by Ann Evanston | Nov 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
I was asked to talk about productivity and social media in order to increase profits at the US Small Business Conference in the San Francisco Bay area. As I thought about this subject I realized that most people think that productivity comes from having a tool that will speed up and or organize what they do. While this is not completely untrue, tools can help greatly, I think that productivity in social media starts with WHAT before HOW to be successful.
There are several things that I teach my clients about productivity with their social media strategy. Here are 3 tips of several I will share in my presentation.
1-Develop and use an editorial calendar. This helps you strategize launches, what you need to educate about prior to a sale or”push” for events or ebook. Considering what it I call the “social media funnel” is critical for that success. How you move and “funnel” friends and followers from social media, to your blog, to your newsletter and back plays into what you have on your editorial calendar. Planning this saves considerable time.
2-Have five core themes that are based on your brand that you can continuously write content to. These core themes allow you to focus content, gather relevant relate able information, and writing of your content. Having these themes also helps your mind to focus and write. Also relate your themes to your editorial calendar.
3-Plan to repeat and repurpose your content. Most entrepreneurs are killing a tremendous amount of time trying to come up with new content to post on their social media every day. If you build a system of great tips and insights that will help your customers and then rewrite each tip to the 4 Warrior buying styles and preferences your content will go further than ever before. If you repurpose the same content for eBooks, article submissions and video, you have reached even more potential customers.
These are just a few of the strategies I will share- you can access the handout and powerpoint presentation for more though!!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
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by Ann Evanston | Nov 2, 2011 | Mental Mind Shifts
While watching the trick or treaters I was fascinated by a very simple concept behind the day. I realized that Halloween is about two interesting things that when embraced in life, can lead toward success and happiness.
First, Halloween is about dressing up and being whoever you want to be. Think about it! One day every year we allow our children to dress up and be whoever they want to be: scary, feisty, happy, pretty princesses, fairies, villains, superheroes, even freaks! (ok, on occasion, you get my point!) They get to decide who they want to be. They get to BE whatever they want, and we happily accept who they choose. It is perfectly ok.
Second, Halloween is about asking for what you want. And guess what you actually get it! You ask for a trick or treat and guess what every single time you ask, you get a trick or a treat.
Imagine if we grew up believing that about life. That we can first we get to be who we want to be and it will be accepted by others that that’s who we are. It will be appreciated in the differences and the diversity. And second that we can ask for what we deserve.
Imagine if in your life you were truly who you want to be. You did not question how or think that you had to dress up and be someone. Imagine if you had no fear about who you are. And imagine if you could ask for what you wanted and get direct honest up front answers. You might not like the “trick or treat” answers (just like you did not always like the candy)! But wouldn’t the world be a better place?
I recently heard several of my over 40 girlfriends say they have embraced these two things, finally in their lives. But I think they are a minority. Have you embraced it? I truly believe this is a critical component of becoming influential, and being your biggest, bestest bad-assery self!! Has it led to greater happiness and success?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
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by Ann Evanston | Sep 28, 2011 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
I recently heard a woman whose estimated net worth is 90 million (no, that is not Oprah) say that polarity is critical for success. She said: “the opposite of love is indifference. When you have people who love you and hate you, you have polarity and you have a brand”.
I have been known to say that wanting to be “liked” can be dangerous. That if people don’t disagree with you, you might be vanilla. I think this applies. See, she is RIGHT. But her net worth is only 90 million….if you disagree.
Let’s look at some examples:
Pepsi
Coke
Lady Gaga
Simon Cowell
Gordon Ramsey
Southwest
Each of these brands has success and polarity. I find many leaders and entrepreneurs have difficulty with this when they start out. Especially the first time someone disagrees with them. It’s great they disagree! I once watched Tim Ferriss speak to this and he told the crowd you either ignore what people are saying (he chooses not to watch) or you get a tough skin.
Have you created polarity? Or do you struggle with people not liking you? Are you playing it safe?
Oh, yes, who was that woman, net worth 90 million? Tyra Banks.
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
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by Ann Evanston | Sep 14, 2011 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
My husband recently sent me a blog post entitled the “five lies about social media marketing” and we had a great conversation about being an expert. Many of you know that I struggled for years with being called an expert, as I am guessing many of you might? See, I always feel that there is more I can learn, more I can improve upon, and I said that to him. He said: “That’s what I always say to you when you say I am an IT Finance Expert. There is always more that I can learn.”
He’s right, that is true! My response was: “I think what makes us an expert, is not that we know all the technology (there are just too many out there and upgrades and changes are too fast), but that we have a system, a process, that helps our clients organize, become more effective, and measure results.
I have accepted that I am an expert. I am dedicated to my craft, my profession and my study. I constantly seek to learn, grow and improve in my field. I role model to others what they can do and achieve…THAT is what an EXPERT does.
To consider yourself an expert and not just someone who “likes doing it” and “can do it” ask yourself:
- *do I read industry specific, research based information in the field?
- *do I engage with other experts in my field?
- *do I have a clear system or process I utilize to help my customers internal or external?
- *do I learn continuously in my field?
- *do I practice what I “teach” or “advise others” to do?
- *do I continuously look to improve what I offer?
- *do I find myself thinking “ahead of the trends” in my field?
- *do I have a long term plan versus just thinking about what’s “hot right now”?
- *do I find I more often know the answer the client is asking before they finish?
- *do I know how to find answers quickly that I don’t immediately have the answer?
If you answered yes to these questions then you are most likely an expert. I find many people, like I first did, have difficulty owning “expert”. Here is the thing: No expert knows it all. Experts though are committed to a craft, a study and stay on a path.
What is your expertise?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
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by Ann Evanston | Sep 6, 2011 | Mental Mind Shifts
Daily ritual. On many levels (I hope) we already have them. The ritual of cleansing, of praying, of cooking, of reading. Most rituals started when we were young. They were rituals our parents taught us and we do them, even now without any thought. They are so engrained that we “just do them”.
My husband was raised Catholic. Altar boy, even slated to become a priest! I remember saying one Christmas, “Honey let’s go to mass”. He picked the local Catholic Church down the street. Watching him, after all these years, fall into the rituals of the church was fascinating! Even more fascinating, watching the entire room do these rituals. Then I realized, most were “just doing them”. Without thought. I don’t think there were many there saying “and peace be with you” that really thought about that statement as they said it.
Ritual. Or is it just routine? I think people enjoy doing things without thought. Routine is just that.
When I started my own personal journey of the 30 day writing challenge I realized that I was creating a ritual. In the beginning it definitely took conscious effort just to write every day. Now, many more than 30 days into it, I am “ritualized” if you will. BUT here is the thing about this challenge. You can’t do it and NOT think. Writing requires that a piece of YOU be actively, consciously involved. (yes, I know, your subconscious, blah, blah, blah)- not the point because even that requires some level of activity. Remember my activity versus movement blog post?
I think the Catholic Church wants its congregation to be actively involved in the ritual. That though requires daily effort, and the willingness to stay in conscious thought. To be actively engaged in ritual, you must participate daily. Hmmmmm…..interesting thought. Some days your praying might not be as powerful as other days, but you actively, and with thought, knelt down to pray. Some days your writing may not be off the chart fabulous but you actively and with thought wrote.
Ritual. Or Routine. Are there places in your life you need to awaken conscious effort?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
