Debra Kasowski

What Happens When You Stop Taking Action?

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Taking action is the golden key that opens the door to opportunity. When you do not take action, your business begins to suffer. Images that come to mind are: stale bread, a statue, or something sinking into quick sand. I am sure that is not what you want to happen to you. A business that is thriving and surviving the roller coaster rides of life is in constant motiont. Why? You need to build on momentum to keep your business moving in the direction you want.

What would happen if you stopped:

  • updating your website?
  • using social media?
  • your business for 5 years and tried to come back to it?
  • networking?
  • follow up with new prospects?
  • appreciating your current customers?
  • selling your products or services?

Not much. You’re right – not much at all because you would not have a business – it would not last!

You need to set goals and breakdown each goal into smaller steps that you need to take each day. Maybe one day  you can only fit in two follow up  phone calls with potential clients and the next day you can only write 3 blog posts and attend a networking event.  That’s okay! Do not be so hard on yourself. You are taking intentional steps toward your goals. Some people do not even do that.

What matters is that you are focusing your energy where the revenue generates and your list builds. You can only do that by serving your customers in the best possible way by providing value. What is in it for them? They want to know. Take action and let them know why what you do is so important and watch the results!

Consistent efforts will get you where you want to go much faster than stopping all together.

Keep moving in your business! Make things happen!

What are the Benefits of Article Marketing?

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Wouldn’t you agree that the more people you have coming to your website the better? How much better would it be if it was your ideal client coming to your website? How fantastic would it be if they would buy from you, learn from you, or hire you? Even better, right? On Wikipedia.com, article marketing is defined as “a type of advertising in which businesses write short articles about themselves, their company, or their field of expertise as a marketing strategy.” Article marketing is a marketing tool you should take advantage of because it has many benefits. You can:

  • Establish your expertise
  • Develop your credibility
  • Increase your brand awareness
  • Generate traffic to your website
  • Share high value content with others
  • Boost your search engine rankings
  • Increase your online presence

The best part about article marketing is that it is a quick and easy way to market your business. It is often free depending on the site you are using. It is a cost effective way to get the word out about your business. You can  re-purpose your blog content and turn it into an article but you will want to change the title up, add or revise the flow of your articles as the search engines are looking for fresh new content to bring to the internet audience. You can write your own articles or outsource your article marketing to companies like www.odesk.com or www.guru.com .

You can submit your articles to websites like www.ezinearticles.com or www.selfgrowth.com. Ensure that your bio explains what you do and what you offer your visitors. A free gift of a special report, e-book, or video class will draw people to your website to find out more about your products and services and help build your list.

Just because you built your business or website doesn’t mean they will come – let’s get the word out there! Start article marketing!

Share your thoughts about how article marketing has benefited you!

 

 

What Does It Mean When An Entrepreneur Says “I Do”?

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Do you like being your own boss? Do you love nurturing your ideas and watching them grow? Are you eager to see the results of your efforts? If you answered yes to these questions you must be an entrepreneur! Entrepreneurs are unique as they:

  •  thrive and get a thrill from watching their ideas grow and prosper
  • are the innovators
  • are creative
  • love to be their own boss and call the shots
  • love the freedom and flexibility of the lifestyle
  • hardworking
  • willing to sacrifice
  • are risk takers who are due diligent
  • can see the big picture or vision
  • are persistent and resilient
  • enjoy a challenge
  • discover solutions to problems that people are challenged with

What makes really makes them different from everyone else? I have discovered that it is their drive and commitment that set them apart from all the rest. They make a commitment to themselves and say, “I do!” If you are an entrepreneur – raise your right hand and repeat after me…

The Entrepreneur’s Creed – Written by Debra Kasowski

I believe I became a business owner to make a difference in people’s lives by being the solution and not the problem.

I will not give up when the going gets tough.

I will rise to the challenge and even seek them out if necessary. 

I shall do my due dilgence with every deal.

I will learn from the lessons from my mistakes and may others forgive me if I have wronged them.

I am here to serve first and help people in the process.

I will share my talents, skills, and abilities with others.

I will give back to my community and leave a legacy I wish to be remembered for.

I will know my worth and charge for it. After all I am an entrepreur, this is how I make a living.

I will look my fears in the face and use them to my advantage.

I must set my agenda around my lifestyle and aim to create balance.

I will ask for help and guidance along the journey – I have a 50% chance they will say yes!

I will focus on what my goals and the direction I wish to head.

I will lead the way and help others climb to their highest potential.

I will not compare myself to others – I am unique and no one can do it my way!

I shall look for the possibilities and opportunities in every challenge.

I will stay motivated by celebrating my wins as I live my passion.

I will step out of my comfort zone on a regular basis as I stretch, I will grow into the person I have yet to be.

I have a voice and a message I must share with the world.

I will take full responsibility for my actions and commit to being my very best each day.

Above all, I will remember the “why” I became a business owner,

I believe I became a business owner to make a difference!

I do!

If you loved this post and creed, please share it with your fellow business owners. When in doubt, always go back to your “why”. Watch your ideas grow and ensure you are celebrating your journey!

 Thank you for making the commitment to your dreams so people’s lives can be better!

 

Are You Struggling to Build Your List?

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List building or what some people refer to as their database is the key to moving prospects to becoming your customers. You  must find a way to build relationships that matter so they can get to know, like, and trust you. There is no secret sauce – you must be you – genuine and unique.

Ways You Can Build Your List:

  • Host a Teleseminar – Do a live call and let people hear about all the great information you know and can share to make their businesses and lives better. Better yet, joint venture or collaborate – you can gain new followers who are in need of you and your partner’s expertise.
  • Video Marketing – In your video, invite people to sign up for your e-zine (electronic newsletter).
  • Irresistible Offers – Offer a free report, e-book, article, teleclass, or video class just for signing up for your e-zine.
  • Draw Prize – People love to win prizes! Offer a prize for anyone who wants to be a part of your community. This technique works especially well when you speak at a live event.
  • Social Media – Share great content that your audience wants and needs. Be of service to others. I love Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Come follow me!
  • Blogs – Comment on other people’s blogs. Readers will want to learn more about you – especially if your comments provide insight and add value.
  • Article Marketing – Share your knowledge and expertise online with others. www.ezinearticles.com is a great place to start building your platform. Your author bio can direct readers to your website and your irresistible offer.
  • Host an Event – Have a event or seminar to teach others about some of the strategies, tips, or techniques you use in your business.
  • Survey – Have people complete a survey – learn about what your audience wants and collect names and emails at the end. Provide an enticing offer!

Your list is the most important part of your business. To grow your list, you need to be passionate and excited about what you are doing and creating. I know the people I serve have something to share in the world. I love being the person who helps them get to share it! You need to build a relationship with the people on your list and provide them with valuable content on a regular basis. Be dynamic!

How are you building your list? What has been your most successful list building strategy? What are the to-do’s and not to do’s in list building?

 

How to Stay Motivated When Your Success Is Just Around The Corner

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It can be difficult to stay motivated and focused when times get tough or challenging. You may even feel like you are the only one that events are happening to. Let me reassure you, there are many others going through their own challenges as well. What one person sees as a challenge, another sees as an opportunity for growth. I have found that it is not until you actually share what some of your challenges are that people open up compassionately and share their challenges too.  Vulnerability makes us human.

In our weakest moments, we need to gain our greatest strength. People often quit their pursuits just when they are about to achieve success because, “It is just too hard to continue.”

Here are some tips to help you stay motivated when your success is just around the corner:

  1. Stop and look how far you have come. Make a list of all your accomplishments over the past 12 months. Take some time to acknowledge your success or wins! Treasure them. Who have you become in the process?
  2. Write down what you want to accomplish – your goals. Keeping them in your head does not help others in supporting you. Not only should you write them down, you should share them with someone you trust – someone who can hold you accountable so you can achieve your goals.
  3. Break your next project into small pieces. Each step you take gets you closer to your end goal. Plan to do 1-2 daily tasks to get closer to reaching yoru goal. Before you know, you will see the end.
  4. Work on your hardest task first each day. The rest of your day with move with ease. You already have accomplished so much!
  5. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You can feel challenged but do not be so tough on yourself that you do not even want to attempt anything. Evaluate your expectations, are they realistic for you and the time frame you gave yoursel?. Instant results does not mean those results are repeatable or sustainable. Be there for the long haul. Avoid comparing yourself to others – there is no comparison!

You have not gotten to where you are today by accident. The choices you have made have brought you to where you are today. Ensure you have some down time so that you can enjoy your success as you turn the corner!

I would love to hear some of the ways you stay motivated and some of the successes you have discovered just around the corner.