resources in training, your candidates should be able to handle your business as it grows.
One of the best tools for this process is to create a flowchart that will map out your current customer experience. This will allow you to follow the flow of an ideal client from when they join your email list all the way through when they buy a product.
Everything you do to serve your ideal client should be on this flowchart or map. This includes phone calls, emails or even manual tasks like sending a gift once they hit week 4 of your program. A side benefit of a super detailed map is that you can see where you can improve in order to create even more sales and build even better relationships with customers.
What also happens in this process is that you discover the features of the software that you need to have in order to successfully automate your client experience. Because you will know what you need, you will feel empowered as you interview different software companies.
So you see, the brand of software that you use for your marketing automation is really not as important as first knowing what you want to do with it.
Your Automation Assignment
Have you mapped out your client experience yet? Make a flowchart or map so you can start identifying opportunities for better sales and ways to build better relationships with customers. Also note that your customer experience map isn’t static. It’s dynamic and changes over time. This means that it will need to be changed and updated from time to time.
Jen Levitz is a Strategic Automation & Marketing Consultant and founder of Automate With Love. Through her workshops, courses, speeches, and coaching programs, Jen helps her clients to effectively use technology to build strong client relationships and sustainably grow their businesses. She integrates and optimizes technology systems so that rapidly growing businesses can launch successful marketing endeavors throughout the globe. To hear more from Jen and learn how to serve more clients, make more money, work less hours, and have more fun, visit: www.AutomateWithLove.com
Today I want to share with you a defining moment in my career.
It’s not a story I’m particularly proud of, but one that taught me a valuable lesson I still pull from today.
And it has positively affected my writing ever since. So, here goes:
A few years ago, right before a new 3-day event I was hosting for several hundred people, my assistant reminded me that the printer deadline for the attendee binder was in a matter of days.
My face went white. My throat went dry.
Days???
The final presentation and written materials? Now??
Are you joking??
Sadly, she was not joking.
Apparently, through a series of miscommunications, I hadn’t realized that I was supposed to have prepared the binder – several hundred pages’ worth of life-transforming content – by the agreed-upon date.
And the printer needed said materials in just a few short days.
Or else, no binder.
I panicked.
Then I cried.
Then I panicked some more.
But after a few moments of a serious meltdown, and pointing the finger at others, and then at myself, I realized that this reaction wasn’t going to solve my problem.
I realized that to get everything done, I needed to create a new, miraculous content-writing plan.
And I’m happy to report that did it. I wrote it all in less time than some people write a 3-page article.
How?
This week’s 5-minute video shows you how I successfully managed to write a huge amount of content, even under the most pressing of deadlines.
(If I can do it using this formula, so can you.)
What’s so great is that the process I came up with that day (to write in a ridiculously short time what would have normally taken me weeks) is a process that I still use today.
After you’ve watched this video, I’d like for you to tell me in the comments below:
When you write content (or when you do any other important business activity), what is that 80 percent of wastefulness? And going forward, what can you do to streamline, reduce or reuse in order to make wasting time a thing of the past?
I can’t wait to read your response in the comment section below… I’ll see you there!
Sending love,
Fabienne
P.S. Speaking of, maybe you wanted to join me at my 3-day Mindset Retreat next week, but you weren’t able to make it happen. Well, I have good news for you. I have managed for you to be able to eavesdrop on it. Next week, I’m broadcasting a session live from stage and I’d like to give you a free “backstage pass” to the Mindset Retreat to join us from the comfort of your own home or office (all you need is a computer and internet connection). Sound good? You can register for your free backstage pass here. Enjoy!
Many of my students want to know how to squeeze writing into their busy workday, as it’s very difficult to find the time to work on a book while working full-time. So, I want to share how I have done this and what I have found to be the most effective process.
My initial method was chaotic
When I was writing The Client Attraction Home Study System, my business was booming and I was pregnant at the time. Obviously, I had a lot on my plate. Because of everything else going on, I initially tried to write here and there when I could fit it into my schedule. Unfortunately, this was not the best process for me, as I discovered that too much time between writing sessions made me unproductive when I did sit down to write.
Whenever I would find time to get back into things, I found myself wasting precious moments (and sometimes hours) rereading my previous words in an effort to pick up where I left off. I grew frustrated with my inability to jump back in and was tired of having to constantly re-familiarize myself with my voice and the ideas that I was trying to convey. I quickly realized that this system was not only not working, but it was truly a waste of my time.
Establish a writing schedule
Once I realized that my “write when you can” method was not working, I decided to try a more regimented schedule. I committed to writing on a regular basis, so I wrote every Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30.a.m. I would leave my office so there were fewer distractions and interruptions, and go to Starbucks or a local diner. I chose places that were welcoming of customers with laptops (hello, free WiFi!), and where I could have a cup of tea and comfortably type on my laptop for a few hours. Every day, for those three hours, I forced myself to write.
Usually the first twenty to forty-five minutes were slow and uninspired. I would procrastinate by checking my email and catching up on the news. But once I finally settled in and felt caught up on where I was when I last wrote, I was able to dedicate myself completely to my work. With no distractions or thoughts looming over my head, I was able to produce quality content at an amazing rate. Plus, I still had the whole day ahead of me and did not have to worry about my writing interfering with my day-to-day work.
Take time off
Eventually, I decided to take two weeks off and make writing the book my sole focus. Without the distractions of work, I was able to get my writing finished in no time. While it was the best choice for me at the time, as I was under a deadline, I understand that taking time off is not a luxury everyone can afford. However, if you can make it work, it’s definitely an option worth considering.
Determine your best time of day to write
For me, I happened to write best early in the morning, but everyone is different. You’ll need to figure out the time that works best for you. I recommend trying different blocks of time in the morning, afternoon or late at night in order to discover when your creative juices flow easily.
Your Client Attraction Assignment
Do you have a writing project that‘s been on the back burner for a while? Dust it off and schedule blocks of time for writing. Give yourself a deadline to finish. That’s really important. If you don’t have a deadline, then there is no reason to focus on the project, stick to your schedule or feel the pressure to complete it. Make it real and give yourself a timeline. Think how happy you’ll be when the project is done! Happy writing.
This is just one of the many best practices we dive deep into with the students of The Client Attraction Business School, the premier training school for growth-minded entrepreneurs looking to quickly attract more clients and make more money. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit www.ClientAttractionBusinessSchool.com for more details. To speak to an enrollment coach, click here.
I’ve seen a defining moment happen in virtually every business I’ve mentored, which is thousands at this point.
It’s the (almost predictable) moment at which the successful business owner becomes so busy with their full client load that they virtually stop marketing.
They know they should continue to network, have coffee dates with centers of influence and speak to get clients, but frankly, they’re tapped out. In fact, they hit a wall.
They no longer have the time or capacity to market the way they used to, making connections and doing what got them to where they are now.
Problem is, if they (and you) stop marketing, even because you’re at full capacity, there won’t be clients in 6 months.
Soooo, something has to change to continually bring in ideal prospects, and for most, this means turning almost exclusively to getting clients online, as I outline in today’s new video:
Let’s face it; even though your business is established and you might be at full capacity, you still have to market yourself and your business, consistently.
What’s the simplest way to get clients when you’re at full capacity (and even before)?
Move your marketing online!
I recorded this new four-minute video to show you just how to move your marketing online – and how it can absolutely help you grow your business without taking too much of your time.
After you watch the video, would you please write to me your answer to the following questions in the comments below?
How can you start leveraging your lead generation online? What incentive might you offer for someone in exchange for opting-in to your email newsletter? What would you call it?
Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
See you online! 😉
Fabienne
p.s. Hey, just a heads up! Want to make sure that you know that tomorrow (Friday) is the last day of our Back To School Celebration where you get to receive a free ticket to my 3-day Mindset Retreat this October. You get this $2,000 gift (as well as other valuable $2,000 gifts) when you decide to schedule a strategic planning coaching call with one of our caring Strategy Coaches and then enroll in The Client Attraction Business School. The deadline for scheduling that call and getting the bonuses is tomorrow, Friday September 18th. Curious? Watch the “Why CABS works” video here and then schedule your complimentary Strategy Session here.
