Taking time to survey your community is always such a valuable process, and I would encourage you to survey yours especially if you've not done one for a while. With the available free survey tools such as Survey Monkey, it really is an easy and effective way of finding out, not only what is happening within your community, but what they are wanting from you as well.

I want to thank you all for taking the time to complete the survey, and sharing with me what your biggest struggles were in marketing and building your business.

What you've told me was very revealing....

More than 46% of you said that you didn't have enough clients. As you know, lack of clients means a lack of cash; a business can't operate without clients. I know you are passionate about what you are doing, otherwise you would not have taken this leap into starting your own business. No matter how long you've been in your business there are always ebbs and flows, and with cashflow an issue, I'm guessing that you are working long hours and are more stressed now than what you want to be or need to be!

Sometimes it's because you've come into your business as the technical expert, and the actually promoting of your business is something you're not quite sure of, or maybe you begrudge having to do it. I really understand that, because when I first started out nearly 20 years ago - I too came in as a technical expert, and also breaking new grounds into an industry that was just beginning here in Australia.

There's a saying: "You don't know what you don't know!". And at that time I didn't have any idea that to build a successful business, marketing and promoting was so important. I thought by delivering results that was enough! It was enough to keep the doors open, but it wasn't enough to grow and thrive.

40.2 % said you lack time.....which as you know becomes a cycle whereby you are always chasing your tail. This means you try to do the right thing by blocking out time in your diary to focus on getting more clients, and than become stressed when you don't have time for the other areas of your business.
The other interesting result was around products, 63% said you were not producing any type of information product at the moment. Does this mean you're stuck in a business model of working dollar for hour?

In the 'further input section', where you could write and tell us more, many of you said you want to build a successful business, but don't know where to start or who to get support from. You asked that we share articles and stories from other successful entreprenuers, and some simple tips to get you started.

I'm pleased to say that we have started to do this for you. I don't know if you've noticed but in our weekly Business Booster Inbox Magazine, we're gathering a panel of experts to provide you with informative articles that show you ways you can build your business, and look after yourself. Please let us know what you think of our new format over the next few months.

I also believe I've come up with something that will support you to get more high paying clients, and we will get to work together on this. Keep an eye out early next week for this announcement.

Best regards,
Deb

Ps., Thanks again for taking the time to complete the survey - I do really appreciate it!

You've probably have heard the saying:  "the money is in the list",

well - it's true.  It is in your list.  And it's a frustration that a client brought to her mentoring call this week. She was all flustered because she keeps hearing that to do any good, you've just got to have a BIG list.

What's the point of having a list of ten or thousands if no-one is opening your emails, let alone buying from you.  Wouldn't it be better to have a smaller list, filled with clients who can't wait to open your emails and read what you have to say.  Who look forward to your latest product or service launch, and are happy to purchase from you.

No I'm not saying that you stay with a small list, you do want to continue to build it, but build it strategically. The way you can do this is by being very clear on your strategy around building your list.  If you have a clear strategy, you build quality rather than a quantity. 

Your first strategy is to be very clear on who your ideal clients are. The clearer you can be about this, the better understanding you will have around what you can share with them.  If you've worked through our e-book on 'Identifying Your Ideal Clients', you will be clear on who these people are. Take time to really understand what their concerns, challenges and dreams are.  Develop your avatar about these clients and have it somewhere you can see it regularly to remind you about them.

Your second strategy is developing a relationship with your clients through the content you provide.  When writing, make sure you are conversational. This isn't the time to become a bureaucratic writer!

A tip to remember is when writing articles or emails imagine that you are sitting across the table having a coffee with your ideal client. Have a conversation with them, use conversation tones and make it easy for them to get to know you.

For those of us who aren't natural writers, it does take time to get use to writing in this style.  I know for me it took a while to write more conversational, as having a Defence Force background my style was very militant and rigid.  Even now after many, many years I still find I'm learning from each article I write.

The final strategy is to be aware of how you position yourself.  You want your clients to see you as a leader within the marketplace.  To see you as someone who is willing to take a stand on what you believe in and inspire others. Someone who is willing to tell your story to connect with your clients.

Think about the e-newsletters you currently open and read, what makes you want to open those particular emails? My guess is that it has less to do with the instructional information, but more to do with the individual person and how you see them...

Now you've got a strategy to follow, what are some of the tactics you've used to build your list?  Please share them with us on our blog or Facebook page.

“Ninety days goes very fast!” is the comment Christian posted on his facebook wall yesterday.  You see we’ve just finished our 90-day Get More Clients coaching group, and boy ninety days does go by quickly...

There’s no beating around the bush here today, as I want to share three things you really will want to STOP doing, so that your business can move to the next level.

1. STOP doing everything yourself, and being a lone ranger.
2. STOP doing the things that don’t generate you an income.
3. STOP thinking that because you are brilliant at what you do, your business will be successful!

All too often we hear from business owners, whose lives and businesses are coming apart at the seams, because they don’t use the concepts mentioned above.  I know that this may seem to be a chicken and egg situation, i.e. you can’t bring in another person to take away some of your non-essential work, because you need to make more money to be able to do this and vice versa. 

But let’s take a positive approach.  Rather than focus on the areas that you need to STOP doing, why don’t we have a look at what you can START doing.

Secret #1. Surround yourself with successful, positive, honest, can-do individuals.

As Mark Twain said:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that. The really great make you feel that you too can become great.”

Now let’s be honest here, this is NOT a new concept and every successful person I have spoken with or read about always speaks about the individuals who have had a positive impact on their businesses and lives.  Whether it’s family, friends, colleagues or mentors, being surrounded by happy, positive people has a lot going for it! 

As entrepreneurs our days can be pretty solitary, heads are down creating products, delivering services and results, and you are working in your business rather than on it.  Not having the chance to brainstorm ideas with other people, or having someone to work through a particular issue or challenge, can be soul destroying at times.  This is where a community is so important, not only for your sanity, but also for your growth and development.

The use of collective wisdom is so important, and it works!  During our group ‘Get More Clients’ call, I opened the call up for clients to ask the group any questions they have about their business.  What I loved about this process, after one particular client spoke about a challenge she was facing, was the range of possible solutions that came forward from those on the call.  As we wrapped up this part of the call, this client was thrilled as she now had a number of different strategies she could look at putting in place that she hadn’t thought of before.  It was great to hear the excitement in her voice.

Who is in your community?  Do you have a group of individuals you meet with regularly for support and encouragement, or do you work with a mentor?  You all know that I am passionate about having mentors as part of your business building strategy, and for me personally, the impact that my mentors have in my business is immeasurable in terms of growth and development.  Next week I’m heading off next week to spend a day with my mentor and mastermind group in Chicago, and can’t wait to spend this time strategising and planning the next stages of my business.  This type of investment, is invaluable to the growth of my business, and will flow on to my clients.  I can’t wait to share with you the gems I learn.  

Secret #2. Identify the profit making areas of your business and focus on these.

Often we spend more time working in our business rather than on it. With this step, it is time for you to step back and look at your business as a whole. This is most important when you find yourself stuck at a certain level of revenue and things don’t seem to being moving forward.

Be honest with yourself, have you become the speed bump in your business? When this happens it is time to start thinking, “Am I the person that really needs to XYZ?” [xyz being the many things you spend your time on each day that aren’t making profit].

For example, working recently with one of my 1:1 mentor clients, we spent the day  going through her business; pulling it apart and re-grouping all of her ideas and products. As we were putting together her new plan, she suddenly felt overwhelmed by all the potential projects and products she could develop. It wasn’t until I asked: “Who on your team can you delegate some of the non-profit making activities too?” that she got her ‘ahh’ moment.  She realised that by stepping aside, letting go of the need to control everything, and delegating some activities, she could focus on her passion and really move her business to the next level.

3. Remember, You are in the business of MARKETING!

Controversial I know, but if there is one thing that will make a difference to your bottom line it is when you realise that your business is that of MARKETING! I have worked with some amazingly talented, educated, and brilliant people over the years, who have fabulous reputations yet only mediocre businesses. I have worked with and  watched other individuals who are good in everything they do and their businesses keep growing. What stands out is those in the second group GET that they are in the business of marketing, and they know that by focusing on their message and marketing to their target audience, they will achieve their sales. However, the first group often get stuck with working in their businesses that they don’t appreciate the importance of MARKETING until it is too late.

So what group are you in?  Take a moment to share with us your thoughts...