People often want me to design / choreograph a marketing and/or sales plan for their business or for a specific launch or brand re-vamp.   The first step I take with them is to help them determine WHAT HAS BEEN DRIVING their marketing engine and — then — what SHOULD be driving their marketing engine.  If you are AT ALL disappointed with the numbers in your business, this article is a great place to start.

You can often look at a company’s paid advertising and see what’s driving their marketing plan.  For many, they’re paying to “get their name out there.”  Essentially, AWARENESS is driving their marketing engine.  Their commercials or ads have no call to action.   They let the viewer or reader know the company exists and — maybe — how to find them.

As an aside, AWARENESS as a marketing objective is the most expensive and LEAST profit-producing of all possible options.   Because, let’s face it, it is NOT all about getting your name “out there.“  It REALLY IS about getting your clients IN HERE, in your door, where YOU get paid.   Moving on.

But most of the time, a company’s owner and / or marketing manager DOESN’T KNOW what is driving their marketing engine.  They are pitched different options (from the local paper, local tv station, online digital marketing agency, a website firm, an SEO expert, and more) and then they sort of choose a few things they can afford.

So, what’s driving their marketing engine is this need to do SOMETHING to drive business. Throwing (expensive) spaghetti at the wall and then seeing what sticks. (Quick note, if you’re paying for advertising, you’ve  got to read this before you spend another red penny.)

This approach is much like buying a heap of 2x4s, two expensive doors, some roofing shingles, a bit of flooring and insulation and thinking it will miraculously turn into a house.   THERE MUST BE  A PLAN.  THERE MUST BE SOME EXPERTISE applied to the use of these tools, if they are to be of any use to you at all.  Otherwise you WILL waste time, money and energy… and the end result will be a far cry from the results you were hoping for.

The same is true in business marketing.  You can have the best commercial EVER created, by an award winning agency, and have it shown on the most watched show on television. But in order for it to be profitable, you MUST have created it with proper STRATEGY…. strategy not JUST for the advertisement itself, but — equally important — also taking into account the following questions:

• What do we want them to DO after reading this ad / seeing this commercial, AND what’s “in it for them” if they take this step? 
• What will happen — on our end — when they take this step? What will they hear? What will we send them? 
• What will happen NEXT? How will we nurture them from lead to prospect to client / patient?

This is just a thumbnail sketch of course, but a great place to begin.

Bottom line is this:  STRATEGY should drive your marketing engine.  NOT hope, NOT hype, NOT assumption, NOT awareness, NOT copy-catting.  STRATEGY.

The post Do You Know What Drives Your Marketing Engine? appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

AT Meet Georgie of Andre Marquez Architects, Inc., a firm established in 1993 by Joel André and Georgie Márquez to provide Architectural and Interior Design services.

Conveniently located in Norfolk, VA, they are licensed to practice in New York, Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, North Carolina, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Their specialty is commercial and healthcare design, with emphasis in pre-design services such as programming, planning, life-safety analysis and feasibility studies, as well as adaptive reuse of existing buildings and new construction.

Why WOW Loves Georgie:

The designers at Andre Marquez Architects interpret the vision their client wants to build. They work closely with each client and their team to produce functional and aesthetically pleasing designs that meet the specific needs of the end user. They are team players who value the client and the client’s input.

At WOW we were really impressed to learn about this super fun and unique service Georgie and her team provide: Offering clients the option of On-Site Design Charrettes, also known as Design Workshops, for both new construction and renovation projects. Armed with pencils, markers, and lots of paper, the Design Team will meet with the client: whether one individual or a committee, and over a period of several days will develop a working design that meets the programmed requirements. This process accelerates the Programming and Schematic Design phases and reduces the overall time schedule for the project.

The goal is for the owner and their team to feel included, heard, with ownership of the final design. The Architects encourage this sense of accomplishment all the while guiding and educating the client. The Design Team’s ability to interpret the users’ vision rests on their professional expertise.

The company’s ideal client is someone who wants their building to look like them, not their architect.

Why Georgie Loves WOW:

I first met Michelle Pippin at a business breakfast series sponsored by a local bank. Immediately I was impressed by her no-nonsense approach to business. There was none of the self-indulgent pep talk of so many other business presentations. Her knowledge of business, and her focus on doing what works in an efficient, streamlined manner was very appealing.

However, it took me approximately two more years before I finally joined the WomenWhoWOW universe. Key to this decision was the combination of Michelle’s direction and the quality of the women she had gathered.

The meetings are not “girls-night-out” get-togethers. But, they’re not women-trying-to-be-men groups either. While acknowledging the feminine genius, we are encouraged to work (and work hard!) on our business goals, and to explore avenues we might not have considered, or have been afraid to embark on.

WomenWhoWOW is a place of confidentiality and camaraderie, where women who are already business women can continue to grow.

Why Georgie Is A Self-Bosser:

Having worked for several firms in New York and Virginia, the founders of Andre Marquez Architects, Inc. wanted to establish a company based on three core beliefs.

First: Life is an adventure expressed in creative events having a lasting legacy. Humans were created to create, and so the company was established to allow for the company principals and their employees to grow in their creative abilities.

Second: The size of a project must not affect the quality of the design. A saying often heard at the office is “It’s in the details.” Many building projects are so focused on the large decisions that the smaller details, those that affect daily use, are missed. The company was thus started as a place where the small details are accounted for.

Third: Everyone deserves to be heard. One often hears stories of architects that refuse to listen to their client and focus only on creating spaces that image their personal aspirations and vision. Andre Marquez makes it part of the company culture that everyone the staff has contact with, regardless of position or role, is a person of dignity worthy of respect. Everyone should be given the opportunity to contribute to the success of every project.

Words Of Wisdom for Other WOW Members:

Having a vision and mission for your business is important, but having an understanding of who you are has to come first. Having a vision for your personal life has to precede your vision for your business. Only then can you develop a business plan that will advance who you are and what you want to accomplish as a person, in your lifetime and beyond.

Never think that your business is your child. Your today business could fail, and you would be able to replace it by an even better, more successful one. Yes, your today business is not static, and it should grow and mature… but it should be held loosely and it should serve your goals, not become your end-goal.

Having this perspective will help you stay focused when times are rough, and keep you motivated when it feels like smooth sailing.

The post WOW Member Spotlight: Georgie Marquez appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Never hyped, real-world, battle-tested strategy is what drives me…. and it is what has built this business.  In short, I only teach what I know works.   Today,  I want to walk you through 3 seemingly small changes I made in my business — at different times — that have had a huge impact on my bottom line.  But not JUST my income.  These business breakthroughs have also increased my reach and my influence.  Without further ado… =)

1) I Made a Life-long, IronClad Commitment to Direct Response Marketing, and have Never Strayed From It.

Let me explain. MOST of what drives the marketing decisions of even savvy, smart business owners is this idea that we’ve “got to get our name out there.”  In the beginning of my business, I — out of necessity — used direct response tactics.  (i.e. here’s the offer, say yes by doing this, etc.)  But then, I sort of got away from it. I wanted to “go big.” I wanted for more people to “know who I was.”

THEN I met a woman, who I’ll call Monique.  She was a published author and came to me with such an impressive media reel.  Glamour magazine.  People magazine.  TheToday’s Show.  And more.  I mean, SERIOUSLY.. this woman had all of the media and “exposure” you could ever find the energy to envy.   I’m listening to her on the phone — she had scheduled a consult — and I’m thinking, “What do you want from me?”  I ask, “How much money are you making?”

You guys know me… so much for tact, right?

Anyway, $400. A month.  $400 per MONTH.  WHAT?!?!  I tried to hide my shock… and eventually, I got really good at hiding my shock… as more and more people who had become “almost famous” passed my name around as the person who could help them — finally– make money.  After a while, no matter how impressive the exposure, no matter how big the name, I actually WASN’T shocked to learn how little they were making.

Because fame can help you make money… but it is NOT automatic.  Back to my point, I recommitted to a direct response approach to all of my marketing.  Direct response — for me — means (simply put) having a specific response I want people to take after reading my article, or seeing me on tv, etc.  Sometimes, I have to be slick about implying the response I want them to take, but there is always an action I want the prospect to take as a result of reading my letter, seeing my postcard, etc.    If you’re doing anything “for exposure” STOP.  Exposure can’t pay your bills.  Visit gkic.com/store and check out some books and / or programs regarding direct response.  A GREAT place to start is EITHER my Rapid Results program or Dan Kennedy’s book on the subject, which you can find here.

Moving on.

2) Measuring What Matters.

If it matters, I measure it.  Plain and simple.  The truth is we never DREAD measuring something we’re proud of. (Think of the last time you avoided a scale. It wasn’t because you thought you lost TOO MUCH weight!)  Here’s an incomplete snapshot of what I currently measure– regularly, usually weekly:  dollars in, dollars out, alexa ranking, new clients, new members, new subscribers, speaking / writing gigs.

Measuring regularly and ruthlessly is a game changer because keeps us from becoming deluded in our own business, which — let’s face it — is easy to do.  (Funny story about people who are deluded regarding their own success can be found here.)   Measuring also allows me to course correct regularly, so that I’m always moving forward… even if I’m zig zagging.

3) An Intentional and Obsessive Focus on Development.

Listen, there are NO born salesman.   Salesman are made.  AND, as an aside, if you still recoil at being called a salesman, I feel sorry for you! We should all proudly embrace the role of “chief rainmaker” in our businesses.  Our income — and that of the employees we support — is based on our ability to sell.   But, a less crass way to say this is “business development.” =)  So, let’s go with that.

I am intentional about business development.  I have my own weekly brainstorming sessions, quarterly project plans, monthly mastermind meeting, and quarterly WOW meetings… all focused on different veins of this one topic! Without a constant focus on growth, your business will slip into darker days.  THIS is why I created Women Who WOW’s mastermind…. to keep the CEO’s focus where it should be… on savvy development.

Dan Kennedy says businesses fail and struggle because they lack a consistent focus on sales and development. (Or something like that… I’m not quoting him directly, but that’s the point.)  I agree whole heartedly.

So, that’s me.  WHAT has created breakthroughs in YOUR business? Please consider contributing to our community by posting a comment below with your own big breakthrough moments or strategies.

The post 3 Big BreakThroughs In Business appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Gerald Beranek of BaraTek Industries has created a new gaggle of fans, because Women who WOW are — above all things — practical at our core!  (The product to the right fits over your power outlet and holds K-cups for your Keurig! Super cool, but go here to see my favorite product from BeraTek — the POWER PERCH.)

Gerald started BeraTek, a product design and manufacturing company, to bring simple innovative solutions to the market quickly and cost-effectively. He thinks there is a lack of simple innovative products on the market to solve simple problems for the consumer, and we think he’s right!

BeraTek Industires creates products directly in response to someone’s needs or challenges in everyday life. Their current products — VuSee, Cafe Wall Caddy, and the Power Perch — were created directly from a need in his own life.

For example: He created VuSee, the universal baby monitor shelf, after the birth of his son Levi. Gerald didn’t have a place for the monitor and he could never see all four corners of the crib. He created VuSee as an angled shelf and — Problem Solved! Now parents everywhere can benefit from using the VuSee.

Gerald’s biggest lesson learned in business was figuring  out what his personal strengths and weaknesses are. He recommends you  hire people strong in the areas you are weak, so you can play your strengths to move business forward. Growing up working for different companies, Gerald knows the importance of having a great culture internally at BeraTek. Having a great team working together is invaluable and keeping the team working together is even more important. He says — At the end of the day, it’s the employees who are doing the day to day work to keep the business afloat and keeping them engaged and informed in the business is critical. Having fun is also a high priority for him. He says to always remember to have fun!

The post Sponsor Saturday: Because Practical is Our Middle Name appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

If you missed part one of this post, originally posted HERE in 2009, you might want to start there and catch up.  =)  It’ll give you a bit of history, but today I want to talk more narrowly about defining and dominating your own “forest”… your own custom market within your industry.

When I first began “as a coach,” I was LOST.   I knew what I loved, what I was good at, and the results my deceptively simple marketing strategies could generate for business owners.  I also knew that I was competing with (and losing to) GIANTS in the industry.  Actually, let me be real with you, at that time I was simply hoping to GET THE OPPORTUNITY to compete with them…. hoping for a chance at bat.  I was the small fish hidden among countless competitors in a big, crowded pond.

Bottom line: I couldn’t come on the scene and immediately make a nation-wide impact. I had to CHOOSE my forest.  The forest I’d call home.  The forest I’d dominate and  make my own.  From there, I could branch out, expand my reach, increase my influence.  But I had to start somewhere.  Put another way, I had to get into a pond where I could grow, develop and become a big fish.

Initially, I began reaching out to other coaches who lived on the East Coast, but not within my own state.  There’s a specific reason for that, but the point is that I DEFINED my forest. I drew the boundaries of where I’d play, and where I’d play to win.  I ignored the rest of the world until I dug out a niche I could 1) get the attention of and 2) begin profiting in.   ONLY after gaining a large foothold and making a good sized foot print THERE did I look to expand the boundaries of my forest.

If you are TODAY where I was THEN —  competing with giants (and getting lost)  within an overcrowded market — OPT OUT of that scene and narrowly define your own “forest,” your own custom-created market.

You do this by first DeFINING your market.

Next, you’ll want to get to know your new forest.  Like Jaguar Paw in “part one” of this article, you’ll want to know the lay of the land… where the best resources are hidden.

Finally, you want to move quickly– to not only utilize resources there, but to create new ones for those already living, breathing and doing business within your narrowly defined niche.  Essentially, once you define your forest, you want to set about making it better, more safe, with more resources.  IN this way, you’ll quickly lay claim to that niche.

The post This is MY Forest — Part Two appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

I love working with you guys… especially when I have new programs being launched because it allows me to engage with ya’ll at a much deeper  and more “hands on” level.   I am going to begin answering questions that come to me multiple times, in various ways, here on our blog.   Today, we’re covering:  How do you know when it’s time to fire a client? We’re going to also cover WHY and HOW to Fire a client.

Trust me, I know the feeling of wishing you could fire and walk away from a problem client, but feeling like you “need” the money… and so you stay.  THIS IS A MISTAKE.  You do not want clients who are time sucks, energy drains and — frankly — pains in the butt.  THEY ARE NOT WORTH IT.   They WHY of Why to fire a client is simple:

Bad, Unideal Clients Drain you of Energy, Time and Resources.  
They slow down your progress.
They rob you of creative energy.
They skim off of YOUR personal best, and this affects other clients.

I have the following “guidelines” that help me decide WHEN to fire a client:

The Rule of 3

The Rule of 3, which I believe I stole from Dan Kennedy,  goes something like this: If I am laying in my bed worrying over you, dreading our next interaction, or feeling anxious about you more than THREE times — and I’m not married to you, you didn’t give birth to me, or you don’t call me “Mom” —  I’m done. Dramatic? maybe… but this little rule has served me well.   I encourage you to adopt it and create a similar one of your own.

They’re Inconsistent in Payment.

I do not chase money.  Therefore, if I am constantly having to remind a client to pay, they pay late, they are not for me.  Rather than get frustrated with them, create a bunch of guidelines and reminders that irritate those who — cheerfully– pay on time without reminder,  or allow this to ruin a relationship, I simply refer them to someone else.

They want to be the exception.

“I know you don’t normally…. __{fill in the blank}_____, but I need _____{repeat the first fill in the blank.}____.”  Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I DO make exceptions. I have very few private clients so that I CAN make exceptions.  However, some people — I find — need to be validated by how willing I am to bend my own rules for them.   The intention behind the exception is WAY more important than the exception itself.

Now, these are MY guidelines. I encourage you to create your own… so that when these things begin to happen, you know it’s time to get rid of that client.   Here’s THE HOW:

I compete with myself regularly… comparing month to month against my own personal best. I don’t like “going backwards” in income… regardless of my need.   So, when I know I’m going to be firing a client, I begin looking for a replacement.  I announce to my waiting list that I’m going to be taking on a new client soon, and ask them to submit a bit about where they are and what they need, so I can choose a good fit.   So, Step one: replace that client, and give yourself a deadline for doing so.

Next, let your client know that the working relationship is coming to an end.  Give them a bit of advanced notice.  (i.e. Treat them the way you want to be treated!)  I like to soften this message by referring them to someone else so that you know they are still in good hands.

What other questions do you have on this topic?  Post them in the comments below.

The post When, How & Why To Fire A Paying Client appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Sometimes, the very thing you’re doing to grow your business is what’s holding it back.  For instance, I’ve worked with entrepreneurs who have 3  websites, 2 blogs they maintain, 2 newsletters, and a comical 30-second introduction…. all because they’ve gotten more and more complicated.  Complicated in business — in almost every instance — slows profit to a crawl.

I understand how this happens.  Every guru has a new solution to sell you.  And, let’s face it…. sometimes nothing you’re doing is “knocking it out of the park” and so you begin to stack your strategies, adding one more to the mix as you go.  After all,  can’t afford to see a huge drop in business, because — the reality is — you never really saw the huge BUMP in business you were hoping to see.  And so, your business becomes a complicated mess, hard to maintain, harder to explain and — if you’re like many business owners I know — it’s leading you to an early grave.  You’re overworked and underpaid.

Are you willing to strip your business back  to its most simple form?  Are you willing to dramatically simplify your business so that you have something that is dependable and profitable? Your path to profit is linked with your willingness to be simple, uncomplicated.

*** These next few paragraphs may offend some.  I have a point to this.  Please read the note at the bottom of this post for my intentions. ***

Simplicity as a business principle has ALWAYS worked, but today — in 2015 — the world has gotten so friggin’ complicated, we’re CRAVING simplicity. Think about it.  EVERYTHING is complicated today.  Take this question: Are you white or black?  The leader of the NAACP was white.  Or was she?  I mean, here we are, intelligent adults,  looking at pictures of her –a woman with my skin tone when she was younger — and still a conversation drones on about her “real race.”***   Seriously? Since when did people “change races” mid-life?

Here’s another:  Are you a boy or a girl? Bruce Jenner.  First, we see him with nail polish… now a boob job and new wardrobe.  Amid all the complicated issues of life, we are now — again, as intelligent adults — legislating and discussing (as an actual news item)  whether or not a baby born with a penis and testicles and no female genitalia is — actually a boy?***

How about the U.S. tax code?  That sucker has 73,000 pages in it.  Seventy-three THOUSAND pages… of tax codes that you and I must somehow, miraculously know and adhere to.

We’ve become addicted to the complication of what should be so simple.  As Woody Guthrie said, “ANY FOOL can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.”

The market will reward you for being simple. 

Here are some things you can and should simplify in your business:

1. Your answer to the question, “What do you do?”
2. Your outbound marketing initiatives and the steps you have in place to measure their effectiveness.
3. Your referral process.
4. Your internal marketing.
5. Your systems… especially if you have employees.
6. Your employee accountability process.
7. Your sales funnels.
8. Your core business goals.
9. Your measurement data — what you measure and how often.
10. Your menu of options — or what people can pay you for.

There’s more you can simplify, of course.  And if you don’t know where to start, ask yourself WHAT ISN’T BEING DONE CONSISTENTLY?  I would be willing to bet that if something isn’t being done consistently in your business,  something about it needs to be simplified.

What is simple, gets done.

*** As an aside, I don’t care if that woman was white or black, or black and felt white, or white and felt black.  I have no feelings about this at all.   As for Bruce, to each his own.  What he does with his own body is up to him… and while i’m considering one of my own, I certainly don’t begrudge him his boob job. =)  My point in using these two examples is to show that the most basic of questions is now becoming complicated.  Society wants what it has the least of… In today’s times, it’s SIMPLICITY.

The post Your Path to Profit Lies in Your Willingness to DO THIS appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

I get a lot of questions about “expert” based businesses. But coaches, consultants, authors, and speakers aren’t the only ones who should be reading this post about Authority-Based marketing.   One of the fastest paths to more profit, creating less price-senstive clients, and generating demand for YOUR BUSINESS over any one of your “competitors” is to become the “authority” in your niche.  (As an aside, because I know you’ve got limited time, this post is equally important for the plumber, the attorney, the coach as it is for the physician, the financial planner, and the dog trainer. Stay with me.)

So, what IS authority marketing or authority-based marketing? Simply put, it’s marketing YOUR WORK as an authority figure within your niche… building a reputation for “knowing your stuff,”  more specifically, knowing your stuff “better than the other guys.”   There are 3 specific secrets imperative for  building this authority status, but first here are 3 quick contrasts / examples to quickly demonstrate the definition of authority marketing, in real life:

•  As a coach, you can be “just another life coach” — YAWN — or you can be the “Get A Grip Before Your Kids Enter Kindergarten” coach.
•  As a physician, you can be “just another primary care option” or you can become Dr. Hot Flash, like Dr. Angela DeRosa.
• As an attorney, you can be “just another divorce lawyer” or you can be Johnine Clark with a focus, a book, and a workshop aimed at  “Men & Divorce.”

Alright you get it.  So, now…. how do you “get it” — this level of authority — for yourself?

First, limit Access to You.

There is — in fact —  NO line to talk to the “expert” at the bottom of the mountain.   I’ve been this expert.  I “did my time” offering workshops on how to work from home with a cheap price tag and zero proven authority.  (I’m shocked anyone showed up at all, but FOUR was my max.) Think about those you TRULY believe are experts.  I’ll wait while you make your mental list. (Please make a quick list — at least mentally — because I’m going to ask you to refer to it throughout today’s exercise.)  Here’s mine: Warren Buffet on investing, Pat Flynn on podcasting, and Dr. Mercola on health.   That’s an incomplete list, of course.  But here’s my point:

I’d love to pick Warren’s brain about investing… but what do you think my chances are of running into him at a local BNI meeting? Calling and having him pick up the phone on the first ring? Or him responding to my email request for a coffee date?  Yeah — not good.  He’s an expert at the TOP of the mountain, there’s a long line of people hoping for access to him, and this access is limited.  I’d love to have Pat Flynn walk my team and I through the technical aspects of podcasting. I really would.  And I’d love to go over a few things with Dr. Mercola as well…. just to get his take.  Both of these guys have deliberately limited access to themselves, of course.

Now here’s the rub.  Most of us think that Buffett, Flynn and Mercola limited access to themselves ONLY AFTER “making it big.”  This may or may not be true.  Truthfully, I have no idea… but it doesn’t matter.  Any wildly in demand expert has limited access to them, and — who cares which came first, the chicken or the egg ???? — we should follow their example.

I began limiting access to myself YEARS before it was necessary to do so…  (This, admittedly, fits my “hermit-like” ways, but I also recognized what this did for my business.  It created higher demand, less price sensitivity and more respect.  I IMPLORE you to try it.

Where are you granting TOO MUCH ACCESS to your time, your expertise, your calendar? Where can you start putting up boundaries to make “full access” to  you more coveted?

Secret #2:  Stay Ahead of “Them.”

Listen, you don’t have to know EVERYTHING in order to be an authority in your field.  You just have to know more than “them.”  Quick story:  There’s a quasi-local woman who has wanted to join Women Who WOW for about 18 months now.  I’ve had to turn her down multiple times, out of integrity.  You see, she markets herself boldly as an entrepreneurial trainer, an expert for business owners.  Yet, she’s not yet been able to replace her own salary and quit her full time job.   In this case, she’s not ahead of those she hopes to serve, she’s behind them.

To build a reputation as an authority, you simply have to be a few steps ahead of those you hope to serve.  NOT worlds ahead, and NOT in all areas. Just a few steps.  For instance, I have many clients who know WAY more than me about social media.  No biggie, my authority is in profit-creation…not social media.

As they say, in the world of the blind, the one-eyed man is King… or something like that.  The point is to make sure you stay just a couple steps ahead of those you hope to serve IN THE AREA you hope to serve them.

Finally, Avoid Being Needy.

Please, please, please avoid being needy. Becoming an authority in your field will require generosity on your part.  And, you have NO room in your business for neediness.   Go back to that list of TRUE experts you created earlier.  How many of them  — do you imagine — demonstrate neediness in their interactions?  NONE.  They’re not beating you over the head for a sale.  They’re not chasing us down to get our attention. They’re not asking us to stroke their egos. They don’t need us for anything. And this confidence, this self-reliance is hugely attractive to us.

Neediness repels and chips away at your perceived authority within your industry.  Generosity — of spirit, of information, of connections — does the opposite.

The post The 3 Secrets of Authority Marketing appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Meet Dawn Olson, one of our newest WOW members.  She’s the marketing engine behind Dr. Clark’s Center for Weight Loss Success.  Although she’s only attended ONE live meeting, it was obvious from moment ONE that this woman “was one of us!”  We’re thrilled to have her join us!

Why WOW Loves Dawn:

Dawn represents Dr. Clark’s Center for Weight Loss Success — a patient-focused practice that has evolved as a result of striving to understand the unique needs of people who want to lose weight.

Dr. Thomas W. Clark’s professional passion is to help people lose weight and this gives true meaning to what we do every day. It began with weight loss surgery and has culminated into not only the most effective and affordable weight loss surgery options, but a full continuum of services for anyone who wants to lose weight and keep it off for life. You no longer have to seek services for weight loss surgery, medical weight loss, nutritionals and fitness at multiple locations. Dawn has been instrumental in helping Dr. Clark make this available in one convenient location…the Center for Weight Loss Success.

Why Dawn Loves WOW:

I am very new to WOW but could tell I had found what I needed from the first meeting that I attended!  This is a dynamic group of individuals from all facets of business but they share a common goal – helping each other increase revenue and become more efficient and effective business owners.

Many of the networking groups are focused on providing client leads as opposed to real strategy that can be implemented to make my daily routines more productive. Yes, we all like new business, but my existing clients deserve the best that I can offer and that means being on top of my game!

Why Dawn Is a Self-Bosser:

Although her initial career was in Finance, Dawn’s passion for health & fitness motivated her to re-direct her energy toward helping others reach their goal toward a strong & healthy life. As the manager for Dr. Clark’s Education and Fitness programs, Dawn works with nutritional counselors, personal trainers and group fitness instructors to help promote a comprehensive approach to weight loss and weight maintenance. When not counseling patients, Dawn is a contributing editor for the blog and various newsletters published each week. She built and maintains an online membership site for patients enrolled in each of the educational programs and offers technical support for those needing help.  Designing and implementing new marketing strategies motivates her to stay on top of trends in the digital world and allows her artistic side to surface.

In addition to her position at CFWLS, Dawn manages the websites and various social media sites for the Center for Hormone Health & Wellness and Weight Loss Practice Builder.

Working with people to make positive changes in their lives and becoming healthier with each passing day keeps her smiling. “This is far more than a job, it’s an opportunity to help people learn and understand what they can do to live longer, healthier lives.”

Words of Wisdom for Other WOW Members:

Follow your passion and don’t forget your personal goals, it’s as simple as that.

The post WOW Member Spotlight: Dawn Olson of The Center For Weight Loss Success appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

The post {Infographic} 5 Keys to a Profitable Marketing Campaign appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Even though I can’t see you, I ask that you refrain from rolling your eyes when I ask you to RE-consider blogging for your business.  I’m sure you’ve “already tried that.” MOST business owners I know have committed –at one time or another — to “blog for their business.”    MOST of them, however, fall (way) short of actually realizing the profit power of their blog.   If this is you, I urge you to keep reading. If you’ve ever thought of your blog as an elaborate time-suck, keep reading.

It’s possible you were blogging “well,” but still making the following costly mistakes that prohibited you from experiencing the profit of a well-orchestrated blog strategy.

Here’s a list of critical mistakes that could have been profit-blocking your best blogging efforts:

Take Your Blog from TIME SUCK to MONEY PUMP with 3 simple changes. Click this button for instant access.

Mistake One:  You’re blogging — on average —  monthly.

I guess I should first complement your efforts.  You’re AT LEAST blogging regularly.  But… forgive me for being frank, but blogging monthly and complaining that you’re not seeing any profit from your blog is like having sex with your pants on and whining about infertility.  Your heart’s in the right place, but it’s not enough.  You DO have to “go all the way.”    Weekly blogging is MINIMUM.  Blogging weekly is Super do-able and — if done well — can be enough to push you over that profit threshold.

Mistake Two:  You’re Making It Hard

When people take FOREVER on their blog posts, I KNOW that they are self-editing. Trust me… blogging becomes MUCH easier, much faster when you don’t attach any of the following questions to your blog posts:

• Is this smart enough?
• Am I good enough?
• Does this make me look _________?
• What will ________ and __________ think if they read this?

 Listen, you’re good enough.  Your content is great… because it’s yours.  It does NOT have to be perfect. Perfection is the enemy of profit.  (But only always.)   The ONLY question you should be asking when you write is this:  “After reading THIS POST, what should the reader be able to know or do?”  Let that guide you.  Stop self-editing and making this amazing blog of yours wait for its content.  Doing so is akin to seeing a starving child and making them wait for a gourmet meal.

Mistake Three:  You’re abbreviating content because “they” told you to.

You are right.  In 2015, our market DOES seem to have the attention span of a gnat on crack.  BUT, numbers do not lie and in test after test — across industries — long form copy almost always** outperforms those short 400 word posts we’re encouraged to write.   My rule of thumb? I want to make a post long enough to “get the job done.” (See mistake #2… we want your post to accomplish something in the life, business, health, or relationships of the reader.)

**As an aside, there is ONE exception to this rule. It is when you are blogging to generate traffic ONLY… and when your income streams are based on selling ads based on your traffic.   If this is you, there’s a caveat, and you WiLL need shorter copy.

Take Your Blog from TIME SUCK to MONEY PUMP with 3 simple changes. Click this button for instant access.

Mistake Four:  You’re taking the “Just the Facts, Ma’am” approach

For better or for worse, we EXPECT to be entertained. It’s no longer optional.  I’m not all sunshine and rainbows in my business, but I do make an effort to insert my “tough love” personality, my dry sense of humor in my writing and speaking.  YOU too should walk away from the “just the facts, ma’am” approach and infuse your blog with personality.  After all, there are tons of people talking about the same subject you’re blogging about… it’s YOUR approach that attracts the right market and repels the rest.

Mistake Five:  Your Blog Doesn’t Have a Clear Job Description

All the blogging in the world won’t help unless you know why you’re blogging.  What exactly do you want your blog to do for you?  For most, your blog is like a sales person in print… one you don’t have to pay.  It should also serve as your online “greeter,” your “assistant” that speaks on your behalf when the media is seeking an expert.  Your blog’s job description can be VAST… but it must be clear.  ONLY then can you create a content calendar that will meet your goals.

As an aside, mistake five is the first one I recommend you begin fixing.  To get started, simply write down all the things you HOPE your blog will do / create / foster in your  business. Don’t be shy or humble.  If you’ve got outrageous “unreasonable” expectations for your blog, write those down too.  This list will be your blog’s job description — a rough draft at least.

The post 5 Critical Blogging Mistakes & How To Avoid Them appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

The 4-day work week is different for the entrepreneur.  We don’t have traditionally paid holiday leave.  We often have 5 days worth of work that we MUST complete in only 4 days.  We need ultimate productivity in order to continue to gain ground — even during short weeks. And the week of Labor Day is just one of  the many four day work weeks we contend with throughout the year.  As a mom, I’ve got not only national holidays, but teacher work days, child sick days, child doctor / orthodontist / eye doctor appointment days. So four day weeks abound.  Today, I’ll lay out a battle plan for us ‘treps… in an effort to make the most of these short weeks.

Be Sure to Plan Your Week for Optimum Productivity

I’ve long advocated for  a Sunday Night Business Meeting.  But on short weeks, these planning sessions take on an even more critical significance.  So, whether you plan on Sunday night — as usual — or push it back (as I did this week) until Monday night, be sure to take 30 minutes and map out your week.  Here’s an additional article regarding this important planning session and this article is about planning a SUCCESSFUL business day.

Keep a Morning Routine for Optimal Productivity

I have a morning routine for every morning… but during short weeks, I can’t afford to deviate from my “morning rituals” that keep me focused, productive and driven.  Short weeks mean that my normally busy days are 20% MORE busy.  So, be sure to wake up early.  Eat well.  (I’m currently at the tail end of a “Whole 30” challenge and I can’t tell you how much our food choices impact mental clarity, energy dips, and more.) I’d love to hear about YOUR OWN morning rituals. What is most important for you? Exercise? Prayer? Devotion? Meditation?  Let me know in the comments below.

Avoid Blank Calendar Syndrome

During short weeks, I’m tempted to skip the “calendaring” of my week.  “After all,” I tell myself, “I’ve got too much to do and not enough time to do it.”  I don’t relish the opportunity calendaring will give me to feel this time crunch afresh.  But, when you take your to do list and assign each item a time on your calendar, something magical happens:  It forces you to actually budget your (limited) time.  Every item on your to do list is given a start AND an end time.  Important appointments are scheduled in advance, making last minute “fitting in” fiascos a thing of the past.   Take 20 minutes and fill in your calendar.  Yes, it will look pushed to the max. It will feel like the time equivalent of trying to squeeze into your skinniest of skinny jeans.  Do it anyway.

Eliminate Distractions

As entrepreneurs, self-bowsers, business owners, our available time is always lacking. There’s always MUCH to be done, many opportunities to pursue, leads to follow up with, and trains to be run. It’s the nature of our world.  Opportunities abound, to do lists grow, and distractions are a constant threat to our productivity.  So, eliminate them.  Plan for those conversations with your mom.  Turn your social media notifications off. Stay focused. Stay productive.  Friday is coming, and you’ll LOVE going into your weekend knowing you kicked this week’s butt.

Essentially, these are things we can and should do EVERY week… they just become much more important during short weeks.

The post Productivity Hacks: 4 Ways To Make the Most of a 4 Day Week appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

This week, my own office hours have taken a hit.  You see, my Aunt passed away last Friday evening and while I don’t want to dishonor her memory by turning it into a business opportunity, the truth is… death happens. Sickness happens. Family issues happen. And, as self-bossers, we still have to be productive.   Other people’s jobs depend on us.  Our own “job” and paycheck depends on us.  Atlas, please don’t shrug.  As the engine of our own personal economy, it’s up to us.  To be profitable, we must be productive. EVEN when death happens. EVEN when sickness happens.   So, in keeping with our theme this week, here are a few quick tips to help you reach MAX productivity — especially when you’re dealing with unplanned time off.

First things first, plan for emergencies in your business.  Make sure you’ve got a plan for your assistant and the rest of your team.  Does he / she know what to do when you’re not there to give instruction?  Do they have a plan that keeps them from “sitting on your clock” collecting a paycheck while “waiting” for something to do? Are there evergreen tasks they can do to keep things moving in your business?   If not, create one.

Preschedule what you can. Plan ahead.  Be sure others on your team know what you’ve committed to, so they can jump in and support you during your absence.

Next, create a “bare minimum list.” This is a list of things you’ll do NO MATTER WHAT.  Maybe you won’t be able to blog every day, but you can certainly share a previously written blog post every day… as a simple idea.  Keep this list simple and short.   It should TRULY be “bare minimum.”

Finally, when you — for any reason — know you’re getting ready to “go absent” in your business, your ability to prioritize takes on incredible significance.  You must  be more discerning with your schedule.  In times of extended or sudden absence, anything not mission critical will have to be cancelled or delayed.  A great question to ask  — before taking a machete to your time obligations — is this:

Is this moving me measurably closer to my goals?

If so, keep it and reschedule if you must. If not, delay it and cancel it if you must.  Choose well.

The post Max Productivity: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Unplanned Time Off appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

There will be times when you simply want someone to come in and “FIX YOUR BUSINESS.” In these moments, it wouldn’t hurt to have a perfectly chiseled man in tights and a cape swoop down and — in one quick fly-by — fix EVERYTHING.   Of course, fantasies don’t help much in the day-to-day of being an entrepreneur.  In PLACE of the fantasy, I offer you the following Small Business SuperHeroes who punch high above their weight (and fees) and deliver fixes, encouragement, and more.   I implore you to try one… or try them all.   With no further ado…

Aweber 

Aweber is a GREAT email marketing tool that is affordable, consistent, and customizable.  You know me for “tough truth telling” and so I won’t pretty this up for you.  Aweber.com isn’t on par with InfusionSoft.com, but it’s a decent runner up.  It’s BIGGEST selling point over Infusionsoft?  It’s super “doable” —  without hiring a specialized assistant to get you up and running.  If you don’t yet have an email marketing / list building tool,  you need one and I recommend Aweber.

Steve Chandler 

Steve Chandler is a MUST READ small business author.  He is hard to “box in” regarding the value he brings to your business… through his books, masterminds, and private coaching…. because his impact is deep, practical and far-reaching.  If I had to choose, he’s a master at keeping your mindset BOLD and OPTIMISTIC and your marketing simple.  Listening to him will be a game changer for you.

Fiverr 

Fiverr.com is — frankly — something I use occasionally for cheap graphics, recording transcription,  some podcast help.  But you can find a LOT there for cheap.  To state the obvious… cheap CAN be expensive in the long run, so choose your “gigs” from FIVERR carefully.

Dan Kennedy 

Dan is called many things.  The Millionaire Maker.  The Professor of Harsh Reality.  A secret weapon.   But he’s a marketing genius, plain and simple.  At a minimum, read his books and his blog posts. They will empower and embolden you.  Sign up for his $50 per month newsletter.  If you are too easily offended, he’ll offend you.  Read and learn from him anyway.

LeadPages

Most of us can recount — with frustration —  the wasted days and opportunities that have resulted from waiting on sales pages or landing pages to be designed.  I certainly can.  LeadPages allows YOU and the ABSOLUTE BEST and MOST PROFITABLE online marketers to have the exact same professional looking lead page options. Not bad for around $30 a month.  Certainly worth a try.

As always, I offer these SuperHeroes to you as a pure suggestion.  I’m not compensated in any way whether you choose to work with these people or brands or not.  But I suggest you do.  **wink** After all, we can all use one or two more super heroes in our corner! If you’re already using one or more of these, post a comment below and let me know about your experience. Have a superHero to ADD to the list? post it below!

The post The 5 Super Heroes of Small Business appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Business success is something I see being both overcomplicated (i.e. $25K “blueprints”) and over-simplified (i.e. “Just work hard and get your name out there.). Bottom line: your business growth is dependent on your willingness to plan strategically and execute consistently. Getting your name “out there” doesn’t work. Getting your clients / market / patients IN HERE works. (In here, you know, where YOU get paid.) In an effort to simplify business growth strategies, to give clarity to our members and readers, I’ve created the following list of 10 Business Tips You Can’t Afford to Ignore.

Tip 1: Know Your Market Intimately.

How WELL and how EFFECTIVELY and how PROFITABLY you market and sell hinges on how much you know about your target market.

Additional Reading:  Here’s a list of what you should find out about your market when doing some informal “market research.”

Danger Zones:  Don’t ever ASSUME you know about your market.  Don’t ever ASSUME they’re “like you.” If they’re not responding, get to know them better.

Action steps: Ask the last five that bought from you, “What was “right” about my ask? What was most important to you?”  Also, put on that thicker skin and ask the last five that didn’t buy from you:  “What am I missing?  What was the stumbling block for you? What could I have done better?”

Tip 2: Price for Profit.

Your pricing speaks for you. But only always.  So, you want it to speak of value, of worth. Trust me, you can lose as many gigs/clients/members for prices that are “too good to be true” as you can for pricing that seems “too high.” Furthermore, for every person who thinks your prices are too high, there is another — more ideal — client that will think your pricing is “reassuringly expensive.” Do NOT sacrifice profit in an effort to land a client. EVER.

Additional Reading: Learn how to say “NEXT!” in this article.  Get your free “best pricing strategies“ download here.

Danger Zones: Believing your clients when they say they can’t afford it. It’s ALWAYS that they won’t. NEXT. Another client will cheerfully pay your fees.

Action Steps: Look at your pricing. How does it make you feel? Raise your fees and / or create a premium option. Choose carefully regarding whether to raise your rates on existing clients. I don’t, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t. Just consider this option very carefully.

Tip 3: Never Need a Client. Ever.

In other words, keep your pipeline full. Do something every day to market your business. And, to be clear, “marketing your business” is defined as generating leads. So, generate leads. Every day.  This will keep you from compromising your integrity, your pricing or your reputation by taking on the wrong client.

Tip 4: Ask for Business.

Do not make the client responsible for asking to work with you. Please ask for the business you want. Propose. Detail. Present. Get excited about the ask. You should ask for business because you’re excited about what you can do (or what your product can do) for your potential client. You should ask for the business because it would be a shame for them NOT to work with / hire you.

Tip 5:  Stay Away from Treadmillers.

Treadmillers are those in business who are always bartering. Always talking big… but doing small. They’re always “on the cusp” but never quite there. They’re talking to each other. They’re not measuring in their business. They’re — frankly — playing business. And this child-like approach to “business” is costly. Surround yourself with like-minded, driven professionals instead.

Additional Reading: Read more about being on the “treadmill” of business here.

5 more Business tips coming up in next post.

The post 10 Business Tips You Can’t Afford To Ignore, Part 1 appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Entrepreneurs. Self-bossers. The Self-employed.  Whatever you call us, we’re willing to work like dogs to make our dreams and goals a reality.  When other people are vegging out watching other people’s lives unfold on tv, gossiping, and “wishing” things could be different, we’re hustling.  We work longer hours than most.  We take more responsibility. We take more chances. We get knocked down more than most, and get up every single time.  We shake off our failures and disappointments with no time to nurse them… and keep fighting when we’d rather fold. We do all of this… not because we’re greedy.  We do it for the following 4 freedoms.

Money freedom is definitely part of it.  But, let’s face it, there are a LOT of jobs that could make us a bunch of money.   And — seriously —  if it were ALL about money, chances are we would have quit this “insanity” about 4 months in, right?  Money freedom is the least important freedom for which we fight.  (Don’t agree? Keep reading.)

Time freedom is also a part of it.  But, “time freedom” means something different to each entrepreneur… and is different at each phase of business growth.  We laugh at people who want to leave a J-O-B and start a business because they want to “work less.”   Because we know better.  We sharing knowing glances with each other when listening to a “civilian” (Lee Milteer’s term for someone with a job.)  complain about 55 hour weeks.

Still, while we may work more than we ever imagined, we have two benefits we value: We have control over WHEN we work. And we tend to enjoy our work.  I guess that equates to time freedom.. in the beginning.  By the third and final stage of your business (Stage: Freedom) your work and expertise is leveraged to where you can TRULY work less…  It takes a LOT of work to get there, but completely worth it.

Freedom to Work With WHO We Want.
Freedom to Work HOW We Want, According to our Own Preferences.

These are critical freedoms for us.  Not only do we get to hire who we want… we get to choose who our clients and customers are.  Sure, we can choose to work with a total jerk (I hope you gave him the “A-hole fee.”)  but we don’t HAVE to.  We can turn down clients, fire trouble clients and create a business environment of our choosing.   We can set our own hours, determine our own rates, decide how clients have access to us and when and where.  We get to script how our days go, what we give, what we charge for, and more. Our businesses are our own creation. Yet…

The biggest disappointment about these particular freedoms — the most important, in my opinion — is that far too few business owners truly embrace them… despite their true desire for it.  They think they’ll have it “one day.” They think they MUST do this and that… FIRST.  They have these freedoms at their fingertips, and make excuses not to pick them up.  Maybe they blame their industry, their competitors, their market.   Either way, they’re staring at — but refusing to embrace — what they really want.

A pitiful irony exists here.  Those business owners NOT embracing the last two freedom frontiers think they can’t because they’ll cut their own throats, profit-wise, by doing so.  YET, I can personally introduce you to a real estate agent who never has weekend open houses, a mortgage loan officer who doesn’t work at night or on weekends, a doctor who sees patients only 2 days a month, a consultant who refuses to use email or internet, a MLM’er who doesn’t do home parties, and more.  The irony?  EACH of these examples earns FAR MORE than the average in their industry… earning far more “working their own way” than all those others doing what they think they “have to do.”

There’s a lesson here.  Actually there are a few lessons. But the TOP one is this:

FREEDOM is what we want, right? Why compromise the last three freedoms for the first one?  Why acquiesce to the ‘standard’ expected way of doing things.. all for a buck? You can get a job earning tons of money and do things according to how someone else says you should.  If you’re gonna do things your own way, go all out. CHOREOGRAPH freedom into your business… starting today.  If you dare, post a comment below and let me know what ONE change you’ll make today in order to have more of ONE of these freedoms.

The post The 4 Freedoms ALL Entrepreneurs are Seeking appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Women Who WOW love the obvious and practical.  QuickStick certainly fits the bill.  The QuickStick team knows that the need for people to hang or store things is clearly there, but the options to do so are still rather limited. They say either they use suction (which typically does not work), semi-permanent adhesive, or one-use only permanent adhesive.

This is where QuickStick comes in, with a NEW solution to hanging. QuickStick is a fun new way of keeping your everyday objects organized. The entire line of QuickStick hooks, holders, bathroom accessories, and cord keepers are easy to use, repositionable, and re-stickable.

QuickStick makes hanging fast, easy, and affordable. Leave your tools and glue behind, and save time and space when you stick with QuickStick.  With their focused consumer marketing that targets renters, students, and the house-proud…  this team definitely has the “hang” of space optimization.

There’s a saying that goes “showing up is 80% of life.” The QuickStick team has learned that this translates to business as well. They say it’s ALL about taking a risk and not being afraid to show up, experiment, and try something new.  Ultimately, when you show up, you are giving yourself the chance to explore your visions and make them become realities.  When you show up, you increase your chances of success, so that’s exactly what they keep doing with QuickStick… just showing up.

The post Sponsor Saturday: QuickStick Convenience appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

I was recently interviewed by Elena Forbes regarding ONE specific question:  How can business owners generate $5K in one day in their business.  While many, many business “experts” will sell you solutions on how to make SIX FIGURES in a weekend — don’t get me started on this one– it was hard to find experts giving hard hitting, step-by-step advice on how to generate $5k a day in your business.

I loved my interview with Elena, and it will go live today.  (You can get all 32 interviews by signing up for this free event.) But here are the HIGH POINTS in five steps.

1.)  Know Your Numbers and Make Sure they Make Sense.

It makes a difference if you’re going to generate $5K by selling a $500 program to 10 people, or a $50 program to 100 people.  So, know how you intend to generate that $5k.   How much of WHAT will you need to sell?

2.)  Define Your Sales Funnel.

Given the specifics you outlined in step one, you must now know how you’ll create a sales funnel. Maybe your sales funnel is short.  (Example: You offer a 30 minute strategy session and sell a package at the end of that.)  But maybe it’s a bit more complex…. and you’ll have to plan a bit more to create  a $5K day.  (Example: Driving your existing leads to a webinar and selling them through a series of emails.)  Either way, you need to know HOW you intend to reach the numbers you defined in step one.

3.)  Plan Your Day.

Set up your day to sell.  Block off the time.  Protect the time.  You’re a selling fool.  Block off every 15 minutes, block off your time for lunch, any breaks you need, etc.  In order to have the most profitable day possible, you’ll have to be very focused.

4.)  Wash & Repeat.

Let’s face it.  This won’t be the only $5000 you’ll ever need.  Once you’ve created your FIRST $5k  day, you’ll want to see how you can replicate it, faster, without delay.  So, how much of what you did to generate $5k a day WORKED?  How much could you do without next time? What can be put on autopilot?

5.)  Set a Daily Monetary Challenge.

The most important part of this is the daily monetary challenge. Maybe you would be doing well to generate $5k a MONTH.  But maybe $5k a day, 5 days a week won’t even come close to generate what you need to make. EITHER WAY, know your daily number.   For example, if you want to generate $300,000 a year, and you take off 4 weeks a year for vacation, this means you’ll need to earn $1250 per day… in order to reach your annual goal.  A daily monetary challenge is something you should have ever present in your business because you approach your day differently as a result.

The post 5 Steps to $5K A Day in Your Business appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

Michelle Annette of Reverence Apparel  is really and truly a woman who WOWS!  And the t-shirts she sent ahead for our September meeting were a HUGE hit.  I loved them.  My girls (and their friends) loved them! And most importantly, our members loved them!

Michelle says it was a personal goal to find her own truth, strength and confidence and positive messages on shirts were a great way to remind herself of those goals. Others really loved the designs  she was creating and it led her to start the business. Once she was officially in business and started to meet other women, who are now some of her good friends, she realized that her next goal was to promote health, confidence and support among women.

Michelle has learned that a lot of people like to give you their opinion or ideas on the business.  She reminds women who WOW to always be open to hearing people out…  but you have to go with your gut and make sure to remain consistent with your brands vision.

The post Sponsor Saturday: Reverence Apparel ROCKS! appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

So, I’m no media expert… although I’ve been featured in a great deal of “exciting” media outlets, and so have my clients.  (For nothing more than bragging rights, my media “image” is below. lol… )  But, I’ve been living in the world of blogging lately… launching not only an EXTENSIVE free blogging program but also a paid program.  And, there’s one “bridge” that isn’t readily built for you by media experts:  How does my blog help me get media attention?  One of my super simple, one-step media / marketing /  profit hacks is detailed below.

Here goes.   On October 5th, I hosted a BlogFest for my Blogging program members. Some showed up live and in person. Others participated via Skype / google hangout.   Together, we not only planned our blog strategy, but we also began blogging.  We were writing, creating content, getting ahead of our content calendars.

But I didn’t post my blogs and schedule them for publication on my own blog.  No way.   Not yet.  

What I did FIRST was send them — the completed blog posts — to an editor of a publication that (let’s face facts) gets FAR more hits than my website.   The editor cheerfully accepted one article, and turned down the other.  (YOU can read the article here, titled 4 Ways To Become Irresistible to Your Target Market.)

So, that other blog? The one the editor turned down? I’m shopping it elsewhere.  It’s about the Business of Medicine, and I’m quite confident I know where it will be published.

And even if not, I’ve got my own media outlet…THIS BLOG where, frankly, my most candid and straight to the point content proudly adds value to the most committed, most determined, most impressive of business owners:  YOU.  

So, if you would like to be published “elsewhere,” — you know on media you don’t own —  write the content. And then shop it around.  MOST online magazines or publications have a “submission” feature.  (Just google, “name of publication + submission” or “name of publication + submit article” and you’ll figure out how they’d like to receive content.)   Follow their directions.   And see what happens.

If you do this, let me know how it goes. I’m always here, ruthlessly committed to you and your business.   And if you want serious media coverage, visit one of our members over at CherylTanMedia.com.

The post Your Blog & the Media appeared first on b. michelle pippin.