It appears we may have just narrowly and just temporarily and only POSSIBLY avoided the fiscal cliff dominating so much attention from the media lately. =)
Both the hype AND the legitimate excitement associated with a new year have ushered us into 2013 in grand fashion, and many of us went back to work today… back to our “regular grind.”
I know I’m not alone in my excitement for what is to come in 2013. My clients are pumped… and have every reason to be. Women who WOW grew leaps and bounds in 2012 — having our best year ever, by far — and are poised for even more exciting growth and expansion in 2013.
While, as business owners, we’ve learned to accept and even welcome change as constant companion, I wanted to start the year with a list of five TRUTHS that we as self-bossers can carry — with confidence — into the New Year.
The formula for millionaire status hasn’t changed.
STILL, self-bossers account for just over 20% of the population at large, but make up over 75% of the population of millionaires. Bottom line: You’re on the right track. =)
Your clients STILL want to know you want what they want.
Your clients STILL want to know that you want what they want, that you’re in their corner, that you “get it.” They want to know that you’re rooting for them! That you care for them beyond their check. (NOTE: NOT that you care for them in ABSENCE of a monetary exchange, only that they represent MORE than a check to you.)
Education-based marketing is still en vogue.
In real-world study after real-world study, consumers continue to prove their desire to be educated about their buying decisions. CREATE ways to educate and connect with your customer base, regardless of your industry, and you’ll be way ahead of the game. Use your blog, a white paper, a speaking platform, or whatever you can in order to EDUCATE your target market.
Your Clients — still — Resent Being Chased, but Welcome Conversations With People Who Can Solve their Problem.
Anything you chase is — by definition — running from you. So, standard cold calling is still O-U-T. Instead, create a strategic way to attract YOUR target market into your pipeline. Perhaps it’s a simple brand audit for graphic designers, or a recurring workshop on new tax codes for accountants, or tasting events for your new restaurant. Use INVITATION language to invite your target market to experience you for FREE and then… SERVE the SELL out of them.
Tee-hee-hee… I just thought of that one. Serve the Sell out of them. =) It’s gonna be a good day! lol…
Finally, Being Courageously Authentic is — still — the ONLY Way to Go.
In a world full of hype and lacking in authenticity, truth, and service, courageous authenticity will take you further than ANY other marketing or branding strategy possibly could. Authenticity is magnetic. Of course, to be TRULY authentic, you have to be willing to repel / offend SOME in order to attract OTHERS. You’ll hear much more about this in the coming weeks.
Until then, I wish you the courage to create the 2013 you want. I wish you the work ethic necessary to achieve your goals. And I wish you the invaluable GIFT of being ABSOLUTELY REPELLED by any excuse that threatens your achievement. Here’s to the 2013 we’ll create… day by day, action by action, commitment by commitment.
As always, I’m rooting for you!
xoxo,
Michelle
