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7 Secrets to Stimulate Your Cash Flow

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

By Denise Michaels

If you’re like millions of business owners you put on a happy face to the rest of the world that says, “Everything’s great!” but on the inside you’re concerned about what’s happening with your cash flow lately.

How do you stimulate your own economy so you get the results you deserve rather than getting caught up in the mass consciousness of lack that’s become so pervasive? This article provides seven stimulating secrets that’ll get you back on track. Wealthy people depend on these principles to keep their cash flow humming so when someone asks them about their business they can honestly and enthusiastically say, “We must be doing something right. My business hasn’t been impacted at all.”

• Stay away from the nattering nabobs of negativity. Whether its cable news with a constant stream of negativity, or, just the people you meet at a networking mixer who seem desperate, steer clear of anyone who’s less than optimistic. About 10-15 minutes of news a day is all you need to keep up to speed with what’s happening. Turn off the news and focus on the 99 percent of the world that’s just fine.

• Make progress every day and give yourself credit. Focus on doing what gives you the greatest results. Creating a successful business is about moving energy and building momentum. Consider all the thrust it takes to get a jet off the ground. Except the most important work you do may not be about running around. The most important work can be about consciously shifting your mindset. Then, when you take action amazing things happen.

• Speak with enthusiasm and passion. Wealthy people attract others to their dreams by speaking with passion, enthusiasm and confidence. They give the impression they just know their product or service is amazing and their business will be a winner. Once you launch your business stop looking for validation. Get over feeling like you need “permission.” If you offer good value and products or services that help others you don’t need permission or validation from anyone.

• Be bold. One bold stroke to get the word out can do much more than dozens of hesitant, little moves. This means expanding your comfort zone because your business growth doesn’t happen any faster than your personal growth. This mean when you decide you’re going to get on a radio talk show or do some other promotion that’ll make a big splash you do it with your head up, with boldness and confidence.

• Understand the importance of marketing. Marketing is about building relationships – but it’s more than smiling and chatting with other business owners at a mixer. Your marketing message goes out ahead of you. It precedes you. It should filter out people not likely to do business with you and filter in people likely to do business with you. Filtering means when you talk with a prospective customer chances are they already know about you and are partially pre-sold making selling easier.

• Be emotionally compelling. People still have wants and needs. What’s lacking right now is confidence. When people feel you understand, empathize and have a solution for their problem they will do business with you. Too many business owners try to play it safe because they think customers will buy based only on features or having the lowest price. They must see how your features and benefits help them solve their problems.

• Ask for the sale. Some business owners enjoy building the relationship however they’re afraid they might mess it up by asking for the sale. Don’t be pushy but be willing to confidently guide and direct a conversation. After I’ve explained everything about what I offer, my fees and answered questions and gotten strong signals that a prospective client is interested my closing question is, “When would you like to get started?”

By following these seven secrets you’ll crack the code on stimulating your own economy. You’ll discover more people are receptive and open to what you offer. They will come to trust you, have confidence in you and as a result your cash flow will increase. You will be in your own flow of wealth and abundance so when people ask you about your business you can sincerely smile and say, “My business is great!!”

Denise Michaels is author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing” and founder of EmpowerUAcademy. Her mission is supporting people in going for their dreams and she’s known as The Marketing Maven and as an Empowerment Expert. You can also find out about one-on-one mentoring with Denise at her website MentoringwithDenise. All rights reserved.

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Do You Cheat Others When You make a Profit?

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

One impressions I get from many women is that deep in your heart you may have a subconscious belief that you’re cheating others and are somehow bad if you make a profit.

Do you feel guilty when you make a healthy profit on what you do?

Do you charge enough for your products and services or do you undercut yourself at times?

Yesterday I had a meeting with a lovely woman who owns a business but spends all her time promoting others. She doesn’t take any money for doing this. In fact, when she’s tried to charge for helping others in this way – sending out notices for others on her e-newsletter and other promotional strategies – people are actually angry with her and say she should be doing it free.

In the meantime, her dear husband is working his tail off trying to make ends meet and his job is based on earning commissions. Unfortunately over the holidays the commissions were very low and now they’re trying to figure out how to pay all their bills.

I asked some probing questions of this woman and discovered that her Mother was a stay at home mom who only worked part time on an infrequent basis. My client got a lot of deeply negative messages about women who promote themselves and try to be anything but humble and meek. Messages like:

“Don’t get a big head.”
“Don’t be conceited.”
“Don’t be selfish.”

The message she got was that when she gives everything away and constantly helps others she’s being “a good woman.” When she does something for herself – she’s not a good woman. So, she keeps creating circumstances that reinforce that perception.

The challenge is when it’s time to pay the bills – if you’ve shorted yourself on what you charge, you end up falling short when it comes to your lifestyle and paying your bills. You can’t exactly go to your mortgage company or the grocery store and say, “Um, I’m a really nice person. Would you give me a little extra discount?”

Of course we know that’s silly. Why? Because these real businesses don’t give extra discounts. So if you consider yourself a real business – why are you undercutting yourself?

Here’s where it comes back around: In the real business world people don’t say, “Gee, that’s so nice. She’s only charging me $$ instead of $$$.” Instead they silently think, “She’s charging so much less than market rates – she must not be as good.”

Traditionally women always gave away our work. We have a history as volunteers. And, for centuries we were at the bottom of the totem pole when it came to jobs. Women were praised for being selfless and for constantly giving with no expectation of ever receiving anything in return except the warm fuzzy feelings of knowing we’ve helped. We made our husbands look good in the community while he took care of the messy job of going out and slaying dragons. Additionally, many of us have dealt with boyfriends, husbands and partners who became threatened when the woman they love made significant money or enjoyed a level of success.

We live in a very different world than the world our mothers lived in when they raised us. We were raised to be good wives, moms, sisters, daughters, friends and maybe a good employee. But we certainly weren’t raised to be a good business owners. And, it’s extremely difficult in this day and age for husbands to carry the whole load.

What thoughts, beliefs or attitudes were you raised with regarding the money you earn? Was it different for a girl in your home or your community compared to a boy? How much is enough? Is it fair for you to get a healthy profit? Will those warm, fuzzy feelings pay the rent or the mortgage?

Women are now starting businesses at double the rate of men. This has been true for over five years now. But many women business owners struggle because they’re uncomfortable about what it says about them to be successful when they feel a societal expectation for women to keep give everything away. Is it a good thing to make a profit? Or, does it mean you somehow had to claw over others to gain success? Is your business struggling because you’re new and just getting off the ground? Or are you struggling for other reasons?

All the best,

Denise Michaels
Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

PS: Sign up for my free Marketing and Empowerment Tips by clicking here.

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Manifest a Man Who will Love You Forever (Part 2)

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

(This is a continuation from Part 1.)

So, I knew I needed to make big changes. I knew I’d have to get out of my comfort zone to find true love.

I wrote an essay about what I wanted in a man. This is important. It doesn’t have to be an essay. It could just be a list. But here are a few crucial things to remember:

* If you want something in a man – you must be his equal because nature abhors a vacuum. If you want him to be fit and healthy it helps if you’re fit and healthy, too. If you want him to have a college degree it would help if you do too – or you’re working on it. It doesn’t have to be even-steven, but it has to make sense. If you want something you don’t possess – it helps if you have something else that compensates for that lack in a specific area.

* Sometimes we don’t realize it consciously, but what we THINK we want is actually what OTHERS want for us. Usually parents, girlfriends or someone else we have a close relationship with. These people have influenced us for years. They’re also the people whose approval we want so much we will unconsciously sacrifice perfect love (okay – almost perfect love *wink*) so they’re happy with us.

* Think about what will make your heart and soul happy. In my essay, I described how I wanted to feel when he touched me or held my hand. I described how I wanted his smile to affect me. I wanted him to be a good listener and have an easy sense of humor. I wanted him to be kind, gracious and liked by others but 100 percent true to me. I wanted him to have a good relationship with any children or exes. If he had children I wanted them to be grown.

* I didn’t care how tall he was as long as I could wear a medium heel and he’d be a little taller. I’m only 5′4″ tall and Ernie’s about 5′8″. After previous husbands who were 6′1″ and 5′11″ tall I learned height, though attractive, has nothing to do with real love. I also wanted a man who had a college degree who understood business but I didn’t want to be in competition. I wanted him to be supportive of my crazy ambitions and comfortable letting me shine. Ernie is all that.

* I didn’t care how much money he made but I wanted him to be self-sufficient and responsible with the money he did have. Traditionally women wanted men who make big bucks because at a primal level it was about looking out for the welfare of our future children. Now, its more about him being able to afford bling and a MacMansion. Don’t you trust in your ability to make your own money?

* Sweet, kind, supportive guys usually aren’t Wall Street Wonders or Captains of Industry slaying dragons and doing multi-million dollar business deals. Those guys want you to endlessly support them and be the Trophy Wife, not the other way around. The good guys are the men most women don’t notice. Or you’ll say, “He’s not my type.” They’re a teacher, web designer, social worker, computer geek, physical therapist, police officer or some other average position. These men can have a heartful of love to give.

* Millions of women are so busy drooling over “bad boys” and “players” – they never see the good guys. Open up to the idea that your type is an “unconditionally loving” man not a particular “look” or someone whose a constant challenge to your sanity or your self esteem. Slick guys lead to heartache. Why? Because they’re not emotionally available. They don’t know how to love a woman. They don’t have the maturity to be a loving husband to you.

* Don’t try to make him more loving, affectionate or communicative. The magazine headlines are wrong. Many women try to turn a person into a project. Stop wasting your time. Look for a guy whose naturally loving, affectionate and communicative. Upgrading his wardrobe and his hair isn’t difficult – but just about everything else is. It’s easy to change a man on the outside and almost impossible to change him on the inside. Besides, loving a man’s “potential” isn’t loving him – it’s loving what you WANT him to become.

Back to my story…

I didn’t date for almost a year – but I noticed when I started dating I was connecting with nice guys. I dated these men about a month and decided as nice as they were – we didn’t have enough in common to sustain a relationship. I looked at it as “practise.” I practised being open and vulnerable. I practised what it was like to share my feelings with a man and not have him whomp me over the head with ‘em later. Being vulnerable did make me more powerful.

When I finally met Ernie I just KNEW. I’d changed my perspective and my expectations of men. I changed what I thought of as important. So when I met that guy – my wonderful husband Ernie – it was instant. And yes, his smile still melts my heart, his touch makes me feel I’m home and he’s still a great listener.

When you get away from what you THINK you’re supposed to want and make different conscious choices that really work with the love you want to feel – that’s when you find love that’ll make you feel happy and fulfilled the rest of your life.

Isn’t that what you really deserve?

Tomorrow’s post: back to business. *smile*

Denise Michaels is author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.” Get your copy by clicking here. And, get Denise’s weekly empowerment and marketing tips by clicking here. Come join Denise Michaels in a movement to empower women business owners like you to be all you can be and to have more joy, more fun and more success in your life.

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Manifest a Man Who will Love You Forever (Part 1)

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

In a few minutes I’ll get up, go to the kitchen and go make my whole-grain blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Ernie’s home. I wouldn’t make ‘em for myself because I’m not really a breakfast person. I’m more of a yogurt, granola and berries kind of breakfast person. You know those cups they sell at Starbucks or Panera Bread? Love ‘em.

But he loves a big breakfast and now that he’s finally home from his big project in SoCal, I’m more than happy to fire up the griddle and give him the big, weekend breakfast he loves.

The last five weeks he’s been working on a project in Southern California. He took the short-term assignment because it was very good money and he’s starting a business soon – so it gave him a short-term cash cushion before getting started. He’s come home most weekends – but by Sunday afternoon he had to turn his car around and drive away for another week. Now he’s really home.

Funny how when he’s around most of the time – I find him a little annoying. He’s always interrupting me to talk as I’m working at the computer. Sometimes I’ll get up from my chair and give him a hug and a kiss because I discovered if I give him a little attention he gives me more space. These last five weeks I’ve missed those annoying interruptions. I’m so glad he’s home. After twelve years his smile still brightens my world and his touch makes me feel I’m right where I belong.

This isn’t a regular post on marketing, personal growth or common sense. But, it’s the weekend so I’m sharing how much it means to me to have a wonderful love. Even when I get mildly annoyed I don’t take it for granted. If you look under my archived posts for October 18th 2009 there’s a post about how we met. You can read the story there.

This post is about the things I did before we met to manifest Ernie. This isn’t a blog on finding love or dating. And I know you can be in a space where you’re perfectly happy without a love. But I know so many wonderful, single women who want to find the man of their dreams, either they’re divorced or never married, and it’s eluded them. (I’ll go back to business focused articles on Monday.)

A year and a half before meeting Ernie I was in a relationship with a man that became physically abusive. That’s how low I’d sunk in my ability to choose a good guy. I was 37. One day I was driving home from a busy day and I didn’t want to go home to the arguments, the drama and being flung on the floor or punched again.

I thought, “I’m too smart for this.” I suddenly realized with blinding clarity, “Based on results, obviously I’m not too smart or I wouldn’t be in this situation.” I passed by the small house I rented and kept driving. I drove to a Burger King, sat down and had a soda. I went home and announced he had 30 days to pack up and move out. Or, I’d get a restraining order. I helped him find a new place and that was that. Fortunately, he didn’t who come back or stalk me. He was gone and I was relieved.

I was working part-time in sales. I made pretty good commissions so I could do my own thing when I left the office about one-ish in the afternoon. I went to my boss. He and his wife were also friends and hiking buddies. I announced, “If I’ve seemed distracted, out of it, unfocused or anything – this is why.” and I explained. “But it’s over, he’s gone and thank goodness, I’m moving forward.”

My boss’ jaw dropped. He said, “I’d never guess anything like that could happen to you, Denise. You come to work in a good mood, you’re focused, you do a great job. I’m stunned.” He and his wife gave me hugs and we talked a little more. He recommended I buy a book titled, “Conscious Loving” by Hendrickson and Hendrickson.

I made a commitment to myself:
1. I would give myself time to heal. Not just form “emotional scar tissue” – but truly heal.
2. When I was ready I’d do whatever it takes to find true love – even if it meant getting out of my comfort zone.

I bought the book and started reading. I was sitting at my kitchen table with the sun streaming in the window on a Saturday morning. I read, If you want a true, loving, co-creative relationship you must be willing to give up all your emotional baggage from the past. You can’t bring it into a new relationship because it’s almost like a third person – and a negative one at that.

I had a panic attack. I’d never had a panic attack before – there I was clutching my chest and gasping for air at the kitchen table for about 30 scary seconds.

The book went on to say being vulnerable and open about your feelings in a loving relationship gives you power. I had so much scar tissue from two divorces by age 34 and other bad relationships that thought was totally opposite from what I’d come to believe. My experience was if I was open and vulnerable about my feelings people would find a way to hurt me. I wore my scars and hurts with pride like The Red Badge of Courage. This was be a total change. I took a deep breath. After all, everything I’d done in the past didn’t work. I was ready to change even if it meant stepping into some scary places.

More to come tomorrow…

Denise Michaels is author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.” Get your copy by clicking here. And, get Denise’s weekly empowerment and marketing tips by clicking here. Come join Denise Michaels in a movement to empower women business owners like you to be all you can be and to have more joy, more fun and more success in your life.

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Common Sense can Increase Your Sales

Friday, November 13th, 2009

By Denise Michaels, Author, ‘Testosterone-Free Marketing’

Years ago I worked for a millionaire who said, “Common sense is uncommon, Denise.”

I watch with amazement new women business owners and I see what they become. Sometimes the results are spectacular. Other times they’re not. I meet people in networking meetings, on my teleclasses, at workshops or through emails that lack so much basic common sense I wonder how successful they could ever possibly become.

Daily I get emails and phone messages with no name. How can you form a relationship with people you want to help you if you don’t tell them your name? Doesn’t it make sense a mentor would be more inclined to help people they know, like and appreciate – starting with their name? How will this person ever complete a business transaction?

When making calls to people a couple weeks ago regarding my workshop – even though I just left my name, number and where I met the person – fully two-thirds never called back. All of them say they want more business – so why wouldn’t they return a phone call?

People miss phone meetings because they get confused about which time zone they live in. How will these people ever complete business deals if they can’t keep their own time zone straight?

Make it easy for people to say “yes.” Keep your word and be a person people can count on. Learn how to count time zones. If you do business with people outside the USA, as I occasionally do, learn how to use one of the easy currency converter sites. If you have to miss an appointment, be gracious enough to let the person know. The more you make your request easy and idiot-proof, the more likely you are to get a “yes”. The more difficult you make it, the more likely you are to get a “no.”

A great example was a man who sent me a lengthy email stating he wanted my help with marketing but he was afraid to share his idea because he was ripped off by someone else. I replied, “If you want me to sign a Confidentiality Agreement or anything so you feel comfortable speaking with me, I’m happy to do so.”

His reply said, “Okay, write up a legal agreement, print it, sign it and mail it back to me.” He made it overly difficult to help him so I didn’t.

The piece de resistance was last week. A woman wrote asking if I knew anyone who could help her with her website issues. I contacted a web expert who’s a woman. I gave the web expert the name and contact info of the woman who needed help creating a website. She replied, “Tell her she can call me if she wants to.”

I told her Lesson Numero Uno when someone gives you a referral is to be pro-active and follow up yourself. If you don’t, your referrals will dry up.

Lesson Number Two: go back to the person who referred you, thank them again and share with them what transpired. People who refer you want to see you succeed. They want to know what happened. If anyone helps you, go back and tell them how things turned out when you used their suggestions.

If you want to be successful you must take on success habits. That means not only visionary thinking and the right attitude, but also doing the little things right like returning phone calles. Make it easy for people to say “yes” to doing business with you.

Think about “cause” and “effect”. Think about what you want the experience of doing business with you to be like. What steps can you take to make it easier for prospective customeers to say “yes”? How can you think from their point of view and make it a slam dunk?

When people help you out, do you get back to them, thank them and let them know how their advice turned out? Or, do you act as if you’re somehow entitled and never say a word? Life is easier when you treat others as you want to be treated. It boils down to The Golden Rule.

Do you have a story from your business of someone who didn’t mean to do the wrong thing – but just plain didn’t have any common sense at all?

Take an extra moment to think things through in a way that makes people want to say “yes”. Use that uncommon common sense that’s so rare. Just by doing the right thing – you’ll have a huge advantage over others in your industry.

Denise Michaels is author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.” Get your copy by clicking here. And, get Denise’s weekly empowerment and marketing tips by clicking here. Come join Denise Michaels in a movement to empower women business owners like you to be all you can be and to have more joy, more fun and more success in your life.

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Who said You’re Allowed to do THAT?

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

My husband Ernie and I went to see the Michael Jackson documentary “This is It” this afternoon. We watched in awe the amazing talent Jackson was and the incredible production this concert tour would’ve been for fans and concert goers around the world. The passing of Jackson is like the passing of an era to me.

I was inspired by what Jackson and the producers were creating – just by moving energy and dreaming it up. You can argue Whacko Jacko was un-balanced. Successful geniuses often are un-balanced. Watch this film and you’ll see his brilliance and genius. He was in control of everything about the production. He was energetic, engaged and happy. Clearly he loved performing and was doing it until the day before his untimely death.

As we walked out of the theater I thought, “Who told Michael Jackson he could do this? Who gave him permission to become the King of Pop?”

Many of us have great ideas, amazing visions. Ideas to make the world a better place. Ideas that could make everyone better off and no one worse off. Big, hairy, audacious ideas for businesses, inventions, books to be written and charities to help the under-priveleged among us. Yet many women (and men) hold off from turning their dreams into reality because they’re waiting. Waiting for someone to give them permission or validation. Jackson didn’t wait.

Women home-based business owners like yourself come up with great ideas to promote their existing businesses. To really get their name and their brand out there. Yet they hold back when it comes to carrying through because it seems too “out there.” After all, “What would people say?”

In business, no one gives you permission to take the lead. No one gives you permission to step out. “A leader is someone who goes first,” says John Maxwell, author of numerous books on leadership. You must simply believe in the power of your vision and step out on faith. And faith without works – well, it’s not worth much. Jackson had works. Jackson had skills – and he used ‘em.

When I dreamed up the idea for my book, “Testosterone-Free Marketing,” nobody gave me permission to say I’m, “The foremost expert in marketing for women.” But I say it almost every time I’m interviewed. How can I say it? I dreamed it up. I created the niche for myself because I kept thinking I didn’t want to be a “me too.” I didn’t want to be an also-ran, compared to all the other marketing gurus and experts out there.

Once I was called on it. A male radio interviewer asked, “How can you say you’re the expert in marketing to women?”

I replied, “I’m not the expert in marketing to women. I’m the expert in marketing for women.” Then I explained the difference. That was that.

You don’t have to have permission. But you do have to be a leader and tell yourself that you’re going for it and see what happens. Obviously I don’t recommend breaking any laws. But sometimes the only thing you have to break through are the limitations that exist within your mind.

Remember all those admonitions when you were a girl:

* Don’t toot your own horn
* Be a nice girl (and everything THAT implies)
* Let others make the first gesture
* It’s better to give than receive
* Don’t call the boy

They came out of a bygone era. The era of our mothers and grandmothers who were wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. But they were less likely to be employees, and, they sure as heck weren’t a business owner. Those behaviors were appropriate in an era where it was considered un-ladylike for a woman to be concerned about money or anything financial. That’s was the role of a husband.

We live in a different world. Things are changing faster and faster. We raise families and must care about making money to pay the bills and make a life for ourselves. Yet, subconsciously many women still have these limiting beliefs from that bygone era programmed into us that can spell disaster for our business. Time to let it go. That ol’ programming in the back of your mind that says “dealing with the money and asking for the money is yucky” doesn’t serve you anymore.

Consider the amazing things that can happen in your life when you stop asking for permission and just believe in yourself, the power of your vision and step out on faith.

Denise Michaels is author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.” Get your copy by clicking here. And, get Denise’s weekly empowerment and marketing tips by clicking here. Come join Denise Michaels in a movement to empower women business owners like you to be all you can be and to have more joy, more fun and more success in your life.

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An Encouraging Success Story You’ll Enjoy

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

On Monday, I got a wonderful email from a client. He was so excited because after putting it off, after going through a lot of financial hardship this last year with real estate and stocks, etc. After losing a beloved brother who always encouraged him and made him believe he could do anything. After going through a serious car accident with broken ribs and more – he finally took a massive step toward starting a new life for himself.

My client, I’ll call him Ned, mentored with me on a regular basis last year and was making great progress. He is sort of a massage therapist to the stars. People like actors Ted Danson and Ben Affleck are his clients. He wanted to take his secrets of how to have a very successful, profitable massage therapy practise out to other massage therapists. He wants to eventually stop doing massage and focus much more attention on workshops, trainings and other info-products. He’s already taught at a massage school.

His vision is all about finding a way to take his expertise to others and make that a business model. So we worked with that. I sensed he had a lot of fear around doing this without his brother there for him. His parents are deceased as well. There were even moments when he felt a little hopeless – I’d encourage him and he’d pull himself back up and get going again.

We put a lot of time into figuring out the agenda for his workshop. Years ago a woman with a Ph.D. in Instructional Design helped me put together my first workshop – so I shared that knowledge with him and together we came up with a wonderful program for him. It felt true and authentic to who he is and his experience and he knew it would help other massage therapists while also being fresh and new. We also talked about getting the word out and how to fill the room with the right people. People who were willing to learn AND willing to pay.

Then September 15, 2008 happened. The stock market was in an upheaval and he lost money. You remember. He owned two rental homes and both his tenants lost their jobs and couldn’t pay rent. So he was struggling to keep up the mortgages. The number of people booking massages with him dropped – so his income from that source dropped, too. Consequently, he wasn’t able to keep up marketing mentoring with me. But once in awhile he’d pay me for one session at a time. And he’d keep me posted by email.

I’m not 100 percent sure when my last mentoring session was with him. I’d have to look through my calendar. I think it was August. In between – except for connecting with me on Facebook – I didn’t really know if he was still working at it or not.

He was.

Monday when I got his email telling me what a triumph his workshop was the weekend before, I was jumping up and down excited for him. It’s just a start but his information was very well received and he also made a profit. Whoooo-hooo! He did it with a healing rib from his car accident – but he kept breathing through it (I’ve heard healing ribs are painful) and he was successful. In the last paragraph he said, “Denise, I put payment for another mentoring session with you in your paypal account – just let me know when you can meet.”

You might already know I have a workshop coming up this Monday November 2nd here in Las Vegas. I have three seats remaining so if you’d like to find out more and attend click on the link at the top of this page that says “Denise’s Events.” But the reason I’m digressing like this is because I’m very recently aware of all the work it takes to put together a successful event even if your health is just fine.

Ned is turning his life around in the direction he’s wanted to go for years now. He’s inching closer and closer to living his dream. And I couldn’t be more happy for him – and thrilled to know that I had a little something to do with his new success. What’s you’re dream and are you getting help and guidance in making those positive changes to your business income and your life.

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Are You Focused or feeling Fuzzy?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Markeitng”

How’s your focus these days? Lately, many people seem totally scattered and overwhelmed. They look like they’re running in circles and we all know that can be really counter-productive Try to have a conversation with them and their eyes are darting off in different directions. I met a couple people like this at a networking luncheon yesterday. Schedule a meeting and they’re apt to goof up the time at least once. Had one of those yesterday, too.

It’s easy to blame it on the economy. It takes a lot more effort to find people who want, need and are willing to pay for your products and services these days. In fact I was just talking with an old friend yesterday who was telling me about a famous seminar guru who was planning on 800 people for an event in Atlanta recently and about 65 people showed up.

Yes, there are a lot of distractions these days. I can’t even tell you how crazy-making it is for me to have four email addresses and be checking Facebook, Twitter, my cell phone messages, my land line messages – and that’s all stuff that’s not the highest and best use of my time. But I truly believe our greatest solutions to our busyness are not factors outside of us – but factors within. After all, you can’t control much of what happens outside of you – you can only control how you respond to it all.

We all choose our lives and how we spend our time. Somewhere along the way you made choices. You may not have understood the consequences of those choices – but you made ‘em and here you are. It’s possible you don’t really want to do what you’re doing with your life and your time, so your mind throws up obstacles that feel like, “Oh, I’m so busy all the time. I just can’t get to the really important stuff.” Maybe it’s because you don’t want to get to the really important stuff.

Take some time to quiet down and slow down. I’ve sort of been forced to do that this week because I have a cold right now. As much as I want to get up and do more – I’m secretly relishing this time to take it easy. Yes, I actually have a positive attitude about this cold. But back to you…

Take some time to quietly think about your goals. Ask yourself if they’re in alignment with your core values. In other words – if you have a goal to make a big, six figure income and yet part of your core values is that you don’t believe that you deserve money – or you believe money is the root of all evil – well, Houston – we have a problem.

If your goals and your core values are not in alignment – you’ll be very stressed out. It’ll be like Sisyphus (of Greek mythology) pushing that boulder uphill forever. Not much fun. So much smarter to take some time to figure out how to get your goals and core values into alignment. And, if you have a core value that’s not working out for you like the one above – it’s time to change it. This is another reason why I say that your business growth doesn’t happen any faster than your personal growth.

Many women business owners have challenges in this area. They have very real financial needs: a mortgage to pay, insurance, savings – and all the other very concrete expenses of life. Unfortunately they also have a belief system (core valuues) that says it’s not okay for women to care about making money – that it’s somehow crass and cold. This is one of the many issues I’m going to be addressing at my No-Fluff Testosterone-free Marketing Magic Workshop coming up on Monday November 2nd.

When you set goals where there is alignment with your core values – it’s a much easier path, there are less distractions and problems. Everyone is happier.

If you’ll be in Las Vegas Monday November 2nd and you’re a woman business owner, do yourself a favor and check out my upcoming workshop by clicking here now. For a very nominal price it will transform your business for the better. The early bird discount ends on Friday night so today is a great day to register.

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Spinning in the World of Ideas

Friday, October 16th, 2009

By Denise Michaels, Author, ‘Testosterone-Free Marketing”

When you wear all the hats in a business – as most of us women, home-based business owners do – it’s easy to get caught up in a web of multi-tasking and being scattered with no clear focus from day to day. In a single day you can be handling marketing, operations, administrative and a myriad of tasks within those categories. To say nothing of putting clothes in the dryer, figuring out what to make for dinner, worrying about your third grader’s math homework and more.

I wrote an entire chapter in my book about the issues women business owners are challenged with regarding our focus and how multi-tasking can really be a mixed blessing.

Here’s what I think happens: when you become an entrepreneur it becomes easy to get caught up “spinning in the world of ideas” as I call it. So many opportunities and so little time. You can have a blast talking and thinking about all these cool ideas and how much money you can make with ‘em all. But you have to finally dig your heels in and get going with one (and keep going) to make money, right? Seems pretty simple so far – ahhhhh, but the plot thickens. *smile*

Here’s the challenge: while you’re spinning in the world of ideas – you’re not getting anything done. Nothing is being completed. Why would a person DO that when you don’t get paid in business until you complete things? The reason I believe so many women do it? Well, at the root of this “spinning,” researching and checking everything out – is that it means you get to avoid rejection because you haven’t made a commitment and jumped in to anything yet.

The minute you actually “put something out there” the rubber hits the road. You’re honestly faced with whether it will be a smashing success or a bomb. And for a lot of people that’s scary. Spinning is more fun and there’s no fear or risk attached to those activities compared to marketing activities which get you out there.

Here’s the funny thing: by “spinning” our subconscious mind believes it’s protecting us from rejection. However, over the long run it can mess with your sense of self confidence. How? Because after awhile you look back at all that time and effort and realize, geez it’s been six months (or a year or two years) and what do I have to show for that effort? All that spinning?

If you keep spinning and don’t step out – chances are you don’t have much to show for it. You’ve been busy – but you haven’t achieved anything, because you’ve been focused on spinning not on achieving.

For a lot of people it makes them feel like a failure and this can pull your self confidence down. But the truth is people who keep spinning have actually very successful – at avoiding rejection.

So, if you’re goal is to avoid rejection – keep spinning.

If you’re goal is to have a successful business and generate cash flow – start figuring out how to get beyond your comfort zone (I know a great marketing mentor who helps with that *wink* AND your strategy) and start bringing in some real paying customers and clients.

There are solutions to spinning in the world of ideas: mostly they have to do with facing up to the fact that what you put out there might succeed or it might fail. Making different conscious choices and excepting the reality that the outcome could go either way – and it doesn’t make you a good person or a bad person either way. But by taking that leap of faith – you’re making forward progress moving energy and creating momentum. And THAT feels great.

Discover more about Denise at Empower U Academy and Mentoring with Denise. And if you’re going to be in Las Vegas on Monday November 2nd come to my “No-fluff, Testosterone-Free Marketing Magic Workshop.” Click here for more information and to register today.

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Post-feminist Woman – like Her or Hate Her?

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

It’s been a little over a year since Sarah Palin burst on the national scene as the Vice Presidential candidate on Senator John McCain’s GOP ticket. Palin’s managed to not only stay in the headlines but her new book, “Going Rogue” to be released in a couple weeks, is already a bestseller on Amazon.com

Like her or hate her, Palin’s probably a pretty good example of the post-feminist woman. A woman who’s unapologetic about her confidence and willingness to take risks. A woman who doesn’t back down. A woman who’s never intimidated and keeps charging through life no matter what.

Back in the heyday of the feminist movement many assumed a “new woman” would evolve from the old “Stepford Wife” stereotype. This would be a result of a nation where women have a similar upbringing and the same kind of opportunities as boys and men have to succeed in life. This woman wouldn’t be compliant, cheerful, deferential and always standing behind her man. She would be bold, confident and a risk-taker. We saw this new woman as a positive improvement.

So how do you like that “new, empowered woman” now?

When Palin first became a national figure, I saw her as an example of how we’ve evolved over the last 40 years.

We talk about how important it is for women to become more empowered. She has no need to talk about “being empowered.” She’s powerful. She doesn’t need a fight for equal rights. She’s got ‘em. And, what’s your problem if you don’t feel equal or if you feel men have an edge? She doesn’t. She busted down the door of the world’s most entrenched “old boys network.” In contrast, Hillary Clinton spent years trying to figure out how to get invited in. There isn’t a “victim” or “martyr” bone in Palin’s body.

Palin grew up actively involved in sports. Her parents told her, “You can be anything you want in life.” Isn’t that what women want for their daughters?

I’m not in agreement with her uber-conservative points of view. I voted for the other guy. But I remain amazed by her super confidence and the moves she’s made over the last year. Not necessarily in agreement with them – but still amazed. As a marketing mentor I deal with women clients who love their business but feel uncomfortable and weird about getting the word out and asking for the sale.

So let’s step away from politics – because let’s face it – her political career appears to be over. What are your thoughts on the new woman? After all, if women today have big responsibilities like paying the mortgage and handling the finances – it just doesn’t work to be the woman who feels uncomfortable asking for money. What are your thoughts?

Denise Michaels is a marketing mentor, trainer and author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.” Find out more about her at her websites below:

Marketing with Denise
Empower U Academy – Get marketing and empowerment tips here!
Get Testosterone-Free Marketing
My Copywriting Ebook

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Seven Success Secrets I Learned Working with Robert G. Allen

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

During the seven plus years I worked with mega-bestselling author Robert Allen I never learned how to become a one minute millionaire. But I did discover some lessons that serve me well in life and business. Here are seven success secrets I carry with me today from that experience.

• HOPE: Once in his home office Robert turned to me and asked, “What do you think people want more of – the motivational stuff or how-tos?”

I replied, “How-tos, of course.” .

Allen added, “People will pay a lot of money for hope.” He was spot on. As I worked with protégés over the years in teleclasses and at seminars this lesson was reinforced over and over again simply based on what I observed. Help people see themselves as successful and a winner in the making. Even if they’ve failed in the past they’ll want to buy from you or know more about what you offer. Give them hope and encouragement.

• PASSION: I was bugging Robert to call a guy back who wanted him to become an investor in a business deal. He was avoiding calling the guy. Finally he called. “I’m not going to get in on your deal and here’s why,” he said. My ears perked up. Allen said, “I looked over your proposal and what you have is a winner – but that’s not the point. Sooner or later I’d get pulled into it and I only get involved with businesses I’m passionate about.”

Never again did I feel bad wanting to make money as a writer and as an author. I stopped feeling guilty about not signing up for MLM deals. If I have no passion for it as a business idea, I don’t do it.

• FOCUS: I used to pride myself on my ability to multi-task. I could juggle ten things at once. I noticed Allen did only one thing at a time. When working together he was 100 percent focused. If he had to call someone he was totally focused on that person. He never seemed stressed like me. I thought it must be nice to be a millionaire, then I’d have the luxury to think one thought at a time, too. I wasn’t envious of the fancy house or lifestyle – I was envious of having time to vision, think and create.

Then it dawned on me: maybe what helped him reach that level was focus. I decided to try it. At first I was afraid everything would fall through the cracks – but it never happened. Everything that mattered got done. I took time to vision and think. That time eventually resulted in my business-bestselling book, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.”

• HIGHEST AND BEST: Once I came in the office and Allen was trying to put together a metal mesh trash can. Finally he looked at me and said, “Now THIS is the highest and best use of my time.” We both laughed.

I started asking myself, “What’s the highest and best use of my time today?” I began accomplishing more of the things that mattered. Checking emails is NOT the highest and best use of your time. Figure out what is – and you’ll accomplish more every day.

• ULTIMATE BENEFIT: I learned this from one of the teleclasses he taught before everything was delegated to other trainers, including me. New business owners often try to figure out what to say to bring in new customers. Allen said figure out your ultimate benefit and start there.

To determine your ultimate benefit: If I used your product or service 30 days, did everything and got a great result what would I have? That’s the ultimate benefit.

• THE 10 PERCENT: Allen read a less than glowing review of his latest book and sighed, “I get a lot of that.” I read the book and enjoyed it. He said, “You can have a business where 90 percent of people hate you and still be a millionaire with the other 10 percent.”

Those words gave me courage when my own book came out and was embraced by many but booed by a few. Knowing I can be “out there” and be my slightly crazy self gave me permission to be my authentic self. Knowing I don’t have to have everyone love me still helps today.

• BE OPEN: Allen was inquisitive and open to learn. He constantly asked questions and listened intently. It was almost as if he was doing market research. People often felt honored a millionaire author would really listen.

Ask questions and listen to what people tell you. It makes them feel good and it might help you get your next big, successful idea.

Denise Michaels is a marketing mentor, trainer and author of the business bestseller, “Testosterone-Free Marketing.” Find out more about her at her websites below:

Marketing with Denise
Empower U Academy – Get marketing and empowerment tips here!
Get Testosterone-Free Marketing
My Copywriting Ebook

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