It’s Time to Take Back Your Power, Open Up and Connect with Each Other

Back in June, I held the first of the Deep Real Conversations call, and it was powerful and connecting. Very sacred – really just beyond words. What I know is that we are creating and leading a new way of being in business and being in our lives. Sometimes that means we put our heads on our desks and cry, and it’s ok to release. And we ask for help, and we do it collaboratively and in community. It’s not the traditional way of being in business and going through our lives… we are honoring our intuition, our emotional guidance, our spirituality and our values.

Part of why we as women entrepreneurs are feeling so frustrated is that we feel alone. We don’t have the mentors and the models out there to help lead the way. We’re yearning to connect with other women. To understand and validate that we aren’t alone in thinking about business that’s different from what the business books say.

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Video is the hot marketing strategy right now.  Whenever a lot of people start using one strategy the key for YOU is to get creative so your video stands out and more importantly, your potential clients watch it.  You don’t want your video to get lost in the internet clutter.

Here’s 3 quick tips for Creating Engaging Video:

1.       Don’t just stand in front of a blank wall.  It works when you are just getting started but you’ll want to find a spot in your home office or home where there’s a lovely picture or bookcase.  I often will use my Vision Board as a backdrop.
2.       Use a flipchart.  Low-tech meets hi-tech!  Want to make 3 points in your video? You can use your flipchart (with clear big handwriting) to add interaction and movement.
3.       Show up a prop.  Do you offer a product or program?  Are you talking about a favorite book?  Talking about how simple something is?  Show it to us instead of just talking about it.

If your ideal client is someone who has nothing else to do with their day then to stare at a computer then keep on posting 45 – 60 minute videos.

IF on the other hand, your ideal client description includes, “SUCCESSFUL people who can AFFORD to buy my programs & products”,  then consider that they are probably also really busy types and they don’t have time for sits in front of their coputer to watch your super long video (even though I’m sure it’s fascinating content – they don’t have time).

You don’t want to lose them or worse yet, piss them off (I’m guilty of feeling this way) because then they click off before you get to the  grand finale where you unveil (after 60 minutes) how they can get more of you by offering a program or product.

Soundbite Strategies:

1. Make your videos short – 2-4 minutes for tips; 10-12 minutes for Educational Marketing training
2. Make it fascinating, compelling or at least interesting  – Give them a reason to Care!
3. Include your program or product on the web page or blog where the video is being viewed or throughout your video with a well-done graphic.  Don’t wait until the end.
4. Break up one long video into smaller chunks in several videos

I bought Sanaya Roman’s book, Creating Money, over the weekend.  Her book kept coming to mind as I was cleaning out my “Success Library” bookshelves.

When I opened the book, imagine my surprise and delight to find a note from the publishers, Hal and Linda Kramer, sharing their mission or what I like to call their “movement” for their company.  V-e-r-y Inspiring!

Their note:

To Our Readers

The books we publish are our contribution to an emerging world based on cooperation rather than on competition, on affirmation of the human spirit rather than on self-doubt, and on the certainty that all humanity is connected. Our goal is to touch as many lives as possible with a message of hope for a better world.

-Hal and Linda Kramer, Publishers

THAT moved me, and I haven’t even dived into the book yet!

It’s so powerful when you put your mission, your movement, your purpose right out in front!  It’s vulnerable. Some people won’t like it. Some won’t agree. That’s ok.  They aren’t part of your tribe of people you are meant to influence and support. But the ones who feel the alignment – talk about “raving fans”!  You’ll open up a deeper and more real conversation and connection with them.

That’s authentic and powerful marketing!

When I was a VP of Marketing for shopping centers (over 50 major shopping malls around the country – probably a big one near you) one of the things we always did was go to other places for inspiration and ideas.  I’d go to Vegas to check out the creative retail concepts where they always featured leading edge retail ideas. New York City, Mall of America in Minneapolis and even neighboring malls in a local small towns. You could always find at least one thing someone was doing differently and it always inspired a new thought or idea.

We were always looking at how did they fit the lastest Limited store (big in the 90’s ) into this size space or this type of mall or community.

We didn’t stop there – we would go to museums, shows (like Cirque du Soleil), new stadiums, everywhere is a new idea or an old idea being done differently.  Lighting, fixtures, merchandising, automatition, new types of signage, new retail concepts, new kiosks structures for seasonal retailers, and of course, there were marketing materials/concepts/campaigns galore!

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If you are like me, as a woman entrepreneur I know there are times in your business or in your life when you get yourself in a bunch, you  start going in circles, chasing your tail, second guessing, doubting…. It still happens to me but with practice it doesn’t happen as much  anymore.  I can get myself out of the “tailspin” quicker and usually with more grace.

There are times where people have told me over the years. “Laura, just let go.”  Let go.  Let go and what?  Note:  If someone is telling you to let go – that means you are holding on tight.  It can be hard to just let go.  There needs to be a second part to “let go and ….”.   And then what do I do? (I know, you enlightened souls will say…let go and just be….but sometimes when you’re “in it” you need a more specific redirect).

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Over my ten years in business, I’ve become more and more clear that “my movement” is to help women be more successful in their business! That’s why I work with women entrepreneurs to blend the smart business tactics with the more feminine and spiritual way of being in the world.

For heart-centered, women entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in your passion and purpose, and maybe not spend so much time on the business and marketing side of your business. To help you bridge the two with ease, grace and more success, I’m creating the Business Goddess’s Guide to…. series of information products to give you practical tools to help bring your message into the world in a bigger way with authentic marketing.

I am pleased to announce my newest product to help you: Business Goddess’s Guide To Creating Powerful Sales Pages with Ease, Authenticity, and Heart.

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Today’s Business Goddess Audio Marketing Tip is women don’t flourish alone.

Business Goddess Marketing is not just about the actions you take, but connecting to that deeper power inside that leads great marketing actions.

To listen now, visit http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/audiotip/tip7.html

Today’s Business Goddess Audio Marketing Tip is that a Business Goddess knows that systems = freedom.

Business Goddess Marketing is not just about the actions you take, but connecting to that deeper power inside that leads great marketing actions.

To listen now, visit http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/audiotip/tip6.html

Today’s Business Goddess Audio Marketing Tip is about if you’re sure your clients know how they can work with you.

Business Goddess Marketing is not just about the actions you take, but connecting to that deeper power inside that leads great marketing actions.

To listen now, visit http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/audiotip/tip5.html