The Easiest, Most Authentic Way to Sell Your Products and Services

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Tammi Metzler

…Is to Let Prospective Clients Kick Your Tires a Little

When a prospective client first stumbles onto your website, chances are good that he or she WILL NOT hire you on the spot. It would be nice if things worked that way, but they usually don’t.

Hiring professional help is a big decision for people, especially if you work virtually and they’ll never have the chance to meet you face-to-face. How do they know you are who you say you are? How do you they know you’ll do what you say you’ll do?

A great way to prove to prospects just how awesome you are is to let them kick your tires a little—show them a little sample of what you know, and what you can help them do.

When there’s no cost, risk or obligation, they’re more likely to take you up on your offer. And once you’ve created your sample and set up a way to deliver it, there’s nothing else you have to do except welcome the person with open arms when they’re ready to dive in further. And by then, they’ll be much warmer to the idea.

Here are some examples of a free giveaway you can offer as a sample of your high-quality services:
• A report
• A weekly or monthly e-zine
• A teleseminar
• An audio recording
• A video
• An e-course

These products will serve to educate prospects to the true value of your services in addition to establishing you as the expert in your niche. When clients are ready to move forward with you, here’s a likely scenario of what will happen:
• The client purchases one of your information products
• The client seeks you out through phone or email
• The client signs up for your monthly program
• The client asks how to work with you one-on-one
• The client asks how to pay for the program

Notice that there’s no pushing or hard selling of your services; your marketing funnel has authentically attracted the people you’re meant to serve and moved them naturally towards working with you!

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This post was originally published on Tammi’s blog. Click here to visit her blog now.

Tammi Metzler, founder of The Write Associate, is a Copywriter and Marketing Consultant who helps solo entrepreneurs worldwide get more clients with their online marketing efforts. To discover how you can use your own free giveaway to gently lead readers into your paid products and services, listen in on her recent no-charge teleseminar, “6 Steps to a Steady Stream of Paying Clients: How to Create a Simple Marketing Funnel That Sells Your Products & Services Time & Time Again – Even When You’re On Vacation!” Grab your instant download now by visiting http://writeassociate.com/free-teleseminar/.

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“If I was starting out all over again … ” Interview With Andrea J Lee

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Noel Lyons

Andrea J Lee worked closely with Thomas Leonard, the Father of Modern Coaching
and is the author of Multiple Streams of Coaching Income, Pink Spoon Marketing,
Money Meaning and Beyond.

Question: What actions would you take if you were starting out today from SCRATCH
if you were building a coaching business?

If you would like ALL 11 audios for FREE from The 2010 Listbuilding Telesummit for Coaches, please visit: http://www.noellyons.com/blog/listbuilding-for-coaches-experts-success-academy

Thanks Noel Lyons
GO-To Expert Marketing + Strategy

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Create a Passive Income Product in Just a Few Hours

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Tammi Metzler

This video, which is the first in a series of 4 video blogs, was originally posted on Tammi’s blog. The rest of the videos can be seen here.

If you’ve been wanting to add passive income to your business but have no idea how to get started, today’s video blog will share the quickest way to create a passive income product. Just click the link below to check it out. Hope you enjoy! :)

Quickest way to create a passive income product


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Tammi Metzler, founder of The Write Associate, is a Copywriter and Marketing Consultant who helps solo entrepreneurs worldwide get more clients with their online marketing efforts. Because she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs stop trading hours for dollars, she has launched a free video blog series about creating a passive income product in just a few hours. Register for the free video series by clicking here.

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What to Do on Your Website, if You Have Two or More Niches

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Kenn Schroder

If you’re attempting to appeal to two different markets with different challenges on the same website, you’re likely in for a lot of struggle.

The basic challenge is that when you appear to be “the solution” to more than one group, your prospective clients will instinctively think that you cannot be so good at any one of them. Whether you are or not matters little. It looks like you’re not.

If the two groups have similar challenges, your struggle will be less. For example, the two groups; chronically disorganized and people with ADHD, both struggle to focus and keep order in their lives.

It’s easier to find one good niche or target market, and hone in on that one group.

Nonetheless, if you’re aiming for two or more groups, here’s what you can do on your website …

Create a main link for each. In your main website navigation bar (often across top or down the left), create a link for each group. For example, if you work with both Lawyers and Doctors, your navigation bar might look like this:

Home | For Doctors | For Lawyers | Services | About | Contact

Create a page for each. Create a page for each of your target groups as well. On that page outline the ideal client profile, the challenges you help with, and the results you help attain for that group.

In this example, Mary, a branding coach, helps both employed professionals and entrepreneurs brand themselves:
http://www.yourcareerbydesign.com/

Create a lead-in for each group on your home page for each group. On the home page, prominently, create boxes to clearly lead each group towards their respective areas on the website.

For example, on Renee’s website, she has three targets: Individuals, Businesses, and Coaches:
http://www.coachnetwork.com/

Create a separate coaching program/service for each and lead them to that. For each group, create a separate service designed for that group. For example, for a relationship coach, “Revitalize Your Love Coaching” for doctors, and “Love and Order Coaching” for lawyers as each will have their unique nuances.

In conclusion, bear in mind that it will be tough to communicate when trying to speak to different groups (niches, markets, audiences). Consider honing in on one market first – there’s often more than enough business to keep you busy and profitable. If you choose to approach multiple niches at the same time, clearly direct those groups to material specific to them.

5 Website Strategies for Attracting Coaching ClientsKenn Schroder helps coaches create
client-attracting websites. Get your free copy of 5 WEBSITE STRATEGIES
FOR ATTRACTING COACHING CLIENTS at http://www.coachingsitesthatwork.com
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On Your Site, What Should You Call Yourself? Coach?

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Kenn Schroder

On your website, what should you call yourself? Coach? Transition coach? Business coach? Success coach? Health coach?

What if you’re a health coach and you don’t want to rule out “wellness” ? But hey, you’re also holistic too, so how about “Holistic Health and Wellness Coach?”

While from your point of view, the title “coach”, “health coach”, “business coach” encompasses what you do. But from your client’s perspective, these kinds of titles don’t do much but give them a point of reference.

I’ve got a different angle for you to consider to make good use of your title. Continue reading →

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How to Choose a List Provider

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Becki Noles

In the world of Internet marketing, building a list is absolutely essential. Most marketers don’t have the expertise or the time to set up a list management system on their own server. Instead, most use a list provider. A list provider will allow you to collect e-mail addresses from buyers and visitors to your websites.

List management is an essential part of any Internet marketing business. Capturing a person’s name and e-mail address when they visit your site allows you to send them helpful information, build your relationship withmaintenance them and offer new products. It’s absolutely essential that your list provider be easy to use and have the capabilities to deliver professional messages.

Look for the following features to find the B.E.S.T. L.I.S.T.

BAD address protection.

Your list system should remove bad e-mail addresses automatically so you don’t have to deal with them manually. Clearing out bad addresses from your list can save you a lot of time.

EASY opt in creation.

Your list can’t exist unless you have an opt in form on your website. The opt in forms should be easy to create within the list provider’s system. You should be able to feel secure in putting the opt in form on your website and trusting that it will work.

SUBSCRIBE/unsubscribe system.

Subscriptions and unsubscriptions from your list shouldn’t require any input on your part. Your list members should be added automatically and removed just as easily.

TRACKING capabilities.

E-mail marketing isn’t effective unless you can tell how your messages are being received. A robust list provider program will allow you test and track your messages. You can see how many are being opened by your list members and how many are clicking through on your links. This can be a great way to learn how to market more effectively so you can reach your audience.

LIST management.

Your list provider should give you the ability to manage several different lists at once. You should be able to send a message to a few lists at once, filtering out people who are on a third list. You should also have the ability to send messages to people who subscribed after a certain date. All of these capabilities will help you market to your list more effectively.

INTERNET connection.

You shouldn’t have to wait for your messages to go out due to a server outage on your list provider’s side. Your list provider should be professional enough to keep an active Internet connection to your list management tools at all times. The better the connection, the faster you can work with your list.

SECURITY features.

Your list provider should make it clear in their terms of service that your personal information and the information of your clients will be secure and protected from hackers. Since people are giving you their personal information, you deserve to know that the list provider will keep their information secure.

TECHNICAL support.

If your list provider isn’t there to help you work through the technical issues to use their system, they aren’t worth your time. You’re using a list provider in order to make your life easier. You shouldn’t have to be hassled with technical details. Look for a provider that offers phone and IM support.

By looking for these features in your list provider, you can be sure that you’re finding a true ally in your business and not just creating another hassle.

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How to Add an Event to the NCC Yahoo Groups Calendar

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Don H. Morris

Here is a brief tutorial on how to add an event to the New Coach Connection calendar at the NCC’s Yahoo Groups home page. First go to the home page and log in to your Yahoo Groups accounts. Here is the link:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/newcoachconnection/

The link to open the calendar is in the sidebar on the left. There are several different ways to get to the date of your event, and the video shows you a couple of them.

All NCC members are welcome to add their events whether for free or for fee to the group calendar. Please select “Do not send a reminder” in the Reminders section of the entry, found near the bottom. Watch this brief (9 min.) video to see how.

NOTE: The New Coach Connection Yahoo Group’s time zone is set to U.S./Canada Eastern/New York time (UTC -5). Please adjust your event’s beginning point Eastern time zone. It is a good time to note this in the title and/or description. If you live in California and your event starts at 2:00 PM local time, that will be 3:00 PM Mountain time, 4:00 PM Central time, and 5:00 PM Eastern time. Thus you would select the 5:00 PM slot on the calendar for you event posting. Obviously this is more difficult to calculate for those of you in Australia, New Zealand, or Asia. Sorry. ;-)

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Using Google Buzz for Business

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Becki Noles

Goggle Buzz is one of the newer social networking sites today, and it’s rapidly becoming more popular all the time. One reason, of course, is the Google name that is attached to it. However, it’s not just popular because of this. There is plenty of substance to back it up.

How do you access it?

It’s entirely located within your Gmail account, and it’s free. All you need is a Gmail account.

Who would benefit from using it?

Anybody just looking to catch up with friends could use it. However, it’s especially effective for businesses.

It is inspired by Facebook, Twitter and other popular social sites, as it takes on aspects of each. For instance, it enables you to upload pictures and videos. And you can easily have a conversation with other users. All of this enables you to give your business personality.

So how can your business benefit from it? Here are five reasons you might want to start using it:

Post wherever you are

One of the strengths of Google Buzz is that it works great with mobile devices. This allows you to post wherever you want, quickly and easily.

It even has a feature that enables you to speak into the phone, and it will automatically convert your words into a post. In other words, you don’t even have to write. This only works with certain applications, but it can be very convenient.

And you can let others know where you are posting from, if you want. This could be useful if you want to give your posts more personality.

Convenient

It links with the more established social sites. Therefore, you can see other people’s activity on Facebook and Twitter without even having to leave Google Buzz. This means you can view other people’s tweets right from the Buzz platform.

Segment your posts

One of the unique features about Google Buzz is that you can choose who you are posting to. For instance, you can just post to a certain group of contacts, or the entire Buzz network. It all depends on who you want to see your post.

This is especially useful for businesses. For instance, if you have a list of proven customers, you can do a post only they can see. And you can then write a message for those who haven’t bought from you yet. Therefore, you can tailor your posts to your audience, much like segmenting an email list.

Blog compatible

You can link your Buzz account to your blog. Therefore, whenever you update your blog, it will update your Buzz account. If you have a lot of followers, this could translate into a lot of money provided you have good blog content.

Filter

If you are subscribing to others’ RSS feeds, the Buzz has a filter that eliminates posts that wouldn’t be of interest to you. You just tell it what to block. This saves you time, because you don’t have to sort through hundreds of posts you don’t care about.

The bottom line is, you would be smart to use the Google Buzz, because it gives your business personality. While it will require time and effort, the Buzz can be very profitable for you.

Are you ready to give Google Buzz a go? If so, Follow Me on Google Buzz

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How to Set Up An RSS Feed

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Becki Noles

RSS feeds are a useful tool for people who want to keep tabs on websites, blogs and membership sites without having to surf and visit the websites individually. RSS feeds essentially send information to the visitor.

As a business owner they’re almost an essential tool to provide to your visitors, because they help you stay in connection with them on a regular basis. In fact, many people have readers that aggregate all the feeds they subscribe to and organize them so they’re easy to read and access.

On that note, here’s how to set up effective RSS Feeds.

1. Determine what content you want to make available to your visitors. What content do you want them to be able to subscribe to? For example, if you have an information-based website, you may want them to be able to subscribe to categories or to all new articles or to give them the choice.

2. Create your feed. You can use an RSS channel editor to create your RSS feed; if you’re not comfortable coding then this is an easy step. There are a number of channel editors and you can do a quick search online to find one that meets your needs.  My personal favorite is Feedburner. It’s a snap to set up and all the work is done for you.

You can also create your feed yourself. It’ll look something like this:

<?xml version=”1.0″ ?>
<rss version=”2.0″>
<channel>
<item>
<title>Your Article Title Here</title>
<description>Your article summary/description here.</description>
<link>http://linktoyourwebpagehere.com</link>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>

3. If you choose to do it yourself, upload your RSS file. You’ll cut and paste the code into your website code. Or if you’re using FTP, you’ll upload the file into your server.

4. Validate the feed. There are a number of free validation programs available online. This is an important step because errors can be present if you’ve created the feed yourself or if you’ve tweaked it.

5. Your next step is to let people know they can subscribe to your feed. Advertise. Place a button on your web page(s) and promote it. Many internet users love RSS feeds and take full advantage of them.

Make sure you update your feed as needed and stay on top of RSS technology. It has changed over the years; there are actually three types of RSS feeds and you want to ensure you’re giving your visitors the best you have to offer.

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5 Keys to Getting Email Addresses and Growing Your List

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Kenn Schroder

Coaches struggle to grow their list and a big part of that is the invitation to get on the list. On many coaching websites, you will see an invitation, “Join my newsletter” along with a form. This is hardly motivating for visitors since there’s just too much email out there already.

Your list is precious, and arguably the most valuable asset in your business. Your list contains people who said, “YES, I want to hear from you. Yes, let’s stay in touch. And, Yes, I want your help and one day I might buy. ” It’s gold.

Without a list and a good invitation, most of your visitors will leave your site and never to be presented with the opportunity to buy from you again.

So, here are five tips to get them to sign up right away with no hesitation. Continue reading →

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3 Do-Before-Building Basics for Maximum Website Attraction

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Kenn Schroder

Got a site up that isn’t getting much action? Do you have visitors coming that just seem to go away and not get on your list, and not sign up for a program, and not call you for coaching?

That stinks.

There’s a big chance that your site wasn’t properly planned. That is, you may not have taken key preliminary steps to ensure people will be excitedly ushered TO your site, THROUGH your site and onto BUYING from you.

If the graphics are clean and the pages load fast, your problem is probably lack of attention in these three preliminary pieces of building a website.

  1. Getting juicy words
  2. Planning how to get traffic
  3. Creating a site selling strategy

1. Getting Juicy Words

In short, survey your market. Ask them question about their challenges, nightmares, biggest fears, deepest wishes, etc. They will give you great words for your copy.

For example …

Continue reading →

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How to Use Skype Safely For Your Business

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Becki Noles

If you’re unfamiliar with Skype, it’s a way to make phone calls to anyone around the world from the convenience from your computer. It’s easy to use and extremely affordable, in fact in many cases it’s free to make a phone call. And for business owners, it can offer the convenience they’re looking for.

Skype offers you the ability to:

* Receive calls from anyone on any type of phone

* Call anyone from your computer whether they’re on their computer, a landline, or a mobile phone.

* Video and conference calling – all you need is a web camera

However, because Skype requires an install and transferring files during calls, it can seem like a security threat to your business. Fortunately, Skype has taken that into consideration and has taken steps to protect your computer systems.

Here’s How To Use Skype Safely For Your Business.

As a business owner you have access to the Business Control Center. This center gives you the ability to manage Skype accounts, for example you can create accounts for each of your employees or contractors and add credits to their account from the Control Center.

Additionally, within the Business Control Center you have added protection features to protect you and your business from, spam, spyware and adware. This security center comes with:

Antivirus compatibility – each of your inbound and outbound Skype file transfers are scanned by the major antivirus products.

Secure firewalls – most often you don’t need to make any changes to your firewalls to run Skype on your business computer.

However you don’t have to use the Business Control Center to use Skype as a business owner. You can get started with it and still protect your privacy. Here’s how:

You’ve downloaded and installed Skype, set up your account profile and privacy settings. You can choose who you allow calls and chats from and whether or not you want your status to be shown on the web. Your profile is public and can be viewed by other Skype Users so take care to only put things in your profile that you’re comfortable with other people seeing.

How to Get Started Using Skype

#1 Visit Skype and create an account.

#2 You’ll download and install the software. Note nothing is installed without your consent so read each step carefully as you’re installing the software to make sure you’re not accepting anything you don’t want to.

#3 Set up your Account and privacy control settings or set up your Business Control Panel. The Skype for Windows – Business version download includes a Windows Installer Package, which makes it really easy to configure for your system needs.

Skype is a simply and cost effective solution for the business owner, whether you have a bevy of employees or are a single work from home entrepreneur. Take a look at the benefits of using Skype today and rest assured, security measures are in place to protect your business computer from spam, spyware and adware.

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10 Blog Steps to Get Clients from Search Engines

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Kenn Schroder

Here’s an example of how to write a blog entry to lead potential clients to you from search engines.

  1. Think about a challenge your client faces from their perspective.
    ex: A parent’s child suddenly gets poor grades in school
  2. Think about keywords this parent might use to search for help.
    ex. my daughter is suddenly getting bad grades, my son’s grades started getting worse
  3. Choose a title that solves the problem.
    ex. How to Parent a Teen That Suddenly Gets Poor Grades

    4. Continue reading →

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An Interview With NCC Member Aletha McManama on WP Blog Success Strategies

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Noel Lyons



Aletha McManama is THE BLOG STRATEGIST: WordPress Pro, Designer & Trainer that assists biz owners market their online presence. Loves to teach & mentor. Christian mom of two.

Click Link BELOW to Listen In (35 min)
WordPress Blog Success Strategies

# Blog Success = Content + Communication + Crowd #

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