Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
3
From The Publisher
H
ard to believe we are wrapping up 2014. Where did it go? It’s been a big year of learning, growing, connecting and discovering.
October’s SUCCESS Summit was a culmination of a year’s worth of personal work for me. A year filled with massive self-development, learning about myself and how to better deal with the world and challenges around me (personal and business), and of course, the loss of 60 pounds. The journey continues on a daily basis - it doesn’t end. But for some, it hasn’t even begun! I was so touched and inspired by many of you... your comments and stories - women stopping me in the hallway relating to my story - the personal emails and messages - it touched me to my core and reminded me that we all face challenges and those voices of doubt and fear in our heads. It’s how we deal with them that gets us through - or leaves us stuck. It has become clear to me that my passion my mission - is centered around YOU and your YES I CAN! It’s about sharing and spreading the movement - and the work that must be done for each of us to reach those milestones we dream about. Yes, I will continue publishing both of my magazines - nothing there will change. But my speaking, my events, and my workshops & masterminds will be centered around YOU getting the support YOU need to live a life of #YESICAN. There will be much more to come... exciting things to support you and your YES I CAN. Stay tuned for all the details as they unfold. It can be as life-changing for you as it’s been for me. Here’s to your #YESICAN!
4 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
20
10
28
IN THIS ISSUE All About You 32 Top 3 Problems with Most Diets
All About Success 18 JJ Virgin Fitness and Nutrition Expert 20 Christine Miura Innovative Woman
All About Business 8 Cold Coffee and Three Ingredients to Foolproof Sales 10 How to Use Texting in Your Business
12 Say Hello to Good Buys: Ideas to Generate Action on Your Website 14 Does Price Resistance Mean You Need to Lower Your Fees? 16 Sell, Upsell, E-What? 22 The Seven C’s of Branding Success 24 Hot Tips to Promote Your Women’s Events and Retreats Through Social Media 26 Mobile Payments: Are They Right for you? 30 Is a Lack of Sales Making You Crazy?
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
5
6 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
City Director’s Note
Linda Ashley
Hello San Francisco Bay Area!
A
s I write this message for the November/ December issues, I am at the Success Summit in Torrance, CA that is hosted by Cathy Alessandra, founder & publisher of Today’s Innovative Woman magazine. Today we had the City Directors meeting which included a lovely lunch in the Serenity Garden at the Marriott. As I met most of these directors for the first time today, I felt a ‘sista’ relationship with each one. As a business strategist I focus on helping my clients to keep their entrepreneurial dream alive at any age. I am often asked about the importance of attending events & the value that can be gained. My reply is that events can truly build your business, but be selective. Networking events can be so important to your success. But too many may make you a serial networker with no time to actually work your business. So be selective! Look for events like this Success Summit that are truly educational & not pitch fests. You will walk away with new practical tips for business success as well as some awesome new friends. I hope to meet you here at Success Summit next year!
Linda P.S. - Share your expertise in Today’s Innovative Woman ... ask me how! And, please forward this magazine to other innovative women that you know.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
7
All About Business
Cold Coffee and Three Ingredients to Foolproof Sales by Joy Chudacoff When I travel, the first thing I do when I reach my destination is scope out the coffee situation. I’m an early morning gal and I enjoy a hot cup of strong black coffee when I wake up to greet the day. When we arrived in Park City for our family vacation, I noticed the coffee pot in the kitchen was ancient, but my thought was “at least I’ll have coffee tomorrow morning.” I stopped by the local Starbucks, picked up my favorite brew, “Komodo Dragon” and marked it off my to-do list.
When I woke the next morning, I found myself drinking warm (I’m being generous here), terrible tasting coffee. I started making trips to the lone Starbucks in town to satisfy my desire for hot, steamy, coffee. On the third morning, Brooke (a Starbucks employee I befriended) asked me, “Hey Joy, how’s the Komodo Dragon working for you?” I couldn’t believe she remembered. My reply? “Actually Brooke, it’s not working.” I proceeded to tell her about the coffee maker from the 1950’s. Brooke asked me a series of questions about the kind of coffee I liked and then
8 Today’s Innovative Woman
recommended a French Press which they just happened to have on the shelf behind me. She told me to grab it off the shelf, she’d teach me how to use it and if I didn’t like it, I could return it – no strings attached. I think you know what happened next. : -) I’m now the proud owner of a top of the line French Press - and loving it. This is a classic example of how easy it can be to make a sale when you have the three essential ingredients listed below: 1. Create Relationships – Brooke made the effort start a relationship with me. Brooke made the sale because she had established the like & trust factor. Make sure you’re getting out of the office and meeting people who may become clients, and for online sales, create relationships by becoming active on social media, publishing an e-newsletter and blogging. 2. Be Visible – Brooke was there at the moment when I was ready and willing to buy. It’s critical for you to be visible to your target audience all the time. You never know when they are ready to buy. That’s why you want to send newsletters, be present on social media and go to conferences and events. 3. Make it Irresistible - I never even asked the price of the French Press. I was so hungry for a solution to my problem that I didn’t care about price. If you offer a solution to a hungry audience who craves getting a desired result, most times, price is never an issue.
November/December 2014
Brooke made the sale irresistible by offering me a money-back guarantee if I didn’t enjoy the French press. If you consistently put these three ingredients in your sales recipe, you’ll attract more of your ideal client and increase your cash flow which will create a sustainable, profitable business that continues to grow and flourish.
Joy Chudacoff is Heralded as “The Coach for Women” in the millennium, Joy Chudacoff has x-ray vision when it comes to helping women discover their Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals! Joy draws on both her personal life and entrepreneurial experiences to support women in achieving better ways of living. It’s her passion, her purpose and her business. She is a Professional Certified Coach, highly skilled group leader, motivational speaker and a gifted communicator. Visit Joy’s website, SmartWomenSolutions.com, where you’ll find more articles plus information about her Women’s Success Circles, Smart Women Smart Solutions Coach Certification Programs, Speaking engagements, teleclasses and upcoming events for women. Joy can be reached at 310-4542005 or by email, Joy@SmartWomenSolutions.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
9
All About Business
How to Use TEXTING in Your Business by Debbie Saviano
T
he debut of the new iPhone 6 following the success of the Samsung makes it obvious that we are not seeking another phone but instead Mobile Access to basically everything!
Originally, a cell phone was a portable device used to make phone calls. Currently, texting has replaced phone calls and is viewed as more popular, user friendly and time efficient, just to name a few of the benefits. Technology continues to provide numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs to do business in ways that are more effective and efficient. When I speak, I share with the audience that they can pull out their Phones and Text Message to 96000 - Enter ROInfluence and receive: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
5 Tips to Leverage ROInfluence The ROI - Return on Influence Handout (overview of Social Media Platforms) Event Template (used to maximize Experiences at any Event) Generations Chart (understanding Gen X - Y - Z & Baby Boomers) Additional Goodies along the way!
This is possible due to Social Fuse www.SocialFuse.com which provides TEXT MESSAGE MARKETING, whereby entrepreneurs are able to: Build a list of those who desire additional Information by creating something of value (content | PDF’s). Automation makes this quite simple. You enter the Content | PDF’s into Social Fuse 1 time and everything is automated. Register the keyword with Social Fuse that is unique to you and your business (mine is ROInfluence) Communicate with those you serve! Upon texting 96000 and the keyword, the person receives a short message. They provide their name and email. All the content you provide is SENT directly to the interested person via email.
10 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
Provide valuable content! Social Fuse has a comprehensive system where you can continue to communicate after the initial text. It is now possible to establish a schedule to send out information that educates & informs. Operating with a mindset of providing valuable content also produces opportunities to offer products and services . If you would like to see the steps first hand simply text message to 96000 and enter ROInfluence at which time you will be able to see the process, as well as receive the content mentioned above. Debbie Saviano is a solopreneur whose daily mantra is to “help professionals take
action and create an online presence by developing, nurturing and maintaining relationships.” Debbie utilizes social media to connect, network and engage with others. She is an advocate for “continuing the conversations”. Thanks to the internet highway, borders are no more; people can interact and communicate around the globe. Professionals from across the country call Debbie for her unique skill set in designing LinkedIn profiles & Pinterest platforms aimed at engagement and retention toward a target market. Debbie also provides business solutions to small businesses who seek to utilize social media to enhance their brand, improve skills of their employees, expand social proof and establish an online presence. www.DebbieSaviano.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
11
All About Business
Say Hello to Good Buys: Ideas To Generate Action On Your Website by Linda Cotter The average person is inundated with countless calls to action everyday: buy now, click here, sign up, get started, like, follow, retweet. How can you motivate an audience to go that extra click and invest in your services? Here are four ways to convince your audience to take action. 1. Provide a special deal. A good deal builds excitement in prospective clients, it can also entice former purchasers into new projects. Business thrives on good relationships. Whether it is a reduced rate, a free session, or a complimentary book, ensure that the client is aware of the dollar value at stake. Always highlight the benefits they receive by choosing you. 2. Set a deadline. Limited time offers create a sense of urgency, generate desire and facilitate action. By offering time sensitive deals, you establish yourself as a professional who appreciates the value of people’s time and the importance of making a decision. 3. Use customer testimonials. The best way to support your claims is by offering social proof. Credibility is essential. Be creative and show off your previous clients in the best possible light. Make it easy for people to engage with you by including links to all your social media platforms. Ask your website developer about the types of widgets that will best serve your business needs. 4. Offer a money back guarantee. Ask yourself, what are the measurable results of the service you provide? A money back guarantee reduces the anxiety many newcomers feel as they hover near your call to action button.
12 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
Ultimately, your marketing plan should be equal parts promotion and encouragement. People respond to simplicity and honesty. By providing good value and integrity from the start, your reward will be an eager and receptive client base. Linda Cotter is a graphic designer and web developer who is known for her fresh, simple and elegant designs. Linda’s goal is to help her clients produce better results through great design and creative solutions while using imaginative and innovative development methods. Whether it is a logo, business card, website or brand development, she incorporates each client’s unique personality and style into the design with an eye-catching flair and business sensibility. This creates the opportunity for them to attract the desired clients and results they are looking for. Visit Linda’s website at www. LindaCotterDesigns.com. She can be reached at (310) 486-3108 or by email at Linda@LindaCotterDesigns.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
13
All About Business
DOES PRICE RESISTANCE MEAN YOU NEED TO LOWER YOUR FEES? by Nafissa Shireen
W
hen you encounter a lot of price resistance, the solution may not be to lower your prices, but rather to increase them, and change your positioning. If your services are truly high end and provide a lot of value, then you may be trying to position yourself as a high end brand with the wrong market, yet your fees aren’t high enough for your ideal market to take you seriously, if they even know you exist. What do I mean? Take for example one of my favorite designers: Max Azria. He has two distinct brands– BCGBMaxAzria and Herve Leger. On average a dress at BCBG is $300, and at Herve Leger they are over $1500. Yet if he sold Herve Leger dresses in BCBG stores priced at $800, it could be a tough sell. Why?
14 Today’s Innovative Woman
1. While BCBG is a mid-market brand, an $800 dress is still beyond the grasp of that market. 2. The dress is out of sight of its true market, and if by chance they did see it, positioned and priced on what they consider the “lower end”, they wouldn’t take it seriously as a high end brand. By positioning and pricing the two brands appropriately, one in a common retail store that is based on volume, and another in exclusive high end boutiques – each providing the customer exactly what they need - the company is able to create a highly desirable, sought after and profitable brand.
November/December 2014
If you are facing price resistance in your business, it doesn’t mean you need to lower your fees. Rather, look at your positioning, your business model, and packaging to see what can shift so that you are attracting the right clients for the level of service you are providing. Known as The Profitability Expert™, Nafissa Shireen is passionate about helping entrepreneurs create an amazing life and business where cash flows freely, profits are sustainable and wealth is consistently created. Combining her transformational coaching skills with her business expertise, she brings together the deep inner work needed to help move you forward, with practical yet simple, systems and strategies that will help you build a solid business foundation. She will help you to build a profitable and thriving business that is in alignment with your ideal lifestyle.Connect with Nafissa at www.NafissaShireen.com.
Would you like to create a highly profitable & luxurious business and life? Let me show you how
www.TheProfitabilityExpert.com | 1-844-5-THRIVE (584-7483) Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
15
All About Business
SELL, UPSELL, E-WHAT?! by Bibi Goldstein
S
ales are obviously an important part of every business; creating a sales strategy is something most of us don’t consider when first starting out. How we attract someone to buy from us is by educating them on what we offer and why it is crucial to their success.
Nurturing a prospective buyer by educating them through tips that are relevant to them, then creating curiosity and interest to learn more, is the first step in any sales process. That means having an email campaign that methodically disseminates information to the prospect in intervals that are appropriate for your business. Leaving money on the table by not paying attention to the customer that wants more, that needs more, is a big mistake. Once someone buys from you, unless they are really dissatisfied with your product, they are most likely going to buy from you over and over again. Continue to talk to your customers after they buy, tell them what else you have to offer, and let them know what else they can’t live without. Your e-commerce and e-mail marketing systems should work without you, use a system like Infusionsoft that allows you to set things up initially and then let them run over and over. Having an e-commerce system that gives the buyer an opportunity to purchase and, before they checkout, see what else could be of interest to them, can immediately increase sales. Maybe they don’t buy more at that moment, but keep talking to them afterwards with emails crafted specifically to their initial purchase and what should naturally fit next for them. Establish your sales systems early so you can continue to upgrade them as your business grows and changes. Find the right e-commerce and e-mail marketing platforms that will work for you now and in the future.
Bibi started Buying Time with a friend to give everyone the opportunity to have access to support and assistance with any task. With over 22 years in the transportation/logistics industry Bibi has specific experience in space and time efficiencies through Six Sigma training for warehouses from 1,000 to 30,000+ square feet. This provided her the ability to visualize the final outcome even when the client cannot. Bibi recently co-authored “Get Organized Today” with other organizing experts hoping to reach out and help more people. Bibi can be reached at www.buyingtimellc.com.
16 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
17
All About Success
JJ Virgin
Fitness and Nutrition Expert
by Cathy Alessandra
If you want to go out there and do what you are meant to do, you can’t let your health drag you down.
J
J Virgin has always had an interest in health and fitness… from the time she was 12 years old. Her “business” started in high school with catering and fitness training, and by the time she was in her last year of college, she was bringing in 6 figures! She is a leader in fitness and nutrition, a New York Times Bestselling Author and an advocate for our healthy living. In speaking with her, her passion to educate and support us on the do’s and dont’s of healthy living was loud and clear. JJ’s 25 years in the health and fitness industry, the past 10 in holistic nutrition and functional medicine, have earned her recognition as the go-to weight loss expert.
What does JJ wish she knew when she began? “Find your mentors and your tribe. Realize if you are going to step up and honor what you’ve got to share, that you will have people who do not like that.. and it’s totally fine! Find your tribe, do your thing, surround yourself with positivity, and don’t try to convert those who are non-convertible.” JJ invested in her first mentor at age 30, but wishes she had started with mentors earlier in life. She firmly believes in investing in her business, her education and her mentors! Her biggest challenge? The horrific hit and run car accident that left her son in a coma for weeks, suffering from a severe brain injury. As the primary financial supporter for her family, she launched a New York Times bestseller from her son’s bedside in the ICU. “I knew I needed to nail this one so that I wouldn’t
18 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
be limited in any way – and that there was nothing I couldn’t do for my son.” I remember watching JJ from afar when this tragedy struck, knowing the book was scheduled to launch. “I was super healthy when that happened, not super human, and I knew everything I needed to do to manage the stress and mindset daily. I amplified all my health knowledge into high gear,” said JJ. “If you want to go out there and do what you are meant to do, you can’t let your health drag you down.” In reflecting on that time, JJ commented, “One of the stories I tell for those who are listening and saying ‘I’ll start this tomorrow’ is what if I hadn’t have had my health? I couldn’t have changed it then and my son would have died. There is no question.” Whatever we do, JJ feels life becomes about mastering your mindset and being able to be stress tolerant and stress resilient.
We are never better then when we are challenged. “We are never better then when we are challenged.” How does JJ define success? “That is shifting as I’ve aged. What we can measure, we can improve. Weight, body fat, measurements, energy and cravings. Life – how big is my business, my house. But as we age, things become harder to measure. My number one measure of success is: are my kids happy and are they out there making a difference? My other measure of success is what kind of impact have I made in the world? If I can feel at the end that I’ve made an impact, that is success.” An INNOVATIVE WOMAN? Yes, JJ Virgin certainly is one! JJ is very much a collaborative partner, not competitive, working together with others in the same field. “People do not buy 1 diet book. Let’s all share.” She also mentors others coming up in the “ranks”. JJ’s newest book hits the bookshelves on November 4th – and it’s all about sugar! It’s a simple and effective approach to getting the hidden sugar out of your diet by focusing on lowering the impact of sugar. It features the Virgin Sugar Impact Scales, a revolutionary new way to look at sugar by the impact it has on your body. Using the 4T method of Test, Taper, Transition to Transformed!, the Sugar Impact Diet™ helps you break free of sugar cravings, reclaim your energy and lose the belly bloat in a few weeks. You swap high Sugar Impact foods for lower ones while eating delicious foods so you never feel hungry or deprived, just more healthy and alive! To learn more about JJ and her products and programs, visit www.jjvirgin.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
19
All About Success
Christine Miura
Innovative Woman
by Cathy Alessandra
1. How/why did you begin your business? I started my marketing business in 1993 after being the Director of Marketing for a large consumer products company growing it from $3 million to $10.5 million in four years. I left this position and started my own business working with small start up companies. I advised these clients and worked marketing to their businesses. We covered strategic planning, product development, product launches, budgeting, promotions, branding, pricing, trade show, and event management and sales strategies. I successfully operated my own marketing agency for many years before taking time out to raise my family. In 2008 my beloved husband was stricken with pancreatic cancer. In 2009, I re-entered into the online marketing world and augmented my marketing skill set. I learned from industry experts in the internet marketing space: Jeff Walker, Frank Kern, Ryan Deiss and Eben Pagen. I am trained and certified as a product launch manager for both online and offline markets. Marketing campaign development, tactical implementation, acquisition of customers, online media and sales funnel development are a few of my talents. 2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge was framing a speaker’s program that showcases my expertise. Creating a LIVE EVENT sales funnel has been key to my success. I have learned that speaking and teaching is a new love of mine. I enjoy empowering and teaching women to own their life talents, wisdom and innate brilliance. Teaching them how to re-frame their business so they’re successful brings me great satisfaction. Knowing that I’m making a contribution to their success and supporting their families motivates me to do and be better in my work. 3. How do you define SUCCESS? The level of happiness you experience on a daily basis defines success for me. Are you finding and creating magic in your life? Are you attracting the
20 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
people and business opportunities you want to participate in? Are you finding creativity and passion in your work? Are your income goals and plan in place? Are you magnetizing and broadcasting your business and services to create business success? Are you running business from abundance and prosperity or scarcity and fear? Which one will help you master and create the business of your dreams? The level of service and artistry you provide to the market defines success. The experience you have inside the work makes all the difference. 4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? Creating your own business is one of the most challenging experiences you will ever endeavor. There are many highs and lows on the journey. When you feel like you want to give up, ask yourself besides struggling with finding, keeping and maintaining clients what is holding you back from dreams? Is there something deeper going on? Worthiness? Confidence? Seeing your value? Understand there is no direct path to success. Many people use money as the marker for success. For me, success is much bigger than dollars. For me, it’s based on how I serve in the world by helping clients grow their businesses. The money is a result of my work with clients. The true gift is helping clients expand and grow on many levels. Working with entrepreneurs in their marketing is also being a coach for their success. By framing your branding, messaging, and services many layers of thinking are brought to the surface. Sometimes creating these can be challenging. So we work together to breakthrough and gain insight to develop powerful marketing to get you more sales. Witnessing my clients businesses expand is a big reward! 5. What makes you an innovative woman? I believe that the world is abundant and filled with possibility. The old competitive model of fierce competition, doing it alone, there’s not enough for you and me is an old economic model. The new feminine economic model is an abundant, interactive and collaborative process. There is enough work and opportunity for everyone. Knowing how to anchor and communicate your talents to the world will make you and your business thrive. Engaging with others from a place of generosity, abundance, positivity and heart will allow you to attract the clients that you want to work with. Staying centered in your values and what’s important to you will communicate your brand and messaging so people will find you. To learn more about Christine, visit www.LotusConversionMarketing.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
21
All About Business
The 7 C’s of Branding Success by Kimberly Pitts
T
rue branding success comes from being clear on who you are, what values you want your brand to represent and how you decide to present your business brand to your industry.
1. Clarity - Your messaging, content, approach and how you choose to present your business has to be clear. If you leave your clients or potential clients asking too many questions, then they will not buy, connect or refer. 2. Competence - You can’t climb to the next rung on the ladder until you KNOW you are excellent at what you do now. To go to that next level you have to know that, that level is designed for you. If you don’t believe it, how can you expect others to believe it? Don’t let that voice in your head tell you that you don’t know enough, that others are more experienced and successful. Branding your business is rooted in who you are and what you believe about your value. 3. Commitment – Decide to Commit. Developing a brand that people recognize, connect with, trust in and buy into is a process that is built through your commitment to consistency. 4. Concentration – Focus on your core services and truly build those to take focus. What happens far too often is that need to build multiple products, projects, etc...without really focusing on building one area really well. 5. Creativity - Flood your life with ideas from many sources. Creativity needs to be exercised like a muscle, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. 6. Courage - Courage is the willingness to do the things you know are right. The best brands have the best reputations. They have the trust of their clients and customers. They are referable because they are trusted. It is easy to build a brand through wrong means, but it takes courage to build
22 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
a brand reputation for your own content, your own ideas, your own products, and for the integrity of what you present and who you are.
7. Continuous Learning - Read, read and read. Reading and absorbing information keeps your insights fresh and allows you to stay current on new information being presented each day. Kimberly Pitts, is a Branding & Marketing Strategist. She is also Founder of UImpact, LLC. Kimberly is dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs all over the world learn how to use authentic business building tools, marketing and branding strategies to attract raving fans, attract more clients, and enjoy more income and freedom in their business. Kimberly helps women entrepreneurs through Thrive Academy, UImpact’s premier training based mastermind program. If you want to make an impact in the lives of others through business you can begin today. All you need to know is where to start. Kimberly can help you create the business you desire to have. Whether you are in the start-up stages of your business, ready to grow and up level your business or you are looking for coaching and strategy to really expand your reach...Kimberly is here to provide expert coaching and mentoring to up level your business. www.uimpact. net
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
23
All About Business
Hot Tips to Promote Your Women’s Events and Retreats Through Social Media by Caterina Rando, MA, MCC
H
ere is a list of hot tips to promote your women’s workshops, conferences or retreats through social media for more visibility, buzz and derrieres in chairs. Twitter Hot Tips • • •
Create a hashtag for your event that is included in all your preevent promotion. At your event put the hashtag on your first slide and tell the room out loud what it is. Share the hashtags with your super VIP attendees and encourage them to use it before, during and after your event.
Pinterest Hot Tips • • • •
Optimize event pins by having the largest photo possible. “Fill out” your pin by including all the details about the event in the pin description. Repin your pin to the top of your event board if it’s buried at the bottom. Use the comments section to add more text if you run out of space in the description.
24 Today’s Innovative Woman
Facebook Hot Tips • • • •
Include the shy and introverted women by thanking those who “like” your posts. Tag ladies in photos—make sure they are pretty photos! Once people have RSVP’d for an event, tag them to tell them you look forward to seeing them. Entice more people to show up by asking them to share posts.
YouTube Hot Tips • •
Create short YouTube videos that are not a big commitment to watch. Videotape attendees (ask permission first!) and ask them a question or two about how they like the event.
November/December 2014
• •
Use keywords on your YouTube channel to get more traffic. Edit filler from the videos so they cut right to the chase.
During Your Event Delegate someone to live tweet at your event. Encourage your participants to live tweet. Share the hashtag, and your handle to ensure awareness of your event goes viral.
Are you a woman who wants to learn more about putting on your own retreats and events? Join Caterina Rando at her next Enliven Summit. You’ll learn to catapult your business revenue with events. Learn more at http://www.enlivensummit.com Use promo codeTIW127 for a deep discount.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
25
All About Business
Mobile Payments:
Are They Right for You? by Candy Messer
Y
ou may be aware of mobile payments due to paying your vendors for purchases this way.
You may even have customers who pay you this way. But if you aren’t accepting mobile payments, should you consider it? There are quite a few benefits to accepting mobile payments. It makes it easy for your clients to pay you, and receipts can be e-mailed to your clients by quickly entering their address and hitting send. Funds generally deposit into your bank account within the next business day or two. Mobile payments are especially helpful for those businesses who sell outside of a regular retail space (such as a craft fair, or a service provided on the client’s premises). Customers wanting to pay by credit card can now do so with a reader inserted into a phone or tablet. Why might you not want to use this method? One reason is it can make your bookkeeping more difficult. Most payments have the merchant fees deducted immediately from your deposit. To properly post this transaction, the gross income needs to be entered with a reduction shown (the merchant fee) so that your accounting records match what will appear on the bank statement to reconcile easily. Another reason you may not want to use mobile payments is the pricing structure can be complicated. Some determine your merchant fee based on how much you process. The less you process, the higher the rate (and often there is a per transaction fee as well). And if you can’t swipe the card, you’ll pay more in merchant fees for typing in the information (it is seen as a higher risk for fraud).
26 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
Analyze your business needs and customer’s preferred payment methods to see if accepting mobile payments is right for you. Candy Messer is President of Affordable Bookkeeping and Payroll Services and energizes business owners by removing the burden of the bookkeeping and payroll processing from their shoulders. With 15 years of experience, Candy understands the stresses business owners face and offers customized services to meet their varying needs, including bookkeeping, payroll, Quickbooks consulting, and bill pay services. Candy works with service based business owners who are overwhelmed with the paperwork required to stay in compliance for filings and frees them to focus on what they love to grow their businesses. Visit her website at www.abandp.com for more information.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
27
28 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
Increasing your Net Worth with Networking.
The best marketing you can do for your company is to have AWESOME, well-trained, engaged employees! I help to unlock the strengths and talents of your team, inspiring them to become more productive, take ownership for their position, get better results, and positively impact your bottom line.
tish@tishtimes.com 915.261.5518 cell
Phoenix Area: 1300 S. Watson Ste A-114 Buckeye, AZ 85326
El Paso Area: 811 Chelsea, Suite B El Paso, TX 79903
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
29
All About Business
Is a Lack of $ales Making You Crazy? by Debbie Mrazek
G
oing crazy is no fun because no one wants to go with you!
So, let’s get out of the office and go somewhere everyone wants to go – Where the sales are! Sales are at: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Client Meetings Prospects Offices Professional Associations Conferences Chamber Luncheons Women’s Organizations Networking Events Shopping Airports Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Happy Hour Spas Golf/Tennis/Fitness Clubs Museum, Galleries, Wineries Travel Symphonies/Theatres Concerts Sporting events Retreats Volunteering Places you wait in line – Doctor/Bank/Post Office
For heavens sakes, people are at STARBUCKS….don’t you need a latte? According to Nielsen’s most recent cross-platform report, we spend almost 11 hours a day across all electronic media platforms – computer, phones, TV, etc… They do note that some media consumption happens simultaneously. It is debatable whether multi-tasking is effective, but we all do it. Getting caught up in technology is like an addiction. It keeps us from getting
30 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
out of the office or doing the things we say are important. Yet, we thought technology being portable would allow us more freedom. Instead it is often like a chain that holds a ship in place tied to the anchor. Lack of focus is a never ending battle. With all that information at our fingertips, shouldn’t we be able to get all our business there? It would be nice, but it isn’t going to happen! Sales is done by people doing business with people. Go where the people are. When you are with someone, it makes it easier to pay attention and focus on them. If you focus on them you will understand better what their needs are and be able to share what you have to offer. The sales are OUT THERE….NOW GO! Debbie Mrazek is founder and president of The Sales Company, a Texas-based firm that is helping hundreds of entrepreneurs, individuals, and corporations better assess, understand and engage in practical purposeful selling. With “Mrazek Energy” (believed to be from another world since it is a constant flow of happiness and enthusiasm). Debbie Mrazek teaches the tools, techniques, and talents every individual possesses, and how to transform those into S-A-L-E-S. Mrazek has counseled, constructed, and completed sales programs, workshops, and individual and team coaching across the nation. She’s also a speaker, author of Field Guide To Sales and conference facilitator. Connect with Debbie at www.FieldGuidetoSales.com.
The Sales Company does for your sales what a motor does for a Ferrari. T H E
S A L E S
C O M P A N Y
Be the competition. Contact Debbie Mrazek
www.FieldGuideToSales.com
972 618 1880
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
31
All About You
Top 3 Problems With Most Diets by Chef Varouj
O
ur metabolism hasn’t changed too much since ancestral times. Our body learned to survive periods of food shortage…and that’s a disadvantage when it comes to dieting. Cutting calories without paying attention to the source ultimately makes you gain even more.
Problem #1 - Your metabolism slows down. When you cut back on your caloric intake, a domino effect of changes happen in your body. Your body believes you’re starving and its signals to slow down your metabolism and at the same time, the “extra calories” are stored as fat.
Problem #2 - You start breaking down your own muscle tissue. The hormonal shifts continue, dieting is stressful for the body, and the stress hormone is cortisol. Because your body is under stress, it perceives that you are in an emergency. Cortisol is the fight or flight hormone, it’s the hormone that gets you out of emergencies. It does it by raising your blood sugar levels and sends signals to break down muscle and organ tissues to be converted into glucose. The problem is, there is no real emergency! All the excess sugar gets shipped to the fat cells.
Problem #3 - Your hormones get messed up. Leptin- the fat hormone - levels drop, Ghrelin – the appetite reinforcement hormone - levels rise and signal your brain to eat more. Lowered leptin levels signal the thyroid glands to slow down production which leads to slowing down your metabolism, and all calories get stored as fat. Your body perceives an emergency and cortisol levels rise leading to an increase in blood sugar levels and ultimately increase in insulin levels. Fat burning comes to a standstill. You get grumpier, moodier and depressed, and you get stronger cravings for sugars and carbs. For more tips and healthy eating ideas, visit my website – www.culinarycreator.com.
Chef Varouj is an expert in the Gluten-free lifestyle. He is a professionally trained chef with 20 years of experience and a Certified Gluten Practitioner. His mission is to provide you with culinary and nutritional support to repair damages cause by unhealthy eating habits. He develops individualized healthy meal plans and offers menu recommendations to support wellness, weight management, increase energy and self confidence. Visit www.CulinaryCreator.com.
32 Today’s Innovative Woman
November/December 2014
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
33
Text SUBSCRIBE to 96000 or visit www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com