It can be so frustrating … you’ve  put together a great Website  and Social Network Presence; you've  got brilliant pics, great posts, interesting content, dazzling video’s, easy-to-use forms, fantastic freebies and all the trimmings … That’s right…you’ve thrown everything into your marketing campaign, including the kitchen sink ... and now you’re finding out that you still have to ASK people to join you?

Don’t they realize that you are wearing a dozen different hats and you're trying to operate a business on a shoestring budget …where on earth are you supposed to get enough time to ASK people to join your contact list?

What’s up with that? Why can’t they just climb into the wonderful funnel that you’ve worked so hard to build for them and slide gracefully into your payment system? What’s wrong with these people?

Well, here's the thing ...  you can use systems to get you so far, and then you have to get personally involved.  In most cases people don't do business with businesses they do business with people.

Remember S.Y.S.T.E.M? Saving Yourself Time Energy and Money?
Your system (if you focus and follow it) should give you clear indicators on when you need to interject your personal touch.

Remember 4MTs? 4 Magic Touches?
Your system should give you some good indicators on when to use the information you've gathered to interject your personal touch.

Not everyone you touch will take the action you prescribe or join your list ... and quite honestly unless you are in retail, (and even then) you probably would not be able to handle hundreds or thousands of responses for a CTA.

This is where your analytic reports will serve you best.  Your systems will show you who is most likely  to deserve your time (sorry to say, not everyone does)   and those who have met the criteria (set by you)  should get your time and attention.

How may of these activities can you initiate?

• Asking "Friends" on your Facebook Personal Page to become Fans  on your Facebook Business Page? It takes about an hour to ASK 1,000 friends. (Using the system that FB has provided Don't use PMs as that is considered SPAMMING and will get you booted.)
• Asking questions in a survey that is so tempting people can not resist joining in? (Once again this is not to be done with your Personal Page)
• Asking and answering questions in a Blog or Guest Blogging and asking for Comments? 
• Finding time for "boots-on-the-ground" activities in your community  - Can you turn that into a conversation?
• Asking and answering questions in relevant groups

Yes, I realize that every activity I mentioned has some investment of time involved. However, each one of these has the capability of increasing your contact list.   In summary, you can't expect everyone to jump onto your offer, but after your system is in place you can channel people in ways that will let you know when they are ready con convert, with your constant intervention.

If you'd like to put a system in place that will "weed out" the best prospects and allow you to spend your time following up with the cream-of-the-crop, try connecting with me.   A 30 minute complimentary consultation will be a real eye-opener, I promise you. 

If you've ever been in a conversation with me about marketing your business, then you've probably heard me mention Alignable®.

Alignable is a fast growing, non-nonsense business networking platform...very much like  LinkedIn®, the Alignable platform is very bright on the horizon today.  Every part of the platform offers ways for you to bring more visibility to your business or organization. My philosophy is ..."they have to see you in order to connect with you"; and Alignable helps you get seen in the community.

With hundreds of networking platforms available, it's difficult sometimes to see why one sticks out from another and time constraints for many small business owners don't allow for managing dozens of platforms. Your business should be enrolled only in the platforms that can clearly help you reach your goals. So let's dive into it.

First out of the gate...your Alignable profile should be perfectly in place.  The platform has a Profile Completion Meter, so you can easily see what's needed to complete your profile.Please don't go in thinking that you can omit your profile pic and half-way fill in your profile data to get great results.  You won't. Your completed profile means you are there to do business. A profile with no logo or profile pic, no Web site, no products or services, only indicates you are not seriously looking to network with others...but even more critical, your lack of information can bar others from networking with you!

As a part of your set up, keep in mind that Alignable is a local centric platform. If you have a national business, you'll want to build your profile on your headquarters and then spread  out from there.  Watch this 2 min Video from me to see just one of the ways I use Alignable.  I'll show you how the "Ask and Learn" feature can help you build business relationships!

Now that you watched, my recommendation is to just browse the "Ask and Learn" section to see how others are using it and benefiting from it. Then set aside about 15 mins once a week to become an active participant. You can take longer if you'd like (it is seductive), but you don't need to spend lots of time there to reap the benefits.

My best advice:
When posting questions in Alignable, you'll be notified when a member responds to you...try to visit the responders profile BEFORE you reply to them. Send your reply ASAP with a "thanks"  and a "nod" that you have visited their profile.  Add an invitation to take the next step in connecting with them ...especially if it seems appropriate, and mutually beneficial.

When answering questions Alignable, again FIRST visit the profile of the person who is asking the question. In your answer try to stay on point, be honest, be helpful, be positive and open for further business discussions.

In all, it's a business platform where people want to network and share business ideas, resources and ultimately make referrals and sales!

Sure you may meet a few people who only came to "test the waters" but that's okay too!

The DonPaul Business Directory Has Joined Alignable!
We'll help you spread the word about your business through-out our Network!

As you continue to grow your business, remember the most successful marketing strategies are those  that stay "on-target" with  goals.
 
That makes sense right?   After all, during the recent Olympic Games we have seen many positive examples of how goal setting and achievement can lead to success.   But perhaps the thought of comparing your business goals with those of world class athletes may seem a little daunting, so I want to share a more basic  thought that recently came to me:
 
...let's say you are an outdoors-person; you awake at the break of dawn, with one goal in mind, to find food. You know exactly what and how to go about getting it....after all, you are an expert fisherman and reports say that the nearby lake is abundant with your favorite. You can almost smell the trout cooking on an open fire.  Your tongue touches your lips with the mere thought of tasting  the plump, sweet,  delicate morsels!

So you grab your fishing gear, and off you go....but what happens?

Well, somewhere during your outing, for whatever reason, you decide you'd rather eat chicken.

And at the end of the day, you come back to camp empty-handed! Well, perhaps you gathered some roots and berries along the way because you were desperate and starving, but you did not return with what you'd intended.

Why? Because the likelihood of catching a chicken on the lake with your fishing pole is zero; 

What's the message?

Stay focused on your goal.  It’s OK to make a change …just be sure you are equipped to meet that change ….or you may come back to camp …empty-handed!

In summary...Setting and meeting goals with your business marketing plan can be challenging and it may even seem a little boring at times, but there are ways to bring new energy and focus to reaching your goals.  Set up a one-to-one meeting today and let's talk about it. 

No, it's not your CMO, CFO, or even YOU. It's your assistant. These unsung heroes are the ones who really run the show.  If you plan to run a business, then you need to get really serious about this concept, early on.
 
Over time, I’ve assisted hundreds of businesses, organizations and sole-proprietors to start and grow their passion.  One of the most challenging aspects of the process has been getting the business owner to acknowledge and accept the fact that they need assistance in their back office.
 
There are dozens and dozens of applications and tools to run your business including, Microsoft,  Adobe, WordPress, officeVP, Constant Contact, QuickBooks, Weebly, WordPress and on and on.  Every application has a support team and quite frankly many of these programs are DIY (Do-it-Yourself) to virtually and literally “run themselves".

With a Virtual Assistant,  you will have NO concerns or expenses typically associated with hiring an employee. Things like payroll taxes, vacation pay, sick days, worker's compensation and employee benefits such as health, dental insurance and OSHA regulations are not issues.

So if an administrative assistant is so beneficial, why are so many small business owners resistant to hiring one? 

The two most likely reasons: 
1.) Business owners don't want to lose control. I've had assistants. I've been on both sides of the desk. It's scary for small to medium sized business owners, who have lived and breathed their business that's their dream, passion and vision, and all of a sudden give control to another person who isn't even their co-founder.

2.) Business owners don't know where to start the process of hiring (especially a Virtual Assistant).

Once you finally take the leap and hire an administrative assistant, you’ll be on your way to a more organized, thriving business. Until you do, consider every day that you are in business ….a day that you could have done better in your business!

Connect with us if you need a virtual assistant we’ll share with you some smart ways to select the best assistant for your business category and we’ll put you in contact with some very reliable resources virtual assistants.
 
Expert References:
http://www.skilledvirtualassistant.com/virtualassistantbenefits.html
http://www.skilledvirtualassistant.com/virtualassistantbenefits.html
Https://www.chrisvanpatten.com/hiring-your-first-virtual-assistant

These words are quoted in various combinations by many well know experts....

• Forbes
• Deming
• The Harvard Business Review
• The McKinsey Maxim
• and many, many more.

This quote ranks high on the list of quotations attributed to Educator Peter Drucker, and has always been one of my favorites.   There’s just one problem: He never actually said it according to the Druker Institute.

None the less, Mr. Drucker did put in place some of the most life-changing, inspirational quotes I've encountered related to life and business management. What he did say was (to me) even more fruitful:  “Your first role . . . is the personal one,” Drucker said in a 1990 TV interview .

“It is the relationship with people, the development of mutual confidence, the identification of people, the creation of a community. This is something only you can do.”

Does that ring true for you?  If you're looking for proven, affordable ways to build business relationships and grow your business, connect with me to learn more about how we do it and the methods we recommend.

If you treat your business like a business, it will pay you like a business should. If you treat it like a hobby, it will cost you, because typically, hobbies do not pay.

If you are looking for success, you either commit to your business or you don’t. There is no middle of the road.

If you choose to commit yourself and your resources to developing your personal training business,
learn to stay consistent, to use the best tools possible, and to take your business seriously. The end result will be both professionally and personally rewarding.

7 Signs You’re Treating Your Business Like a Hobby

1. The Problem: You have an email address that ends with @gmail.com or @comcast.net or @yahoo.com, or any other free email service provider.

The Fix: These services are just fine, but they do bring professionalism to your business. Purchase a domain with your business name or your personal name and get a new email address with that domain. If you already have a domain of your own and you just don’t know how to set up the business email, there are several options…start with company from which you purchased your domain…or connect here and we'll get it sorted out.

2. The Problem:  You have not incorporated or even created an LLC.

The Fix:  Incorporate or set up an LLC so that you legally separate your business from your personal finances. Don’t risk losing your home, property and life style in a liability suit You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on legal fees. Just go to legalzoom.com or BizFilings.com for a fast easy and affordable process. You may have other questions or concerns so connect with right resources  and let’s get you started on incorporating your business.

3. The Problem:  You do not have a business bank account for your business.

The Fix:  Open a BUSINESS bank account. There may be a small monthly fee associated with this, but you’re going to need a place to deposit all that money you’ll be earning! Most banks do not charge a fee if a minimum balance is maintained.  

4. The Problem:  You don’t pay yourself a salary and you’ve been in business for more than two years.

The Fix:  Follow IRS standards and pay yourself a regular salary. This is a frightening yet profoundly empowering move.  Once you start paying yourself regularly, you’ll realize how it makes you act differently: You make different decisions in your business because you are always thinking about how you will be able to pay your salary next month. It really puts a fuel under the fire.

5. The Problem:  You see your business as a part of your host agency, so you don’t have a separate website and have not established a different name.

The Fix:  If you’re an independent contractor, it’s also time to realize that your host agency is not your employer. You must act like a business owner by getting yourself a different name and marketing yourself and your business separately. If the host agency wants you to sign a contract to place your business “on the down-low”, start looking for a new relationship, don’t allow your business to take a back seat. If you are looking for ways to build contract relationships with agencies connect here  to get a list of some real resources.

6.  The Problem: You don’t have a separate phone number for your business.

The Fix: Use a phone number that's dedicated to your business.  Do you answer the phone? "Hello"?  How professional is that?  When your business has it's own phone number,  you can answer with a professional phrase like "Good afternoon, this is Paulette, May I hep you?"

7.  The Problem: You do no marketing activities on a regular and consistent basis.

The Fix: Finally, commit to doing one single marketing activity on a regular and consistent basis. Try electronic newsletters and blogging , but if you want to choose something else, that’s fine. Just decide on something, commit to it and do it. Take action.

Your assignment? Go through each and every item on the list and make a point of correcting it before this year is over. It’s time to take your business seriously – I promise you’ll profit from it.

From: Meredith Hill is founder and CEO of the Global Institute for Travel Entrepreneurs (GIFTE).
GIFTE helps travel professionals monetize their passion for travel so they can go from surviving to thriving.

Outsourcing (or hiring a VA Virtual Assistant) is one of the most popular buzzwords in business today. While it can be a great solution to help grow your business inexpensively, it also has its own challenges which need to be known before one can use it effectively. Here are some tips to help guide you through a successful experience:

Trial more than one VA for the same job - determine an identical project or task that can be assigned to several different people...a single task that takes up a significant portion of your time...this would certainly depend on the type of operation you are running, but for an example we'll say your daily or weekly news publication or perhaps your media postings.  Chances are, one or two of the the several VAs will fail miserably leaving you with 3 or 4 worth keeping around. Repeat this process of elimination until you're left with the one person that seems dependable over the medium to long term.  This will be your go-to VA for a start.

Remember to assess the value as well as the cost. - many small business owners are just going around in circles …they have a desire to grow their business but they also want to keep total control of every aspect …which is actually the core of what’s holding them back.  A great VA can help you to cut those strings or at least loosen them!

Certainly there will be some cost involved, but  your freedom is invaluable.

Keep more than one VA on your list of outsources - Now that you've set your standard and filled it with one great VA, don't stop there...keep looking and adding possibilities to your list. This is not  like a marriage, you are not legally bound to one VA relationship... as most talented VAs will not have just one client! Play the field!

Make it clear that you are looking for a long term relationship - But wait a minute ...doesn't that conflict with the previous statement? Well no...because you can have a long-term relationship with several VAs as long as the terms of your agreement are in writing and satisfactory to both (all parties).  So when you "trialing" your VAs let them know that you plan to stay connected and present your business relationship as a valuable resource; with benefits for the both of you. 

Don’t just check the VA’s references, check the references …references - Obviously there are privacy issues involved, however ....most anyone who has a business has left some sort of impression on the Internet. Therefore if a VA gives you a reference from a business, you can certainly see what that reference has to say about the VA and you can go a step further to see what the search engines have to say about the reference as well!  You will find a much better relationship with a VA that has a great deal of experience with successful  businesses that operate similarly to yours.

Don't assign a task that you are clueless about! - I know what you're thinking here...."Isn't that why I'm hiring a VA?...because I AM clueless!!??

Well according to my resources, that the one big mistake you don't want to make in outsourcing!

Every task you assign should have been completed in full that is from beginning to end ...by you ....at least once…and it is suggested dozens of times and you should have the step by step written instructions for how the task should be completed. 

The more specialized your operations, the more critical this point will be.

In larger organizations it's called SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) and yes small business owners need SOPs too!

I'll get deeper into that in another issue!

_________________________________________

In summary, I've got lot's more tips for helping you to decide if you are ready for outsourcing ....and I have some great tools to help you operate alone until you get to the "outsourcing" phase of your business.
Just connect with me.

  If you can answer "yes" to at least some of the above questions, then it could well be worth delegating this job.  Get the full story on the best ways to use delegation from the Mind Tools Website!

There you’ll get some “mind blowing” tips on:

• The Who and How of Delegating
• To Whom Should You Delegate
• How You Should Delegate
• Keeping Control
• The Importance of Full Acceptance

When you learn how to arrange your workload so that you are working on the tasks that have the highest priority for you, and allow other people to work on meaningful, challenging and related tasks, you have a recipe for success.

To delegate effectively, choose the right tasks to delegate, identify the right people to delegate to, and delegate in the right way. There's a lot to this, but you'll achieve so much more once you're delegating effectively!

To help pull it all together, use the Delegation Worksheet provided by Mind Tools

One of my clients asked me if I thought the monthly fee the SEO Service Provider was asking for was fair or worth the benefit for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)…So I’m sharing with you a few tips about Directory Submissions that you may not know.

1. Most directories require an account to be “set-up”  with a login …that in-turn generates more incoming mail and spam; it’s recommended that you create an email account with one of the free services (not your typical username and password)…. to especially handle mail from these directories

2. Some directories charge a fee or some are “free” but do not offer premium services unless you pay.

3. Don't randomly pick directories to make your submissions. Create a list according to the directory rankings and your specific needs and goals. Note: High ranking for a directory does not always translate into a high ranking for your business.

- For an example, your listing in a directory for your specific  services may bring a higher result than listing in a more general popular directory. 

- Another example, placing your listing in a coupon directory would only be beneficial if you are offering coupons.

- One more example…a homebased business that does not accept clients or an appointment only business would not want to place a listing in a GPS focused directory.

4. New Directories are coming into existence each day.  If any critical data changes in your business, then each directory must be updated.  Do you really have the time or the human resources to maintain dozens of directories?

5. Local directories can be beneficial because many consumers start searching for a products or services by Zip Code  (It’s amazing how many businesses submit to the DonPaul Directory without a zip code.)

6. If you are planning to use directories as a “ranking” tactic, it’s not a good idea to copy and paste identical information into every directory.  Search engines detect and ignore 'duplicate content' in their  ranking process, so try to create original content when completing each registration form that stands out from anything else you may have posted on the web in the past.

7. It’s true that increasing traffic to your site will give you more options to grow your database, but for many businesses submitting to hundreds of directories is not nearly as effective as building relationships though means that are constantly within our control. See my blog on Directing Traffic to Your CTA

8. Many listings allow photos and videos to be listed along with your business submission.  Images and videos often require a specific size and file type …this will add to the time and or fee, so learn about the directories before you plan to submit your data.  it’s simple to search for your competitors and see how you can make your business stand out.

9. It can be tempting for extremely busy business owners to employ the services of an SEO company to submit their company details across many directories. While this is a valid service, the fact is that no one has your knowledge of your unique selling points, your staffing skills or detailed product information.  Their focus is on speed and acquiring links, both of which are unlikely to result in distinctive, unique and compelling business listings.

So to answer the question: "Should You Pay?"
Directory submissions are DIY (Do-it-Yourself) and unless the is a fee for using the directory, there is usually no fee in the submission process.  Connect with me for a complimentary consultation and we’ll talk about the most popular directories to list your specific .business or organization.


Check in with me on this topic and I’ll send you a list of 55 popular directories to list your business or organization.