Your Tips Appreciated on THIS One!
Published October 6, 2009 | 
By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Okay, this is a weird one. Today at lunch I’m speaking in front of the Rotary Club of Las Vegas. When I was asked a couple months ago I jumped at the chance. Rotary is considered a pretty Class A group of business leaders in any city.
Usually when I speak in front of a group – it’s mostly women: most recently a Divisional meeting for Lia Sophia reps – sort of like a Mary Kay for jewelry. But I’ve also given talks for Mary Kay, Beauti-Control, Tupperware and others.
So, like I said, I jumped at the chance. Then after the date was all set I discovered that 80 percent of this group will be men and the other 20 percent will be women. Alrighty then… So my message is about “testosterone-free” marketing and these kind of guys are about testosterone-heavy, competitive, damn the torpedoes and eliminate the competition. Women are about building relationships and creating ways we have things in common and don’t want to eliminate anyone.
I teach women how to avoid all that testosterone-heavy stuff and still succeed. This kind of audience embraces all that testosterone-heavy stuff.
What to do… got any thoughts about this?
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
Posted in Uncategorized | 
business, Denise Michaels, marketing, messaging, testosterone-free | 
6 CommentsSeven Success Secrets I Learned Working with Robert G. Allen
Published October 4, 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
Posted in Personal Growth | business, Denise Michaels, focus, hope, marketing, passion, success, testosterone-free | 4 CommentsDo Your Lack of Marketing and Selling Skills Hold You Back?
Published October 2, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Does the thought of marketing your business drive you to chocolate? If “getting the word out” makes you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. After coaching over 1,400 men and women the last eight years I’ve discovered big differences between the genders and how we handle marketing challenges.
Women Owned Businesses: An Emerging Economic Powerhouse
Did you know women are starting businesses at 2-4 times the rate of men? Women-owned businesses employ more people than the Fortune 500 combined.
My book, “Testosterone-Free Marketing” is about why marketing and sales make many women uneasy and what they can do about it to enjoy more success and put more profits in your purse.
Many women can’t relate to pushy sales and marketing tactics found in most marketing books, tapes and seminars. It just doesn’t feel like us – so we avoid it. We hate being pushy. It’s testosterone-heavy. We’re about relationship building and letting others come to us rather than pushing ourselves upon them. So you tend to wait for others to initiate a purchase. This is especially true for women raised to not “toot their own horn.” You may have tried to sell by just being friendly and being interested in others – and that’s a good thing. But it doesn’t quite work either.
Talented Women at the Crossroads of Success
Susan had a delightful personality and was a distributor for a network marketing company that made some amazing products to improve and maintain good health. She had a terrific experience with the products herself. And, she was comfortable signing up people who she believed would benefit. But to create a business that would generate full-time income she knew she must recruit business builders. Those are the big-time MLM heavy weights that have incredible abilities to build an organization. She asked, “Why would they possibly be interested in me?”
She stayed inside her comfort zone by only approaching people that she could secretly feel a little better than. She wasn’t threatened or intimidated. However, in this instance these people would use the products but there wasn’t a chance they were going to build their own organizations – and that didn’t help Susan’s monthly check very much.
I told her we all have something of value to offer others even if it’s not as easy to see on the surface as being beautiful or being rich. Your uniqueness is the reason people will want to do business with you. If you feel inadequate when you compare yourself with others, it’s not a business problem – it’s a self-confidence challenge.
Nurturing Women Can Have Abundant Cash Flow, Too
Women often bring to home-based businesses the same nesting, nurturing characteristics as at home. They also bring expertise about their products and services. Marketing and sales is out of their comfort zone. But “product knowledge” will not help most women sell more and create cash flow. Marketing and selling skills are necessary even if we do it far differently from the men.
Marketing is about drawing people in toward what you do. Selling is asking for what you want. You can’t wait for customers to approach you like you waited for the cute boy in high school History class to call for a date. Yet countless women business owners do. “Testosterone-Free Marketing” is about helping you discover woman –friendly ways to market and sell so you have more fun, feel more confident and make a lot more money.
Business will come to you, when you let the world know you are here, you are competent and you are ready for business. When you discover these keys, your cash flow will soar and your self-confidence will grow.
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
Ten Tips to Have a Great Mentoring Relationship
Published October 1, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone Free Marketing”
People who are passionate about living an independent, financially free life often decide they want a mentor to provide insight and ideas to help them on their path. Maybe there’s someone in your industry you know, or, you just know of who could help you take your business to the next level. How can you get that person to share their wisdom and help you get on the right path? How can you rise above so they want to share and give you a little extra help?
I’ve been a mentor to people for years, but never more intensively than since I became an author, trainer, speaker and marketing mentor as my business. This article will help you know how women in business can approach a prospective mentor in a way that will make that person more positively pre-disposed to helping you succeed.
Read these ten tips and go find your mentor.
• Take an interest in the person as a human being. I have an Internet mentor whose wildly successful. After I ask him a question I always ask him about what’s going on in his life, share a joke or tell him something funny that’s happened. For example recently I wrote him and after asking I question I typed, “Tomorrow I’m speaking at a workshop, so right now I’m sitting in my desk at the hotel catching up on emails with hair dye on top of my head.” He wrote back that he laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair. You don’t have to tell your whole life story, but make yourself real. Make it light and fun.
• Don’t say, “I’d like to pick your brain.” My brain “done been picked dry” and I start feeling bored when I hear those words. I know the time I spend with that person will be nothing but an interrogation. Instead say, “I’d really value your opinion.” It’s gentler and I get the sense it’ll be a more pleasant conversation rather than an interrogation with harsh lights shining down. Besides mentors are like every other human being – they’re looking for win-win relationships, too.
• Don’t try to monopolize a lot of your mentor’s time. Especially at first. Connect in a way that’s quick and easy. Don’t invite them to dinner. That’s a two hour time commitment. If you’re at a seminar they probably already have meetings scheduled. If it’s at home, they probably want some “down-time” Offer to drive them to the airport or share a cab. Ask what they like in their coffee or tea. Bring it to ‘em and get 15 quality minutes.
• Be clear about what you’re doing and what you need. There is so much “murky thinking” in the world. I’m amazed at people who feel they must write five pages to express one idea. That means you don’t know what you’re talking about. Develop a clear elevator speech and mission statement. Think about one or two specific questions you need answered and think about your words and how to ask those questions clearly.
• Listen, listen, listen to what they say. Don’t think about all the reasons why you can’t. That’s part of the reason why you’re not where you want to be yet. Say something like, “I’m dealing with yada, yada, yada – how would you suggest I overcome those obstacles?”
• Don’t say, “I’m looking for a mentor.” It’s easy to deflect a statement like this with a smile and not make a commitment. Instead say, “Would it be okay with you if we connected by email or on the phone once in awhile to get your opinion? I’d really value that.” It would be hard to say “no” to a simple, clear request like that.
• Thank the person for their time. Don’t take well intentioned advice – especially when it’s offered free – without saying “thank you.” Tell them what you’re plan to do. When you take action, be sure to let them know. Always, always, always tell them when you take an action step. It’s so easy to follow-up with email and so gratifying for the person who’s mentoring with you.
• Many experienced people who avoid mentoring others do so because someone more novice will take their time and advice and never follow up. It feels like a one-way street. Over the years I’ve had people beg me for my time and experience and yet offer nothing in return. I’ve met a number of women over the years who’ve said, “Denise, but what do I possibly have to offer? This person is so much more successful than me.” I once had a business mentor, a highly successful millionaire, who met with me every 2-3 weeks to discuss my goals and I got his input and ideas on business strategy.
What did he get in return? He saw me as being successful in personal relationships, so he wanted my opinions, thoughts and insights on how he could be more successful in that aspect of his life. You never know what’s important to others. Never assume you have nothing of value to offer – you don’t know until you get to know someone.
• Reciprocate once in awhile. If you see an article you think they would enjoy – send it to them with a quick note. If you have a trade or a skill and can offer to help them out in some way – offer it. Don’t say, “How can I help you?” Then they have to figure it out. That’s effort. Say, “I’m really very good at _____. If you ever need _____ give me a call, I’ll be more than happy to help out any way I can.” Even if they never take you up on it, they will appreciate that you offered. Then, your relationship is one of equals.
• Make the link between cause and effect. Don’t put your mentor in a position where he/she has to figure it all out for you. You’re not a baby. The job of a mentor is not to take you by the hand every step of the way. Look in the dictionary under “mentor.” It’s to give you some guidance as you’re on your way. Your job is to make the link between what you’re told and how you’ll apply it to your life.
And one more tip as a bonus:
• Thank the person for their time. Don’t take well intentioned advice – especially when it’s offered free – without saying “thank you.” Tell them what you’re going to do and when you take action, be sure to let them know. Always, always, always tell them when you take an action step. It’s so easy to follow-up with email and so gratifying for the person who’s mentoring with you.
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Posted in Confidence for U | Adventurous Women, business, Denise Michaels, marketing, mentoring, testosterone-free | 3 CommentsMarketing Tip: Be Passionate
Published September 30, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Be passionate.
As a business owner: your enthusiasm, your positive energy and your problem-solving skills are sometimes exactly what it takes to save the day and the deal in a business transaction. Passion can actually be a great part of your marketing as a woman. Also, chances are what you offer is a product or service that you’ll be offering for a long time. It’s important that you love your product and believe in it – but it’s even more important for you to love and believe in your customer.
Be passionate first about serving the customer, not just from a customer service standpoint after they become a customer but also in the marketing message that you build before they become a customer. Don’t fall in love with your products (in terms of where your time and energy goes) fall in love with your customers – their needs, what matters to them, how you can help. For many women business owners we have a tendency to wait a little bit until others sort of draw us out and approve of what we do. Passion says, “I’m sold on this. I’m enthusiastic about this. I’d love you to be, too.”
One of the things we love about famous people is their passion: consider the intensity of Donald Trump, the mirth and ease of Jay Leno, the conviction and honesty of Oprah Winfrey and the outrageousness of comedienne Joan Rivers. All of them have a “brand” with their look, their personality and the way they come across to others. We like them (or not) because we know what we can expect with them consistently. You have to own it, be it and work it. When you believe it and convey your convictions others will be drawn into your passion and want to do business with you as a result.
If something doesn’t quite work the way you’d like it to at first – don’t blame your customers for “not getting it.” They are never to blame – the responsibility belongs to us as the business owner to help them “get it.” Your target market is the final arbiter – the problem isn’t about them. It’s about you and your message. Be passionate enough to discover the best way for you to get through.
PS: Get your personally autographed copy of Denise Michaels business bestseller by clicking here. And, you can get her free tips to help you be marketing savvy and more confident as a woman business owner at Empower U Academy.
Posted in Marketing Classics | business, customers, Denise Michaels, enthusiasm, marketing, passion, passionate, testosterone-free, woman | 3 CommentsHow to Make News Work for Your Business (Part 2)
Published September 29, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Ever wondered how small business owners seem to get headlines in the media while you’ve sent in media releases in the past – but nothing’s ever happened? Today’s post is about how to use the news in a positive way to promote and market your business more successfully. This strategy is testosterone-free, can be done on a shoestring budget and will help women discover one of the secrets to media coverage that works.
Yesterday my post was about how to get a more balanced view of the news. How to see it in a more clear way, stay on top of things and spend less time doing it. Today is about promoting your business – plain and simple. Marketing you – the woman who owns a business. And, understanding news really CAN make a positive difference for a change.
This strategy is known as the “hook” or the “angle.”
If you recall in yesterday’s post one of the ways the media uses to fill up their hours and hours of endless news coverage time is to spin off new “angles” or “tangents” on the same story. Guess what? You may be able to help them to do just that. *wink*
When a story is really big and there is a tremendous amount of interest in it – reporters, editors and producers are desperately looking for new “angles” or “hooks” to keep up the already heightened interest. When they say a story has “legs” it means there are a lot of ways that story can keep going and going.
The biggest news story of the decade was the event that took place September 11, 2001. Look at all the groups impacted:
• People in New York
• People who got out of the World Trade Center buildings
• Families of the people who didn’t get out
• The fire department that helped and lost 300+ firefighters
• Employees and families of Canton Fitzgerald on the 96th floor most of whom perished
• The travel industry New York
• The airline industry nationwide
• Hawaiin tourism – their primary industry – took a huge hit
• Rudy Giuliani (the mayor of NYC at the time) surged in popularity
• The insurance company in Switzerland who insured the buildings that fell
• A manufacturer of American flags in New Jersey had skyrocketing sales
• A suburb in New Jersey lost 50+ residents
• The funeral industry was impacted and there was a shortage of caskets
• Broadway and the theatres on the Great White Way
• 143 people who perished were from Great Britain
• People around the US who had relatives in 9/11
• Our US military
• … and many, many more
Every one of the bullets above created stories in newspapers, on TV, radio and online – sometimes numerous stories. I could go on writing bullets like what you see above for another hour – but hopefully you get the idea how two planes flying into the World Trade Center impacted not just those buildings and the people in them but much, much more.
Your mission – should you choose to accept it – is to watch for big news stories and create an angle or a hook where you can respond as an expert or authority within your business. It doesn’t have to be nearly as big a story as 9/11 was. But it must be big enough to have legs. And when it happens you need to respond quickly.
Let me give you three examples:
Several years ago there was a guy in Atlanta who was in the courtroom being sentenced – I think it was for attempted rape. Somehow he managed to steal the gun from the bailiff. Then, he shot and killed the judge and bailiff. Next he got out of the courthouse and stole a car. He killed two more people on his spree and ended up at the apartment of Ashley Smith at 2:00 am. She’d just arrived home from buying cigarettes at the drug store across the street. In an ordeal that lasted all night she successfully talked this killing machine into taking her out of bondage and turning himself into police. Media called her a hero.
I wrote a media release and sent it out nationally saying she used “testosterone-free” marketing skills without even knowing it to bring the guy to justice. That release got me a 20 minute spot on a local TV interview show AND an article in a national business publication.
Here’s a second example:
Last July, the President was in a tele-town hall sponsored by AARP. He was asked about his health care plans. Particularly about one teensy part that allows doctors to get paid to talk with patients about their choices regarding end-of-life care. Obama replied he thought this was good because it encourages people to have a living will and we all should have a living will. And he said he and the First Lady both have a living will.
Well, I have a client who is an Elder Law attorney. I called her about this and suggested she check it out on CNN.com. Then I told her to write a media release positioning her as an authority in this regard. She did and got news coverage in her city – she still has a waiting list of clients who want her to draw up their living wills.
One last example:
I saw a story on CNN that said in a recent study it’s been determined that tanning beds are horribly carcinogenic and are a sure way to get skin cancer if you keep tanning that way on a regular basis. This story came out the beginning of August and Ernie and I had just returned from a glamorous one week cruise down to the Mexican Riviera. The day before we left I went to a woman who owns a business doing spray tans.
When I heard the story I called her on the phone and told her. I said she should write a media release reinforcing that spray tans are a safer way to go. She didn’t write the release but she put a box on her website with the story’s headline and a link to the video on CNN.com. Also, whenever she went to networking events she included that headline in her “elevator speech.” She told me just being aware of that news story helped her business tremendously the last couple months.
The moral is – don’t be afraid of the news or the media. Look at it not as a regular Joe or Joanne six-pack news consumer. Instead look for opportunities and ways that it can help your own business to grow and succeed.
Get more information about “How to Make Customers Happily say YES!” by clicking here.
Posted in News You Can Use | business, Denise Michaels, market, marketing, media, promote, promoting, testosterone-free, woman | Leave a commentSecrets to Stimulating Your Own Cashflow
Published September 26, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Sure, pundits and experts are starting to cautiously say “the recession is over.” However, if you’re like millions of women business owners you put on a happy face to the rest of the world that says, “Everything’s great!” but on the inside you may still be concerned.
How do you stimulate your personal economy so you get results rather than get caught up in the lack mass consciousness that’s become so pervasive the last year. This article provides seven stimulating secrets to get you back on track. Successful women in business depend on these principles to keep their cashflow humming so when someone asks them about business they can honestly and enthusiastically say, “We must be doing something right. My business hasn’t been impacted.”
• Stay away from the nattering nabobs of negativity. Whether its cable news almost predicting Armageddon daily, or, just the people you meet at a networking mixer who have fear all over their face. Stay away from anything less than optimistic. It’s impossible to be confident when you feel afraid. About 15 minutes of news daily 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 doing well.
• 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 networking 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 who are likely to do business with you. Filtering means when you actually talk with a prospective customer chances are they already know about you and are partially pre-sold making sales much easier.
• Be emotionally compelling. People still have wants and needs. What’s lacking right now is trust and 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 and benefits. 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 do be willing to confidently guide and direct a conversation. After I’ve explained everything about what I offer, me fees and answered all their questions and gotten strong signals they are 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 and 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!!”
Women Biz Owners: Get Your Systems Together
Published September 25, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Lately I’ve been busy. It’s better than being bored – but it’s also important to decide if your kind of busy is “smart, profitable busy” or is it “just keeping busy.” I try to be aware how much time I spend on marketing, servicing clients, long-range strategic planning and just daily maintenance stuff like catching up with emails, etc.
Don’t get stuck like many women do, “in the thick of thin things.” Or spin your wheels, wasting valuable time on work that’s of little consequence. No wonder you end up feeling like success is elusive and you’ll have to keep working harder and harder to achieve only marginal gains. It can do a number on your confidence level, too.
Though most of my clients come to me from online, this year I’ve focused a lot of attention on becoming more well-known in my local area of Las Vegas. That means online and offline networking. Traffic building online (I have four sites and this new blog) and building a “fan base” offline locally.
Most of my marketing mentoring clients come to me from online. Most of my book sales and workshop sales come from offline. Currently I have several projects I want to build up a head of steam with. Especially my Empower U Academy site – it’s brand new and time to implement my marketing plan. Also, I have a marketing workshop coming up Monday November 2nd to fill. That doesn’t include regular marketing and book mentoring clients, bringing in new clients, networking, writing for this blog. Going to the gym. And oh, once in awhile it’s nice to spend a little quality time with my husband, Ernie. There’s a lot on my plate.
One thing I’m working to improve in my business is systems. Because I’m a writer and a creative person it’s not where my energy naturally goes. However, I’m cognizant how important it is to have systems in place. So when business comes in you have a way of handling it without throwing your hands up in the air and falling into a blithering heap of overwhelm. Without systems in place this is a very real possibility.
So, how do you do it? Well, as I just said in the last paragraph this isn’t where my energy naturally goes so I’m not an expert. One great suggestion is to get one of Michael Gerber’s “E-Myth” books. Start with “The E-Myth Revisited.” Its a fast, easy read.
Here are a couple over-arching aims when it comes to systems. Think about the orderly process of a sale and what that process should be like for your customer. Then think about the experience of doing business with you. From start to finish. You want the experience to be fairly consistent and congruent from one customer to the next. And, if the person providing the experience isn’t necessarily you – how would you bring them up to speed? Systems are created from the place of what you want the experience to be like for your customers.
You know what it’s like when you refer a friend to a great restaurant. You tell them what a wonderful time you had. You share about the amazing food, the ambience and the stellar service. A few weeks later your friend says, “I don’t know what happened but that isn’t at ALL the experience we had.” Then she tells you about the undercooked food and the lackluster service. You feel bad you referred her and make a mental note not to refer anyone else. The experience you had is totally different from the experience she had.
Putting systems into place in your business sounds boring – but in reality it’s quite exciting. You can finally run your business with less overwhelm, happier customers or clients, more referrals and create more cashflow for yourself and all the people and things that matter in your life. Because it’s important to have a business you’re passionate about. But transforming your business from an expensive hobby to a real business must be about passion AND having the pieces in place to create real cashflow.
Posted in Marketing Classics | Adventurous Women, business, Denise Michaels, marketing, testosterone-free, woman | Leave a commentBoomer Women: Great Target Market for Your Business
Published September 22, 2009 | DMM: Whose your target market? Are you marketing to one of the largest audiences in America with more disposable income than any other demographic group? It’s baby boomers. The people who are the best “fit” for my products and services are generally women business owners age 40-65. Much to the chagrin of some Gen Y and Gen X folks – we aren’t going away any time soon.
Okay, some of us wear mom jeans and still wear a wrist watch. We are still care about buying products and services. The short article below from Entrepreneur Magazine will give you a little more of an idea of the power of marketing to boomers
A baby boomer turns 50 every 7 seconds–joining a population segment that will grow by 25 percent in the next decade while other segments remain flat.
Matt Thornhill, founder of consulting firm The Boomer Project, which helps businesses reach adults born between 1946 and 1964, says it’s time for marketers to recalibrate their thinking about marketing to older adults. Boomers are a dynamic group that’s much more open to new experiences and brands than previous generations of older adults have been. Stephanie Lakhani found that to be true at her upscale Breathe Wellness Spasin Boise, Idaho. Catering primarily to boomers, the two spas bring in about $1.2 million per year. She says boomers are an excellent target, with disposable income and a tendency to refer business. “They expect perfect service,” says Lakhani, 35, who adds, “They tend to travel and buy in groups, so giving them an incentive to refer a friend in the form of an upgrade or a thank you [gesture] works very well. They are also very responsive to direct mail.”
Thornhill adds that marketers should target boomers by what they’re doing instead of how old they are. “Boomers are living such cyclical lives. In their 40s or 50s, they could be going back to college, be empty nesters or be married a second time and raising a young family,” he explains. “You wouldn’t sell the same vacation package to all these people. So pick the lifestyle segment you’re targeting, and focus on that.”
Posted in Uncategorized | boomer, business, Denise Michaels, home-based, marketing, targeting, testosterone-free, woman | 4 CommentsGet Out of Your Comfort Zone and Watch Your Cash Flow Grow
Published September 22, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
I’m leaving for the gym in a few minutes. It’s out of my comfort zone and not where I feel confident by any stretch of the imagination. As a woman business owner I have so much more to do that’s the highest and best use of my time. If I’m not marketing or selling, I’m talking with a mentoring client, creating alliances, planning for my next workshop or maybe throwing a load of clothes into the washer. But I’m going to the gym in a few minutes anyway. My husband Ernie’s bugging me to get moving.
When I get there I’ll probably groan through the first few laps around the track before picking up steam. I’ll probably do some upper body exercises with weights. Some of those machines I actually get a weird pleasure from Then I’ll walk and it’ll feel effortless to total three miles. I’d still rather be working on my business.
I feel like a fish out of water at the gym. I don’t look like the impossibly fit bodies there. I go with the eternal hope someday this 50-plus body will be whipped into shape.
I’m thinking about two marketing mentoring clients I talked with yesterday. During our session they exclaimed, “But Denise, I don’t do THAT! I’ve NEVER done that before.” They were arguing for their limitations. These were tasks that were new but not necessarily difficult or requiring a high degree of skill.
Isn’t that the point? Your business growth cannot happen any faster than your personal growth.
Before agreeing to work with a new client I ask a few questions. One of them is, How many hours a week do you put into your business?” Some clients still have full time jobs – however I’m not the right person to work with anyone putting in less than 15 hours a week. I also ask, “Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone?” Because the things you’ll need to do to reach your goals will naturally be different than the things you’ve already done. This takes many people out of their comfort zone.
We all have the tasks and activities we feel confident about. They come so naturally to us its like falling off a log. Everything else tends to make us a little uncomfortable. If you don’t take a chance and try something new you’ll never know exactly what your business and your life could’ve been otherwise.
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Posted in Marketing Adventures | business, comfort zone, confident, Denise Michaels, marketing, mentoring, selling, woman | 2 Comments74 Powerful and Impactful Questions
Published September 21, 2009 | Whenever I post this list – people think I’m a genius. Not so. I learned these questions from speaker, David Cooper. He says they should be delivered in a soft voice with a smile. Tailor made for women business owners to help you market and sell. I always give credit to Cooper – but some people forget in their enthusiasm. Do a good job presenting your product or service and questions like these can help you get to a happy “yes” more quickly. Consider this a little early Christmas gift.
By David Cooper
1. Can you get excited about……………..?
2. Do you see the value of………………..?
3. Do you see the benefit of…………….. ?
4. Can you see the merit in………………?
5. Wouldn’t it be terrific if………………?
6. Aren’t you glad that ………………….?
7. Aren’t you looking forward to………..?
8. Doesn’t it make sense to ……………..?
9. Don’t you agree ………………………?
10. Isn’t it going to be fun when………….?
11. Isn’t it about time that ………………..?
12. Doesn’t it give you confidence to know…….?
13. Wouldn’t it be worth while to find…………..?
14. Can you see the advantage of………………..?
15. Wouldn’t it be reassuring to…………………?
16. Don’t you feel that …………………………..?
17. Wouldn’t it be great to save money by………?
18. Aren’t you really excited that ……………….?
19. Won’t it be gratifying when…………………?
20. Isn’t it good to know…………………………?
21. Wouldn’t it be marvelous to …………………?
22. Haven’t you enjoyed…………………………?
23. Haven’t you benefited by……………………?
24. Wouldn’t you be happy to find………………?
25. Aren’t you happy to know…………………..?
26. Aren’t you anxious to know…………………?
27. Isn’t it fantastic to know…………………….?
28. Isn’t it wonderful to find…………………….?
29. Wouldn’t it be satisfying to know…………..?
30. Isn’t it worth considering that………………?
31. Wouldn’t you prefer………………………..?
32. Don’t you feel that it is best if……………..?
33. Don’t you feel knowing that……………….?
34. Can’t you see how this would………………?
35. Wouldn’t it be significant if……………….?
36. Wouldn’t you like to strive for…………….?
37. Wouldn’t a higher quality life be worth……?
38. Wouldn’t it be tremendous if………………?
39. Wouldn’t you agree………………………..?
40. Wouldn’t it be great………………………..?
41. Wouldn’t it open doors if………………….?
42. Isn’t it worth……………………………….?
43. Wouldn’t you benefit by…………………..?
44. Can you gain from…………….…………..?
45. What do you think about………………….?
46. Isn’t that exciting………………………….?
47. Wouldn’t you feel better if………………..?
48. If the results were…………………………?
49. Wouldn’t it change your mind if………….?
50. Wouldn’t you reach the top quicker by……?
51. Wouldn’t it help your career if……………?
52. Do you feel the power in………………….?
53. Isn’t it stimulating when………………….?
54. Don’t you know that………………………?
55. Wouldn’t a highlight be…………………..?
56. Couldn’t it light up your life………………?
57. Aren’t you delighted that…………………?
58. Doesn’t it thrill you to know………………?
59. Wouldn’t you be pleased if……………….?
60. Wouldn’t you take pride in……………….?
61. Wouldn’t it be motivating to……………..?
62. Wouldn’t you love to grow by……………?
63. Isn’t it inspiring to know…………………?
64. Wouldn’t it make a difference if…………?
65. Wouldn’t your success be guaranteed if….?
66. Wouldn’t you enjoy knowing…………….?
67. Do you realize the importance of…………?
68. Wouldn’t your family enjoy……………..?
69. Can you see the potential of……………..?
70. Wouldn’t it be comforting to know………?
71. Wouldn’t it be an exciting challenge if…..?
72. Isn’t it going to be incredible when………?
73. Could you reach more of your potential by..?
74. Can you visualize the monetary gain of……?
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Dedicated to every 40+ person still kickin' it. If you have dreams and adventures you refuse to abandon - follow me on the journey. Life is one big adventure! Make yours excellent.
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