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The Fastest, Easiest, Cheapest Way to Grow Your Small Business

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (0)

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

If you’re like many entrepreneurs these days, business is slower than you’d like. Because, in addition to an economy that’s forced people to think much harder about where they’re spending their money, the Internet has created a lot more competition. That means clients, customers or patients can be harder to come by.

So what do you do if business is slow, and you don’t have a lot to invest in marketing or advertising?

It’s simple… You pick up the phone and call your past clients, customers or patients just to check in and see how things are going. Are they happy with the product? Did they benefit from the service? Are they feeling well?

Now, keep in mind I’m not saying you want to be a pushy salesperson. Nor do I expect you to call during the dinner hour. But realistically you should WANT to know how they’re doing and how happy they are with your products or services. And as a business owner, you NEED to know this information if you want to grow.

So grab that customer or client list and set aside 30 minutes to an hour a day to make follow up calls. Chances are you’ll leave quite a few voice mails, but be sure to move those folks to the end of your list and call them again later.

When you do get someone on the phone, while you shouldn’t sell, be prepared for them to want to buy. Because many people, if they were happy with what they bought from you before, will happily buy again – particularly when provided with a convenient opportunity to do so. Heck, they might even have been thinking about doing so for weeks but just hadn’t gotten around to it.

On top of all that, even those that don’t buy are going to be reminded of you. And they’re going to experience, right then, how much you truly care about the quality of your products and services, as well as their experience and results. Meaning the chance of getting a referral from them goes way up!

What if you’ve just opened your doors and don’t have past clients, customers or patients to call?

If that’s the case, then you need to get in front of a lot of well-targeted prospects as quickly as possible. So do a bit of research and identify other people or organizations offering complementary products or services to the same target market. Then call to introduce yourself and get to know them better.

If they seem like someone you might want to support or work with, look for ways to partner up or help each other. Think: shared marketing, cross marketing, referrals, joint ventures, offering teleseminars to each other’s lists, trading blog posts, creating and delivering a program or product together, etc.

The bottom line is, when you’re a small business owner you need to hustle. The Internet, email and social media are great, but sometimes a more personal connection does the job better.

That’s why you need to pick up the phone, reach out and make contact. And do it regularly. When you do this, you’re going to grow your business; and you’re going to learn a ton about your business, your customers and yourself along the way.

Do you regularly call your clients, customers or patients just to check in? If so, what are your results? If not, why not? What other thoughts do you have about this? Please do leave a comment…

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Categories : Build Your Business, Entrepreneur Mindset, Practical Marketing, Relationship Marketing

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Entrepreneurs, Book that Next Appointment or Consultation Now!

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Friday, January 13th, 2012

Are you missing out on a lot of additional business because you’re failing to ask your current patients and clients one simple question?

Many of the small business owners, consultants and service providers I use on a regular basis are. And you could be too.

Let me share a few examples of exactly what I’m talking about…

My massage therapist actually pushes me to their online calendar versus booking me a new appointment while I’m there. She does it in a very offhand way as though she doesn’t want to bother me about it.

The online calendar is fine when I’m home, but why not book my next appointment right then?

My hairdresser offers a free touch up within four weeks of your last cut. I rarely take her up on it because I always forget to schedule it in time. Then I wait probably three to four weeks longer than I should to get it cut too.

If I (and every client) came in for two more cuts a year because we booked before we left, she’d add a tidy sum to her bottom line – especially once you count the extra product sold too.

A few months ago I started seeing a new acupuncturist. We began what was likely going to be a multi-appointment course of treatment. But I started feeling better, then life got in the way and I just never went back.

She could have easily kept treating me if we’d booked on the spot.

Some time back I hired a consultant to help me make some decisions regarding a new brand launch I was working on. I hired her once, it was a great conversation, and I considered hiring her again.

Had she asked at the time, I probably would’ve booked another hour consult. But she didn’t.

If any of these folks had simply asked to book my next appointment at that time, I would have done it.

They could have helped me more. They’d be taking a task off my future to-do list and making my life easier. And they’d make more money with less effort. In other words, it would be good for everyone involved!

Now I’m not saying you need to be pushy or salesy. I’m suggesting that at the end of your time together with a client or patient, simply ask, “Would you like to go ahead and book your next appointment (or meeting, or consult) now?”

If they say no, that’s fine. But you’ll be surprised by how many people will happily say yes. And how much faster and easier your business will grow as a result.

Do you book your next meeting or consult at the end of the current one? If so, does it work well for you? If not, why not? Please do share your thoughts by leaving a comment…

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Categories : Build Your Business, Entrepreneur Mindset, Practical Marketing, Relationship Marketing, Uncategorized

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Clear Out the Old and Make Room for the New – In Business and Life

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (5)

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

It’s the start of a new year. For many of us, thoughts turn to making resolutions – or at the very least finally tackling that messy closet, or those piles of papers, or organizing some aspect of your business. Because we all know how good it feels to have a nice, clean space with everything organized and in its place.

Plus, I’m a firm believer that if you want something new in your life you need to make room for it. Whether that means you need to clear things out mentally, emotionally or physically.

The hard part is making time to get it done. Because no matter how good it feels when you finish cleaning and organizing, it’s rarely something most of us feel like doing.

I find it helps to get reminders from outside myself as motivation. So here are a few of my favorite motivating quotes to help you get 2012 started right by clearing out the old and making room for the new.

“Clutter is stuck energy. The word 'clutter' derives from the Middle English word 'clotter,' which means to coagulate. And that's about as stuck as you can get.”–Karen Kingston

“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.” –William James

“The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed-it is a process of elimination.” –Elbert Hubbard

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot.” –Michael Altshuler

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” –Confucius

“Make room for the new you. You may not have totally determined who the new you is going to be, but you probably have decided that there are some things about the current you, that you want to change. Well while you are working on what the new you will be, start 'cleaning out a room' for the new you to live in.

Get rid of the junk in your life both physical and mental that doesn't fit you anymore. Take things out of your schedule that are taking your time away from finding out what you want to do. By making room for the new you, you will create a vacuum that the new you will rush in to fill and you will be on your way to the top.” –Edward W. Smith, Sixty Seconds To Success

The most important thing is to get started. So pick a project, whether business or personal, then break it down into smaller parts and tackle one bit each day (or week until it’s done). When you stop letting unfinished projects drain your energy, and you create organization and space for new things in your life, you transform your world.

Here’s to an amazing year! May this one be your best yet!!

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Categories : Build Your Business, Entrepreneur Mindset, Systems, Work/Life Balance

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Are Your Business Goals Undermining Your Personal Goals?

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Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

2012 is just around the corner. If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you’re thinking about what you want to achieve next year.

Hopefully you’re also looking back and thinking about what worked and what didn’t, and what you loved about your small business and what you hated. Because that’s the only way to know what needs to change to make you more successful this year.

On top of that, all too often I see small business owners set business goals that are completely in opposition to what’s most important to them personally. For example, if you want to spend more time with your kids, but you decide to host a weekly radio show, your professional and personal goals are out of whack. That means you’re not likely to be happy with your results at the end of next year.

So the Business Lifestyle Architect in me wants you to look at what you really want and need in your life and your business. Then design your 2012 goals and plans to achieve both.

To help you with that, I’ve put together a series of 5 simple yet powerful questions you can and should be asking yourself.

Ready? Grab a pen and pad (or sit down at your keyboard), set aside 15 minutes, and get started.

1) What are your top 3 personal goals or priorities?

I’m not talking about business goals or how much money you want to make here. I just want to know what’s most important to you in your personal life. Is it getting or staying in shape, spending more time with family or friends, pursuing a hobby, traveling, buying a new house, something else? Be as detailed and specific as possible.

2) How do you plan to achieve these goals? Be specific here about the steps you plan to take or changes you plan to make. And make sure to include deadlines or start dates.

3) What are your top 3 business goals or priorities?

Again, be as detailed and specific as possible. Don’t just say “make more money”, or “launch a new product”… Say, “Get 10 new clients per month and earn an additional $100,000 this year”.

4) How do you plan to achieve those goals? Write a short synopsis of what you plan to do to make your business goals a reality. So if you want 10 new clients a month you might decide to start doing public speaking, or email marketing, or launch a new program, or create affiliate partnerships. Whatever it is you plan to do, list it out next to each goal, and again, be sure to include start dates and due dates.

5) Which, if any, of your business goals support one or more of your personal goals? If there are any that don’t, then you definitely need to rethink those business goals and how you plan to achieve them.

Because if all you ever do is focus on your business goals – or you look at your business and personal goals separately – I can tell you from experience your business will take over your life. So if you want to be both successful and satisfied as an entrepreneur, be sure you always consider both.

While it’s great to do this at year’s end, these questions are something I recommend you bust out and look at more than just once a year. In fact, I recommend you go through these bi-annually at a minimum; quarterly is better.

Remember, life is for living – not just working. So use these questions to help you do more of the former while enjoying the latter more.

Got thoughts on this subject? Other suggestions? Please do leave a comment…

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Categories : Build Your Business, Business Systems, Entrepreneur Mindset, Work/Life Balance

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What Is Stopping You from Effectively Marketing Your Small Business?

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (0)

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Seriously, what IS stopping you from effectively marketing your small business? Because chances are you aren’t.

I say this not to come down on you, but because it’s the reality. Most entrepreneurs, particularly solo-entrepreneurs, are so strapped for time and money their marketing gets the short end of the stick. And their business growth is too slow as a result.

All too often, when I talk to clients, I find out they know what they really should be doing to market and grow their business – whether it’s writing regular blog posts and ezines, doing social networking, attending live networking meetings, or even just calling past clients to check in.

The problem is they have a whole list of “reasons” for why they can’t do whatever it is.

It might be lack of time, money or know how. But you can get around all of these hurdles with a little creativity and effort.

The truth is, most people have some kind of internal blocks that keep them from taking action consistently. So they come up with reasons why it won’t work or they can’t do it.

Reasons like…

“Oh, I could never email people a regular newsletter…That would be rude and intrusive.”
“I just don’t like social networking.”
“I don’t understand Facebook or what it could possibly do for my business.”
“Fliers would never work with my type of clients.”
“I can’t stand going and selling myself to a bunch of strangers who aren’t interested.”
“I don’t have time to write a regular ezine, let alone blog posts every week.”
“My employees would never get on board and do that.”

This list could go on and on. But what it really boils down to is, whatever the reasoning, you’re holding yourself back from success. And you don’t have to. The truth is, even if you fall and/or mess up and your business reputation tanks, people like Michael Fertik and PR management companies exist to help pick you back up.

Below are two simple steps you can take to move past your marketing roadblock in a jiffy…

1) The next time you find yourself thinking, “That’s a great idea, but I could never do _________ because…” stop yourself. Because if you say you can’t do something then you’re right.

2) Then ask yourself “How could I make that happen?”

When you reframe the statement into this question you open the doors of possibility and a solution can be found.

Got thoughts about this article or topic? More tips to share? Please do leave a comment…

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Categories : Entrepreneur Mindset, Practical Marketing

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Finding Magic in Giving Thanks

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Thursday, November 24th, 2011

The following was originally written and sent out by my friend Scout Wilkins on 11-11, but I thought the message well worth sharing today. Read, enjoy and (if you live in the U.S.) have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

The Magic that Is Today

Whether or not you feel a particular importance on this day, I invite you
to engage in a practice today that will serve you deeply on every day of your life.

And if you are one of us who feels the opening that is being created, this is
a really good day to pay close attention to the energy in which you choose to
wrap yourself.

For today, choose gratitude.
Choose love.
And choose to actively look for the magic.

Choose to fill your thoughts, your being, every part of your world, with what you most want to experience.

When thoughts come in about what you don't want, or what you fear,
just notice them, set them down as you would set down an interesting
stone that you pick up, look at, and place back down on the ground.

Keep looking in the direction you want to go. Today – and all days – that single
choice will serve you better than any other single choice you can make.

Look for the magic, and you will find it.
I promise.

I am so grateful to all of you for being on this path with me. May we all
embrace the magic that is in our lives, today and always.

About Scout

Scout Wilkins is a bridge to your unconscious mind. She works with powerful, passionate people who feel like they have hit a wall, and they want to love their life and they want to feel unstoppable.

When your heart demands more, Scout will take you deep to connect completely with that deepest part of yourself. So you experience far more engagement and get real results. So you feel more joy, more meaning, and live more LIFE!

Visit http://scoutwilkins.com to download her free e-book and audio.

What are you thoughts on this article? Please do share by leaving a comment…

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Categories : Entrepreneur Mindset, Personal Development

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Three Easy Steps to Getting More Marketing Done for Your Small Business

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (0)

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Do you find it hard to consistently do the marketing you know you need to do to grow your small business?

Are you one of the many entrepreneurs whose to-do list is so long you never seem to get around to writing that article, or sending out those cards? Or following up with clients?

If so, you’re not alone. The problem is, you’re in the same group as all those people whose business close within the first two years. Yikes!

In fact, one of the main reasons many businesses don’t succeed is a lack of effective, consistent marketing. Because if you’re not marketing your business consistently, chances are few people know you exist (and those who do will forget about you). And even fewer understand what you offer, and most importantly, why they should buy from you.

So unless you want to remain the best kept secret around, you need to find ways to get more marketing done with less effort (one of my specialities). Today I’m going to share a few ways to maximize your marketing time, and your results!

1) Get control of your email and your email habits.

First off, go in and clean out that Inbox. Unsubscribe from anything that isn’t really important. Anything you still want to receive and read, but that isn’t critical to running or growing your business, should go in its own folder. That way you aren’t wasting time deleting junk.

Secondly, whatever you do, DO NOT check your emails first thing in the morning unless you expecting an urgent email. Most things can wait an hour. And if you check email first thing then your day is dictated by everyone else’s wants and needs instead of what your business needs.

2) Choose one tactic to execute regularly.

Oftentimes, entrepreneurs don’t market themselves consistently because they are spread too thin. It’s hard to send out a weekly ezine, write a few blog posts, participate on multiple social networks, make follow up phone calls, create videos, and more weekly – especially if you’re a solo-entrepreneur.

Instead, make a list of the top three marketing tactics most likely to get you good ROI (Return on Investment of time and money). Then pick one and do it regularly – whether that means weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

Once accomplishing that task regularly becomes a part of your routine, start implementing the second tactic on your list. Then the third once number two is rolling along nicely.

3) Do it first.

Now that you’re not checking your email first thing, you can devote the first 30-60 minutes of each day to marketing. When you do your marketing tasks first, you ensure they get done instead of endlessly pushing them on to tomorrow’s to-do list. So schedule that time in your calendar right now.

If you’re serious about staying in business — and growing your business — take these three action steps and get started marketing now!

Was this helpful? What other tips or tricks work for you to get marketing done? Please do share your thoughts by leaving a comment…

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Categories : Build Your Business, Entrepreneur Mindset, Practical Marketing

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Using Inner Marketing to Enhance Your Visibility and Grow Your Business

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Thursday, October 20th, 2011

I first met Therese Skelly a couple years ago at an event. Since then, we’ve bonded over a love of marketing, ballet and having a life while growing a business. I’ve seen her speak live, interviewed her, and regularly read her blog. I've even been her client! (That's me and Therese in the picture below…)

If you feel like you have a ton of value to bring to your clients, but you’re having trouble bringing the clients to you, Therese is worth following! Her combination of marketing expertise and inner-self insight helps people step past their own internal blocks and boundaries and create thriving businesses.

She’s my guest expert blogger today, and I’m going to be interviewing her on a no-cost call on 10/26. Read on to learn more…

Why You Have to Stand Out from the Crowd to Grow Your Business

By Therese Skelly

One of the biggest challenges you may face as an entrepreneur is in how to get known as a go-to expert in your industry or community. But what you may discover after being in the game long enough is this fact:

Your visibility is more important than your ability!

What that means is that your ability is second to your visibility. In the marketplace you could be the most talented, the most dedicated, and the most likely to do a good job for a prospect.

Being invisible means being hard to find, your business is hard to differentiate, or you have a marketing message that is even confusing to your target market. Because of this your competitor who is less skilled than you are can be scooping up your possible clients. And this can be extremely frustrating, or even seem not quite fair!

Yet it’s the real world of business. And in this ‘new economy’ where folks are much more discriminating buyers, it’s critical that you stand out from the crowd.

That’s why I’m now talking about ‘beyond being visible.’ Because we all know we need visibility. It’s just not enough to roll out a few emails or pass out business cards and hoping someone calls you.

The real trick is to know what makes you different. The question you have to answer for your prospects is, “what would make you the very best person to work with?” And how can you find that, own it, and weave it into your business in a really powerfully authentic and attractive way.

This is what I call INNER MARKETING. It’s the ability to address and really nail those harder questions. That’s the work you have to do as you grow and evolve and before you roll out your newsletters or programs.

Listen…The world needs what you have. There are clients not being served because they can’t find you! The problem comes when you have crazy-ability and crappy visibility.

Let me show you some signs you may need some more fine tuning in your ‘inner marketing’ process:

You notice that what used to work to get clients in the door no longer is effective
You have so many ideas, you don’t know where to start, so don’t move much forward
You have lots of pieces in place, but can’t see how they fit together in a profitable or more leveraged way
You’re not getting the right clients and so you are drained
You have hit a plateau at the level of income you are at and you know you are capable of earning way more (and that’s so frustrating)

I want to show you what’s in the way of getting that “Brilliance out of your blind spot” and out in the world in a really cool way. And the cost of hiding that brilliance, or worse yet…settling for sounding like everyone else.

And why is this so critical right now? Because your work is just too important to keep in hiding any longer!

Is your business stuck because you brilliance is hidden in your blindspot? Are you ready to use your unique abilities to start attracting more of the right clients?

Then you’re in luck! I’m interviewing Therese on Wednesday, 10/26 at noon PT/3pm ET on “From Sputtering to Soaring… Finding Money in your biz by finding your brilliance in your blindspot.”

Sign up here now and be on your way to using your strengths to effectively market your business.

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Categories : Branding, Build Your Business, Entrepreneur Mindset, Personal Development, Practical Marketing

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Pushing the Boundaries: Knowing What You’re Truly Capable Of — In Business and Life

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (2)

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

If you’re a Success without Shackles subscriber (and if you’re not, what are you waiting for? Sign up in the box on the right!), you know I’m an extreme sports junkie and serious recreational athlete.

Whether I’m skiing, backpacking, mountain biking or whitewater kayaking, I’m often pushing the limits of my abilities and fitness. Not to mention my ability to keep my head together.

I’m regularly amazed at the difference between what I think I can do, and what I can actually do. This has become even more apparent since I started doing Crossfit a few months ago.

Crossfit is an amazing cross-training workout that uses everything from kettle bells to tractor tires and a good bit of barbell work to get you in shape. The best part is the workout changes dramatically every day.

One day might be a long, slow 30 minute workout. Another day might be what I call a “6 minutes to puking” workout involving loads of reps in a really short amount of time.

Now, I’ve never really lifted weights or done most of these exercises. So on more than one day I’ve looked at the proposed workout and thought “There is no way I can do that!”

The incredible thing is I’ve managed to complete them all. Who knew a little thing like me could lift 55 pounds overhead 35 times, plus do 35 burpees (crazy, whole body to the floor followed by jumping pushups) in 7 minutes?!?!

I sure didn’t until I did it. And I still wouldn’t know—and I’d be holding myself back—if I had never tried. Sure I might be sore and tired after, but the sense of accomplishment and feelings of mental and physical strength are worth it.

Okay, so what’s this got to do with growing your business?

Let me ask you a question…

When was the last time you really pushed your own boundaries, stepped out of your comfort zone, and found your limit? We’ve become a culture of convenience and comfort, so chances are the answer is “not recently” unless you’re an athlete.

The problem is, all too often we assume we can’t do this or that—especially when it comes to marketing and growing a business—without really knowing what we can truly do.

My clients regularly say things like “Oh, I could never come up with enough content for a blog or newsletter.” Or, “I don’t have time to call my new clients or patients and follow up.” Or, “I could never create videos…Or speak in public…Or sell my knowledge as a consultant.”

Or my favorite… “I could never ask for that kind of money.” This one usually from clients on the verge of going out of business because they aren’t making enough to survive.

Remember, if you think you can’t…You’re right!

The reality is, you’re capable of a whole lot more than you realize. And the only way to find out what you can do is to go for it. Try to find your actual limit, instead of the one you’ve imposed on yourself for no good reason.

If you don’t, you’re discounting your abilities and holding back your business growth.

Are you a boundary pusher? What do you think of this article, and the power of finding your personal limits?

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Categories : Build Your Business, Entrepreneur Mindset, Personal Development

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How to Be Liked Both Online and Off

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Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

Face it, as humans we like to be liked. Whether it’s at a party, in our family, at work must of us want the people around us to like us. And the same holds true online on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

What people forget is that the same rules that apply in real life work online too. Once people genuinely like you, they’re much more likely to trust you and buy from you.

So I just had to share this post with you from my friend Natalie Sisson, Founder of The Suitcase Entrepreneur (and amazing Ultimate Frisbee champion!).

Get Anyone to Like You

By Natalie Sisson

I thought this was an appropriate topic given how social media has changed our ability to engage with our customers and clients online, and yet many are still struggling with popularity vs. being genuinely liked.

If you want people to like you, make them feel good about themselves. This works every time – guaranteed! It's very straightforward. If I meet you and make you feel good about yourself, you will like me.

You will then seek every opportunity to see me again to replicate that same good feeling you felt the first time we met and do almost anything for me.

Ironically we don't use this powerful technique enough because we are usually focused on ourselves and not others. Change that and change your business.

About the Author

Natalie Sisson is a Suitcase Entrepreneur and Adventurer who shares creative ways to run your business from anywhere in the world. She is passionate about using online tools social media and outsourcing to create more freedom in business and adventure in life.

What do you think about being liked, online or off? Tips? Thoughts? Ideas? Please do leave a comment…

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