Your Brand In Bloom Telesummit

I am participating in the Your Brand In Bloom Telesummit which runs from January 3-7, 2011. There is a great line-up of presenters scheduled for the 5 day event and topics range from marketing to life balance.

The is a FREE event and by signing up you will have access to join any of the calls live!

I will be presenting information about Creating Life Balance as a Small Business Owner on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 7:00 PM EST. You can register by clicking here!

Here is the full line up for this event!

Event Schedule
Please note all call times are EST.

Attendees can access recordings for 24 hours following the call.

Monday, January 3 at 4 pm Allyson Piper of Marketing in Bloom
Big Vision: Set Your Direction and Goals

Tuesday, January 4 at 1 pm Nora Richardson of Spot-On Branding
Branding 101

Tuesday, January 4 at 4 pm Michelle Salater of Sumèr
The Power of Your Brand Story: 5 Tips to Create Content That Sells

Tuesday, January 4 at 7 pm Kate Harrington of Return to Happy
Creating Abundance: The Essential First Step That Has Nothing To Do With Business

Wednesday, January 5 at 4 pm Lee Heyward of Charleston Style Concierge
Create a Business Image that Turns Heads and Profits

Wednesday, January 5 at 7 pm Janet Savage of HandTales
What are your favorites “Yes-Buts”? Making peace with your resistance on the path to success.

Thursday, January 6 at 1 pm Tiffany Jackson, ND of EcoHealth & Wellness
Nutrition & Wellness for Women Small Business Owners

Thursday, January 6 at 4 pm Sarah Hays of YuDu Concierge
Delegation: The Key to Entrepreneur Life Balance

Thursday, January 6 at 7 pm Kate Powers of Ask Coach Kate
How To Create Life Balance As A Small Business Owner

Friday, January 7 at 2 pm Allyson Piper of Marketing in Bloom
Pulling it All Together: 5 Steps to Build the Marketing Plan to Get You Noticed

I would love for you to join me for this free event! Click here for more info and to register!

Managing Your Expectations

Recently I attended a networking event and was surprised by the presenter’s inability to hide her disappointment. It was a small group and she clearly had expected more attendees. People appreciated the information she had to offer but not everyone was jumping out of their seats to become her paying clients. So this made me think about a few things…

Now we all know as entrepreneurs to “think big”. We always bring double the amount of info to hand out “just in case”. We are never without business cards and have our elevator pitch memorized. But what do you do when it goes the other way? When only a few people show up? When everyone politely declines?

Here are a few things I learned in the beginning of my business about situations just like this.

1) ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS remain positive and polite. Be your most gracious self. When the numbers are small, every eye is on YOU every MINUTE. How you conduct yourself has a much stronger impact on each individual than with a large crowd. Potential clients are less likely to become paying clients when they sense negativity.

2)NEVER NEVER NEVER try to force a sale with a small group. Since everyone is intently watching your every move you must ensure your actions encourage potential clients to become paying clients. No one wants to pay to work with someone who is pushy and rude.

3) Have good intentions no matter how many people attend. I have an attitude that no matter what, it is always worth it. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not going to knowingly book to present to a few people when going to the event will cost me with driving time, tolls, babysitter etc. But when I find myself at an event that is smaller than expected I make the best of it and use the opportunity to make a GREAT impression.

How do you manage your expectations when things don’t go as planned?

If you would like more info on this topic, contact me and we can set a time to chat..

The Power of a Plan

Recently, I created a re launch plan for my coaching business. In the plan I mapped out my desired results, action items, products to complete, people to contact etc. “The Plan” incorporated revamping my web site, blogging, social media, newsletter revival, networking, speaking, writing, product creation – the whole picture. I had a very specific time line that allowed me to be present in all areas of my life, not just my business. Most importantly, “The Plan” included my personal WHY for each timeline decision. At the time I didn’t realize how this simple action would serve me so well. I was thrilled with my plan!

So I began laying the ground work – phase 1. Then it happened… I got excited about the possibilities of making things happen, of working with more people, of the creative process and I was instantly swept away by my own excitement. Next thing I know, I am in a creative planning frenzy, adding programs, workshops and products to the very near future lineup. It was incredible how quickly I forgot “The Plan” and hopped onto the “Express Train”.

As I began implementing my “Express Train” plan I suddenly heard a little voice saying… “Remember The Plan”.

I was stopped in my tracks.

So I sat down and revisited “The Plan”. It is a great plan. It accounts for many things that the “Express Train” doesn’t such as my children and their summer schedule, my family, my single parenthood, my need for sleep, and my desire to take things slow to lay a strong foundation for re launching my business in an orderly manner that fits perfectly with my life. “Wow”, I thought, “this is a great plan”. Then why was I not following it? I swept myself away in my own excitement for my business, for living my passion – that is pretty damn cool. So now I have stepped off the “Express Train” and am back to following “The Plan” with a couple small tweaks that I felt allowed me to express my excitement, lay a strong foundation and create healthy business habit.

So I ask you … do you have a “PLAN”? Are you following it? Does it still serve your business where you currently find yourself? Does your plan include the WHY to remind you the importance of sticking to the plan?

To make it easier to stick to my plan I printed out a copy and keep it close by. I emailed myself a copy so I am reminded of it often and I hung a copy on the board next to the computer. With each business decision I make I will consult with “The Plan” to make sure it is in alignment with my goals. And I know I may find times when it is appropriate to add an addendum to “The Plan”. So I am back on target and I hope you are too!

If you would like more info on this topic, contact me and we can set a time to chat..

Networking for Success – Are you sabotaging your results?

For many of us, networking is crucial to the success of our business. It’s how we meet potential clients/customers, as well as learn information from our fellow entrepreneurs that can help propel us forward.

So how is your networking going for you? Are you getting the results you want? How is your ROI for your networking time?

Let’s look at what may be sabotaging your efforts.

Here are a few “must do” actions for effective networking:

Business Cards

This is one of the most important tools in your networking kit. Be sure you have your cards with you at all times and ALL your contact information is included, including full name, name of business, website, phone and email. It’s amazing to me that people do not include all these pieces. Recently, I was emailing follow ups and several people did not have their email on their cards. Well, I did the work of looking up the email addresses off their websites, but not everyone would have bothered and I am sure many do not. By not having full contact info, you may be missing opportunities.

The One Minute Pitch

This is the idea behind networking: to share your business info with others in a way that will make them want to continue the conversation. Is your 1 minute pitch memorable, interesting, thought provoking? What about your pitch will they remember?

Pipe Down and Listen!

Many times we are so excited to share our business or other useful information with others we forget to come up for air. We go on and on about us, our business and additional opportunities, and walk away thinking it was a great connection. It was for you but what about the other people? Did you learn about what they do? What about their business makes you want to contact them? Networking is a give and take relationship, and it’s important to listen just as much, if not more, than you are talking. And if you have more info to share with people, it should be done in the follow up.

Think of Others

This is where true networking magic can happen. If you are able to position yourself and your business to help others, people will remember you. Think of how you react to someone who says “how can I help you?” or “what can I do for you?” Especially if they are sincere. Your first reaction is probably surprised amazement, since entrepreneurs are not accustomed to getting offers for help. By finding ways to help your fellow business owners, you are building relationships and opening doors for follow up opportunities.

Dress or Success

This does not mean a power suit (unless this is appropriate for your target market) but you want to be sure to be professional. I have seen both ends of the spectrum when it comes to dress at networking events, and what I have seen work best is casual professional attire. It shows you are serious about your business, but not intimidating. Think about who you are more likely to do business with: someone in yoga pants or someone in a pulled together outfit?

Follow up

This is the key to networking: if you wait around for others to contact you, your missing the success boat. Networking gives you the contact information and follow up gives you the client. Without timely and effective follow up, all your networking efforts may be useless. Sending a thank you email to those who gave you their card is a great way to connect in the days following the initial contact. Within that email are you creating opportunities for further connections, say for coffee or lunch to discuss potential partnerships or joint ventures? Following up allows you to remind them about your business and open the door to working together.

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