SOLO MOMPRENEUR

Archive for the ‘Service Business Owners’ Category

“I don’t like marketing” or “Marketing is too hard” is the mindset of many small business owners, especially those just starting out.

That’s a shame because marketing needs to be at the top of your priority list every day.  If you don’t plan on devoting the majority of your time to marketing your products or services, you may as well fold up your tent and leave camp!

Most of the time, a negative attitude toward marketing stems from misconceptions and a misunderstanding of the difference between advertising and marketing.

Let’s run through just seven (there are many more!) false impressions of marketing your business online:

1)  Marketing is a big bother and an interruption to
people.

Actually, that statement pertains to “advertising”, NOT marketing.
Television advertisements are bothersome, for example, because they
interrupt the viewing of a program.  I haven’t met anyone yet who’s said, “I
love T.V. commercials!”  Marketing is not a blatant “in your face” method of
making sales.  Marketing is a much softer and palatable business-building
tool.

2)  People won’t be interested in what I have to offer.

In other words, “People won’t buy what I’m selling”.  Not true.  If you’ve
taken the time to study the demographics of your target audience and
you’ve done some thorough keyword research, then you can market
confidently knowing there’s a flock of potential clients or customers that
want what you have to offer.  Marketing is about establishing and nurturing
relationships with your prospects through a crystal clear understanding of
their problems and the solutions you offer.

3)  It probably won’t work anyway, so why bother?

Oh, brother.  I’ve heard this one more times than I care to count. 
Developing the right kind of “marketing mindset” matters.  Giving up before
you even try is a one-way ticket to failure.  If you maintain a defeatist
attitude, your business will not thrive.  The only way to get past this type of
thinking is to dig your heels in and take some action!  You need to “test” a
marketing strategy or platform first, give it a fair amount of time, and see if
it’s working for you.  

4)  Marketing is way too expensive.

Rubbish!  Advertising can empty your wallet pretty quickly, but marketing
can easily be done effectively on a tight budget.  The majority of the
successful marketing strategies I use cost $0.  So even if you’re on a super
slim budget, don’t sweat it. There are literally hundreds of free marketing
platforms.  Want to learn more about marketing on a zero-dollar budget?
Download a Free Shoestring Marketing Kit.

5)  Only business owners with sub-standard products or services need
marketing. Read the rest of this entry »

Guest post by Kenneth Weene, PhD

As a married man, semi-retired and with no kids at home, I might seem an unlikely source for good advice to you, a single woman trying to run a business – and especially to those of you who are also moms. You may be among the busiest and most harried people on earth. You are also constantly being evaluated, observed and measured. Your every piece of clothing and accessory can be held against you. Your looks are constantly being judged. Men do have it easier.

So what do I have to offer you? A single word. Balance! I know that deadline is looming. I know that sale has to be made or that presentation given. I know the kid is sick and by the way needs some cupcakes or crudités for the school party. I know your home needs cleaning. I know, I know, I know.

Balance!

Make a graph. Across the top list the important needs, demands, and wants in your life. Once you’ve made the list you may want to arrange it so it goes from most important to least. Don’t forget your relaxation and health. Without taking care of yourself, you won’t get very far for very long. Don’t forget your spiritual needs. Without your sense of serenity you can’t keep your focus clear. Exercise is on that list. Important in itself not just part of health, recreation, and appearance but in itself. Have you added long-term security? You have a future, and so do your kids. Socializing – within the family and with peers, is important. So is looking for a mate if you want one.

When you finish your list come back. Read the rest of this entry »

Guest post by Lisbeth Tanz

One of the things I hear most frequently from new freelance writers is that they didn’texpect it to be so hard.

If they had asked me, I could have told them that doing this work isn’t the easiest way to earn a living, at least not initially.

No new business is easy – but when you consider that all you need to start a writing business is a computer, Internet connection, telephone, fax (maybe) and writing talent, it seems like a slam dunk.

However, starting a writing business takes more than just good writing skills. It takes business savvy (or the willingness to develop it), the ability and desire to work hard to get established and an understanding that money won’t start flowing immediately (unless you’re really, really fortunate).

Here are 10 things to consider before you declare yourself in business as a writer:

1. Identify the things you know a lot about and would enjoy writing about.
2. Determine how much time per day you will be able to pursue your writing business dream.
3. Determine the market(s) you want to pursue. Do you want to write for magazines? Newspapers? Web content providers? Your own content? Do you want to create your own products? Do you want to be an affiliate marketer? (You’d be surprised at how much writing is necessary when you promote the products of others effectively.) NOTE:  Each of these markets is different and you may not be able to find work for some of them on the job boards.
4. Analyze (don’t just look at) the top job boards:  guru.com, elance.com and odesk.com. There are others, but these three are probably the biggest. I could write a post or three on just this topic. You’ll want to look for what the most successful bidders are doing and emulate them.
5. Take a stroll over to Craigslist to see what freelance gigs might be posted there. Sometimes I find hidden gems on my local Craigslist.
6. Now that you’ve done some research, you’re better prepared to write down three goals you would like to achieve with your writing business in the next three months, six months and 12 months. Setting goals helps you stay focused.
7. You’ll also want to calculate how much money you must earn to make this venture worthwhile. You can learn how in this post I wrote about calculating your freelance writing rates .
8. If you don’t have any writing examples, create some! You won’t need many, but you will need to create a few that can demonstrate your writing ability.
9. Consider where and when you’ll do your writing. If you have three kids under three, this could be a challenge. But people manage extreme or difficult situations and still make time for writing, so get creative with your planning.
10. If your skills aren’t up to snuff, search for mentors, websites and books that can help you improve your skills.

There are many other things to consider, but these should get you started. You might have noticed that I didn’t talk about coming up with a business name, creating a logo, making business cards, etc. That’s because you will best serve yourself by considering these 10 points before you jump headfirst into a writing business.

Many thanks to Melanie for giving me the opportunity to guest post on Solo Mompreneur!

Lisbeth Tanz is a freelance copywriter and editor. Her business, The Hired Pen, was started on a wing and a prayer in 2004 (before she understood the 10 points above). Since then she’s written and edited for a wide variety of business clients, but focuses primarily on alternative health and wellness, home improvement and pets/animal companion writing. She’s continually amazed at all there is to learn about writing and business and enjoys sharing her newfound knowledge with new and experienced writers at www.savvyfreelancewriters.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn .

Guest post by Jane Lee

One might ask why bother blogging? I just do not have the time to blog. What is in it for me? Definitely, I hear all your concerns.

With business both now online, off-line, and corporations, everyone asks do you have a website/blog?

Your website is now your storefront. Prospects, clients/customers walk into your establishment and they want to see what you are all about. Your blog is that connection with your readers just like the customers walking into the store. They find out about your specials of the day, the types of service that you offer them and information that will help them make an informed decision of which product/services is right for them.

Here are the 3 key reasons why you should be blogging on a regular basis:

1) Keep your prospects, clients/customers up to date on what is happening. Think of yourself as a newspaper or magazine. You are providing consumer information that they may not be aware of and they are coming to you for resources.

2) By providing rich content and information, your prospects, clients/customers see you as the expert in your field and this builds credibility.

3) It takes time for visitors to find you.  If you are a brand like Coke-Cola, then everyone is familiar with your service. By blogging, reciprocating, and becoming visible in the community, others will start to notice and begin to follow you.

Happy Blogging and to your Great Success!

Jane Lee is a Marketing and Sales Coach who loves to blog. She teaches coaches, service professionals, and solo entrepreneurs how to sell authentically with confidence and ease.

  Thanks for being a guest author on my blog today, Jane!

It’s better to do both.

Today will begin and end like any other day, with one small exception.

I’ll crank up the morning by walking my dogs, Kona and Maxwell, and then get ready to head off to my first job of the day.  I’m blessed.  I have three jobs and not everybody can say that!

Oftentimes I think about the numbers of people who have been laid off or who have lost their jobs and I only wish I could give them one of mine.

Early on in the day, I give help to new breastfeeding moms at a small community hospital. What I receive in return is beyond measure.  The smiles and thank-you’s I get when I show first-time moms what to do and build their confidence are the greatest gifts in the world.

Lending office support, coordinating the online and offline marketing, and working with patients in an ophthalmology practice is the next order of the day.

Not a day goes by that my co-workers don’t show appreciation for my assistance.  They’re always telling me how happy they are that I came on board.  One of the technicians reminds me all the time that her day would not be “peachy” without me there.  She has a great sense of humor.

In the evenings, I have tons of fun teaching childbirth education classes.

Helping to alleviate the fears, worries, and apprehensions that expectant couples have about labor, birth, and postpartum adjustments isn’t really work – it’s a labor of love.

Teaching is one of my biggest passions in life.  What a gift to end the day with a job that allows me to follow my passion.

By now, you might be wondering what the one small exception is for today.

Today is my birthday.  I’ll be giving and receiving all day long.

Guest Post by Fiona Bosticky

Being a start-up, or a small business, or an entrepreneur takes special skills.  You need to be a little bit daring, prepared for lots of hard work, and have just the right amount of faith in yourself.

In the beginning there are long hours, a lot of planning, and an inner strength that almost cannot be described.  However once things get going and you start to see the rewards –YOUR work out in the world, meeting people who appreciate your work, and if you’re lucky – even making some money, being an entrepreneur can feel awesome.

With all this in mind, why would a single mom, who in the universal-sense is normally considered to have such a tough job, make such a great entrepreneur?  Here’s what I think:

1. They know how to Juggle/ Multi-task

Women are normally renowned for being great multi-taskers, and to be in the situation of raising a child on their own, is a crash course in high-level multi-tasking.  We have busy enough lives with plenty of pressures, but when you are also running the life of a dependent, on your own, you quickly learn how to do literally 1,000 things at the same time.

Entrepreneurs who can juggle like this – do the job, do the finances, do the marketing, and do the managing – all at the same time, are definitely one step ahead.

2. They can handle a Tough Customer

Children can be very demanding, and sometimes difficult to satisfy.  Single moms understand this, and normally have a “battle-plan” for dealing with these situations.  This skill can easily be transferred to the workplace, and to the area of customer service.  Occasionally we do come across a tough customer in business.  And single moms definitely have an advantage in dealing with these people to achieve a mutually-beneficial outcome.

3. They have well developed Decision-Making Skills

When you are a single mom, the decisions for your entire family, tend to fall onto your shoulders.  Being in this role, builds fast and effective decision-making skills which can easily be transferred to business.  When you are in the habit of quickly assessing situations for the most desirable outcome, and then deciding the course of action, you become very efficient.  And having excellent decision-making skills can prove highly beneficial as an entrepreneur.

4. They know when to be Positive and say “Well Done”

When the joyful moments come in their families lives, women understand the importance of celebrating and taking a moment to reflect on the good times.  This is so important as an entrepreneur and small business owner.  Sometimes it is easy to be caught up in the work, as there always seems like there is more to be done.  But knowing and understanding what’s important, and taking a moment to celebrate the good things, even if they are little, can really make a big difference.

5. They understand Endurance and Persistence

Being able to go-the-distance, and keep the family happy and moving along is a big responsibility for a single mom.  Single moms truly understand persistence in the home to achieve what they want to achieve.  The ability to keep going and endure through the hard times is a huge skill that every entrepreneur must possess to succeed in this world.

Fiona Bosticky is an Aussie marketing coach, social media advisor, and entreprenuer.  Doing her part to help businesses around the world with marketing planning, marketing strategy, websites, social media strategy and blogging.  To find out more, visit Abnormal Marketing.

Prefer to listen?

Sometimes I feel like I’ve got more to do than any other person on earth.

The stressfulness related to an overloaded, over-committed schedule leaves me feeling like I’m up to my butt in alligators … and they’re about to devour me!

So, is this my own fault?  Did I bring on the alligators myself?  Some psychologists like to call that “self-induced” stress.

Give me a break.  That’s like saying, “You asked for it!” I’m not buying into THAT diagnosis.  Who in their right mind would PURPOSELY create stress in their lives?!

I’ll tell you “who”.  NO ONE.

Some of us just naturally have more on our plates than others and our days are filled with more activities and responsibilities than sardines in a tin!

This is especially true of a lot of solo professionals. Building a business is hard work and if you’re not careful, those alligators can start biting – and biting hard.

Stress is no joke.  I’ve been a health care professional for over three decades and I’ve seen, firsthand, the ill-fated effects of stress – and they’re not pretty.  And quite honestly, they can be fatal.

So what can you do about it?

One of the amazing members of the 30-day blogging challenge going on right now can help.  Her name is Heather Bestel, creator of “Just Ten Minutes”.  I consider Heather a wonderful friend, a colleague, and an EXPERT at helping people to reclaim their lives and find joy every day.

With Just Ten Minutes, you can enjoy every day to the fullest and get a handle on your stress – and avoid feeling like you’re up to your butt in alligators!

If you don’t take action on this right away, bookmark the link or this blog post.  The day may come when you get into an unhealthy mode of “overwhelm” and Just Ten Minutes can save your butt and your sanity.

Would you like to listen instead?

Lots of service professionals and other online marketers have a very negative connotation of “Free”.

They consider it one of those “less-than-savory” four-letter words.  Free does not mean frivolous, cheap, or useless.

Smart and savvy independent business owners not only OFFER free information to their target audience, they also SUBSCRIBE to the very best free resources their competitors, clients, vendors, and colleagues have to offer.

Why?

It’s an ideal opportunity to learn something new, gather business-building tips, get invited to valuable teleseminars or webinars, and get PLENTY of ideas for blog posts, podcasts, articles, ezine content, and product creation.

If you’re trying hard to market your business on a shoestring budget (mine’s as thin as dental floss!), then make today the day you become a big fan of “Free”.

Free is not a bad word.  Shift your thinking and start putting it in a positive light – in smart ways that can catapult your business.

Have you met the Shoestring Marketer yet? If you use Twitter, be sure to follow her there @ShoestringGal.

No one else I know has a bigger or better grip on the true meaning and the business-building value of “Free”.

Listen if you like!

Have you ever stopped to consider what you and your target audience have in common?

And I’m not talking about considerations like gender, race, age, income, education, home ownership, employment status, or location.

Let’s leave the demographics of your audience out of this conversation.

I’m talking about the roadblocks and the problems they face.  Chances are pretty good that you’ve experienced the exact same issues.

The reason I say this is because, once you’ve encountered a problem and found a way to resolve it, you can teach others to do the same.  You become the expert or the go-to person because you’ve gone through the learning curve, the ups and downs, and the ins and outs.

You’re all over this problem like white on rice!

The advice, direction, instruction, and resources that you’ll share with your target audience will most often come from firsthand experience.

I’ll use myself as an example.  I know what it’s like to be a single mom and try to start up a business online with very limited finances.  As the saying goes, I can pinch a penny till it squeaks!

I’ve been researching and testing out low-cost and no-cost marketing strategies and platforms for the past three years.  And I know, without question, that the single mom entrepreneurs I meet are going to want to get their hands on this kind of information.

This is a good example of what my target audience and I have in common.

What kinds of similarities are there between you and your target audience?

As soon as you figure out what they are, these will be the areas where you’ll be able to help them out the most – where you become most credible and hold the most value to them.

Concentrate your marketing efforts and showcase your expertise in those areas and you’ll be very successful.

What are your areas of expertise that are the biggest benefit to your customers and clients?

Are you a passionate, devoted, nose-to-the-grind female entrepreneur?  Do you truly LOVE your business and know there’s a place for it in this world?

Do you ever feel bewildered or frustrated because despite the fact that you sleep, eat, and drink your business, it isn’t moving forward financially the way you want it to?

The great news is, you’re not alone.  Female entrepreneurs are the fastest growing segment of the entrepreneurial market. More women than ever want to take charge of their own futures and show they can succeed on their own terms.

In “See Jane Succeed” by Michele DeKinder-Smith, founder of Jane Out Of The Box, five types of female entrepreneurs (the “Janes”) reveal what it takes to win in business and in life.

These are the “Janes” Michele will introduce to you – the women who have summoned the courage, tenacity, and determination to start or run a business:

• Accidental Jane
• Go Jane Go
• Jane Dough
• Merry Jane
• Tenacity Jane

If you are living on the edge and burning out on the demands of entrepreneurial life, this book will speak to you in the language that every entrepreneurial woman understands.

Michele DeKinder-Smith’s ability to see into the hearts and minds of female entrepreneurs and provide distinct advice to each of us in our unique journeys shows how much she cares about our success.

The best part?  Before you decide to read See Jane Succeed, click the banner below and take the “Which Jane Are You?” assessment FREE!