Small Business Owners | Solo Mompreneur

Struggle Is Optional – Work Is Required

Adopt this philosophy and your life and your business will reap the rewards.

One of the greatest entrepreneurial revelations I experienced was the moment I realized beating my head against the wall was not a requirement.

Building a business isn’t supposed to be something that elevates your blood pressure or propels you into psychotherapy.

Struggle is optional.

Instead of climbing up the learning curve with blistered and callused hands (like so many of us did), ask for help. Help is just a telephone call, an email, a Tweet, or a mouse click away.

Another equally important revelation I experienced was the day I cured myself from “Shiny Object Syndrome”. I stopped in my tracks, came to my senses, and refused to open another email touting “quick and easy” routes to success. There are none.

Work is required.

My personal definition of “WORK”:

W — Write a daily plan of action steps
O — Organization counts
R — Rinse and Repeat successful strategies
K — Keep going!

Not only can you keep your struggles to a minimum, you can eliminate them entirely and get on with the work of building your business. Take solace knowing every question and conern that has you stumped is something a fellow entrepreneur has already faced and mastered.

What revelations have you experienced as an entrepreneur?
Were you fortunate enough to have a short learning curve or did you climb up the curve with blistered and callused hands?
How have you been able to help a fellow entrepreneur?

Filed Under: Entrepreneurs, Small business owners Tagged With: Business, Entrepreneur, Learning curve, Small business

5 Monster Size Marketing Mistakes

By Melanie Kissell 51 Comments

Let’s get right to the monstrous meat of the marketing matter (bet ya can’t say THAT ten times real fast!).

Monster Size Marketing Mistake #1: Throwing fistfuls of money into an unproven product or service.

Are you building your business on research or a “hunch”?

Got a “feeling” you have a winning idea?

Just because your best friend, your neighbor, or your yoga instructor think you’ve got a winning idea isn’t nearly enough input to run to the bank and deplete your savings account.

You’ve got to do your detective work first and test your business idea with the real marketplace.

Monster Size Marketing Mistake #2: Thinking you have a product or service that will practically sell itself.

Please trust me … you don’t.

Whether you have a physical storefront in the busiest part of town or a beautiful web site that’s pleasing to the eyes with easy access to your hot products or services …

Your customers will not find you if you neglect to market to them.

Your grand opening is the same day you put on your “marketer’s hat” and you NEVER take it off.

To stay in business, you must profit. To profit, you must sell. To sell, you must market!

Monster Size Marketing Mistake #3: Setting out to reinvent the wheel.

I’m sure you’ve read lots of information that encourages innovation and creativity in your marketing efforts. It’s way too easy to get caught up and enamored with the innovation process and forget that the real focus should be on RESULTS.

There are some very basic principles to the age-old practice of marketing.

Great marketing ideas are used over and over again with just the right personal twist to make them fit a specific niche or industry.

Monster Size Marketing Mistake #4: Believing activity is productivity.

To sell a million of something, you have to sell the first ONE.

Failure is so powerful, we do everything we can to prevent it. Entrepreneurs can get so busy researching, preparing, and organizing to avoid failure, they never get around to actually marketing their businesses.

Over-preparing and doing nothing is a montrous mistake.

Monster Size Marketing Mistake #5: Getting bored and constantly starting new promotions.

What may be “old” to you is still new to an untapped target audience.

Not sticking to a marketing campaign long enough to get consistent results is detrimental to your business. You may have the budget to keep switching to something new, but resist the temptation.

“Boredom” is not a valid reason to abandon a current marketing campaign.

What monstrous marketing mistakes can you add to this list?
Have you made any of these mistakes in the past? What did you learn?

Filed Under: Entrepreneurs, Making money on the internet, Niche marketing, Online Marketing, Online Promotions, Productivity, Small business owners Tagged With: Business, Internet marketing, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, Small business

Two Ears and One Mouth – Do the Math

By Melanie Kissell 41 Comments

Have you noticed how much talking everyone is doing on the internet?

Some people refer to it as noise.

People are Tweeting up a storm on Twitter.
Blog posts and articles are being published by the thousands.
Facebook status updates are rolling in like there’s no tomorrow.
Teleseminars and webinars abound.
Group discussions on LinkedIn are too numerous to count.
Internet tv and radio channels are sprouting up faster than weeds.
New freebie offers keep appearing as if magic.
Podcasts and videos are being produced at lightning speed.

To coin a phrase from my friend, Martha Giffen, “It’s all good!”

It’s not only good, but all the talking people are doing is essential to success as an online marketer.

BUT …

With all the “talking” going on …

Who’s doing the “listening”?

Do the math — Maybe there’s a reason we have TWO ears and ONE mouth.

Listening is a critical communication skill. If you want people to listen to what you have to say and your intention is to build a lasting relationship with your target audience, you’ve got to stop some of the talking and learn to be a better listener.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who won’t let you get a word in edgewise? You can’t shoehorn in a word if you tried?

That person was doing zero listening.

So don’t just jump from one online activity to the next, to the next, to the next in an effort to gain the attention of your target market.

Instead, become a better listener by tuning in to the needs of your prospects, customers, and clients.

Listen to the questions they’re asking.
Listen to the problems they’re facing.
Listen for emotional triggers and clues to their frustrations.
Listen to the comments they post on your blog.
Listen to discussions they’re having on forums and in groups.

How well you listen has a major impact on your effectiveness as a small business owner, your ability to influence and persuade, and on the quality of your relationships with others.

So listen up!

Have you mastered the skill of listening?
How do you listen to your target audience?

Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Customer Care, Entrepreneurs, Online Marketing, Small business owners Tagged With: Facebook, Internet Radio, LinkedIn, Listening skills, Online marketing, Small business, Target market, Teleseminars, Twitter, Webinars

The Agony and Victory of Taglines

By Melanie Kissell 57 Comments

Taglines are tough.

Just my personal observation — no case studies, analytics, or scientific data to back it up.

I believe crafting your elevator speech or developing your unique selling propostion is a hundred times easier than creating a tagline!

What Is A Tagline?

Consider it a “sub-title” to the name of your business. It’s a few words, a phrase, or a sentence about what you have to offer your target audience.

Here are some examples:

Michelle Shaeffer’s tagline reads, “Simplifying Online Business Chaos: Websites, Blogging, Marketing & More”

Theresa Bradley-Banta’s says, “Empowering Entrepreneurs To Think And Act Like Entrepreneurs”

Deb Augur’s boldly states, “Making Sense Of Online Business!”

Heather Bestel of Mum’s Got A Business is “Empowering Successful Mumpreneurs”

Marcia Hoeck’s Breakthrough Business site’s tagline is, “Create A Business That Will Run Without You”

And then there’s Lisbeth Tanz. She doesn’t need a tagline (lucky duck!) since the name of her site says it all: “Your Words, Your Voice”. Lis is pretty sharp and I think she’s got a leg up on the rest of us. Darn clever to make her biz name and tagline one in the same. I’d stick close to Lis and hang around her blog if I were you.

My tagline is a little off the beaten path and that was intentional. What can I say? I’m a natural-born iconoclast. I wanted to do something slightly different by using individual words instead of a phrase.

Hence, my tagline reads, “Moms. Your Big Why. Your Big Idea. Market Smart.”

The Agony of Taglines

Ask the next ten online marketers you meet about how much “fun” they had coming up with a tagline. Chances are good they’re going to leave out the fun part and emphasize the “agony”.

That little piece of real estate on your website holds a lot of weight — keyword wise and otherwise. And getting it just right isn’t easy.

Small biz owners have agonized for weeks over what to use for a tagline. It really is a tough challenge.

The Victory of Taglines

Marcus Sheridan of The Sales Lion reigns victorious! Marcus was trying to come up with a tagline so guess what he did? He asked his loyal blogging community to craft one for him! Now there’s a bright idea.

Check out Marcus’s tagline story here: Dear Sales Lion Community – I Need Your Help!

Have you been struggling to come up with a tagline?
Do you have a tagline but you’re not satisfied with it?
What are your tips for creating a tagline?

Filed Under: Blogging, Brand yourself online, Moms in Business, Online Marketing, Small business owners Tagged With: Blog, Business, Internet marketing, Marketing, Tagline

First Ever “No Questions Asked” Interview

By Melanie Kissell 12 Comments

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!

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Blogging, Brand yourself online, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Making money on the internet, Moms in Business, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: Blogging, Cheryl Wilms, Leanne Chesser, passion and purpose, WAHM Solution, work at home moms, Work Life Balance

10 Minutes of Unscripted Honesty about Blogging for Money

By Melanie Kissell 19 Comments

Blogging for money is a topic we REALLY need to have a conversation about.

The majority of my readers are working hard to find ways to monetize their blogs and it’s a huge challenge. Some online marketing experts make it sound like a walk in the park, but guess what? It’s not.

Please watch this 10-minute video first and let’s get the conversation rolling into high gear!

I discovered this video on my friend’s blog and it really got me thinking. Thank you, Danielle McGaw, for spending some time hanging around on YouTube.

We need to put on our thinking caps, pitch in, share our insights, and lend some solutions for how to make money through blogging.

Is creating your own products the answer?

Will affiliate marketing do the trick?

Are niche sites the holy grail?

Ana Hoffman of Traffic Generation Cafe produced this video. Her blog is outstanding and she’s got thousands of readers.

If someone of Ana’s caliber and popularity considers blogging for money a formidable challenge, how difficult is it going to be for the rest of us?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Filed Under: Affiliate Marketing, Blogging, Brand yourself online, Info Product Creation, Making money on the internet, Money, Niche marketing, Service Business Owners, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing

Even The Sharpest Knife Can’t Carve Its Own Handle

By Melanie Kissell 40 Comments

I’m stubborn.

And I’m a capable, independent, self-starter.

Just for good measure, let’s throw in a straight ‘A’ student all throughout my years in academia.

Not to mention how proud I am when I can replace the mechanism inside the toilet tank all by myself!

I don’t have just one little measly toolbox, I’ve got two big ones and an entire array of power tools (I love my B & D drill and my Makita palm sander).

But guess what?

All my capabilities, independent nature, smarts, and stubbornness combined aren’t enough to transform me into a successful entrepreneur.

Why?

No one can build a business alone.

I certainly can’t. It took me three years of struggling on my own to reach that conclusion. And if you believe YOU can do it flying solo, you’re in for a long haul and some big disappointments.

Build community and camaraderie and don’t be too proud to reach out for some help.

Remember …

Even the sharpest knife can’t carve its own handle.

Filed Under: Building relationships online, Business Plan, Education and training, Organize Your Online Business, Outsourcing, Small business owners, Starting Out Small Tagged With: Business, Knife, Makita, Power tool, Tools

There Is No Box To Think Outside Of

By Melanie Kissell 20 Comments

There’s NO Santa Claus, NO Easter Bunny, and NO box to think outside of.

Your balloon might feel a little deflated right now, and I’m sorry. But it’s true.

You’re only limited – you’re only “boxed in” – by your imagination. As an entrepreneur and online marketer, the sky’s the limit!

But if you’re someone who can’t let go of the box theory …

Then my suggestion is to start placing your ideas into a box and pull one out any time you wish.

As you grow your business, be as creative as you like. Use your noodle, put on your thinking cap, and WOW your target audience with your signature genius.

Differentiate yourself.
Move away from stereotype.
Stand out from the crowd.
Take a risk.
Let your hair down and show your audience the real YOU!

There is no box to think outside of.

Filed Under: Brand yourself online, Creativity, Making money on the internet, Online Marketing, Small business owners Tagged With: entrepreneurs, Internet business success, Marketing your services online, Online marketing, Standing out from the crowd, Target market

My Twitter Motto: “There’s More to Life than Life Insurance”

By Melanie Kissell 10 Comments

You never want to be thought of as “THAT guy” or “THAT gal” on Twitter or any of the social media marketing venues.

You know, the person everyone finds distasteful and avoids like the plague!

Have you ever followed someone on Twitter who only talks about themselves or their business and products?

They’re either touting how wonderful their company is or how outrageously fabulous they are. Yuck.

Very UN-attractive social media behavior.

Using Twitter for business really is easy, you just need to know “how” to go about it.

3 Steps to Avoid Becoming “THAT guy” on Twitter:

1.) Listen

2.) Respond

3.) Engage

Define Your Twitter Strategy – “Why” are you there?

Supporting a cause
Lead generation
Customer Support
Education
Product and Service Awareness
Mix of all of the above

Get Your Twitter Mix On

As an example:

10% – About yourself, your company, and your products or services

50% – Useful information for your target audience

20% – Joining interesting and fun conversations

5% – Posing thoughtful questions (which stimulate response and interaction)

5% – Tips which can make your followers lives better and easier

10% – Follow-ups and notes of appreciation for your peeps

Your Twitter-for-Business Plan

At the very least decide:

When (what days) and what time/s you’ll use Twitter and …

For how long – 15 minutes every morning? 1 hour every evening?

**If you’re an online marketer and small business owner who’s using Twitter successfully for business, what tips or suggestions can you add here?

Please leave your comments and help others who may not be having much success or finding much value in using Twitter.

Thanks!

An Irritating Neighbor – You – Your Business – And Twitter (melaniekissell.com)
8 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Get More Out of Twitter (mashable.com)

Filed Under: Brand yourself online, Building relationships online, Business Plan, Micro blogging, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: Business, Online Communities, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Social Networks, Twitter

I Don’t Care if Your Only Talent is Loading up the Perfect Pencil Holder with Pencils

By Melanie Kissell 37 Comments

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!