Business Strategies & How To's

Ask Coach Brandy

Heyyy, are you in need of business advice from a Purposeful Coach who can help you create a successful business? Every week we will post Q & A's from our expert coach Brandy Adamson. She is helping business owners all over create income driven empires, will you be next?

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*Dear Coach,

I was not very successful last year and I want to be sure that I am successful in 2013.  What are some things I can do to be successful before year’s end?

Rebecca, Chicago, IL

*Dear Rebecca,

Thank you for your email. As we are all aware, time waits for no one and it is refreshing to read when individuals are desirous of improving their lives.  While you may not have accomplished as much as you desired last year, we encourage you to celebrate your successes.

Develop Your Hot List
Rather than a TO DO LIST, I encourage my clients to develop a HOT LIST – these are items that MUST be accomplished immediately. These are tasks that can be completed relatively quickly – in 3 to 5 business days.

Identify an Accountability Partner or Hire a Coach
An accountability partner is someone that, like you, has goals that he/she wants to attain by year’s end. Your accountability partner holds you responsible for attaining the goals you identified while being a support and champion. A coach works in the same way – providing insight, encouragement and energy as you complete your HOT LIST.

Remain Focused
In the mornings before the telephone begins ringing and the blackberry starts blinking, take 30 minutes to an hour at the start of your day to work on your HOT LIST. By remaining focused on your HOT LIST you will get much accomplished rather than multi-tasking throughout the day.

Celebrate your successes
Celebrating your successes could be as simple as enjoyable as reading your favorite magazine, to scheduling a massage. Celebrate in a way that keeps you motivated to continue.

We wish you much continued success! 

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A strategist and visionary, Brandy Adamson works with her clients to identify their purpose and authentic selves.  She also teaches her clients to monetize their authentic selves, resulting in living life by design, not by default.  Adamson develops customized, effective strategies for brand and product development. She is a public speaker who addresses the needs of her clients in the areas of empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership and diversity. www.brandyadamson.com

How do you build your eMail List from Social Media Sites?

By ShaChena Gibbs & Sister Friends

Are you like most online entrepreneurs, marketing using social media? Where are you driving traffic to from your social media communities? Or are you just leaving potential customers there?

If you are using social media to get the word out about your business products or services, you should be moving your audience over to your website and into an opt in/email list. What would happen if Facebook or Twitter shut down today? How will your tribe find you?

You would have lost contact with more than 500+ friends/contacts.

I have asked a few of my online friends to help me share some great tips for you to start building your Email List while you are using Social Media.

Don’t forget to leave your signature.

When you are commenting on blogs, be sure to add an invitation to get your Give A way along with the link to your opt in page. Not only will this allow people to check you out, it will give you more internet exposure. It’s a form of back linking your site. The more you leave your signature after your comment, the more exposure you give to your irresistible offer.

ShaChena Gibbs, The Business Shero

www.thebusinessshero.com

Don’t be afraid to give it away.

I've found that one of the best ways to convert social media efforts to new subscribers; you need to give them a reason to get on your list. We're regularly inundated and overwhelmed with email, so you really have to give folks a good reason to want to get your email regularly. Have a quality product: an ebook, a video series, a teleclass, something that you'd regularly charge for. And give it away for FREE (just opt-in to your list). Then continue to provide the quality in each email you send.

Katy Tafoya, Success for Soloprenuers

www.successforsolopreneurs.com

Build your list via Social Media without posting on Social Media

Use smarter email marketing strategies & tools to help build your list from your social media audience without posting each entry directly onto your social media pages.

Donna Johnson, Ggene S.I.S., LLC

www.ggenesisllc.com

Blogging Articles or Useful Lists

Providing web visitors with a useful article or list of tips that can be downloaded is a way to encourage them to sign up with your site.

Joan Gosier, HBCU kidz, Inc

www.hbcukidz.com

The Power of Facebook Page Timeline Apps

Many have been a little put off since the change to the Timeline. All is not lost. Effective use of the apps (previously called tabs) can lead your prospect to follow your call to action and connect to your community/list. You offer an IFO (irresistible free offer) that is set up on a landing page on your app. There are various ways to do this. You can use an Iframe or vendors who make it easy to create apps. Your image for the app and link at the bottom are key. Incorporate this w/ FB ads.

Robin Tramble, Robin Tramble International

www. Authenticlifeempowerment.com

Work at Home, Fill Your Calendar!

I think one of the best ways to drive traffic to your site is by providing good value and a call to action. A free give away or recording is always good. The more you give the more you get! 

Every direct seller wants more business or bookings, so often I give away FREE seminars for tips and techniques on how to find business and also how to improve your skills to date the leads.

Deb Bixler

www.cashflowshowbookings.com

The Cashflow Is In Your List

Often I offer some give-away to get my audience to opt in to my list. A promotional gift card or one free coaching call are usually some items I may offer. Then I follow up consistently with powerful tips that will build your credibility to your growing community, which is your list. You can also build your list by attending industry networking events. Be prepared with your cards & a pen in hand.

Wendy Lovejoy, Birthing a Businesss COACHING

www.cashflowshowbookings.com

No Sign-In Sheet Shall Go To Waste

I join as many groups that are related to my business and service. I use their pages to post information and also my web and email address. Usually interested group members will contact take the time to sign up for my list, if I am mentioning the reasons why they should join my email list.

Simone Higginbotham, ShePhoenix Productions

www.Shephoenixprod.com

Give Them Something Yummy!

One simple way of driving traffic to your opt-in through social media sites is to create content that’s ‘yummy.’ In other words, give your social media fans something that they’d like in exchange for their email address. You could for instance, create a squeeze page that makes it simple for them to opt in. Using this technique is a great way to attract new subscribers who are happy to receive content and get a yummy gift in exchange for their email.

Vicki Olubi, My Curls

www.mycurls.co.uk

Join a Facebook Party

Usually on Friday if you have a Facebook account, there is a business promoting Fan Page Friday. On Fan Page Friday, page owners open up their business pages to allow other business page owners to come and share the to their business pages. It’s usually a tag or link to your fan page. Some of the best networkers usually introduce themselves along with sharing their links. Build relationships and people will begin to like you and follow you to your page where they can find the link to your awesome Give A Way.

ShaChena Gibbs, The Business Shero

www.thebusinessshero.com

Well Congratulations to you on your journey to building a massive list!

Keep Rising,

ShaChena Gibbs

The Business Shero

© Real Sisters Rising, LLC 2013 All Rights Reserved

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Entrepreneur, mentor, and Small Business Educator, ShaChena Gibbs is helping women across the US with starting a successful business from home. ShaChena Gibbs is the Founder of Real Sisters Rising, LLC an award winning National Organization for Women Entrepreneurs. http://www.realsistersrising.com

Simple Systems to apply to your business

By ShaChena Gibbs

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with managing your business as a solopreneur?  You are not alone. NO one tells you how to run a business properly. We usually learn through trial and error. There are many resources online and off that tell you how to get started in your business. Not as many teach you how to run & manage the back office of your business.

The back office means the tedious & not so tedious task you must perform  to be able to service your clients/customers properly. There are many task from small to large we as entrepreneurs and business owners must perform to operate our empire smoothly.

To keep from getting overwhelmed while growing a business solo, I encourage you to put systems in place at an early stage. However, if you haven’t already, then begin to do so immediately. You can create systems for the smallest task. Such as how you answer frequently asked questions.

Here are 3 task that can get you started on creating your systems and also can assist with your time management by giving you more time to focus on the bigger day to day operations.

• Be mindful of how you answer your phone during business hours. Create a script that can be duplicated later on when you decide to hire someone or if someone has to temporarily assist you. Practice this script each and every time you answer your phone. It’s like McDonald’s, each cashier ask every customer the same question with the same salutation. “Hello, Welcome to McDonald’s, May I take your order?” some even say their names. This is the system they put in place for all their McDonald’s globally. Create your Telephone script and remember answer the phone with a smile.
  
• Checking your email can take up a lot of your time. I know I receive dozens of emails per hour. If I answer emails all business day, I will never get anything done. I learned a fantastic lesson from Timothy Ferris, author of The 4 hour work week. He suggested that we check out emails 2x per day if we must check out emails. I check my emails 11 am before lunch, because my lunch time is my time and I value my time. Then again at 4 pm before my work day is over. I also have an autoresponder for my people who email me letting them know the time I answer my email. This will let them know an estimated time frame they may hear back from me.
  
• This is for the social media community. If you are using social media as much as I do, this tip will help you a whole lot. On Sunday’s I plan my week. I include all upcoming events and activities. My tips and motivational quotes are also included. Then I prepost them and schedule them in Hootsuite. And my Facebook Fan Page I also utilize the feature to pre schedule post. This is big time saver. However, you still want to engage with your community. Choose a time during the day or evening whichever is best for you, to respond to post.
  

Spend some time today thinking about what systems you can put in place right away to begin running your business with less stress and more time to do what is more important.

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For more business tips and tools, sign up for our eNewsletter today! Click here to > Get Your Free Report!

Keep Rising,

ShaChena Gibbs

Shepreneur of Home Business Success

© Real Sisters Rising, LLC 2013 All Rights Reserved

Entrepreneur, mentor, and Small Business Educator, ShaChena Gibbs is helping women across the US with starting a successful business from home. ShaChena Gibbs is the Founder of Real Sisters Rising, LLC an award winning National Organization for Women Entrepreneurs. http://www.realsistersrising.com

CLICK COMMENT BELOW AND TELL US WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE. 

THANKS~

Business Tools that ROCK!

By ShaChena Gibbs

Using 3^rd party business tools can help you with better time management and productivity, which will allow you more time to do the things you love.  You will have ability to run your business on the go, while you sleep, delegate, and so much more. There are many tools you can use that are unique for your professional and personal needs.

Review some of the daily, weekly, or even monthly task you perform in your business life. Start by choosing the task you really don’t like to do. Then, decide if you want to hire someone to perform these tasks or would you want it to be automated (run alone). I know you may not be sure what sought of tools are out there for you, so here are a few I want to share.

These tools and resources are very popular and have been proven to work if you work them. My suggestion is for you to learn and watch the videos of the tools you choose. You would want to use each tool to its full potential to make life much easier for you and your team.

Fiverr.com – A great resource for delegating task and only paying $5 per project. www.fiverr.com

Elance.com – Hire a freelancer to help grow your business and work on projects. www.elance.com

Aweber.com – Begin building your mailing list. Auto responder, newsletters, and more. www.Aweber.com

Skype.com – Download and use Skype to connect with business partners, team members, and anyone who you would love to see face to face via video. If you have a web cam this is a great tool. You can send messages, text, and also make calls without video. This tool also has a mobile app. www.skype.com

Hootsuite.com – This is one of my favorite tools. Hootsuite allows me to schedule my social media post, view, like, and comment. I love this tool because of the convenience and the ability to engage on all my communities without login in and out of each one. www.hootsuite.com

Evernote.com – This is a tool that is new for me. What I love about this tool is the ability to take a snap shot of images, websites, and/or articles I have interest in. www.evernote.com

Skylightit.com – Great for project management www.skylightit.com

Google.com – Check out all the tools Google has to help you build your business. Such as Google Voice (Phone, text, and more.) Boomerang (schedule emails) Docs (create, save, and share documents, presentations and more.) Visit Google.com and check out all their business resources.

Wildapricot.com - Nonprofit and membership based web hosting. www.tinyurl.com/shagibbsgroupsites

Startlogic.com - Affordable website hosting & domain names. Also includes Word Press add on. www.tinyurl.com/shagibbswebsites

Although there are thousands of tools you can use for your business, I know these tools will be a great start for more productive days.

We would love to here about your experience with the tools/resources you have chosen. Please visit us on Facebook and share with us which tool you signed up for and what was your experience. Like Us on Facebook~

For more business tips and tools, sign up for our eNewsletter today! Click here to > Get Your Free Report!

Keep Rising,

ShaChena Gibbs

Mega Coach for Women

© Real Sisters Rising, LLC 2013 All Rights Reserved

Entrepreneur, mentor, and Small Business Educator, ShaChena Gibbs is helping women across the US with starting a successful business from home. ShaChena Gibbs is the Founder of Real Sisters Rising, LLC an award winning National Organization for Women Entrepreneurs. http://www.realsistersrising.com

CLICK COMMENT BELOW AND TELL US WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE. THANKS~

Get the most out of your Facebook Group

Do you have a group that you manage on Facebook? Does it seem a bit overwhelming at times? Do you know about the features of the groups that can help you better control your group activities?

As we all know Facebook is frequently adding and taking away features. Some we like some we don’t however, we adjust to it any way and continue using this awesome community.

Groups were developed so clubs and networks can create a community of like minded folks to engage in discussions more often than we do on our Fan Pages. Groups are supposed to be more familiar than pages. 

Here are some of the great features of Facebook Groups for group administrators.

• Banner or No Banner: You can create a Banner for your header with your group’s rules, logo, etc. or you can leave it without a banner and you will see pictures of active members.
• You can Pin important post to stick to the top of the groups wall. I love this feature because, no one can post and the information gets pushed down lower on the wall. If a member visits the group, they will not miss this message.

When you set up your group, there are a few other features that you may love. For instance, you can have your logo as a main image.

• You can set up an email address for your group and that email address will also be your group’s web extension in its url.

• Another group feature for me is the Message feature. You can begin a chat right from the group and you have the option of inviting the entire group or certain members. Even if the member is not online it will go into the inbox.  This is great if you have a special broadcast message to send out or you can schedule a weekly group chat.

Have fun with your groups. Don’t misuse this feature on Facebook, depending on what you are using it for, it can an extremely useful tool for growing your network and business if done properly.

Join our Facebook Group and join in our Weekly Business Discussions.

© Real Sisters Rising, LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved

Entrepreneur, mentor, and Small Business Educator, ShaChena Gibbs is helping women across the US with starting a successful business from home. ShaChena Gibbs is the Founder of Real Sisters Rising, LLC an award winning National Organization for Women Entrepreneurs. http://www.realsistersrising.com

If you are a Facebook user you know the team at Facebook is always working up some new ideas. You wake up each morning asking yourself...What's new on Facebook today? You literally have to be prepared for something new each day or frequently.

Not so long ago Facebook rolled out a new feature called Interest List. It's really easy to do, however many of my friends do not know about this feature. If you are a Page owner this is a very important feature for you to pay attention too.

If your page is not listed in someone's interest list, it will not get soo much attention :(

Ask your community to add your page to their Interest List so they can see your page's post on their walls.

To the Real Sisters Rising community, please add us to your Interest List. You can choose to name your list anything you like. I have one for each Coaches, Media, Women Groups and even Money.

Here are a few pictures to help you create your Interest List and don't forget to add Real Sisters Rising to one of your Interest List. We have great information to share with you that can help you grow your business.

1. Go to page of your choice. Then hover your mouse over the word "Liked" or "Like" and click "Add to Interest List"

If you do not have any, it will prompt you to create one.






 

© Real Sisters Rising, LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved

Entrepreneur, mentor, and Small Business Educator, ShaChena Gibbs is helping women across the US with starting a successful business from home. ShaChena Gibbs is the Founder of Real Sisters Rising, LLC an award winning National Organization for Women Entrepreneurs. http://www.realsistersrising.com

7 List Building Strategies
by ShaChena Gibbs

Do you even know what list building is? Are you just starting out building your mailing list? Don't know where or how to start generating a list?

Building a list of followers in business these days seem to be a must have. Everyone wants to know how many subscribers you have? Some will not work with you unless you have thousands of subscribers on your list.

List Building means to invite your target audience to join your mailing list by opting into an email program. When they opt in, this means they are interested in knowing what you have to offer.  That is as simple as I can get.

There are many ways to build your list. I mean it takes work and it's not hard. Either you can block out about an hour or less in your day to focus on list building or you can hire someone else to do it for you.

Here are 7 List Building Strategies you can try today!

1. When you are having a Free Online Event. Try Using your email auto responder to host the event, oppose to creating an Eventbrite or other like site. Have the guest Opt into the auto responder such as Aweber and once they sign up the event details will be emailed to them immediately.
2. When you are hosting a free live event you can do the same as above for the Online Events.
3. Add to your email auto responder. Say Thank You for Contacting. We would like to show you our appreciation and offer you this special gift, then include the direct link.
   
4. Add "Join Our Mailing List and Receive a Special Gift" or similar to your email signature along with the direct link for easy sign ups.
5. Create related post for Social Media and included the link for easy sign ups.
6. Comment on other Blogs. When you comment leave your signature and include your Free Newsletter & Special Gift with the direct link.
7. When you are commenting on Fan Pages for the first time, invite your new friends to get your Free Special Offer. Grow your list!

Start working on building your list. There are many successful entrepreneurs who can not receive certain sponsorships unless they have well over 100,000 subscribers. Remember be creative and get to creating a list.

If you are not on my list and would love to receive your Special Gift, join us now and get your copy of "10 Networking Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs" 

© Real Sisters Rising, LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved

Entrepreneur, mentor, and Small Business Educator, ShaChena Gibbs is helping women across the US with starting a successful business from home. ShaChena Gibbs is the Founder of Real Sisters Rising, LLC an award winning National Organization for Women Entrepreneurs. http://www.realsistersrising.com