Do You Have a Marketing Plan?

Creating a marketing plan for your business can be helpful. It can be especially helpful throughout the holiday season.

A marketing plan can keep your marketing efforts on track and build momentum.

Build a calendar of activities. Schedule in when you’re going to post to social media, events you’re going to attend, promotions you’re planning, etc.

You can include in your plan:

• How you’ll develop contacts.
• How you’ll reach your target market.
• How you’ll grow your customer/client base.
• Promotions you’ll offer.
• Market research you plan to do.
• New products or services you plan to offer.
• How you’ll identify your customer needs.
• Any additional details that relate to the marketing of your business.

Include your marketing goals. For example, you may have a goal of obtaining six new clients in the next four months or plans to create a newsletter for your customers/clients by the end of the month.

Continue to tweak your plan throughout the year, as your business grows, as you see what works and what doesn’t.

Your marketing plan doesn’t have to be formal, just a plan that works for you. One you can refer to, that will keep you on track and show you the progress your business is making.

“Is Fear Holding You Back?”
Part 1 of 4

As a coach, I often hear (regardless of a person’s experience), “I’m afraid to move forward with… What if…  I’m not qualified because… I’m nervous of what other people will think.”

These statements are our fears speaking, unfortunately sometimes holding us back and keeping us stuck where we are.

We all feel fear or nervousness at one time or another. It’s normal. The key is to “not” let it hold us back from achieving the things we want, from achieving our goals and dreams.

Whether it’s changing jobs, starting a business, or joining a new group, change can be stressful. Sometimes it’s easier and more comfortable to stay where we are. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to reach our goals if we don’t move forward.

When you find fear is getting in the way, a great question to ask yourself is: If I continue to keep things as they are, and don’t move forward toward my goal, what will that mean for me now and in the future?

When you step outside your comfort zone, the feeling of discomfort only lasts for a certain amount of time but the reward of doing it anyway can last a lifetime.

Trust yourself. Have confidence that you’ve got this. Sometimes we can be really hard on ourselves and don’t give ourselves enough credit. And during those tough moments, lean on trusted friends, family, or co-workers for support.

What are your goals and dreams? Is fear holding you back?

“Is Fear Holding You Back?”
Part 2 of 4 ~ Fear of the Unknown

What goals and dreams do you want to achieve? Are there fears standing in the way?

Fear of the unknown can be a barrier to moving forward.

One way to help alleviate these fears is by doing research. Create a list of questions you have and the areas you think you need help with.

Research your questions. Google them. Reach out to others who have the experience you think you need. Join groups that talk about the topic you are researching. There’s a ton of groups online, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.

Work with a mentor. Attend webinars that talk about the subjects you need to learn more about. Go to the library (seriously, a huge resource often overlooked).

Once you start getting answers to your questions you’ll find many of your fears will dissipate.

“Is Fear Holding You Back?”
Part 3 of 4 ~ Start Small

Sometimes it can be challenging to act when we are nervous or fearful. Start small. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, it’s ok to start small.

Put a plan in place to achieve your goal. Break it down into “small” steps that feel achievable to you and build from there. The key is “achievable to you,” not someone else’s achievable. Start with the easy steps. You may find as you work up to the harder steps, they aren’t so hard after all or as scary as you thought.

Achieving small steps, achieving small goals, quickly add up to success. Make sure to celebrate each success along the way.

What’s one small step you can do this week to help you move closer to the goal you want to achieve?

“Is Fear Holding You Back?”
Part 4 of 4 ~ Positive Self-Talk & Confidence

Sometimes there may be occasions when we aren’t sure how to embrace a new opportunity, so we opt to back off instead of having excitement for the possibilities.

What we say to ourselves can make a big difference in moving forward. Turn the nervous statements into positive ones. We can say things like: I’m really excited about the job interview; I will be really proud of myself when I accomplish this; I’m excited to do something I’ve never done before.

The more we move forward, the more we trust ourselves to be able to handle new opportunities. It builds confidence and courage, and makes us feel like we’re ready to take on the next challenge. Even just taking the first steps toward our goal can build confidence and makes us feel proud of ourselves.

Remember, be easy on yourself, give yourself the credit deserved, celebrate all your successes, reward yourself for a job well done, regardless of the size of the accomplishment.

Pick an Area of Your Business That Could Use Some Dusting Off and Maybe Some Sprucing Up.

Often when we start a business, we're very excited about it. We set up systems and procedures, create a website, a LinkedIn page, and other social media, we get business cards and sign up for a bunch of subscriptions we think we need for our business. We get everything in place so we're ready to go.

Then the years start to roll by without looking back, without reviewing what we've implemented, what we still use and don't use, what's working and what's not, what needs to be updated and what has become obsolete or doesn't pertain to where we are now.

Pick an area of your business or job that could use some dusting off and maybe some sprucing up. Little actions can add up and make a big difference.

Do you have a procedure or system that's become outdated, that no longer serves you or your business, or doesn't offer the full potential it should?

Do you have a product or service you sell that's become obsolete?

When's the last time you've updated your LinkedIn title or LinkedIn page? Does your LinkedIn or website still represent what you do? Does it represent you well? Could your website use a little refreshing?

Are you still using the same contract with your clients or customers that you've been using from day one?

Pick something in your business or job that could use a fresh look. Look at it from a different perspective, from where you are now.

Recreate it with a few tweaks by making some small adjustments or some fine-tuning. Make it more relevant, do it differently, make it into something that serves you and your business.

Many of us are striving for more Work-Life Balance, but what about some Work-Life Integration, where we are combining the two.
 

As the seasons change, we decorate our homes. In autumn we may add colors of the season, some extra throw pillows, maybe a throw blanket, some candles.
 

Have you considered adding a few fall favorites to your office?
 

We spend a lot of time in our offices, regardless of whether we work remotely or onsite. Sometimes we spend more time in our offices than at home. Yet, our offices often look the same regardless of the time of year.
 

It can be uplifting to see some of our favorite seasonal things throughout our workday, to see some of our favorite colors.
 

What do you do to make your office a more inviting place to work?

Have you heard of Margaret Rudkin?

In the 1930’s, Margaret’s young son had been diagnosed with asthma and severe food allergies attributed to over-processed food and preservatives. His doctor recommended a diet of fruits, vegetables, and other minimally processed foods. Using her grandmother’s recipe, Margaret began baking stone-ground whole wheat bread, which was more nutritious than store-bought white bread.

Having never baked bread before, her first loaf was rock-hard and about one-inch-high. She started over again and after a few more efforts she achieved what seemed like good bread. Her son loved it and it helped his health so much that his doctor started prescribing it to many of his patients.

In August 1937 Margaret sold her first batch to her local grocer. Due to the nutritional ingredients, she charged .25 cents a loaf while massed produced bread cost .10 cents a loaf. This was the birth of “Pepperidge Farm Bread.”

As her company grew, Margaret paid her employees better than other bakeries and was known for paving the way for women in the workforce. She would go on to hire many women, married or unmarried, offering them flexible working conditions. For her efforts, she won the Medallion of Honor at the Women’s International Exposition in 1955.

Pepperidge Farm’s average annual growth rate under Margaret’s ownership was 53%. In 1961, Margaret sold Pepperidge Farm to Campbells Soup for $28.2 million in stock. She became the first female director on the board of Campbells Soup.

In addition to founding Pepperidge Farm Bread, Margaret has many achievements including publishing a cookbook and lecturing at Harvard and other business schools throughout the US and Europe.

There's lots of benefits to working with a coach. Here's a few of them.

A Coach can help you achieve your goals...

Offer support and guidance...

Help you get to where you want to be...

A coach can help you stay on track...

Help you step out of your comfort zone...

A coach may be someone who has experienced some of the same things...

Someone to share your ideas and thoughts with...

Someone to share your challenges with...

A coach can help you to look at things from a different perspective...

Can help you to discover your strengths...

It's really nice to have someone unbiased to talk to, bounce ideas off of.

Good Customer Communications Leads to Good Customer Service Which is Good for Business

Whether you sell a product or a service, good customer service is important to the success of your business.

One aspect of good customer service is good customer communications. Communication is a two-way process, and customers feel valued when they receive the information they are looking for or need to make an informed decision. They feel valued and it builds trust when they feel listened to.

It’s important to remember that if you are in business, you have customers, regardless if you are selling candles or if you are a coach. Whether they’re called clients, shoppers, guests, subscribers, customers, etc., if they are purchasing something from your business, good customer communications is super important.

How are you communicating with your customers?

Sometimes We Just Need an Accountability Partner.

An accountability partner can be a great resource. Research shows that when we have an accountability partner, we’re “up to 95%” more likely to stay on track and achieve our goals.
 

They can be the support person who helps us when we need a little nudge, or when we get busy and let our goals fall to the bottom of the to-do list. They can encourage us and challenge us to keep going, especially during setbacks and self-doubt.
 

An accountability partner can be anyone we feel comfortable sharing our goals with. A friend, family member, mentor, coach, teacher, coworker, etc.
 

Schedule regular check-ins to maintain momentum. Discuss progress, challenges, and successes. Brainstorm together to find solutions and spark new ideas. Celebrate achievements, even the small ones (because they are a big deal).
 

It's more fun to have someone to share our progress and celebrate our successes with. Partner up and be each other's accountability partners, encouraging each other to keep moving forward to reach your goals. You may be amazed at how much you achieve.

Build Your Social "Support" System (I'm not talking about social media).

I came across this great advice on building your support system. 

• Take inventory of your social circle from time to time and surround yourself with "supportive" people who lift you up. People who encourage you to shine as your true self.

• Find communities, groups, or people in your life who share your core values and spend time with them.

• Surround yourself with people who encourage your big dreams, rather than shoot them down.

• Check in with your relationships from time to time. Intentionally giving your time and attention to people who support you in your journey.

• And lastly, look after your good friendships. Support them as they support you.

Age has "Nothing" to do with it.

As a Business & Personal Coach, I often hear: “I’m too old to do…” or “I’m too young to do …”.

Age has “Nothing” to do with it.

What matters is your experience or knowledge or talent, skills, drive, desire, etc.

I know some awesome people managers who are in their 20’s & 30’s. I also know women in their 50’s & 60’s starting their next career.

Caroline & Isabel Bercaw, sisters age 17 & 18, are cofounders at Da Bomb Bath, generating more than $20 million in annual revenue. Julia Childs wrote her first cookbook at age 50.

Don’t let the concept of “age” hold you back from going after what you want. 

It's not bragging, it's informing others of what you have to offer.

As women, many of us are raised to not “brag” about ourselves. 

We are also taught that talking about ourselves is bragging.

BUT… here’s some food for thought:

We need to get comfortable with talking about our achievements, knowledge, skills, etc. Especially when we are interviewing for that position we want, the promotion, or that project we have been dreaming about.

This is also true for women business owners. As business owners, it’s important to let others know about your awesome products or services, and the person behind them.

It’s not bragging, it’s informing others of what you have to offer. There’s no way for the other person to know unless you share your accomplishments, your successes, your skills, your knowledge. Be proud to be you! 

How well do you know the people who report to you?

Did you know studies show that when employees feel valued by the person they report to, they are more positive, engaged, effective, and happier. Valuing your team members also has a positive effect on the organization, the bottom line, and makes you a better leader.

Engaging with your team members, getting to know them as a person, not just as an employee, is a great way to build rapport. It opens the door for better communications, creates a more comfortable work environment, and encourages a more cohesive team.

As leaders, we are all at different levels of experience and learning. How do you go about getting to know the people on your team?

Just because someone tells us something about ourselves, we don’t “automatically” have to accept it as truth.

Have you ever had a great idea, a dream, or a passion you wanted to pursue and were so excited about it, you told someone? 

And their response was less than enthusiastic. They may have questioned your experience, skill, etc.

Just because someone tells us something about ourselves, we don’t “automatically” have to accept it as truth.

They may not have all the information we have, see the vision the way we see it, or even understand it.

No one knows you better than you. Instead of thinking “They’re probably right, I don’t have enough experience, enough skill, enough talent, etc. to go after my dream,” take a moment, take a deep breath if you need one, then move forward toward your goals with confidence and conviction. 

The key to success is doing it anyway.

There's nothing wrong with being afraid, as long as we don't let it hold us back from achieving the things we want, the things we dream about and look forward to.

Fear is a normal and natural emotion, having butterflies in our stomach prior to a job interview or boarding the plane for that long-awaited trip. The key to success is doing it anyway.

The more we move forward through our fears, the more we begin to trust ourselves to be able to handle new opportunities, regardless of fear.

During those tough moments, lean on trusted friends, family, or co-workers to give you support while stepping out of your comfort zone.

Goal Setting: Some Food for Thought

Goal setting is a great way to stay on track. Following are a few tips to consider:

1. Is the end result/goal something you want to achieve, something you have been dreaming about, planning for? Or is it a goal someone else thinks you should achieve?

2. When planning out your goal take a good look at each step. Answer questions that may arise while working toward the goal. For example:

· What’s involved with achieving each step? 

· Are there costs associated with it?

· Will I have the time to work on this goal? 

· Will I need help from others? Who?

3. We often feel that we have failed if we don’t achieve our goal. But, there’s lots of good reasons to let go of a goal.

· We may find it’s not in alignment with what we want or it’s not the right time to pursue it. 

· If we let it go, we have more time to spend on the goals that will get us to where we want to be. Which is not a failure but a pathway to success. We may even find the end result is better than we imagined.

Interviewing Tip

Do you have an upcoming interview?

Practice.

It can make a big difference. If it's a job interview, go online and google "interview questions" for the type of position you are applying for.

Read through the questions and answer them. Write your answers out. By doing this, it warms you up, like stretching before going for a run.

Practicing can build your confidence, and you may feel more at ease and less nervous during the interview.

Your answers to their questions may flow easier since you are already in that mindset. And when they ask that unexpected question, you'll be ready for it.

Don’t skip over those questions that seem crazy. I was once asked during an interview: If you were a superhero, who would you be? Unbelievably, I read that question online when I was practicing and had my answer prepared.

I have interviewed a lot of people throughout my career and found the more prepared a person is, the less nervous and more confident they are.

Good Luck. Karen 

Be Kind to Yourself

Many of us have a lot going on in our lives. We are very busy and most likely a little overwhelmed.

🔸Be Kind to Yourself

🔸Speak Kindly to Yourself
🔸Have Compassion for Yourself

Sometimes we can be really hard on ourselves. Especially if we aren't accomplishing everything we think we should be doing.

This week speak to yourself in a supportive, understanding way. The same way you would speak to a friend. No criticizing, just supportive, understanding words.

If this seems difficult to do, just try it for today. Then try it again tomorrow. And the next day. 😊