Two Simple Keys for Growing Your Business

If you pay attention to these two simple keys for growing your business, you will start seeing more results.

Being Consistent Makes Everything Easier

What would it be like if you were more consistent with your coaching, consulting, or small business? Your biz is there whether you are tired or not. When you run a small business, if you desire long-term success (and who doesn’t?), you will want to find a way to remain consistent and have a strong business presence even when you feel tired and rundown. You, personally, cannot run at 100% all the time. There will be times when life happens. I often see small businesses struggle when the owner has personal problems or health problems. You can prevent this from happening with a few simple processes and you can always connect with your intuition regarding your business needs. Your inner guidance will help you make decisions on anything including consistent systems.

6 Steps to Being More Consistent

1. Create marketing processes that run automatically. These could be social media, ads, etc. Plan your marketing calendar six months to a year ahead of time.

2. Feature free training or free gifts that are available 24/7 on your website so you are always able to build your list. Set up auto responders that will lead these subscribers into your sales funnel.

3. Feature a product such as an e-Course, a digital download, a kindle book, or paperback on Amazon that is always available. You can make money on vacation.

4. Get the help you need. Create your dream team. For example: virtual assistant, personal assistant, a designer, a marketing support person, a customer support, an accountant, a lawyer, a sales team, etc.

5. Realize that yes, your child may make a surprise trip to the emergency room. You could get the flu or a family member may need your help and support. What will you do if you are pulled away? Keep a red folder with instructions.

6. Create a cushion of cash so you are prepared for the unknown and/or open room on a credit card.

Make a commitment that you are in business no matter what. Consistently communicate with your list and your community. Consistency creates a responsive community. Trust builds and you will have people who love you and your products.

If you are struggling with consistency, revisit your big WHY for being in business. Your passion may come and go, but your purpose is the backbone. When you feel passion lagging, do the things that pump you up and get you full of energy. I like to read through past blog posts or listen to podcasts, it makes me remember how excited I was when I created them.

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Collaborate to Get More Yesses

Collaboration is a beautiful thing. Working with JV (joint ventures) partners over the last 14 plus years has propelled my business forward, plus I have met many experts and developed solid friendships. There are some secrets to successful JV experiences that I will share with you.

First, what is a JV?

For this article, I am specifically talking about online promotions where money may or may not change hands. The JV might be list building, product selling, or both.

List building: If you are in business, your list is golden. As you build your list, you have more people to fill your classes, buy your products, or enroll in your coaching programs. No matter how long you have been in business, list building is always a priority.
Product selling: if you have a product, you can reach more people by partnering with someone else to help you sell it (they earn a nice affiliate commission for this, as well). And this process works vice-versa, too.

You can combine both elements, which is, to me, the best way to approach a JV. You can build your list and make some additional profits. Some common JV’s in the online world are giveaways, interview series, webinars, book promotions/launches, product promotions/launches and live streams.

How do you find JV partners?

It is a delicate dance. I receive JV requests by the hundreds daily, but in the beginning, I started from square one. I remember what it was like to wonder how to get in touch with people I wanted to work with. How could I stand out? I erased fear from my mind and got in touch with some very well-known authors and speakers. Some said no, but many more said yes. Your approach helps, always ask yourself, what’s in it for them.

Now, thankfully, and after 14 plus years in business, I am in the position where I have an abundance of opportunities. How do I decide which projects to accept and which to let go?

I am likely to say yes, when someone approaches me with a win, win proposition. The emails that say basically- “help me sell my awesome new book that I wrote”- are a real turn off.

How could this get turned around to a yes answer? How about this in an email,” I have been following your work for a while and I really love this book that you wrote (fill in book name). What I liked about it is… (Fill in blank)… I feel that our work aligns and I have a new book coming out. Here is what I am offering JV partners (tell them what is in it for them). I already have (names) on board to promote this. (Then give deadlines for information submissions, mailing dates, and any other details). I would love to have you on board, too. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of this promotion. “

You can tweak the wording, but you see the difference.

I am also likely to say yes if the person has been referred to me from someone I like to work with.

How do you get referred when you are new to JV’s?

• Start hanging out on people’s blogs and groups making comments and participating in the conversation.

• Interact and be giving on social media. Provide value to people.

• Join an elite networking group where members fully support each other.

• Share information. Be viewed as an expert.

• Be helpful. Refer people when it makes sense.

For example, I had someone respond to me on social media that she wanted to talk sometime about my event. I immediately sent my calendar link with an invite to talk. We had a lucrative win-win conversation the next day. So many people are all talk and never get around to action. If you have engagement, take it to the next level. Have a conversation.

I will also say yes based on professionalism in communication, graphics, and style. Be organized.

Loving and aligning with the product/message is the only way I will be part of a JV. No matter how great everything else is- if it is the wrong fit- it will be a no-go.

Here are some additional suggestions:

• Plan your JV ahead of time. If you ask someone to be part of an event too late, you will likely get a “no” because there is not enough time to promote.

• If you send a JV request over email, and do not hear back for a few days, send another polite request- but do not say- “I already sent you three requests and have not heard back- are you in or not.” (someone emailed that to me once). I immediately made up my mind that I not only would not support the event- but that I would never partner with that person.

• If you get a definite no, respect that, but send an email asking if you can contact the person regarding a future event. You may get a yes in the future (this has happened to me).

• If you are using the phone to make contact and call to leave a message – call during regular business hours. It leaves a bad impression if you leave a message at midnight. Leave a short message.

• Make sure you have an affiliate program (your shopping cart may have that capability- for example, 1sc, Infusionsoft, and Sendowl have affiliate programs available). This makes it easier to get more yesses.

• If you plan to text or instant message people, make sure it is okay and comfortable for the person. I received a LinkedIn request asking for JV participation – and was asked to text – “interview” to a phone number to confirm that I was participating. Then the person added in the request these words- “Oh my gosh, I forgot about international people- text this number if you are international.” After rolling my eyes for a second- I had a chuckle. That went in my “no” pile.

Business is more fun with other people. Years ago, I held several tele summits (11 of them). That is how I built my business into the global coaching business it is today. My last summit that I hosted was in 2013. I am forever thankful for all those collaborations and amazing guests- over 200 experts over five years. One of my current collaborations is interviewing people on my Living Joyfully podcast and it is so much fun.

What type of JV feels like a good fit for you? It’s fun to work with other people.