Month: March 2012

The Path of the Organically Grown Entrepreneur

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“Having a well stocked marketing arsenal of tactics doesn’t make you any more of a great marketer than having a tool belt makes you a great carpenter.” Bill Dolan, Spirit Media

 

Organically grown entrepreneurs* have the challenge of always being in some kind of learning curve. You know what I am talking about…you are doing things you’ve never been taught, you didn’t go to school to learn, and are looking for guidance from those who’ve done it or you are just figuring it out on your own. You know intuitively you have to do more than “dress the part” you have to know what you are doing and where you perform best.

 

*Organically grown entrepreneur: an owner or manager who runs a naturally grown business enterprise based on their vision, talents & strengths, who makes money through risk and initiative .

 

 

This path is full of leaders just like you and I hoping to learn from each other to avoid pitfalls, inspire action and ultimately realize our vision. Each of us has wisdom to bring to the table.

 

Here are the top 10 things that have made the biggest difference in the journeys of those I coach, including myself.

 

Relationship Building Musts:

 

  • Never stop building a qualified list of prospect, partners & opportunities.
     

  • Automate & systematize a method you can personalize to keep in touch with your clients, qualified prospects & partners.
     

  • Keep your finger on the pulse of the world and its effects on you and your customers. Know what matters to them at all times.
     

  • Get out of your own backyard. Network with peers from other areas, states, or countries. Expose yourself to fresh ways of thinking. This can be a game changer!

 

Invest in your Vision:

 

  • Assemble an effective implementation team. The DIY mindset will cost you.
     

  • Assess your revenue model and invest in technology, education, or coaching to help you create sustainable sales and consistent delivery of your sweet spot.
     

  • Invest in YOU! Make personal mastery your goal. The better you understand yourself, the more effectively you can lead your company and others.

 

Mindsets that Matter:

 

  • Think beyond your salary. If you started a business to make yourself an income you will struggle. If you have a mindset to build a business enterprise offering a valuable service that impacts others lives you will accelerate your growth. (Hint: this applies whether you own the business or not. See yourself building a portfolio or organization and you will sub-consciously present yourself more powerfully.)
     

  • Network up! “Your income will average the 5 people with whom you associate most.” Jim Rohn
     

  • Never quit. If you decide to close your doors and do something else, you will make the best business decision and take all that experience with you. If you take a measurement today and determine you are not where you want to be, make intelligent informed changes.

The greatest marketers discover how to authentically and ethically increase their visibility, build credibility, and create opportunities with those who derive the highest value exchange from their services. The best thing an organic (or naturally grown) entrepreneur can do is to associate with others who understand this path.

 

Keep the faith in the journey!

 

Please add your insights too…I’d love to hear your personal success factors. 

 

Marketing YOU! 10 grass roots outreach activities that really work

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Are you tired of investing in marketing that just doesn’t seem to pay off? Every time my calendar needs a boost I pull out these tried and true grass roots, low cost, high impact marketing tactics.

 

Strategically Network

 

1. Set up 3 appointments with providers who serve your ideal clients. This could be a phone call or coffee. Just be sure the time is used to your mutual benefit.

 

Be prepared with survey* questions and information or connections that could be of value to your partner. Let them know what kind of projects and goals you are working toward.

 

2. Contact 3 of your past clients. Repeat activities in #1.

 

3. Review your past proposals. Contact each by phone even if they’ve chosen another provider. Repeat the activities in #1.

 

4. Review the business calendars in your local paper and online. Find 2-3 new events to attend in the next 30 days. There are always new events, professional development, and happenings that would add value to your own business, expose you to new audiences, and add value to those you are contacting in steps #1-3. (Stop attending anything that is not producing value.)

 

Make a Name for Yourself

 

5. Start speaking. Consider everywhere you go a “mini-stage”. From your introduction to an informational presentation to a keynote, find places to share your insights and secret sauce.

 

6. Host your own event. Invite your top prospects, strategic partners, and/or past clients to an informational event. Plan to provide valuable information, insight, or introductions. If hosting an event on your own seems daunting, find a strategic partner who could benefit and share the load of producing. This doesn’t have to be costly.

 

7. Start writing. Your audience wants to know what you know. The mistakes you could help them avoid, the pitfalls, debunk the myths and lies they’ve been fed, give them the secrets to success…YOU know these things. Share them. Don’t let the fact that you had a teacher in your past tell you writing was not for you get started making lists, share your ideas, and do what works for you. Just get writing.

 

8. Join the conversation. Find others who are talking about what you want to talk about. This might mean you have to leave some of the groups you are currently involved in. Ask questions. Add your insights. Don’t worry about the competition. There is more than enough to go around. Get Grounded

 

9. Slow down to speed up. Shift your attachment and value from being “busy” to becoming “intentional”. Evaluate how you can create more impact from less effort. This takes reflection, evaluation, assessment. That won’t happen if you have no margin in your life or business.

 

10. Get out of your office. Connections are made when people see you. This can happen virtually if you are in a forum where you can be heard but will most likely be in your own back yard. Attend an event that interests you for no other reason than that it interests you. Do something fun. Learn a new skill. Take a class. You are a whole person. Your business will not fail if you walk away from the helm to renew your energy and add some fun.

 

*Survey questions I typically ask. What are the changes going on in your industry? How are they impacting you locally or personally? What are your key initiatives for 2012? Based on your experience in your profession/industry, what short or long term impact do you see on your business?

 

**Value add resources are anything of high value to the person I am speaking with. This could be events, books, insights I’ve gained from reading books or attending conferences, connections I can make for them, etc.

 

Grass roots’ marketing is organic. It builds trust. It lets your audience get to know and experience YOU. The bottom line is that this type of outreach really works. Apply for 30 days and see what you get…then do it again.

 

Do you have some suggestions to add to this list?

 

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