03.16.06

Holiday Lull: 5 Ways to Use It to Your Advantage

Posted in Time Management at 12:00 am by admin

You may be too busy during the holiday season to notice if your business is slowing down a bit, but in case you’re not, there are several things you can do to use this time to your advantage as you head into the new year. This article will show you four ways to do just that.

You may be too busy during the holiday season to notice if your business is slowing down a bit, but in case you’re not, there are several things you can do to use this time to your advantage as you head into the new year.

1. Review your websiteTake some time to review your website and make any necessary updates by removing old information and freshening up the rest of your copy. If you have a photo of yourself on your site, consider putting up a new one if your current one is out of date. And here’s a tip for getting more people to sign up for your Pink Spoon (your free offering): place your opt-in box in the upper right-hand corner - it’s been tested to be the most effective; second most effective place is the upper left-hand corner.

2. Update your Ezine or other Pink Spoon. Review your free offering and decide if it could use some updating as well. I recently did this with my own free ecourse “5 Keys to Wild Abundance in Your Business” and not only am I happier with it, but I’ve been getting really fantastic feedback as well.

3. Have a Holiday SaleIf you want to create some cash, consider holding a sale on one, some or all of your products. Everyone’s looking for a break at the holidays, and there most likely are people on your list who have thought about buying one or more of your products or investing in your services, and a discount might just push them to finally doing so. (Or they might do what I do - ask my husband for it as a Christmas gift!).

4. Clean out the clutterOne of the “powers of the Universe” principles I believe in is making space for things to come into my life. So every few months, I get a huge urge to purge (I’m in it now, actually). I go through my desk, filing cabinets, and bookshelves and either toss, give away or organize it. I also make new file folders for the clients yet to come… and it’s always fun to watch them fill up over the next few months.

5. Plan your first offering for the new year and start promoting it nowDecide what your first offering for the new year is going to be and start promoting it in your ezine, or discussion lists (when appropriate), and through your other marketing channels. Having something already set up to look forward to will help keep you motivated after the hub-bub of the holidays.

And one more thing - don’t foget to enjoy yourself. As entrepreneurs, sometimes we find it hard to take a break, but do yourself, your loved ones, and your business a favor by taking some time away from your work and truly focusing on the people you love and the blessings in your life.

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01.31.06

Myth # 4 The More You Do, The Better You’ll Do

Posted in Time Management at 12:00 am by admin

Think that the more you do, the better you’ll do? If so, think again…

By nature, entrepreneurs are more action-oriented and idea-rich than others. For the most part, these are good traits. However, they often act as a catalyst for crossing the line and heading straight for lack of focus, prioritization and the ever-common doing-it, doing-it, doing-it rut.

Let’s face it, most of us feel like we have way too many things to do every day a belief that is exacerbated by owning/operating a small business! Couple that with the pervading notions that if I’m not working, I’m not worthy and/or that rapid growth necessitates doing even more, you’ve got real problems. Why, I bet you even know of some people who think that if they just work harder and longer at anything, they’ll eventually make it! This is hooey.

And please don’t leap to another erroneous conclusion I am not advocating a “get-rich-without-working scheme. Far from it There are few overnight successes If you think you know of one, do some research. In all likelihood, you’ll discover their instant victory came from taking advantage of an opportunity they were poised and ready to accept and this comes only after hard work, focus, planning and action.

In order to develop a sound strategy, which we all know is critical to the success of your business; you must learn what’s important to do, and what’s not. I love the analogy of a garden hose. If you turn it on, full power water goes everywhere, and you won’t even be able to get a small cup. However, if you turn it down to a trickle you’ll much more able to handle what you need.

Classic Symptoms of a Myth #4 Believer They

• Like to tell you about the long hours they work
• Are into all kinds of different businesses
• Have a very long to-do’ list and no not-to-do’ list
• Don’t understand the 80/20 rule and waste time acquiring and retaining unprofitable customers

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