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Every Small Business Owner Needs a Killer Bio (or three)

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (0)

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

As a long-time copywriter I know how hard most entrepreneurs struggle with writing an effective and compelling bio. Partly because they don’t really know what it should say, and partly because it’s really, really hard to write about yourself.

That’s why, when I run across a small business owner who doesn’t have a powerful bio, and they don’t know how to fix it, I send them to get my friend Nancy Juetten’s Bye Bye Boring Bio workbook. It’s so well-done and easy to use I wish I had created it myself!

Now you can learn even more about bios in Nancy’s article below. And you can also find out how to join Nancy on her upcoming free teleseminar Broadcast Your Brilliance – Monetize Your Message. Her topic below is SO right on target it’s a must read post even if you don’t do anything else…

One Size Bio Does Not Fit All Situations

By Nancy Juetten

One thing I’ve noticed is that people often mistakenly rely on one bio to serve multiple purposes. This is a mistake that can be avoided with some good work that will serve you and your business forever.

If you wear many hats, you need to have bios to suit every occasion.

If you are a speaker, you need a speaker sheet that showcases what you talk about and why you deliver a lot of wow with every presentation.

You also need a speaker introduction that sets the audience on fire with anticipation before you speak your first word.

These are not the same thing, so prepare the right story for the right situation so you are always "rock star" ready.

Similarly, if you need a bio that attracts clients, don't forget to identify your ideal client in the story you tell. Otherwise, the bio runs the risk of talking only about you and neglects to showcase the wow you deliver for clients who invest wisely in your services.

And, please, make every word count. Don't offer non specific claims that are packed with non specific results.

Example:

Well known for creating an exciting learning environment, Bob engages the mind of the learner leaving participants with an experience and information they will never forget.

Do you know what Bob talks about, really?

As my good buddy Liz Goodgold likes to say, "Specifics are terrific."

My advice to Bob is to get more specific about how he engages the mind of the learner. I want to know what specific kinds of information he shares that is going to change my life for the better. And I want to know the details in a way that turns my head.

This isn't easy to do. That's why it can be helpful to bring in the reinforcements. And you can get plenty of help on Nancy’s upcoming FREE TELESEMINAR Broadcast Your Brilliance – Monetize Your Message on 11-21-11 at 10 a.m. Pacific .

During this FREE call, she’ll address the specific steps she took to monetize my message to inspire you to do the same with yours. Yes, the call will be recorded so you can enjoy it anytime, as long as you register to receive it. Get all the details and register here: http://bit.ly/slF33W

About Nancy Juetten

Authentic Visibility Mentor Nancy Juetten helps mission-driven experts who are tired of being well-kept secrets and ready to do something about it to prepare and share their stories so they can prosper in the spotlight. She is a word wizard, workshop leader, speaker and Bye-Bye Boring Bio author on a quest to guide clients to spell out their greatness and broadcast their brilliance through the power of storytelling and publicity. Learn more at http://www.authenticvisibility.com/

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Categories : Branding, Build Your Business, Copywriting, Practical Marketing, Publicity

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Powerful Ways to Get More Visibility for Your Business

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (2)

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Powerful Ways to Get More Visibility for Your Business

I’ve known Nancy Marmolejo for more almost two years now (and followed her longer), and am always impressed with her business building wisdom. As well as with how much great information she always provides. Her guest article today is no exception. And her upcoming free teleseminar on your “Spotlight Style” of marketing is sure to be amazing!

Check out what she has to say about stepping into the spotlight in this article. Her advice is well worth following…

5 Tips to Get Your Business OUT of the Shadows and INTO the Spotlight

By Nancy Marmolejo, Guest Blogger

www.SpotlightU.com

If you’re a coach, consultant, speaker, author, trainer, or other service professional, then you have a powerful message to share with the world and your business is how you get it out there.

What good is that message is it’s hidden in the shadows and no one can find you?

It’s time to get your business out of the shadows and into the spotlight so more people can know about your message, your business, and your expertise.

These 5 tips will get you started so more people know about you, connect with your offers, and buy from you!

Claim Your Expertise, Claim Your Medicine

Your expertise is more than what you know; it’s medicine for the world. Don’t be reluctant to claim your expertise. In fact, it’s really not about you; it’s about the transformation your work activates. Let your message and your “medicine” lead you to step up into a bigger arena and get your name out to the people who want and need what you have.

Use Your “Spotlight Style” for Maximum Marketing Impact

There are 3 distinct “Spotlight Styles”, which is how we’re wired for marketing success. They’re based on personality traits and comfort level with certain actions. Knowing your Spotlight Stylekeeps you from making the marketing mistakes that trap your business in the shadows.

Let’s use online video as an example. Video is great for certain things, but if you’re not comfortable on camera, then why risk your reputation and credibility? When you know your Spotlight Style, you’ll understand exactly how to use marketing tactics so they work with your personality and your message.

Understand “The Expertise Gap”

Good news: You don’t have to be the supreme authority on your subject to call yourself an expert. You simply need to know WHO your target market is AND the gap between what you know and what they don’t know.

For example, if you’re a book coach who helps first time authors get published, then you need to know more about first time book publishing than your audience. Maybe you don’t know as much about getting the 3rd or 4th book published, but that’s OK because that's not what you're offering. It’s not necessary to measure your knowledge against the top dogs in your industry; you’ll always feel less than if you do that. Measure first against the needs of your specific audience and be the expert for them.

Don’t Get Trapped in Someone Else’s Blueprint

There are lots of blueprints out there to guide your marketing, but many of them are one-size-fits-all and don’t speak to different marketing styles. What works for one person may not work for you. Before you try a blueprint, make sure that it’s adaptable to your personality, strengths, and style.

Say It Loud and Proud: “I’m an Expert!”

This takes us back to claiming your expertise and your “medicine”. Let the world know you’re an expert. You can put it in your bio, on your website, and in all your communications. If you’ve been featured somewhere as an author, blogger, speaker, or special guest, then let shout if from the mountain tops!

There’s no reason to stay in the shadows anymore. Your business deserves to be in the Spotlight and now is the time to take action!

About the author:

Nancy Marmolejo teaches entrepreneurs how to get out of the shadows and into the spotlight with her unique approach to visibility. As the co-creator of the Spotlight Styles Assessment™, Nancy is on a mission to help business owners authentically market their expertise so they can impact more lives, make more money, and create positive change in the world. Find out about YOUR Spotlight Style by joining Nancy on a free call February 24. Click this link for more info: http://www.SpotlightU.com/afstacy

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Categories : Branding, Build Your Business, Publicity

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Entrepreneurs…Discover How to Finally Write and Publish a Client-Attracting Book

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (1)

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Do you have a book in you?

Susan Daffron

Have you been telling yourself you’re going to write and publish a book?

Are you having trouble getting that book written, let alone published?

Maybe you want to write a book because you want to be seen as an expert, get more clients, grow your business, or spread your wisdom. All great reasons for sure. A book is a powerful marketing tool that can do all this for you and more!

But, first you have to get it written. Then you need to get it published. Finally you have to get it out into the world.

It used to be that meant endlessly shopping your idea to publisher after publisher hoping someone would take a chance on an unknown author like you. Or paying thousands of dollars to do a minimum print run that usually resulted in stacks of books gathering dust in a garage or closet.

Thankfully, the rules of the book publishing game have changed. Nowadays it’s easier—and cheaper—than ever for entrepreneurs with little time or money publish a book. And once you know the secrets, you don’t even need to sit down and write your book from scratch.

The best part is…Having a book truly can help you land clients, speaking engagements and opportunities. Plus, if you do it right, you can even make money from your book sales.

But you do have to know what you’re doing in order to get your valuable info into book form—and leverage it to improve your credibility and grow your business.

That’s why this week I’m hosting a very special call with Susan Daffron of Publishize.com on “How to Quickly and Affordably Publish a Client-Attracting Book”!

Susan is the author or co-author of 11 printed books (and counting!). And she has worked in the publishing industry since 1986.

Susan’s got a practical approach that I believe is going to make a huge difference for you. So I hope you’ll join us for this hour-long call.

You don’t even need to opt-in for this one. Just show up on the line.

Here are the details you need to get on the call:

When: Thursday Feb 3, 2010 at noon Pacific (3 pm Eastern)
Where: Just call this number and then type the access code:
(218) 339-4300
Access Code: 217836#

Or go here to learn more: http://www.LogicalExpressions.com/teleseminar_stacyk.htm

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Categories : Build Your Business, Content Marketing, Practical Marketing, Publicity

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Seven Ways to Get the Most Out of Going to Conferences and Events

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (7)

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

I love going to conferences. In fact I’m down in California right now attending not one, but two conferences back-to-back in ten days. So clearly I’ve got conferences on the brain.

Me and Nancy Marmolejo at her event in Anaheim

As a result, I recently wrote an article listing a whole bunch of reasons why every entrepreneur needs to get out of the office and go to at least a couple big conferences each year. Of course I immediately got an email from one of my wonderful subscribers saying that while she loves going to conferences, she gets overwhelmed trying to do follow-up while playing catch up.

So today I thought I’d share some tips and ideas for getting the most out of going to conferences without going crazy with overwhelm.

1) Set goals and intentions. If you go to an event with no real goals, while you may learn something useful, chances are you’ll go home with little more than a fistful of business cards you have no time to deal with. Instead, set intentions for who you’d like meet, what you’d like to learn or what you want to get out of your investment.

2) Take time for yourself. When you go to events, it’s easy to feel like you have to be there for every speaker, late evening event, lunch, dinner etc. You don’t. You need to be at your best. It’s better to miss a speaker or two than become exhausted. Honor your own needs, get plenty of sleep and exercise, and you’ll both enjoy the event more and get more out of it.

3) If you take cards, take notes. One secret to following up effectively is to make notes on the back of each business card you do take. That way you know who you should follow up with first and why. Plus you can remind them of what you talked about so you deepen the connection.

4) Create a follow up system. Don’t just say, “Oh I need to follow up with all these people when I get home.” Decide exactly when and how you want to follow up. Are you going to send emails, greeting cards, add them to your contact database, etc.? Then do exactly that when you return.

5) Outsource your follow up. If you know you won’t ever get it done, or you have other things you need to do more, let someone else handle your follow up. How? Scan or fax all the business cards over to your Virtual Assistant along with a copy of your written follow up system. Or, have your VA enter the contact info into a SendOutCards account and mail everyone a postcard or greeting card.

6) Don’t be a random hoarder. Grabbing everyone’s business cards, piles of paperwork and little logo-decorated gifties only creates more work for you when you get back to the office (while adding more unnecessary crap into your life). Remember, just because it’s free doesn’t mean you need it. Because at some point you have to cull through it all and decide what’s important, and that takes time and energy. Or you’re going to end up with a bunch of extra clutter you don’t need.

7) Take an extra day or two off. I don’t mean take a vacation day (though if you can swing it that’s the best). I mean always schedule the first workday after you return as a day off from doing any client work. Then spend that time focusing on follow up and making plans to implement all the great new ideas you’ve picked up. Whatever you do, don’t check your email that day until you’re done!

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Categories : Build Your Business, Publicity

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Seven Reasons Why Every Entrepreneur Needs to Get Out and Go to Conferences

Posted by: Stacy Karacostas | Comments (3)

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

I am so excited to be on my way to not one, but two awesome major conferences this week. First I’m headed to Anaheim for Nancy Marmolejo’s I Heart My Biz event. Then, after a few days visiting family in So Cal I head down to La Jolla for Lisa Sasevich’s Speak to Sell Bootcamp.

Now to some it might seem a bit crazy taking 10 days to travel and attend a couple of national conferences. But I know it’s going to be worth it for a whole bunch of reasons. And if you’ve thought about going to conferences but didn’t think you had the time or money, read these reasons and think again…

1) Get new ideas. A good conference—especially one outside of your specific industry— is a great place to get inspired by other people and their business systems, products or services.

2) Get energized. Nothing like being in a room full of like minded entrepreneur—at least a few of whom have achieved serious success—to get you excited and motivated to work on your own business with renewed energy.

3) Get connected. Social Networking is great and all, but nothing beats the power of meeting someone face to face. Whether you’re looking for clients, partners or opportunities for Joint Ventures you can find them all at national conferences.

4) Get updated on the latest trends. Most conferences worth their salt are going to give you a peek into what’s new, what’s hot, what’s working and what’s not.

5) Get respect. Your prospects and peers are going to think more of you because you make it a point to invest in furthering your education—and your business—by attending conferences.

6) Get a break. While a conference can be exhausting in it’s own right, it’s still a nice break from your day-to-day routing. And that’s never a bad thing.

7) Get the heck out of your home office. This one is especially valuable when you’re a solo-entrepreneur. You just need to get out of there and get around your peers to maintain balance and perspective.

Look, you can’t continue to build a thriving business in a vacuum. And that’s exactly what you’re trying to do unless you get out, go to conferences and see what other people have going on. So make a commitment now to attend at least one conference this year and get ready to watch your business grow.

And if you’re going to be at either Lisa’s or Nancy’s events please do get in touch. I’d love to connect with you there!

Got another great reason to attend conferences? Please do leave it in a comment below.

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