Archive for Business Inspiration
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Karin
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1. There are so many variables to success.
Marketing, mindset, money, organization, self motivation, how you use your time and more.
In time and with deliberate focused attention anyone can learn to master them all.
But it does take time and the willingness to experiment.
So try to be gentle with yourself.
This is true for your own business as well as for your clients' success in your programs.
2. That's why it's impossible to take responsiblity for your clients' results.
There are too many variables that are out of your control.
Just like I can't give presentations and "close the deal" for my clients, you can't eat the broccoli and go exercise for your clients.
What you can only guarantee and be responsible for is what you say you're going to deliver.
3. It's inevitable that your "stuff" will come up as you grow your business.
That's why being in business for yourself in the holistic health and wellness field is like personal growth on steriods.
Whoever said making money in the life transformation field wasn't spiritual never took their business seriously.
4. How you respond to your "stuff" makes all the difference.
You will be tested.
Do you really want this? Or do you like the idea of it?
Do you view the "no's" you receive as rejection or valuable information and an opportunity to tweak your efforts?
The trick is to not make a big deal out of every speedbump you come across.
Everyone self-sabotages, everyone spins their wheels at times, everyone trys things that don't work.
Try to lighten up about it as best you can.
It's just part of the process.
5. Some people try to do more when things aren't working.
But that's not always the answer. Sometimes it's the inner work that's calling.
6. Some people try to meditate more when things aren't working.
While valuable, these situations often require more consistent outer work and less thinking about it.
IE - Get into action.
You can't have all action and no inner work.
You can't have all inner work and no action.
The laws of nature requires relative balance.
7. It's essential to do all the steps and everyone has their own rhythm to completing them.
You can't skip learning the business side of your passion and getting out there.
Learning the business side includes choosing a niche, getting in front of people, building an email list, sending your newsletter regularly, and getting to know your target market (or tribe) so well you know them better than they do.
And despite this learning curve, at some point you have to say to yourself, you may never feel like you know enough and that's okay, let's get out there anyway.
Some practitioners as they near the phase of getting out there, sign up for more training, more coaching, in an effort to avoid the vulnerability of getting in front of their tribe, facing their fear of rejection and the temporary discomfort of asking to be paid for what they love to do.
And others get out there right away and have to circle back to figure out the marketing know-how.
My preference is to do both at the same time.
Whatever path you're on, it's okay. Everyone has their own rhythm for getting there.
The only way you won't get there is by skipping the steps or trying to get everything perfect.
Just know that you can't avoid the inevitable.
To your continued success,
Karin
Like what you read? Then sign up for my weekly marketing material tips for holistic health and wellness pros here: http://www.mmmaven.com/newsletter/
Ready to master the business side of wellness and get your message out there more effectively? Join the Wellness Professional Network: http://WellProNet.org
Posted by:
Karin
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One of the things I love for my new clients to do while I'm working on revamping their marketing materials, is to encourage them to send out a special offer to their email or snail-mail mailing list.
Nine out of ten times, this brings in a quick boost of revenue and starts to "teach" their list of current and past clients that new ideas are coming soon, and get them familiar to "program style" offerings.
My newest client, a therapist from Canada, had never sent a mailing to her client list (online or offline) nor had she offered a program or a package of sessions. Everyone paid for each session as they went along. Which is not what I recommend for a variety of reasons.
So we quickly put together a warm, friendly holiday letter in the spirit of "I'm thinking of you this holiday season and if you're like most of my clients, you might be going through X,Y, Z… and I have an idea that may be able to help." The "idea" is a package of sessions with a special pricing if they signed up and paid in full by Dec 31st.
So far four people have said YES and she's grossed a nice little profit when her practice normally goes quiet in December. (Dec 19, 2010 update: She filled all 10 slots and more are coming in with requests for January!)
What she's also learned is that there are people who want to work with her, yet who didn't know that they could work with her on topic specific issues (such as what comes up during the holidays) and who wouldn't have been helped otherwise. Some of them probably thought once they were "done" with their prior work, that was it. However, the greater truth is that a good 5% to 20% of your clients WANT more support.
That's the brilliance of good marketing. It's a win for everyone.
The client is served in an even better way.
The practitioner is supported and paid well for making a difference. Thus making it easier for them to continue making a difference.
And the world is a better place because of it.
So consider this: There is something going on right now in your current (and past clients'!) lives that you could solve RIGHT NOW. Be there for them and send an invitation in the form of a special program, teleclass series, etc…
If you need help with this, try My Meaningful Holiday Marketing Kit here: http://www.mmmaven.com/holiday/
It's full of easy ways to connect with your tribe and it includes a free BONUS copy of my client's letter (the same one I write about in this blog post) for you to use as a jumpstart.
To your success,
Karin
Like what you read? Then sign up for my weekly marketing material tips for holistic health and wellness pros here: http://www.mmmaven.com/newsletter/
Ready to master the business side of wellness and get your message out there more effectively? Join the Wellness Professional Network: http://WellProNet.org
Posted by:
Karin
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Most wellness pros take the time to figure out what colors they will use in their branding, website and print marketing materials.
Yet it’s also important to reflect on the best clothing colors that will represent you in the best possible light and, what colors will be an authentic expression of who you are and what you do.
Even if you wear only t-shirts and dress casually, the colors you wear have a profound influence on whether people say YES to your services and to working with you.
When you wear the right color for your skin tone, it draws people to you. It helps people relax and feel good around you. It also helps people understand you and your working style. It's really a unique expression of who you are.
And let's face it: we live in a physical world and your clothing and the colors that you wear express a powerful message about you. We may not like that, but it's the way it is.
And so it is, when you wear the wrong colors, it can feel abrasive and a little off-putting. It can essentially feel "off-message".
This isn’t about fashion. It’s an energy thing.
The first place to start is to decipher if your color palette falls mostly within the Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer colors.
You only have to look at nature to see what colors express each season. You may be a bright Spring, or a light Spring. Or a end of Summer palette or look best in the colors of early Summer. Or a bold Autumn or quiet Winter. (I'm a Soulfully Rich Winter! Having a name like this helps me make good choices when I go shopping. You can make one up for yourself too.)
Where most people make a mistake is wearing colors they like, rather than what looks best on them.
And the color ends up wearing them, rather then enhancing the person behind the outfit.
So when it comes time to reflect on your branding and messaging, consider spending a little time thinking about the colors you wear.
It really helps.
Karin
P.S. Need help with discovering what colors suit you best? I’m interviewing Kailash Sozzani this week, the woman who taught me the importance of color and wearing your own “feathers”, for The Wellness Professional Network. She’s just one of the soulful expert interviews I bring to WellProNet to share their wisdom. I’ll be releasing my private interview to members of WellPronet with her in November – perfect for holiday shopping! And you can have access to this and the many benefits of being a member of WellProNet.org. Come find out if it’s for you: http://wellpronet.org.
Posted by:
Karin
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I did it!
For about 3 days I hardly slept, staying up late to handle the details, and finally, on Wednesday Sept 30th, my baby entered the world.
Nope, not the human kind.
The BIG DREAM kind.
My vision of creating a cutting-edge association that would provide affordable, high quality business coaching and leadership training to progressive health and wellness pros nationwide came true.
The Wellness Professional Network is now open!
My clients, colleagues and friends have poured in the emails with congratulations on the birth of “my baby.”
(Now accepting fruit baskets! 
We’ll it’s not just my baby.
It’s for you too.
And you’re invited to join us.
You know, I'll let you in on a little secret.
At the time of the “grand opening” on Wednesday – my homepage wasn’t working. Gasp! But I kept going.
And the 11:58am call from my web master (I was opening the doors at Noon) saying he won’t have it fixed by Noon – did not ruffle my feathers.
Nope, progress not perfection is my mantra.
And I invite you to borrow it.
Because when you’re going for something that feels big to you, they’re will be bumps to go over.
Just don’t let them stop you.
To celebrate, I am releasing the class recording of the introductory tele-class on “The Call for Healers to Become Leaders”.
You can also learn more about WellProNet membership there. (If you're anything like some of the newest members, you'll love what you find there - see below for their comments.)
I’d love for you to join us.
Karin
P.S. Here are what just a few members are saying:
“Wow, Karin! This is an amazing offering you've put together. I'm so thrilled to be a part of the founding members community and have gained so much from calling into your live calls and from listening to recordings.” – Kerrie Martin
“Hi Karin, I'm emailing most of all to say WOW! I emailed out to about 15 friends under the WellProNet Affiliate link and in less than 5 minutes referred someone! I'm really excited about getting serious with my direction in my business. WellProNet is going to be great. What an exciting day! It looks great.” – Alice
“Thank you Karin this is really awesome. I love that it's at an even more affordable price. I will ask questions on the community — I didn't realize I can talk to you on there too I'm so excited it looks like there is so much enjoy.” – Tia
“So excited to participate. Perfect timing. The site looks AWESOME and you are so LAUNCHED, so BORN again!! Love the recording and can't wait to learn more :)” – Robin Berg
“I’m so glad to be a Member!” – Susan B.
When you learn what’s to offer at WellProNet, you’ll realize, just like these ladies have, that there is absolutely nothing holding you back from getting the support, community and connection you want to make your own dreams come true.
Posted by:
Karin
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Last night, I watched the PBS showing of Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L0137.
One of the most moving segments of this inspiring documentary was discovering that each and every Steinway has its own distinctive personality. (Who knew!?)
The tone, the feel, the look.…
Some have a quieter voice and others have a big booming sound fit for Carnegie Hall.
There are the Grand Concert Pianos that world-renown pianists choose (they start at $100,000).
And there are the smaller, family living room pianos that start at $25,000, with entire family units investing in for their child prodigy.
Each one highly valued by their respective buyer.
Yet even among the same type of pianos, each one has its own individual feel and plays slightly different.
It was fascinating to see famous artists – jazz, classical, big band - selecting their pianos for their performances.
They jumped from piano to piano, and when they found “their” piano, they exclaimed, “Ah, this is THE ONE!”
(They looked and sounded the same to me!)
Steinway attributes the different personalities in each piano to their unique, hand-made building process.
It takes one year to build a single Steinway.
And it takes an entire team of craftspeople to do it.
Each individual adds their expertise through a unique blend of technique and intuitive sense of what needs to be “tweaked.”
Steinway explains that each piano is impossible to build “perfectly,” because they are all different and that difference is what makes them special to each individual buyer.
This is where this show reminded me of you, the wellness professional.
While there may be hundreds, even thousands, of professionals offering a similar service to yours, there is only one you.
There is only one you that can deliver your service in your way, in your style, in your personality, and in your authentic voice.
And there are people in the world who are a perfect match to your “voice.”
The key to matching up with your perfect target market is to let your voice be heard.
Your voice will be “a perfect fit” for a specific group of people. And that means, your “voice” is not for everyone.
When you try to please everyone, you can’t really be unique yourself. And it dilutes your brilliance.
Instead, think of yourself and your work as a Steinway.
Absolutely perfect for a specific tribe of people (aka: “target market”).
Remembering that your programs, services and products will never be perfect is critical to making progress in your wellness business.
When you try to make things perfect, it takes years to get your website up, develop and market a program or to present your signature talk.
For some of you, it may take a little time to “find your voice.” (It takes a year to build a Steinway!)
For others, it’s about allowing yourself to express your voice. (There’s a deeply appreciative market for every kind of Steinway!)
I’ve been in both camps.
Forget about perfection.
Think progress.
Think completion.
Think be yourself.
Think Steinway and let your unique voice be heard.
That’s the only way you’ll match up with your ideal clients.
Here’s to your continued success,
Karin
Free Upcoming Tele-class — The Call for Healers to Become Leaders: http://www.WellProNetPreview.com
