Small Business Marketing and Mindset for Savvy Mompreneurs and Moms Who Want to Ditch the 9-5 and Work from Home
Solo Mompreneur exclusive!
Today I’m excited to post an extraordinary interview with Leanne Chesser and Cheryl Wilms of WAHM Solution — my first ever “No Questions Asked” interview.
How is it possible to interview someone without asking any questions? Not one single question??
Click the WAHM Solution logo below and find out!
I know. It can be scary.
The most prolific writers, public speakers, authors, coaches, and avid bloggers will encourage you and urge you to think about the importance of story in your life.
So take in a deep breath, go out on a limb, and tell your story.
Unmasking what’s behind the development of your programs, products, and services is the most compelling piece of marketing strategy you own.
Nothing is more powerful or empowering than chiseling away at the exterior to reveal the human spirit within.
“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. “
The moment I crossed over that scary imaginary line and decided to stop keeping my story to myself, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. Not to sound cliché, but the process was very therapeutic. I realized it was really what I needed to do all along. I needed a shift in my thinking. I needed to stop fighting the reluctance and find the gumption and the guts to just do it.
Courage is a strange animal and an even stranger phenomenon.
Once you embrace a tad bit of courage, the more courageous you’ll become.
Telling your story will move you directly down a path to “finding your voice”. It will literally cement you in to a whole new way of thinking, engaging, and living your life (and working your business!)
What’s the significance of story in your life?
Enjoy these blogging tips from 20 members of the “T.L.C. Club”, jot down the ones that resonate with you, and get out into the blogosphere and rock your blog!
Sweepy Jean: I try to limit the post length to about 500 words. We all have good intentions, but with so many blogs competing for attention, the shorter ones are going to be read fully, the others maybe will be skimmed over. I don’t go crazy over it, and occasionally the subject matter requires more space. But when I hit the 500 word mark, I know it’s time to wrap it up or if possible, edit it down.
Maureen Hunter: Although a relatively new blogger I would have to say from my own experiences, blog about what fires your Mojo. Write about what you know of, inspires you, or feel would be of most benefit to others. Don’t be afraid to show something of yourself that others can relate to.
Hajra Khatoon: One thing that I keep in mind is that I keep my posts within a word limit. When I hunt blogs, I find that I lose interest when the post is way too long. So I decided to keep mine at a length that is able to capture and hold the readers interest and attention.
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom: Although I have a running list of ideas, in the middle of the night something may come to mind that is worth writing down. So, get your fresh idea on paper or print before it slips away, even if you sacrifice your sleep – you can always take a power nap the next day!
Dani Nir-McGrath: I always get inspired at off times when I can’t actually write a blog…kids are in the tub, driving, or putting the kids to sleep. So, when my brain is creative, I want to capture the thought so I don’t lose it. I just jot down the theme and maybe a sentence or two (or maybe a heading) that I’m thinking. If I can’t write, I call and dictate the thoughts on my home voicemail from my cell while I’m driving or send a text on my phone with the thoughts from tub-side. Then when I’m sitting down to blog, I have a concept, a few sentences, and even a heading to build from!
Melissa Austin: Write about whatever “lights your fire”. Find a niche and go with it. By writing on a certain niche, be it business, a mommy blog, or fitness – makes it so your blog is easier to find. Readers will be more attracted a blog that has a niche and stays on topic. Also, don’t forget spell check. It seems so simple, but it is often forgotten. You want people to come back to your blog, not avoid it.
Leanne Chesser: My best blogging tip is to have a theme or topic or niche for your blog and write within that area. Write what you’re passionate about. Also, respond to all comments. This creates a culture or an atmosphere on your blog of “interaction” and “relationship”. And design your blog so that it’s easy to read and navigate.
Janette Fuller: My best blogging tip is to “know your audience”. Who are you trying to reach? Who are you trying to appeal to? What are their interests? What do they do for fun? To be able to able to effectively communicate, you have to have some idea of “who” is reading your material so you can package it in the best possible ways.
Leona Martin: This is from the 31 Days to A Better Blog: Day 1: Develop an Elevator Pitch for your Blog. Why? ”YOU as a blogger need to have thought through and crystallized in your mind what your blog is about.” I like this idea because I have an elevator pitch for my business when I attend networking events so why not my blog, too?! Put your Elevator Pitch on your business card, email signature, and on all your social media profiles!
Amberly Mauszycki: Just simply “be yourself” when writing. If you are writing and your true personality comes out in your blog posts, people will relate more with you on a personal level and want to read your articles more than a post that sounds too stiff and un-natural. Blogging should really be about branding yourself, and if your true personality isn’t coming through in your posts, people aren’t getting to know YOU. I also suggest doing vlogs (video blogs) to develop more of a connection with your readers. [Read more...]
The title of this post is a quote from my friend, Lisbeth Tanz, of Your Words Your Voice. She’s a one-of-a-kind amazing lady. Check her out and be sure to follow Lis on Twitter.
Have you ever heard entrepreneurs saying things like the following?
“I don’t know fancy stuff like FTP.”
“I could never create videos. That’s too hard.”
“I’m not good at writing.”
“I don’t understand social media. It’s complicated.”
“I’m a small fish in a big pond. No one will ever notice me.”
“I can’t do anything technical.”
“I know I need to craft an irresistible freebie. But I don’t have anything special to offer.”
“I can’t compete with the gurus. They know everything.”
“I’m just a mom. I don’t have any profitable skills.”
Yikes!!
Allow me to jump right up on my soapbox and set the record straight!
Every one of us knows how to do SOMETHING.
Just start THERE.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a website, a blog, or a business!
Being an entrepreneur means being willing to learn as you go and learn as you grow.
What advice would you give a newbie entrepreneur who thinks he or she is lacking in skills or talents?
For the long term success of your business, choosing the right niche is critical.
And figuring out what niche to focus on can be challenging, at first, and no one but you can make that all-important decision.
Even though you’ve undoubtedly read lots of stories about entrepreneurs running over to Clickbank and grabbing the hottest-selling products on dog training, for example, and making sales like crazy …
Is that the right niche for YOU?
Can you expect to experience that same kind of success over the long haul?
Most importantly …
Will you awaken every morning – inspired, enthused, and motivated- to pour hours, energy, and effort into a niche you’re not excited about? And one you don’t really know anything about and have no firsthand experience?
I have my doubts.
Instead of focusing, solely and exclusively, on the dollar signs …
Zero in on a niche you’re passionate about!
You’ll have a much greater chance at long term success if you choose a niche:
1.) You enjoy researching
2.) You love writing about
3.) You have some firsthand knowledge and experience in
4.) Where the novelty won’t wear off a month or a week from now
5.) You feel comfortable and proud to share with others
Have you ever tried building a business in a niche that was dead wringer wrong for you?
What made you decide it simply wasn’t going to work?
You can go broke being successful (I mean literally, lose your shirt)
Even if you have plenty of clients and/or customers and lots of work coming in, spreading yourself too thin and not paying attention to the fundamentals can really take a toll on your ability to serve your target market and grow your business successfully.
Just being passionate and good at your craft won’t keep you in business.
Yes, you may be keeping your clients and customers very happy. But are you sure you can always pay the bills? And do you have any idea what will happen next year, next month, or even next week?
You can do an excellent job for those you serve but you can also undervalue your contribution to them.
You see where your genius lies but the “undervaluing” can result in: [Read more...]
Guest Post by Life Coach Sheri Kaye Hoff
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” Michelangelo
I find that I am inspired to action when I am tapping into my creativity. Creativity is often an elusive concept. It is difficult to define or teach, but we know creativity when we see it.
When you are trying to come up with new programs, new products, or new ideas, it is tempting to try to force the solution. I like Michelangelo’s quote because his creative process decreases pressure and allows free-flowing action and thoughts. He also reveals what we know to be true in our hearts – that a creative idea is often the result of uncovering and releasing something.
Some ways to tap into free flowing creative thought are to:
If you still feel blocked or uninspired, change your focus to a different project and revisit your project when you feel refreshed. Accept a creative idea as a great gift and fill your heart with appreciation. Enjoy the creative moment, act on it, and celebrate it.
As you tap into your creativity regularly, you will find that more and more of your actions are truly inspired and come from the real you- the authentic you.
For more ideas on working with inspired action- get my new eBook Living Successfully and Joyfully Everyday: 90 Days of Inspiration
I don’t know. But I’m about to find out.
Have you ever felt like your online marketing business is in transition or maybe you need to go back to the drawing board and reassess your focus, your purpose, or your goals?
Change is inevitable in life and I’m finding the same to be true in business.
For the past couple of years, I’ve been reaching out to single mom entrepreneurs who want to start an online business and those that are struggling to achieve success in their current business. I love my niche and it’s become a very comfortable nesting place for me. After all, I’ve been a single mom for almost two decades and I have mounds of online marketing experience so I feel justified in deeming myself an expert in my niche.
Good for me, right? So why would I consider the notion of changing horses midstream? Why take such a risk?
I have tremendous compassion and a sincere affinity for mom entrepreneurs. I’m a nurturer by nature and nothing makes me happier than helping others – especially moms. But in the process, I’ve discovered I’m shortchanging myself by disregarding a lifelong passion with thirty years experience attached.
So what am I getting at here? [Read more...]
You may not agree with what I’m about to say, and that’s okay.
Because when it comes to making money online, you have to do whatever floats your boat – whatever works for you.
Most every online marketing expert teaches this two-step process for having tremendous success with your business:
1.) Identify problems people are having.
2.) Offer (sell) them the solutions.
Sounds great and it’s not bad advice.
Millions of people turn to the internet every day searching for solutions to everything from acne to a zipper that’s stuck. It’s just a fact of life.
Someone who’s suffering with back pain in the middle of the night doesn’t go to their local emergency room anymore – without checking the internet FIRST – hoping to find some information that will bring them relief.
Can you prosper from selling solutions to back pain and a myriad of other problems people are having? Absolutely – if that’s what floats your boat.
I lean in that “other” direction. [Read more...]
Did you know Pleasure Revenge, Cocooning, and Clanning are just three of 17 trends to watch for in predicting the future in ways to connect with consumers?
I didn’t either.
Then I read a truly fascinating post from Denese Bottrell of ThoughtfulContent. I was lucky enough to discover Denese and her blog via the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge.
What amazing adventures she’s had!
Denese didn’t just leave corporate life …
She obliterated it!
She squashed it!
She wiped it away!
Read “17 Trends Track Business Opportunity (and Personal Sanity)” and learn the meaning of such trends as 99 Lives, Icon Toppling, Cashing Out, and Down-Aging.
Denese’s post will have you taking a careful look to see if you can find ways your business can solve one of these problems, enhance a life, or improve communication.
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