Find the systems you need to grow your business
Often, some of the simplest systems are the best. Have you ever had to remember to do something outside of your routine and, worried that you’d forget, stuck a post-it on your monitor, set a bag in front of the door, or tied a string around your wrist?
In today’s digital world it’s easy to rely on email notifications, reminders, and apps but a physical reminder is also good.
Here are 4 easy ways to incorporate physical reminders in your systems:
1. Embrace the Post-it Note Continue Reading ￫
If you’re a service provider, then you may have thought “systems won’t work for me” simply because your work is too unpredictable from one day to the next. But that’s the exact reason why you need systems in the first place!
So we’ve put together a great business systems video series just for service providers – if you’re working directly with your clients and you’re not selling a product or a package, then this series is for you and you can automate your business in a few key areas:
1. Lead generation
2. Getting acquainted calls
3. Submitting a proposal
4. Following-up and closing the sale
5. Invoicing
Today’s video is all about Lead Generation for a Service business.
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It bothers me when I read marketing copy that claims “do it once and you’ll never have to touch it again” or “set it and forget it!” because in most cases that’s simply not true.
Just like maintenance on your car, updating your systems is a critical part of keeping your business running smoothly. If you ignore them for too long, then you’re going to need to invest a lot of time and money into getting things done right.
Here are 3 triggers to update your business systems:
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If you follow many businesses online then you’ve probably heard about the shake up in email marketing from Yahoo and Gmail. It’s a big, complex issue but I wanted to make sure you had the info both as a recipient, and if you’re using email marketing in your own business.
What’s up with Yahoo?
Very simply, Yahoo has decided that if you do not log into your account in 12 months they can shut down your account and make the username available to someone else. While this is annoying to a user, it can be a big problem for a business.
Let’s say I’ve been emailing Sam123@yahoo.com but Sam isn’t using the account anymore. Not only am I getting depressed that Sam doesn’t like me anymore, I will not know if Sam shuts down that account. Instead of it “bouncing” because the email is shut down, my message might go through to someone else who is not Sam.
It’s problematic because you might be sending reports, updates on products or usernames and passwords that Sam paid for to someone else and not even know it. And, if that person thinks “hey I don’t know this Kelly person” they could report my messages as spam.
Yipes.
What about Gmail?
Well, Google’s email service is doing something a little more tricky but not as drastic. In Gmail, you have the option of filtering and sorting emails by folders. It’s great! I use it daily and even show you how in my free course Conquering Email Chaos (get it here).
But Gmail thinks it’s smarter and knows more than you do (a common Google personality fault), so they’ve decided to sort your email into tabs. Instead of giving you the option, Gmail will be putting “marketing type” messages like this one into a tab called “promotions”.
This isn’t a bad thing UNLESS you don’t know it’s there and then don’t see important messages.
To get all the details on how to resolve these issues in both email providers, read below. You’ll see the video and step by step actions to take.
Of course, if you DON’T want to see messages from a business anymore, because they don’t resonate with your goals, values or simply never get read, then please unsubscribe. This include me too – unsubscribes are not a negative thing when you realize that your business isn’t here to serve everyone.
Yahoo! User?
Well, first up, welcome to the internet. I know, we all have a Yahoo! account out there… lingering. Waiting. Stagnating.
If you’re in Yahoo! and have signed up for email notifications from any business, you’re at risk. The first thing to do is log into your account to ensure it’s still active. Don’t worry if you need to reset your password if it’s been awhile.
Then make sure you have your backup email in there too:
If you have a lot of spam like me go ahead and make sure that any subscriptions with your name or personal data is up to date. Personally I moved everything over to gmail so it’s just catching the stragglers now. But I’ve found in Yahoo I still get a lot of spam showing up in my inbox:
Remember, if you’re not logging in regularly then you can either shut down your account for safety (but make sure no one is still emailing you personal info) or set a calendar reminder to log in quarterly to check.
What about Gmail?
Well here you have a few options – you can reject the new inbox feature or make it work for you.
Option 1: Decide where your emails end up
1. Click on the “Promotions” or “Social” inbox tab.
This is how the tabs look in your browser : Primary, Social, and Promotions.
2. Select the emails from people you want to hear from and drag and drop them into the “Primary” tab
In this example the Social tab has an announcement from a Facebook group I am involved in – if this goes to the Social tab I may not see important news:
3. You should see a pop up asking if you want future emails from this person to go into your Primary inbox, click yes.
Check your promotions inbox over the next few weeks to make sure nothing that you really want to see is getting caught up here (this could include announcements for online training programs that you’ve invested in).
Option 2: Reject Gmail’s attempt to control your life
1. Click on the “Settings” cog icon in the top right corner of your screen and select settings from the drop-down menu.
2. Click on the “Inbox” tab at the top and deselect all categories except “Primary”.
3. Click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the screen.
However you decide to manage your email with these new changes, knowledge is power! And remember, if you want more help managing your inbox and making the most of email, click here to Get Conquering Email Chaos absolutely free.
I hear too many new entrepreneurs repeating bad advice and one thing I’ve heard from many sources is the advice to spend at least 20 hours a week marketing.
How much time should I spend marketing then?
For a new business owner it’s a challenging place, because on one hand you’re looking for new clients and buyers, but in reality you don’t know where to get started. The hours seem daunting and it can often result in overwhelm and frustration.
What can you do instead?
The real question is how to better measure the output if you’re not measuring hours “input” each week.
Instead of trying to spend 4 hours a day “marketing”, focus on the tasks that need to be done. If you see a block of time for marketing on your calendar that doesn’t give you a clear picture of what needs to be done, try allocating time to complete a blog post, polish a free report or email contacts who might have leads or collaborations to share. Instead of thinking you have to fill up the time, focus on doing the task well.
Why this is a dangerous mindset
I love marketers but you have to remember that their entire day is spent marketing. They love doing all the tactics they’re teaching you and are happy to spend all their time in marketing (because that’s their job!).
But expecting every business to have the same approach is naive. Your personal trainer might spend 5 hours a day at the gym, or your day care provider may spend 7 hours playing with your child but that doesn’t mean it’s feasible for everyone.
You don’t need to do every tactic, but working on the best marketing for your business well. It’s okay if the marketing that worked for a marketing guru doesn’t work in your market – not every business should be on Pinterest or Google+, and not every business owner should be at the Chamber of Commerce or in BNI. Don’t waste your energy feeling guilty about all the things you “should be” doing and instead look to do what will work for your business well.
Additionally, the right marketing will work to bring in clients which you must make time for in your business. If you set yourself up to spend all your time marketing then there will be no space to serve the clients, administer your business, or enjoy life!
What do you focus on when you need clients?
Try not to allocate big blocks of time for “marketing”. Instead, here are 3 tactics to get started with systems to bring your clients with less stress.
1. Focus on content creation first, including free reports, blog posts, videos, anything that helps you showcase your business and skills.
2. Look for more connections and make quality relationships in your network and with colleagues.
3. Be creative with your time – draw an infographic, do a case study, get a scholarship client. When you stop painting yourself into a box things flow easier.
Bottom line: it’s not about who is spending more time marketing – that’s not the true measure of success. Instead of focusing on the hours, focus on the output, and then you can begin automating your marketing to bring in clients easily.
Sometimes, when you’re struggling with something in your life or business, it takes a lot of courage to turn to an expert for advice and to learn how they can help you. It’s intimidating, sometimes scary, and often a very vulnerable place.
Which is why every time I hear about or witness someone marketing or selling by insulting their to-be client it fills me with anger.
Maybe you’ve experienced:
-a graphic designer insulting your website and logo
-the landscape crew who says your lawn is poorly maintained
-a health coach who talks about your lack of progress
-the copywriter who mocks your syntax and flow
No matter the professional, the habit of insulting your client is one type of marketing I hate. Continue Reading ￫
Is it challenging to think of asking for money in your business? Watch this video for 3 strategies to make it easier!
1) Have a System – maybe you’ll ask for funds up front, at the end of the session, or midway through the project. Outline this in your Client Welcome Packet. Especially if you have a complicated system with deposits, payment deadlines and penalties for non payment, spell it all out for your client.
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So many entrepreneurs struggle with the concept of writing for their websites, so this week I’m addressing some of the most common reasons why.
For many of us, we’ve broken out of the corporate mold but the messages that we learned growing up are still there. They may come from a grandparent insisting that “children should be seen, not heard,” or another adult who told you to “wait your turn” which never came around.
When we did take our turns to share, at school, church, social events, with friends or simply at home, there were dozens of rules to remember.
When we were angry about an injustice (perceived or real) it was “calm down.” Continue Reading ￫
So, you know when you know. You know when it’s time to move on to better things for your business, whether that means finding a stronger vendor, hiring a new employee (and letting go of the old one) or even firing a client (gulp!).
But often we hang on far too long out of fear, worry and plain old procrastination. Today, I’ve got your back. Because there are 3 terrible reasons to avoid change and 2 great ones that you need to remember when it’s time to let go.
Excuse #1 “I don’t want to hurt someone” Continue Reading ￫
If you are having trouble working with a team member and recognize it’s time for change don’t make the mistake of so many entrepreneurs: firing by avoidance.
It happens like this… someone is not living up to your expectations and you start to consider what needs to shift. You look over the budget, the tasks, your business and in that time avoid the team member like the plague. After all – you don’t want to tip them off and need some time to think. Pretty soon it’s been weeks or months since you’ve talked and the relationship dies because of neglect. Neither one has closure and the team member eventually moves on because the work has ‘dried up’ or the business seemingly ‘shut down.’
Firing by avoidance is a common problem – not only because it’s hard to end a relationship but because sometimes you’re just not sure what to say! Instead, here are 3 strategies to use when you’re ready for a change.
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