Debra Kasowski

How Will Changing Your Habits Change Your Life?

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You have heard the saying, “Old habits die hard.” Habits can be hard to change. Many people fear change. They are quite comfortable and happy with keeping things the way they have always been. When even the slightest change is suggested you  may have heard, “We tried that once it never worked.” or “This is the way things have always been.” That’s all fine and dandy but the question I would say to you or anyone who makes these statements, “Are you happy with the RESULTS or OUTCOME you are currently getting?”

Are you happy with the:

  • state of your relationships?
  • the amount of people you are serving?
  • your marketing methods?
  • your Google analytics of your website?
  • amount of free time you currently have?
  • state of your health?
  • amount of money you are making?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, what would it mean to you to be happy in those areas? What is one habit you could change to start moving towards the outcome you want? Map out a calendar and track the change over a minimum of 21 days. Experts suggest it takes 21 days to change a habit, however, my theory is the longer you can continue it the more likely you will make it a more permanent part of your daily life. Go for one month! Pick one area of your life and change a habit for one month and watch the results compound!

Do you need to:

  • track your finances
  • eliminate time wasters
  • complete your taxes
  • book a vacation
  • follow-up with a client
  • go the gym
  • mend a relationship
  • carve out some “me”time
  • go for a long afternoon lunch with girlfriends
  • write a business proposal
  • write a press release
  • the list could be endless!

Remember if you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get the same results. If you want to change the results, you need to change the one thing you know you must do. In Nike fashion, “Just do it!”

Are You Sowing the Seeds of Success?

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I realize the topic of sowing seeds of success may seem like a gardener, farmer, or Johnny Appleseed to do but it is so revealing to one’s success. You may think, “How does sowing seeds actually apply to me?” In business, the more you build the relationships you have and create and the more people who learn or know of your business (your list), the greater your revenue stream eventually will be. Your networth is directly proportional to your network. People need to get to know, like, and trust you in order to do business with you. Sowing the “Seeds of Success” is not a overnight process. Have you ever planted a seed in a garden or watched a crop being put in the ground?Neither the gardener nor the farmer come out in the morning preparing for harvest. The seed requires the nutrients from the soil, water, and the glorious sunshine in order to grow and stretch to the sky. You, too, need to grow and nurture the relationships you build and during the process you also learn and grow into the person you were meant to be.

What is seeding and how does a person seed? The Free Online Dictionary defines a seed as a source or beginning. The same is true in your business, you are creating and nurturing new beginnings and relationships with others. Some relationships will develop and flourish and some with not grow at all and that’s okay. Some relationships need to be re-seeded as you may have had a misunderstanding or you may have lost touch with the other person. Seeding is about letting others know about your business and how you can help them.  They want to know about the results you create. You, in turn, will also grow your business.

Here are several ways to sow the seeds of your success:

  • Take a genuine interest in people and learn about them. What makes the tick? What is their “why” for doing what they do? Look for the common thread between you and them. People appreciate that you take time to care about them as a person not as a commodity.
  • Follow-up with a phone call (preferred) or email to connect with people following a meeting within 24-48 hours of meeting.
  • Send a card of appreciation to your current client base.
  • Utilize direct mail marketing with postcards or brochures – not as common any more but it has greater impact due its novelty.
  • Create articles or blogs that provide content with tips, strategies, and techniques that would benefit your followers.
  • Speak at conferences, trade shows, or associations to get yourself out there. The more your name and brand are out there – people will start to learn about you.
  • Collaborate with others in cross promotion of each other’s businesses. Word of Mouth Marketing is continually one of the most powerful marketing methods.

You cannot sow just a few seeds, stop, and suddenly start to reap the rewards of growth. You must plant seeds regularly and consistently so you can grow connections and opportunities. Ensure you are sowing the seeds of success intentionally by connecting with people who are aligned with your values and you will start to see the seeds grow. The seed you plant today could be the treasure you reap tomorrow.

How do you seed the marketing in your business? How do people learn about you or your products or services? What have you discovered during the process of building connections?

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!