AME-zing Woman

Build a Marketing Strategy for Success: 3 Tips for the Small Business Owner Tip 3

2008-06-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Publishing: Again, establish yourself as an expert! That is how you increase business. Post a blog, post on others blogs, and write articles for your local papers, or newsletters that attract your niche market.
Three tips to maximize ROI with Publishing:
1- Write powerful articles that you can use in multiple areas (paper, Web, and more) and keep them short.
2- Always make sure your contact info is included.
3- Keep your articles and post them to your Web site, or use them in your portfolio to increase credibility.
These three marketing strategies have been the most powerful, as I have grown a business that now has a team of five who have helped me survive the dot-bomb crash, September 11th, and our current economy issues. Even with cancellations and clients not returning, which happened in early 2008, I am still scheduled to have my best year ever, using these strategies. Try them! I am sure they will work for you, too!

Ann Evanston independently operates the San Francisco and San Ramon chapters of eWomenNetwork. Through AME-zing Woman she personally coaches women online to improve their marketing.

Build a Marketing Strategy for Success: 3 Tips for the Small Business Owner - Tip 2

2008-06-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

Speaking/Presenting: This is a great way to expose what you do to potential customers, especially if you provide a service. Set a goal to speak pro bono at several engagements a year. This was a HUGE win when I first started my leadership consulting business!
Three tips to maximize ROI with Speaking/Presenting:
1- Pick the right groups that have an interest in your product or service.
2- In exchange for speaking for free, make sure you get a contact list of attendees. And always have a handout with a special offer on it.
3- Make sure you are a GREAT speaker. I meet many small business owners who want to speak in front of my groups, but they have not yet developed great speaking skills, which would negatively impact your ROI.

Build a Marketing Strategy for Success: 3 Tips for the Small Business Owner - Tip 1

2008-06-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

Networking and direct contact: This has been proven to be the FASTEST way to get business results. It will achieve the greatest ROI if you do it well. I have a good friend, Ruth. We met at her FIRST networking meeting for her business (she didn’t even have business cards yet!). Two years later, she has an actual storefront and two staff members! When you network, you must realize it is about putting others first, not you and your business. People help you faster when you help them! Also, beware of “FREE” networking events. You want to show up at events where people can afford your product or service.
Three tips to maximize ROI with Networking:
1- Show up regularly; occasional participation does not work, since you cannot build relationships if you aren’t consistent.
2- Show interest in others; remember that people like to talk about themselves.
3- Follow up after the meeting. This is so critical – it is respectful and helps close the deal and refer business faster.

Build a Marketing Strategy for Success: 3 Tips for the Small Business Owner

2008-06-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

Understanding levels of marketing and building a strategy for marketing are critical for your success as an entrepreneur. Marketing plans will have costs and profits, and each type of marketing has different levels of return on investment (ROI). I run two chapters of eWomenNetwork, the #1 resource for connecting women and their businesses worldwide. We teach women about marketing. I frequently find myself saying to women business owners, “You started your business because you have a passion for it, which does not mean you know how to market it.” I watch their faces, and so many in the group nod in agreement!

There are many marketing strategies you might consider. I will share three, plus some insights as to why they may be good (or not so good) for you and your business goals. In the last 11 years as a business owner, I have used all three strategies. Stay tuned!

Want to Start a Business and Work from Home? Important Questions to Making the Right Choice

2008-05-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

ANY business is going to require money upfront to be successful - whether you have a concept and develop it yourself as a brand and a business, or whether you BUY into someone else’s brand. Believing that you can start a business without any money is a bad decision!

Interestingly, this is the BIGGEST difference between men and women who start businesses. MEN raise the capital, even if it's $1,000 to start. Women try to start a business with no capital, struggle, get frustrated, and quit. Some say that men are in business to make money and women are in business to make a living -- maybe this is why men thrive and women oftentimes just survive!If you want to start a business, you will need money, period. So choosing to buy into someone else’s brand requires that you are smart and ask the right questions to make sure the business is not a scam. Some of those questions need to be asked of yourself! I have two businesses. One is my own brand and one is someone else’s. Neither are scams, and both have been profitable, even in 2008! In addition, I know several women who have invested in Multi Level Marketing brands and are VERY successful. Becoming self-employed requires that you are willing to do whatever it takes to grow your business!Consider:

1- How comfortable am I with sales? Do I understand the sales process and how to close a sale? If you are not comfortable doing this, you will struggle. Let’s face it. In big companies, someone else does the sales, but as a solo-preneur, you close the sales.
2- Do I believe in the product? When you use, love, and believe in a product, it is easier to sell. Do not decide to start a business because of the idea that you will get rich quickly. Start because you believe in your business, and the money will follow.
3- What kind of training and support will I get? If you have decided to invest in a brand, find out what the investment will get you. Any good company will have training and support sessions and phone calls to help you succeed. Check out: http://www.dsa.org/ The Direct Selling Association and see if the company is registered and referred. Talk to a REAL person and find out.
4- How will I develop a business plan? Whether it is your own concept or not, having a 1-, 3-, and 5-year business plan is key to success. Getting support from the SBA or local non-profit orgs that help women start businesses is a great way to learn how to do this.
5- Am I afraid of the numbers? You have to sit down and work out the numbers to figure out how the business will be profitable for you. If you sell one piece of jewelry, one lipstick, one hour of your service, one gadget, you have to consider the TIME you put in to make the sale. That demonstrates real value. Better yet, work your way backwards. Figure out how much you need (and then, how much you want) to make every month. Work your way back with the numbers to figure out what it will take.
6- Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make it work? Starting your own business takes discipline, hard work, and the willingness to push beyond your comfort zone. Are you up for it?7- Do I really want a business, or is this just a hobby? If you truly want to be self-employed, you need to treat it like a business, not a hobby. That means investing in yourself and the business to grow it, even when money is tight. Hobbyists only invest when they have extra cash.

Create the AME-zing Life You Desire!

2008-05-19T09:10:00.001-07:00

I have realized that the biggest challenge to living an AME-zing life is focus. How often do you start a week with a sense of what you want to achieve, yet when Friday arrives those goals got away from you? Too often we allow crisis, and low payoff items to take over our week. Then the things we REALLY wanted to achieve do not happen.

Here is my tip to increase your success in achieving what you want every week. Begin Monday morning with intention setting. Take 10 minutes where you journal what you want to achieve, how you desire to feel, and how you want the week to “look” like. Imagine and feel yourself doing it. Connect what you think you want with how it FEELS to be doing it.

It is important to start writing it down – it creates a stronger mind body connection. And over time you can look back and see what you have achieved. This has been truly powerful in my life to do all that I do!

Using Web 2.0 to Increase Visibility, Market Better and Close More Business!

2008-03-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

Being amazing and achieving what you want doesn’t have to be hard; you just have to be smart! I mentioned that social networking has increased my ability to grow my business, and the feedback was—How?

OK: here are my 10 tips:

1– Join sites that interest you, so you will participate, which will also give you a chance to showcase your expertise.
2--When you sign up, make sure you are a REAL person! Don’t be “sxychk2008” or “businessmama.” Use your real name – after all, how can people do business with you if they cannot find you?
3--Actively participate by commenting on discussions and starting your own discussions.
4--Spell check (at least) all your posts! Type your posts in Word, and then copy and paste! Depending on how serious you are, I highly recommend an editor (OK, at least for your blog posts). Linda Jay, my editor, is fast, excellent, and worth the money! See her contact info to the left!
5--RSS your blog to your personal page, and then people can learn more about you. If you cannot do that, at least post the link!
6--Get a quality picture of yourself and use it – it will post everywhere you post! People always tell me they can feel my positive energy from my picture. (AND if you know me personally, not just on the Internet – that IS my personality!) A good picture should showcase the “real you.”
7--Post comments on others’ discussions.
8-- Be careful who you become “friends” with – do your homework first. I had one woman ask me to be her friend, and she turned out to be a card-carrying member of the Vampires Club! NOT the right connection for me!
9--Make sure you set up your settings to get email reminders if people comment or leave messages for you! You do not want to forget, you want to be prompt, and it’s a good way to remember to check out what’s going on!
10-- Show up! Social networks will not help you grow if you do not show up! Plan to be on the site at least three times a week (you have heard you should blog daily to increase Web exposure--well, I am not saying that much, but more than once a week!).

If you are struggling with how to use Web 2.0, and need more depth, join AME-zing Woman – we will coach you through the right sites and what to do!

AME-zing Woman Membership Launches!

2008-03-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

You have been asking for a way to access Ann's knowledge, information and ability to help you grow! AME-zing Woman Launches this week! Become a part of a community of women committed to success!
Join AME-zing Woman and receive:
Regular success chats recorded to inspire & motivate;
Tele-seminars to grow your abilities;
Access to private coaching–ask questions that affect you NOW; +more!

AME-zing Woman!
Adapt- Magnetize -Evaluate: Be an AME-zing Business Woman!
Groups: these are specific areas ready for you to get support and feedback now!

Time Management
Are you living in the “RED”? Maybe for you it’s “GREEN”? Do you know how to spend your time on HIGH payoff items in order to grow? These skills take dedication and practice! Learn how to create the system that works for you!

Networking IN Person and Online
Knowing how to network is incredibly important to your success whether in person on a networking site. When you practice the right tools, you will grow your business. 96% of women are doing it WRONG! Challenge yourself and AME to do it right!

Powerful Position Statements
How you position what you do MUST be outside your box! When you speak your language, you are more than likely losing business. Speak their language and grow your business!

Leadership Development
Leadership is about vision, strategy, influence and ultimately the ability to get people to “BUY IN” to what it is you want to do. Are you leading clients and customers into your business? Learn the secrets to applying this to your business today!

To Staff or Not to Staff, and How to Manage When You Do!
We as women make some common mistakes when we hire: hiring because we want to “help” someone, or hiring because we like them! Learn to make smart hiring decisions AND how to be friendly and still get results!

Building your Memorable 'Elevator Speech"
What do you say when someone asks: “What do you do?” Are you engaging, interesting and leaving them asking you more? Or do their faces draw a blank, and you can SEE they are turned off! Change that forever!

Sales Skills
Let’s talk sales! Understanding the basics makes it easy! As a business woman you need to understand “overcoming objections: “selling value not price”, and the secrets of closing! These fundamentals WILL increase revenue!

Marketing Skills
Marketing: there are 7 levels of successful marketing. Some are more expensive, some less. Some require your time. Understanding what will get you the greatest ROI is key!

AME-zing Woman! brought to you by Ann Evanston © 2008
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Learn to Adapt-Magnetize-Evaluate to AME-zing success! Right now you can join for 12 months at the 6 month rate! $99 for 12 months of coaching, teleseminars, advice, accountability and more!

Social Networking CAN Grow Your Business!

2008-03-11T17:46:00.000-07:00

Do you need more exposure for your business? Do you want ways to connect quickly with many people? Then social networking is for you! Web 2.0 has greatly changed the face of business – it is simply amazing! What you want to realize is that trusted friends refer and do buisness faster than just an advertisement.

Some groups I like:

Wisdom Women was created for women born before 1977. It is a fun abundant place to come and laugh with women! As the group grows, they plan on clubs in cities near you, and travel! That will be fun!

ONE IMPORTANT rule: you must participate! Plan to spend time AT LEAST 3 times a week posting to the site or it will not work! More on networking soon!

It is SO About the Numbers

2008-02-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

Sometimes as a business woman it is easy to forget that it is a business. We get caught up in relationship, in friendship, in being liked. Especially those of us in a service businesses. Understanding your value is key to being amazing in 2008 and in your business. Over time, if you are not feeling financially stable, you will resent what you do. Do you know what you provide your clients and have you sat down and assessed the value of it? Have you thought about the work you put in to close that membership, or coaching client, or training date? Your numbers determine your business success. Now, I truly believe that you can be a strong powerful, LOVING business woman, and achieve the numbers.

Have you looked at your numbers?
Try this:
1 – What is the amount you make when you close a sale:_____
2 – What is the average number of hours you spent pre sale to get it:_____
3- What are the hours you spent post sale to meet your contract with the client:_____
4 –Divide the dollar amount by the hours. Are you charging your value? Are you making your worth? Are you giving too much away for free?
5-Look for places where you can charge, in order to increase your value.

Remember, when a client thinks you are cheap, they will typically treat you like you are cheap. Show your value, and they will pay for your value. Get to a place where you realize that and your clients will respect you more when you do.

I remember when I first did this. It was scary! Guess what? Most clients did not even blink. I think they knew I was worth more before I did.
Ann Evanston specializes in helping women get their numbers, contact her for details.

What Makes You Who You Are

2008-02-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

I truly believe in the saying: "there are two things that determine who you are and who you will be: the books you read, and the people you hang out with" Charles Tremendous Jones. And as a business owner I want to be around others that are achieving more, and doing it smarter rather than harder. I am committed to surrounding myself with other business women who think like that. I am also committed to audio books (I can download on my nano) and reading. Sales and Marketing are two big topics this year. It amazes me how many women are uncomfortable with sales – it’s a part of life, and especially a part of business! I think I am a pretty good saleswoman, but I can always be better.

Are you the kind of woman I want to partner with? Are you:
• Challenging yourself to be even better in your business in 2008 and beyond?
• Believe, I mean really believe, in abundance and attraction?
• Are not intimidated by women doing it better than you?
• Do you read, to learn, not just for pleasure?
• Do you want to learn sales and be better at it?

Then I want to know you! I am hoping you will want to be a part of my exclusive forum of amazing women in 2008 and beyond! For more details contact me.

Ann M. Evanston, MA
Executive Managing Director,
eWomenNetwork San Francisco, East Bay/Oakland
http://www.ewomennetwork.com/

CEO
AME-zing Woman, a division of AME Institute
http://www.ame-zingwoman.com/
415-513-5733
Use audio in your blog, email and more! http://aevanston.audioacrobat.com/

Want to be a Business Owner and not Just a Hobbist?

2008-02-08T11:09:00.000-08:00

This is a great article! http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb2008017_014641.htm?chan=search

Get More Done!

2008-01-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

Do you realize that every time we are interrupted it causes us approximately 8 minutes of peak productivity time? Ever been in "the zone" and had an interruption? Were you back in "the zone" after handling it?

In this crazy busy world who has the time to lose time! There are two types of interruption: others and self. This powerful course will teach you how to control self interruptions, not others, and as woman we are our own worst enemy! Gain back hours of peak productivity a year with this smart program! Learn the power of focus and how to gain back valuable minutes everyday in this multi-tasking world we live in.

>>Tools to minimize interruptions of others while still keeping your credibility.
>>The single greatest mistake made to be ineffective at your desk.
>>Create pockets of focus by re-designing your to-do list.
>>Learn where your personal time-wasters are, and how to reduce them.
>>How to deal with the mine field that is your desk.

Here is what a recent woman said about the program:
"I LOVE YOU ANN!!!! You have changed my life. This seminar is exactly what I needed to start 2008 off right."

Anyone who knows they need to GET MORE DONE will want to invest in this MP3 program with handouts! $19.95

Welcome to AME-zing Woman!

2008-01-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

Just this morning, I had three amazing conversations with amazing women.

The first, an Asian grandmother and corporate travel specialist, who is out there making great things happen in our community.

The second, a Latina certified coach who specializes in coaching women of color in corporate America, to achieve their dreams and goals.

The third, a specialist with Girl Scouts of America. She brings amazing women together with our future- amazing girls.

We as women need a place to know each other and support each other in our business goals.

A place where we can challenge ourselves to be amazing, to not settle for all the crap that society tells us we should be.

We as women need to be inspired when all of THAT is getting us down.

We as women need to stick together to achieve more. It is exactly what AME-zing woman is all about.

I hope you will come back often to be inspired with us, to grow with us, to achieve what you set out to “be” with us. Our members are women who want to climb the corporate ladder, who have the dream of running their own business and want tips in a world where the majority of management is still male.
Over the last 10 years I have spent my career developing leaders. As a coach, speaker/trainer and consultant to entrepreneurs and companies like: Cisco, Maersk, Stanford Medical Center, Hitachi Data Systems (to name a few), I have worked with brand-new managers. I have worked with executives and CEOs of major companies. I have trained with some of the top experts in the world on what it means to be a great leader and manager ( see bio). What's amazing to me is that there are not enough women leading. And as a woman who owns a business, I am amazed by other women business owners who do not think of themselves as CEO. We as women can lead in a powerful, strong , loving way.

My goal is to lead a forum where we support each other in our success, where we support each other in our business goals. Here's what I know when women stick together and use our power positively with each other. We will rule the world. As leader of this group of phenomenal women, I have extensive entrepreneurial experience in services & non-profit businesses. Before staring my own business 10 years ago, I worked in fortune 100 companies. I understand challenges that face women running their businesses and working in corporate America. Become an AME-zing Woman!

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