The
Start-Up S t r at eg i s t Launch
your
start-up go from Corporate Employee to Thriving Entrepreneur A step-by-step guide to launch and create profits quickly in your new business‌
By Amanda C. Watts
The
Start-Up S t r at eg i s t
A m a n da C . Wat ts
Contents Welcome Note
01
Align Your Passion With Your Purpose
03
Take The First Step
04
Step Two: Diamond Clarity
12
Step Three: Hollywood Branding
15
Step Four: Profit Packaging
17
Step Five: Authentic Marketing
19
Step Six: Wealth Breakthrough
22
Final Thoughts
27
About Amanda C. Watts
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Are you thinking of leaving your job and starting your own business?
Welcome Congratulations, you have just taken the first step to having a new, exciting life‌ By downloading this blueprint you have taken the first step to making a successful leap into the world of Entrepreneurialism and making your startup dreams become a reality. If you are thinking of leaving your day job and pursuing your dreams with a start up business then this blueprint will show you the steps you need to take to ensure you get clients, make money, and have deep foundations for your success. How are you feeling right now? Excited, scared and also a little dubious as to whether you can really make the money by running your own business? I understand where you currently are. A few years ago (2009), when my children were 6 and 8, I had to make the decision to go back to the stressful corporate world, or start my own business and create a dream life. The decision for me was a scary one, but I craved flexibility, freedom and the opportunity to leave a legacy and look back on my life with pride. I decided to launch my own business, and boy has it been a bumpy ride. It has taken me years to get clarity, get a consistent flow of clients and make six figures. I wish when I had started the journey that someone had told me step by step what I needed to do.
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And this is why I have written this blueprint. I am telling you step by step what you need to do, so you do not need to waste 5 years of your life not succeeding. One of the greatest turning points in my life was when I stopped longing for success and made it my duty to achieve it. Having a successful start-up will not happen casually waiting for it, or wishing for it, or using the excuse that you don’t have enough time because you have a day job. Success comes to those who make it their duty, their obligation, their responsibility. And taking on this responsibility is so much easier when you have a plan. It becomes exciting and feels possible. Today, I help stressed out corporate professionals who want to start their start-up escape the corporate world and create their own business, doing what they love and having a meaningful impact on the world.
The biggest questions I hear from wannabe entrepreneurs are: Where do you start? Who are my clients? Where do you organise getting a website designed? What kind of website do you need? How do you find clients, and what do you say to them? How do I market my business? I hate sales, I can’t sell! And all to often I have prospects come to me because they are panicking their business will fail, and they won’t make the money like they used to in the corporate world. I want to assure you that although it may seem scary, creating a life on your terms, with your own business, and the freedom you desire is amazing. With my proven formula, you will have the confidence, knowledge, plans and ability to take action, get clients, make money, and become a thriving entrepreneur. Here is to creating your dream life!
P.S. Once you have read the eBook, I would love to know what came up for you, please book a call with me to discuss: E. amanda@amandacwatts.com or tweet me @amandacwatts
With much love,
Amanda C. Watts
With my proven formula, you will have the confidence, knowledge, plans and ability to take action, get clients, make money, and become a thriving entrepreneur.
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ALIGN
YOUR PASSION
WITH YOUR PURPOSE
Most of us know in our heart that our life’s purpose is more than just a paycheck, but so few of us follow our passions and our purpose. Often because of fear of failure. Yet so many continue to suffer some form of self-imposed unfulfilling work, simply to make ends meet. We take jobs by rationalizing that we have to, and feel that by having a job we have the security of a pay cheque. But there has never been a better time to change your status quo and do what you really love in life. It is ‘easy’ to set up a business and work from home. Most budding entrepreneurs need a laptop, broadband and an idea.
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Diamond Clarity
TAKE THE FIRST STEP You can create a dream life, but it starts with the first step. And the first step is to ask yourself some powerful questions, with the first being: Is what I am doing what I really want to be doing? Was the answer yes or no? If you are not doing what you really want to be doing then you must read the rest of this blueprint. If you are not in your dream job or career, or creating your dream business right now, you should be actively looking for ways to get into it. If you don’t know the kind of business you want to set up then the following questions will certainly give you some ideas to mull over: Please go to the next page and start your journey to success...
The first step is having awareness of what you are really passionate about, and why you were put on this earth… Let’s start by evaluating your NOW.
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Let’s start by evaluating the NOW. If you don’t know the kind of business you want to set up then the following questions will certainly give you some ideas to mull over:
The way I feel about what I am currently doing is…
The reason I am doing what I am doing now is….
“ If you don’t build your dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs…” 05
If I continue doing what I am doing, in five years from now I will look back and think….
Whenever I talk about the way I spend my time, I always wish I was spending more time….
The things that I love to do and I get totally absorbed in are…
To truly enjoy work I would have to…
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If I could do one thing all day for free it would be…
If I had the confidence the first thing I would do is…
If I knew I couldn’t fail, I would…
What did these questions bring up for YOU. Is there something that you feel you would rather be doing than your current day job? Don’t worry if it isn’t crystal clear. Please do let me know what came up for you when you answered these questions. Contact me amanda@amandacwatts.com. I promise to reply. So once you have an idea that you want to create a dream life, you have to consider what your day/life will look like. So now you need to create your dream day.
“ Dreams can come true, if you have the courage to pursue them….” 07
CREATING YOUR DREAM DAY I go through creating your dream day in huge detail in my coaching, however for the purpose of today you can use these questions to highlight what you do want in your day, and see what you need to eliminate from your day. So sit somewhere undistracted and start to answer these questions: Imagine waking up on your perfect day, what is the very first thought that would cross your mind?
How much energy and passion would you have on this day?
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Your Dream Day Cont...
What is the first thing you will do on this dream day?
Who will be there with you?
From 9am – 12pm what will you do, and with whom, what will make your life truly abundant, magical and fulfilling‌ what would you be doing for work, how much joy and laughter will you be experiencing?
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It’s lunchtime, what would you be having, where would you be having it, with whom would you be?
After lunch what will you be doing, what meaningful difference will you be making in the world, how much energy will you have, how much fulfillment will you feel?
What will make your life truly, truly rich…
As you come to the end of the day, maybe you will stop to watch the sunset and soak in the magnificence and beauty of life…
And as your day comes to an end what would you be grateful for on that day, what people, experience and knowledge have you encountered…
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Your Dream Day Cont...
What will make you smile?
Why is Living Your Passion, Purpose And Dream Life Important? In life you are either moving forward, or you aren’t. You are either doing work you enjoy, or you are not. You are truly feeling passionate about life, or you are not. You are either happy, or you are not. You are making a positive difference to the world, or you are not. You are either stepping up, or you are backing down. You are either building wealth, or you are depleting it. This is why living your passion, purpose, and dream life is so important.
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STEP TWO: DIAMOND CLARITY Once you are clear on the kind of business you want to set up, and have an idea of what you want your day-to-day life to look like, the next step is working on your business. You have to have Diamond Clarity on your business idea, what you are providing as a service, and who your clients are going to be. Whether your business provides a product, service or a combination of both you need to have clarity on what you are selling and what your customer is buying. Write down precisely as you can what you will be selling and what it will do for your customers. This will enable you to have clarity on where you are at at the moment, and enable you to make the idea more tangible.
My business idea is:
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Step Two: Diamond Clarity Cont...
I am selling this product or service:
I am selling it to this kind of person:
My ideal customer is:
“It’s time to live life on your terms, and with a sense of purpose.” 13
Their three dominant problems/pains are:
What makes my offering different from others is:
The three reasons they will love my product/service are:
Again, at this stage the chances of you knowing the answers to these questions might be slim. If you are finding these questions easy, then I urge you to call me to discuss ‘making the leap’. If you have an idea and know where to find your clients you are almost there! Once you do know your ideal clients, and your product/service benefits then you need to create a message and brand that will get you clients. So it’s time to look at branding your business:
“ Become a Niche Celebrity and grow your business with confidence.” 14
STEP THREE: HOLLYWOOD BRANDING Get this bit right and you will attract clients like paparazzi round a celebrity. You need to compose branding and marketing message so that you are easy to understand. Your online and offline image need to be congruent, and the ‘voice’ you use in your marketing will determine your success. You must have a unique authentic brand for you, and your business. Mastering the art of Hollywood Branding will enable you to be the go-to person in your niche.
Creating Your Marketing Message Create a marketing message now and see how it sits with you. This is a quick and easy formula that will help you get even more clarity on your business idea: My name is (your name) And I am a (insert your Entrepreneurial job title, not the job title you have now) What separates my service from other (insert job title) is (what makes you different) Because of this my clients got (insert results) As a result those who work with me get (insert benefits)
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Here is my example: Create a marketing message now and see how it sits with you. This is a quick and easy formula that will help you get even more clarity on your business idea: My name is Amanda C. Watts And I am ‘The Start-Up Strategist’ What separates my service form other business and marketing coaches is that I work with Corporate Employees who want to make the leap to become thriving entrepreneurs. Because of this my clients get a proven methodology that if followed, will enable them to have the success they have dreamed of. As a result those who work with me often go on to have six figure businesses, doing what they love, and making a meaningful difference in the world.
Because of this my clients get a proven methodology that if followed, will enable them to have the success they have dreamed of.
And I use this message everywhere. To have a brand that is recognized, and to attract clients rather than have to beg for clients is empowering. But if you get your message wrong you will fall flat on your face, and people will not be drawn to you. Make sure you keep it simple; you don’t have to feel like you must write something amazing. Flush out what you do, what you are passionate about and what separates you from other people in your industry. Then play around with it and make sure you practice it. Pay special attention to how it lands, and then play with it when you can see what works and what doesn’t. You will see in mine I don’t talk about business or marketing coaching. Which is the essence of what I actually do. Don’t get bogged down with titles, or the different steps you help people with, they just want to know you are the solution. So where do you start? Start by writing out a ‘pitch’ and practicing it. Practice in front of the mirror, and practice it with your friends and family.
Write your pitch out here, and if you want feedback then please email me amanda@amandacwatts.com
The thing about having a perfect pitch is the chances are you will get clients when you tell people about what you do. But this won’t make you a success if you haven’t set your business foundations up right. You need to package up your services, and give your ideal clients opportunities to work with you in different ways. Which is why you need Profit Packaging.
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STEP FOUR: PROFIT PACKAGING Many start up businesses and small business owners dream of hitting the elusive seven-figure turnover. This means an average of £25,000 a week in sales for 40 weeks of the year. But to do this you need to build a business with deep foundations, and put the hard work in before launch. Which is why I say it is often best to start working on your start-up before you leave your corporate employment. By preparing thoroughly and creating advertising, brochures, systems and a brand will catapult your success and ensure you hit the ground running.
“ Imagine living the life you have been longing for.”
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Product Strategy The first mistake I see start up businesses make is selling your services by the hour will mean one thing – you will be broke and get burnt out. So you need to create products. At least three. The first has to be a free product that communicates your value. This may be an ebook, webinar etc. (This blueprint is my free product). Second you need a low price, high value product, one that costs around £1000 to buy. Thirdly you need to have an upgrade product that is more expensive than your core product, but provides exceptional value, and breakthrough results. All too often I see businesses offer one product. An accountant offers ‘accountancy’; a personal trainer offers ‘personal training’. One of the fasted ways to create a breakthrough in your business is to move beyond thinking about individual products and create the product eco system. Productising your services will allow you to build business assets that generate revenue on your behalf, allowing you to focus on more important (and fun) things. You need to have an Escalating Client Relationship™ where you take your clients from prospect through to loyal customer, and an advocate of your business. And getting out of the time for money trap, and creating huge value for your potential clients, is the QUICKEST and EASIEST way to scale your business. By packaging what you ‘know and love’ will create you huge profits, and help you make a bigger difference in the world. You can create different price points in your selection of packages and products; you can provide different levels of service, some of which you deliver 1:1, some might be where you complete a service for the client (web design, accounts etc) where as others might be coaching or mentoring. Creating packages, products and services are easy to do once you have a step-by-step signature system, and have a methodology to the way you work. The Thriving Entrepreneur Method is the basis of my signature system and my products. Once you are clear on what you offer and to whom, putting together your methodology is a fun process!
Productising your services will allow you to build business assets that generate revenue on your behalf, allowing you to focus on more important (and fun) things.
By packaging what you ‘know and love’ will create you huge profits, and help you make a bigger difference in the world.
If you keep on doing what you have always done, you will keep on getting what you have always got… Are you ready to make the leap? If so click here
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STEP FIVE: AUTHENTIC MARKETING What makes Authentic Marketing different from modern/traditional marketing? Most business start-ups don’t do the proper foundation work needed when setting up a business. They don’t delve deep into ‘why’ they do what they do, and whom they do it for.
What Is Authentic Marketing? Authentic marketing begins not with tactics or strategy, but with the self. It asks what do we (as an organisation) believe? What do we want to be known for? Other than what we deliver for customers, how do we want to deliver it? Authentic marketing isn’t just strategy per se. It is about self expression and driven by self awareness. Authentic Marketing comes from your companies philosophy, sometimes known as core values. These core values are worked out during Diamond Clarity. Knowing these core values you then express them in every marketing facet of your company. Here are 3 action steps to authentically market your business: Ignore the traditional tactics. Instead, start with an understanding of what your organisation stands for (beyond making a profit).
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Don’t get trapped by marketing dogma. Think outside the box and be willing to take risks, so long as it’s in line with your philosophy. For instance, blog openly about the problems your company seeks to solve in the world and how you’re working to overcome them by fulfilling your mission. Examine your business’ processes. Ask yourself: are these systems in line with our core values and organisational identity? Make deletions and amendments where appropriate. Your reputation, both online and offline is one of the most powerful marketing tools you have at your disposal. Whether you secure coverage in the traditional media, or are marketing your business online, if you drive newsworthy, value driven content, you can gain enormous traction in your business, and become the go-to person, fast! Authentic Marketing, is essential for you to be found by the right people and attract clients, joint ventures, suppliers and distribution companies. You will no longer chase every new deal, as opportunities will come your way.
Authentic Marketing leads to quality leads, clients, teams, investors and exposure. To be an entrepreneurial leader you need to raise your message high above the noise. So ask yourself these questions:
What do you stand for?
Why do you do what you do?
What are your values in life?
What is your story, why are you here with your own business today?
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What makes you so happy, or so mad, that you want to change in the world?
By answering these questions you will create marketing that is authentic to you and you will stand for something. Then, and only then, can you go out and market your business and attract an abundance of clients. Once you have clarity on what you stand for, and you know how your ideal client likes to consume information, where they hang out and what their pains are you can start to test your marketing. This is the only way to find out what works and doesn’t work. And then when you find out what works and doesn’t work, you can do it in a systemized manner. There are many options to test your marketing: Facebook ads, sponsored tweets, LinkedIn advertising, LinkedIn posts, content marketing, blogging and speaking. You must delved deep and get to the core of what you stand for. Marketing becomes easy then, because nobody can emulate what you do, and you attract ideal clients to your business and thrive.
“ Look inside yourself, you are more than what you have become…” 21
STEP SIX: WEALTH BREAKTHROUGH Having a plan and systems in place ensures you sleep well at night, and also enables you to know when you can expect to see some revenue come in, and when you will have profits in your business. How Much Money Will You Make?
How many products are you going to sell?
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Step Six: Wealth Breakthrough
How many service packages are you going to sell?
What are your costs?
What are your expenses?
“Leave A Legacy And Live With Purpose.� 23
What are your marketing costs?
What are your wages?
Crunching the numbers before you start will help you achieve your goals. Once you know your profits you need to fund your first year, and answer the all-important question: ‘How long after my first sale will I see profit?’ Consider the following factors:
How long will it take to make your product or service?
How long will it take for you to get prospects?
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What is the expected time a customer will go from prospect to client?
What can you do to get repeat sales/upsell your customer?
I also suggest that you work out your living expenses as well as your business expenses and make sure you have enough money saved to enable you to be comfortable whilst you are growing your start-up and becoming a thriving entrepreneur. Having money in the bank will give you the confidence you need to invest quality time and effort into creating the foundations for a lasting and thriving business, and help you overcome any hurdles you may encounter. If you do need extra funding options you can consider the following options:
Surround yourself with like-minded successful and passionate entrepreneurs
Savings Bank Loans Asking friends and family Overdraft Business grants Angel investors To get a wealth breakthrough you will also need to have the following mindset for success.
Align your business with your passion and purpose
Unwavering desire to succeed
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Read about wealth and personal development Decide on a plan and take action – fast! Get support for your business, you don’t know what you don’t know! As you start your start-up you will need extra knowledge, skills, ideas and advice. You don’t know what you don’t know, and you can’t be expected to know it all.
There is an abundance of business courses, information and advice available out there. If you are serious about creating a business and becoming a thriving entrepreneur you will need to develop your own elegant business methodology, and leverage the steps that I have highlighted today. Now, if you think you going to close yourself in a room and make all this happen yourself you need to know two things:
About My “Leaving a Legacy” Coaching Programs
First, doing all of this on your own is a lot harder than you may be thinking now.
To get all the details about my coaching programs, and to find out if there are any openings now, visit this web page www.amandacwatts.com and book a Clarity Call with me.
And secondly, I must remind you about...
Now, just a few words to wrap this up.
The Trouble With “Going It Alone” In Business “Going it alone” in business is never a good idea, and more often than not leads to the closure of the startup. I struggled to make more than £1,000 a month without a coach. In fact I struggled for three years without a business coach and it nearly killed me, my family and my business.
Basically, everyone has choices to make. Concerning practically everything in their lives. However, some choices are more important than others, and have far reaching benefits (or consequences).
The fact is, you are at a disadvantage if you don’t have someone to turn to for help. Having a coach to help you brainstorm ideas, show you how to get clients and condense your timeline (so you don’t have to struggle for three years, or more) will catapult your success. Having someone to turn to will ultimately enable you to move from where you are now with your current career and your life... to where you want to be... your Dream Life. Which is why I’m here to help you, with this ‘Making The Leap’ Blueprint . And why I want to let you know...
Right now, you’re faced with one very important decision. The first it to take what you have discovered in this blueprint today... and create something great for your start-up business and your life. Or you can decide to remain just where you are now. Which is not a guarantee that you’ll even stay where you are now, since your life is currently relying on someone else and their business. And if it does stay the same, you’ll still be facing the same frustrations you face every day now. It is my hope that you’ll decide to make the empowering and life changing decision to create the kind of business and life you really want.
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Final thoughts I’m glad we’ve had this time together today. And I hope ‘The Start-Up Strategist’ has opened your eyes to what is really possible for you. And that you just don’t have to sit there and live a life of the same old headaches, day in and day out. If you have enjoyed this report and found it of value, let your corporate friends and struggling start-ups know about it, by sending them to my website... www.amandacwatts.com I would also really like to hear your thoughts, good or bad, about your time spent reviewing this report today. You can visit a special blog post right here... that I have dedicated to the release of this special report. Where you can leave your comments about “The Start-Up Stragegist” and how it’s helped you. Here’s to your success as a thriving entrepreneur - And you living the life of your dreams!
Dedicated to Your Dream Living Amanda C. Watts The Start-Up Strategist for Corporate Employees who want to make the leap and become a Thriving Entrepreneur.
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“ A year from now you will have wished you had started today…”
ABOUT AMANDA C. WATTS I’m a Start-Up Strategist and I work with high achieving corporate professionals who feel like they have lost their spark and know that there is more to life than sitting in an office all day building someone else’s dream. I am on an absolute mission to help you live your purpose in life. To help you love what you do every single day, to help you be the rockstar you are meant to be, make more money than you ever thoughts was possible and have more time and freedom so you can actually live the life of your dreams.
I’m here to help you make the leap from corporate employee to thriving entrepreneur. I have written two books, won 2 Business awards, and have coached over 1000 people since 2009, many of whom have gone on to have successful and rewarding six figure business. I offer a limited number of free Strategy Sessions, where we can explore what is possible for you. This session is for you to get clear on ideas, whether you are ready, and what the first step is that is needed. Book your session here. It’s time to create a business on your terms, whether you want to have a lifestyle business or a global conglomerate, you can decide and create exactly what you want. Click here to book your call today!
Click here
to book your complimentary call today!
Launch your start-up today... go from Corporate Employee to Thriving Entrepreneur
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