Website — Done!

Is it important how you get on the web or that you do? 

Some would argue that it should be done in such a way to optimize your website and that you have to have the right keywords, blah, blah, blah! 

All of this can be important, but if you’ve been holding off getting online because you want things to be perfect or if you have an old outdated website that needs changed badly and don’t have the resources to do it, then do one yourself today!

Check out this free tool — here’s the video!

http://www.screencast.com/t/YWNjZWJkZDUt

What’s in a Testimonial?

One of the hang-ups that business owners often have is obtaining testimonials from satisfied clients and raving fans.  This often falls into the “tooting your own horn” philosophy when marketing your business, and it can be difficult to ask for, let alone be critical about what you want your customer to say, but it can make a huge difference when people are deciding to hire you vs. another organizer.

The other challenge that organizers can have is that the raving fan doesn’t want to admit that they needed an organizer.  So, they’re just not willing to put there name up there and tell everyone how bad it was before and the amazing difference. 

Nevertheless, find those brave clients and get started on compiling powerful testimonials today with the following points to keep in mind:

1.  Describe the problem.

In order for the testimonial to be effective, you can’t just have “Diane did a fabulous job when organizing my kitchen”, rather you want the client to describe the problem in detail, explain how you solved it for them, and why they are so happy.  (ie.  “I was struggling to get a meal on the table with cluttered counter tops that I had to constantly clean off, Diane helped me purge out appliances I was no longer using in my cupboards to make room for the kitchen tools I used regularly, she also set up action files for the family’s paperwork, now my counter tops are clean and tidy and I know where the kids field trip form is to return to school, she was professional and knowledgeable and actually made it fun!”)

As you can see from the two examples the reader of the testimonials can put themselves in the position of the client.  This ability to relate is very powerful and they will desire the same result for themselves.

2.   Write it for them

Many of your clients may not be used to writing anything.  So, the idea of having them writing a testimonial is overwhelming.  Just ask them to describe their experience, write it up for them using the format mentioned above and email it to them to review and approve.  

3.   Pictures are powerful.

If you work with business owners, you may even be able to get a picture of the client and post a link to their website.  Pictures add even more personality to your testimonial and can add more credibility to the testimonial.

4.  Audio is amazing.

Audio adds personality to the testimonial.  Many of you have worked with clients who feel so amazing after your session, they are jumping out of their skin.  Imagine capturing their excitement on a digital voice recorder at that moment.  Digital recorders can be purchased at places like Radio Shack, or even Walmart.  You then take it home, plug it into your computer with a USB cord and you can upload it to your blog.  If you want to add it to your website, you’ll need someone who knows how to put play buttons on your page, or you can use a service like BYO Audio which is a great service that I use that provides access to phone numbers that allow people to call in and leave a testimonial, and the ability to put audio and video on your website easily.  If using an audio testimonial, type some of what they say below the recording to the audio, so if they click on the play button they will know a little about it.  Otherwise, they may not click at all.

Regardless whether you use audio or written, take the time to make them count and help the reader know if you are the person they need to work with!

Do Organizers market systematically?

When working with coaching clients, it became clear to me that there needed to be a system or a plan put in place to check off and make sure that they knew what needed to be in place before they started marketing.

Think of it as organizing your marketing — well, now there’s an idea.  Imagine putting together a systemized way of structuring your business which forces you to make decisions and then follow a structure based on those decisions that you made — hmmm, sounds a lot like organizing.

So, I developed the system, and here’s the best part, I’m just going to share it here with my readers.  Just know that this is GOOD stuff.  It’s the kind of system that has the potential to add a zero or two to the end of your yearly income.

1.  Discover what makes you exceptional

Look, everyone has a story (like Oprah says) and everyone has something that they do better than anyone.  So, you need to find out what that is.  What’s my exceptional talent you ask?  Encouraging.  I could do it all day long and not get paid!

2.  Who is your target market and/or specialty?

Okay, you know what you’re really good at, now who do you want to work with, and what do you want to do for them.  (At this point, you may discover that you don’t want to organize anymore.  That’s why these steps can be really hard — just be sure to be true to yourself or you won’t see the success you hope for.)

3.  What is your marketing personality?

Do you like to speak or write?  Chances are you prefer one much more than the other.  Once you know what you are better at, adapt your lifestyle to coordinate with your preference.  (ie.  dictate your articles rather than write them and have them transcribed)

4. What is your biggest business goal this year?

Once you know what direction you want to go in, it’s important you have a laser beam focus.  This will help you to avoid the dart board approach to marketing.  It’s all about making the big decision.   Just like you help your clients focus on a room or project until it’s finished, think of deciding on your biggest goal the same way.  Be realistic if you want to increase your income goal.  If you made 10,000 the year before, goal to make 4 times that the following year. What to do after you accomplish this goal?  Set another one!

5.  What’s your system to accomplish this goal?

When developing your system to reach your goal, I highly recommend mindmapping first.  Once you have your mindmap done, you will only need to organize the information and put it in order.  After putting your steps in order, I highly recommend setting deadlines for all the tasks that you need to complete.  One of the best ways to do that is to purchase a year wall calendar and map out what you want to accomplish by certain dates and times.  This is a tip from highly successful internet marketers and I found it to be magic when it came to getting things done.  It helps you to put your year into perspective.    The only step left is accountability, support and help with direction.   If you’re feeling lost in the direction of your business and need someone to guide you through fill out a business breakthrough planning session form and return to me via the email listed on the form.

Wishing you the best as you grow your organizing business!

Positive energy — are you getting enough?

Whether or not you’re a fan of the Secret, I believe this video can inspire and encourage you.  Getting into business is exciting and most people do it to create freedom and enjoy life.  Unfortunately, it’s possible to stop living when you are running your business because you get so busy with all the details.  This video reminds me that life is truly about the simple pleasures of embracing everyday.  Develop your business around your life, not your life around your business!

The Sweet Spot

Okay.  It happened today.  I’m at a conference helping my wonderful friend, Milana Leshinsky, and working with her clients on discovering their niche, and I felt it.  I was in my sweet spot!  You know, that wonderful place where you are doing what you were put on this earth to do.  In fact, I feel it whenever I work with clients to help them discover where they want to take their business.

It’s funny actually.  I was an organizer for 4 1/2 years and I had glimpses of it in the process of helping them get out of overwhelm, but I believe my heart is with marketing.  I love helping my clients discover who they want to work with and how to get their message out there in a personal way in this very tech savvy world.

So, have you found your sweet spot?  If not, keep looking.  Pay attention to everything you do.  When you are doing something and it doesn’t feel like work, that’s it!!  You may notice it when you are with your family or friends too!

When you are passionate about what you do, and do it with ease, that is when you can contribute the most to your clients, family and friends.

Live fully!

Need clients?

Last night I was talking to one of the mastermind members of PO Mastermind about how to market to attract clients.  She was struggling with what to do and how to go about marketing her business so that she can bring in the income she needs.   I relate to this struggle because for many years in my business I was able to get clients, but it was more random and I spent a lot of time and energy marketing in areas where my return on investment was much less than it could have been. 

One of the things that business owners fail to do is plan out who they want to market to specifically.  Who really do you want to attract?  Think about it from the perspective of dating.  People usually have a picture in their mind of the type of person they want to meet, what they might look like, how tall they are, etc. 

The same must be true for the business owner.  Do you have an ideal client in mind?  Do you know who you want to attract? 

Knowing this is crucial for your marketing.  By understanding who your ideal client is, you can “hang” out where they do.  If your ideal client is always on the internet, then it’s a good place to market to them, but if not, then you’ll need to find them other places. 

While it may seem controversial to tell you that not EVERYONE is your ideal client, it’s true.  If you attract people to you who you can help, you’re much more likely to close the sale, work with the client and end up with satisfied customers that will continue to use your services and refer you to others.

How to get noticed on the web

While setting up a website and having people opt-in to your newsletter are great, it’s kind of like setting up a store in an out of the way strip mall.  It can look great and have everything that people want, but if no one knows about it, the store will soon close. 

The same applies to getting your name out on the web.  It’s essential that you  can be found.  Here’s how to drum up the traffic you want.

- post articles (at least one a day when you’re getting started) on EzineArticles.com or IdeaMarketers.com.  Put tag word such as the city and state that you live in along with organizer, organizing consultant, professional organizer, and list any specialities such as kitchen organizer.

- start visiting networking groups.  You should be attending at least one group a week.  Build up relationships by using their services and spend at least a year in each referral group that you join.

- partner with networking buddies to see how they can promote your services and how you can help them.  Perhaps you can declutter for 3 hours in exchange for advertising a workshop in their store or office. 

- get on Facebook.  Post before and after photos of jobs.  Give great organizing tips and strategies and make sure to find all those networking buddies that you know to connect to.

- Start a blog and put the name of your city and state as well as organizer in the title.  This is searchable so when people are looking for an organizer in your area, you will make it to the first or second page (of course, depending on how populated your area is).

- Offer a Newsletter on your site and keep in touch with your clients and prospects monthly via email.  Use a newsletter service like Constant Contact to start.  If you don’t want to have to come up with content every month yourself, check out Organizer News.

Just remember to stay visible.  Do something everyday to get in front of your target market.  Give this strategy 3 to 6 months and you should start to have results from your efforts that will last for years.

Feel like you’re facing Giants in your business?

This clip helps me understand what business is all about. We need to keep going regardless of how hard it seems. We are so much stronger than we want to admit. So, who’s coaching you? check out http://pomastermind.com for an opportunity to build a supportive team to get “your very best!”

Being a Specialty Organizer

Whether you’ve considered it or not, choosing a specialty can be a great boost to your business.  It will help you focus on who you want to market to and make you an expert in the area or target market you choose. 

So, how do you choose a specialty?  Simply decide what area of the home or business you want to work with.  Perhaps your specialty will be organizing home offices.  Your focus would be filing systems, desk configurations (space planning), drawer organizers, work zone layout, supply closet design, etc. 

The other way you can choose a specialty would be to decide who your target market is.   Keep in mind that your target market should have an association, magazine, or other type of community.  This is important because you will want to target them based on where they hang out.  If they don’t have an association, your niche or specialty may be too difficult to reach.  You could choose to work with accountants.  Then you could target them through the associations they work with, trade journals they read, online groups and websites.  Get the idea?

So, whether you’re a veteran organizer who is still struggling for business certain months or a newbie, take the time right now to think about what you could specialize in.  Experts get paid better!

Are you a Lone Ranger?

Speaking with a friend today who is in her 30s and was diagnosed with cancer.  It’s one of those conversations that you have where you say things like “if there’s anything I can do” and before the words leave your lips you know that they will probably never call or ask for help. 

After getting off the phone I decided to think about how I could help without asking her to call me.  I came up with several ideas and will be putting together a webpage (possibly a blog) where she can share her everyday thoughts as well as a space where people can donate.  I’m thinking along the lines of $5 a week donations if there’s anyway to process a debit donation like that through paypal. 

Regardless of the circumstances of our lives (whether it’s our health or money or just someone to talk to) we need each other.  Girlfriends become more important to each other in our 30’s.  We go through this time where we understand that we’re not alone.  We need each other to lean on.  It’s not to say that our husband’s aren’t the best in the world at being there for us, it’s just that there’s nothing like another person who looks at you and knows you need a hug. 

Oh, by the way, she’s a business owner too!  It’s so important that we support one another on this journey of building a dream.  So, are you a Lone Ranger in your business — even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.