How Women Have a Marketing Edge

Authenticity is defined in Webster's dictionary as the quality of being trustworthy, or genuine. Yesterday, I met with yet another female entrepreneur who echoed what I've been saying for some time. Even though both of us came up through the "traditional" ranks of sales and sales training, neither of us felt comfortable or authentic, employing the techniques we had been taught -- largely by men. Although we both established successful careers using these techniques, they were the first things we dropped from our repertoires when we went out on our own.

Thank goodness, astute women are realizing that we don't need to act or work like men, to get ahead. In fact, many recent studies have shown that we can literally kill ourselves by trying to work the same way as men. As women, we have innate attributes that give us an incredible edge in business -- particularly in today's still-fragile economy. Let's face it, the state of our present economy is as much about trust (or lack thereof) and authenticity, as it is about money.

One of the enviable attributes that women have in business (and in particular, marketing) is that we have a different way of looking at things. By having very good social-perception and the ability to empathize, females tend to be extremely effective at negotiating and bringing people together. Women's intuition -- not always looked upon as a professional skill -- is tremendously helpful in picking up clues that are not necessarily voiced by the person with whom we are communicating. I think that this innate ability to pick up on unseen messages is what makes us really good in the new realm of "virtual business." It allows us to be so much more effective in conducting teleseminars and working with virtual assistants, prospects and clients, where we don't always have the ability to see each other face-to-face.

The ability to see things on the radar that our male counterparts may overlook, is another powerful difference in how we lead. In my opinion, marketing is more about leadership and communicating, than it is about the ability to sell. Our communication skills allow us to connect with prospects, team-members and others in a way that builds that all-important Know, Like and Trust Factor. Techniques or specifics of your particular industry can add another layer of competency, but it's the underlying connection that builds the foundation of success in your chosen field. As coach and writer, Martha Beck said, "Real power is usually unspectacular, a simple setting aside of fear that allows the free flow of love. But it changes everything."

We are seeing more and more high-profile women working to forge "partnerships of purpose," a term that British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, recently coined. On commenting about moving forward in these trying times, Mr. Brown said that we conquer our fear of the future, with our faith in the future. Taking that one step further, more of our prospective clients are looking to conquer their distrust of how they've been sold or marketed to in the past -- by placing their business with people with whom they can have faith.

How can women's authenticity be detrimental? As with every positive, there is a polar opposite. In general, women are not as good at self-promotion as men. Recent studies show that while men often exaggerate their accomplishments (we all know that really big-fish story, right?) women frequently downplay their accomplishments. In mentoring clients, I often find that women are so good at deferring praise to their support or team-members, that they actually give away their power.

Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept It:

Make a list of at least 5 accomplishments or moments in your life when you were most proud. Attribute emotions and feelings that you experienced that made each of those moments memorable. What is it you're most self-satisfied about?
Tip: Don't give away your power by saying I'm most proud of having had my children. How could you re-phrase that? Perhaps something like, "I'm most proud of the values that I have taught my kids which is reflected in how they treat others."

Make sure that your list of accomplishments includes at least some that relate to success in business or your career. Again, as wives and mothers, we tend to downplay or negate business achievements in favor of what we do for our families. Men seldom do that.

Now, find a way to weave your accomplishments into your 30- or 60-second "elevator speech." Ladies: this is NOT bragging! If you don't have a good elevator speech that positions yourself in your niche, that outlines your accomplishments, how are your prospects going to see why they should place their trust in you and your competency? It's not enough for you to know you're doing a great job -- you've got to be recognized for that. It's called "shameless self-promotion."
Tip: I teach you how to craft a really good elevator speech in my one-on-one coaching and my mentoring programs, by the way:>)

Write down three to five names of female leaders you admire and the qualities that you admire in them. You might want to pick up some biographies of women you look up to. Examples that come to mind are Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Palin (whether you agree with her or not:>) Ellen Degeneres, or Maya Angelou. Your leaders might not be household names, but there is something about them that you admire and perhaps aspire to.
Tip: Don't make the mistake of thinking that your role models don't brag about themselves. While that might seem true on the outside, I guarantee you that in order to achieve the levels of success they have, they've engaged in frequent self-promotion.

Next time you're in a tough spot or needing to make an important decision, ask yourself: how would so-and-so handle that? What would she do in my situation?

Whether it's marketing, sales or leading others, our authenticity and genuineness of purpose are the most important attributes we bring to the business arena. The only thing that keeps us from being authentic is fear: fear of what people might think, fear of offending others or of being hurt ourselves -- whatever it might be for you. Don't let that fear of showing people who you really are, hold you back from your greatness. Today, more than ever before -- this is your time to shine.

Now that you're ready to use some of these principles to build your business, don't forget that you'll need really compelling marketing to communicate your message authentically and effectively. If you are tired of trying bits and pieces of various programs that just don't seem to fit together or work for you, then it's time to take action and invest in a step-by-step Blueprint that will cut months, if not years, off your client attraction program. The New Clients By Design Blueprint(TM) is your ultimate system that contains only the steps that work and that build on each other. No fluff, no new-fangled ideas that sound good but in reality, don't work or only work for a few. This system will position you head and shoulders above the competition in your niche, and allow you to play bigger, faster. It will teach you how set up the systems once, that will have you attracting all the ideal clients you need naturally and comfortably, forever. This is the ultimate system all in one place, that you can implement quickly, easily and without spending a fortune. Everything you need -- the tools, scripts, templates, have all been designed with efficiency but simplicity, in mind. You can get it at NewClients By Design.com.

©2009 Karen Dodd Group of Companies

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? No problem! But here's what you MUST include:

Karen Dodd, Marketing and Client Attraction Specialist, is founder of the New Clients By Design Blueprint System(TM), the Ultimate Formula to attract more clients, make more income and carve out the time-freedom that made you start your business in the first place. To get your F.R.E.E. audio CD by mail and receive Karen's popular weekly ezine that focuses on marketing & client attraction highlights, visit www.NewClientsByDesign.com

7 Ways to Accomplish More By Doing Less

What do super achievers like Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Colin Powell and Oprah have in common? They actually work less than the majority of us, while accomplishing substantially more. "Well sure." you say, "they've got people to do so much for them. I'm just me -- trying to do it all!" To a certain extent that is true but they also found early on -- before they were enormously successful -- that if they followed certain principles, they could be laser-focused when they worked, but still have the luxury of a balanced lifestyle to spend with friends and family. In today's age of mega communication via email, cell phones, instant messaging and the like, it is easy to get caught up in the addiction of always doing, doing, doing. The toll of constantly being in motion, is evident by many of us feeling that we've become "human doings" rather than human beings. Here are  7 strategies that work for super achievers that might work for you: 1. Learn to stop doing. By employing the  Pereto Principle -- the 80/20 rule that says 20 percent of your activity produces 80 percent of your results -- you can focus on activities that meet this criteria. Figure out what activities are getting you closer to your goals and reduce, eliminate, or  delegate the rest. A great way to stay on track is before each task, ask yourself, "Is what I am about to do, getting me closer to my goal?" If the answer is "no," consider doing something else with that time. 2. Create boundaries and protect your energy. You know you're a workaholic, when you or your friends and family feel there is no delineation between your work and your personal life. This is especially true for those who work from home. Learn to say no and "retrain" your clients and colleagues that you are not available 24/7. Some people will push what you will tolerate, to the limit -- putting your health and relationships with those you love, at risk. Set your boundaries, share them "gently" with those you need to and then stick to them. 3. Indulge more in continuing education and self-development. Some people look down on those they consider to be "self-help junkies." However, the reality is that individuals who don't just skim or read something -- but really process and digest the information -- train their minds to focus on important principles that help balance the stress of dealing with constant change. Rather than watching or listening to information passively, you'll find yourself much better able to focus when others fall victim to the many distractions we all encounter. The "self-help" part is almost a side bonus. 4. We all know the story of the tortoise and the hare. While you may feel the pressure to keep up with the hare who  leaps off to a fast start and pushes to finish the race first, the slow and steady pace of the tortoise, often wins in the long run. Making a commitment to work at your own natural pace, as well as aiming more for consistency than speed, can go a long way to getting a lot accomplished without burning out. It's not about how you start; it's if you continue that matters. 5. Legendary motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, calls the management of time, the "best-kept secret of the rich." Time is the one thing under which we are all equal. No one person has less or more than another. In a recent issue of Oprah, renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Oz, says, "It's not about time management. It's about energy management. The things you do in your life should give you that zest for life." Look for ways to get a better "Return on Energy" (ROE). By being more observant of what tasks and time frames energize you, versus which ones zap your strength, you're better able to determine what activies you should spend less or more time on, what you should be delegating, and what needs to be eliminated altogether. 6. Often, the hardest thing for self-motivated, entrepreneurially-minded people to do, is to ask for help. However, one of the greatest success disciplines of superachievers, is delegation. By constantly asking yourself,"Is what I am doing right now, the best possible use of my time?" you can tap into the highest use of your genius. It's unlikely that you'd see Donald Trump, Richard Branson or Oprah, filing, cleaning or doing their own taxes. You don't have to be fabulously wealthy to hire people to do some of the jobs that don't require your genius. Look for creative ways to hire as needed or even barter someone elses expertise for yours. Once you delegate to someone, trust them to do their job and get out of their way. 7. Take time off to recharge your batteries. If you're one of those people who feel guilty when you take time off, you might feel better to know that studies have shown that as North Americans, we take less vacation days than any other industrialized nation. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that we also are experiencing burnout, depression, heart disease and cancer at staggering rates. Taking time off is a critical component of staying healthy and productive. Whether you choose to be active in your time off or just enjoy doing nothing, we all need to incorporate regular breaks and celebrations into our busy lives. Your Assignment (something easy this week): Instead of making endless to-do lists that become more ovewhelming as the week progresses, try writing down just three major activities you want to achieve. Then, at the end of each day, take 5 or 10 minutes to "cashout." Look at what you actually accomplished and if necessary, refine your plan for the next day. Likewise, cash out at the end of every week and every month. I hope that you will take some time to stop and re-examine your work habits and how you can incorporate some of these ideas into your business life, so that you can be happier, healthier, and more productive. ©2009 Karen Dodd Group of Companies WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? No problem! But here's what you MUST include: Karen Dodd, Marketing and Client Attraction Specialist, is founder of the New Clients By Design Blueprint System(TM), the Ultimate Formula to attract more clients, make more income and carve out the time-freedom that made you start your business in the first place. To get your F.R.E.E. audio CD by mail and receive Karen's popular weekly ezine that focuses on marketing & client attraction highlights, visit www.NewClientsByDesign.com

Finding Your "Voice" In All That You Do

Finding your voice is not just done in writing, although that's where we tend to hear about it most. This term simply refers to who you are, coming through in your written, verbal and non-verbal communications with others. Whether you are compassionate, have a sense of humor, are straight forward and authentic, are examples of qualities that can be expressed in your voice. In my opinion, your voice is the real deal.

Sometimes -- often without meaning to -- we copy someone else and it's not our voice, but theirs that comes across. I had personal experience with this not long ago. I'm known for sending out a lot of handwritten cards, using just about any occasion as an excuse! (I've found a great close-second source of cards that are virtually "handwritten"; here's my link to check it out and send someone a sample card on me:www.NewClientsByDesignCards.com).

A little while back I had sent out a handwritten card to acknowledge someone who had registered for one of my live events. The recipient, who has known me for a number of years, acknowledged the card but said that it didn't "sound like me." (thank you, Penny:>) Although it definitely was me that wrote the card, I later realized that somewhere along the line I had picked up the "voice" of someone else that I admire and respect. She is very authentic in her way -- but I am not her and that obviously came across.

One of the conundrums (I just love that word!) I see with people is that as they seek out and learn new ways to market, communicate and attract new clients, they feel that by using these new tools, they aren't being themselves. As with anything, if you're not comfortable with something, others are going to pick up on it.

So, what can you to do when you want to push yourself out of your comfort zone and implement new strategies and principles -- but still retain the authentic you? I believe that while you need to let go of the old in order to make room for the new, you also need to feel comfortable that you are maintaining what makes you the unique person that people around you know, like and trust.

1. Make sure that you choose the right person and their techniques to copycat. As the saying goes, "it's okay to copycat as long as you're copying the right cat!" In other words, be sure to take the time to find out all you can about a person, their company and the products you are considering purchasing. Or, get referrals from people you like and respect, who have used this person's coaching or products in the past. Then, trust your gut. If you can't relate to someone, no matter how well their techniques might work for others, they aren't going to work for you. I recommend you take any free teleclasses they might be offering, watch videos or listen to their audio messages on their website. Generally study who they are and what they stand for, to determine if they'll be a good fit for you.

2. Ensure that you know the difference between being reluctant to pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, versus learning new things that are necessary for your success. I believe that if you are comfortable that the person teaching you is using sound and solid principles and are experts in their field, there is always a way to take that information and make it your own. With some exceptions (where the efficacy of something working requires you to repeat it verbatim), take the principles or bullet points of a new technique and put them into your own words. Another great reason for this, is so that you're not plagiarizing someone else's work.

3. If you always keep the best interests of the person with whom you're communicating in mind, you will be mindful to speak with them and not at them. Our prospects have never been as well informed and savvy as they are today. I've written about this in the past, but it bears repeating. If you are transparent and authentic in your dealings with people, you do not need to use thinly-veiled "sales techniques" on them. Marketing is something you do with your public, not to them. Rather than regarding prospects as walking wallets, observe the difference when you truly engage them and just be yourself. Remember, in most cases, it is you that they buy, long before purchasing your products and services.

Your Assignment:

1. In an sincere effort to reach out and connect with your prospects, clients or colleagues, make it a point to send out 2 short notes or cards, every day next week. I'm talking snail mail here, not e-cards or emails. With so much being done by the Internet, people really take notice when you take the time to send them a note in the mail. Perhaps you want to congratulate them on something in their business or personal life, or send some encouraging words their way. If you want to combine the best of high-tech with high-touch, click here to send a fre*e card, my treat. I guarantee you -- you'll be hooked!

2. Make it a point this week, to search out a speaker, mentor, writer, whose work you admire and research what they have to offer. If you're not growing in your business, you're dying. Just as you'd be committed to learning more about your craft or profession, make it a priority to expand your horizons mentally, spiritually, or different ways to grow your business. Hop on a free teleclass or sign up for someone's newsletter or any fre*e reports that they may be offering. It's a great way to break out of a rut and look at new and creative ways of doing life and business.

3. Reach out by making a "just checking in" call to someone you've been meaning to approach or follow up with. I'm constantly surprised how when I catch up with an old acquaintance, the Universe sets the wheels in motion for us to work together or do something that comes up at that very moment in time. And then I think, gosh, why didn't I make that call sooner -- only to realize that this was the absolute perfect time!

Now that you're ready to use your unique voice to build your business,don't forget that you'll need really compelling marketing to communicate your message authentically and effectively. If you are tired of trying bits and pieces of various programs that just don't seem to fit together or work for you, then it's time to take action and invest in a step-by-stepBlueprint that will cut months, if not years, off your client attraction program. The New Clients By Design Blueprint(TM) is your ultimate system that contains only the steps that work and that build on each other. No fluff, no new-fangled ideas that sound good but in reality, don't work or only work for a few. This system will position you head and shoulders above the competition in your niche, and allow you to play bigger, faster. It will teach you how setup the systems once, that will have you attracting all the ideal clients you need naturally and comfortably, forever. This is the ultimate system all in one place, that you can implement quickly, easily and without spending a fortune. Everything you need -- the tools, scripts, templates, have all been designed with efficiency but simplicity, in mind. You can get it at New Clients By Design.com.

©2009 New Clients ByDesign

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? No problem! But here's what you MUST include:

Karen Dodd, Marketing and Client Attraction Specialist, is founder of the New Clients By Design Blueprint System(TM), the Ultimate Formula to attract more clients, make more income and carve out the time-freedom that made you start your business in the first place. To get your F.R.E.E. audio CD by mail and receive Karen's popular weekly ezine that focuses on marketing & client attraction highlights, visit www.NewClientsByDesign.com