(©Artwork by Lillian - All Rights Reserved)
Y is for Yesterday
Forget it. Forgive yourself for your ignorance and errors and get on with today.
We all make mistakes, but some of us learn from them and others of us beat ourselves up for having been so…oh…fill in the blank. But, as entrepreneurs we are, by definition, going somewhere or other without a map. We cannot possibly anticipate every curve in our path, and if we could I believe most of us wouldn’t bother taking the trip at all.
Mistakes hone us. They make us humble. Forgiveness makes us resilient. The combination gives us the courage to take risks and the power to proceed.
Just this morning I saw someone advertising her stationary, when she meant stationery. I wrote to her because I thought (hoped) she’d want to know. Then it got personal when I opened the file for a letter I had sent out a few weeks ago. What a nightmare! I had apparently cut and pasted so often I’d completely lost focus. One sentence didn’t make any sense at all and another had no period. There was more. After practically choking on seeing this literary monstrosity I felt awful for a nanosecond then actually laughed - at the scope of the mess, but also at the fact that it hadn’t ruined my life. I may have finally kicked the guilt habit, but I can guarantee I’m gonna be more careful in the future.
I had sent this letter to four friends (in the biz) as a warm-up to sending it out to cold prospects. I’m not sure why nobody told me about the mess I’d written. They either didn’t want to hurt my feelings or never read it. I’d have appreciated the honesty as it could have saved me some true embarrassment. We get so immersed in our own products and jargon that it all becomes a bit invisible. As self-employed people, or when working with a small staff, we don’t necessarily have that fresh perspective or a proof-reader on hand. We know what we mean to say. The next best thing to having a proofreader is to let copy sit overnight before acting on it. At least I’ve learned to send out only a few letters at a time when there’s a large mailing. It minimizes the potential for damage. It can take several edit sessions to be sure I’m saying what I think I am and correctly - does that make sense?
Letting go of the past (even the recent past) is not just about forgetting trouble. It also keeps us moving forward after success. It’s important to celebrate any success…an unexpected new client, early payment of an invoice, an article about something you’ve done. It’s easy to rest on laurels. Most successes are pretty temporary in nature. Successes provide ideal stepping stones to some next level. A mention in the press gives you the opportunity to tell even more people about how great someone ELSE thinks your business is. Landing a new client may give you the confidence to make a call to another prospect. Getting an order may mean it’s time to check inventory. Earning an award gets you a plaque on the wall, but it’s the work you do every day which adds up.
Leave the guilt behind and keep your ego in check. It’s today that matters. What you do now with what you did yesterday will take you to tomorrow. Have a great day.
Camilla’s 2 cents: I completely agree with Barb. If I had not made some of the mistakes I made I would not have this website and I would not have written the workbook Blogging for More Business. The key and most important aspect is to LEARN from your mistakes, EXPERIENCE them, RELEASE them and to pack Mr. Guilt’s bags and send him on his way!! What really works for me when the big “G” comes knockin’ is to invite him in for a few seconds or minutes, really experience him, then release him. Seems to work every time!
Barb Hranilovich is a guest writer for StartUp Ladies. She is writing an alphabet series of articles pertaining to women entrepreneurs and business owners. Make sure to read her articles on the letter D, letter P, letter R, letter M, letter B, letter V , letter F and the letter H also.
Blogging for More Business - 6 Steps to Attract More Business
Tags: Emotions · Guest Article
(Determination all the way - You go Lillian)
I was reminded yesterday that I’ve got guts! Do you have courage and determination? I am in awe of how often I forget this about myself. I am reminded of this periodically by friends, family and business associates, but I seem to have memory loss when it comes to reminding myself that I’ve got courage.
As many of you know, I have authored the book, Blogging for More Business: 6 Steps to Attract More Business. I have been asking other women business owners for their feedback on the content of the book and the cover design. Well, I am definitely asking some of the right women as they are giving me some great negative feedback. Yes, I said “great” and “negative” right next to each other. I was letting myself get rather down about the feedback and reminded myself that I asked for their feedback and most of these women want me to be successful with selling the Blogging for More Business workbook.
Who reminded me that I’ve got courage? Charlie at Charfish Design did so in an email yesterday. I had emailed him the feedback I had received on the cover. (Charlie edited the book for me and is designing the cover.) His response was “Thanks for the great feedback and having the courage to put yourself out there for criticism. That takes guts!” I had not thought of it that way. Thanks Charlie.
Please don’t forget to remind yourself that many of the steps you are taking as an entrepreneur take courage and determination. Most definitely give yourself credit for that and treat yourself to some pampering (even if it’s only 10 - 15 minutes) some time today!
I also want to thank my mom, Patty Romano, and step-father, Frank Romano. Without their help with my two great kids, Thomas (2) and Lillian (6), I would have never been able to get this information packed book completed. Thanks go out to these awesome people as well for helping to make Blogging for More Business into a spectacular workbook for the beginner.
I am grateful to all of you for your support and I’m sure there will be more to add to this list. I also want to thank Thomas and Lillian for all of the times I was sittin’ at this darn computer when they wanted my attention.
Tags: Emotions
You know, this gal amazes me. She is always pushing the bar in terms of what and how we market and grow not only our business but ourselves.
Well, Liz Pabon, author of The MavHERick Mind, has done it again!
This time, she’s hit the nail on the head with a perspective that is nothing short of brilliant.
Wondering if she sleeps at all? Liz has assured me she sleeps, has spa time, plays with her pampered pooches, spends quality time with her hunky husband and has a secret obsession with online shoe shopping.
Take a quick moment and check out her short informational video - it’s proof positive that inspiration is all around us.
While you’re there, be sure to also read about the paradigm shift that’s creating a buzz like none I’ve ever heard.
A shift that promises to help you:
*Grow your business with less effort, and keep clients around much longer…
*Inject your marketing with so much essence it feels lighter, friendlier and more enjoyable to interact with…
*Get your audience to see you as a trusted friend instead of another pushy businessperson……one they want to be around, listen to and buy from again and again and again.
Drop what you’re doing and head over there now!
Make sure to check out my interview with Liz Pabon at “Do You Have the Courge to Leave Your Comfort Zone?”
PS. Be sure to turn up your speakers when she shares what she learned from the late Gary Halbert and how this not only shifted her model but will shift you too!
Liz Pabon, The Branding Maven
Want to Attract More Business? Check out the Blogging for More Business Home Study Workbook
Tags: Branding · Marketing
(©Artwork by Lillian - All Rights Reserved)
H is for Hype
Hype. Flash. Sellin’ it up. It’s all in the attitude. It’s the Music Man and makes you want to believe.
I watched it in action the other day. There was a group of us presenting our work to a number of journalists on a press tour. I hadn’t participated in this sort of blitz before and saw it as a learning experience. It was.
My approach was to have my artwork there with press kits available, including cd’s of images and some written materials, for people to take along. This somewhat passive approach is about my speed of self-selling even when I’m pretty doggone sure of the product. Put it before them and let them come to their own conclusions. I chose to speak with each individual briefly. One-on-one I’m more comfortable and consequently able to speak naturally, in a conversational style and with confidence.
One of the other people had a press kit, too, but his personal approach was totally different. I watched him sell himself, pure and simple. He charmed folks by doing tricks with his dog. He talked about proposals with as much assurance as if they were finished jobs. He had a stage presence and self-confidence which stuck me dumb. I just sat back and watched as he maximized every second he had for their attention. They will not forget him or his equally-dramatic work.
Who knows if one approach was better than the other? I felt some people respond to me and others to him. Like a fly on the wall I noted which reporter was taking notes or photos at which points and after which comments. I watched facial expressions of the various parties and was surprised sometimes by the journalists’ responses and questions. Things I found very interesting seemed to slide by while odd little details required elaboration. We’ll never know what they had in mind for possible articles. We had 45 minutes to reach them. We had to feel for the hook - see the quick flash in their eye at some statement and expand on THAT.
We both had to sell ourselves along with our work.
We were both being genuine, which is the only way to be effective in the long run.
And in the end, no single person or thing will appeal to everyone. Who would want to?
Just being a part of this experience has given me a lot. Next time I’ll know what to expect. Maybe I’ll even feel a little bolder. The writers were just folks doing their jobs. I’ve gotten some local buzz just for being on the interview list. If I get any mention of any sort in any publication it’ll be great. Magazine writers have a lot of pages to fill. I’m starting to learn that press is a mixed bag. Misquotes and misstatements can sting, but don’t maim. It can take months from interview to print. It’s all just one more card in the PR deck.
Hype is the energy that gets the word out and gets people talking about something, which takes on momentum of its own. It’s your cheerleader. See how GREAT this is…louder, louder!
Barb Hranilovich is a guest writer for StartUp Ladies. She is writing an alphabet series of articles pertaining to women entrepreneurs and business owners. Make sure to read her articles on the letter D, letter P, letter R, letter M, letter B, letter V and the letter F also.
Know You Need a Website for Your Business and Not Sure Where to Start? - Visit this Page
Tags: Selling
(©Photo by Camilla - All Rights Reserved)
Is Camilla missing in action? When will she re-surface? Where has she been?
Okay. I know that everyone’s busy and you probably haven’t noticed that I have not written an article for this site or Unleashed Imagination in a while. Well, I have a good excuse. I’ve had my nose to the grindstone creating a Blogging Workbook. It’s 98% complete and this sucker is packed with step by step details and instructions. I am partnering with University of Reno’s Business Development Center to teach a workshop and I will use the Workbook in conjunction with that workshop.
Not to worry, though, if you are not local to the Reno area. The Blogging Workbook is for sale as an eBook and if you’d prefer a real life hold in your hands, touch and feel, book. I am offering a 20% pre-sale discount through July 15th when the workshop is scheduled to begin at UNR. For more details on the contents of the Blogging for Business Workbook - 6 Steps to Successfully Blogging Your Way to More Business visit University of Reno’s explanation page of the workshop (the structure of the workshop follows the Workbook). You will also receive several great bonuses with purchase of the Blogging for Business Workbook. I’m still working out the details on the bonuses; but, they will be packed with useful information.
____________________________________________________
Blogging for Business downloadable eBook: $44.95
Blogging for Business Traditional Paper Book: $79.95
____________________________________________________
20% discount until July 15th
eBook: $35.96
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Tags: Blogs · Marketing
(©Photo by Camilla - All Rights Reserved)
F is for Fear
Nobody is fearless. Fear is our body’s way of getting us to pay attention. What we do with it shapes our lives. Some people try to live in safe zones, but I’ve found that entrepreneurs thrive on a little bit o’ thrill. It keeps us on our toes and helps us feel alive.
Fear is my constant companion, guide, and motivator.
As my companion it holds all of my what-ifs. What if I can’t make a living this month or meet some deadline? What if nobody likes my product? What if my product suddenly takes off and I can’t keep up with demand? What if I lose friends in a partnership? When I’m tired this river of fear rises. Don’t even ask about PMS.
Lack of security is my biggest issue, but I dare anyone to show me any situation that’s truly secure. I’ve protected myself by keeping debt down, living within my means (usually) and savoring the knowledge that if things are tough I’m at least in a position to turn on a dime, work harder, or smarter. I fear being bored stiff, tied into a work schedule that has nothing to do with the work load, or being at the mercy of coworkers. So, I’m choosing the fear of the self-employed. I choose this over that, which is empowering.
Fear is a pretty fine mentor. We do learn from our mistakes. We learn that taking a chance didn’t kill us after all. Or we learn, by crossing some line, exactly where it was. Fear was quite literally my motivator when, for several months, I made myself face a fear a day. Some things were teeny and some not, but before long I had much less to fear. It turned out things weren’t as scary as I’d imagined them to be (except for sales calls and small talk, which still terrify me). You may not end up going where you think you are, but you won’t go anywhere if you don’t head down some path. The surprises along the way may lead you somewhere much more exciting than you could have imagined.
Panic pretty much leads to chaos, but a good healthy dose of fear can be a valuable motivator…a beacon to where we need to increase our skills or direct our energy. If we fear we’ll lose a sale we may have to evaluate how we handle customer service. If we fear that a partnership is going badly we can work toward better communication or systems. If we fear our work is taking over our life it probably is. That tells us we have a life to fight for and provides the incentive to restore balance or rethink how we define work in our lives.
Biologically fear makes us back away from the cliff, or run from the tiger. It makes us act. Crises (situations where fear meets adrenaline) generally come from not paying attention, or acting early enough. Most of what we fear these days is intangible. We have time and opportunity to maneuver from the potential threat intelligently and with care. Our IRA is not going to try to eat us. That doesn’t mean we won’t get blindsided, too busy, or surprised by something we never even knew existed. Heck, it’s all a gamble. We’re just trying to increase our odds and go to the game with a cool head.
Barb Hranilovich is a guest writer for StartUp Ladies. She is writing an alphabet series of articles pertaining to women entrepreneurs and business owners. Make sure to read her articles on the letter D, letter P, letter R, letter M, letter B and the letter V also.
Tags: Emotions · Guest Article
(©Photo by Camilla - All Rights Reserved)
V is for volunteering.
Which, unlike crime, does pay. It’s not always about the money. Doing something for someone else and for a cause you support can bring more concrete rewards than you might expect.
Those of us who are starting businesses are sometimes sucked into the dark vortex of handling details, being short on staff, worrying about finances and walking our babies toward success. It is very easy to forget to think or talk about much outside of the business. We wish some angel will help us. We make contacts for sales. We search for suppliers. Every interaction suddenly feels like it’s tied into the business or leaning toward the self-serving.
Working for the needs of someone else can send a breath of fresh air your way. You can have a conversation about something totally unrelated to your work. You may well realize there are many more important things out there than whether your business makes it or not, no matter how special that business is. Volunteering gets you out of yourself, which can give you a fresh angle for looking at your choices and actions. Observing the patterns of your interactions with a different group of people may give you insight into your behavior which could translate into better business practices.
Volunteer situations can be great for networking. Most volunteer groups consist of a variety of people in different life stages and from varying employment situations. Getting to know a breadth of folks opens up your pool of resources if you ever need recommendations for service-providers, moral support or advice. Many volunteer gigs come with mixer events, which may offer suitable chances to introduce yourself and casually mention your business or practice your elevator speech.
If you happen to offer your new product or professional services pro bono you may get some great and free PR. It’s always nice when someone ELSE speaks highly of you. Word of mouth is powerful - for good and bad. And this is why passion counts. If you volunteer and it’s just a job, or you’re not fired up about the cause why bother? Passion is contagious. A person who is passionate and capable as a volunteer gains credibility in other areas of encounter, too. You can’t fake or buy passion. You can’t go into volunteering just in order to sell yourself. Passion (ok…enthusiasm may be enough) just happens when you and your chosen group or cause click. If you return phone calls promptly, do what you agree to do (plus a little) and are courteous as a volunteer, people will assume you’ll do the same in a business relationship and when your name comes up it’ll be said with a smile.
There is a balancing act in volunteering. Countless organizations are always looking for free things and services…it’s the Silent-auction-of-the-week Club. Large corporations have staff to monitor and pace their giving. Entrepreneurs and small businesses need to ride a line, too, or watch their stock and time get eaten up by freebies. Pick opportunities you can enjoy and which showcase you and your product to the appropriate audience, making it part of your marketing plan. You may decide to donate a certain dollar or product-value amount each year, or a specified number of hours of your time. You may pick only one project or cause and give them all they need. Only you can know the line between what enhances your life and what takes too much out of you. It may take experience with a few volunteer situations to see that line before you go over it.
If you pick your cause well, volunteering can build connections, self confidence and credibility. It can be an antidote to work-a-day issues and stress. It can bring you new friends, offer you a chance to try on some new hats and learn about yourself. It will, without doubt, give you a more positive perspective on your own life. That’s pretty good payback, if you ask me.
Barb Hranilovich is a guest writer for StartUp Ladies. She is writing an alphabet series of articles pertaining to women entrepreneurs and business owners. Make sure to read her articles on the letter D, letter P, letter R , letter M and letter B also.
Need Help Getting a Blog Going - Visit CYM Reno
Tags: Guest Article · Networking · Volunteering
(©Photo by Lillian - All Rights Reserved)
B is for Business Card
I still remember my first business card. I drew a dandelion on it and wrote Have Dandelion Will Pick, the name of my business. I was six years old. The plan was to dig up dandelions for 5¢ a bucket and business went well that summer. There’s just something about that little piece of paper we call a business card. Two inches by three and a half. Vertical or horizontal, folded or not, one or two-sided - when you hold it in your hand you suddenly feel like you’re in business.
Several months ago someone showed me her business card. I asked her what the business was and she couldn’t quite tell me. She knows, now. It wasn’t silly to give me her card, it was incentive. It helped her take herself seriously. It was a form of commitment to her plan.
Creating a business card in the conceptual stages of starting a company may seem premature. But, whether the card gets printed or not, it’s a pretty nifty way to focus your thinking. This is your first impression. It’s your mini elevator speech. It may the one piece you ever hand out that people will actually keep.
(©Artwork by Lillian - All Rights Reserved)
Business cards are fun. Their look is as varied as the people and businesses who hand them out. The business card function is to tell people who you are and how to reach you. That’s what the words are for. How you place that information the card, what colors you choose, what font, and the look of your logo (if you have one) tell volumes more. A hand-drawn dandelion is plenty apt for a six-year old. A card consisting of plain black type in an elegant font may be plenty for an accountant. A designer, of anything, had better have one slam-dunk look. Not everyone needs to, or even should be, cutting edge. No matter what, though, your card should be memorable. It can be stunningly sophisticated, hilarious, or pretty as a picture.
The route to a great card may well be through a graphic designer. Shop for someone who has a portfolio that sings for you. You want to know they can express your vision. Look at graphic design magazines, especially at their annual design issues, to see what’s current and what does or doesn’t appeal to you. Try to verbalize why you respond as you do to various styles, logos and typefaces. Look at your own files of collected cards. Consider which ones capture your attention and for what reasons. This will help you whether you are doing your own design, or trying to explain your wishes to someone you’ve hired for the job.
The look of your card is an indication of what sort of attention to detail you will offer your customer or client. There are many ways to print cards from your computer. Pre-scored cards come in different paper stocks and edge options. If you decide to print your own, think about the overall impression your card would give someone. People appreciate limited budgets, but if your image is not clear or the cards edges are ratty, if anything is misspelled, your card will speak against rather than for you.
There are so many inexpensive printing options these days that you really can’t justify anything less than great print quality. Online printing companies allow you to simply upload your files and you can have professional-quality cards in a day. Good files will give you good cards.
So…who are you? Are you a yellow, or an ecru sort of person? Are you sans serif bold, or ultra-light condensed? All cap? Can you tell your story in a simple picture or icon? What is the least amount of information needed to memorably say the most about you or your company? There is your business card.
Barb Hranilovich is a guest writer for StartUp Ladies. She is writing an alphabet series of articles pertaining to women entrepreneurs and business owners. Make sure to read her articles on the letter D, letter P, letter R and letter M also.
Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society - Overcoming the Obstacles
Tags: Branding · Guest Article
(©Photo by Camilla - All Rights Reserved)
Discover Their Gift - Pink Elephant Books
Tags: Women Entrepreneurs Today
(©Artwork by Lillian - All Rights Reserved)
Just a reminder regarding the logo contest. I’ve already received an awesome looking submission; so, get yours in to me because it ends on June 6th. For the details of the contest see Reader Contest - Design a StartUp Ladies Logo.
I am running the same contest for the Unleashed Imagination site, also. So, you can choose to enter that one instead (or both).
Tags: Contest
