Create, Communicate, and Cash In On Your Business Momentum!

After attending Tony Robbins' Unleash the Power Within training last week - I had a powerful shift in how I see my purpose. The creativity it takes to compose the content to inspire your mindset, navigate effective business strategies, tools and systems is an art form.  (Loved spending time at UPW with my son Taylor, who now works for Tony.)  Your human potential is my driving force. People are my artistry!  I want more people to have the luxury of being served by my expertise so more people transform their mindset, branding, marketing, personal growth and business!    By the way...your business growth will never precede your personal growth. When you combine my desire to reach and help more people with an understanding of your entrepreneurial challenges, you get a solution! I came up with a SIMPLE private and group mentorship monthly program built around those challenges to serve YOU in a way you want and can afford! The affordability makes the choice a fast YES especially for the new entrepreneur struggling or the seasoned small business owner who is hitting a plateau and is stuck! Both are terribly frustrating and sometimes paralyzing! (Been there done that) Here are a few of the many marketing/business growth challenges I am referring to (direct from clients and my community): 1. "Time and the know how.  I spend a lot of time studying marketing techniques but lack the ability to put them into action as an automated, succinct system." 2. "Getting in front of the right people and the investment to do that. How do I build communities using the expert strategy (personal brand) using an ezine, blog, and social media compelling content (photos, videos, links, stories, expert advice)."  Living with one of these challenges? This new program is specifically for: I designed it for the new entrepreneur who is just getting started and craves branding, marketing, systems, and mindset support, but premiere VIP coaching is temporarily cost-prohibitive at that stage. It’s here where you most need the support to lift off from the ground and create a momentum! I also designed it for past VIP clients who want maintenance direction and a revisiting of their marketing system. Technology has changed, online tools and social media options have evolved and you know this short term guidance is exactly what you are seeking to get back on track. And thirdly, I designed this with the entrepreneur in mind who is stuck at a plateau and needs a loving kick in the (you know what) to see a different perspective because it’s hard to see the solution when you are in the middle of the challenge.   The solution is here (click). Take fast action (you get a bonus!) by choosing 1 of 2 options from my NEW private and group program:             "Please Be My Nudge & Power Mentor: Help Me Create, Communicate, and Cash In On My Business Momentum!"          Let's build your momentum!   With gratitude Chief Inspiration Officer eCreativebiz

Third party validation is one of the highest forms of marketing

Media opportunities are always a smart form of building your personal brand and exposure. A media interview or quote as a reputable resource in an article can generate curiosity and business leads. Third party validation is one of the highest forms of marketing; much like a testimonial.

As a publicist for two decades, my main job was staying on top of the current trends, news, culture, events and more to create innovative news angles to phone "pitch" to journalists, newspaper and magazine editors, radio show producers, Talk TV show talent bookers, and more.

When journalists called me for a client interview, I was in hog heaven! What a treat that was! Today, with the plethora of online content and options, as a business owner, you can search for publicity opportunities by the click of a mouse and stroke of your keyboard.  Boy, we have come a looong way!

I have a terrific lead for you to respond to the needs of journalists seeking YOUR expertise.  

   

 www.helpareporter.com is chock full of media opportunities! HARO has been around for a while so you may have heard of it OR not. Either way, I am encouraging you to sign up for the free subscription and add "publicity opportunities" to your marketing plan. It's easy. They come to you!

Good news warning, HARO has a large volume of opptys so you will receive plenty of emails from them. Set your email box to capture HARO emails to keep yourself organized. Plan to read a few emails a week to grab your opportunity!

Here's a great example of how you can create a unique publicity angle for your business:

Friday HARO tweeted a media request for a homeowner who recently installed a solar system. Apparently some reporter is doing a story on this angle. I don't know which publication, but it's worth a try and then find out.  

Well, I happen to have a Dental coaching client who just recently installed a solar system in his home.  I chose to send a response and pitched my client to the reporter. If they choose to interview him, it would be a creative news angle for a dentist who is very health and environmentally conscious, which is part of his brand. See, publicity angles do not need to be directly related to your expertise, but be part of your brand and a passion. :)  People like environmentally conscious entrepreneurs, which can mean conversion. I have seen plenty of successful results with traditional publicity! 

Here is the link their busy Twitter page to stay on top of their requests as well. Click here  

From HARO website: From The New York Times, to ABC News, to HuffingtonPost.com and everyone in between, nearly 30,000 members of the media have quoted HARO sources in their stories. Everyone's an expert at something. Sharing your expertise may land you that big media opportunity you've been looking for.

Go for it!  Stuck on which direction to take on this or needing a creative brainstorm session on news angles to expand your brand and reach?  Email my team for details and we will set up a 30 min consult call to explore your possibilities - It's worth every moment of your time - support@ecreativebiz.com

With gratitude
Marla

Chief Inspiration Officer

eCreativebiz 

 

Plan now for SoCal's Leading fall Women's Success Summit

Fall quarter is around the corner and planning ahead for biz growth now is a smart, savvy action. 

 

I'll be attending Today's Innovative Woman's SUCCESS! Summit 2012 geared to inspire, motivate, and empower women business owners to move to the next level. Cathy Alessandra, founder of Today's Innovative Woman, is producing yet another extraordinary educational and networking event and we want YOU to join us!   

You know how powerful these events are in terms of just the networking with visionary women who are changing the world with their passion, unique brilliance and creativity. We grow our business by the amount of people we meet and serve. Here's one of those opportunities that will uplevel the momentum of your business because of the caliber of women attending. 

As a featured writer for Today's Innovative Woman website and print magazine (you can see my articles at http://todaysinnovativewoman.com/author/marla-dennis), I highly recommend you join us. 

This year's SUCCESS! Summit is set for Friday, October 5 in Los Angeles. The one-day event is packed full of life changing content and speakers, plus plenty of hands-on networking time. The brilliant line up of speakers ready to provide you with the tools and knowledge to grow your business will include topics such as: 

How to Become Famous In Your Niche Market 

Billions in her Briefcase:  Build Your Business by Attracting Other Women Business Owners 

Entrepreneur to CEO: The 5 Innovative Keys to SUCCESS 

5 Steps to Transforming Your Business into an Extraordinary and Lucrative Brand 

SUCCESS Summit is not only an opportunity for learning and networking, but for recognizing and honoring women entrepreneurs who are doing amazing things in launching and growing their business. 

Success Summit will have multiple categories and you may nominate or self-nominate in as many categories as the nominee qualifies.  

Cathy is also providing an hour of Q&A at the end of the day.  

You'll experience a day of high value content and inspiration. Plan your calendar for Oct 5! Get all the details at www.SuccessSummitandExpo.com! 

I'll see you there! 

With gratitude

Chief Inspiration Officer

eCreativebiz

Strengthen Your Strengths: 2nd Step to Liberation!

In my Social Media Savvy Culture Club I give my members a monthly marketing mindset, or money call to elevate their business and lives. This month I delivered "The Secret to Mastering Time Management: The 7 Steps to Liberation!" I’d like to share with you the 2^nd step to liberation: Strengthening your strengths. And believe me, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

It took me almost two years to fully understand the importance of this mindset and action from the 1^st time my mentors called my attention to it. What I found is the more I risked, the more I felt uncomfortable during my growth personally, emotionally, professionally, financially, and spiritually  – the more I strengthened my strengths. I realized soon enough this step to liberation was critical to my success and there is no “I’ve arrived.” This is a constant and never ending consciousness and action.

On the entrepreneurial journey to strengthening our strengths, we experience life and business lessons, failures, successes, epiphanies and more. But I find one of the most challenging on-going aspects of strengthening my strengths is the big D word: delegation! (You, too?)

Yes, I have a terrific virtual assistant and I welcome and appreciate all her support. But it’s the totally letting go of most tasks so I can have the luxury of focusing on my strengths, top talents and what my mentors call my “genius.” It’s my highest pay-off activities and the ones I most enjoy that bring me joy.

Then why is it hard to let go more? I believe it has to do with our identity. Doing those tasks are so much a part of who we are, that letting go of them means letting go of a part of who we are and accepting change (a better change!). I think women tend to have a much harder time with this than men. We think…what a luxury to actually work most of our day on what brings us joy and higher rewards! We are not built this way to let go and allow someone else do our multi-tasking for us.

Practical Perspective

Maybe this will help…the more practical perspective is learn how to effectively delegate our weaknesses and that which we do not like nor enjoy. We are not meant to do everything despite our internal programming.

Just because you can do something well doesn’t mean it’s a high paying activity and worth your time. Doing a lot of things fairly well is not nearly as valuable and rewarding as doing one or two things extremely well. We want to get good at leveraging.

For example, even though I can do technology, compose visually inspiring blog posts and emails, I delegate a lot of that to my VA so I can focus on my strengths: writing teleclasses, creating new programs, speaking engagements (love that), inspiring clients, coaching, networking online and offline and anything that has to do with connection and community. I am so open to giving up trying to be good at everything and focusing on my strengths.

If you have a hard time letting go of the things you do (I have) think in terms of how much energy something costs you. Does that thing or things you are doing costing you you’re well being? Time with your partner/husband/ kids/passions?

Here’s a sure sign something needs to be delegated…the work file has been sitting on your desk for a few weeks maybe a few months and you have procrastinated getting it done or have not made it a priority because it just doesn’t excite you. You have low energy around it. Or that project at home like painting, repairing, new décor, windows, etc has required fixing for months. These are all a clue we need to let go thinking we need to do everything and focus on what we enjoy and delegate! Hire an organizer to do the home stuff and a repair man to fix those things. Delegate to your assistant or hire a VA. You get the picture. Strengthen your strengths.

3 quick steps to strengthening your strengths:

1. Identify your top 5 strengths that without a doubt are your most natural, enjoyable and highest paying activities you do.

2. Admit and surrender to those annoying weaknesses and turn them into an asset by letting go and allowing someone else to do it so you have the luxury of time to do what you do best!

3. For 30 days, make a conscious choice to delegate those tasks that drain your energy and do not support your brilliance. It’s a habit we are designing to support our success. And habits will win out over any intention, no matter what. Create good habits around your strengths.

To schedule your private complimentary 30 min “Activate Your Natural Selling DNA” discovery call (we turn selling into a service for better profits), email my team at support@ecreativebiz.com

Gratitude,

Marla

Simply Authentic: Inspired ideas that easily build the “know, like and trust factor”

One of the easiest ways to build the “know, like and trust factor” with your personal brand is marketing your passions. I was just on Facebook this morning to find fabulous examples of
passion branding.

We will show up most authentically when we are involved in what we love. I refer to that as “that which gives us life.” Now, that very well may be the work you do; but for the moment I am focused on you creating even more compelling content via your social media channels and attracting those of like minds and interests beyond your business expertise.

One of many ways I coach how to be a successful marketer is by being an organic storyteller while doing those passions you love.

Here are helpful examples of authentic passion branding:

1. A web designer/creative director created an art club for women locally to meet monthly and exhibit their masterpieces. They inspire each other and their community via their art. Love it! She shares her artwork on her profile page and markets the free exhibits.

2. A Realtor who loves exercise and bringing people together has been a Jazzercise instructor for years. She posts her photos and class info on Facebook. She brings together women for fun, wellness and community. Perfect.

3. A Chiropractor who loves helping under-served families in the Philippines started a non-profit feeding the children of these regions and posting stories and successes of his mission work. Beautiful way to build an authentic brand while creating the know, like and trust factor with his social media communities.

4. My passion for filmmaking (storytelling and writing) led me to joining forces with a past client who is a producer and writer in the entertainment industry. We are organically building a community online and now offline called Los Angeles Filmmakers Network. We created a meet up page (growing by the day - up to 80 members) and a new fan page. Our first meet up is in June (go to conta.cc/June14LAFN for registration details) and a workshop coming in the fall. Our purpose is to educate, inspire and transform lives through the art of filmmaking.

Our passions demonstrate the rich texture of our lives. Why not make them core to our authentic marketing? When my clients ask for “compelling” brand content ideas to post on Facebook, Twitter and in their ezines, I always recommend the easiest topic for them to be inspired by…their passions.  

Three ways to deliver YOU simply authentic online while building those important professional relationships and the “know, like” trust” factor:

1. Get involved with a non-profit. Post photos of events, volunteering, successes with fundraising. Create a private FB group page and invite other compassionate people to engage.

2. Create a fan page or group page around your passion and build a community of like minds. Promote the page in all your marketing. Remember, emotionally compelling content builds a strong human brand that attracts those of similar interests.

3. Create a meet up page (easy) around your passion and watch how it organically grows without you being there! The Meet up site now has excellent marketing tools to help you. I’m totally impressed how meet up has upped their game. For my one hour audio on how to organically grow an audience via meet up, join my social media savvy club at www.ecreativebiz.com

My core marketing belief is Social Media is about collaboration, creativity and increase for all. When you share your passions you are inspiring others to do the same. And that makes for a better world all the way around.

For more personal branding ideas and strategies, go to www.yourcompellingpersonalbrand.com for my step-by-step home study program to take your business to the next level. You’ll learn a whole new set of rules, strategies and systems in order to thrive in our ever-evolving economic climate; those who embrace the change will be poised for success.

Fan Page Strategies To Connect You to Your Audience!!

Everyone wants “likes” for their page. I agree. Definitely the most “top of the mind” strategy when using your Fan page for business marketing.  But that’s only half of the goal and strategy.

Let me clarify. 

Yes, by having plenty of your “niched” audience choose “like” for your Fan page, you have the privilege of building those relationships and marketing your expertise just to them. Perfect. And, they now can view your postings in their personal newsfeeds (Home) so they can absorb your content and interact with you. BTW, your audience of “likes” is people who match your target market and those of like minds. The one key strategy to help you gather those right people is to use the “invite friends” option in your Fan page admin panel under “Build Audience” at the top. Furthermore, be sure you have been mindful in who you have been accepting into your friend community as if you were building a culture expressively just for you and your target market. 

But what do you do to now they are ready and available for relationship building and wanting engagement? Here’s where the distinction happens.

The Strategies:

Even though your page content is 100% business related, there is plenty of room for your 1^st person conversational style postings about you, your thoughts about a certain subject in your expertise, and what is personal to you in regards to your passions, interests, community involvement, volunteering, and more.  Your PERSONAL BRAND plays a major role here. Your business is not the brand; you are. It’s your voice. Your style. Your “vibe.”

This page does double duty for you – it’s a resource for others who are seeking advice in your area of expertise and it’s a platform for you to engage with your fans about that advice or your personal interests.   

Here is a quick checklist of recommended content that builds engagement and the “know, like, and trust” factor. See, ultimately we want our fans to already know enough about us (the personal brand) before they walk into our office or call us for an appointment. 

1. Your blog posts that are syndicated using Networkedblogs app on FB (use search box to find it).  Those blog posts are stories (articles) about you, your client successes, challenges, solutions, as well as promos for an upcoming product release, program, event or special.

2. Photos and videos of you with clients. Photos and videos of client before and after stories. Photos and videos of you volunteering with a narration of the event.

3. Products and promos with links to your sign up or sales page. (Remember to use bitly or tinyurl).

4. Articles or any content you repurpose from your ezine (newsletter), your website, or excerpts from other blog posts you liked. Remember repurposing is the key to streamlining your time and leveraging your content and expertise.

5. Surveys – use the questions app in your status update box for an upcoming product, feedback, opinion on a new program or offer – use your fan page as a research tool.

6. Post a press release using your blog or a NOTE.  (For the NOTE see your page admin panel - Manage then Edit then Apps)

Now let’s look at some fun, creative ideas to build even more engagement and inspire “likes”

Idea # 1. It is stated in recent Facebook studies that almost 40% of FB users seek fan pages that offer specials, discounts, and giveaways. Promotions serve a few purposes: 1. Build likes. 2. Helps create the “peer-to-peer” marketing effect where fans share your content with their friends. Given that, here is a “like” contest to consider:

Step 1: Set up your default “welcome” page as a custom page. Ask your web designer or use Constant Contact’s Social Campaign product (easy) – click here to start an account http://tinyurl.com/constant-contact4u

Step 2: Require the person to “Like” your page before entering the contest. If they are an existing fan, they can enter the contest and you request they “share” the info with others.

Step 3: After they like the page- they are taken to an “after” like page (custom made by the above suggestions) where they click on an image that serves as an entry form. Ideas for “Enter to Win” Tickets to a local theater, Dinner for 2, Win an iPod/iPad or Visa gift card.

Important: Be sure to follow FB guidelines for contests. I recommend using http://www.wildfireapp.com/ site to help you. 

Idea # 2. Inspire Check-ins! If you have a bricks-n-mortar street location for your business, check-in incentives are great fun! As clients, patients, friends, family members arrive, inspire them to “check-in” on their mobile phones by placing a detailed sign in your entry room requesting the check-in and offer a gift once they check-in. (more in a moment)

Check-in app for Facebook is a mobile app only. Checking-in allows people to post your location on their personal Facebook page. It’s the easiest way to initiate conversation on your page and publicize your business to people’s friend community. 

Facebook “deals” is an incentive free program attached to Facebook Places. Look up how to add your place to the application by going to http://www.facebook.com/help/ and search for “Places.” Also search for “Claim” your business so you can manage your place’s address, contact information, business hours, profile picture, admins and other settings. For a handout on how to add a check-in deal to your business – email me Support@ecreativebiz.com

How does a Check-in contribute to more likes? Publicity. The more check-ins that show up from your business on walls, the more exposure you receive. This converts to likes to your page. 

There's plenty more, but let's leave that for a private call, ok? Have you been thinking of Re-branding? Re-invention? New perspective on your Social Media Strategies?  Email me for my 30 min evaluation - one-on-one. You, me and the phone :)  And free. Let's talk. Support@ecreativebiz.com

Or jump over to the Home Study page to consider a simple start on upgrading your personal brand strategy...http://yourcompellingpersonalbrand.com/

 

To your branding success!

Marla

www.eCreativebiz.com

My truth revealed, raw and uncensored. Ready?

How can I expect you, my loyal community, and my clients to be courageous, brave, leap into the unknown, and take a stand for your life if I don’t? I know I can never expect you to do anything I am not willing to do myself.

So, I thought I would draw back the curtains and share with you a very vulnerable, raw, breakthrough experience I had over the weekend that is meant to inspire you, move you, and support you to take a stand in your own life and business.

 

I’ve never been one to stay stuck or ignore inner messages. I always act on my inner barometer when life is out of whack or out of balance. However, lately I have been less than attentive to those inner callings.

Until this weekend.

So call this my “Jerry McGuire” moment or my “Marla" moment, but I’ve been going through a lot of changes outer and inner lately; so much that my world felt like it was whirling out of control in some areas.

On Saturday I posted a very vulnerable request for support in the Facebook private community page for my Elevate coaching program I’m participating in with Ali Brown and James Roche. I intuitively knew at this point that Spirit was calling me to up level and move into a more bold, passionate, daring, REAL version of myself.  (Very scary!)

I was terribly uncomfortable with how my life felt…."seemed” to be spinning out of control in a few areas. (That was a good thing, I learned). 

Then I got the perfect reply from a fellow Elevate member Kendra Thornbury who I first met at a retreat in Sedona early 2011. Her raw truth and consoling words became my guiding light to move me into a breakthrough! I publicly thanked her today in our coaching       community for her REAL, very loving, NO BULLS**T approach to life that brought me to my knees...           
(photo credit: Lindsay A. Miller)

Here are the highlights of my HUGE breakthrough moments from Kendra’s incredible wisdom:

1. My real prosperity is directly connected with the degree I’m willing to BE true to myself (BIG for me. I heard this b4 many times but I guess was ready now).

2. The way to release any money drama and on again off again scarcity struggle into a financial abundant flow is by stepping up and allowing my REAL voice to heard, take a stand for my truth, and don’t put up with any more BULLS**T from myself!

3. No more living on the surface being “nice.” I was dimming my light to fit in personally and professionally. (Relate?)

4. No more giving up who I am in order to make good money. (Phew! What a relief)

5. No more doubting if I can really live my dreams! (BIG shift still working on)

6. No more giving energy to the feelings of shame and inadequacy I used to buy into as real.

7. Taking a stand for no more accepting any type of “struggle” that became a way of life.

8. As Kendra so beautifully puts it… calling BS on myself about getting real around my relationship with people, money, and my talents and stop feeling bad about myself via old repeating patterns that kept me playing life small. (And some think I was living big! Not me. I know I have way more to offer and I've been holding back).

9. Allow my REAL voice to be heard and help others move into living life with a deeper passion. (Hint: This is YOUR personal branding process with me; not just techy jargon and strategies. It’s about YOUR transformation 1st)

10. I now truly understand how to live a “heart-centered” life that does not tolerate surface talk or living small.

11. No more compromising and putting up, settling with what just doesn’t feel good!

12. Declaring BS on myself and take a more meaningful responsibility for my results.

13. Requiring radical honesty in all my communications; not what society may call appropriate and pleasing. Say what I mean and mean what I say.

14. No more dismissing my true wealth, which resides in me as “what makes me feel alive while contributing to others”; and no longer giving energy to an image of what I think I am supposed to be and act.

15. Be original, fresh, dynamic, bold, honest, and daring in my communication and marketing (this blog post is a first step!).

16. And MOST of all…know my value. FEEL my value and never go back to doubting what I have to offer the world is not enough!

So by taking a public stand for the 1^st time about this girl behind the computer, I’m risking big time and it feels so exhilarating and liberating!

It’s real that the TRUTH will set you free. Free to build a bold, profitable business, and passionate personal life. I have not felt this alive in years. I want this for you, too, if any of this resonates with you.  (Photo credit above: Kendra Thornbury)

I know not all of you will resonate and may need to re-read, but those who have been touched in any way and are ready to move into a stronger, more authentic version of yourself where your family, friends, communities, and clients GET the real you, then I INSIST you to connect with me.

If you are willing to be MORE daring, MORE courageous, MORE bold, MORE YOU, and no more B.S. – then I am here for you --- Choose my 30 min “I want a more REAL juicy life!” private Discovery call. I want to feel your voice over the phone- the real you. I don’t want to offer an online report or audio. I want you and me together on the phone making it happen.
Email me Marla@ecreativebiz.com

Thank you Kendra Thornbury for your love and honesty and my ELEVATE community of amazing women entrepreneurs seeking their truth and a quality life!

And so it is!!

Love & BOLD truth,