I was on the phone with a client yesterday, and she was in complete overwhelm with her business. I walked her through my priority process, which helped greatly, but she still needed some clarity around making a major decision about a next step.
“I feel like I’m out of control and I don’t even have time to spend on making sure this is the right decision,” she said.
“Do you want me to tell you what to do?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Okay then. Go for a walk. Even better, go sit on the beach or in nature for a few hours. And take a day off. A FULL day off—no work or email or anything.”
Silence.
“Ha ha, it’s a joke, right?” she responded. (Click here to read more…)
Posted on February 2, 2012 by Ali Brown
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“Meet the Nuttiest Woman I Know… Who Can Help YOU Setup an Easy WordPress Website!”
Have you heard of Christina Hills? She was one of my coaching members last year, and her business in helping people create fun and easy WordPress websites—WITHOUT needing a web designer—has taken off like gangbusters!
Her newest video is truly nutty! BUT I promise if you opt-in on this page you’ll get some great FREE instruction on how to set up a WordPress website, fast and easy from scratch.
You may also recognize Christina from my event SHINE, where she hosted a breakout session, and also as a guest on my LiveCast this past December where we highlighted her success story. (Click here to read more…)
Posted on February 1, 2012 by Ali Brown
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“How to Make Your Appearance Count” by Ali Brown
Running a business in the new economy means that most of us spend a big chunk of our workdays behind a computer screen. And as many can attest, the longer we work from home, the fuzzier the idea of looking presentable gets. Our definition of making a good impression means we spell check our emails, rather than practice the perfect handshake. But, what happens when we land a big client meeting, or that long-awaited media interview? Below, a few tips on how to shift seamlessly between work-from-home solo-preneur to real-world, successful business owner. And don’t worry, you don’t have to compromise your authentic self to do it!
Do Right By Your Brand
Your brand is in essence, your point-of-view. The more confident you are expressing your spin on things, the more likely you will make a positive first impression on your ideal clients. Take a few minutes to think about what your brand represents, and how you can embody it best with your dress and overall appearance. This means different things for different people by the way: just think of how a business consultant might dress compared to an edgy hair stylist. Blue highlights could garner praise at a high-end hair show, and rightly so—but it would probably not win over a Fortune 500 client. What would make you feel in integrity with the business you’ve created AND make your target market feel comfortable buying from you? (Click here to read more…)
Posted on January 26, 2012 by Ali Brown
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“Simple Ways to Protect Your Intellectual Property” by Ali Brown
With the online masses crying out against the PIPA/SOPA bills this week (check out my recent blog post on the debate here), it couldn’t be a better time to do an assessment of your business, and make sure you are protecting your intellectual property, and not infringing on anyone else’s!
Let’s define the legal ways that you may protect your creativity:
1. Copyright. According to the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO), a copyright “protects works of authorship, such as writings, music, and works of art that have been tangibly expressed.” In the United States, copyright is secured automatically when the work is created. Use © on your website, your articles, and elsewhere. Some use the free product Copyscape to help ward off plagiarists who might “borrow” your website content. (Click here to read more…)
Posted on January 19, 2012 by Ali Brown
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“Ask Ali: Do I really have to narrow my target market?”
Question: Ali, I’m starting a new business, and I know when you are marketing you are supposed to narrow down your target market. But my service truly could be used by anyone, anywhere! Why do I have to limit myself?
–Susie Smith
Ali’s Answer: “Susie, thanks for such a short and sweet question that lends to a short and sweet answer. It may be true that anyone could use your service, and of course you would not turn away anyone who came to work with you or buy it. However, if you want your marketing to be more effective and easier, you MUST narrow down a target market. (Click here to read more…)
Posted on January 19, 2012 by Ali Brown
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