Customer Loyalty: Are they here to stay or ready to jump ship?

2013 is almost over, wow. As we look back on the year and prepare for a new year of possibilities and transforming lives, let’s take an inventory on our customer loyalty. Ok?

I know you have heard this before, but do you practice it often? Directly from Inc. magazine, "True customer loyalty means making the relationship more important than making the sale."      

Inc. mag article continues..."Customer loyalty comes from having a strong relationship with your customers. When they see you as a friend and ally, they're reluctant to jump ship, even if it means they can get something a little cheaper.  

Let that last sentence sink in. It's a beautiful thing. I had to read it twice the first time to let it sink in. 

So I ask you, how well does your audience and clients really know you? Do you hide your personal side in your fan page postings? Your website? Does it feel real, emotional, and approachable? This is the age of vulnerability and transparency (revealing just enough to make you real and approachable). Today's branding requires us to be open, real, personable and transparent. The days of focusing only on products and services are long gone. Branding is who you are; not what you do. This is the magic. Every client that comes into my world is ready to INNOVATE their branding to align with this personal touch in all channels of their marketing even if they have some fear of being in the spotlight and being more vulnerable in a business setting.

Your market is so much more sophisticated today when it comes to choosing experts to hire. They know the drill...build the know, like, and trust factor. Are you set up with strategies and skills to do that?

Let’s look at 3 simple tips (maybe reminders?) to get you started or re-started:

1. Pick-up-the-phone: I know – you might be smiling and rolling your eyes, but it’s a beautiful reminder! I’ve been guilty of having to remind myself to do this!  We get so wrapped up in our day online that this skill is one of the most overlooked relationship-building practices as of late because of our social media, texting, and emailing habits. Instead of emailing a client or texting – arrange a quick call in to say hello and see how they are or better yet offer to go over something they need help with instead of emailing. The personal touch will never be outdated and always appreciated and remembered.

2. Communicate from the heart - real conversations.  To build a humanized brand, we need to emotionalize our content. A sexy brand inspires others to feel their emotions. Write compelling content for your blogs, videos, and emails that speak well to your custom market.  And, always spend more time listening to the customer rather than talking to the customer. Same goes for online. In your posts be sure you are talking with them not at them.

3. Send gifts. This may seem like a no-brainer and I thought so, too. But when one of my clients was so impressed with the gift I sent her after she registered for her program, I realized it was not so common place. Find a gift that speaks to them. If it’s a group program (for the coaches out there) – find a fun gift they will emotionally bond with. They will definitely remember you and how they felt. BTW, it’s always wonderful etiquette to send a thank you card and/or gift to people who refer business to you! I am amazed at how many don’t. That will build long lasting relationships always.

This is just the tip of the iceberg to building customer loyalty. Would love your comments below how you have experienced these tips in your own business! Thanks!

Gratitude and Success,

  

Chief Inspiration Officer 
Embrace Your Spotlight

www.ecreativebiz.com
soon to be www.marladiann.com

The secret to EXPLODING your brand!

I got a phone call from a branding client Friday and she was crying.

We had just finished a major breakthrough experience with her money story the day before.

She was questioning her meaning and purpose about her brand and felt lost about her happiness - "where did the happy girl go?"

I mentored her through the call with encouraging words and advice. Later that day, I texted her more inspiration and I got this back, "I found it!! I found my happy! I came up with my power statement that feeds my vision and branding, ' I am a happy, healthy, wealthy woman whose spiritual wisdom is valued throughout the world and I am a role model for joyful living!' "

She shifted into high gear about her value, worth, money relationship and branding.

Here's the message I have to offer: the power of your branding begins with your relationship with money. Once that is cleared up - here comes the "Divine Downloads." All of her ideas came rushing in for her branding and how she would package and present her authenticity to the world.

Let's reawaken the sensual, vibrant, enticing, and colorful woman (or man) you are that may have gone into hiding due to disappointments, never-ending stress & demands.  In addition to all the branding strategies I will show you, we begin with your money relationship.

I'm bringing you the best of my content in a FREE comprehensive inspiring webinar (visual) training, "TURN YOUR PERSONALITY INTO MARKETING POWER, so it builds the right audience and converts to clients!"

 
Save a spot for yourself for next Wed, Oct 30 at 4 pm Pacific/7 pm Eastern . I will be giving away a few special gifts on the LIVE webinar - so please make an effort to be present. Those who attend LIVE are eligible.

Wait! Before you say, "I can't attend that day." Although I highly recommend you attend live, I know our busy, crazy schedules can dictate our avail, so I made sure you can watch a replay! By opting in now, you will receive an email after the LIVE webinar with my special repeat dates to make it convenient for your schedule! How cool is that?!

Reserve your spot here. Let's get BOLD together! 

To your success and brilliance,  

  

Chief Inspiration Officer 
Embrace Your Spotlight

www.ecreativebiz.com
soon to be www.marladiann.com

How many missed media opportunities did you have?

Imagine this.

Maybe you pitched a news angle to a reporter, editor or producer for one of your local or national media outlets or maybe someone recommended you for a media interview. Good so far. The journalist or talent booker then goes to your website, blog and fan page to check your “credibility.” 

What do they see, read and feel (emotionally compelling content)?

Do you have a clear cut, authentic personal brand that speaks well to your expertise and how you serve your clients OR does it leave the journalist confused and un-inspired to consider you for their magazine, radio show, newspaper column or TV news show?

Do you have a media page on your site? Do you have logos of media you were featured on? (Something to aspire to)

This is one of many reasons why having a clear, compelling, authentic, BOLD, expert-driven brand is crucial to your success. Please stop settling for an “ok” brand and thinking you can’t afford a branding expert or web designer. It’s costing you your credibility and revenues.

Be known as innovative, savvy, well-spoken, and dignified brand. I encourage you to EMBRACE your spotlight with confidence, savvy and ease.

Media coverage is third-party validation. In my PR days with clients, my main goal was building mass influence and a tribe for my clients online and offline, plus creditability for their expertise and talents. BUT first the brand and target market (audience) had to be built. When your website, fan page, blog, newsletter and articles clearly illustrate who you are (brand), your expertise, and how you serve your market - you then position yourself for potential media interest.

Strategic publicity is a major credibility factor for your success. Once you achieve certain media coverage – publicity breeds publicity –more media opportunities begin to show up. Happens all the time.

Once my new site is launched (coming in a few weeks), I will use my own PR skills to secure media. I encourage you to begin with a re-branding. You are missing opportunities for media coverage by having an unclear, so-so brand.

5 publicity tools to strengthen your brand in the midst of a re-branding process:

1. Strong, clear ongoing blog articles that showcase your expertise. This will demonstrate your genius and knowledge even when it’s obvious your website needs TLC.

2.  Create your own TV channel by setting up a YouTube channel and upload expert videos of you answering common challenges of your clients and solutions. Make them no longer than 2-3 min long and include where the viewer can get a hold of you. Invite.

3. Have a “media” page at your current site with a beginning list of radio interviews, telesummits (if you are a coach), guest blog articles. Start building your press page now.

4. Prepare a press kit ready for opportunities while you are building the brand. Include a well written struggle to victory story as your bio, professional photos, expert topic ideas list for media, list of where you have been interviewed even if it’s not a national well recognized media outlet.

5. Have a well written journalistically solid press release that offers a current news angle matched to your expertise. Be sure it’s factual, intriguing, and the opening paragraph captures media attention. Reporters only have time to read your 1^st paragraph. If it doesn’t include the who, what, when, where and why (for their audience), they move on.

I believe in you. Start the journey and up-level your business and life. Take a leap of faith!

 

Gratitude and Success,

 

Chief Inspiration Officer 
Embrace Your Spotlight

www.ecreativebiz.com
soon to be www.marladiann.com

That Elusive Goal: Breaking Through the Vortex

It finally happened.  

Once I gave myself FULL permission to put ALL of me - the entertainment history, love of pop culture, visual arts, film, home design, love of parenting, emotions, six senses, etc., into my business and branding, I broke through that elusive thing I call a "vortex" - resulting in feeling FULLY alive and more authentic.  

Five years ago when I re-invented my life - I truly started over in every way.  I purposely walked away from my 22 year entertainment career - rich and exciting as it was - I chose to give full attention to my new journey as a coach and mentor. I had a "Divine Urge" to evolve and move forward into a new version of my life then in 2007; I just didn't know what was in store for me or the path I would choose.

Along the way as I followed that Divine Urge, I left behind (temporarily) the creative, alive, and vital Marla whose core exudes artistry - a very expressive ALIVE artist who matches all those passions described above.  

Unbeknownst to me, it was not until I re-branded myself and my business this year would I re-discover the REAL ME - the high energy, fun, happy, highly creative, passionate woman who was hiding behind the spotlight. I traveled through the vortex to the other side feeling I have come back home.   

Prior to breaking through the vortex I felt so stuck having attempted several times to uplevel my business financially and otherwise. When I broke through that vortex – my entire energy shifted to a new level – like a re-birthing. The moment I realized I succeeded a very demanding goal, I did the “happy dance” celebrating that defining moment! Another evolution complete. (My mentor calls it going through the wonkiness).

All of this leads to building a BOLD, SEXY, VITAL, COLORFUL, and AUTHENTIC brand bursting with excitement!  I want that for you! (And, watch for launch announcements coming soon of the NEW website!)   

So how do you break through that frustrating vortex that keeps you stuck behind the wall craving change and success?  

Here are four tips to breaking through:

1. Take a deep cleansing breath and finally make THE decision to re-brand. No more excuses. Get clear on who you want to become. Make decisions from where you want to be; not where you are. Have deep trust and faith the right experts and support team will show up to take you through the branding journey. They will be a perfect match for your vision – the web designers, branding coaches, VA’s, etc.

2. Even when your goal (whatever it is) seems so elusive each time you attempt to achieve it – DON’T GIVE UP. (Trust me I had many thoughts of throwing in the towel many times thinking this goal was not for me). Keep your focus on the vision AS IF it’s done - feel it, see it, think it as complete BEFORE it manifests. Put your heart into this way more than your head. 

3. Knowing the journey can be a roller coaster - surround yourself with a group of high achieving, compassionate, real, spiritually rich people who believe in abundance, fulfillment and courage AND are doing the same growth. INVEST in you and join a mastermind program with a mentor who is living the life you respect and want. The tribe will be your best allies along the emotional journey. They become your best inspiration and support; they will hold you to the fire!

4. Document your re-branding journey so it becomes the story you share with others to inspire them and pay it forward. Your story is part of your NEW brand.

Share your vortex story below in the comment section so others can be inspired!

Gratitude and Success,

 

Chief Inspiration Officer 
Embrace Your Spotlight

www.ecreativebiz.com
soon to be www.marladiann.com