Archive for the ‘Grow Your Business’ Category


Got a minute? Here are 2 time management tips for solopreneurs and small business owners

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

In a blog post last month, I mentioned my penchant for being organized and productive. Several small-business owners have asked for more tips! I’m delighted to share 2 of my favorite time management tips for solopreneurs and small business owners.

 

Time-management tip #1:

Ask yQuestion mark-redourself, “What is the ONE thing – the most important thing – I should do right now?”

When working for an Internet start-up company, I was always on the run. Literally! Too much to do. Not enough time.

Throughout the day, I repeatedly asked myself the question: “What is the ONE thing I have to do right now?” Sometimes the task was tactical, sometimes strategic.

This question kept me focused, efficient, and sane.   :>

 

 

Time-management tip #2:

Schedule a Detail Day AND a Strategy Day in your calendar

Wake up! It’s 3am! Did you take care of that loose end?!

Details can be overwhelming. They can nag at you, wake you up and, worse, divert your attention Balance-scalesfrom important projects and goals.

Every so often, I’ll schedule a DETAIL DAY in my calendar. I make a long list, then attack!

But we need balance.

It’s important to climb up to the 10,000-foot level. That’s why I also schedule a STRATEGY DAY.

 

 

 

Time management tips for solopreneurs and small business owners: I hope these quick-tips fuel your ability to be organized, productive, efficient, and strategic. 

What are YOUR favorite time-management tips and productivity tips?

 

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How do you have a high-energy (and productive) board retreat? HINT: Invite the Easter Bunny!

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

Board-Easter Bunny--thumbnail

 

Where else can you fly with the eagles? 

About 15 people (the 2015-2016 board members for NSA/Colorado) willingly locked ourselves in a conference room for 1-1/2 days. Sound boring? Tedious? Mind-numbing? Wrong.

This bunch of high-energy solopreneurs brought off-the-chart creativity that produced tons of fun AND productivity!

I’ll be serving as Secretary and VP of Operations on the 2015-2016 NSA/Colorado Board of Directors. I’m honored to team with these super-creative and dedicated business owners. After all, where else can you fly with the eagles?

Here’s a glimpse of our work and play.

Chandra Hall, CSP (laughing) is NSA/Colorado outgoing Prez. Traci Brown (flashing the peace sign) is incoming President. World-class facilitation was provided by Christie Ward, CSP (in green and black). All photos were taken by Brian O’Malley, CSP (the sole exception is the group shot with the Easter Bunny).

 

Chandra Hall

Traci Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christie Ward

Group of 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working

 

Group shot--jazz hands

 

 

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Get results from Facebook advertising: Favorite tips from a day-long program with Justin Livingston

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

Facebook advertising can reap results. BIG RESULTS.

In February, NSA/Colorado flew Justin Livingston to our chapter for a day-long program of nuts-and-bolts success secrets in Education-Based Marketing, aka Content Marketing. (I’m pleased to be on the Programming Committee and helped to coordinate Justin’s visit.)

Partners with Callan Rush, Justin Livingston is the brilliant strategist behind their million-dollar launches, which rely on Facebook advertising. 

In his program, “The Facebook Ad Formula,” Justin shared proven strategies to generate leads – and reap revenue – from Facebook advertising.

Here are a few tips Justin shared:Justin Livingston presents at NSA-Colorado 2-15

1. Offer a free giveaway — Top-performing Facebook ads always provide a link to a free giveaway. Promise just ONE thing.

2. Regarding the free giveaway, convey instant gratification — Your prospect will take a minute to learn something right now and will click to get that tangible, quick info.

3. Here’s more about the hook — Imply that they can consume the information right away. “This trumps everything else,” Justin said. For example, use a phrase such as “The single most important tip to…” versus “Gain access to all resources in our 3-day workshop.”

4. What type of giveaways generate the most leads? — Here’s the order, according to Justin’s research: Book, blueprint, template, report, video, webinar (or other live event).

5. The ad and the landing page must be congruent, in both the message and the dominant image — Justin stressed that congruency has a big impact on effectiveness and ROI. He underscored that a compelling image is the most important part of the ad. And make sure it takes up the full width of the ad.

6. The landing page must include a simple opt-in box to acquire the prospect’s name and email address — At this stage of the marketing process, the goal is not sales. The goal is to generate leads. Justin and Callan’s business has automated a robust email marketing campaign to stay top-of-mind with prospects. Plus, Justin emphasized that most of the emails offer additional, free giveaways to build trust.

7. Watch the numbers — As Justin said, “When it comes to paid media, what you care about is ROI.” He will spend more on advertising, as long as it results in more prospects and more sales.

Thumbnail

 

View Justin’s top-producing ad …

Text 818-337-4466 and type in FBAD.

You’ll be asked to enter your first name and email address. You’ll be given a URL to view the ad AND a 3-page diagram with helpful tips.

 

 

And here’s a helpful diagram that I drew … Patrice's sketch of Justin's Educ-Based Mktg strategy--small

The day after Justin’s event, I woke up with this picture in my head. I scribbled it down, in order to help me remember the big picture of how he promotes and advertises Callan Rush’s live events. This might be useful for you. Call me if you want to chat about this!

Click to view my sketch of Justin Livingston’s Education-Based Marketing strategy

 

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How to run a paperless office

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

Yikes, being a solopreneur is a juggling act. Seems we have to squeeze in client projects (actual paying work) between proposals, marketing projects, and accounting tasks.

Before we know it, our office is overflowing in files. And why does it always seem like the specific piece of information we need is at the bottom of our “horizontal filing system”? Ack!

An example of what I try to avoid: "horizontal filing."

An example of what I call “horizontal filing.”

Overall, I tend to be extremely organized. But 2014 was crazy-busy, and my office reflected it. 

Starting January 1, I gave myself the gift of organization. I put “cleaning, filing, and organizing” on my priority list. Like Larry the Cable Guy says, it was time to get ‘er done!

Here are a few of my favorite tips to run a paperless office (and increase efficiency and productivity). 

  • Type notes versus scribbling on scraps of paper – If you’re on the phone and need to take notes, don’t scribble on a piece of paper that would need to be filed later. Instead, open an MS Word document (or other note-taking document) and type your notes. Get a good-quality, comfortable headset.
  • Scan paper notes & business cards from networking events – If you do have paper notes or a stack of biz cards, scan them and file them in folders on your computer. Then toss the paper.
  • Use sticky notes judiciously – I once worked with a guy who wallpapered his desk with sticky notes, plus they encircled his monitor. That would drive me crazy.
  • Only touch a piece of paper once – Waay back in the ’80s – in my first time-management class – the instructor gave us this advice: When you pick up a piece of paper, you handle the matter or you file or toss the paper. This rule may feel like old news, but try applying it to your email in-box. It works!
  • If your filing cabinet is full, it’s time to toss stuff out – As I conquered my “horizontal filing” stack in the photo above, I realized a big issue was space. While many papers in the stack were out of date and could be tossed, a few key items needed to be filed. I ended up cleaning out 3 file cabinet drawers, then had a shredding party.
An almost paperless office

This is my desk — an almost paperless office.

I should revise this article’s headline to:
“How to run an ALMOST paperless office.” 

Why? Because my favorite strategy for keeping a paperless office is using an organization system.

I’ve put systems into place to tie my electronic calendar (Outlook) to action items in my paper-based Franklin Planner. Over the decades, I’ve cobbled together a one-of-a-kind system that’s virtually foolproof.

In fact, my NSA/Colorado Programming Committee “partner in crime” Traci Brown has commented several times that she likes to think she stays one step ahead of others – and that I’m always 2 steps ahead of her! [blush]  :>

I’m not sure that’s always true, but I do like to run an efficient office. And now that my “horizontal filing” stack is gone, it’s an ALMOST paperless office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BONUS Time-Management Tip:
The end-of-day brain dump

Clock--6pmAt the end of every workday, organize and write down all action items, project notes, meetings, and reminders for the next day. You can do this in your time-management system (paper or electronic) or, at minimum, on a to-do list.

Allow at least 10 minutes – more if you have lots of irons in the fire. Sometimes this takes me 30 minutes!

Next, prioritize your list.

The result? The next morning, you’re super-organized the minute you walk into your office.

The icing on the cake? You get a good night’s sleep! No more waking up at 2am, remembering stray pieces of information, then “working” all night.

 

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Got a minute? Try this fun end-of-year exercise!

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum 3 Comments

 

My client Jane Massengill, LCSW shared her unique, creative tool with me — and generously gave permission to share it with YOU!

Yahoo-Boohoo End-of-Year Exercise -- created by Jane Massengill, LCSW, Master Certified Coach

“Yahoo-Boohoo End-of-Year Exercise,” created by Jane Massengill, LCSW, Master Certified Coach

Quick and simple, Jane’s 1-page, end-of-year exercise offers much insight.

Jane’s “Yahoo-Boohoo-Toot-a-loo” exercise invites you to celebrate the past year’s successes and quickly review goals not met. In the “Toot-a-loo” column, you get to decide to let go of certain things in your life.

While completing this exercise, I added a 4th column: “What’s New?”

This new column gave me a high-level look at what I want to accomplish in the coming year. Hopefully, my “Yahoo” column next year will match this year’s “What’s New?” column.  :>

CLICK TO VIEW & PRINT Jane Massengill’s “Yahoo-Boohoo End-of-Year Exercise.” Have fun!

 

 

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Happy New Year! What’s your theme for 2015?

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

Are you busy planning, strategizing, and doing other “heavy lifting” this time of year? Me too.

Still, I like to grab a theme for the year and hold on tight.

Like a touchstone, a theme is something you carry with you. It’s always accessible, unlike a hefty business plan.

Personally, I try not to overthink my annual theme – it’s more of a gut feel. My theme encapsulates key goals to grow my business and achieve ongoing quality of life.

In 2013, my theme was “Leap Year!” That year, I sharpened the brand for my business, created an entirely new website and marketing tools, and became clear and committed on this key goal: Become the thought leader on branding for solopreneurs.

In 2014, my theme was “Step Up!” I conducted umpteen workshops throughout the year to multiple groups of small business owners including professional speakers, corporate consultants, business coaches, authors, and self-publishers. I also rebranded my blog to “Branding Views” and added video blogs, shot throughout the West and Southwest with backdrops of breathtaking vistas.

This year, my theme is: “Expanding Horizons”

I’ve been scribbling, sketching, and mind-mapping some very exciting project ideas. (And pinpointing new destinations for road trips!) I’m not revealing secrets yet. You’ll just have to stay tuned.  :>

WHAT’S YOUR THEME FOR 2015?
REPLY TO THIS POST & SHARE IT HERE! (Scroll down to the comment box) 

 

Mike and I have been actively ringing in the New Year … here are highlights:

Patrice and Jake, snowshoeing with friends on New Year's Day (photo by Michael Baum)

Patrice and Jake, snowshoeing with friends on New Year’s Day in the foothills of Pikes Peak (photo by Michael Baum)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midnight on New Year's Eve: Fireworks on Pikes Peak (photographer unknown)

Midnight on New Year’s Eve: Fireworks on Pikes Peak (photographer unknown)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toasting the New Year after watching fireworks (photo by Randy Edwards)

Toasting the New Year after watching fireworks with our hosts and other guests (photo by Randy Edwards)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S YOUR THEME FOR 2015?
REPLY TO THIS POST & SHARE IT HERE!

 

 

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A must-read article on SEO

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

Last week, I got a phone call that rattled me.
“Wanda,” the sole marketing person for a small business, called to discuss the possibility of writing copy for her company’s new website. Typically, a small business website requires only 8 to 20 pages.

However, her SEO consultant advised creating a 75-page website!
Wanda’s company makes one product, with a wide variety of applications. In the proposed SEO strategy, about 60 web pages would have IDENTICAL content except for each page’s respective SEO keyword.

Why was this an issue?

  1. For Wanda’s business, creating the new website would be a huge investment of time and money.
  2. For the website visitor, this would be a navigation nightmare.
  3. And for the Google SEO robots visiting Wanda’s website? They could actually penalize the website!

I recommend this must-read article by SEO expert Marie Haynes.
Marie wrote this easy-to-read article for “the rest of us” – those of us interested in SEO yet not immersed in technicalities such as canonicals and crawl errors. (Click to read: http://tinyurl.com/olesugd)

The key point in Marie’s article…
More than ever, Google puts the emphasis on – and rewards – relevant, original, useful, pithy content. On the flip side, Google penalizes websites with tons of duplicate content, as in the example mentioned above. This is thanks to Google’s most recent, and sweeping, algorithm update, which they dubbed Hummingbird.Map of GA website visitors--200 pixels w-caption

No trickery. No gamesmanship.
When it comes to SEO strategies, content is king.

In addition to the advice in Marie’s article, here is my longstanding advice:

  • In your web copy and blog postings consciously include organic SEO keywords. For example, if you are a speaker/consultant who speaks to and consults with Colorado-based healthcare organizations including hospitals and rehab clinics, then be sure to include these logical keywords.
  • Whether you blog frequently or rarely, ensure your blog postings are relevant to your readers and contain original, useful information.
  • What’s the right length for your blog postings? Be like Goldilocks! If it’s not too short or too long, it will be just right! (I shoot for 200-300 words.)
  • Take time to clarify your brand so you can shine as an expert in your niche. (In Marie’s article, you’ll see that presenting yourself and your website as an “authority” on your subject is surprisingly important.)
  • Focus on providing great content and advice for your real-live human readers. They will revisit your website – and so will the search-engine robots!

 

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10 tips to refresh and ignite your email newsletter

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

A few weeks ago, I co-presented a webinar with Mary Walewski (social media expert for small business). Our webinar – “Six Shockingly Simple Ways to Produce Products and Promote your Biz” – featured 6 segments, with a brief discussion on each topic.

We are challenging ourselves – and each other – to come up with creative ways to leverage, repurpose, and share our webinar content, as a whole or in segments.

Happily, I just created my first HaikuDeck, using content from one of the segments I presented: 10 tips to refresh and ignite your email newsletter. Enjoy!

 


Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app

 

If the HuikuDeck above doesn’t work for you, click this link:

10 tips to refresh and ignite your email newsletter

 

 

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What do rattlesnakes and storytelling have in common?

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

As I present more “Nail Your Brand!” workshops, I continually seek to improve my storytelling abilities. While I don’t roll out a 20-minute signature story, I’m learning how to pepper in quick stories to support a point and perk up my presentation.

Photo by Patrice

Photo by Patrice

In one workshop, while supporting a particular point, I mentioned my love of hiking and rock scrambling in Utah in search of rock art and rattlesnakes.

At the mention of “rattlesnakes,” the entire group – EVERY PERSON – recoiled and shuddered. Comments flew around the room:

  • “No way! Not me!”
  • “Yuck! I hate snakes!”
  • “Those snakes can stay in Utah!”

It was great fun! A fresh burst of energy!

“Ah ha,” I thought, “I’m going to sprinkle that story into all my workshops.”

My lesson: Better storytelling = better speaking, better writing, and more fun!

Do you present keynotes or workshops? Do you write articles or author books? If you speak, consult, coach or write for a living, storytelling is a great skill to have.

Looking to improve your storytelling skills? Check out “Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling – Visualized.” We can all learn from these masters.

Pixar screen cap w-Pixar text

What’s your favorite, quick story – one that always gets a reaction?

Please share it – we’d love to hear it!

 

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Your speaker one-sheet: Does the content directly support your biz goals?

Posted by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

 

A client emailed a question regarding a new speaker one-sheet we will create together. Her simple question spurred a surprisingly strategic discussion!

Her question:

“Would it be appropriate to have just one talk on my speaker one-sheet, instead of both my topics? I ask because I prefer to get hired to do one talk more than the other. Here is my concern: If we list both topics, people may not choose the topic I really enjoy talking about.”

My response:

“Presenting just one talk or topic on a speaker one-sheet is perfectly appropriate. In fact, many professional speakers, especially keynoters, have ONLY one talk, and customize as needed for the group.

“Another option is dedicating most of the content to the one topic: title + paragraph + list of take-aways. Then you could also list a few related topics you can incorporate into your main talk. This gives meeting planners something of a buffet option – it invites them to think about what best meets their group’s needs.”

“These content-related questions and decisions are all driven by your business strategy. As long as you are clear about what you want – and the benefits your audience members receive – then the content for your speaker one-sheet will follow suit.”

Her reply:

“Thank you, this helps immensely! It’s good to know this approach is ok because, from a strategic perspective, I want to be known for this one talk.”

The bottom line: Content is always driven by strategy

The content on your one-sheet, website, and other marketing tools must align with your business goals. That’s why it’s critical to get clear about your business goals and your brand. This will ensure your on-target content – which should be consistent throughout your marketing toolkit – will help to grow your business in the exact direction you want it to grow.

 

CLICK TO SEE EXAMPLES OF SPEAKER ONE-SHEETS

John Hall speaker one-sheet-small

 

France Rios speaker one-sheet-small

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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