management - Blogs - Black Business Women Online
2024-03-29T05:03:31Z
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/management
Hey ACTIONista! Are You Ready to Master Your Online Business?
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/hey-actionista-are-you-ready-to-master-your-online-business
2014-02-03T19:46:18.000Z
2014-02-03T19:46:18.000Z
Kenya Halliburton
https://mybbwo.com/members/KenyaHalliburton
<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-13809" alt="Kenya Halliburton, ACTivator for SHero-Entrepreneurs" src="http://kenyahalliburton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/launchgrowexplode.jpg" width="389" height="221" /></p><p> </p><p>Hey ACTIONista!</p><p> </p><p>This is a really special day! The Brand Launch of KenyaHalliburton.com Home of the ACTION SHero (You'll learn what that means in a minute. ;)...</p><p> </p><h2>Now, a bit of an authentic disclaimer :) ...</h2><p><br />"The Shero's Layer" a.k.a. "this site" is still under a bit of construction, so bare with a sista. But, there are some exciting things coming you absolutely won't want to miss!</p><p>I am happy to launch my brand spanking new brand and Online Business Mastery Video Series, all designed to equip you with the tools you need build an online business that works for you and the people that need you. Shout out to The BossLady of Branding, Catrice Jackson for making this all possible.</p><h2>Okay, now let's talk about bossin' your online business...</h2><p><br /><span style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.5em;">Listen, I know there is a lot of hocus-pocus going on online and I want to help you get back to what really matters. Keeping up with the "Internet Joneses" will do nothing but leave you broke and frustrated. </span></p><p> </p><p>Been there, done that, got the t-shirt to prove it, okay? lol</p><p> </p><p>You've got people to serve and a big vision to unveil so, let's get to work, shall we?</p><p> </p><h2>Check out this 4 part Online Business Mastery video series there are hidden goodies inside...</h2><p><br /><strong>In this series you will learn:</strong></p><ul><li>What it means when I call you names like ACTIOnista and ACTion (S)Hero!(Because you need to know how truly incredible you are)...</li><li>The top three types of kryptonyte that keeps mission driven SHero-Entrepreneurs like you from making the money and meaning you desire online + how to makes sure it doesn't anymore...</li><li>What you need to know to master the marketing, messaging and management of your online business so you don't waste time and money...</li><li>How to get started today creating a business that frees you to do what you love and change the world...</li></ul><p><br />And more...</p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;">If you don't see video player below...<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC5K5iiuMxM&feature=share&list=PL5Y_sQ7eDR8RNyn1qHtglD_uXSzsy7JI5" target="_blank">Click Here to Watch the Videos...</a></strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"></p><p style="text-align:center;"> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uC5K5iiuMxM?list=PL5Y_sQ7eDR8RNyn1qHtglD_uXSzsy7JI5&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p> </p><p>P.S. be sure to share your thoughts with me, I'd love to hear from you!</p><p>To Your Success, Joy and Freedom,</p><p><img class="alignleft wp-image-13802" alt="Kenya Halliburton" src="http://kenyahalliburton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/signature.png" width="128" height="111" /></p></div>
How Not to Have an Automation Meltdown
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/how-not-to-have-an-automation-meltdown
2013-09-11T11:08:31.000Z
2013-09-11T11:08:31.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/systems-mistakes.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/systems-mistakes.jpg?width=231" width="231" class="align-left" style="padding:10px;" alt="systems-mistakes.jpg?width=231" /></a></p><p>I love automation. It's one of the reasons I have a business, but it can also be a big pain in the rear when it doesn't work.</p><p>I remember this one week where I was having terrible problems with my meeting scheduler. I was using a service to set up complimentary appointments with prospective clients and I'd done this big promotion about it. What was supposed to happen is the person would go to this page, click on a link to see my available calendar, and in about 2-3 clicks they're all set.</p><p>They'd get an email confirmation and the meeting time would pop into my calendar. No back and forth, no wasted time, boom - there is the appointment.</p><p>I had a number of people trying to set up their free time to connect but they weren't getting the handy little meeting schedule. Instead every one of them kept getting an "error 404" page ... those error pages always get on my last nerve especially when it means I have a link not working! Ever had that happen to you?</p><p>So what was happening is I kept getting phone call after phone call telling me the link didn't work, asking for next steps, requesting a return phone call. Some were even downright insults saying things like "this is unprofessional" (and yes, remember I said it was a free offer ---sometimes those are the worst kind when things go wrong).</p><p>Well once I figured out what the problem was, I'd missed at least 20 prospective meetings. I had to personally call each person back who left a voicemail and arrange the meeting manually, which is what I'd set up the service to help me avoid in the first place! That free time turned into triple the hours I'd planned for.</p><p>After that little incident, I learned my lesson. I'll give you a few quick hitter tips you can use so you don't end up falling prey to an automation disaster like this.</p><h3>Always Test Your Automated Systems</h3><p>When I sent out the promotion emails and let people know the links were open, I should have already tested the entire process myself along with having a friend or assistant test it. I know this now. Most of the time I'll remember this horrible week and I will have someone go through the entire process as though they are signing up. That way, any errors can be worked out before the whole world hears about it.</p><h3>Remember, It's People Over Process</h3><p>Many people think more of their super fabulous tools and systems than what the experience will be like for the end user. If you take the time to put yourself in the other person's shoes -- you know, the person who might just be investing in you or your stuff? -- you will know if you're headed in the right direction. Think about things like, "how easy is this to use?", "how many buttons would I click?", "does this frustrate me more than endear me to the service?".</p><p>You should make it easy for people to do business with you, not harder. The more difficult it is, the less likely they will buy.</p><h3>Always Have a Back Up</h3><p>Sure in this case I was the back-up. I literally sat down and made a list of all the people and manually called them myself. But what if there was a better way? If I had an assistant at the time, I would have had more help. Or if I learned through the testing process that the service wasn't working, I would easily have changed over to a new scheduling service before the promotion ever went out.</p><p>Think through your backup plan. What could you use if a part of your system is not flowing smoothly? What resources are available quickly and within your budget? Just thinking this through may save you a ton of time and money.</p><p>Now I can't tell you I've never had an automation problem ever again, but I can say that putting systems in place to help me replicate my work has always cost me less in the end than doing it all manually...both in dollars and in sanity. If you remember the tips I shared with you in this post, you'll reduce the chances of automation fail.</p><p>Want to learn more about how to use automation the right way? Get more over at my main blog <a href="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com" target="_blank">www.tanyasmithonline.com</a>.</p></div>
You Got What I Need - Systems to Know What Your Customers Want to Buy
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/you-got-what-i-need-systems-to-know-what-your-customers-want-to
2013-07-17T11:20:25.000Z
2013-07-17T11:20:25.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p>Remember that old <a title="Biz Markie Just a Friend" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_a_Friend" target="_blank">Biz Markie song</a>, ♪ "You, you got what I neeeed...." ♫. Don't you wish that every time your ideal client or customer saw your stuff online that song would just automatically pop up in their head?</p><p>If you don't, you should. Because that means you've made the right connection. See it works like this...</p><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-17119" alt="whatyouwanttosell" src="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/whatyouwanttosell.png" width="511" height="71" /></p><p>But often we just focus on the first part of the equation - <em>what we want to sell</em>.</p><p>The fact is it can be pretty time consuming to do market research, but it's crucial to your business. It's just one of those things you've got to do. Otherwise, you can spend a lot of time creating products and promoting services no one will every buy.</p><p>You know my answer to almost everything when it comes to saving time, right? Turn your research into a system, (my quick definition? a system is a set of repeated activities you can map out, delegate and automate to get similar results).</p><p><strong>Where Should You Start?</strong></p><h3>Keyword Research</h3><p><br />Keyword research is the first step for most solo service providers. It helps you understand what people are searching for online and what words they are using. There are numerous tools that can help you do this research, including Google’s own AdWords keyword tool, a free and paid tool from Wordtracker, and a popular software program called Market Samurai.</p><p>It takes a little practice to learn to do keyword research well, but knowing the most commonly searched terms will help you target the problems that people are facing. It also means you can optimize any content you create, helping it rank in the search engines.</p><h3>Study Problems People Are Facing</h3><p><br />When you know the problems people are facing in your target market, you can create solutions. Solutions sell. Look at the questions people are asking and why they are asking them. Look for the places your target market hangs out, like forums or Facebook groups, and listen in. You might even create a list using a tool like Evernote or Google Drive. I call this list my R&D (research & development) list.</p><p>Other places people don't really think about are YouTube videos and Amazon books. What's popular? What are people talking about around the topic you're interested in promoting? Watch the discussions that take place and the questions asked. If there are problems that people consistently talk about, you’ve just found a great opportunity to provide a solution.</p><p><img class="wp-image-17124 aligncenter align-center" alt="marketresearch-systems-yougotwhatineed" src="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/marketresearch-systems-yougotwhatineed.jpg" width="372" height="248" /></p><h3>Paint a Portrait of Your Customers</h3><p><br />It helps to paint a portrait of your ideal customer in as much detail as possible. This isn’t necessarily a visual picture, though some people do that, but one that describes little details about them. What are their demographics, such as age, gender, occupation, where they live, etc? What is some of the lingo they use? Do they tend to have similar interests or hobbies? Write it all down. Some marketers even keep this list in front of them whenever they write anything for or to their customers.</p><p>While it can take what seems like a lot of time, having a system you use to do market research can save you from sinking a fortune in time and money in a doomed project. The more market research you do from the start to understand your market, the less risk you face and the more likely they'll be singing your song loud and clear. ;)</p><p>In my lunch time series coming up I'll share a few more tips on how to create great, but simple systems for your biz. <a title="Secrets to Simply Better Systems" href="https://tanyasmith.leadpages.net/secrets-to-simply-better-systems/" target="_blank">Get on the "notify me" list now so you get reminders</a>. </p></div>
Business Process Mapping in Your Service Business
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/business-process-mapping-in-your-service-business
2013-05-04T02:52:47.000Z
2013-05-04T02:52:47.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/017-4231-082-1600x1200.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/017-4231-082-1600x1200-1024x672.jpg?width=219" width="219" class="align-left" alt="017-4231-082-1600x1200-1024x672.jpg?width=219" /></a></p><p>Very few people I know use <a title="Wiki on Business Process Mapping" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_mapping" target="_blank">business process mapping</a>, but it can be a really good way to figure out the difference between what is happening now vs. what you want to have happen with certain systems running in your business.</p><p>For example, you might have this really great product out in your online store, but you somehow keep losing customers -- like 85% of the time -- after they click the "add to cart" button. What happened?</p><p>Or in another instance, you may have tons of referrals and they come to you willing and ready to invest, but you only convert 10% of them into clients. Where's the breakdown? How do you know? And what resources do you need in order to increase that number?</p><p>Many times, knowing the solution that works the best for you does not just pop up in a magical light bulb over your head. Instead, it requires knowing what is taking place, step-by-step, so you can make improvements for the better.</p><p>Business Analysts (also known as BA's) tend to take advantage of process mapping because it suits them perfectly since they tend to be practical thinkers, always looking for the "why" behind what's going on. They also get really passionate about information. I like how this <a title="Business Analysts Traits - TDWI" href="http://tdwi.org/Articles/2011/06/29/10-Traits-Top-Business-Analysts.aspx?Page=2" target="_blank">article from TDWI</a> says, "They love to wallow in it, get it all over themselves, see what they can do with it, and see it change state and morph and eventually crystallize into facets of meaning."</p><p>Basically, these guys can get really geeky about improving a system, or set of activities so you get the most optimal results.</p><p>How do I know? Because I actually have an analyst background in my "other" career. Yeah, that's how I got to be such a systems geek.</p><p>Now here's what is cool about that...</p><p>There are a lot of creative thinkers marketing how great it is to use your creativity to ...well...create things. Products, new service offerings, you name it. I love it and I think that's great. If you want to promote creative thinking, mind-mapping is a very effective tool. But that's a whole different type of method than what I'm talking about.</p><p>The thing is, not everyone is naturally given to creatively wild or illustrative thinking. Some of us tend to be a bit more structured and systematic in our thinking. Having those type of people in your business network can be tremendously helpful because we help with the execution of the actual sale of that wonderful new product, or we help you fix problems with the way you're handling questions from prospective buyers so they feel better about trusting you and affirmed when they buy.</p><p>This is the beautiful place where process mapping comes in.</p><p>In my upcoming webinar, <a href="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/systems-roadmap" target="_blank">10 Ways To Design Better Systems For Your Business</a>, I share more about process mapping and what it can do. Plus I'll be talking about more ways to improve what you're doing in your business, so you can be more efficient which => (ta-dah) more profitable.</p><p>Business process mapping may just be the answer to your problems. Oh, and if you search the internet now for some process mapping resources, it will probably look a lot more boring than how I do it.</p><p>I've made the webinar publicly available. No registration required.</p><p>=> <a title="Webinar on Business Systems" href="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/systems-roadmap" target="_blank">Just click here to watch and get my free Systems Success Roadmap</a></p></div>
Maybe It’s Time To Downsize Your Subscriber List
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/maybe-it-s-time-to-downsize-your-subscriber-list
2013-04-09T02:00:00.000Z
2013-04-09T02:00:00.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/RFImageSet139-1024x768.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/RFImageSet139-1024x768.jpg?width=237" width="237" style="padding:5px;" class="align-left" alt="RFImageSet139-1024x768.jpg?width=237" /></a>I have been building my subscriber list for a few years now. It's had wear and tear, much of it because of my abuse. I switched focus, lost focus, tried different paths, different brands...all of the things new business owners tend to do when they're finding their way.</p><p>There are a ton of reasons people stay on your subscriber list. Many stay even when they're no longer getting value. Maybe it's because they like you as a person, though they don't have interest in your topic. Or maybe they forgot to disconnect at some point. Instead they just delete everything you send.</p><p>Perhaps, they find a few tidbits of information you've sent for free they could appreciate, but now that you're asking them to invest they are offended. The point is - my audience members came in for different reasons and stayed for different reasons.</p><p>The danger in this is at some point, you may find yourself with a huge list of people that DON'T CARE A THING ABOUT YOUR OFFER.</p><p>Signs of a list that needs to be downsized? You have dead silence when you're sending out market survey questions. You actually look at your metrics and find that your open rate is not only low, it's in the red. No one shows up for your special events that are only for your subscribers.</p><p>When these things are happening although you have list quantity, it's a good chance you have a list that needs to be downsized.</p><p>Recently I did a downsizing of my list. It gave me a sense of freedom I never thought I'd have. At first, I was afraid (♪ I was petrified ♫...I love that song...short digression...ok, back on track now). Seriously though, when you work hard to build a good sized list it can be very intimidating to even think about minimizing it or tearing it apart.</p><p>But I had to do it.</p><p>Ever heard of the law of the vacuum? Catherine Ponder talked about it in the book, <a title="Amazon Dynamic Laws of Prosperity" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0875165516?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0875165516&tag=bepromotable-products-20" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity</strong></em></a>. It says something like, "Make room for the thing you desire by letting go of that which you do not appreciate or use. Give it away with a giving, charitable heart, and let the Universe compensate you." In other words, when you let go and make space you have more room to receive what's really meant for you.</p><p>I knew that downsizing my list would put me in a different place, giving me the freedom to really talk directly to an interested audience of people who want what I have to share. No more wondering "do they care?" or "is anybody listening?" And for them - the ones who were purged voluntarily from my list - I gave them back freedom, freedom to read and receive information they truly would find useful and immediately applicable.</p><p>So how did I do it? I'll break it down for you:</p><p>First, I used my email marketing service, <a title="Mailchimp Tanya Smith" href="http://eepurl.com/oTCQT" target="_blank">Mailchimp</a> (shout out - "eep eep"), to evaluate my list. They have some pretty decent analytics and along with a tool called <a title="Hairball Tanya Smith" href="http://blog.mailchimp.com/introducing-hairball-an-air-app-for-really-complicated-mailchimp-lists/" target="_blank">Hairball</a>, it was pretty easy to create a small list, or segment of people who were rated below a 3 rating. These ratings give you an idea of how often your emails are opened or clicked by the user, along with a few other stats. Your service may have a different way to show you this information.</p><p>The key is to figure out who is least active in your list over a period of time. By the way, I did not include users who were fairly new and still building a rating. Since they recently added themselves to the list, I assumed they have an interest in my content.</p><p>Second, I sent out an email to the folks in that group about 14 days before the purge date (you can adapt this to your comfort level). The subject line read something like "Only open this if you want to keep getting my emails!". I wanted to make it super easy for those who didn't open them anyway to take little to no action. Only the genuinely interested people would reply back to say "leave me on the list". And yes, I had several who read the email explaining my "Spring Cleaning List Purge" and they asked to stay on.</p><p>Great! That separated those who were missing in action, but still interested so I wouldn't remove them from the active list.</p><p>Third, on the date I'd set for myself I exported the segmented list (minus the ones who wanted to stay) and did a mass unsubscribe. I will admit, I was pretty nervous but after I clicked enter I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. It was like, "now I get to talk to people who really care to connect with me and to get the full benefit of my sharing".</p><p>Here was another added benefit I didn't think about until later. You know how many email service providers charge you based on your total count of subscribers? Well, I was able to reduce my own email marketing fees because of the reduced count. Cha-ching!</p><p>Now mind you, I would be fine paying more for a more responsive, targeted list. It was just a good reality check to realize that I was actually paying to keep people on my list who never really wanted the info anyway.</p><p>So that's my story...and I hope it connects with you in some way. Does it make you think about downsizing your own list? Don't you think that having 100 or 200 or 500 people who really connect with your message is better than having thousands who don't get it and won't take action at all?</p><p>As a business owner, we have choices to make for the good of our customers and ourselves. I chose to downsize for peace of mind and it was one of the best decisions I've made so far in my business.</p><p></p><p><strong>WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?</strong></p><p>You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it...</p><p>About the Author: Tanya Smith is a creative online business strategist and coach specializing in showing independent service providers how to simplify, save time & stand out with simple strategies that engage more quality leads and clients. Her company Be Promotable provides fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote business owners as power players in their market. Get free tools to simplify and stand out online at: <a href="http://www.tanyasmithonline.com/">www.tanyasmithonline.com</a></p></div>
My Christmas/New Year Gift to you - Empowered to Manifest Your Best Year Yet in 2012!
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/my-christmas-new-year-gift-to-you-empowered-to-manifest-your-best
2011-12-27T06:11:15.000Z
2011-12-27T06:11:15.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong style="color:#990000;font-size:x-large;">"Feel like you're running on a Hamster's</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong style="color:#990000;font-size:x-large;">wheel and getting nowhere?"</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong style="color:#990000;font-size:x-large;"><br /></strong></p><p><br /> <font size="6" color="#000000">Join me for my Power Executive Call Free....</font><br /> <strong><font size="6">Empowered to Manifest Your Best Year Ever!</font></strong></p><p><br /> <span> </span><br /> <font size="5"><strong>This is my </strong><strong>Christmas and New Year's Gift To You...</strong></font><br /> <br /> <font size="5"><strong>Tuesday, December 27 at 2:00 PM PST</strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p><ul><li><font size="3">Experience a powerful Visualization Exercise to help you with manifestation of your Ideal Lifestyle!<br /></font></li></ul><p><font size="5"><strong><br /> <br /></strong></font></p><ul><li><font size="3">Essential Keys to Manifesting Your Best Year Yet!<br /></font></li></ul><p><font size="5"><strong><br /> <br /></strong></font></p><ul><li><font size="3">Empowering Insights for a Success Mindset</font></li></ul><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p><ul><li><font size="3">4 Mindset shifts essential to your Breakthrough in 2012</font></li></ul><p><font size="5"><strong><br /> <br /> <font size="3">And More!</font></strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><a href="http://robintramble.weebly.com/albebronzecircledec.html" target="_blank">Click here to learn more and secure your VIP access</a>.</strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p><p><font size="5"><strong><br /></strong></font></p></div>
FREE Teleclass - The Empowerment Diva reveals Top 5 reasons you're not where you want to be - YET!
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/free-teleclass-the-empowerment-diva-reveals-top-5-reasons-you-re
2011-10-11T04:44:37.000Z
2011-10-11T04:44:37.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p>When you look at your life, you may be miles away from your goals and dreams – so far you wonder if you’ll ever get there. This gap can be especially frustrating when you feel like you’re working hard to move forward.<br /><br />For Immediate Release<br /><br />October 10, 2011 Unfortunately, just “working hard” doesn’t assure success. There are a lot of other elements and factors that determine how far you go and how close we come to achieving the life you imagine.<br /><br />Robin Tramble aka The Empowerment Diva is doing something about the many Spiritually minded women, aspiring, new and enterprising women entrepreneurs who are not realizing the results they desire. She is doing this via her FREE Teleseries. The next call is Revealed: Top 5 reasons you’re not where you want to be – YET!<br /><br />Robin emphasis YET because it’s not a doom and gloom message. “You may<br />not be where you want to be, however, as long as there’s breath in your body<br />you can do something about it.” Says Robin<br /><br />You'll leave this call with a new found passion to get on the path to your Divine<br />Destiny and to finally be free to pursue your ideal lifestyle.<br /><br />For you spiritually minded aspiring, new and enterprising Women Entrepreneurs Robin wants you to know that building a successful business is not just talking about marketing, traffic, list building etc.<br />“There's also much to be said about the mindset "inner game" that is sabotaging your empowering success. As I stated before it's about self discipline during my last Tele-class.” Says Robin Tramble<br /><br />Some of what will be covered in this power-packed Tele-class includes:<br /><br />•Sure-fire ways to jump start your life and biz<br />• Avoidable excuses you're making that are hindering your empowering<br />success<br />• Top 5 reasons you are not where you should be - YET!<br />• What you can do to finally play a BIGGER game and manifest your ideal<br />lifestyle "authentically!"<br />• And more!<br /><br />During this Tele-series you'll be empowered to Get and Stay Focused, Make BIG Changes and Get Results Faster which will ultimately reveal the healthier,<br />wealthier, empowered, focused, joyful and Authentic you!<br />If you’re ready to end 2011 strong and kick-start your year with a BANG you don’t want to miss this FREE Tele-class.<br /><br />You can register for the call here<a href="http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentinfo" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentinfo</a></p><p> </p><p> # # #<br /><br /><br />About Robin Tramble<br />Robin Tramble works with Spiritually minded women and woman entrepreneurs who want to discover their authentic self so they can make big changes or achieve some big results but are struggling to make it happen fast enough. She helps them get unstuck, create achieve the results that they want faster than ever before.<br /><br />Robin is CEO and Founder of Robin Tramble International, President and<br />Founder of The Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network. She’s a Professional “Authentic LIfe” and Biz Empowerment Mentor, Trainer, Coach and Public Speaker to the nations. Robin is also known as Empowerment Diva because she has carved out a niche in the area of empowerment. She recently shared her empowerment tips on Good Day Sacramento as “Empowerment Diva” and was named 1 of 25 urban Entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter by Brand maker News. Robin is also an accomplished keyboardist, singer and songwriter and plans to incorporate her musical gifts with her resources for women’s empowering personal development.<br /><br /> — end —</p></div>
3 Keys to avoiding Burn out
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/3-keys-to-avoiding-burn-out
2011-10-06T04:59:44.000Z
2011-10-06T04:59:44.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p></p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss219/4empowerment/astressfulday_1105021300x361.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss219/4empowerment/astressfulday_1105021300x361.jpg" alt="astressfulday_1105021300x361.jpg" /></a></p><p>Are you looking for ways to increase your productivity? This is an area that I spend a lot of time in my endeavor to follow my passion which is empowering women and woman entrepreneurs.</p><p>There is very little that can cause a decrease in productivity as easily as burnout. While you may be tempted to believe that putting every waking moment into working on your job or building your business is a good way to get things done, there is an additional factor which you may not have considered. When you figuratively take your work home with you or never officially close business you can increase your risk of burnout and get much less accomplished in the long-run.</p><p>In this scenario you are not just doing work during your free time you are actually keeping your work on your mind during your free hours. When you are at home, or somewhere else other than in your workplace, you can easily burn yourself out by keeping it as your main focus.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Key #1</strong><br />When work is done or business is done at home have an official shut down of your work, of your business.</p><p>It may go something like this. At work outside of the home close the door to the office, get in your car, turn on some music that actually allows you to transition from work to home.</p><p>Home business<br />Hopefully you have a place that’s designated as your home office. Shut the computer down whether that’s to put it on sleep or standby. Move away from the computer. If it’s in a office with a door, close the door. Put on some music that will also allow you to make the transition from work to home.</p><p>This sounds simple, however, you’d be surprised at how beneficial it is to making the transition from work to home. If you need to go back then consider it extra work and not stringing along your work hours throughout the day.</p><p><strong>Key #2</strong></p><p>Leave work thoughts at work</p><p>During your off-hours, you may put a lot of time into thinking about your job. You may worry about whether you will get something done on time, or the overall quality of your work. This can lead you to become overly stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. You may become more fatigued by your work when you are thinking about it and worrying about it than when you are actually doing your job.</p><p>Instead of stressing yourself out over whatever you need to accomplish the next day, or how much progress you are making with something you are working on, try learning how to leave those thoughts and concerns at your place of business.</p><p><strong>Key #3</strong></p><p>Cultivate positive habits</p><p>When you have free time, develop some positive habits. Learning how to relax, to participate in healthy recreation, and giving both your time and focus to your friends and family will all reduce your risk of burnout. When you have begun to develop these habits, it will not take long for you to see the results. You will start each new work day feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally refreshed. You will have more to give to your job when you are refreshed. You will be more motivated, more energetic, and more productive.</p><p>And you know I like to over deliver so here’s a bonus key</p><p><strong>Bonus Key #4</strong></p><p>Saturate everything with Prayer</p><p>Begin your day with prayer. You can never go wrong by staying close to the master planner. You’ll gain clarity of vision and peace will be imparted. Wisdom will also be given to those that ask. James 1:5</p><p>You can also meditate on God’s word through out the day and most definitely close your day with prayer.</p><p>Prayer will also help you to be less irritable and those things that would really get to you will seem to bounce off.</p><p>What will you use from this article? Take at least one thing and begin to apply it to your daily routine. If you need additional support in getting it done and making it happen I want to give you a special incentive <a href="http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentinfo" target="_blank">Secure your place here in my FREE Tele-Class “Tap into insider secrets : Get it Done – Make it Happen!” </a>This is the preview call to my 90 Days of Empowerment and Focus Coaching Program. You’ll receive access to my coaching, guidance, tools, resources, templates and more. End 2011 strong and kick-start 2012 with a BANG! Get focused, Make Big Changes and get results Faster! If you know you’re ready and need to do something positively different right now and don’t have time to wait. <a href="http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentspecial" target="_blank">Go here to enroll in 90 Days of Empowerment and Focus Coaching program today!</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>
One Essential Factor for Productivity and Success
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/one-essential-factor-for-productivity-and-success
2011-10-05T04:46:53.000Z
2011-10-05T04:46:53.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p><br /><img src="http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss219/4empowerment/stairtosuccess_3576175250x210.jpg" alt="stairtosuccess_3576175250x210.jpg" /></p><p>Self-discipline is an essential factor for productivity and success. Without it, one becomes lazy, unmotivated, and dependent upon others. Lack of self-discipline also makes for a difficult-to-deal-with employee, boss, or coworker.</p><p>Exercising self-discipline means, in an old-fashioned term, setting yourself to a task. You need to know what must be done, when it must be done– and do it. Good self-discipline includes a basic schedule, or framework, of what needs to be accomplished within a specific period of time. You do not allow yourself to become sidetracked, or to procrastinate.</p><p>However, being too rigid with self-discipline does not increase productivity. It can even lessen it. If you do not allow yourself any breaks throughout the workday, or any room for error at all, the expectations you are placing on yourself are too rigid. Instead of getting more done, or doing more in a shorter period of time, it can cause you to become frustrated with your tasks and your job.</p><p>If you learned self-discipline early in life, you probably do not have any difficulty with it now. On the other hand, if your schooling years and family life were too rigid, or if little was expected of you, this is a good time to develop the habit. You may have managed to slide through your early years without a good sense of self-discipline, but it will be a stumbling-block to your career.</p><p>A good way to start cultivating self-discipline is</p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://authenticlifeempowerment.com/business/one-essential-factor-for-productivity-and-success/">Read more</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><div id="fb-root" class="fb_reset"><div><a target="_blank" href="http://bit.ly/90dagsofempowermentinfo">Get it Done, Make it Happen!</a></div></div></div>
Empowering Women: One reason you're not where you want to be - YET!
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/empowering-women-one-reason-you-re-not-where-you-want-to-be-yet
2011-10-20T03:58:55.000Z
2011-10-20T03:58:55.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10744068680,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10744068680,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10744068680?profile=original" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>What do you want? No I mean what do you really, really want? If you knew you could not fail and money was not an issue what would you really want?</p><p>What does your ideal lifestyle look like?</p><p>These are some very good questions that actually as I’m passionately empowering women many who are in a consultation or coaching with me are stunned by and they have to think just a bit. We should all have the answers to these questions.</p><p>I did a Tele-class on Top 5 reasons you are not where you want to be – YET! One of the Top 5 included “You Don’t really want what you think you want.”</p><p>Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.</p><p>Thomas Jefferson</p><p>Everyone wants to run their own business and be their own boss…. right?<br />Everyone wants a vacation home in the mountains… right?<br />Everyone wants 2.4 kids and the white picket fence…. right?</p><p>Wrong.</p><p>When it comes to dreams, one size most definitely does NOT fit all. Our dreams and goals are as individual as we are, and adopting someone else’s goals as our own can feel like wearing someone else’s shoes: It looks okay to everyone else, but to us, it feels awful and gives us blisters.</p><p>There are thousands, if not millions, of people out there striving for the wrong goals. Wrong not because there’s anything inherently bad about them, but wrong because the goals they’re aiming for are wrong for THEM. So as I persevere in my endeavor to empower women I must remain authentic and help you discover your authentic self for your realized empowering success.</p><p>There’s the law student that is very gifted in music and enjoys her classes in school leading up to the profession of a lawyer who would never give an extra thought to setting that aside for pursuing her career in music because both of her parents are Lawyers.</p><p>There’s the successful saleswoman who would really love to chuck it all and teach English, but she’s making too much money and only a crazy person would throw away a six-figure paycheck.</p><p>There are many frustrated individuals out there “believe it or not ” Frustration knows no geographic, socioeconomic, or race or religious boundaries.</p><p>The only way to know if the goals you’re aiming for are the right goals is to figure out if they are your heart’s desire. Sometimes it takes some detective work to peel back the layers of societal and family expectations to get at what YOU really want.</p><p>There are clues all around you: If you fall asleep dreaming about something, wake up thinking about something, and find yourself perking up whenever you meet someone doing what you’d like to do, you’re on the right track. Meanwhile, if you get a sinking sensation when you pull into the garage of house with the white picket fence, or find yourself calling in sick to that six-figure job “everyone” would kill to have, then you may be in the wrong place… for you.</p><p>So what do you do if you find you’ve been chasing after the wrong dream? If you find that you’re not on track to your destiny. You readjust. You discover what your vision is, your purpose in life. You reignite your passion. You connect with someone who can be an accountability partner, who is not biased and can offer expertise in the area you are seeking to move forward in. Even if they don’t have the specific expertise in that area but have the life skills you need to help you discover your authentic self, get unstuck, get focused, make BIG changes and get results that will put you miles ahead of where you’ve been for the last 1 to 5, 5 to 10 years or more!</p><p>You find ways to move your current life closer to the one you really long for. Maybe that means getting up an hour early to work on your novel. Maybe it means spending your weekends teaching art to inner city kids. Maybe it researching organizations that may need your expertise and would like you to share with their members. Take a small step and see how it feels. Then take another, and another, until you know deep in your heart you’re on the right track. If you are, the momentum will carry you forward.</p><p>You’ll be closer to where you want to be. The Authentic you that is.</p><p>Are you ready to say yes to the healthier, wealthier, empowered, focused, joyful, and Authentic you?</p><p>I invite you to request your free access to 4 more reasons you’re not where you want to be – YET! <a href="http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentinfo" target="_blank">Request access to my Top 5 reasons you’re not where you want to be YET empowering Training Audio. Go there now!</a></p><p>This is also part of my preview Tele-series “Get it Done. Make it Happen!” A preview of my phenomenal 90 Days of Empowerment and Focus Coaching Program. If you’re tired of the overwhelm, stress, lack of productivity, playing small and more learn more and secure 1 of 10 spaces for gold and 1 of 15 for Silver.<a href="http://bit.ly/90daysregister" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/90daysregister</a></p><p> </p></div>
Productivity Secrets: Beware of Time Thieves
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/productivity-secrets-beware-of-time-thieves
2011-09-21T05:51:13.000Z
2011-09-21T05:51:13.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p>Are you a victim of Time thieves?</p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10744067072,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" width="250" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10744067072,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10744067072?profile=original" /></a></p><p><br />Maybe that would be easier to answer if you knew what time thieves were. And quite possibly you already know what they are but need to be reminded of how much they are stealing from your Destiny, from your relationships, okay from your life.</p><p>I’m sharing another post on <a href="http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentinfo" target="_blank">Productivity secrets</a> because it is one area that most women have a challenge with whether in business or their personal life.</p><p>You’ve probably given in to most of the time thieves I’m going to mention below.</p><p>Phone<br />You can actually use the phone as a timesaver if you know how.</p><p>TV and Radio<br />How many hours have we given to watching TV or listening to the radio. Now get this, some of it is done out of habit. What that means is if you actually made a decision (remember everything begins with a decision) a decision to reduce the amount of time you watch Television and replace it with a productive activity you could achieve that goal and realize increased revenue in the process.</p><p>The same thing applies to the radio. Be intentional about your listening and not habitual.</p><p>Waiting in Line<br />I truly believe that this is one way our patience is tested.</p><p>Sometimes going to crowded places can’t be avoided, however, there are peak hours that you can expect longer lines. Pick a schedule where you least expect many people to show up. For example, buy your groceries on weekdays. Don’t shop during weekends and paydays. If you can afford the higher price tags of items that can be bought through the phone, internet, or third-party services, then go ahead and buy them. If you treat time as gold, then the extra time you’ll be saving as a result of this act is worth much more than the extra money you’ll be spending. In case you really have no choice but to wait in line, then don’t waste your time complaining. Do something productive like reading a book, listening to educational tapes, or writing your future plans on your little notebook.</p><p>Social Media<br />Yes I said it. Social Media. Some individuals spend all day on Social Media sites and get absolutely nowhere. Social media is a power resource if you know what you’re doing. Automate your activities. Up grade your skills. Connect with a Social Media Coach such as myself to learn how to monetize your efforts or outsource it. Our World Wide Visibility movement is set for this very thing. to support you in your efforts to gain World Wide Visibility.</p><p>Email overwhelm</p><p>The ability to send emails has contributed to productivity in the office whether you have an office at home or in the workplace. It’s become such a part of our daily activities that we’ve forgotten about the snail mail which can end up being more effective due to the fact that some people don’t even open most of their emails.</p><p>However, there are certain downsides to using email as a means of communication. Do you check your emails many times in the day? If so you’re hampering your productivity. It can end up being a very time-consuming activity.</p><p>Traffic Traffic and more Traffic<br />This is another hair-pulling moment, especially when you’re running late for an important appointment. Avoid the rush hour by all means. Anticipate when a traffic jam is usually occurring during the day so you can adjust your commuting time. If your destination is not too far away, a walking session might<br />be a great idea to evade traffic, save on gas or money, and attain a healthy lifestyle.</p><p>I’ve shared with you a few time thieves and you may be asking “Okay Robin that’s all good but what do I do about it?” I’m glad you asked.</p><p>I’m hosting a Tele-series “Get it Done – Make it Happen: Get Focused, Make Big Changes and Get Results!” I’ll be sharing some yummy insights on this very topic and more! If you’re serious about keeping your appointment with Destiny, manifesting your most desired results and ideal lifestyle while having time for what matters most, you don’t want to miss this call.</p><p>Go to <a href="http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentinfo" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/90daysofempowermentinfo to secure your VIP ticket to my Tele-class</a>. There are only 200 lines so secure your ticket and call in early.</p><p>Here’s to your empowering success!</p><p>“The Empowerment Diva”</p></div>
How To Create the Perfect Spicy Sales Cycle
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-create-the-perfect-1
2011-06-17T02:32:37.000Z
2011-06-17T02:32:37.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-chart-rimagefree2204450-resi2895060"><img class="align-left" style="padding:3px;" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/dreamstimefree_2204450-150x150.jpg?width=150" width="150" alt="dreamstimefree_2204450-150x150.jpg?width=150" /></a>I am such an impatient person. I can admit it right out of the gate, but one thing I've learned after a number of business "beat-downs" is that planning is priceless.<br /><br />One of the steps often forgotten in the excitement of creating a new business that you're going to market is the planning phase. But this is particularly important when you're creating your sales and marketing strategy.<br /><br />You have got to spend some time mapping out how your content, products and services, and marketing are all going to work together to build a profitable online business.<br /><br />To help you out, I'm going to share a few key steps - all of which I'll be talking about in my brand new coaching program that launches in a few weeks - <a title="spicy hot systems" href="http://spicyhotsystems.com"><strong>Spicy Hot Systems That Sell</strong></a> (SPICY = simple, profitable, impactful, convenient, and getting your buyers to YES!):<br /><br /><strong>Step One: Develop high quality offerings.</strong> Starting off on the right foot with your customer service approach is very important for the livelihood of your online business. Quality products, from the very first freebie to your largest ticket item, will help you gradually build a positive reputation for yourself. Any future dealings you have where you can do repeat business with your customer should leave them feeling as if they were treated as well if not better than the first time around.<br /><br /><strong>Step Two: Create your product line.</strong> A sales funnel is a series of incrementally more valuable, and perhaps more expensive, products or services to offer your customers. However, people are going to enter your funnel at various stages. Some may begin by taking advantage of your free offer while some may jump right in and buy a product or service. Create a plan for each type of customer. Set the stage for the next level of products you have available. Figure out which ones might be of interest to your clients, or which ones could be useful. Help them to see just how they can be helpful and how to implement them effectively into their present business or organization.<br /><br /><strong>Step Three: Maintain the Communication.</strong> In addition to creating a line of high quality products and services, you’ll also want to establish consistent communication with your prospects and customers. Accomplish this by continuing the flow of valuable information in the form of blog posts, email messages and perhaps a newsletter.<br /><br />Maintaining the flow of valuable information makes it easier for your customers to confidently pass your information on to others. You could soon find yourself starting the process all over again with new referrals, or other people you have found on your own who have become customers.<br /><br />Planning is the key to online business success. Create your sales funnel plan, marketing plan and content plan and work to integrate the three into a seamless and efficient system. Consistency is the key, and by using the same plan over and over again with each new person, your online business will grow. And everyone will be receiving the same great quality products and services you have to offer.<br /><br />Now that's SPICY!</div>
3 Brand Support Systems You Can't Do Without - Part 2 of 4
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/3-brand-support-systems-you-1
2011-05-06T16:10:36.000Z
2011-05-06T16:10:36.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div>This is part 2 of a 4 part series where I'm sharing the essential systems entrepreneurs must have in place to support a solid brand.<br /><h2>System #1: Customer engagement</h2><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/iStock_000007773142Medium-150x150.jpg"><img class="align-left" style="padding:3px;" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/iStock_000007773142Medium-150x150.jpg?width=150" width="150" alt="iStock_000007773142Medium-150x150.jpg?width=150" /></a>Brand support system number one is about the way in which you engage your customers. This is the process by which you create a path of attraction to your business. It's the way that you make it easy for prospects to meet you, to love what you do, to test drive your services. This might look like your current opt-in strategy. Or it may even be the type of events you host that attract people to your business.<br /><br />Creating an easy path for prospects to engage is critical to building your pool of interested buyers. As a system, this path should be outlined in such a way that you can powerfully reflect your brand with ease. The goal is to create a connection between you as a solution provider and the potential client, or prospect.<br /><br />What is evident when you view an entrepreneur’s website is whether or not there is an easy way to determine your next step. Successful entrepreneurs are clear in the single action they would like for a viewer to take when visiting their website the first time. But unfortunately too many business owners fail to streamline the instruction for their prospect. There is no opt-in form. There is nothing “sticky" about the page that keeps a person there, so viewers leave after only visiting a few seconds.<br /><br />One example of a way to engage customers that capitalizes on the way they first interacted with you is to create a social media landing page. This blog post by visibility guru Nancy Marmalejo tells you how to do this: <a href="http://vivavisibilityblog.com/social-networking-landing-page/">http://vivavisibilityblog.com/social-networking-landing-page/</a>.<br /><br />There are other ways to engage your customer or prospect. One of the most widely used ways is to develop a strong opt in form. A blog post by marketing diva Ali Brown shares great insight into how to make this work for you: <a href="http://www.alibrown.com/blog/?p=722">http://www.alibrown.com/blog/?p=722</a>.<br /><br />The key to customer engagement is to entice prospective buyers within the first few seconds so they can receive your valuable information.<br /><br /><br /><br />WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?<br /><br />You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:<br /><br /><em>About the Author:</em> Tanya Smith is a creative business strategist specializing in showing coaches, consultants and freelancers how to spend more time making money with simple, yet profitable marketing systems. Her company Be Promotable provides clients with fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote their small businesses as power players in their market. Claim your instant access to a free 10 part ecourse, 10 Ways To Grow Your List at: <a href="../">www.bepromotable.com</a>.</div>
Click of the Week: Top 10 Words for Copy That Rocks
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/click-of-the-week-top-10-words
2011-05-25T03:24:56.000Z
2011-05-25T03:24:56.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div>I've been studying copy quite a bit lately because I want to improve my own business brand and make sure my stuff gets more eyes on it! What about you? Doesn't that matter to your business? Writing good copy is actually ESSENTIAL to your success, so even if you choose to outsource your writing, you should be familiar with at least the basics.Study and save this simple list of words you can use to attract more views.<object width="560" height="349" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/g9cTZmJm8h0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g9cTZmJm8h0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" ></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g9cTZmJm8h0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></div>
3 Brand Support Systems You Can't Do Without - Part 3 of 4
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/3-brand-support-systems-you-2
2011-05-16T10:54:54.000Z
2011-05-16T10:54:54.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><h3>System #2: Customer Relationship Management</h3>The customer relationship management system refers to the way you take care of your current customers. It may be the way that you process their intake into doing new business with you. It's about how you provide here and service once your clients have already paid or invested in your services. Ultimately the goal is for prospects to become clients and eventually to become raving fans for your business. This happens when you treat current clients or fans very well.<br /><br />How do you deliver on the promises that you make in your brand. Does it require a lot of manual labor? Can you automate delivery of your services? Can you set up systems with the click of a button that will accept payment and deliver on the promise? If you're conducting a coaching group is there self-service function word new clients can go and access their profiles, pay an invoice, create a support case? This is all part of delivering on your brand promises.<br />When you have easy tools and systems in place it's much easier for your clients to rave about your services and to refer others to them as well. A great service experience can immediately expand your level of influence and authority.<br /><br />I am a huge fan of Customer Relationship Management systems (CRM). CRMs were like a dream come true because I was tired of manually tracking loose pieces of paper, sticky notes, e-mails that flooded my inbox from people I worked with. A solid CRM can manage projects, automate your billing, and make it easy for you to find essential correspondence between you and the customer. Examples of great CRMs to research for your business include BaseCamp, Salesforce, Capsule CRM, and WorkEtc.<br /><br />Another part of the relationship management, however, involves your approach to follow-up. Send Out Cards is a simple but highly distinctive way to show your clients you care. I purchased an account with the company years ago but did not realize the power of the program until I used it to mail personalized postcards to members of a course I was teaching online. It really made an impact with my clients to receive a special thank you from the right at their doorstep.<br /><br />Trust me, in this age of Internet marketing a postcard or greeting card will help you stand out from the crowd. It will also help to solidify the emotional connection with your customer, which has the potential to generate more sales. Besides, sales are really about creating a personal experience for the buyer.<br /><br />WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?<br /><br />You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:<br /><br /><em>About the Author:</em> Tanya Smith is a creative business strategist specializing in showing coaches, consultants and freelancers how to spend more time making money with simple, yet profitable marketing systems. Her company Be Promotable provides clients with fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote their small businesses as power players in their market. Claim your instant access to a free 10 part ecourse, 10 Ways To Grow Your List at: <a href="../business-acumen/">www.bepromotable.com</a>.</div>
3 Brand Support Systems You Can't Do Without - Part 1 of 4
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/3-brand-support-systems-you
2011-05-04T17:16:11.000Z
2011-05-04T17:16:11.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dreamstime.com/free-stock-photography-puzzle-background-rimagefree1333671-resi2895060"><img class="align-left" style="padding:3px;" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/dreamstimefree_1333671-300x199.jpg?width=300" width="300" alt="dreamstimefree_1333671-300x199.jpg?width=300" /></a>Every solo business owner has a set of processes or systems that either promote their business very well or contribute to the business’ demise. There are really 3 essential systems that any successful business owner needs in place in order to automate the things they repetitively do over and over again, while adequately supporting the brand. These systems form the structure of success because they are the ways in which you continuously reinvigorate your business for expansion and growth.<br /><h2>What is a system?</h2>For purposes of this article, we’re going to define a system as follows: a set of integrated, interdependent processes that can be replicated over and over again to produce similar results.<br /><br />This article is designed to explain the 3 critical brand support systems for real breakthrough in your business. These essential systems are key to ensuring your success and creating a structure on which your brand can thrive.<br /><h2>It all starts with the BRAND</h2>Before we cover these systems, let’s talk about brand first. As a solopreneur in the “entrepreneurial renaissance” age – a coin termed by business coach, Marcia Bench, you will have to compete against many people who claim expertise in the same field as you. Regardless of their level of experience or visibility, the sheer numbers require that you carve out a way to stand apart from the crowd. Your brand must be distinctive, powerful and recognizable.<br /><br />The brand is the foundation of any effective marketing strategy. It is how people perceive you. The brand is YOU in a single owner business. If your brand is weak, the systems I will describe below will not operate to support your business. An analogy would be like building a new house, installing a beautiful kitchen, hardwood floors, and hiring a dynamic salesman to greet buyers at the door when the house has no walls yet.<br /><br />The support systems we will talk about in this article will allow you to deliver great service, they will engage your customer base, and they will automate your delivery but only when you have taken the necessary steps to first put in place your brand strategy.<br /><br />This means getting clear about what you do, the market you serve, and how you provide the service. Brand support is most connected to the latter – the “how”.<br /><br />We will spend time outlining the 3 systems over the next group of articles in this series.<br /><br /><br /><br />WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?<br /><br />You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:<br /><br /><em>About the Author:</em> Tanya Smith is a creative business strategist specializing in showing coaches, consultants and freelancers how to spend more time making money with simple, yet profitable marketing systems. Her company Be Promotable provides clients with fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote their small businesses as power players in their market. Claim your instant access to a free 10 part ecourse, 10 Ways To Grow Your List at: <a href="../">www.bepromotable.com</a>.</div>
There's Got To Be Something Better Than Sticky Notes
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/theres-got-to-be-something
2011-04-15T11:25:03.000Z
2011-04-15T11:25:03.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/graphorange-300x221.jpg"><img class="align-left" style="padding:5px;" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/graphorange-300x221.jpg?width=300" height="151" width="203" alt="graphorange-300x221.jpg?width=300" /></a>Sticky notes are not the best way to keep track of a prospect you need to call. There is a better way - thankfully. It's called a CRM.</p><p>A CRM is a sales and marketing term for "customer relationship management". It's a system to keep track of important information about your clients, customers, sales prospects and a way to centralize your business communications and resources.<br /> <br />I love technology. You may already know that from some of the resources I share. But I really didn't discover the power of a CRM until I started realizing that I had too much paperwork floating around with my client's notes, names of people I needed to follow up with, and even keeping track of any missing payments to my client accounts.<br /><br />So here are some benefits of using a CRM:</p><ul><li>Organizes your business records</li><li>Creates a safeguard of all your key contacts</li><li>Automates your appointments</li><li>Helps you develop a "pipeline", which is the path you work each client or prospect through to work with you</li><li>Gives you an easier way to pay attention to your customers</li><li>Makes it easy for people to pay you</li></ul>These are just a few of the things that I've learned a CRM can do for my business. And when you're a solopreneur, it helps to make your workflow as simple as possible.<br /><br />Need a few ideas on CRMs to try?<br /><br />I'm developing a video kit to help you use the simple, slick system I use, but for now here are some recommendations you can look into: <a href="http://capsulecrm.com/" target="_blank">www.CapsuleCRM.com</a>, <a href="http://www.highrisehq.com/" target="_blank">www.HighRiseHQ.com</a>, <a href="http://www.bigcontacts.com/" target="_blank">www.BigContacts.com</a>, <a href="http://www.salesforce.com/" target="_blank">www.SalesForce.com</a>.<br /><br />Try one and let me know what you think in the comments below!<br /><br /><strong>WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?</strong> You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:<br /><br /><em>About the Author:</em> Tanya Smith is a creative business strategist specializing in showing coaches, consultants and freelancers how to spend more time making money with simple, yet profitable marketing systems. Her company Be Promotable provides clients with fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote their businesses as power players in their market. Claim your instant access to a free 10 part ecourse, 10 Ways To Grow Your List at: <a title="Be Promotable" href="http://www.bepromotable.com">www.bepromotable.com</a>.</div>
Wake Up Call: Short Term Nice Does Not Equal Long Term Profit
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/wake-up-call-short-term-nice
2011-03-28T11:31:47.000Z
2011-03-28T11:31:47.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/iStock_000007606415XSmall-150x150.jpg"><img class="align-left" style="padding:3px;" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/iStock_000007606415XSmall-150x150.jpg?width=150" width="150" alt="iStock_000007606415XSmall-150x150.jpg?width=150" /></a>I had a dream last night. In the dream I invested in some type of postal supplies shop - you know, like the ones you see on every corner now? This guy from an office next door kept coming in to say he was there to help me. Seemed like a nice enough man. At first, he offered to lay a customized floor tile that looked like a stamp for me in front of the counter. He described how it would have my initials, my favorite colors, and it would really light up the place. I was convinced and I said, "sure, that would be nice". Then after he put it in and I realized it wasn't just one tile, it was half the floor. Cha-ching.</p><p>Next, he came in and offered to change the locks on my door. I said, "yes, that's probably a good idea". And of course, he upgraded the entire door. Cha-ching...again. After a series of these offers, I realized I'd drawn up quite a bill. That's when I finally sat down to look at the total costs of my initial investment, the add-ons, and the history of success the shop had before me. Guess what? The previous owner sold it because she hadn't made a profit.</p><p>It was a pretty dismal outlook. I had the same dream at least once more the same night. It was like I had to go through it all over again, even knowing what the end would be. Then I woke up.</p><p>I realized that this was a pretty accurate picture of some decisions I've made before as a business owner. Not researching the so-called investment first, saying yes to everything that looks short-term shiny, looking at the total profit/loss picture only after I've spent all the money...</p><p>Notice I didn't say anything about "adding value" or "profit generating" decisions? What investments are you making in yourself and in your business that will add long-term value and generate profit? Got the wake up call yet?</p><p> </p><p><strong>WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:</strong></p><p><strong>About the Author:</strong> Tanya Smith of Be Promotable is a premier personal branding & marketing coach. Her creative genius has unlocked the potential of many women solopreneurs, helping them to reinvent themselves as power players in their startup business. Claim your free instant access to a free video download, 5 Secrets to Developing Your Unique Brand Proposition at: <a href="../">www.bepromotable.com</a>.</p></div>
Are you ready to change your life forever? Giving away over $997 in resources during Free Teleseries
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/are-you-ready-to-change-your
2011-02-24T05:05:42.000Z
2011-02-24T05:05:42.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p>What if I told you that you could change your life for-ever?</p><p>What if I told you that it could happen within 45 minutes and totally up-level in under 8 weeks?</p><p>I will be facilitating a phenomenal Tele-series Total Transformation: Simple secrets to Maximum Empowerment, Mega Mindset Breakthroughs and Total Wellness</p><p>Do you feel like you need a total overhaul? Well I want to talk to you about<br />Total Transformation. And when I say total I mean total.</p><p>What is Transformation?<br />1: an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed<br />In the bible it reads; Be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Notice it states renewing which is continual. It’s not a place of arrival and then you’re done. There are many things that come to stop us from reaching our destiny and fulfilling our purpose.</p><p>“Give me just 45 minutes<br />and I’ll share with you secrets to<br />realizing MEGA Mindset<br />Breakthroughs, maximum<br />EMPOWERMENT, Overcome<br />debilitating Fear, unleash the<br />Faith-full, Holistically Fit and<br />Fabulous you so you can realize<br />Total Transformation, manifest as the<br />unstoppable irresistible Kingdom<br />woman you were meant to be with<br />laser focus, an EMPOWERED mindset<br />and live an Authentically Brilliant<br />Diamond life!!”</p><p>Topic this week: Kingdom Woman Total Transformation:<br />Simple Secrets to Maximum Empowerment,<br />MEGA Mindset Breakthroughs and overcoming limiting<br />beliefs!!</p><p>When: First call<br />Thursday, February 24 at 1:00 pm PST, 3:00 pm CST, 4:00 pm EST<br />Can’t make the call?<br />My gift for this call only is the download of this power-packed audio teaching.</p><p>I will also be giving away over $897 in resources during the course of this Tele-series to registrants</p><p>of this call so be sure to register.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/totaltransformationpr">Register here: http://tinyurl.com/totaltransformationpr</a></p><a href="http://authenticlifeempowerment.com/category/womens-empowerment/" title="View all posts in womens' empowerment"></a></div>
Lease Freakin' U Out
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/lease-freakin-u-out
2011-01-22T15:00:00.000Z
2011-01-22T15:00:00.000Z
Valencia Mackie
https://mybbwo.com/members/ValenciaMackie
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10744059675,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img height="151" width="166" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10744059675,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="10744059675?profile=original" /></a>Lease freakin' you out ... well you are not alone and if the lease doesn't freak you then something is definitely wrong. The lease as we know is a complex document and it is meant to be that way. It is full of legalese and I can say in my 10+ years of being in the commercial real estate leasing, lease administration and property management industry of reviewing leases I have yet to see a simple lease. The lease is so complex that major companies hire its own legal and accounting departments to handle its lease issues. So, if the major companies takes such precaution where does that leave the little man. Think about all the commercial tenants, landlords and property management companies that don't have these resources or for that matter who are clueless. Yes, the lease should freak' people out - it is so convoluted.</p><p> </p><p>How do we get pass this over rated document? Knowledge, preparation and prevention should always at the forefront when addressing any concern dealing with the lease. The 5 W's, how and if should always be addressed in each provision prior to executing the document.</p><p> </p><p>A simple notice provision, as it may seem, could trigger default, litigation and fees. How? To not send notices as specified, not in the t time frame, etc. Yes, a simple notice provision could trigger a disaster if misunderstood or overlooked.</p><p> </p><p>Yes, the lease should be freakin' u out, if you are not knowledgeable, prepared and able to implement prevention measures to stop you from being in a bad situation. You shouldn't learn about the the various situations your lease can put you in as you go, but prior to ... through research. Believe me it pays off.</p><p> </p><p>In truth knowledge is expensive and very few people are giving this kind of knowledge away. And the profit margin is high for the attorney, accountant, property management company, etc. which stand to gain through individuals not being knowledgeable of the lease, the situations that revolve and/or may revolve around the lease. Yes, the lease should be freakin' u out.</p><p> </p><p>I know the lease can freak the tenant, landlord and property management company out having been in the role of the property management company/landlord and tenant ... that is why I can honestly relate and talk to all parties and tie these roles together and say one does not work without the other. </p><p> </p><p>Don't let the lease freak u out. Study to show yourself approved, not ashamed and able to speak up for yourself.</p><p>Tune into <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Know-Ya-Rights">Know Ya Rights - CRE Lease Talk</a> blog radio, also for tidbits. <a target="_blank" href="http://creleasetalk.com/">CRE Lease Talk.com</a> is keeping it real and bringing the commercial tenant, landlord and property management company information based up on over 10 years experience, knowledge and education in the commercial real estate property management, lease administration and leasing industry.</p><p> </p><p>All rights reserved. 2010 © Commercial Real Estate - CRE Lease Talk, Inc.</p></div>
Women's Empowerment: Productivity tips - The art of prioritizing
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/womens-empowerment-1
2011-01-21T08:15:21.000Z
2011-01-21T08:15:21.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div>How do you plan out your day, week, month for the most productive outcome?<br /> <br /> Women’s Empowerment incorporates various components that when successfully integrated will yield a greater return on your endeavors.<br /> <br /> As a woman you have many demands on your time, however, if you add that of being a woman entrepreneur it can be a very frustrating task to leverage your time. It may seem that the more you try to balance out your day the less time you end up with.<br /> <br /> Do you feel like your day is spent in “firefighter” mode – putting out one emergency blaze after another?<br /> <br /> You can easily spend eight hours or more at the beck and call of the urgent activities on your list: The phone call that comes right when you’re sitting down to do some much-needed strategic planning, the unexpected invitation to contribute to a blog round-up, the desperate plea for a last-minute speaker on an industry teleconference. While these all might be worthy tasks, they’re not necessarily related<br /> to your high-level goals. And as a result, the time you’ve set aside for your important activities can be usurped by the tyranny of the urgent.<br /> <br /> It is very tempting to check emails all day every hour or answer your phone overtime it rings.<br /> <br /> If you want to manifest your EMPIRE by moving toward the next levels quickly you must have a system for focusing on important tasks instead of the urgent ones.<br /> <br /> Here are five tips for prioritizing<br /> <br /> 1. Set expectations. I’ve had mixed feedback on this one. I’ve developed a system and enforce it so that I can remain healthy and sane. When doing this one you must get over what people think of you and commit to what you’ve set as an action to support your empowering success. You train people how to treat you and what to expect from you. If you always respond to their emails immediately, they’ll grow to expect immediate answers. Slowly wean them from expecting you to be on-call, 24/7.<br /> <br /> 2. Create No distraction zones. Although you may be tempted to shut down your phone, email and other interruptions for 8 – 10 hours, it’s actually not practical to turn off your phone ringer for 8 hours straight, or to check your email only once a day. But you can set up zones where you limit outside interruptions. Start with a no email time first thing in the morning. Institute a quiet time first thing in the morning for one hour.<br /> <br /> Get to the cash producing activities before you check email. Once you’ve adjusted to this you can add another quiet zone, maybe in the afternoon right before you quit working. This way you can close your day and have a fresh empowering start the next day.<br /> <br /> 3.Know what “important” is. No more 10 item to do lists. You have to have your high-level goals in front of you, literally and figuratively. You must know what you’re trying to accomplish this month, this week, today, so you can filter your activities accordingly.<br /> <br /> 4. Create systems to support your new habits. This one tip has done wonders for some of my clients that I’ve shared it with. Email in-box filters that shuffle non-critical newsletters and group emails to another filter for later reading will help keep you from getting sidetracked. Removing all non-essential programs and icons from your computer desktop (and from your physical desktop, too!) can keep you focused. Figure out where you’re getting derailed and create some boundaries to keep you on task.<br /> <br /> You can realize productive days instead of just busy, overwhelming, pull your hair out days, however, as I always say don’t just learn new skills and systems, take targeted action and implement.<br /> <br /> I’ll share this and more in more detail during <a href="http://www.robintramble.com/fitandfabulousyouprogram.html" target="_blank">The Empowerment Diva’s Fit and Fabulous Coaching Program/Club.</a><br /> <br /> Here’s to a healthy you and a thriving business!<br /> <br /> Robin aka The Empowerment Diva<br /> <a href="http://www.authenticlifeempowerment.com/blog" target="_blank">http://www.Authenticlifeempowerment.com/blog</a><br /> The Authentic Life and Biz Empowerment<br /> Mentor,Coach,Trainer and Public speaker<br /> to savvy women, New,Aspiring and Enterprising woman entrepreneurs across the world.<br /> <br /></div>
4 Parts to a Fabulous Personal Brand Statement
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/4-parts-to-a-fabulous-personal
2011-01-04T03:59:28.000Z
2011-01-04T03:59:28.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><span class="font-size-2"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/iStock_000008473282XSmall-150x150.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/iStock_000008473282XSmall-150x150.jpg?width=150" height="133" width="133" alt="iStock_000008473282XSmall-150x150.jpg?width=150" /></a>I often hear the question, "how do I develop a personal brand statement?" and my answer stays the same most of the time. A strong personal brand statement can be one of the best tools you can have and certainly one of the most critical ones for your branding and marketing toolkit, whether you are a business owner, or a professional working for someone else.</span><br /><br /><span class="font-size-2">There are certain components that are variable and others that are pretty foundational in developing your personal brand statement (P.B.S.). Some of the factors that may be variable are:</span><br /><ul><li><span class="font-size-2">When and how you will use it - e.g. interview for a job? networking situation? speech?</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">Who you're talking to - e.g. language needs to meet the needs of the audience; the message is the same, but the approach should be adaptable</span></li></ul><span class="font-size-2">Even though these may change, there are basically four parts I like to use in developing the main statement, so I'll share these next. A great basic statement tells people:</span><br /><ol><li><span class="font-size-2">Who you are - let the recipient of the statement know your identity, your name</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">What you do - the core service or opportunity you provide</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">Who you do it for - your target audience and/or ideal client you work with</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">How you do it - your style, your unique approach, what distinguishes you</span></li></ol><p><span class="font-size-2">Let me give you an example of how this might work -</span><br /> <br /><span class="font-size-2">"Hi, I'm Tanya Smith of Be Promotable, the No Guesswork Branding & Marketing Resource for women solopreneurs. We show our clients practical, step-by-step online marketing strategies to confidently promote their business and get them noticed."</span><br /> <br /><span class="font-size-2">Now you try it. Add your own P.B.S. with the 4 parts in the comments and I'll share feedback...come on, you can do it!</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Tanya Smith of Be Promotable is a premier personal branding & marketing coach. Her creative genius has unlocked the potential of many women solopreneurs, helping them to reinvent themselves as</span> <span class="font-size-2">power players in their startup business. Claim your free instant access to a</span> <span class="font-size-2">free video and audio download, 5 Secrets to Successfully Starting a Solo</span> <span class="font-size-2">Business While Working Full Time at: <a href="http://www.bepromotable.com/">www.bepromotable.com</a>.</span></p></div>
Simple Steps to Creating Your Marketing Map
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/simple-steps-to-creating-your
2010-12-30T22:08:30.000Z
2010-12-30T22:08:30.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/iStock_000001184887XSmall.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/iStock_000001184887XSmall-150x150.jpg?width=150" width="150" alt="iStock_000001184887XSmall-150x150.jpg?width=150" /></a>Solo professionals are like big businesses when it comes to the need for a solid marketing strategy. The distinctive thing about solopreneurs, however, is that you get to be the head decision maker for every part of the business. That means it is all the more important to take your strategies from complex to simple whenever possible.<br /> <br /> Now is a great time to develop your branding and marketing plan. While you definitely need to consider mapping out a strategy that is more comprehensive to cover you for at least the next twelve months, here are four simple questions you can answer in order to set a basic foundation for promoting your distinctive brand and services you provide:<br /><br /><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">How will I generate leads?</span></strong><br /><br />This is one of the most critical steps to developing a solid branding and marketing strategy. Assuming you have already identified who your ideal clients are, you must now figure out where to find them. Immerse yourself in studying your target market - find out what they read, where they frequent, and what they buy - and put yourself in front of them.<br /><br /><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">How will prospects get to do a "taste test" with me?</span></strong><br /><br />Before a potential client will buy BIG from you, they will want to know what your services are like. Depending on the business you're in, you will need to decide what is most effective and most practical to give away. For example, you might offer a free strategy session, or a free audio, or even an e-book. What can you offer that will be of interest and take little effort or investment on your part?<br /><br /><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">How will I direct them from one point to the next?</span></strong><br /><br />Now that your prospect has had a taste of what you do and they want more, make it simple for them to know what is next. This involves some thinking on your part of what your marketing funnel looks like. Whenever you engage a client in your product or service, be prepared to promote the next thing and make it easy. At the end of your teleseminar, share the next program or info product. This is the time where you can extend even greater value to your new customer - at the point that you have already made good on your initial promise!<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>How will I follow up?</strong></span><br /><br />The client engagement process usually follows a certain path - suspect --> prospect --> client --> advocate/evangelist. In order to move people through these stages, you need some idea of how to continuously follow up and stay in touch. Whether this looks like a series of autoresponder emails, a regular ezine, postcards, etc. consider how you will stay in front of your leads. The key is to add value to their inbox, not being pesky.</p><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">I now invite you to claim instant access to a free video and audio download, <i>5 Secrets to Successfully<br />Starting a Solo Business While Working Full Time</i> at: <a href="http://www.bepromotable.com/">http://www.bepromotable.com</a> to learn even more about great solo professional business branding tips. - Tanya Smith, The Solo Business Brand Coach at Be Promotable.</p></div>
Goal Setting Is Not Dead...Just Boring
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/goal-setting-is-not-deadjust
2011-01-11T13:30:00.000Z
2011-01-11T13:30:00.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p><a target="_blank" href="http://bepromotableimages.s3.amazonaws.com/iStock_000015158998XSmall.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://bepromotableimages.s3.amazonaws.com/iStock_000015158998XSmall.jpg?width=167" width="167" alt="iStock_000015158998XSmall.jpg?width=167" /></a><em>This post was originally published on Tanya Smith's blog. <a href="http://www.bepromotable.com/personal-branding/goal-setting-dead/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see the original post.</em></p><p>Goal setting always gets to be pretty popular this time of year. You hear a lot of techniques about how to do it and one of the most common ways is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria" target="_blank">SMART technique</a>. I'm not writing about that here, because it's so overused now, I don't think you'll care.<br /><br />No matter what you use, the new year always kicks us off with a great start, right? But then somehow you lose interest. There is this cycle that we seem to get into and it goes a little something like this:</p><ul><li><span style="color:#993300;">Day 1: Whoo hoo, yeah, I'm on it this time. I'm going to [your goal here] --></span></li><li><span style="color:#993300;">Day 3: This is great. I can't believe how this is changing [enter positive results] for me! I will definitely keep this up. -- ></span></li><li><span style="color:#993300;">Day 5: You know what, I'm just going to take a little bitty break...I'll come back to it, I promise! -- ></span></li><li><span style="color:#993300;">Day 10: What was that thing I was trying to do again?</span></li><li><span style="color:#993300;">Day 20: Start over again or drop it completely..</span></li></ul>Part of the reason this happens is that we haven't really developed for ourselves a tangible, exciting "why" and "what". What I mean by this is the vision of what we want to get to and why we're doing it was never really that clear and constant.<br /><br />You see, when you are setting a goal, it's important to identify the most clear picture possible of what you want. And doing this early in the process is one of the best ways to I learned this training in NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) when I studied with a celebrated master pracititioner, <a href="http://www.nlptrainingconcepts.com/susan.php" target="_blank">Susan Stageman</a>, for over a year.<br /><br />Yes, it took me that long to really get it and start applying the techniques . I can be kind of hard-headed, as my mom used to say. There were so many good ones, but the one that has stuck with me forever is called creating a "well-formed outcome" (WFO).<br /><br />This is a very powerful way to set long-term and short-term goals so that they STICK...and really, that's what we set them for in the first place.<br /><br />So I'm going to share with you my criteria for remembering the WFO in 5 simple steps. Maybe this will keep your goal setting from being so boring. ;). I call it the PLEAS approach (as in, can I have another goal, "pleas"):<br /><h3>Positive</h3><em>State the goal in positive terms.</em> Describe the present situation and compare it with the desired future goal. Make sure you can see yourself having obtained the goal.<br /><h3>Level</h3><em>Line up the goal with your values and beliefs.</em> For me this means lining up what I've asked for, or stated, to be sure it is in the will of what God has for my life. I pray and ask for spiritual guidance around the goal. You may line it up however you see fit. It's important that your goals are a good fit with what's important to you.<br /><h3>Evident</h3><em>Describe the goal using "sensory" terms.</em> What will let you know that you have attained that desired state? This is a critical piece - think in terms of what you will hear, see, and feel when you have success.<br /><h3>Appropriate</h3><em>Consider if the goal is right for you in all areas of your life.</em> Is there something that may hold you back? Is this goal right for you right now, in this place where you are?<br /><h3>Self-initiated & Maintained</h3><p><em>Self-initiated and maintained.</em> Your goal must be something that you can initiate and maintain. It must not be something dependent on other people. Make sure that your goal reflects things that you can directly affect.<br /><br />If your goal, or outcome is set each time with these criteria in mind, you will have crystal-clear vision that you can hang on to and it will get you past those tough times when you're ready to let go. OR it will bring you back to what you wanted in the first place...SUCCESS!<br /><br />Share one of your clear outcomes in the comments below.</p><p> </p><p><strong>About the Author:</strong> Tanya Smith of Be Promotable is the "no guesswork" personal branding & marketing coach. Her creative genius has unlocked the potential of many women solopreneurs, helping them to reinvent themselves as power players in their startup business. Claim your free instant access to a free multimedia downloads including 10 Branding Mistakes Made by Solopreneurs and 5 Secrets to Successfully Starting a Solo Business While Working Full Time at: <a href="http://www.bepromotable.com/">www.bepromotable.com</a></p></div>
Will you experience an absolutely empowering week? Tips to empower you
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/will-you-experience-an
2011-01-17T03:05:17.000Z
2011-01-17T03:05:17.000Z
Robin Tramble
https://mybbwo.com/members/RobinTramble
<div><p>The best way to have an empowering week is to start off Monday with a solid foundation.</p><p> </p><p>This preparation begins with Friday. Set yourself up for an empowering week by closing out your week. Take inventory of what tasks you completed. Add those that you didn't complete to the list for the following week.</p><p> </p><p>Here's an important thing to remember. Do not make your top 10 to do list. Make a top 3 priority list. Among them will be at least one thing that will be cash producing.</p><p> </p><p>Read my Facebook update</p><p>Are you ready for an absolutely,empowering week? What are your top 3 to do items for Monday? Add action steps that will allow you to complete them. Avoid checking email first. Focus. Take targeted action. Balance your social media activity. Don't let it consume your day. Allow for a time to step away during the day to avoid overwhelm. Commit your works to the Lord. And so shall your plans succeed. Proverbs 16:3</p><p> </p><p>Want to accelerate your results? Embrace a mindset for success. Whatever happened the week prior is not what you want to focus on. Remember what you focus on expands!</p><p> </p><p>Focus on the results you expect to achieve. Focus on what it will look like when you achieve your desired results. Focus on what it feels like.</p><p> </p><p>Get rid of the negativity. Negative attitudes, negative environment, negative relationships. Of course I’m not suggesting that you get rid of you marriage relationships, however, you can seek out ways to empower your relationships. We’ve actually set up a community to help you do this on our Marriage Empowerment Coach page on Facebook.</p><p> </p><p>The tips I’ve shared in this post should get you started on the right path to your empowering success.</p><p> </p><p>Of course if you need additional support you might consider securing your Coaching A La Carte session</p><p>with me. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/coachalacarte" target="_blank">Click here</a> to find out more and get started.</p><p> </p><p>Here's to your empowering week!</p><p> </p><p>Share your ideas below.</p><p> </p><p>Robin aka The Empowerment Diva</p><p>Authentic Life and Biz Empowerment</p><p>Coach,Mentor,Trainer and Public Speaker to</p><p>Savvy women, New,Aspiring and Entreprising Women Entrepreneurs</p><p><a href="http://www.Authenticlifeempowerment.com">http://www.Authenticlifeempowerment.com</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>
5 Steps to Create Your Vision Board for 2011
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/5-steps-to-create-your-vision
2010-12-19T14:56:53.000Z
2010-12-19T14:56:53.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p>Every year, my kids and I create a vision board to capture goal highlights for the year using posters, magazine clippings, crayons, glitter, glue sticks -- you name it, it's on the floor on 12/31. We have the music going, candles lit, and complete focus on what we're doing. Here is our process laid out in 5 steps for you. I hope you then enjoy the short video version of my board that was designed using Animoto.com. Head over to <a href="http://lifevisionboards.com/vision-boards-how-to/">Life Vision Boards</a> and get another take on the "how to". They use Animoto as well and you certainly can too - it's a free tool for creating video using images and music. Use theirs or add your own.</p><h2><em><strong>5 Steps To Creating Your Vision Board</strong></em></h2><ol><li>Get yourself to a quiet place</li><li>Imagine that it is now the end of 2011 and you are reflecting back on your accomplishments for the year</li><li>Write down a list -- brainstorm freely at first</li><li>Now highlight the top 3-5 things you really want to focus on for the year</li><li>Cut, draw, and paste images that represent your goals onto a poster board (you can even make a miniature version on an index card to carry with you)</li></ol><p style="text-align:left;">That's it! Now set a date to get the board finished. ;)</p><p style="text-align:center;"><object height="240" width="432" data="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1292768939&f=e7ZzexmQGyHNz5DU17K0fw&d=75&m=a&r=w&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="vp1e7Zze"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1292768939&f=e7ZzexmQGyHNz5DU17K0fw&d=75&m=a&r=w&i=m&options=" ></param><param name="" value="" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></p></div>
Personal Brand Kung Fu - The SWOT Analysis
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/personal-brand-kung-fu-the
2010-11-03T11:31:01.000Z
2010-11-03T11:31:01.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p><img style="float:left;width:139px;height:224px;" src="http://www.bepromotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/iStock_000006195022XSmall.jpg" alt="iStock_000006195022XSmall.jpg" />Okay, yes the title may tell you I know a little something about martial arts...but no, I don't. Only as much as the last Karate Kid movie<br />(which is one of my kids' favorites) and the line from Kung Fu Panda<br />which says that Kung Fu stands for "excellence of self".</p><p><br /></p><p>I was thinking about that today after having watched the main character, a Panda named Po, one of 50 jillion times. I think personal brand work is like working out your Kung Fu - it truly stands for mining<br />and understanding how to portray your self excellence.</p><p><br /></p><p>I thought I'd share how you can strategically do some kung fu kicks with identifying your personal brand strategy below. One approach is using the SWOT analysis.</p><p><br /></p><p>SWOT Analysis is a well-known method of identifying your Strengths and Weaknesses, while also examining the Opportunities and Threats you face. All four areas can help you clarify your personal brand and your<br />distinctive and unique value.</p><p><br /></p><p>Often carrying out an analysis using the SWOT framework will be enough to reveal changes that need to be made in your plan.</p><p><br /></p><p>Try to work through the following questions and think about what insights you have from this focused work:</p><h3>Strengths -</h3><ul><li>What do you do well?</li><li>What can you do better than anyone else?</li><li>What comes naturally for you?</li></ul><h3>Weaknesses -</h3><ul><li>What could be improved?</li><li>What might you do poorly?</li><li>What comes with more difficulty for you?</li></ul><h3>Opportunities -</h3><ul><li>In what areas do you see possibilities?</li><li>What resources or circumstances can you leverage?</li><li>What trends might you use to your advantage?</li></ul><h3>Threats -</h3><ul><li>What obstacles are in your way?</li><li>Who is your competition and what are they doing well?</li><li>Are you financially challenged?</li><li>What else do you find yourself up against?</li></ul><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b>About the Author:</b> Tanya Smith, Career & Personal Brand Coach, offers women professionals, with dual roles in a corporate career & solo side business, access to cutting-edge strategies to help them thrive<br />and promote themselves as experts in a progressively competitive work and<br />marketplace. Claim your free instant access to two fill-in-the-blank brand templates and a special report, <i>The Beginner’s Guide to A Successful Career<br />Brand</i> at: <a href="http://www.bepromotable.com/">http://www.bepromotable.com</a>.</p></div>
Career Advice for Personal Brand - How Do People Know You Are An Expert?
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/career-advice-for-personal
2010-10-08T11:00:00.000Z
2010-10-08T11:00:00.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><span style="font-style:italic;">You can also listen to this article at: <a href="http://bit.ly/aMmLA8">http://bit.ly/aMmLA8</a></span><br /><br />Everyone is an expert at something - whether you know how to marketthat knowledge or not is the key to creating an expert personal brand.<br />Wikipedia describes an expert as "a person with extensive knowledge or<br />ability based on research, experience, or occupation and in a particular<br />area of study". I have invested in a number of programs, courses,<br />books, and live presentations over the last several years. All of this<br />because I believed the facilitator to be an "expert" who could share<br />information with me that I did not already know.<br />How is it that some people become recognized as the expert and others,<br />who may have more information and knowledge about the same topic, do<br />not?<br />Three things in general distinguish people who get to wear the expert label:<br />They are clear on what they believe. Experts tend to rise to this title<br />because they have taken a stance or a position on something within an<br />area of study. For example, Dr. Wayne Dyer is a well-known expert in the<br />field of self development. Dyer has certain principles he believes. It<br />is clear that part of his message is that each of us is accountable to<br />our own success and growth. Carole Martin, the Interview Coach, is an<br />expert in her area. She has developed clear steps to preparing for an<br />interview.<br />They tell other people what they believe. People who are recognized as<br />experts do not keep their beliefs to themselves. Instead, they<br />communicate a message in some type of written, visual, or auditory form<br />so that others know their principles. It is one thing to have a thought -<br />it's another level when you share the thought with someone else. And<br />the wider your net, the higher and faster you rise to the top as an<br />expert brand. Dyer and Martin could simply have their beliefs about<br />steps to take and principles to apply, but until these were shared as<br />messages to others, no one would have recognized them as a possible<br />resource.<br />They are consistent in telling other people what they believe. Having<br />an expert brand means you are consistent with the beliefs you share with<br />others. If you say one thing today and have a completely opposite<br />message next week, it will take away from the credibility of your<br />personal brand. Consider this example - John Maxwell is seen as an<br />expert in applying leadership strategies based in Christian principles.<br />If next month, he came out with a book about loving life as an atheist,<br />Maxwell's credibility as an expert may drop considerably.<br />I would now like to invite you to enhance your expert brand and claim<br />FREE access to my upcoming Career Marketing Style teleclass. Learn 5<br />different ways you can successfully market your brand and get the<br />recognition you want YOUR way. Visit <a href="http://careermarketingstyle.com/" target="_blank">http://careermarketingstyle.com</a> for more details & to grab your seat.<br />From Tanya Smith, The Expert Brand Coach and The CareerPreneur Success Circle.</div>
Career Advice on Personal Brand - 3 Top Personal Brand Mistakes That Kill Your Chance of a Promotion
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/career-advice-on-personal
2010-10-02T01:42:02.000Z
2010-10-02T01:42:02.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p>Having a well thought out personal brand strategy is the fastest and best way to promote yourself in any career.</p><p>There are, however, 3 key mistakes many professionals make with their brand that keep them from advancing further in their career.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Personal Brand Mistake #1 - Failure to think like an entrepreneur at work.</b> These days it's now more important than ever to recognize that things aren't like they used to be. Whether you work for someone else or not, do not make the mistake of having an employee mindset - you are self-employed.</p><p><br /></p><p>What to do instead - To boost your perceived value at work so that you are top choice for the best job opportunities, it's time you start thinking like a business owner. Be an independent thinker, offer creative solutions, and always think a couple of steps ahead, strategically positioning yourself for the next action in case (B) happens instead of (A). Get noticed for your ability to be a results-driver who is adaptable to change, because change is happening faster and bigger these days.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Personal Brand Mistake #2 - Failure to track your own accomplishments and articulate them well.</b> You can not rely on your manager to understand the work you do, or to know when recognition is warranted.</p><p><br /></p><p>What to do instead - Keep track of accomplishments, praise reports, and great results you have achieved with and for your business partners. When the time comes to sit down for that next performance review, be ready to list out how well you have contributed to the company's overall goals. And if that performance review somehow does not get scheduled? Make an appointment yourself to meet with the manager and share your accomplishments, in a way that boosts their confidence in your work as an achiever. This record will also be great for your portfolio when it's time to move on.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Personal Brand Mistake #3 - Failure to connect with people who can be champions for your success.</b> It's great to spend time with your colleagues at work - after all, we spend a large part of the week there. But many people mistake this group as their group of supporters.</p><p><br /></p><p>What to do instead - Make sure you are connecting with people of influence outside of your normal circle. Tap into knowledge and experience that will help you broaden your thinking. Share solutions and creative ideas when you meet with mentors - formally or informally. They might just be your champion behind the scenes when you need it most.</p><p><br /></p><p>I would like to invite you to claim FREE Instant Access to my Beginner's Guide to a Successful Career Brand when you visit <a target="_blank" href="http://bepromotable.com">http://bepromotable.com</a>. You'll get a set of 3 great articles, along with a Promotability Quiz. Are you promotable?</p><p><br /></p><p>From Tanya Smith, The Expert Brand Coach and The CareerPreneur Success Circle.</p><p><br /></p><p>Article Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tanya_M._Smith">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tanya_M._Smith</a></p></div>
The Promotable Brand: How to Get Clear, Get Known, and Get Paid in Your Career or Solo Side Business
https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/the-promotable-brand-how-to
2010-10-16T20:30:00.000Z
2010-10-16T20:30:00.000Z
Tanya Smith
https://mybbwo.com/members/TanyaSmith
<div><p>Hello Superwomen,</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm sharing the free audio from my recent teleclass, Your Career Marketing style, at <a href="http://thepromotablebrand.com">http://thepromotablebrand.com/</a>. You can download the handout there too.</p><p><br /></p><img style="float:left;width:177px;height:117px;" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10744054290,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10744054290?profile=original" /><p>You are invited to listen in <i>at no cost</i> to get great tips on five ways to professionally market your brand & to find out more about the upcoming 6 week program for designing an attractive personal brand that will powerfully enhance & sustain your career and/or solo side business.</p><p><br /></p><p>It's called <i><b>The Promotable Brand: How to Get Clear, Get Known, and Get Paid in Your Career or Solo Side Business. <br /></b></i></p><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p><p>You will say, after participating, that the rewards of this 6 week program are to have:</p><ul><li>A greater sense of security knowing you have confidence in your ability to promote yourself and your services;</li><li>Enhanced professional skills that carry over on-the-job and in your side business;</li><li>Greater recognition from your clients as well as your work colleagues - where it counts;</li><li>Higher level of trust in your purpose and faith in case the unexpected happens;</li><li>A more attractive professional brand when you compete for positions you choose</li><li>Success on your own personal terms and based on what's important to you<br /></li></ul><p>Early bird for the program - <i><b>The Promotable Brand: How to Get Clear, Get Known, and Get Paid in Your Career or Solo Side Business</b></i> ends tomorrow at midnight, so check it out soon and save big...seriously. I'm also throwing in my recent 12-CD telesummit as a gift for people who act quickly: <a href="http://thepromotablebrand.com">http://thepromotablebrand.com</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>As always - to your success,</p><p><br /></p><p>Tanya Smith, Your Career Strategy Partner<br />BePromotable.com</p></div>