off
business magazine
Find What Makes Your Heart Sing
Is Your Business Trick Or Treat? Making The MOST Of Yourself
Susan Hamilton & Pam Russell host this offbeat radio show. We talk about all things small biz. Stop by and take a listen! It's always fun & informative! We talk about all things small biz and entrepreneurship on our always fun always informative show. We talk about marching to the beat of your own business. Don't follow the crowd. The unsaid stuff. The basic stuff. The crazy stuff. The struggles and the triumphs of having your own business. Come take a listen...you'll have fun, learn from us and our awesome guests!
1st Tuesday: Pam & Susan | 2nd Tuesday: Pam | 3rd Tuesday: Pam & Susan | 4th Tuesday: Susan
Listen to us on www.pegasusnetwaves.com/ To listen to past shows, go to our website, click on the calendar option to top right of the box and select a date. At this time, our shows began airing on July 8th. Select ‘Read More’ to hear the recording. Upcoming shows are listed. Please contact us if you would like to be a guest on The Offbeat Business Show.
Like Us on Facebook: The Offbeat Business Show: www.facebook.com/BizBeatRadio/info
Visit Our Website: www.offbeatbusiness.com/
03 | Table of Contents
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EDITORS’ LETTERS | 06
From Susan Hamilton Getting The OffBeat Business Magazine off the ground has been a challenging effort, but well worth it! I want to encourage you to follow your dreams. I felt the contributors to our October issue really brought light to the fact that following your heart and following your talent is a rewarding, dynamic struggle, and if you’re willing to risk it all, you can live the life of your dreams.
Life is a wonderful, painful experience – whether you make something of it or not. For me, I don’t want to go through it wondering ‘what if?’ I find the inherent joy of the journey is the fact that you can have it all mapped out a certain way, but there will be forks in the road. Eventually, you have to choose to grow – personally AND professionally. You know you’re going in the right direction if you tremble just a little. I hope this month’s issue inspires you to embrace the unknown and I beg you, don’t close your eyes! Continue to breathe through it while you discover how to make your life happen in the most offbeat way. THIS is livin’. Entrepreneurs, I salute you. Carry on.
From Pam Russell October is here! I am doing my happy dance to welcome it! I love October because it signals to me the end to the long hot Texas summer. I love my Texas but it doesn’t mean I look forward to the summertime. October means fall is here! October means cooler temperatures. October always means the start of new inspiration for me and my business. October means the holidays are right around the corner!
Many people slow down and shut down in the fall – especially once the holidays start. I get that. It’s a time to spend with family, friends, food and thankfulness. I encourage that approach for the most part. Don’t forget that you do have a business and it does still need some attention at the end of the year.
As a business owner I certainly know my ‘right now’ numbers. With that said I am also looking at 60 to 90 days out to see what revenue I have coming in at that time. I used to take November and December COMPLETELY off. It only took a year or two of that to make me realize that meant not as much coming into the bank account in January and February. So plan wisely. Enjoy family, friends and relaxation during this time of year but keep your big toe in your business too - so you don’t get caught off guard after the first of the year. Be Your Best!
07 | FEATURE
By Shari Voigt Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to have everything figured out to start or change your business. I operated under that line of reasoning for years – and resisted the very change that would transform a stressed, overworked entrepreneur into a happy, peaceful one. We took ‘thinking outside of the box’ to a whole new level when we finally made our leap. After much prayer and soul searching, we sold our ‘box’ – our home and office, now lovingly referred to as our ‘sticks and bricks,’ bought a gently used, 10 year old motorhome and took our life on the road. We hoped to re-create our business around a lifestyle we hoped we’d love. Yes, it was a huge leap of faith on all accounts, and one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. All we knew for sure when we started this journey 14 months ago, was that our business could work anywhere there was Internet connectivity. We had a small, but stable base of customers that could be served from anywhere in the country, and I just knew we’d meet other business owners along the way who would also
need our services – which has happened, but not in the way we expected. I was sick when we started – not with a cold or the flu, but freshly diagnosed with MS. I needed an arm to hold onto or a walking stick to steady myself when out and about, had bouts of dizziness, extreme fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, and eyesight that would go blurry after just a short time at the computer. This awful disease stole a lot from me at first, but it also taught me to quit making excuses and take care of myself. Somehow that was easier on the road. I’m much stronger and healthier today as a result. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been enjoyable. We used to grab a sub or a burger out when I didn’t have time to cook. Now, I cook everything from scratch, using fresh organic ingredients wherever possible. That takes time and planning. I protect my sleep … meaning that bedtime is bedtime … no excuses. When I’m tired, I rest instead of pouring myself another cup of coffee.
FEATURE | 08 I exercise daily – long walks or swimming or a bike ride. ‘Use it or lose it,’ I was told, and I’ve taken that admonition to heart. Figuring out how to make our business work while on the road, and with my self-imposed limitations on computer time has been a challenge. We quickly learned that the strength of our data and phone connection could vary wildly by location and weather factors. So, all things considered, a business based around my designing websites wasn’t our best option – although I still do design the occasional website. What we really have now is an offbeat business. Instead of sitting behind a computer screen, we market products face-to-face. Our bread and butter is serving as brand ambassadors for hobby manufacturers. We demonstrate and sell high quality, specialty hand tools and air brushes at trade shows and events, and visit retailers to provide product education for their staff and demonstrations for their customers. Acting as a liaison between manufacturer and retailer offers some unique opportunities to help both parties. We’ve identified problems in the supply chain, identified completely new markets, and shared what is working well for some retailers with other retailers who are struggling. It’s fun, not stressful in the least, and is a natural fit for our nomadic way of life. My husband and I also write – a lot – blogs, articles, and each of us has a book in progress. We write about life and business on the road, about the care and feeding of a motorhome, about getting healthy and staying that way, and how to prepare delicious, healthy meals in a very small kitchen. In short, we write about what we’re passionate about.
We meet more fellow full-time and weekend RVers than store owners – and talk more about places we’ve been, health, cooking, and lifestyle choices than about how to market a business. Full-time RVers are some of the friendliest people on earth and it’s pure joy to make new friends wherever we go. If you’re at a crossroad or even a dead end in your business, don’t fear the change that must happen. Embrace it. Don’t remain stuck in a business or a lifestyle that drains your energy or stresses you out. Dare to follow a different path. Find the one that makes your heart sing.
Shari Voigt left her ‘sticks and bricks’ behind in July of 2013 for grand adventures with her husband Gerald, full-time RVing across the USA. “Our home is where we park it – and this is our story.” You can email her at Shari@ZeroToSixtyMarketing.com
09 |FEATURE
Trick or Treat: By Pam Russell
Owning a small business and being an entrepreneur - some of you are solopreneurs can sometimes feel like a trick and sometimes a treat. Both are sprinkled in amongst every day demands, duties and experiences. I’ve tried to grasp all of the above with a grateful attitude and with reasonable expectations. It can be hard at times, though.
and/or are not your expertise. Your head full of hair can thank me later. Trick: Working All the Time Entrepreneurship is the only thing that you quit working a J.O.B. (Just. Ordinary. Bull.) for 40 hours a week to work a J.O.B. (Joyous. Outrageous. Bliss.) for 80 hours a week. I used to work every weekend. Sitting at my desk watching the weekend fly by. Sitting at my desk with my pajamas on, hanging out with my unsweet tea with lemon and my rescue dog. No more of that for me. I make myself disconnect. I will not even sit at my desk most weekends now. Work will get done. Work will always be there.
Here are some suggestions for turning some of what I feel are tricks of small business ownership into treats. Trick: Doing It All I know I have been guilty of trying to do it all by myself all of the time. I am slowly learning to release what is not my calling, or what I hate to do, so I can focus on what is my calling/what I love to do. It is a waste of time and energy to do it all. Especially things that are not my calling. I have pulled a lot of hair out of my blonde hued head in the last few years of business by trying to do it all. Treat: Save your hair, if you have any left, and outsource the things that don’t bring you joy Who wants to take that to the grave with them? Not me!
Family. Friends. Making memories with them won’t be. If they are no longer here all we are left with is a desk and a bunch of work.
FEATURE | 10
Treat: Get out and enjoy life. Even if it is just one day of the weekend. It’s a hard habit to break, but a good place to start. Make plans to get out with your family and/or friends for at least half a day to start. Ease into it. You will discover your passions again. Smell the grass. Just look at the sky. There is life outside of entrepreneurship. Go discover it! Trick: Being ‘Connected’ All the Time
few things when I did this:
Silence Productivity Focus Did I say focus? Less stress A true sense of accomplishment at the end of the day None of my clients died or got upset because I didn’t respond, like, or tweet within 5 minutes. They are all living, breathing and functioning well still today as you read these words.
Technology has made us a need-to-know-now society. You do not need to be connected to it 24/7 in order to survive, to be successful or to service your clients well. Treat: Test it and see. Turn it off for a few hours at a time to ease into it. You will be amazed at how much you get done and how much focus you will discover.
I used to have every ping, ding, bong, buzz, whistle set on my phone so I knew immediately when I had a new email, new Facebook comment or like, new LinkedIn connection or a retweet. God forbid I miss a retweet. I also had my Outlook set to give me a popup notification on my laptop when I got a new email. You know, because a client might die if I don’t respond within 5 minutes. Not. I did a test. I turned off all of my notifications. Do you shudder at the thought? Yep, I did it. I shut them all off. phone.
No notifications on my
No notifications on my laptop. I discovered a
Owning your own business should not be a burden. You should be able to find joy within entrepreneurship. If not, I highly encourage you to evaluate the things that feel like ‘tricks’ to you and delegate, eliminate or recreate them so that you feel you have more treats than tricks in your business. Pam Russell is a radio host on The OffBeat Business Show, magazine editor, and business owner. Contact her at: Pam@OffBeatBusiness.com for performance sales coaching or to book her to speak for your group or event.
It's wonderful when you can bring sparkle into people's lives without fading away from your own true color. Keep the hue in you. ~Dodinsky Painting By Ron Maddox, Dallas, Texas
Health/LIFESTYLE CHORD | 12
Have More Energy, Feel Great, Be More Productive By Kris DeFoer For any business owner, it’s important we operate at our maximum. That’s why diet and nutrition are so important. Think about it. The worse we eat, the bigger the crash. The bigger the crash, the less energy we have. And the less energy we have, the worse our performance. And for many of us, the biggest robber of peak performance is sugar. According to the USDA, Americans eat about 150 pounds of it per year, with much of it being “hidden” in processed foods. And the rest? It comes from those sweet desserts that we crave and feel like we can’t live without. But if feeling better, with more energy, and clearer thinking is important to you, then you may want to try something different. The good news — it’s not as hard as it sounds. There are ways to reduce the cravings and healthy alternatives to the foods you love. To help, I’ve put together a free e-book containing 5 of my favorite sugar-free desserts. And don’t forget about the bigger picture - listen to your body and soul. When those cravings hit, what is it that you really need? To walk away from your desk for a few minutes? To reach out to someone you love (including pets)? To take a few deep breaths? Listen to and honor those needs and make sure you have enough sweetness in your real life that you don’t need to substitute with substances that deplete you and make you numb. I believe that one size doesn’t fit all. Each person is unique, with individual nutritional needs. And that while the food we eat is vitally important, we need to be nourished in so many other ways. Visit Happy Body Health to schedule your free health consultation and download my ebook, 5 Desserts Without Sugar. Start your new life of happy, healthy vitality and success! Kris DeFoer is a certified Holistic Health Coach who works with women individually and in groups, to help them re-discover their natural health and vitality. She believes that healthy living should be fun, that healthy food should taste good, and that good health is about much, much more than eating well and exercising – that how we live has an enormous impact on how we feel. Go to HappyBodyHealth.net to learn more.
13 | LIFESTYLE CHORD/Money
The Importance of Financial Statements By Christi Rains Sometimes all you need to get to the next level are good financial statements. A business owner is often surprised at what their financial statements reveal. Do you know exactly what inventory item you spend the most on? Do you know what product or service brings you the most revenue? Your financial statements can teach you what buying patterns need to be changed. They can teach you what product or service is working best for you and then you can devise a plan to promote it more. You can learn what aspects of your business you can leverage. Are you sure of all of your expense items? Did you purchase a service with a revolving payment years ago that you may be unaware you’re still paying for? You can eliminate what you don’t need and what is no longer working for you, if you know where to start. Financial statements will help you understand trends in buying patterns. Are sales always low in January? You can be prepared for the low months but you can also determine a plan to try to increase sales in the routinely low months.
You can’t fix what you don’t know.
It’s important to remember that your financial statements can only work for you if the information entered in your accounting system is accurate and categorized properly. The first step is to create and maintain an accounting database. It can be hard for a business owner to have the time, energy, and knowledge to tend to this task. That is why it is so important to hire an accounting professional to take care of your financial information. The most successful business owners concentrate on their strengths and know when to seek help with their weaknesses. If you have questions about your financial systems, please don’t hesitate to get help. Christi Rains is the President of Alpha Omega Consulting & BookKeeping located in the DFW area, and she blogs at SensibleBusinessOwner.com. For more information, contact Christi@AOBookkeeping.com.
Travel/LIFESTYLE CHORD | 14
Family Business on Vacation, or Not?
Is there any such thing as taking ‘time off’ when you run a family business? I certainly hope so! But it remains challenging to unplug, switch gears, and really relax when you’re vacationing with the same people you may also work with. As The OffBeat Business Magazine grows through its first holiday season, we’re actively looking for people who know this experience, and have mastered the art of the get-away in spite of it. We want to know where you go, how long you disappear, and if you REALLY do unplug to enjoy your family and surroundings more completely. We want to hear about the arguments. We want to hear about the funny and crazy stuff. We want to know what worked, and what didn’t. We want you to talk about those vacations that mask themselves as business trips, and especially – how you do it all over the holidays.
Talk to Us, Please! Do you have a story to share with our audience? Contact our editors at info@OffBeatBusiness.com with your well written, 300-400 word article attachment, including a short 2-3 sentence bio with a link to your website. To be considered, be sure you’ve read our Terms and Conditions, available on OffBeatBusiness.com, along with a preferred image. Be sure you have the legal right or license to share an image in our magazine, but we do not guarantee its use. Refer to our Terms and Conditions to learn more.
15 |LIFESTYLE CHORD/Communication
Did You Just Say THAT? By Jeff Klein I just heard a guest on a radio show, an author, educator, and expert, answer a question about a popular, well-respected area of learning by saying it has NO MERIT. Don’t do that!
I know too many people NLP has helped, too many people who teach NLP, and too many people, like myself, who used it before we even knew that’s what we were doing. As a teenager, I discovered I learned better in school if I listened in class and took notes while I followed along in the textbook. I found that reading the textbook as homework had no impact on my retention of knowledge. I used that technique (notetaking with the book open during lectures) and always did well on tests in high school and college. I stopped listening after his statement to write this article. How many other listeners did he lose? How many others will never buy his book? The point here, is NOT about NLP. That’s just the illustration of my point.
If you want to be taken seriously, I don’t recommend essentially telling millions of people the area of expertise they have chosen to adopt, practice, and teach is bunk. He went on to state that there is no proof that this system works. An easily proven lie. This author wrote a book on learning. His ideas sound interesting, but NOTHING works for everyone. The host of the show asked him about NLP (without using the term.) She asked something like, “What about people who learn based on auditory, visual, etc.?” His answer? “That has no merit. There is no proof it works.” (I’m paraphrasing.)
My point here, is DON’T DO THAT! Don’t rip another program when you’re promoting yours. What could he have said? How about, “That system has helped a lot of people. Like any learning program, it doesn’t work for everyone. I think the lessons I’ve outlined in my book are a great approach and will help lots of kids learn better.” Not too difficult. professional.
And
much
more
Jeff Klein started speaking in 2004 to promote his business. As the Founder of Speaker Co-op, a cooperative business community of over 1,000 business & public speakers, he also teaches experts how to use business speaking to build their following. Email Jeff@SpeakerCoop.com for more information.
OFFBEAT BUSINESS |16
Federal Payroll Tax Benefits for Hiring Your Child in Your Business By Candy Messer
Hiring a minor child may allow you to get help you need in the business and offer tax benefits as well. If you are a business owner operating a sole proprietorship or partnership where both partners are the biological parents of the child, you can employ that child and take advantage of the benefits available. The child's income would be subject to federal withholding, however if they earn up to the standard deduction for the year ($6,200 in 2014), no tax will be due. They would be exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes until they are 18 years old unless employed in domestic service which is exempt until age 21. They are also exempt from federal unemployment taxes until age 21. Based on your state guidelines, they may also be exempt from state payroll taxes too. So how does this benefit affect you? If you hire your minor child to assist in the business (doing age appropriate tasks for
compensation), you will expense this salary reducing your profit in the business therefore reducing your taxable income for the year. For instance, if your business pays 25% income tax and you pay your child $5,000, you will save $1,250 in income tax. You would also save the Social Security/Medicare employer match that is paid on employees. In our example, that's an additional savings of $382.50. And don't forget, most likely you won't have the state taxes either. Hopefully some of the wages your child earns is put away for the future (college fund, saving for a car, etc). You probably have your minor children helping in your business, so take advantage of this benefit! If you have questions regarding processing payroll, contact your CPA or our office. We'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. Candy Messer is President of Affordable Bookkeeping and Payroll Services and energizes business owners by removing the burden of bookkeeping and payroll processing from their shoulders. Learn more at www.ABandP.com
17 | OFFBEAT BUSINESS
Make the Most of Yourself By John Carroll “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whether it’s your business, health or life, the ultimate goal is to make the most of yourself. Making the most of yourself begins with good health – body, mind and spirit. For this article, rather than talk about business, let’s focus on ways to improve your health so you can be the BEST YOU.
biggest obstacles for the vast majority of us. Let me start with a disclaimer: I’m not a personal trainer, fitness guru, dietician or nutritionist. I’m a business and leadership coach who has become more attuned to my health and fitness levels as I’ve grown older (I’ll be 66 years young in October). From my own experience, I want to share some exercise and diet tips, particularly with all the “seniors” out there who want to continue to get better with age. “If you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?” – Nancy Carson
The steps to better physical health are not rocket science. The formula is simple – healthy diet, eat smaller portions, exercise regularly, sleep 7- 8 hours a night, drink lots of water, and take it easy on the adult beverages. However, committing to and maintaining healthier lifestyles are the
As we get older, stuff happens. Our metabolism slows, we lose strength and muscle mass, the body starts to breakdown, and it becomes harder to maintain the activity and fitness levels we enjoyed in our 20’s. But that doesn’t mean we should just “vegout”. Far too many adults (and children) in this country are overweight and out of shape due to
OFFBEAT BUSINESS | 18
poor diet, lack of exercise and lifestyles issues. It’s a $270 billion problem and a growing (no pun intended) human tragedy. You don’t have to starve yourself or be a gym rat to get healthy, lose weight and stay in shape. All it takes is a little planning and intestinal fortitude on your part. Ready to get going? As with other aspects of business and life, success starts with a plan. If you don’t have one, then I would encourage you to develop a weekly exercise plan to fit your lifestyle and fitness goals, and stick with it. Add to and refine it over time to challenge yourself, but do not overextend. For example, I’ve added rest and optional days to vary my routine, and help avoid burnout or injury. Now with any exercise program it is important to provide your body with
the right fuel. The rules here are pretty straightforward – eat small portions and avoid the carbs, sugars, processed foods, soft drinks and snacks that are bad for us. Our son, Daniel, is a tri-athlete and encouraged us to adopt the Ketogenic Diet Plan to improve our eating habits. There are many great recipes and resources to assist you in designing an overall diet plan to support your health, weight loss and fitness goals. However, please consult with your doctor before charging ahead, to avoid the potential risk of injury or health-related issues. Each of us is a work in progress. If you want to make the most of yourself, it’s up to you to bring about the changes required to see the desired results. Enjoy the journey!
Founder and CEO of Tres Coaching Services™, a business and leadership coaching, consulting and training services company, John is a best-selling author, sought-after blogger and speaker, and named one of the Top 100 Leadership Experts to follow on Twitter for 2013-14. Email John at John@TresCoach.com, and learn more at TresCoach.com.
Feng Shui Your Office for Success! By Beverly Biehl
Is your office giving you a pep talk or is it reinforcing internal limiting beliefs? Here are a few Feng Shui tips that will help you reimagine your space and give you a new outlook as a business owner!
Define success – what does it look like for you? Be mindful of the emotions stirred up by items on your desk. Select items that represent personal inspiration and aspiration. Choose your desk wisely Metal and glass combo is to be avoided – not safe. Wood is best. Dark for staying grounded, light for fast-moving business. Create your “Command Center” Have a solid wall to your back and a full view of the door so as to see who is coming into the room. If you must face a wall, put an expansive scene in front of you to give your energy somewhere to go. Grow your business with plants Place a business card underneath a thriving plant to symbolically “grow” your business. Living plants generate negative ions, which reduce stress and mitigate the high electromagnetic fields that radiate from your computer or cell phone. Heavy boxes “weigh” you down Stuff on the floor symbolizes your past. Too much “storage” on the floor means that you can’t let go of previous hurts, failures, or disappointments, and will sabotage future success. Items at eye level represent the “here and now”. Future dreams & goals should be placed on shelves that you look up at. Physically separate your Work space from your Home space as much as possible Try to place it as far away from the main flow of the living areas as possible. If in the kitchen, don’t face your desk so you look into the kitchen area. Place a rug as a visual divider to separate these spaces. AVOID THE BEDROOM!!! This generates resentment with your intimate partner. If you have no intimate partner, work will become a “relationship substitute”, and will block a new person from entering your life. If the bedroom is the only place you can work, then create a separate space with a hanging curtain so you can “shut the door” on the office. Never work on your laptop in bed. It’s for sleeping and sex, not emailing! Beverly Biehl has been a Feng Shui expert since 2004. She uses her intuitive coaching skills to help her clients understand themselves better so they can create a life of intention, meaning, and satisfaction. Contact Beverly@TheIntuitiveInterior.com, and learn more at www.TheIntuitiveInterior.com
Not seeing results with your ads, emails or web pages? Maybe it’s time to understand marketing copy.
Professional copywriting gets results. Marketing Copywriters Know • Language that converts • Word placement that gets noticed • And reputation building in an online atmosphere that attracts higher paying customers and clients to YOU “Hi, Susan Hamilton here. Host of The Offbeat Business Radio Show, Co-Editor of The Offbeat Business Magazine and owner of Leaping Walls Consulting & Services, inviting you to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Richardson Copywriter. I know the language of money-making, and I’m dedicated to YOUR success in business! Get The Richardson Copywriter, and join a fastgrowing list of business savvy entrepreneurs who want to learn everything they can to be the BEST.”
Richardson Copywriter subscribers improve their game, and get access to information that GROWS their business. Discover the Latest • Lead Generation Tools and Tactics • Client Retention Methods • Successful Management Mindsets & Perspectives
The Richardson Copywriter, a Leaping Walls Communication GET YOURS NOW!!
21 | HALF NOTES/Inspire & Succeed
A 21 Day Change Experiment – Will It Work For YOU? By Susan Hamilton
Some people think a cluttered office space is the mark of a working office. On the other hand, others need a clear space to work and to think, and go to great lengths to keep their desk tidy. I also know someone who functions better in daily tasks in a clutter-free environment, but leaves a cluttered space where she gets creative, because she finds she can’t ‘let go’ when everything is neat and in its place. I’m not going to tell you that based on those three examples, it obviously doesn’t matter. What I see are people who know how they operate best. Cluttered spaces are often the result of cluttered minds, but if the only place you struggle is your office, maybe it’s time to give yourself a break. I propose an experiment. Habits can’t be broken, but they can be changed when you purposefully replace one action with another. What would happen if you get that space organized, and stick to a routine that keeps it that way daily for 21 days? You’ll
either
decide
you’re
much
more
productive, or you’ll learn to unapologetically appreciate the environment that brings out the best in YOU. Susan Hamilton is your co-host of The Offbeat Business Show on internet radio station Pegasus Net Waves. Susan is a business coach known locally as The Richardson Copywriter and owner of Leaping Walls Consulting & Services. To learn more about Susan or contact her to speak to your group, email her at Susan@LeapingWalls.com, and connect with her on YouTube, Google+, Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter.
Book Beat/HALF NOTES | 22
Be Unique – by Charles Schultz By Pam Russell
This little book was the inspiration for my rebranding and new company name that will launch soon. A book the size of an index card and the cost of a drive thru meal changed the course of my business. It was also instrumental in creating the name for The Offbeat Business Show and this magazine. Description from Amazon: The Peanuts gang are the perfect role models for acceptance and letting our true selves shine. Be Unique is just the reminder to be you! From Snoopy’s outrageous antics to Charlie Brown’s unforgettable life experiences, this colorful group of friends shows there is no limit to being who you want to be. Filled with bright illustrations and popular quotes from the classic comics, this special book is sure to inspire the Peanuts fan in all of us. Grab a copy and Be Inspired!
23 |HALF NOTES/Pam & Susan
PAM’S PERSPECTIVE
SUSAN SAYS
What Goes Out Will Come In
The Difference Between Content and Copy
We’ve all heard that you become who you hang around most. I agree with that statement. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, financially strapped – look around at your sphere of influence. Are the people you hang around and/or talk to the most speaking those things into your life? OR are you speaking those things in to THEIR life? Guard your thoughts. Watch your words. What you think and say WILL come to fruition.
Remove people from your sphere of influence that speak these things into your life. Hide them on social media, stop hanging out with them so much, replace them with people that speak more positivity into your life. Recite daily affirmations to set the intention of productivity, financial abundance (even if you can’t see it right now) and a stress free environment. Set boundaries for yourself and your mindset. Boundaries are not brick walls. They are barricades that you have control over. When they go out/up and when they come down. Practice makes perfect on this one.
What goes out (thoughts, influences, intentions) WILL come into your life. Guard your thoughts. Watch your words. Be Your Best!
People love to devour content videos, audios, blogs, images. Everything you’ve ever shared on Facebook is content, and comes from a blog. That’s right. Everything. While you need to master creating and sharing content your audience loves to consume and share, don’t confuse ‘content’ and ‘copy’. Copy is specific marketing language necessary for the exchange of money, or the next best thing, an email address. Use compelling copy on your website pages, landing pages, brochures, banners and advertisements. But without content, no one will ever see it. Content drives people to your copy, and is made up of your blog, images, articles, audios and videos. It solves customer issues, helping to convey your authority in an area and drive people to other pages of your website, so that over time, it’s very obvious to YOUR ideal customer that you are the only real choice for them. Content is what you share on social media because it’s relevant to questions they are asking and situations they are experiencing right now. Great content drives people to your copy, and great copy seals the deal. Without great content, it’s difficult to get people interested in your copy. Without great copy, your content falls short of offering a deeper solution.
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Slab and Sewer Leak Detection and Repair Bathroom Remodel Consultation, Installation Gas Line Repair, Replace, and Installation Full Selection of Fixtures, Faucets, Valves Gas Appliance Installation, Washer Lines, Icemaker Lines Water Heater Repair, Installation Commercial and Residential Service All Drain Services Serving – Plano, Murphy, Wylie, Richardson, North Dallas, Lucas, McKinney, Frisco, Addison, Carrollton, Farmer’s Branch, Highland Park, University Park
Small Leaks Are A BIG Deal! Don’t Let Ignored Leaks Lead To Rodent, Termite & Fixture Damage
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