Automation: A Blessing or a Curse To the Personal Touch?

August 8, 2011 By 2 Comments

There is a lot of buzz out there right now about automation.  I’m one of those supporters and have spoken, written, and even shared others posts about using technology to leverage your time.

I write about this because automation has created gateways into whole new worlds for me professionally, and for many of my colleagues.  With a full-time corporate job, small children, and so many responsibilities, there is no way I could successfully develop my entrepreneurial dream without it.

I will add this…there are some who believe that automation is evil in its purest form.  I suspect this has to do with the assumption that it creates gaps in more personal communication.  There may be other reasons and you are welcome to share yours if you think automation is not a positive thing, but I’d like to share some points about keeping it “real – and personal”.

First, I use automation as a an entry point, not the end all.  It allows me to effectively be in more than one place at a time, which is something every mother (supreme multitaskers in their own right) I know has always dreamed of.  For example, if I am attending a soccer game I want to be able to continue to deliver service to an entrepreneur in need who has inquired about solutions I have that may help them.  Instead of them having to wait until I finally load up the car with all our gear, get the kids fed, and take a drink of water to counter that heat I was just exposed to for hours, that person immediately receives a reply that sends them to my calendar so they can book an appointment where we have dedicated time to talk.

Secondly, I use automation to help deliver what I promise 24/7.  I once worked with a busy coach trying to make ends meet by taking on a part-time job during the week.  She could never make a live call from the programs I offered, but she wanted and needed the training to grow her business.  Instead of missing the valuable information, this coach was able to view the video replays at her convenience whenever she had available time.  All she had to do was register for the program, and she was instantly subscribed to receive the replays in her inbox.

Third, automation provides a marketing option many business owners would not have today.  Sure it can be a nuisance at times, but it also is a blessing for entrepreneurs who may not have a limitless budget.  We can now promote our business through social media, on affordable websites, and more with the help of resources like Hootsuite and WordPress.  I have made connections with people in other countries, places I may never get to see but real live personal relationships I will treasure forever – all because I first connected with a person through a tweeted quote that was just what they needed at the time.

The main point I would like to offer is that while there have been abuses as the tool of automation becomes more prevalent, there are ways to use it as a gift and a way to broaden your personal horizons.  My belief is that it all starts with approach.  When you come from a place of giving and authenticity in your application of automated tools – a “how can I help you right now until we can connect directly?” sort of way, the results may be astronomically different than using the “let me beat down your door with my stuff until you cry uncle and  buy” approach.

Automation itself is not a bad thing; it’s in the way it is used that you enhance connection.

 

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

About the Author: Tanya Smith is a creative business strategist specializing in showing service based entrepreneurs like coaches, consultants and freelancers how to spend more time making money with simple, yet profitable marketing systems.  Her company Be Promotable provides clients with fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote their businesses as power players in their market.  Claim your instant access to a free 10 part e-course, 10 Ways To Spice Up Your List at: www.bepromotable.com.

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4 P’s to Understanding How to Effectively Promote Your Brand

August 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are 4 Ps to help you get real clarity around your entrepreneurial brand. This video will share more but here is the list:
1. Know your “people” and their demographics
2. Know your “position” and how you want to strategically message
3. Know your “product” offerings
4. Know your “process” and how you deliver solutions

Enjoy this short video for a little deeper dive and find out more about our upcoming Personal Branding for Coaches hosted by Workplace Coach Institute at http://workplacecoachinstitute.com/courses/personal-branding-for-coaches/

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3 Ways I Miserably Failed With My Program Launch (And How You Can Learn From It)

July 25, 2011 By 2 Comments

iStock 000000861966XSmall 150x150 3 Ways I Miserably Failed With My Program Launch (And How You Can Learn From It) I often tell my friends online that I’m not great, but I’m on the way – just like you.  In the process of learning and growing my own business, I often share stories of my own personal experiences and things that happened that hopefully will help you grow your business and promote your brand in the right way.

Recently there was a program that I wanted to promote in a certain way and there were three things that caused me to not be successful.  Maybe you can consider these in your own marketing strategies for your business events and programs.

The first thing that contributed to the failure of this particular launch is that I tried to follow someone else’s plan that was not right for where I am in my business now.  I have to say something that is probably pretty unpopular — here goes: the thing is, often times we follow people because of their status and where they are.  We are taught to think that if we just follow their plan step-by-step, we will get the same results.  The problem is that this keeps us from using common sense and looking at how we may need to adjust for our own business.  It is important to recognize where you are in your journey may be different from theirs.

I did not count in those things that were unique to my personal situation and my own list when diving into the million dollar strategy of the person I learned from. It doesn’t mean their plan can’t work; it just means small tweaks may be necessary.

For example – people who have a list of subscribers < 2,000 may need to take different steps to promote their program or product than a person who has a list of 10,000 +.  You are in a different stage of growth in your business.  Adjustments to things like pricing, positioning of the message, etc. may need to be made for the plan.

The second factor for failure is that the delivery of the information in the content I wanted to share was way too much for the market to bear. Here’s what we do a lot of times when were putting programs and events and things together — we’re just so excited about sharing we want to deliver a jam-packed course/event with everything we know.

So I had 30 day program that I wanted to deliver that would literally walk you from point A to point Z, but the problem is my message said this would be “easy” and “simple”.  There is nothing simple about stuffing A through Z down your client’s throat in 30 days or less!  Most people are already overwhelmed about what to do.  I knew this intuitively but I just used the excuse that I wanted to “give them everything”.

A much better strategy is take your larger system or set of processes and break out one piece into a program or product.  Make it easier for your market to digest in smaller bites, and easier on  yourself to deliver what you promise.

Factor number three is that I didn’t do a really good job of mapping out the entire outcome that I wanted my clients to achieve from the program. Now I’ve often heard from a lot of experts out there that you can build the plane in the air while you’re flying and I do agree with that in some cases but delivering a solid program or product requires a plan where you start with the end in mind (just like you read in “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”).

You really have to understand the outcome you’re trying to get to and what you want your audience to glean from your delivery, then work backwards from there. The clearer your outcome, the clearer your messaging.  People know exactly what to expect from you and from your program.

If you remember nothing else from this entire post, remember this - confusion does not equal cash.  If you understand your desired outcome, your promotion messages will be much more attractive to the average buyer.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this message and that you can learn from my mistakes.  Get yourself ready for that next launch – whether it be an event, a program, or a product and remember: 1) make adjustments as necessary based on where you are in your business stage; 2) deliver content in smaller, digestible bites; and 3) plan your entire strategy with the ideal outcome in mind then work backwards.

 

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

About the Author: Tanya Smith is a creative business strategist specializing in showing service based entrepreneurs like coaches, consultants and freelancers how to spend more time making money with simple, yet profitable marketing systems.  Her company Be Promotable provides clients with fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote their businesses as power players in their market.  Claim your instant access to a free 10 part ecourse, 10 Ways To Spice Up Your List at: www.bepromotable.com.

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Brand and the NLP Logical Levels of Change

February 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

MP9004385661 Brand and the NLP Logical Levels of ChangeI’ve had a number of conversations with people about reinventing or reinforcing their brand to attract more clients, earn more income, etc. and I love it – it’s what I help my clients do.  There’s only one problem – some people want to do it in 15 minutes or less.

I’ve found that the average person may not recognize that there are usually deep-seated beliefs and behaviors that are often the root of their current state.  And when it’s taken more than 15 minutes to create these beliefs and behaviors, it takes time to make  transformations to an identity.

A model I learned about with NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) years ago taught me about “logical levels of change”.  This model was first developed by neuro-linguistic expert and anthropologist Gregory Bateson. It was further developed by Robert Dilts, an NLP pioneer.  Here’s a high level overview:

Most NLP experts will talk about 6 logical levels of change.  Each level of change relates to how you think about situations and each will give you different information to help you determine where you may be having difficulty moving forward, or where you can focus on change work.  Imagining that you’re looking at a ladder, the first bullet will be the bottom rung:

  1. Environment (external factors) – How does/can my environment support me? Where? When? Who else is involved?
  2. Behavior (performance, actions, reactions) – What do I want to do or say, and what will I do or say?
  3. Capabilities (knowledge, skills, competencies) – How does this draw on my capabilities? What can I draw on now or further  develop?
  4. Beliefs & Values (what you hold true, right or wrong) – How does this either fit or reinforce what is important to me?   What must I believe in order for XX to happen?
  5. Identity (how you think about yourself) – How does this fit with who I am (or who I am becoming)?  **Your brand is here and incorporates how others think about you too.**
  6. Purpose/Spirituality (big picture of life) – What am I doing this for?

The premise is that change is usually easier going from the bottom of the ladder (environment) and working up.  If you change something at a higher level, it will usually impact lower levels but not always the other way around.  Therefore, you may be struggling with change at a higher level because you still need work at another lower-linked level.

I think an example is an order.  Say you want to reinvent your brand (identity) – instead of thinking of yourself as the public relations professional who has worked for a corporation 18 years, you now want to become an entrepreneur who provides motivational speaking and coaching services.  You’re used to working in an office, on a set schedule, you take direction from your leadership, write reports, attend public relations networking events, and so on.

Using the levels, it is not likely you will transform into a superstar entrepreneur overnight – it might require that you  build certain skills and knowledge, that you perhaps change your circle of influence to spend more time in the space of successful speakers and coaches.  Depending on your desired outcomes, you’d have to determine what changes are needed and at what level.

The neat thing about this model is that you can use each level to ask yourself powerful questions (like the ones I listed) to determine starting points for change.  Still feeling stuck? Get the help of a coach or accountability partner to work through this ladder so you reduce blind spots for yourself.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

About the Author: Tanya Smith of Be Promotable is a premier personal branding & marketing coach.  Her creative genius has unlocked the potential of many women solopreneurs, helping them to reinvent themselves as power players in their startup business.  Claim your free instant access to a free video download, 5 Secrets to Developing Your Unique Brand Proposition at: www.bepromotable.com.

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Getting Positive Results Using C-FAR

January 25, 2011 By 2 Comments

Sharing with you a quick audio on my C-FAR formula. This is something I developed for myself several years ago to remind me that I have the ability to impact the type of results I get when I intentionally make the decision to change something in the process.

Listen in…

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