MAYBE YOU’RE COMMITTING THE NUMBER ONE “SIN” OF MARKETING AND SALES.

I recently submitted an article which will turn into an ongoing column, featuring “Women Making Waves In [iNSERT INDUSTRY].”

This work will highlight and profile women entrepreneurs who are shifting things, changing things, DISRUPTING things in their industry.

Melanie McGhee in the therapy world.
Cathy Alinovi in the pet food world.
Lisa C. Briggs in the world of true female empowerment & healing.
Shelley Smith in the world of company culture.
Traciana Graves in the world of diversity and inclusion.
Jackie Torres and Donna Galatas in the world of HR.
Diane White in the world of PR.
Timorah Harlen Beales in the world of photography and the business of photography.
Pamela Sigal Willsey in the world of teenage girls.
Ramona Rice in the spa world, and in the world of podcasting.
Tracie Stern in the world of “MLM.”
Barbara Pender in the world of social media.
Johnine N. Clark and Radlyn Mendoza in the world of law.

These are just a few that come to mind. A precious few. They are EACH showing up and making waves. They’ve not ONLY claimed their space, they’re showing up there, being heard, and making a difference.

And — of course — their world, their industry is TAKING NOTICE. They’re disrupting the status quo, pointing out solutions, offering something BRAND NEW, not some twice-warmed over version of another “ME TOO” option.

So, what about you???

Are you making waves yet?
Are you being heard?
Have you stood up to be COUNTED in your own industry?

OR….

Are you boring them to tears?
(Being BORING is the #1 Marketing Sin, and the most destructive.)

Are you showing up as just another option for your already overwhelmed market to consider?
Are you showing up HOPING NOT to make waves? Being Unwilling to take a stand or do something different?

If you’re being IGNORED, perhaps you’re boring them to tears. The solution?

INFUSE YOUR MESSAGE WITH SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SOMETHING YOUR MARKET SIMPLY CAN NOT GET ANYWHERE ELSE: YOU.

Today, the Women Who WOW mastermind members will come together for a training that will equip them to show up, stand up and CREATE CONTENT from the heart. We’ll discuss WHY content matters so much. (UM… it’s a CONVERSATION with your market.) We’ll go over how to choose what to talk, write or live stream about, and how to make it all flow EASILY… including the ONLY two ways you need to censor your own messaging.

This is just one of MANY pieces of our ongoing training library, available anytime to our Women Who WOW members. Doors are again open and you can now JOIN this sisterhood of seriously driven women entrepreneurs. Find out more at www.womenwhowow.com.

The post The #1 Sin in Marketing and Sales appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

BTW, this idea came from Dan Kennedy’s NO BS Marketing Letter.  If you aren’t getting your copy, shame on you!   =)

There are only 1700 large businesses in America.  If each of these large companies (instead of downsizing) added 10 new employees, we would have only created 170,000 new jobs.   However, there are (roughly) 24 – million small businesses in the U.S.  If ONLY the TOP 20%… most forward thinking, most growth-minded, most committed entrepreneurs… added just ONE NEW employee, well…   that would instantly create 4.8 million jobs.  Mission accomplished!  =)  I am wondering if any of his “expert economic advisors” will show him this little snippet of truth before enacting any higher tax penalties for this top 20%. 

The following, I will quote directly from one of the most brilliant economic minds of our time:  Dan Kennedy.

“…Just get out of small business’ way….. [the only] endangered species we need to worry about is the guy or gal running a small business… beleagued at every turn… You know this song.  You don’t need the sheet music.  Incredibly the spirit of the entrepreneur is so resilient, we stubbornly get up each morning, polish our swords, and head out the door, no matter how the fire-breathing dragon population may have multiplied overnight.  Now thats the REAL audacity of hope.  Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its off to slay the dragons we go.  And it’s a damned good thing we do, because if those 24-million small businesses all elminiated just one job each, that’ll be 24-million folks added to the unemployment rolls overnight.  Ooops.  So we can all be grateful for each other and our shared insanity…. So, if nobody else has said thanks to you this month for being Atlas and carrying the economy on your shoulders, I have.  Please don’t shrug.”  Love it, Mr. Kennedy.  And thank YOU… for ruthlessly leading the charge of ambitious entrepreneurs worldwide.

The post Obama's job plan… and mine appeared first on b. michelle pippin.

The agile, resourceful and committed business owners will grow, expand and capitalize on our new economy. These owners will emerge stronger than before. The others? Well, put it this way: we will all continue to see the “herd” of business, corporate, and sales competition thinned dramatically as people conclude that they “can’t make it in THIS economy.” (Even while others in their same industry or same location continue to profit…)

So, how do some leverage and capitalize on these changing times and others fold? What is the secret of those that prosper – no matter WHAT the economy is doing?

** The first key comes in recognizing that the economic changes we are all experiencing are just CHANGES. We need to FIRST recognize that the only constant we have in life is CHANGE. We might as well EMBRACE it. We can embrace economic change the same way we embrace any other change in life. Are you willing?

** We must also be willing to CHANGE (ourselves) WITH THE TIMES. Many, many people are resisting change. Looking backwards… Complaining… Whining… Looking for a quick fix… Guys, change is a constant for business owners and executives alike. Change is necessary for innovation. Change is necessary to success. Peter Drucker said, “Every organization must be prepared to abandon everything it does to survive in the future.” Are you willing to change? To do things differently to see a different result?

** Those that prosper DECIDE to prosper. I love Ali Brown’s quote that you “can DECIDE to be a Rock Star in your industry.” DECIDE to win. DECIDE to more than “survive” this economic downturn. How can you emerge stronger? More profitable?

** Lastly, we need to ask questions. Steve Chandler says that great leaders ask great questions. Questions will lead to innovation, creativity, sales, partnerships and profit. ASSUMPTIONS do the opposite. Those that are prospering right now are asking the right questions, such as,

“How can we re-package our product to appeal to a more affluent market? How can we make our sales department stand out dramatically from the very first call? How can we reward our people for making our customers feel like family? How can I better serve my market? How can I recreate the buying experience for my customers to make it second to none?”

Those that are closing their doors are making assumptions, such as:

“No one is buying right now because of the economy. Everyone is tight-fisted these days until the market picks up. The price of gas is keeping people home.”

Do you see the difference? Those that are CHANGING WITH THE TIMES are CREATING while those that are struggling dramatically are simply REACTING. I choose to CREATE.

As a business owner, as a parent, and as a wife I know that success in EVERY area of my life depends on my willingness to gracefully navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of change. This temporary economic downturn is just one more change. One more opportunity for me to create something truly phenomenal. One more challenge demanding that I rise up to my potential. To rising up!! To YOU!

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