Idea Generator

Do you have the patience to make article marketing magic?

I'm really saddened when I hear people say that they don't write articles and publish them online because they tried it and it didn't work for them.

Did you know that since I opened my own account with Ezine Articles, back when I was promoting my self-care coaching business, my three most popular articles have been viewed a combined total of 72,235 times? Check out the latest report that EzineArticles just sent me: http://snipr.com/article-report. 

Did I get all of those page views in the first month? No. In the first year? Nope. It's been four years since I posted these articles (you can tell by all of the Style Guide violations!!).

So please have a little patience with your article marketing. Be consistent. Submit clearly written and creative articles that speak to your target audience. And while you keep doing the things that make you great at what you do, your articles can be working magic in the background.

Article marketing isn't the only part of being a small business owner that requires patience. Idea Generator reader Gale Denning Mailloux sent these thoughts last week:

"Patience, oh patience....by staying in the moment to observe and be informed, and knowing it is NOT all about me, but the context...I have been able to generate creative ideas on how to continue to do what I love as a therapist even when economic realities have impacted my practice. I did not leap into the solution-only mode, but with patience, am able to co-create my practice with my clients, and enhance what I do. THAT is how  patience has helped my marketing!"

Then I polled my new friends from the Twitter chat group #sbbuzz about patience. Here is a transcript summary of that part of the discussion, courtesy of the #sbbuzz website:

sbbuzz: Q1 from @lindadessau for tonight’s sbbuzz chat: How has having patience paid off when growing your small business? #sbbuzz

• BeckyMcCray: Patience pays off when it takes a dozen years to be an overnight success. You never know when it will come. #sbbuzz
• rongraham1: On Q1, it… ummm… hasn’t quite paid off yet. But it will. Probably starting middle of next month. LOL #sbbuzz
• bradfordshimp: Q1 – Hmm, sometimes I think I am being too patient (or maybe that is just procrastinating). #sbbuzz
• soclmediacoach: Q1: Slow and steady wins the race. I’ve seen my competition burn out and grow too quickly. We learned from that. #sbbuzz
• toddschnick: @sbbuzz need patience to be disciplined and dedicated to sustained effort #sbbuzz
• pardiman: Q1 I’m the overnight success (taken almost six years to get there) I originally had a five year plan, and then I was moving on #sbbuzz
• Whistletree: We often over-estimate what we can do in 1 yr. and under-estimate what we can do in 5. Keeping perspective is key. #sbbuzz
• rongraham1: @soclmediacoach, sometimes we just have that tendency to grow a lot when we know we can grow a little. I’ve seen that too. #sbbuzz
• adarowski: @sbbuzz Q1 We’re kind of in a crowded market, so patience was needed to allow the world to see why we’re different and awesome. #sbbuzz
• mattharrell: Q1: It’s taken a long time to land some customers…but when they came on our product was much better…and ready for them. #sbbuzz
• mattgillooly: @sbbuzz – Q1 – Waiting until 5 or 6 to crack a beer… Some days that takes a lot of patience! #sbbuzz
• pardiman: Q1 Now I introduce myself and people say I’ve heard of you. Build the brand one brick at a time. #sbbuzz
• JoGolden: Q1 Perseverence is just as vital as patience and perspective–all 3= a triple threat to the competition #sbbuzz
• rongraham1: On Q1, those first few customers are really precious, because we want ‘em to become our champions. #sbbuzz
• pmohara: Q1 – I liked @mikemcderment’s #sbbuzz answer that the cover of Entrepreneur mag came from “stringing together 1000 tiny victories”
• RPamela: Q1 Patience=Results. Only a few are truly overnight successes. Relationships, trust and loyalty take time. #sbbuzz
• chelpixie: Q1 Patience I think came from hard work. I was too busy to notice I was being patient too. #sbbuzz
• Timberry: Q1: in my case, owning the business outright, without investors, would have been impossible without patience. #sbbuzz
• merylkevans: Q1 When I left corporate America for full-time freelancing, I had a full load. I worked both jobs for 5 years before switching. #sbbuzz
• mattgillooly: @sbbuzz – Q1 – on the flip side, I’ve been really glad on a few occasions that I stopped having patience for a bad idea. #sbbuzz
• bradfordshimp: I would add the caveat – patience on the right things – you can be patient but be doing the wrong things and hoping they will work. #sbbuzz
• Whistletree: Sometimes patience can also turn into overthinking. There is a time to push a little, too. #sbbuzz
• rzazueta: #sbbuzz Q1: Patience = sanity. Sadly, the world is not on your schedule. You need to actively push, but you need to demonstrate patience.
• Timberry: Q1: Great concept from @trunkclubjlv: for startups, don’t wait until all the lights are green. Patience isn’t everything. #sbbuzz
• wvpmc: Hi everyone – sorry I’m late tonight – Q1 patience essential to weather economic cycles #sbbuzz

Free do-it-yourself websites

Earlier this week I received an email invitation from Tom Buford of Charge What You Deserve (check out his site for an example of a VERY tasteful squeeze page). And while the offer itself was plenty compelling,  it was the website vehicle that really got my attention.

It's another free do-it-yourself website tool, to add to the list of sites I've been hearing about and trying out lately.

You can see Tom's pick here, from a company called BlinkWeb. I'm impressed by the tool, though I must say that so far I'm unimpressed with the customer service. I responded to one of their follow-up messages on Wednesday morning with a question about the service and I haven't heard back yet.

And last month in her 6 Figure Membership Site Workshop Series, Kim Nishida told us about Weebly and Google Sites. I'm really enjoying using Google Sites, both with clients (I can choose exactly who to share each site with), and for my own planning (which I keep private or share just with my team).

The best feature is that it's accessible with one click from the top of my screen no matter which Google App I'm working in, i.e., my email or my calendar, and there are also cool ways to pull in Google Docs.

Create your own Google site now at http://sites.google.com.

Structure: The last (or first) piece of the article marketing puzzle

Have you ever noticed how boundaries and structures that seem limiting at first actually give us more freedom?

We think we don't want to be fenced in, we think we don't want to be controlled, but then we realize that boundaries give us freedom FROM and freedom TO.

For example:

• Limiting the number of cups of coffee you drink frees you FROM the harmful effects of too much caffeine
• Letting calls to your business line go straight to voicemail on evenings and weekends frees you TO cultivate your personal relationships and practice self-care

When it comes to article writing and article marketing, I know you probably have no shortage of ideas for how to help the members of your target market solve their most pressing problems.

Are you blocked by your thoughts? Start with structure.

But sometimes your ideas get blocked behind your thoughts (like "I'm not a writer," or "No one will want to read what I have to say," or "Who do I think I am, some kind of expert?"). You feel disheartened, discouraged and defeated, and you end up with no words and no article.

Writing structures like editorial schedules, generators and templates free you FROM hurtful self-talk, and FROM clutter and overwhelm. Writing structures free you TO write consistently and strategically, and TO let your creativity flow.

When you're blocked, I suggest you START WITH STRUCTURE:

• Begin with a simple affirmation that will shut down your inner critic and unleash your creativity, e.g., I have a message that someone needs to hear and that person is only tuned in to hear it from my unique voice.
• Create an editorial schedule with potential ideas for future articles or blog posts. It's much easier to start with an outline (or even a title) than a blank page.
• Use a generator like the Top 10 Article Generator. People use formulas for a reason - they work! Or create a template based on an article that got a lot of attention from your audience.

Are you bogged down by your ideas? Finish with structure.

Other times, your ideas flow out so quickly that you feel overwhelmed, scattered and confused. You end up with words everywhere but still no article.

In this earlier blog post, Writing structures - friend or foe? I told you to walk away from structure when you're bubbling over with ideas, suggesting instead that you capture your ideas as they flow instead of trying to box them into any kind of format.

I'm not contradicting that advice here, but I'm broadening my definition of structures to include idea catchers like journals, mind maps, voice recorders or a session with a ghostwriter.

When you're buzzing with ideas, I suggest you FINISH WITH STRUCTURE:

• Begin by giving yourself the time and space to let all of your ideas out with the help of an idea catcher.
• Use a readability checklist to hone in on the one main point you are trying to make.
• Refer to your editorial schedule or content strategy to make sure you're being consistent with the message and brand you are delivering.

So I invite you to free yourself with the boundary of a writing structure. You will be giving a gift to everyone who is waiting to hear your unique message. 

If you feel like you're lacking the discipline, skill or structure that you need to apply the power of article marketing to grow your business, please check out my latest offer - let's work some Article Magic!

Being a great coach is NOT enough - this month in the IAC VOICE

I feel exceptionally proud of today's issue of the IAC VOICE, the newsletter of the International Association of Coaching. The articles are all so rich, and the issue seems well-balanced between theory, technique, reflection and action.

Check out Suzi Pomerantz's article for some of the clearest definitions of networking, marketing and sales that I have ever seen.

Article marketing magic: Consistency is the key

Article marketing works like magic - IF you know the right tricks. One of those tricks is consistency. If you can persevere with your article writing efforts and apply them consistently, articles can provide a steady stream of readers, prospects, clients, customers and money.

There are several reasons that consistency is so important for effective article marketing:

How you do anything is how you do everything

I first heard this important truth from Andrea J. Lee, author of Multiple Streams of Coaching Income, and I have never forgotten it. When you have a service-based business, your customers are buying YOU just as much as they are buying the results that you will deliver.

Since everything you do is a reflection of you, that means that whatever you do, wherever you go, whenever you are interacting with people or the world around you, you are teaching people what they can expect from you.

Your prospective customers want to know they can rely on you to show up when you said you would and deliver what you promised (but don't worry - they don't expect you to be perfect). Are you curious about what else your customers want you to know about what they want? Sonia Simone has a list of 50 things. 

If they see you publishing a newsletter or blog consistently, especially if you keep up with a schedule that you've posted, you're giving them a little taste of the level of service they can expect when they hire you or buy from you.

You'll build on your own momentum and success

Action creates action and inaction creates...well, inaction creates nothing (more inaction). I have proven this to myself time and again as I have sometimes vacillated between working too little and working too much. 

Accomplishment is so gratifying. Once you've taken time to rest and celebrate your successes, you can also reinvest some of that energy to do more of the same.

Your content collection will snowball

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. When you consistently generate new content, you will build an empire of information one article at a time and you will be amazed at the volume of content you have produced.

Here are three strategies that can help you develop the discipline to write consistently:

1. Set a schedule. Make a commitment to yourself (e.g., a monthly newsletter and one additional article in between issues). An editorial schedule will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed because you can plug in potential topics ahead of time. 
2. Declare your schedule. Make a commitment to your readers; let them know exactly when they can expect to hear from you.
3. Turn article marketing into a team sport. Whether it's professional assistance with ghostwriting, editing or article submission, or simply a buddy arrangement with another coach, all of a sudden you are accountable for finishing the article a few days before you need it, so whoever is helping you has time to review it.

Article marketing can have magical results; growing your mailing list, increasing your visibility, enhancing your credibility and bringing you new customers, clients and revenue. So why would you stop after only one article?

If you feel like you're lacking the discipline, skill or structure that you need to apply the power of article marketing to grow your business, please check out my latest offer - let's work some Article Magic!

Search tool for your blog provides great marketing stats for you

I search my own blog a lot - I'll want to find previous posts to send to a client, link to in a new post, or just refresh my memory about something I've written.

Everything TypePad recently led me to the Lijit search tool (before that, I was using a clunky tool that really wasn't meeting my needs), and so far I am absolutely loving it. It will also search other sources like Twitter.

Plus, there are some really helpful statistics, such as the top search terms that brought visitors to your blog, and the terms people searched for on your blog AND DID NOT FIND (from the folks at Lijit: "Hint...it's a great way of figuring out what you should be writing about!").

Check the right-hand column of my blog to try the tool, or visit the Lijit website to sign up for your own account.

Social networking freedom for coaches

Would you like some Social Networking Freedom? Kristen Beireis and the gang at Coaches Marketing Source have just the answer.

Several coaches have told me that they're:

• Having a lot of fun with Twitter and Facebook, but they're not sure it's paying off
• Not having any fun on Twitter or Facebook because they're completely overwhelmed
• Not on Twitter or Facebook yet because they have no idea where to start

If you can relate, check out the Social Networking Freedom program today. This hot new program is extremely relevant for coaches who want to grow their business using social networking.

I've known Kristen for years and we've worked together in several capacities. I've also seen her in action on Twitter and she definitely knows the medium! She has always impressed me and I'm positive this will be an excellent program.

Please note: I'm proud to be an affiliate of the Coaches Marketing Source, and I strongly recommend any of their services.

Find out more about the Social Networking Freedom program

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

On the subject of subject lines

Here is a slightly paraphrased version of an email I sent to a client, Chronic Illness Coach Sylvia Lippman, reprinted here with her permission:

Hi Sylvia,

While we're on the subject on subject lines, I wanted to mention that I very nearly deleted your last email without opening it. There were two reasons for that.

1. The From line: Counseling and Wellness Innovations

The email was from Counseling and Wellness Innovations, who I didn't recognize - and all I could see on my Outlook screen was actually "Counsel," so I thought it was some legal thing and probably spam.

When you're building a brand (and what they call "brand recognition") it's really important to reinforce the same key names and phrases in all of your marketing materials and messages.

I'd suggest your "From" line either read Dan & Sylvia Lippman, or Feel Better Now-CI.

[Sylvia explained later that they used that return address because so many of the people on their list were familiar with Dan's former business name]

2. The Subject line: Your very personal opinions (read 'em here)

This didn't tell me enough about what was inside or who it related to. For that reason, I like to include the name of the ezine and/or business in every subject line, e.g., [Idea Generator] This week's writing prompts and updates.

Also, I think it's wonderful to be conversational with your readers, and yet you have to remember that since you last "spoke" to them, they've gone in and out of hundreds of other conversations, and they may need some help getting back into yours.

In this case, a more effective subject line may have been: Thanks for your feedback on our Feel Better Now-CI website.

Here is some more reading you can do about good subject lines.

I have three subject line suggestions for your first ezine that we recently worked on together:

• [Feel Better Now-CI] 3 self-care tools that do the trick (this option highlights the solution)
• [Feel Better Now-CI] Firstname, are your challenges piling up? (this option highlights the problem)
• [Feel Better Now-CI] Firstname, are you taking time for joy? (this option highlights a key emotional benefit)

Where it says "Firstname," you'll use your email service provider's personalization feature.

Thank you Sylvia, for sharing your learning process with the rest of us!

Twitter works - here's an example

Last week I was trying to teach myself how to use Pivot Tables in Microsoft Excel. I have a large Excel worksheet and I'm trying to sort and analyze the data to prepare my numbers for my 2008 tax return.

I posted a plea on Twitter and before I knew it I had a great resource from someone in my network - Tracey Lawton, the Office Organization Queen, who I know from the New Coach Connection, sent me a Microsoft Tutorial. Thank you, Tracey!!

But I saw the real magic of Twitter a little later, when computer consultant Debra Dalgleish contacted me. Now, not only did Debra write a book that was specifically designed to teach novice users about Pivot Tables in Excel 2007, she also happens to live in a neighboring city to Toronto.

But I'm quite sure that without Twitter, I never would have heard of her.

How did Debra know I was looking for this information? She used Twitter Search. First, she entered search terms related to her area of expertise. Then she set up an RSS feed for those results to be delivered directly to her Google Reader.  Once or twice a week she scans through them and responds to and/or posts about some of them on her blog.

Notice how Debra was using several of the strategies I mentioned in the Networking basics post I published the other day. By reaching out and making contact with a stranger in need, she helped me out and educated the Twitter network about what she does. And when I replied to Debra to say thank you, I introduced her to my network as a helpful, positive presence on Twitter.

Way to go, Debra! Nice to meet you, and thanks again for the help!

Networking basics

I was speaking with a coach the other day who is just getting started in her new business. When she asked me about my experience with networking, I thought about what's worked for me in my last 11 years of self-employment. 

1. Be visible - I strive to stay active in my networking groups and professional associations. To do that, I limit the number of groups I get involved with at any one time. I choose groups that I enjoy being part of and where I meet lots of people I can learn from and who can hopefully refer business to me and/or do business with me.


2. Be positive - I strive to be a positive presence so that people associate me with positive feelings and feel good about the time we've spent together. This goes back to the Maya Angelou quote that I've placed at the top of my Business Plan for the last three years in a row: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."


3. Help out - Over the years I've volunteered in my various professional associations (right now I maintain the website of the Music Therapy Association of Ontario) and networking groups (I gave a free talk for the NCC). I also share lots of free and hopefully helpful information via email groups, Twitter, Ezine Articles (here and here), this blog and occasionally on LinkedIn. Helping out also achieves my other three goals.


4. Educate - I listen for opportunities to share more about who I help and what I do. I strive to help my network recognize my ideal clients. Notice this is the LAST step in the process.

This approach applies to online and in-person networking. Using these strategies, I have successfully gained clients, referrals, motivation, inspiration, resources and countless ideas for my business.

So if you've given up (or are about to) on your networking activities because they "don't work," ask yourself if you're using all of these proven strategies.