cash flow

What am I Doing? All Appears Calm and Unruffled – Actually I’m Paddling Like Hell

(Part One of a two part post)

To some of you watching this blog you might think, “Gee, it doesn’t seem like Denise is doing much with this excellent adventure thing.

Truth is I’m like a duck. Everything appears calm and unruffled on the surface – but underneath – I’m paddling like hell.

What have I been doing since starting this adventure in lifestyle design? The only trip I’ve taken so far was a weekend visit to SoCal to see the grandkids. Not exactly adventurous. But travel is only part of creating an excellent adventure.I’ve been discovering, scheming, learning, strategizing, making mistakes, brainstorming, talking and building. I’ve been working at getting my ducks in a row to create cash flow – or, it’s equivalent (I’ll explain later) while traveling.

So, I’m considering taking a three or four day trip to San Diego. Here’s what needs to happen before I can pack and make the trip – if I’m doing it as part of my excellent adventure.

First, I need to get a Video FlipCam – but I’m waiting for a check to arrive in the mail first. It should come this weekend or maybe beginning of next week. Then, I need to learn how to use a FlipCam. I have a friend who just bought one – so that shouldn’t be difficult

Second, Ernie had a job interview last weekend and he’s supposed to find out Wednesday (7/28) if he has a job or temporary assignment. If he has a temporary assignment for a couple weeks, no big deal – I can work around him. If he has a permanent job I might choose a girlfriend to go on this first adventure with. I’d rather have my husband by my side. But hey – you gotta do what you gotta do.

My intention is to visit San Diego. The weather’s 30-35 degrees cooler than here in Las Vegas. I lived there ten years and our first date was to Seaport Village. I’d love to return. I’d hate to come without Ernie – but if he’s stuck working – I might.

That’s just the beginning….

The third part of this little adventure involves creating cash flow. I’ve been working hard building up fans on my Facebook fan page.* Tuesday, I spent most of the afternoon making a spreadsheet of active blogs around the idea of long term travel as a lifestyle and what is called “lifestyle design.” Yesterday I spent the entire evening looking for appropriate ways to comment on said blogs. They’re not really my “ideal customers” as many are by 20-somethings just out of college, married, no mortgage, no spouse. It’s perfect for them. For me, it involves more “arranging.” You too?

I also want to put together a list of blogs that have to do with empowering women. I make comments with the idea of bringing traffic to my blog. However, it’ll probably be awhile before I have enough traffic here to attract any paying advertisers. I don’t want to wait till next year before taking some kind of excellent adventure trip – even if it’s just for two or three days.

What to do?

* To visit my Facebook Fan Page click here now.

Denise’s Four Powerful Marketing Rules

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

These simple marketing rules were written with women home-based business owners in mind. Whether you’re marketing a product, a service or a business opportunity they all hold true and these rules can help you enjoy greater results and more cash flow in your business. Here goes:

1. A confused mind always says, “no.”
This means if there is ANYthing about your product, service or business opportunity that your prospective customer doesn’t get – they’ll say “no.” It could be a feature or a benefit – but it also could be just one single word or a phrase. Strive for clarity. Say things so your message resonates with them in a way that’s clear and understandable. To get results – marketing should never be about you – it should be about what’s clear and compelling to your ideal customers. If they don’t “get” a word, a term or a feature – you’re outta there. Marketing communications or a sales pitches most of the time should be communicated at an 8th grade level or less. And don’t use jargon unless you’re 100% sure your meaning will be understood.

2. People have to need it, want it and be willing to pay for it to be your customer.
Often I see home-based business owners with a great product or service, however they offer it to the wrong people. Maybe they’re intimidated when they think about approaching the right people. Maybe they believe they can convince the wrong people to buy what they have. Nope. Sorry. I learned from a very savvy business woman and bestselling author that, “If you think everyone is your customer – no one will be your customer.” Be more picky about who you do business with. Don’t go after the people who love it but never have any money – go after the customers who need it, want it and are willing to pay for it.

3. Stop spending your time and energy trying to impress others. Instead, spend your time and energy being impressed with others.
What does this mean? Well, if you ever go to networking meetings and events there’s a very good chance you try hard to impress people with who you are and what you do. You dress your best, figure out you’re elevator speech. These aren’t bad things – but it barely scratches the surface. Instead, when you take a genuine interest in others and ask questions – they will be impressed with you! So turn it around and stop worrying if you’re having a bad hair day or you have lipstick on your teeth.

4. People buy based on emotion and they back it up with logic.
You may have never thought about this before but politics is all about marketing. The candidate who leads with his resume and why he or she is the most experienced and qualified person for the job usually goes down on election day. In contrast the candidate who has an emotionally compelling message that goes straight to the heart and then backs it up with his or her qualifications is more likely to captivate voters. You may have never thought about it but chances are you have an emotionally compelling story that will catapult customers to your side when you back it up with features and benefits they like. Use your story.

These four simple marketing rules are just a start. If you truly take them to heart they will help you to get greater results with prospective customers and more happy “yes” answers from customers. Working with a marketing mentor can help you discover customized ways to leverage these four simple marketing rules so they work amazingly well in your business and you enjoy more success.

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