What would I write if I gave myself 30 minutes EVERY morning without failing to write? Just grab the coffee and sit away from my computer and write. Recently one of my online friends, Gina Parrish, posed this question. I had all kinds of sorry excuses – all kinds. I’ve been told I have a book in me – well that just makes me laugh. Then in her comments she brought up someone I consider a mentor: Dan Kennedy. For those that do not know him he has written a “No BS” series of books that I recommend to entrepreneurs. HE writes every day, even on the day of his mother’s funeral. OK, he writes for an hour, but I bet I could find 30 minutes. I’m willing to commit myself to a 30 day challenge (lol, some of you know how I feel about 30 day challenges!) 30 days of 30 minutes every day before email, before online marketing. I can do that. Are you up to the challenge?
I have been thinking that I want to write a “Sexy” series. Taking things I have studied and taught over the years and write about them from this warrior’s perspective. Leadership is SEXY. Ownership is SEXY. Empowerment is SEXY. Self-Esteem is SEXY. Marketing is SEXY. Hmmm…what would happen in 30 minutes every day? Do you have an opinion on what I should write about? Something you would love for me to share? I have to get over my limiting belief (yes, like you I battle them on occasion!) that I cannot write. It’s really not that hard, I have been writing for 15 minutes right now!
MY new laptop will make this even easier. I can sit anywhere. Which honestly, I sit at my desk working so much that I often don’t FEEL the creative flow there. All my creative juice goes into what I currently do for my business. I also think that writing a thesis in undergrad created some writer’s block for me. That was one of the hardest things I EVER did! But I did it well. It was published 3 times in different journals. It was 60 8.5×11 single spaced pages (typed in WordPerfect, no such thing as MS Word!). I actually wrote on paper then went to “computer lab” to type it. I also have to STOP that. I love paper; I enjoy writing pen to pad. BUT they rarely make it to a place where they can be shared online or in a book, just notebooks full of scribe.
What would you write about if you challenged yourself to 30 minutes every day? I honestly think if I am going to do it I have to learn to type though, I suck since I never took a class. I think the free software that came with my laptop has a course on it! Hmmm…always something to learn huh?
Wow, ok I am doing this – that was 25 minutes. Today August 2, 2011 I am starting my 30 day challenge. Are you in? I am open to checking in everyday! I will even share my progress in the comments below.
I have created 30 days of inspiration for you, to write and connect! Sign up now!
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!”
One thing I have learned in 14 years in business is that in order to stay viable, to increase revenue and to be on top in my industry, we must continue to evolve our products and services. Too many companies fail because they keep doing what they have always done. Too many small businesses never thrive because they don’t evolve their products and services. This week I had the chance to sit down with one of my mentors and friends, Audrey Hagen. Great friends and mentors have this ability to listen to you and bring out the best:
Many things have been “sitting” in my business for me to grow one more level and this week they are now in motion. I have been slowly moving, and thanks to Audrey, they are on fire!
Do you have this friend in your life? This mentor?
What are you doing to develop the NEXT level on your business? How are you developing and growing?
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!”
Growing your business online makes smart business sense these days. Learning how to do it right the first time is critical. There are many people out there who claim to be “Social Media Experts.” And they charge some pretty nice fees to “coach” people to improve their online marketability. I also think there are many people out there trying to be “helpful,” but have no clue of how to extend strategic help! At this time “Social Media Expert” has yet to be defined or certified (It’s coming, I am sure, just like it did with coaching). I also think about how quickly the Internet moves today and how sensible it is to get help if you are not comfortable with something. If you are going to select someone to help you, do your homework and watch out for the red flags. These tips will help you in selecting the right person.
1 – You cannot Google and find the person by NAME. The Internet is a very powerful tool and online presence is very important for social networking, even more for a “Social Media Expert.” I am a social psychologist who has applied social networking sales strategies online and has gotten great results. I consider myself a great “end-user” and even I am Google-able! Would you really hire someone to help whose name does not appear in searches?
2 – The person has very few Google-able searches. If you go to www.google.com and type anything you are searching for in the main search box (not a Google toolbar search box), it will tell you how many times the keyword you’ve used has been searched for. Go there and type the name of the person. As you type, a number will appear telling you how many times the person has been searched for. Again, if you claim to be an expert who tells me that you are searchable and are searched for on the Internet, as an expert, I would hope that the number is large!
3 – The person does not have a YouTube channel. “Social Media Expert” means that the person is an expert in all forms of social media, and video is one of the biggest media opportunities out there. Using video to market is an important media strategy. Ask for their YouTube channel and check it out. Better yet, hopefully there is a link to their YouTube channel on their marketing!
4 – The person is not on the BIG THREE. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are considered the big three networking sites, so do they show up? Are they actively involved in dialogue discussions and groups on at least one of the three? Are they branded on the sites?
5 – The person does not have articles posted on e-zinearticles.com or other social media article sites. Social media is about creating education-based marketing. Does the expert use the tools as they teach others?
6 – The person does not have a blog. Blogging is one of the most powerful tools for increasing your online presence and is taught as a key tool to all business people. Look at their blog and especially find out which blogs they read and comment on. It will tell you about their online presence!
These six smart tips will alert you on who you choose to learn from. Do your homework and make sure your time and money is invested in great support that will get you on the right track to growing your business or developing your expertise online!
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!”
