Posts Tagged ‘small business owners’

“To Get the Gold Go Bold”
By Ileana Kane

I’ve been reflecting on the hundreds of clients I’ve
personally  helped in growing their business and
accelerating their cash flow. Each client had
such impactful changes in their business and 
there was one thing the most successful client
did that made a big difference.  
   

This one thing is within all of us if we will give
way to our natural brilliance.  Each of these clients
put their stake in the ground to take a BOLD pathway.

Let me give you three tips to taking a BOLD pathway:

Tip 1: Make a bold money goal.   
You want to choose a short time frame such as 30-90 days so you
can stretch your thinking.  Pick a ‘just right amount’ for you. I found
somewhere between 30-50% more than what you are currently
bringing in works well for most.  I’ve actually tripled my business
by using this simple action.  

Tip 2: Make a bold claim.
Your bold claim challenges you to step up while you stand out with
your programs.  This is not something your money is riding on it’s 
something your integrity is riding on.  Your bold claim states the results
you deliver for your clients.  One of my clients, a coach,  who works
with women in transition from divorce state: “You will have a plan that 
you can cheerfully and confidently follow that brings harmony back into 
your life in 90 days or less.“ 

In my new program Charging What You’re Worth and Getting the Fees 
You Deserve: “By the time you complete each of the 7 steps you will 
know what to do so you can charge 20%-50% more than you do right 
now.“  

A bold claim will call forth the best in you and will sweep your client up
in your passion for what you do. 

Tip 3: Take bold action. 
Be open to new approaches for achieving your goal.
The power of  a bold money goal coupled with taking bold action isn’t
to bring home the bucks.  This is to help you take the leap forward to
expand what’s possible for you and your business.  So, look at doing
something in a new way, a whole new approach and a bigger way. 

The power of bold action is for you to step out of the ordinary into the
extraordinary and making ‘what if’ into ‘what is.’  And the rewards?
Your business continues to grow in an authentic and organic way.  

© 2010 Ileana Kane   All Rights Reserved  

Do you want to use this article? Of course, you can. Just use the following
blurb along with the reprint of the article: 

Ileana Kane, CEO of Ileana Intl, teaches Enterprising Entrepreneurs how 
to express their true value and get paid what they are worth. Her products 
and services show you how to make more money, save more time while 
enjoying the freedom in your business.    

Get your FREE audio: www.ileanakane.com

 Passionpreneurs ® love creating and the idea of “having a business plan” and more often than not they struggle with how to design one.  Why?  They are so passionate about what they do they have a steady stream of ideas swimming around in their brain. The designing and planning process can feel complicated and overwhelming.  And if they do start a plan they wonder what do I do and what order do I do it in.

Does this sound familiar? Well as a creative and passionate entrepreneur I’ve figure out how to honor the balance of my divine feminine and still meet my implementation and financial goals in an authentic, graceful and elegant way.

Because I cam from a strong corporate background (with all the reports, spread sheets, charts and graphs), I had to find a different way because that just didn’t work for me any more. Imagine putting your design plan on just one or two sheets and away you go  As I realized it’s not the amount of sheets that’s important it’s what really goes on the 2 sheets that counts! 

Here are 5  simple steps to keep your energy, passion and life in balance when you design your business plan:

Step #1 Ditch the extra baggage and let go of the old goals you really don’t want anymore.  

Too many times passionate entrepreneurs (I call these people Passionpreneurs®) hold onto dreams, goals or visions they once had and they really don’t want that goal anymore. And if we hold onto something that  is not in harmony with who we are now and our gifts we’re bringing to the world, it brings up a lot of guilt and we end up wasting our energy resources on hanging onto old dreams. Be conscious of all the old dreams, goals or vision you really don’t want to bring to fruition anymore. By doing this you’ll end up not having to give focus and energy on what you don’t want in your life and will be successful in creating more energy and room for what your really want in your business and your life.  To create a new you need to create from the new you! 

One of my early mentors had me write a list of all the goals I didn’t achieve the year before and cross off of my list what I didn’t want to carry forward into the new year.  

Step #2 Create a new vision and design your plan focused on your gifts and calling.

I hear too many times Passionpreneurs ® don’t think they can make money from what they know now.  Because something that comes so easy and nature to us we don’t realize that there are a lot of people who would pay dearly to learn from us.  The secret to ‘living your true wealth’^(TM) is hidden in your gifts and calling.

Step #3  Your new business design needs to be dynamically in balance.

It’s easy to create a business plan that is so packed with all of the to do’s there is no room for the real creation of the Divine Feminine spirit which is rich with ideas, creativity and inspiration to complement the plan. But if not properly directed the energy this part of you provides can easily get diluted, with nothing concrete to show for it. You need the strength of the masculine, which loves to implement, on your side to put your brilliant creative ideas into action

Step #4  Put time aside to reflect, review and assess the actions you’ve been taking

I’ve seen way too many entrepreneurs leave out this very valuable step and end up suffering by getting off track and being disappointed in the outcomes they’ve produced. Every Friday set aside some time to look at what you’ve completed, your gross revenues and what’s working really well.  Then look forward to the next week and see if you need to make any adjustments in your plan.  Also, set aside times to look at where you are in relationship to your quarterly goals and revenues (trust me you’ll be glad you did!).  Your numbers hold keys to what to do next.  This time is about having your vision come to reality and serving all the people you really want to serve.  At the end of the month set aside more time, you want to do the same exercise as above and in addition to looking at your gross receipts look at your how profitable you’ve been.

If you start to not feeling good about your numbers, that is not what this is about.  This is about looking at what’s working and what’s not working.  Stay neutral with this exercise because the numbers are there to inform you.

One of the best things I ever did for my business is find a mentor and a mastermind group. 

Step #5  Look to see where you are with your mindset.

As entrepreneurs we work alone most of the time and it’s easy to get into a fearful and scarcity mode.  When you are looking at your business gross receipts for step #4 if you are making the same money you made last year your creating form your old thinking and beliefs.  So, look at adopting one new mindset or belief into your work and into your life.

Keep Your Business Design Simple and Celebrate OFTEN!

By keeping your business design simple and celebrating often, you allow all your energy to focus on creating the outcomes and results.  That translates into serving and helping more people in a much bigger way than you would normally do and you get to allow the rewards to flow right back to you.

To really have a Fun, Fabulous and Rich ^(TM) Business you must practice the KISS (Keep It Simple Sexy) formula

 © 2008-2010 Ileana Kane
All Rights Reserved  
Do you want to use this article? Of course, you can. Just use the following blurb along with the reprint of the article:  

 Ileana Kane, CEO of Ileana Intl, helps Enterprising Entrepreneurs express their true value and get paid what they are worth while moving away from trading  ‘dollars for hours work.’  Her products and services show you how to make more money, save more time while enjoying the freedom in your business.  For your FREE audio: www.milliondollarmuse.com

MARKETING SIN #4 – There is no or very little internet presence

Did you know over 95% of small business web sites are just a brochure site. This type

of site is a pure waste of time and money. You’ll never make a dime from these sites.

A strong online presence can become a serious marketing tool. But if you just do not know how to make your web site generate leads and sales – you are not alone.

Amazingly, with a few simple and inexpensive tweaks you can turn your web brochure

into a profitable, lead generating machine.

MARKETING SIN #5 – Telling how great you are.

Most small business owners and entrepreneurs feel you have to boast what a great job you do. This just leaves you feeling slippery and unprofessional. No wonder you avoid marketing.

The truth be known most potential clients don’t have a clue about all the ways you can help them. Your job? You are to educate them. In all of your marketing efforts, find out

about their problem and tell a story about a client who had a similar problem. Also include educating strategies in your articles, talks and books.

MARKETING SIN #6 – No effective follow-up worse yet no follow up at all.

Did you know that more than 80% of sales made take five prospect follow-up contacts.

Did you know most people never follow-up or give up after 2 contacts? They just don’t know how to consistently stay in touch with their prospects, referral sources and existing clients.
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Develop a follow-up system that gets results. I publish a ezine, send out a one page friendly letter and I use Send Out Cards. I’ll soon be adding an informational CD to send out. Here are some other options for you to consider. A full-blown newsletter, send out postcards with a tip, when you see an article that would be of benefit to your prospect or client sent that to them with a personal note.

Get started and take action NOW!

MARKETING SIN #7 – There is no WOW in you marketing.

AT the beginning, I told you there were six marketing sins. You counted right this is number 7. The last very simple way to WOW your clients is to -under-promise and over- deliver!

Simple and OFTEN overlooked. What you need to do is to ‘pamper’ your clients and be generous with your prospects and clients.

Sit back and contemplate what you’ve read. Make a list of what you need to implement.

and then assign a date by when you’ll complete the items. My client Pam was amazed how quickly her business turned around and you’ll be amazed too!

© 2008 Ileana Kane.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Of course you can, as long as you include the following with it: Ileana Kane founder of “Turn Your Passion to Profit Marketing Breakthrough System” publishes a weekly Ezine ‘Opportunities on Marketing & Success for Your Small Business’. If you’re ready to take your business to new heights with ease and your ready make more money, have more profits and more time off. Get your FREE Audio ‘Turn Your Passion To Profit” in 5 Proven Simple Steps. Go now to: www.milliondollarmuse.com.

Whether you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, if your want to attract your ideal client and enter into conversations that sell here are 5 tips to get the job done.To attract your ideal client you need conversations that communicates and persuades … to get results! These guidelines can ALSO apply to Web copy, e-mail, sales letters, brochures, direct mail, and more. As long as your goal is to educate and elicit a reaction from your prospect or client, you’ve come to the right place.

1.  Tune into that well-known radio station WIIFM.

Many small business owners talk endlessly on and on about how great their business is and what great their products they have. Hello? Client, anyone? What’s your prospect or client thinking, “So, what? What’s in it for me?” Start being client centered. If you can, talk with some of your current clients and ask them 1) why they chose you, and 2) what they get out of your product or service.

2.  Put your focus on the benefits.

Way too many small business owners get so into the fact that their product or service offers a lot of neat features is great, but what do they DO for your customer? Do they cover the BIG FOUR? 1) Make her money? Save her money? Save time? Avoid effort? Think about what your clients are REALLY looking for.

Now, what does a life insurance agent sell? Policies?

Nope — peace of mind. (You’ve got it NOW.)

3.  Draw them in with interest.

In order to attract your ideal client you need to realize the first thing your prospect or client hears can mean the difference between success and failure. Have an interest (your clients interest) based conversation. Forget the ‘cutsie’ because most offend and those conversations aren’t effective. There are many ways an entrepreneur can have an attention holding conversation. REMEMBER to make it the conversation client centered — no one gives a hoot about your company. So if you are a financial advisor don’t talk with a prospect about what a new amazing financial program you have. Instead talk with them about turning their finances around in 30 days! Make sense?

4. Nix the buzzwords.

In conversations, do you like hearing the industry buzzwords? Well, neither does your ideal client. Avoid industry jargon and buzzwords — stick to the benefits. An easy way to weed out buzzwords is to think of dear old Grandma listening to your conversation. Would she get it? If not, clarify and simplify. (Unless your target audience is a business audience then you’d want to upscale your conversational style and upscale your words.)

5.  Use client’s stories when possible.

To attract your ideal client you must let your prospects know they won’t be the first to try your products and services. Give results-oriented stories from your ideal clients who have benefited from your product or service. Give your clients names (as long as you have permission to use their name). Your prospects and clients want to know they’re not the only one. HINT: Use this magical sentence. I have a client just like you (and go on and tell the story).

For every small business owner and entrepreneur the golden key is to stay focused and in the present with the prospect or client. In order to do this keep present and in the moment and think about what’s in it for the person you’re speaking with and WIIFM. If you do this one thing, you are sure to attract your ideal client.

© 2008 Ileana Kane.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Of course you can, as long as you include the following with it: Ileana Kane founder of “Turn Your Passion to Profit Marketing Breakthrough System” publishes a weekly Ezine ‘Opportunities on Marketing & Success for Your Small Business’. If you’re ready to take your business to new heights with ease and your ready make more money, have more profits and more time off. Get your FREE Audio ‘Turn Your Passion To Profit” in 5 Proven Simple Steps. Go now to: www.milliondollarmuse.com.