Good Old Fashioned
“Social Networking”

Posted by Wendi Liechty

While I believe Twitter, Facebook, Linked in and the popular online social networking has taken the world of connecting by storm, there is an old fashioned face to face version that still surprises me and should not be forgotten.

While online social networking gives you access to hundreds if not thousands of people, not to mention a platform to promote yourself and your business shamelessly if you choose… I am always, surprised, humbled and touched by the strangers and connections you make everyday face to face and sometimes when you least expect it.  So the clear advantage of the new is of course expposure to so many through a wide arrange of channels, but don’t discount the value of exposure to just one or two pivotal people that can meet met when you are just doing the business of living.

Over the last month I look back at the connections I have made just by doing things that I always do.  I Stand Up Paddle a few times a week, meet friends for dinner in Laguna Beach, relax on a bench overlooking the ocean.   As a result I have met several people that have become personal friends, who have lead to the most unexpected connections and experiences that have truly added so much to my life personally and professionally.

I have heard interesting stories and met some of the most interesting people, from the bench where I take in lunch and the ocean, I see the same group of 4 older men swapping stories from politics to their wives menopause symptoms (who knew they cared), to people who have driven across the country just to get the view that I enjoy almost everyday, to believe it or not a self proclaimed alien… this was by far the most unexpected, but interesting

A lot of us think that taking time out from behind the computer or desk means less business and less money… and while we all have our own style, I am grateful for all the opportunities good old face to face connecting has brought to me personally and professionally.  I’m looking back over the last month at how important these face to face connections were.  I realize I am rich in so many ways because of them… in the true sense that it has brought me more clients and opportunities and in the unseen of just knowing my life and my experience and the people in it will continue to reward me in the most pleasant and unexpected ways.

So Tweet, Link, FB and update your status by all means, but there is value in and riches in the old fashioned face to face social networking too! 

Happy Monday

Wendi

Tags: networking, social networking
Posted in Casual Manifesto, Communication, Entrepreneur Lifestyle, Marketing Ideas, networking | No Comments

Top Dollars in Down Times…
Alternatives to Discounting Your Prices

Posted by Wendi Liechty

So… a lot of clients have shared that their competitors are dropping prices and doing some silly things in order to stay in business, leaving them feeling like they have to join in or miss out.  While it is true that most people are looking for better values and spending more on needs than wants right now  it doesn’t mean that you have to discount, it means you have to find your true benefits and value. 

Look at it like this… it is an opportunity to build your worth in your clients eyes and serve them in a deeper more meaningful way.

Here is what I mean:  Often times we stop at the service or the product we provide and don’t really look at all we have to offer or all that we give.  In other words how we change our clients businesses and lives.  This is the true impact you have or can have if only you dig deeper and uncover it.

You are not just a “Insert Your Profession Here”  you are much more than that and you need to define exactly what that is to maintain your value, the benefits you provide and that ever important market share. 

Hot Alternatives to Discounting Your Services Are:

Define Your True Benefits:  If you provide a product or a service, you need to go a step deeper and tell people how this will change their life, their business or their bottom line and you need to keep digging until you find the juicy benefits.  People can live without the generic version of what you do, but if you were to list everything you do and how this truly benefits your clients, chances are you will find something they are hungry for.

Add Value:  Once you get to those juicy benefits, it is easy to add value because you know what the “more” is that you have to offer.  Rather than discounting, add something that you know they want and need and yet it doesn’t cost you a thing.  This could be a free report, it could be more time, or more education from you, it could be instructions on how to use your service or your product to really change their lives in the way only you know how.

Be specific:  This is a good time to specialize or niche your product or service.  There is a group of people that are hungry for what you have to offer.  Maybe even for just one of your amazing benefits and once you find that you can build value and an empire on it that makes marketing and getting clients so much easier.  Yes… even now!  There is enough uncertainty out there… people are attracted to the confidence that comes with being specific and certain about what you can deliver.

Package it: Take all of the above and create an irresistible, package, product or service that starts where your competition ends…  Fill in the blanks:  I am not just a “Insert Your Profession Here”  I am a “Professional who……………………………………………” perfect spot to insert not only your product and service but how it will change their lives and satisfy their hunger.

So… I realize this is difficult for a lot of people, whether you are just to humble or close to the product or service to see how great you are and all that you are.  It does help to get help… ask your clients, ask your friends and family, ask your peers and ask me.  You can start by joining me for a free call this friday (see following post) about niche-ing….  and find out how it just makes more dollars & sense

Happy Monday!

Wendi

Tags: discounting, packaging, pricing, service professionals
Posted in Coaching, Communication, Confidence, Marketing Ideas, Money, Pricing & Packaging | No Comments

FREE Call This Friday!
Get Niche-Fied!

Posted by Wendi Liechty

This Friday I will be a guest speaker on a call for one of my favorite resources and absolutely my favorite web specialist… Indra Successful Coach Marketing, anyone can join in so check it out below…

Most understand that specializing  and developing your niche is a must to succeed, but that is little comfort if you are just not ready or still feeling unsure and unwilling to settle for something generic and unfulfilling.  Join us on this call and learn…

What might be holding you back from finding your “Niche”

A new perspective and incentive to market the “Niche” Way

How to find, develop and uncover the best “Niche” for you.

What to do if your just not ready to find your “Niche”

To participate in our call this Friday, May 22nd from 10-11am PST / 1-2pm EST, please:

1. Call into the Conference: Conference Dial-in Number: (231) 962-8000

2. Participant Access Code: 999546#
3. Go to the URL http://websupport.glance.net
4. Enter the key code 6873 and follow the prompts

Please use a Land Line!

Tags: Coaches, Free Teleclass, Niche, service professionals
Posted in Coaching, Confidence, Finding Your Way, Marketing Ideas, Teleclasses | No Comments

There’s More to Work Than Work
Especially for Entrepreneurs

Posted by Wendi Liechty

Most people I talk to dread Mondays… so much so that it ruins their Sundays just preparing to dread Monday :(   so on that note…

Happy Monday…  I like to think that there is more to Mondays than getting back to daily grind, probably why I buffer the start of my week by paddling around Dana Point Harbor.  It is work too, not just the physical kind but the kind that starts my week on a high note that leads to more energy and focus.  As I am paddling not only am I enjoying my favorite thing… the ocean, I am getting my thoughts in order and any dread out of my system to make it not only a productive and inspired day but week, I could start behind my computer or day planner, or from the confines of a cubicle but as an entrepreneur I have a choice and so do you. 

Reminder: You chose to be an entrepreneur for the freedom it provides, for the lifestyle.  So as you start this Monday I hope you remember there is more ways to do your work than to just work in the traditional sense. 

Work it your way…

Wendi

Tags: Entrepreneur Lifestyle, Mondays, SUP
Posted in Creativity, Entrepreneur Lifestyle, Finding Your Way, Fun at Work, Work Environments | No Comments

Everybody Has To Eat Right? Business Lessons from the Food Court

Posted by Wendi Liechty

While retail may be slumping… according to the news today, people still have to eat. Last night I took my kids to their favorite place which just happens to be in a food court at a mall.  It was a Monday night so not usually busy and I have to admit the mall itself was a ghost town.  But every time I take my kids to their favorite place I notice… that this place seems to be unaffected, they seem to have regulars like us who are not coming to shop but coming to eat while I noticed many of the other food vendors are as empty as the mall and shops.

So I began to notice what was different, what has always been different about them… Here’s what I learned that could be applied to any business especially now!

Samples - They stand in front of their store with tasty, fresh samples of their most popular product.  Once you try it most people turn and head to where the order takes place.  So you could say people need to experience what you have to offer even if its just a nibble and of course it better be good and make them want more.

It’s Fresh -There were probably many well know food places next to our favorite, but all were empty, no one in line accept at our little Japanese Teppan place… why because they cook the food to order.  It is not lying in pans getting crusty, its not a come one come all kind of place.  They cook what you like, to your specifications and you have to wait a bit but it’s fresh and just the way you like it.  Is what you offer fresh… or do you try to please everyone with what you have had laying around for hours, days months and years? Or are you adaptable and fresh for all?

Showing Up - Now this one was pretty obvious… most the other food vendors had maybe one employee or two, probably becasue it was a slow night and lets just say the employees looked bored and some were not even visible after all there were no customers.  Our favorite however had at least 6 employees, all appearing busy and all serving a purpose from the guy handing out “Yummy” chicken” samples (He used the word yummy… charming don’t ya think) to the girl taking orders, to the 3 or 4 “professional” teppan guys behind the grill.  It defintely sets a mood that they are busy and what they have to offer is worth waiting for.  The others not so much.  If you want to be busy, I’d say you have to be visible,  be busy doing something worthwhile that people are willing to wait for.

I’m sure there were more lessons, but these were the big ones that stood out to me… that so many service professionals and business owners are missing these days.  Trying to do the same things in a different market… there are still people who want to buy, who want what you have to offer, you just need to show them why it is with you over everyone else!

Here’s to cooking up something good in your biz!

Wendi

Tags: business tips, Marketing Ideas, service professionals
Posted in Creativity, Finding Your Way, Marketing Ideas, Money, Motivation, Work Environments | Comment 1

What’s Personality Got to Do With It? (Making Dollars & Sense That Is…)

Posted by Wendi Liechty

Have you ever been immediately attracted to someone or something just by good looks alone … silly question I know,  if we are all being honest we would admit this is true and how most of us initially respond to everything.  You could say we have a serious stimulus package for the economy based just on vanity alone :)  Collectively we spend billions on not only making ourselves more attractive, but our businesses and the way we package, service and sell.  ALL GOOD…

BUT

Have you ever had the let down of opening the package, meeting the knock out or investing in promise making program hype only to find that there was well.. how do we say it other than disappointment, dis-interest and the feeling of…. can’t sugar coat this one, what a waste!

WHAT A WASTE… Ouch

I never want to have someone say this about me or what I have to offer and learned early on that one of the only things that separate you from every one else is not only how you and your business looks, but more importantly who you and your business are, what you stand for and what you truly deliver.  The first may give instant gratification… only to be followed by, you know… what I said above.  While the second scenario creates trust, loyalty and longevity all better for you and your bottom line.

SO…

Your personality has everything to do with it… it’s who you are and it’s what you bring to the table that is different than everything and everyone else.  If you are not tapping into this goldmine and using it to shamelessly market yourself and your business then you are missing out and playing in the land of the “same” and “mediocre”.  Who wants to hang out there?  Apparently about 80% of people, because it is comfortable and truthfully most probably get by. 

But… GETTING BY  $&%@!  

On the bright side I think there is a mass group of people, also known as casual, rebellious, creative, passionate, entrepreneurs & service professionals that know that getting by is just not enough!  That is why more and more people are integrating who they are with what they do… how refreshing, and productive and inspiring and I could go on…  the days of checking out to do menial tasks and going through the motions are over.  Now more than ever entrepreneurs, service professinoals of all types need to dig deeper than ever before to set themselves apart, to shine and go get the piece of the money making pie that is still out there.

Survivor may be on to something…  your personality has everything to do with how you outwit… ouplay and outlast in business and in life.

I like them all but outplay is my favorite… what’s yours?

Wendi

Tags: Entrepreneur, Marketing Ideas, personality
Posted in Casual Manifesto, Coaching, Confidence, Entrepreneurs That Rock, Marketing Ideas, Money, Uncategorized | No Comments

Bouncing Back
After a Hack Attack

Posted by Wendi Liechty

So much of March this site was un-sitely because someone with too much time on their hands decided to redesign my site and I have to say it wasn’t quite as appealing.  I was wondering if I should be flattered… or take out a cyber restraining order as they seemed determined after the first time to go for it again.

Happily during that time the phone kept ringing, infact regular visitors called just to say hi and see what was up after all last time they saw me I wasn’t into the goth thing that was now reflected on my site.  Prospects called too… concerned wondering if they had the right person.  So all in all the hackers helped business and make some connections because people had to do a double take and went out of their way to report the strange going ons.  Cool if that was their intention

So the site has bounced back, and business never better and tomorrow is April Fools and there is word of a worm… can’t wait to see what good fortune that brings!

Here’s to making the most out of the unexpected!

Wendi

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments

Did You Miss the Prosperity Party?
Join Me Today for The After Party Call!

Posted by Wendi Liechty

Date: February 17, 2009

Time: 6:00 to 7:00 PM

Phone: (605)475-6350

Code:  22787

Your Local & Long Distance Charges Apply

Even if you missed the party, you can still reap some of the benefits by being on a complimentary follow up call tonight!  There will be another party coming in April and if you’d like to learn more about it or get involved in the After Party Program… don’t miss this call!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments

Recording :: 5 Juicy & Affordable
Marketing Strategies for 2009!

Posted by Wendi Liechty

If you didn’t make the call live Thursday the 5th…
Good News… You can listen to the recording here!

Tags: free, Marketing Ideas, teleclass
Posted in Free Recordings, Marketing Ideas, Money, Podcast | No Comments

Getting the Most Out of the
“CREATIVE EXPERIENCE”

Posted by Wendi Liechty

Do you describe yourself as creative, a jack of all trades, eclectic, scatter brained, a touch of ADD, quirky, on or off, hit or miss and other words that don’t quite do justice to the whole experience that goes along with creation?  I have been creative my whole life and it comes with its blessings and curses.  Like when you are in that creative mode you can feel unstoppable, connected and totally alive.  But sometimes you lose access to it and it can be frustrating and in the entrepreneur sense it can be expensive, time and mind consuming and derailing to what you want to bring to the world.

I have had my moments with creativity too; ups and downs… dry spells and desertion.  I have also worked with a lot of people who have professions that require you to be on most the time, like graphic designers, web designers and interior designers and here are some things I have learned from my own experience and theirs to bring it all back and re-connect to your creativity:

Sometimes You Need:

To Be FREE - In other words the more you “will” or try to force the creativity to come forth, the more it hides.  So you need to accept that at the moment you are feeling creatively blocked, that it’s not the right time and when it is you will know and be inspired with the right stuff to get going again.  In other words you have to let go of CREATING right now so you can create when the time is right.

To Be Inspired - In my experience creativity comes as a result of feeling full of possibilities minus your daily dilemmas and routines that may sometimes weigh you down.  You must nurture yourself in order to feel full and express yourself freely.  This may mean stepping away from the norm, the to do’s and taking a breath.  Find a happy place or happy people that leave you feeling full, nourished and inspired.  Do this regularly… this is the new routine for consistent creativity.

To Be Clean - This may or may not surprise you, but you need your life, your thoughts, your environment and the people in it to be clean.  So if you have been blocked for awhile it may be time for a little spring cleaning.  Look around and see what is consuming your time, thoughts and energy… and make sure to remove what is not nurturing or healthy.  Just this alone could make a huge difference in having easy and inspird access to your best creativity.

To Start - Yes sometimes that is all… while thought starts the process, you need to move past your thoughts and start taking action to ignite the flow that comes along with being creative.  This often means you have to work through the beginnings that are sometimes awkward and imperfect to get to the place where things flow.  So if all else fails just get started, don’t edit or censor and give yourself at least 10 minutes to see if it gets you going again.  This also requires that you trust the process and let go of instant gratification.

Pressure - I know this seems to contradict the first sentiment, but creatives are usually contradictive too (I know I am)  I usually keep myself free from pressure because that is my preference, but there have been some occasions where pressure allowed me to do some of my best work.  Test yourself to see if you work well under pressure and if so create a deadline or accountability partner to help you create the urgency or adrenaline that kickstarts the creative juices.

Case in Point -
Tammi Spruill
Fruition Branding & Design

“It’s interesting how, when left to our own devices, we can get off track.
 
I have been experiencing creative block for the past few days. I kept thinking that if “I just push through it, I’ll get to the other side.” I didn’t allow myself to leave my office and I stayed in front of the computer doing pointless tasks for hours.
 
Then I remembered what Wendi says about taking the time out to do something fun. It often re-energizes you and your creativity begins to flow again.
 
So today, I took that advice and went out for most of the morning. I was feeling pretty guilty about my decision, but when I came back this afternoon, I had more energy and the creativity has indeed begun to flow.
 
We often forget that as entrepreneurs, we don’t all fit the 9-to-5 mold and we are not only allowed, we NEED those fun breaks to have more fun and be more attractive to clients. Thanks for your insights, Wendi. :-)”

Ask yourself what you might need to get that creativity going again and then give yourself permission to take it… and it will flow again!

 Be Inspired & Keep Creating,

 Wendi

Tags: Creativity, Designers, Entrepreneur
Posted in Coaching, Creativity, Finding Your Way, Motivation, Work Environments | No Comments