Before Your Next Conference

Y’all know that I’m a systems gal and one of the things that really tests my application of systems in my own life and business is going out of town. Because it’s really easy to have everything running smoothly when you have an entire office at your disposal but on the road it’s much harder.

So today I want to share how you can prepare for you next conference both physically and mentally.

Are You Physically Prepared?

For me this is the paramount question because once I know that the “things” are ready  I can fully focus on engagement. I start with a specific packing list, whether for vacation, a conference, a workshop, wherever this trip is taking me. It’s pretty simple to start, just write down all the things you think you’ll need at this conference and when you get home review the list and add or subtract items.

A physical packing list will help you ensure you don’t show up without business cards, your cell phone charger or no dress shoes but just as important is making sure you show up ready.

Let’s face it, a conference is a germophobe’s nightmare. Lots of people from all around the country crammed into one space sharing the same creamer and bathrooms. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a hotel room sick or in such a daze that you don’t engage with the conference teaching or networking opportunities.

Take Care of Yourself

In the weeks before the conference focus on self care. Wash your hands thoroughly (especially when traveling), take your vitamins and eat well, exercise in the days leading up to an event and stay hydrated with lots of water. It’s temping to pile on the stress before leaving for an event, thinking that you have to prove something or complete all open projects. But staying up to all hours of the night using coffee to stay awake while you push to finish another project will leave you drained and exhausted when it’s conference time.

Rest plays a huge part in both your physical and mental preparedness so make sure you’re sleeping well and taking time to adjust to a new time zone if you’re traveling far.

While most people appreciate the physical prep for an event or conference, most will neglect the emotional and mental preparation. It’s easy to do because the external is what we show to the world but the internal work, that’s what will transform our lives and businesses.

Set Intentions, Not Expectations

It’s easy to say “I’m going to get 3 new clients” or “I’ll pass out 1,000 business cards!” when it comes to setting goals but it’s also very tempting to get overly enthusiastic and then discouraged when reality happens. Instead of making expectations of yourself or the event, set intentions. Here’s the difference:

Expectation: I’m going to get 3 new clients this weekend who’ll pay me $10,000 each and then refer me to 5 new clients!

Intention: I will remain present and engaged with the people I meet to discover if they’re my ideal client and if I’m their ideal coach.

Another example:

Expectation: I’ll have a huge breakthrough and cry at the microphone and get sudden clarity on my business vision.

Intention: By taking in the content, staying open to the wisdom of other attendees and engaging in the work I will discover new clarity.

I prefer intentions because it looks inward, what will I do, instead of focusing outward with expectations.

Once you set your goals, the hard part begins. There are typically so many distractions between the travel, sponsors, the content, meals, friends, colleagues, networking, partying, hotels and more that it’s easy to let an event go past without engaging in the actual work.

So here are a few additional tips on staying present and accounting for your focus during an event.

It’s okay to break the rules and not do every assignment if you’re exhausted and need rest. Or go to lunch with friends who know your business instead of strangers who can’t remember your name. It’s okay to network in the hot tub or spend the evening watching television alone. The conference coordinators are giving their suggestions that will work for most people so reflect on what you need in the moment and accept if it derives from the advice given.

If you’re at an event where you know few people set a small goal to meet 5-10 new people each day to share something you’re learning. By focusing on what the event is teaching you, you’ll have relevant and fresh topics of conversation.

However, if you’re attending a conference surrounded by familiar friends and colleagues be sure to guard your energy. Instead of checking in with everyone to find out what they’re learning, what support they need, if they’re filling out their workbooks, give all your attention to your business and personal development. Remember that you’re not attending as conference support, you’ve paid and traveled for your own edification.

It’s okay to let people know that you can’t coach them, or support them throughout a multi-day event because you’re focusing on your own transformation and education because the purpose of such attention and focus is so you can become a better professional and that ensures long term support for your clients.

Finally, a mix of strategic planning and mental preparation in this final tip: Set aside at least one entire day when you return to sort through your notes, reach out to new contacts and reflect on what you’ll be implementing in your business from the conference.  It’s very easy to jump right back into your day to day business but setting this time aside will help you solidify the intention to grow during the event. You’ll be looking for the things you want to explore in detail or implement so star or highlight them so when you review they’ll stand out to you.

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August Guest Posts

This week I was honored to have two guest posts go live and wanted to share them with you!

On Monday I was posting over on lkrsocialmedia for Laura Roeder writing about 3 Ways to Hire Support For Your Business (even if you’re just starting out).

You can read the full article here.

And on Friday, I guest video blogged at Video for Shy People for Bianca Filoteo about How to Incorporate Videos to Your Day!

If you haven’t checked out Bianca’s 30 day video challenge yet it’s not too late to join!

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Not Launching? Stop Acting Stingy, Selfish or Scared

Recently I shared a video where I showed my utter frustration with seeing so many talented entrepreneurs who are trained, brilliant and filled with passion for their fields but who are not sharing those gifts with the world.

I have seen and experienced just how frustrating it can be – coaches and mentors say that you need the right brand and business plan, a fully optimized website, business cards, social media plan, landing pages, custom shopping cart, professional video studio… and the list goes on.

While I recognize that each of these components makes up the bigger picture of a successful business, I kindly call bullshit. I’m sure you’ve seen the infographic claiming the internet is made up of “marketers selling marketers” and for the most part it’s true!

But I ask : do you really need all that extraneous stuff to announce and sell your offers?

Especially if you’re just getting started, your ideal clients don’t always care that your business cards match your logo and you Twitter page background. They just care about how you’re going to help them reach their goals.

So if you’re not getting out there by launching in a big way there are three common reasons:

1. You’re scared and can’t get past the fear to launch.

Many people assume that a fear of failure is paramount but I also see a deep fear of success as brilliantly identified in this quote from Marianne Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

No matter what the fear may be, if it’s keeping you from moving forward with decisive action and you need a little push.

2. You’re selfish and want to be the student for as long as possible.

I believe in lifelong learning but also wholeheartedly understand that the best way to learn is to put your knowledge to action and teach. It’s an incredibly intense process to put yourself out there and teach what you know, admit what you don’t and guide others to success.

It’s much easier to play the part of the student but once you get caught in that mode it’s very hard to break out – there’s always something new to learn and I’ve seen talented entrepreneurs avoid launching their businesses for years because they’re still “not ready.”

Understand that if knowledge exists on a scale of 1 to 100 and you place your knowledge level for a particular skill at 30 then there’s plenty of clients in the world with knowledge ranging from 0 to 29 who can learn from you. And the sooner you begin to teach and put your knowledge into practice the faster you’ll accelerate your own skill level.

3. You’re stingy and don’t want to put yourself out there and share.

Personally, I don’t think this is often the issue internally. Most of the entrepreneurs I know, whether healers or coaches, trainers or marketers, are driven by the desire to support others. So what does this apparent stinginess boil down to? I think it comes back to a common fear of being too braggy or showy as you’re sharing what you know.

But the problem is that you look stingy when you have so much expertise, skill and knowledge and you’re not sharing it with those who are struggling. Because the truth is there are thousands of people out there who are stuck – they may understand that something’s not working and might have and idea of the outcome they want but they’re absolutely lost figuring out how to get there. And you have the answer but you’re not sharing it.

No matter which of these reasons is holding you back, there is just one single solution: launch. As I shared on Friday, it’s time to get off your assets and make a big splash. To stop putting yourself through class after class and take some action.

So I challenge you to launch and don’t let selfishness, being scared or stinginess hold you back any longer. Learn more on Wednesday with my absolutely free “Get Your Show on the Road” Launch Teleclass:

 

I would love to see you there. Full details here.

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“Let’s Get Your Show on the Road” Launch Plan

Hey there you!

 

Yes, you… it’s time to get OFF your assets and take action. If you have programs, products or services that aren’t getting any attention because you haven’t launched them in a big way then it’s time to make a change and I have a free, high value class just for you.

Are you ready to make sales from the offers you already have available?

Watch the video below for the whole story or read on to get all the details.

 

 

Attend the Get Your Show on the Road Launch Plan FREE Teleclass

 

Are you ready to learn the basics you need on how to launch your offer quickly? I’m cutting out all the b.s. and fluff to give you an action plan to get started this week – not in six month or a year. Do you have a great vision but get stuck on implementation? Then it’s time to get direct support and accountability to take action and sell your offers on a bigger scale! Stop shying away from getting out there and sharing what you have to offer and launch confidently.

 

Who should attend?

 

If  you are an online business owner with products, services and programs that you KNOW work but feel like you’re the only one who knows about them then this is the class for you. If you need a guide to launch your business and offers in a big way or you’re frustrated by a lack of sales, or inquiries about your offers, then it’s time to launch in a strategic manner.

I’m sure you’ve seen months long, complex launches that cost thousands of dollars to produce. That is NOT what I’m teaching in this course. Instead I’ll give you the basic formulas for running a no-cost or low-cost launch in weeks, not months.

 

What’s going to change?

 

Do you wish everything else could see and acknowledge how great your programs, services and products are? Are you ready to stop hiding and playing small and get out there in a big way? Do you know WHAT you want to do but not HOW to do it? Then now is the time for action- start by signing up for the free teleclass “Get Your Show on the Road” Launch Plan so you can get the foundation to understand and take action on your next launch. Not in 6 months, not when you finish reading all the literature and programs out there but NOW. No more procrastination, no more sitting on your assets and keeping them from the people who need your amazing support.  

 

What you’ll learn in the teleclass:

 

• Why do you need a launch
• Learn from successful launchers
• The purpose of a launch
• What does a launch look like?
• Action steps to get started right away to begin the launch process.
• How to tell the world about your offer
• Committing to your offer in a big way
• What happens if your launch isn’t wildly successful

And you’ll want to attend live because:

The call will get you into action quicker and you’ve been waiting long enough (remember get OFF your assets!)

I have some awesome bonus scripts, tactics and strategies just for attendees of the live call!

You get first access to the Quick Start Launch Program if you want personal attention for your launch and a detailed, personalized plan for your upcoming launch.

Hope to see you on the inside!

 

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What is a Launch and How Does Your Team Fit In?

Let’s start by the very basic understanding of a launch by asking a few questions. How do you know McDonald’s has a new menu item? Why do you know there’s a big Labor Day car sale at the dealership in town? How do you know that a marketing coach is promoting a new event?

It all comes down to the same reason: you know new offers are made when they are launched to the public. Otherwise it’s very unlikely you’ll just show up in the right city on the right date with the right amount of money for the conference you wanted to attend.

Launching is all part of the sales process, making your audience aware of the things you offer. When done correctly, launches build excitement, grow your leads list and fan base and can bring in thousands (or tens of thousands of dollars).

What does a launch look like?

A launch can be as simple or elaborate as you want – or I should say as needs to be to make your sales goals. Typically with higher priced products and services and more detailed launch may be necessary but if you have an audience who is regularly buying and primed for the next service then the process may be shorter.

Launches typically include an announcement, emails, a sales page, an online ordering page, possibly a free call or preview event, and a deadline. Now all of these are variable and can be done many ways but the most important one for this topic is the announcement.

Here’s the problem… most people never announce when something new is available (and I’ve been guilty of this as well when business is full and time is pressed!). Unless your audience is psychic you’re not going to have the awareness of your programs or the sales you envision until you tell them. How else would you know if the price is right, the offer is compelling and your audience is ready if you don’t ask?

I see far too many entrepreneurs giving up on offers that were never properly promoted! A launch is a way to put your offer out there, make sales and tweak the process. This time you launched on a Wednesday, next time try Monday. Maybe your launch had one price point, next time offer two. This launch may have been basic, no frills or extras, so next launch add bonuses to encourage fast sign ups.

It all seems like a lot of work, doesn’t it? Then get your team involved so they can support you and earn their keep!

Here’s a brief list of the ways your team can support your launch:

1. handle the things you normally do so you can focus on the launch
2. answer customer service inquiries
3. write copy for websites, email or your teleclass
4. track the metrics of traffic, buyers and attention
5. handle the affiliates who are supporting your launch

If you don’t have a team or even a VA who can help keep you sane check out the free video series5 Days to Finding Fabulous Help for Your Online Business on this page. It’ll give you my hiring system for getting the help you need and can afford for your business.

And if you need support with your own launch and you want to do it right with a plan then I invite you to join me for an upcoming free training. All the details will be released soon but if you want to ensure you get all the info you can sign up below for access. It’s my hope that by taking you through the launch process it will become less intimidating and help you get your offers out there!

 

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How to Share Your Credentials Without Sounding Like a Jerk

Video challenge for you this week!

 

Your turn to share in the comments (or link to a video!) what are your credentials and experiences?

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