Today I hopped over to Deb Bailey’s Secrets of Success blog and talked about how self employed people can be authentic and how they can stay on track by setting good business boundaries.
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Today I hopped over to Deb Bailey’s Secrets of Success blog and talked about how self employed people can be authentic and how they can stay on track by setting good business boundaries.
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Check out my latest virtual blog tour appearance on Kandy Cross’s blog. . In my post, I talk about how you can listen to what your clients are saying to help determine your ideal price.
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Maybe my biggest personal learning has been to pace myself and be happy with steady progress. I've deliberately picked just a couple of the classes to attend live and have stored the other ones for later use. (that was a big stretch, I usually want to do everything at once) I've noticed that this helps me to put much more of myself into my work and that is the way I want to build my business.
The telesummit, it's faculty members and the participants, made me realise that the vision I have for my business is possible: It is possible to build a business that authentically reflects me and my passions whilst being a successful one.
I would (and already have) recommended the telesummit to one of my friends who is an established self-employed consultant, currently studying to become a coach and who would like to put more of 'herself' in her business while having a better work-life balance as well.
I also recommended it to a friend who just had to quit her business where she helped expats with both the practical and emotional implications a relocation has on people, because she had to move back to her home country that doesn't feel like home anymore. She feels lost and is looking for a new direction.
I think that the fact that both the faculty members as well as the telesummit participants have built or are building businesses true to themselves AND have accurate knowledge, could help them on the way.
I am already using what I've learned! I am currently using Isabel's class to write a letter to reach out to prospective pro bono clients I need to work with as part of my studies. I did have a letter provided by my training institute ready to send out to prospective clients, but that so did not feel like me and what I stand for. After Isabel's class I feel I know what it needs to contain, I wrote a 'shitty first draft' (thanks to you Molly!) longhand (thanks Isabel) and feel ready now to put it in the right format, ready to be sent out.
The beauty of this is that this letter already contains a lot about me and my vision and what I would like for my clients, so will definitely be useful as a draft for further marketing!
I have worked through Jennifer's Wish Kit and will listen to the recording of her class later today. I am writing this in my very messy office, feeling very optimistic that with lots of 'simplest next steps' I will have the office that will support me and my work. What is changing is that I feel that being my best self and being inspired is so much more important than building my business asap (and will probably also be much more sustainable). (BIG sigh of relief :D )
~ Marianne Leather
I was concerned that I would be overwhelmed with the number of presenters and topics and that it also might even be too much of a great thing.I was amazed at the fluidity of the presentations both in terms of content and energy.
The information was exactly the right amount delivered in a way that was super digestible and, for me, just the right amount of pushing the limits of my ability to take it in that made it very dynamic. Having it available to listen to later over and over will be invaluable.
I have already begun in the last 24 hours to put Jennifer's method of compassionate organization that uses neural pathways already present. It was so funny to hear her vocalize this because it was what my mind and body wanted to do, but the perfectionist side said, no, that won't work, you have to have color coded this and that and would of course throw my hands in the air and move to another room to work from. Yea!
Everything else is cooking and simmering already and I will take it to full boil/or compassionate cooking by listening to the audios, going through the resources and adding notes to the ones I made in the presentation. I loved Sean's choose 2 goals from each area and determine the time frame. Keep the plates spinning, which has also been my method, but I was rejecting it because it didn't "look" like real progress.
I will work only in an area for which I have passion as the root, because that's where I can deliver value and derive meaning. This is a major point of clarity for me.
Thank you Molly for all you have given through Goldilocks, Authentic Promotion, the forums and now this telesummit. This unique opportunity meets the measures that Michael spoke of. I have to add once again, that I had already derived the full value of the price from the free previews, so the value of the telesummit is so great it's hard to measure.
~Mary Bryan Roberts
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It was a great mix of amazing (and successful) business people who are showing me that it can be done. And who are, by their very out-in-the-worldness, supporting me. In some way, I feel like your team all "has my back." That's pretty amazing.
~Meredith Curtin, The Project Nanny
My preconceptions/reservations were that I would experience about a 50-50 level of relevancy, thinking that SOME of the topics (branding, social media, PR ideas) would not be as useful to me.
I found something of value in EVERY presentation. Of course some had a higher percentage but the diversity of opinions, expertise, styles and content made for a very rich and stimulating 12+ hours! I'm energized and inspired by the topics that spoke directly to my work and to the places where I know I get stuck, and I am intrigued and stimulated by the topics that were new (and formerly "dismissed") areas for me and my business!
I would recommend the summit to newly self-employed people especially, but really to any of us who feel our business could be..."better" - however we may define that: bigger, more impactful, easier, refreshed, more aligned with the rest of their lives. I have been self-employed for 9 years and have struggled to really feel that I've found my rhythm, pace, source..."voice" and offer. Satisfaction with one's self-employment isn't measured in years or duration!
My biggest take-away is the clarity that my best shot at success in my practice is to be very clear about what I do, speak to that, write to and about that, and to find the people who are interested in that. I won't try to add something else in that some clients might want and that, yes, I can do, but that isn't really what I LOVE to work on with clients. This clarity will help me create a better message - via website, marketing and relationship-building, answering the "What do you do?" question authentically and more easily - which will help me find MY clients and offer MY gift/talent/skills to them. This is huge for me. So there is a lot of work to do in that area, but now I'm EXCITED about it - and not afraid of it!
~Beth Speck
I've never worked with you before and didn't know some of the presenters. But others I did know and was intrigued by the community aspect of the telesummit - bringing together not only the participants but the "village" of presenters. I'm such a community-building person myself, it intrigued me enough to try it.
[It was] FABULOUS! This is definitely what I've needed - a real, solid village, knowing I'm not in it alone. One thing that has stopped me in bringing forth my business is sitting in my chair behind my computer all alone. Now I feel connected and supported and engaged in the group dynamic that is so much a part of who I am.
Also I love that you are talking about self-employment rather than business-owner or small business. Somehow the language works better for me. For these reasons I would highly recommend this to anyone who is self-employed or thinking of the possibility of it.
I feel like I got so much from all of the presenters. One thing that came across globally is the permission to be real, to be human. I don't have to know it all and that's so okay. This experience plus my own spiritual process is helping me get over perfectionism. I felt like I got something so practical and usable out of every presentation. Some I'll have to go back to later for more in depth work, but I know those gold nuggets are there waiting for me.
Probably the highlight for me in this moment was Sean's ideas about planning for chaos and spinning plates. These ideas have helped me reframe and think in new ways about how I plan my days and how much I heap on my plate at once. I would guess that "time management" type issues are a pretty global thing for self-employed people and Sean's approach really works for me.
What will change for me? I've had a real tendency to get an "inspired idea" and then sit on it until is disappears. (I'm sure this has never happened to anyone else ;) ). Now I'm getting up and doing it!
Thank you Molly for bringing this together! This is so fun and exciting. I'm siting in my wonderful new office space, looking out at the blue sky, green trees, mountains on the horizon, and communing with the energy of this group as I finish writing this. I'm not alone! and for that I'm grateful. Signing off with peace and blessings to all,
~Amina Melody
Is it okay to give stuff away? (Yes.) Is it okay to sell to people who like your free stuff? (Better believe it.)
What gets in the way of really hearing prospective clients? Would you believe expertise, experience, and empathy?
If you think planning is supposed to prevent chaos, think again. Planning doesn't prevent anything, but it can transform.
Sure, overhead includes rent, office supplies, and marketing expenses. But what about the overhead you pay for in time, not money?
You know those little things you have to do that sometimes leave you feeling like you can't get anything important done? Maybe they aren't the problem you think they are.
A plan is supposed to help you get where you want to go. But what makes a plan a good plan is another story altogether. Planning: it's not what you think.
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If Shannon can get me - a nail technician from Upstate NY - a feature story in the New York Times, imagine what her strategies and tactics can do for you! That one article got my phone ringing off the hook! Listen to Shannon and get unlimited visibility!
Erin Ruffing, owner of Nails by Erin, www.nailsbyerin.com

Just one tip Shannon shared got my organization in BusinessWeek magazine. And her other ideas are easy to do, making me feel I can get more publicity than I ever dreamed.
Ja-Nae Duane, founder & president of Wild Women Entrepreneurs, www.thewildwe.com

Shannon has amazing insights! She has helped me to position and leverage my business in ways I had never anticipated. I have been interviewed by reporters all over the country – something that had never happened before Shannon. I can’t believe the exposure I’ve gotten. It’s simply amazing!
Kelle Sparta, owner and author of Sparta Success Systems, www.spartasuccess.com

With Shannon's advice, my product was featured in several media outfits during the lucrative holiday season. Her detailed instructions and checklists made it easy. I wouldn't be on the right path today without her wonderful information!
Carla Vaughn Mead, co-founder & designer of Black Mountain Jewelry Company, www.blackmountainjewelry.com

Shannon has made me rethink the avenues I was using to get the word out about my business. With the ideas and information she shares, I am excited about building Got Clicks? into the leading resource for entrepreneurs who need a website.
Sarah Spencer, owner of Got Clicks? www.gotclicks.biz

"Nancy's tips helped me increase my QUALITY contacts by over 80%!"
Social networking is THE way to be seen online and Nancy is definitely an expert on the topic. Within the first 90 days of seriously following Nancy's tips, I saw my social networking contacts increase by over 80%! The best part is, the contacts I make are real people who want to do business with me, not just random names populating my friends list. Nancy's approach is both creative and strategic, with excellent advice on using this tool to boost your visibility, name recognition, and business!
Michele Pariza-Wacek, Ka-Ching! Marketing Strategist, www.MichelePW.com

Nancy knows how to teach quality relationship building for BIG payoffs!"
Nancy Marmolejo and I are kindred spirits in the world of social networking. We share the belief (and hold the experience) that quality relationship building results in big payoffs! It's not just about the numbers- the people who make up those numbers are what counts. Thanks Nancy for advocating social networking that can change people's businesses and their lives.
Mari Smith, Social Media Coach, Speaker, www.MariSmith.com

With the tips I learned from Nancy, I landed my biggest client to date, more than DOUBLED my list size, and INCREASED my revenue each month!
Nancy is a gem. Before I tried her social networking program I was using social media but really ineffectively. I didn't have a plan and I was implementing strategies sporadically. I was overwhelmed by all of the information and just couldn't piece it together in a way that created more traffic and consistent visibility for me and my business.
Now all of that has changed. As a result of working with Nancy I learned how to use social networking strategies to create relationships and produce significant results. With the tips I learned from this program, I have attracted 2 joint venture partners with whom I am creating programs and products now, landed my biggest and most amazing client to date, have more than , have connected with brilliant and talented people, and have increased my revenue each month.
–Melani Ward, Business Numerologist, www.MelaniWard.com

"This is just what I need to set up my new website." I’ve found some other good products that teach how to do copywriting, or how to do landing pages, but they often seem a bit to hypey and manipulative for my values. Also, they teach only that one piece. It’s not easy to find a product that teaches how all the pages fit together and help the visitor flow through the process in a holistic way.
This is just what I need to set up my new website — I hope to have it ready to go in a week or so. Thanks for putting together a terrific product!"
Liz Tufte, www.folio-bookworks.com

I thought it would be something relating to coming more deeply from my heart."
"The material IS about coming deeply from your heart, but the big added difference for me is that the background of wisdom and practices that Mark shares removes almost all the guess work. I ended up feeling that I KNEW what I was doing regarding my websites. This was quite a revelation.
Stuart Baker, West Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA, www.consciouscooperation.com

"I realized that my resistance to writing was not about any 'lack of confidence' or limiting belief on my part."
Frankly, I felt inadequate in writing my website. Oh, I knew I could write a good informative email. And I could write a letter of appreciation from my heart. Yet when it came to writing copy for my website, the words would not flow.
I looked at sales pages that were written by expensive copywriters, and they left me cold. I checked out the well-known copywriter's websites, and most of the writing seemed hyped and inauthentic to me. I looked around for examples of compelling and engaging writing on websites, and I truly could not find any that really drew me in.
Over the next 48 hours, I read your two books I had purchased and downloaded from the site (Unveiling the Heart of Your Business, and Creating Heart-Centered Websites), and the next day I wrote 8 pages for my new website in 12 hours! And what is even more amazing: I liked what I wrote!!! I had a breakthrough on my writing.
Karen A. Cappello, PCC, CLC, www.karencappello

I almost cried with relief when I discovered Isabel's Vibrant Language program.
Finally, there was understanding for what I have struggled with for years. Isabel's clear step-by-step process for articulating my life's passion is heaven sent. I was so stuck I couldn't even make business cards! She has connected me to myself, to my courage, to my work purpose...to what excites me about being alive. I now connect with and inspire my ideal clients on a soul level.
What I continue to learn from Isabel is ever-expanding. It forces me to grow in clarity and connection skills and the more I use it, the more I gain. "The Power to Express Your Passion"....how does it get better than that?
–Laura Frisbie, M.Ed.

For over a year, I've been seeking to discover the language that would uphold the integrity of a passionate message and yet, click with the audience - to step out of the marketing box of manipulative copy-writing and traditional pain point self-promotion of the prevailing marketplace. For any maverick, soul-driven enterprise - THIS is it! This is the necessary step before designing an authentic brand that will stand out from the crowd and click with your ideal audience. Parlance Training offers a way to access the language that we can truly embody in order to make an inspiring connection."
Thank you for the spirit of your work Isabel.
Janice Mark, www.design-oracle.com
I've never had an organizing experience like this in my life! I cleaned out an entire drawer of my filing cabinet - I mean we're talking auto insurance declarations that go back to like '97.
I wasn't so sure how much organizing I was even into doing today - so for me to have blasted through the stuff I did was totally amazing.
It made the project (which felt like a big messy, boggy, icky thing) into something that I could do. I accomplished the first thing in that project within the first three minutes!
Jenni Green - Salem, OR - Caduceus Strategies
I had hoped by taking Jen's Office Spa Day that I might make a small dent on a very large mess.
Boy, was I amazed. Jen gave me some tools to use in working through my piles, gave me some great tips on how to manage a pesky project that was taking over my desk, and suggested a new way to think about my to-do list. I was so inspired that I just kept on working until it was done.
I love how organized my desk is now. I found some forgotten gift certificates and a document that I thought I would have to pay to replace. The class ended up paying for itself!
Karen DeBolt - Portland, OR - CounselingForMoms.com
Whoever thought something having to do with clutter could make me feel good? When I saw the package, I felt like a princess getting a really beautiful gift! It came with these pretty envelopes and everything is hand-made with Jen's loving care. I felt instantly nurtured and special. On top of that, the wisdom is practical, helps me run my business and applies to my every day life.
Lisa Hunter, Extraordinary Women Thrive, Boulder, CO
The work you are doing makes so much sense, I think we all need support to accomplish our goals.
I know I want to get organized but so many things call at my attention. Every time I read a newsletter from you, it is a positive nudge in the right direction.
Thank you, your words make sense on a very personal level. I feel it!
Casey Chalem Anderson, caseyart.com

I really like when you give actual examples from your own business. I often suspect information I get about "success" in various forms is theoretical. To hear you have actually done it, makes it feel "do-able".
Lola Scobey, Colorado Springs, CO

Believe it! Sean's methods work! I'm thrilled and astounded!By using Sean's methods for just ONE article to get more business, we got 62 responses!
We are well on our way to meeting our revenue goals. Thanks Sean!
Diane Winder, Marketing Manager, Educational Consulting

I've been in the training business for 25 years and did 500,000 air miles last year alone but I have never seen concepts as elegant as Psychotactics.
Simple is not the word for it. It's easy to follow and apply but extremely sophisticated. It's compelling, powerful and straightforward all at once. If you want to get in the brain of the customer and understand exactly why they do what they do, Psychotactics is exactly what you need.
Diane Hendrickson, Trainer of trainers
(Including 4 CEOs from Fortune 500 Companies)
I have discovered the secret of creativity. It is theft.
All you really have to do is show up at a workshop or consulting session and steal every single concept that Sean teaches you. As a result of what I learned in PsychoTactics, I was able to open doors with clients that I thought were permanently shut.
I'm telling you, this PsychoTactics stuff really works!
Wayne Roycroft, Burnard International -Freight Management

A wake-up call for relentless positive thinkers with chronically negative bank accounts. If you're wondering why your benefit-driven marketing isn't hitting the mark, Sean knows why and he'll tell you. Then he'll show you what you can do about it so you can be a lot richer, and your customers will be a lot happier!
I know what I just said may sound like a contradiction to you, but, I assure you, it's an ongoing reality. I had to learn the hard way what Sean will teach you easily in this ebook.
David Garfinkel Copywriting Genius and Author
Really thought provoking stuff! I don't think I've ever learned so much in 48 hours!
Michael Smyth, Buddle Findlay-Lawyers
PsychoTactics is superb! It got the pieces of the puzzle all together and put me on track! I'm recommending it to everyone I know.
Rob Wildman, Sales Manager-Bedpost Franchise
I thought I needed a new logo. What I got was a new business!
When I first approached Erin to help me with my rebranding, I had some concerns about her ability to capture the inherent contradiction of my business. My principal concern was the balance between having a predominantly conservative target market and the desire to "stand out." I shouldn't have worried.
The branding exercise she took me through forced me to reassess the fundamentals of the business and gave me a logo and other material that I now hand out with pleasure. The logo is simply the end of the journey, not the reason for it.
Stephen Hay, Director, People and Process Limited
If given the choice, rather than hearing, "What a gorgeous outfit!" we women would prefer to hear, "You look wonderful."
Similarly, I prefer that the design of my business promotions motivate people to buy, rather than to simply comment on the beauty of the typefaces I've selected. That's why I'm a huge fan of elf design's newsletter.
Kare Anderson, Newsletter subscriber
A big thanks to you for your web site and the information you offer to others. It is most helpful to me. Thanks for caring enough to share yourself and your knowledge.
I am an executive coach and trainer in Homewood AL who has had difficulty deciding what and how to create a website. Your designs were very clear and specific. Because they are, I was able to 'inscribe my thoughts' inside a 'web box' (that's my name for it, anyway).
In addition, I was able to 'see' how to compose the home page while limiting my more lengthy discourse to specific described pages.
Kyle DeLoach, Newsletter subscriber
Bravo! to Erin L. Ferree of elf design. She has proven that excellent customer service and a job well done are alive and well! Her artistic eye is superb, her follow-up second to none, and her commitment to her customers impeccable. It was a pleasure working with Erin, and I am thrilled at the final product: on time, on budget, and everything looks fantastic! Thank you, Erin!
Erin provided me the ultimate in advertising services for a small start-up. From logo design, to letterhead, to t-shirts, to website design to a customized wheel cover for my Honda CR-V, Erin did it all! And, she always gave me top-notch quality at a very fair price.
Thank you elf design for providing me with everything I needed to get my small business going and for making me look as good as the 'big guys' !
Sandra Hare, MA, Ms. Clutter Buster, Organizing
I love reading the elf design Newsletter because its useful and plentiful information always has the audience at heart. It's clear from the genuine tone of the newsletter and the copy on Erin's web site that she truly wants her clients to succeed. And to go that extra personable mile, she ends it with a fabulous recipe. It adds the human touch — something missing from most e-newsletters I receive.
I bought your Standout eBook and thought it was terrific. In fact, it made my realize how much I disliked my own logo and needed to differentiate myself from other designers. So, I discovered my most important differentiator -- that I was "versatile" and redesigned it! Can't tell you how much better I feel...
Thanks, you're a great role model for designers around the world.
Julie Nardone, Newsletter subscriber
I wanted to thank you for the outstanding work you've done for me in the past year. I think we're up to a total of 5 web sites and 3 logos now, since we've redone the Expansion Consulting web site twice.
I've been very happy with the logos you developed for me. They definitely reflect the image I've tried to give to each company — and the companies are very different from each other.
I also am very happy with the web sites we've put together. They are functional, quick to load and nice to look at, and I regularly receive compliments from visitors on their professionalism and ease of use.
Carol Woods, Expansion Consulting
I have been really impressed with your site ever since I first found it a couple of months ago. You seem to really know what you're talking about and have a genuine desire to help people in their businesses.
Allison Chambers, Newsletter subscriber
I highly recommend Erin. She is highly versed in her craft; and her many creative suggestions come from the angle of using graphics to interpret a person's brand identity.
Carol Iverson
Just letting you know I really like your website and your work. Plus I like how you use "elf" (a nick of mine).
Just a note to say "well done"... and, don't ask how, 'cause I'm not even sure which part did it, but your site fills me with hope and a renewed invigoration.
Lorac Black
Over the last 3 years I have worked with several graphic designers and never been completely satisfied. It isn't often that you can find someone who is technically and artistically talented AND can work efficiently and reliably. I can honestly say that Erin met all of the criteria.
Jen Fray, Sonic Recruit
I just wanted to thank you for the really excellent work you did on our logo recently. Transitioning from one corporate identity to another in a short period of time was a stressful event for us, but your handling of the logo made that aspect of it a complete breeze.
I was extremely impressed by the speed with which you were able to come up with such a wide variety of designs, even after we took one design all the way to finishing and then asked for a whole second round of designs as well.
The high level of professionalism with which you handled all stages of the process, and your thorough understanding of all the elements in those stages, gave us terrific security in relying on your suggestions and output. I think your finished product stands for itself, as it simply, elegantly, and boldly conveys all the elements of our identity that we hoped to express. Thanks again for a job well done!
Jonathan Michaelson, Equilar Technologies Corp.
"Mikelann Valterra’s seminar on earning what you are worth, is the real thing. She deals with issues that confront women daily in life and in the workplace. She does it with compassion, marvelous humor and an insight that helps one to believe in themselves. She has a gift, and I look forward to doing more seminars with her!
–Talltree Marshall
The talk lit the fire under me that I’ve needed. It’s helped me clarify my goals and take more seriously my financial fate. I’m so grateful!!!Thanks for helping me become more aware and conscious of my underlying thought processes! Now what I’ll do differently is ask… more powerfully, more completely and more effectively!
Wow — your talk was amazing! It gave me the courage to affirm my worth with someone right away yesterday. Mikelann is an excellent and inspirational speaker. She gave me hope and reassurance about my future’s earning power. Thanks a Million!
I especially enjoyed the “Earn Your Worth” seminar. No matter how confident I feel, it’s amazing how I still undervalue myself. As a self-employed woman, it’s vital that I feel good about the fees I charge for my services. Mikelann’s techniques helped me open my mind up to new possibilities.