Join Your Destiny
January 31, 2012
Today is a momentous day. After years of ADD and multiple project distractions and sparkly things – I have finally done it. I have completed my 15-Day Jumpstart Your Marketing Course. I cannot believe it.
This course is for the AMAZING inner circle folks – you know who you are. It will become a course I am offering soon, but for now – I wish to savor the moment. And give it to whomever reads this post. Cheers friends….a GREAT day!!
Go Where the Clients Go
January 31, 2012
There’s an old joke that goes like this: a man comes out of a bar late one night and sees another man, down on his hands and knees under a bright street light. Curious, the first man goes to inquire. “Looking for something?” “Yes,” says the man on his knees. “I am looking for my keys,” and the first man begins to search as well. After about ten minutes, the first man says, “are you sure this is where you lost them?” To which the second replies, “oh, I dropped them a few streets over.” Puzzled, the first man says “well, then why aren’t you looking over there?” “oh, the light’s so much better here.”
Is this how you market? Are you finding brightly lit areas to search for your perfect clients when in fact, they are a few streets away? Think like your clients, go where they are and you will find your keys – even if it’s not well lit. Promise.
Stop “convincing” clients; attract them instead
January 26, 2012
When I was in college, there was this amazing guy…..he was awesome. I flunked freshman spanish because I couldn’t take my eyes off of his forearms (he was the catcher on the baseball team….what can I tell you). Anyway, he barely acknowledged me and after the many MANY mating dances I performed on his behalf, I began to realize that he was ….(oh, the painful memory resurfaces) indifferent. Didn’t care one way or another. I simply wasn’t on the radar.
So, I did what most of us do…..I assumed it was me. Something not right about ME. My hair? Was it too dark? My face? My sense of humor? There were plenty of others out there who thought I was great. I ignored them. I wanted the prize. And I wasted a whole year trying.
What’s the moral here? Of the many, many things to learn about this metaphorical story, probably the most applicable to the client world is a direct hit: if you find yourself convincing, stop. That usually means one of three things: 1. you are trying too hard, 2. they don’t want or need (or don’t know they want or need) you; or 3. they haven’t learned enough about you yet to know whether they want or need what you have to offer. Chasing ain’t sexy.
Don’t Waste Your Time
January 25, 2012
Once there was a girl who magically thought that she spread goodness and light (read: good information and help) throughout the land. She would go from person to person and try to help them. A lot of times, she would try to help and help and those people would run away – or step on her foot to make her run away. But once in a while, she would find a person who said, “oh yes please….that’s exactly the kind of help I need!” and all was right with the world.
I am sure your story is a lot like that of the little girl — she’s so excited about the goodness and light she has to share that she becomes convinced EVERYONE wants the same brand of goodness and light. Well, if you find yourself saying to someone “oh, everyone is my perfect client” you’re in for a few stomps on the foot yourself.
Finding your perfect client starts with clarity – about what you do, what you can offer and what need that offer serves. Sure there are many, many people who need what you have to offer — but they simply don’t know it yet. They may not be ready for you – and that is their choice. If you learn a few solid gold questions that will ferret out the people who easily raise their hands when you start to talk about what you are offering, life (and your success in business) will be a LOT more enjoyable. Help those who want the help – from the rest: run away.
All you have is your time and your life energy. These are so valuable and precious. Decide to only share your goodness and light with those who rise up to meet you and you will begin to see who that “perfect client” really is — and it’s NOT everyone!
The definition of courage
January 24, 2012
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
― Nelson Mandela
The “secret” to your most successful marketing
January 17, 2012
What is it they say? “There are only seven stories in the world and Shakespeare wrote them all”. Are there any new stories or have they all been told? Boy sees girl, boy chases girl, boy catches girl, Bruce Willis steals girl. You know…the standards. If we are all doing the same things – how can they be different?
For example, if I am a carpenter, I learn my trade and the accepted methodologies. But after a while, I begin to learn from my own experience as well. I start bringing myself to the task. I may even have my own way of doing, changing, improving on what I do and this body of knowledge and skill called “carpentry”. It may be technically the same as other good and accomplished carpenters, but I bring that unique piece to the table to make it just — well, completely unique.
In the big picture, this is how a craft evolves. In the more immediate, more personal picture – this is called a key differentiator of the first order. These bits of “special” you bring to the carpenter world are what your perfect client will become attracted to – and ultimately what will be responsible for the most important growth of your business. Bar none.
mary jo cranmore
