A Triumph for 35 Women Business Owners
Published November 3, 2009 | 
by Denise Michaels
The most fun part of putting on a workshop is seeing the lights go on in the eyes of the participants. My job is to not just educate them – but also to entertain them and keep them wanting to listen for a full day. These are women who are dedicated to enjoy success. The kind of women who are willing to acknowledge maybe there’s something I can learn. I know they need more confidence. Maybe there are things I need to learn and do differently if I want to get a different result. I also know they need that cause and effect link between our personal selves and our business selves that results in a better outcome.
I woke up in the morning feeling both excited and calm and I think I stayed that way all day long. I had so much fun sharing “Testosterone-Free Marketing” with the attendees and my strategies to help customers happily say “yes.” The great thing about this workshop is that the attendees walk away not just with an attitude adjustment in terms of their self esteem – they also get hand on tools they can go out and use immediately.
People buy based on emotion – and then the back it up with logic.
One of the parts I love is when I ask people to share their insights, ah-has and light bulb moments. A woman who was asking all the right questions of her sales prospects – except she wasn’t asking for the sale. A woman realized how easy it was to sell when she was working for a big corporations – but once she was out on her own – everything changed. Another woman who realized as a life coach that she was doing everything wrong – because she was following the recommendations of the coaching institution where she got her training. There were major a-has for every person in the room.
I get so enthusiastic when I do an event like this.
The testimonials are already starting to come in:
“I do a lot of one-on-one meetings with prospective clients for my business so the most powerful tool I got from your workshop was how to use your Five Magic Questions to close more sales with ease. It became crystal clear to me how much money I’ve been leaving on the table. I also needed a way to tell my story so it’s succinct and emotionally compelling. You shared a perfect way to do that, too. I helped by handing out flyers about the workshop because I loved your book. Now that I’ve actually attended your workshop, I’m going to insist more women take it. I was amazed how some women felt they weren’t “ready” yet. Every woman business owner needs ‘How to Make Customers Happily say YES!’”
Liz Nitta
The Nitta Way
“Before attending Denise’s workshop I thought I had to discount my prices. I was undercharging and hurting myself. Also, I was marketing what I thought clients might want – I wasn’t marketing my passion for empowering women with their personal fashion. I discovered the more my fees are in alignment, the more value I create. I don’t have to be the “nice girl” giving stuff away hoping to get business with freebies. I also learned how to attract more ideal clients who will want to pay for my passion and knowledge. In just one day after attending your workshop I know who my ideal client is – people who will happily pay me what I’m worth. Now more than ever, if you think you have to discount, if you don’t have as many ideal clients you want, get to Denise’s next “How to Make Customers Happily say YES!” workshop. The price of NOT attending is way too high.”
Stephanie Ann Vehon
Image Empowering
“My marketing challenge before experiencing Denise Michaels’ workshop is that I love what I do and I’m good at it, but, I wasn’t happy with the number of people enrolled at my workshops. At her “How to Make Customers Happily say YES!” workshop, I discovered it was time to get out of my own way and stop talking about my workshop. Instead, focus on the needs, emotions and concerns of prospective attendees. Duh! It wasn’t rocket science but with Denise’s help I finally understood how I can help attendees and clients on a deeper level than ever.
Using Denise’s Five Magic Questions, I now stay on track. I’m focused on their concerns and how my workshop can help them get more of what they want. It’s simple and powerful. Any woman business owner who wants more people happily saying yes – don’t miss out. Reserve your space for Denise’s next workshop NOW! She uses life experience, humor, a shoot-from-the-hip style and her amazing marketing skills to empower and inform.”
Joy Huntsman
Joy & Associates
“I thought I was on top of it when it comes to marketing. However, I realized I knew what I liked but was clueless when it comes to understanding what my customers liked. Denise Michaels’ “How to Make Customers Happily say YES!” workshop forced me to question my beliefs about marketing. It was an intense experience because I was riveted learning how our belief systems impact our buying decisions. And her Five Magic Questions truly are magical to get better results closing the sale. It’s amazing when you finally get what we think is going on and what’s really going on. The workshop shook my foundation – in a good way. Now my business will be more successful than ever before.”
Talette Deitrick
Connections 2 Cruise
Posted in Adventurous Women | 
business, confident, Denise Michaels, marketing, testosterone-free | 
Leave a commentAre You Focused or feeling Fuzzy?
Published October 21, 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.
Posted in Personal Growth | business, Denise Michaels, focus, goals, home-based, marketing, testosterone-free | Leave a commentThe “Balloon Boy” Hoax and 15-min. of Fame
Published October 19, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, ‘Testosterone-Free Marketing”
You had to be living under a rock if you didn’t hear the story out of Fort Collins Colorado last week regarding the six year old boy who parents said they were afraid had blown away in a homemade weather balloon on Thursday. The nation sat gripped with awe as we watched images of this aluminum foil looking balloon buffeted along over empty fields and up to heights of over 15,000 feet. Finally it was discovered the boy was hiding in a box in the attic of the family’s home the whole time. Happy ending?
Police discovered the event was a hoax. The father is a publicity hound whose been on a couple episodes of reality TV. He did it to improve his chances of getting on another reality TV show.
If only the six year old boy hadn’t ratted him out and thrown up on national television – his scheme probably would’ve worked.
On September 9th a Congressman from South Carolina shouted, “You lie!” during an important speech by the President. He apologized to the President, but within a week he raised over a million dollars in campaign contributions which will probably ensure his re-election in 2010.
Back in the 1960s, artist Andy Warhol said, “Everyone will have 15 minutes of fame.”
In both cases I don’t agree with what these people did. What blows me away is their results.
Here’s what I see: unless someone is brought up on charges for breaking the law, in 2009 people are often rewarded for “bad behavior.” It makes headlines and if you leverage it the right way, it’ll keep you in the headlines. It used to take extraordinary talent to become a celebrity – now it takes something like a sex tape leaked on the internet and crazy behavior aka Kim Kardashian. Bingo! Instant fame and reality star of a show now in its sixth season.
What does this mean for you and your business?
You can be a nice girl and say, “I’d never do anything like that!” Or, it may be time to suck up your confidence and make some noise about your home-based business and stop waiting for people to discover you. After all, publicity can be an incredibly valuable form of marketing.
Tell the world. Say something controversial. Plan a publicity stunt. Get your phone ringing off the hook.
According to Wikipedia: “A publicity stunt is a planned event designed to attract the public’s attention to the event’s organizers or their cause. Publicity stunts can be professionally organized or set up by amateurs. Such events are frequently utilized by advertisers, celebrities, athletes, and politicians.”
Can you use a publicity stunt in some way?
Don’t automatically say, “No, I could never pull off a stunt.” Consider the possibilities.
Posted in Uncategorized | business, Confidence for U, Denise Michaels, marketing, testosterone-free, woman | 5 CommentsSpinning in the World of Ideas
Published October 16, 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.
Denise’s Top Ten Marketing Tips for Success (Part 2)
Published October 15, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
This is the second part of a two part article on my top ten marketing tips. Read them and commit to memory.
6. Don’t Rely on Word-of-Mouth Advertising
When I ask new entrepreneurs how they plan to market their business they frequently reply, “word-of-mouth.” Yes, it’s one of the strongest forms of “advertising”, but you could starve waiting along the way. To me it means they have no marketing budget and no clue. There are free and inexpensive options out there. Create joint venture partnerships, network online, get articles in ezines. Do something!
7. Build a Clear Marketing Message
A confused mind always says, “no.” As you create your marketing message ask several people to read through what you’ve written to see if it’s clear. Listen with an open mind. If they have to ask you questions, your message is unclear. If you must explain something, that’s information that should go in your sales letter. If they’re ready to buy, you’ve got a winner.
8. Make Cause and Effect Links
Don’t just tell them a feature or benefit about the product. Tell them how that feature or benefit will make their life better. People are busy and stressed these days. They often don’t have time to make the connection. If you don’t show them how your product or service will improve their life in a real way, who will? Don’t expect them to sell themselves.
9. Create Joint Venture Partners
Team up with people who have something you want and you can offer value to them. Look for ways that you can help each other building BOTH of your businesses and customer base. Always look for joint venture partners who provide products or services that are complimentary and not competitive. You can help your customer or client more by pointing them to people who have things they need but you don’t offer.
10. Test, Test, and Test some More
Find out in a small way if people will nibble at your idea before you spend a lot of time or money on it. Talk up your idea. Many people will give you surprisingly good input. Gauge their reactions. Post clues about your idea on a message board in an appropriate way with people who you think might be your customers. Ask, ask, ask and then listen openly.
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.
Posted in Marketing Classics | business, create, customers, Denise Michaels, marketing, message, testosterone-free | Leave a commentDenise’s Top Ten Marketing Tips for Success (Part 1 of 2)
Published October 14, 2009 | By Denise M. Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Markieting”
These ten tips are absolute classics and something every woman home-based business owners needs to not just know but absolutely let it sink down into your bones. Many people think they KNOW these basics but it never hurts to let ‘em sink in a little deeper and find creative ways to let ‘em permeate your marketing message and everything about your brand. It would even be a good idea to print them out so you can see them over and over. I’ve posted the first five of these ten tips and tomorrow I’ll post the second five of the ten tips.
1. Know Your Market
Many entrepreneurs have no clue who their customers are and why they really buy their product. If you say, “Everyone is my market,” unfortunately no one will be your market. The more specific you get about the kind of person who buys your products or services – the more you can zero in on the perfect message and venue for that message that will make those people stand up and take notice.
2. Create Your Product or Service Around Their Needs
Some people come up with something they believe is a great product but they never take the time to determine what needs it fills and what problems their product solves. They talk about features and gizmos no one really cares about. That’s an expensive mistake. Find out what problems your customers have that are in need of a solution. Not the other way around.
3. Offer Real Value
Ask yourself, “Would you buy it?” And, “Would you recommend it to your best friend?” Make it a value that’s too good to pass up. Don’t undercut yourself. You deserve to cover your costs and make a fair profit. If people aren’t biting, don’t assume the price is too high. Instead assume maybe you’re not doing an effective job of communicating the value.
4. Be Passionate
Your enthusiasm, positive energy and problem-solving skills are sometimes exactly what it takes to save the day and the deal. Also, chances are what you offer is something you’ll be offering for a long time. Be passionate first about serving the customer, not just from a customer service standpoint but also in the marketing message you create.
5. Love Your Customer Not Your Product
It’s easy to love your product. Perhaps you use it personally. Maybe you enjoy the features and benefits. But, cash flow doesn’t come from the product. Your product can’t love you back. It also can’t reject you the way you might feel a customer can, either. Learn everything you can about customers and potential customers. Ask questions. Let that caring reflect back to your customers in your marketing. They will “get it” and want to do business with you.
This is Part One of a two-part article. Part Two will appear tomorrow.
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.
Posted in Marketing Classics | business, customers, Denise Michaels, home-based, market, marketing, message, messaging, testosterone-free, woman | Leave a commentCome to Vegas – get No-fluff Marketing Magic
Published October 13, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Maybe you’ve been reading my blog for awhile now. Maybe you know me from when I used to be a trainer and mentor for a mega-bestselling author and seminar guy. Maybe you’re a previous marketing mentoring client. Or, maybe you’ve never heard of me before.
It doesn’t matter. If you’re a woman, home-based business owner and you really want to discover the secrets to take your business to the next level – but do it your way – without all the testosterone – come to Las Vegas and discover how to:
* Attract ideal customers who pay on time and are a pleasure to deal with
* Get them to happily say “Yes!” and know you’re aligned with them and have their best interests at heart
* Do business with people you like – so you don’t waste time on customers who are a pain
* Create a plan to help you easily draw in more people who want to and DO say “yes” to you
* Discover why you’ve held back from success and how to get the word out in a woman friendly way
… and much more.
My “No-fluff Testosterone-Free Marketing Magic Workshop” is being held Monday November 2nd in Las Vegas from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Get to Las Vegas. Attend the workshop and get more great ideas that’ll work for you as a woman business-owner than you ever imagined. Average temperatures for Las Vegas the first week of November are sunny and in the high 60 degree to low 70 degree range, Farenheit. Share your travel expenses with a girlfriend whose also a business owner and attend together. I just checked on Expedia.com and the hotel where the workshop will be held has a special rate of just $49 Sunday and Monday nights.
I’ll be presenting. The event will be limited to just 35 attendees. It’s small and intimate – so check into it now. Plus, there’s an Early Bird Discount right now that you don’t want to miss out on. For more information and to register click on the link at the top of the page that says, “Denise’s Events.”
I’d love to meet you in Las Vegas and help you enjoy the rest of 2009 and 2010!!! *smile*
Posted in Adventurous Women, Events for U | business, customers, Denise Michaels, home-based, marketing, no-fluff, testosterone-free, woman, workshop | Leave a commentBetter Marketing and Selling Skills Can Improve Your Marriage
Published October 11, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Maybe this sounds like a big leap, but being successful in your business as a woman can actually make your marriage better and your husband more loving. I’m defining success as the perfect blend of enjoying what you do AND creating cash flow. Not one or the other – you get to have both.
Yes, I know there are men threatened by their wives’ success.
The first thing to do is unwind a couple powerful, but unhelpful beliefs out there that keep us twisted up trying to make money – but at the same time not make money. It’s like driving down the freeway with one foot on the brakes and the other on the accelerator at the same time. After all, a business without positive cash flow isn’t a business – it’s an expensive hobby.
Belief One: for men, there’s a strong belief that making money will bring love. The most lovely, caring wife, the family and the income to support it all. Most people have a belief this is so. It’s why many women – when they’re looking for love – also look for a man who can support her future family. We’re attracted to confidence and that begets success. Confidence and a can-do spirit is sexy. I’m sorry ladies, but 40 years of feminism doesn’t change four million years of human conditioning.
Belief Two: far too many women have a deep-seated belief, often subconscious, that making significant money will take love away from them. Many women fear if they make a good income he’ll be threatened and leave. Or, she might wake up one morning and say, “What am I doing with this turkey?” and leave. It doesn’t help that back in the day when women first started making good incomes in the 60s, 70s and 80s that happened – a lot.
If you’re married to a good guy – chances are his paycheck goes to taking care of many household expenses. It doesn’t really belong to him – it belongs to the family. But when things are flipped – for many women their paycheck never goes into the family checking account. Sure, it might pay for groceries and other things – but when you want a new pair of shoes – you get ‘em. When you want a little splurge or pampering you look at your money – and if you can do it – you spend the money.
When you truly want to be on an equal footing you stop looking at the money as his belongs to the family and yours belongs to you. Instead all the money is family money. You look at how your income can improve your lifestyle for the entire family rather than paying for splurges. You stop looking at your money as temporary and therefore fleeting and you look at it as part of your lives together.
You have a conversation with your husband. You say something like, “I want my business to be successful – because I love you and I love our family. It’s not just for fun – it’s for income, too. You’re the only one for me and I want us to have a great life together. I’m ready to stop sabotaging myself and really do the things that will make a difference. Which means putting less attention on _______, and more attention on marketing and selling.”
Then say, “Hon, I know you’re doing a great job and we’re a team together. But it’s really hard for one person to do it all in 2009. I want to learn ways to contribute more to our family as a team because I love you and I want us to have a great life together. I want us to be able to give our kids a good education and have a secure retirement someday. I’m not talking about putting more time into my business –I’m talking about re-focusing my energy into doing the things that will make more income in my business. I’ve avoided it – but it really means learning how to market and sell more successfully.”
Over the last eight years I’ve mentored over 1,400 women and a lot of men, too. In a few instances the women I mentored walked away from their marriages. These were very troubled marriages even before she started a business. In far, far more instances a woman making more money resulted in bringing a husband and wife much closer together because he felt a little less stressed and she saw her success not as something that split her from her husband – but something that brought her closer to him. After all, men find confidence sexy, too.
Posted in A-has for Women | business, Confidence for U, Denise Michaels, empowered, marketing, marriage, relationship, selling, testosterone-free, woman | 1 CommentDenise’s Four Powerful Marketing Rules
Published October 10, 2009 | 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
Obama Surprise Winner for Nobel Peace Prize
Published October 9, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
This morning President Barack Obama was named winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Tongues wagged.
Many felt the choice was an exciting one. Reflecting an acknowledgment of the international effect Obama has had. And, how people in many countries are more hopeful about America’s leadership, but also excited about their own prospects for peace and prosperity.
Some asked, “What has Obama really DONE?” They must’ve given the award on their expectations for what he’ll do in the future and not based on what the 44th President has accomplished.
Then – leave it to the whack job right wingers. Rush Limbaugh, with 20 million listeners daily, said he was in agreement with the Taliban – Obama shouldn’t get the award. For good measure Limbaugh said the world sees our President as a joke.
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the greatest honors in the world. It establishes respect for a person’s work towards peace worldwide. Naturally, Limbaugh finds a way to flip it 180 degrees to appeal to his hate-besotted listeners.
Former President Bush spent eight years holding back progress – in science, medicine, culture and other facets of life. Like standing in the middle of the Mississippi River trying to hold the water back. No one could predict the rush of changes that bust loose January 20th on Inauguration Day. There was no stuffing the toothpaste back in the tube again.
The America I grew up in was largely a white, Christian country. There were minorities of every color and creed. But the majority was so firmly in control and dominant, people who didn’t fit the mold went with the program. It was the American way and no one ever thought it would change.
The last 25 years the American landscape has shifted dramatically. African Americans are about the same percentage of the population – but they’ve increased significantly in economic clout and influence in all sectors of American life. The numbers of Asians and Middle Eastern people, while still small, are evident in greater numbers. The biggest population shift is the millions of Hispanics, now proud Americans. Another sea change: the fastest growing religion in America today is Buddhism often embraced by former Protestants, Catholics, Baptists and others. Instead of teaching their children the words to “Onward Christian Soldier” they’re teaching them how to meditate.
White, right-wing Americans with their continued sense of entitlement are no longer the dominant demographic force. And they’re mad as hell. Seems like they’re afraid the rug’s been pulled out from beneath them. Not by Obama, but by the flood of population changes resulting in different priorities and different values. The USA isn’t all about them any more. Many are struggling to maintain a grip on the America that always felt so safe as it slips away. They still see themselves as the “real Americans” and everyone else is an also-ran Nobody’s trying to get into their exclusive “club” anymore.
The world views Afghanistan and the Taliban as stuck in the bad, old days of the Middle Ages. Limbaugh and his followers are right there along with ‘em. Trying desperately to hold back inevitable change. Shouldn’t that tell you something about the sheer power of this wave? (I’m hoping in a few years there won’t be sufficient numbers of ‘em to support ratings – and ad revenues – for national shows like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck.)
One obvious example of this came during the summer of our discontent as right wingers swooped down on Town Hall meetings to scream at politicians. One blonde woman in an Arkansas Town Hall meeting plaintively cried, “I’m scared! I want MY America back!!”
But you can’t stuff the toothpaste back in the tube again.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to. I live in a neighborhood that’s like a little United Nations. It’s a mix of White, Black, Hispanic and Middle Eastern folks. My husband’s originally from India so he adds a little Asian. Wide-sweeping changes are coming in science, health care, the environment, the economy and more. Right wingers still dumb-founded by Obama’s election – find it hard to fathom they’re not as “in control” as they always were. The safe mantle of entitlement they always assumed would be theirs is gradually being peeled away. As a result, screaming mean-spirited, racist people are rearing their ugly heads.
The times are exciting and honestly – I don’t love all the changes. I don’t love:
• How I feel I have to be plugged in and “on” all the time.
• The rudeness and animosity permeating both left and right.
• That objectivity has gone the way of the dodo bird in journalism
• If we don’t keep up with technology, well fuggedaboudit.
• It looks like we’re getting more deeply entrenched in Afghanistan
I do like that:
• We’re closer to real health care reform than ever before.
• Players on the world stage are looking to America to lead again
• Millions of African Americans now proudly wave American flags
• Millions of children who never felt they had a chance now have hope
• There’s a push toward a “green” economy and sustainable energy
I don’t know where all the change is going. My crystal ball’s a little smudged. I’m open to an America that works for everyone – not just a few. A country respected on an international stage. And whether President Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize as a result of his accomplishments or expectations for what he might do – I wish him well and proudly salute this honor. It also says those of us who voted for Obama because we were confident his approach would be met with approval on the world stage were right – and that feels great.
As for Limbaugh and his knuckle-dragging followers who cling desperately to the past like the Taliban and their right-wing sense of entitlement: you can’t stuff the toothpaste back into the tube.
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 | change, Denise Michaels, Nobel Peace Prize, Obama, testosterone-free | 5 CommentsWhy Men are “Out There” About Their Businesses
Published October 8, 2009 | By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
A lot of women, home-based business owners tell me they don’t “get” marketing and how it works. After all marketing is a universe most of us are totally unfamiliar with. We want to get everything right, and, we’re less likely to shoot from the hip compared to men. Well, I can’t clear up all the differences in one brief article, but I can help you become more clear about how and when you talk about your business with others.
One of my friends was working with a male colleague who was going to help her develop a marketing plan. Suddenly the marketing plan he promised slipped through the cracks. He told her he didn’t have time to do it after all. He was starting a new business and anticipated hiring 20 new employees by the end of the year.
Naturally she was disappointed but she was even more turned off by his posturing that he was “so important” and going to create a pretty significant business in such a short time. She thought it sounded like a typical male full of bravado, big promises and hot air. She told me she’d never say such overly-confident things until she was actually hiring people.
I told her when men do this they’re project outward. It’s natural for them but it doesn’t come as naturally for women. Very often men tend to make things up based on what they want to happen – not necessarily what has happened. Sure, they may do the math first. However, they might assume they’ll get the capital to hire those people before they have it in hand. They assume big clients will come through or getting capital will be a slam dunk. They have positive expectations and talk about ‘em – because it attracts more people with positive expectations. They may have sat down and thought it out just like you. Creating a business and a marketing strategy takes a lot of educated guesses, talking and sharing with others. But no one really knows for certain. They’re flying by the seat of their pants. It’s like jumping off a cliff and building a parachute on the way down.
Women on the other hand tend to not say a word until their plan and resources are totally nailed down and in place. We hold things closer to the vest. We tend to wait and hold back taking a more reluctant stance toward risk-taking. It’s not as natural for us to project outward. We don’t move as much energy out beyond us.
There’s nothing wrong with a little well-placed bravado. Certainly not if our intentions are to create a dynamic, profitable business. The wrong people might be turned off. However, the right people are likely to attracted to others who are passionate about their vision. When business owners project outward and share what they want with others – they’re actually more likely to attract it to them by saying it over and over. Moving energy. In some ways business and marketing are a make it up as you go along proposition.
In contrast, I’ve discovered many women feel they must have all their ducks in a row and everything done and in perfect order before saying anything or getting started. They are afraid someone might shoot them down immediately. My former husband used to say, “It’s better to be quiet and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.” He was not a business owner.
Some women feel incorporating ideas and suggestions from others doesn’t “count” unless they dig up the information themselves. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You don’t have to discover everything yourself without help. Men use good ideas where they find them. Networking is about more than meeting potential customers. It’s about meeting people who might help you solve problems and refer you to others.
On the surface it may sound like a good idea to be 110% sure before speaking up about what you want to create in your business. In reality when you stay silent you’re not moving energy, building momentum or attracting people, ideas and resources to you. Start talking excitedly and passionately with people about your vision for your business. Share with them your intention. Tell others what you need in the way of support and resources. When you share it, you’ll be amazed and happy how many great ideas, resources, solutions and people will come back to you.
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 A-has for Women | Adventurous Women, business, confident, Denise Michaels, home-based, marketing, testosterone-free, woman | 2 CommentsWelcome!
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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