benefits of blogging Archives

Episode 37 – Exposing Yourself in Your Business

October 20, 2016 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

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Exposure is one of those things people sometimes get uneasy about. It feels like everything is on display. If you want people to know about your business and the great work that you are doing, you have to be able to expose yourself and put yourself in a spotlight. Again I want to stress this isn’t about bragging “Look what I can do!”, it is about showcasing your products and services and educating the world about how you can serve them – it’s called shameless self-promotion. If you hide or try to cover up any publicity or showcasing of your work, people may start to become suspicious and may not even trust you.

Listen to my story on the audio!

We all have heard about the big brands with the big dollars like Coca-Cola, Nike, and of course McDonald’s. If your small business owner you don’t have the same kind of funds so you need to get creative and this is where exposure comes in. When exposing yourself to the world, you are exposing yourself for three reasons: awareness, credibility, and visibility.

Creating Awareness

You want to be creating awareness so that you stand out from the crowd. Many people think it is like the movie “Field of Dreams” if you build it they will come. However, if they do not hear about you or know about what you have to offer no one will be coming. If you’re a start up, you can’t always afford to outsource services and you may be doing many things yourself. Even though you’re doing things yourself eventually you will be delegating these roles/tasks to other people so it’s a great thing for you to get a handle on what you need to be doing. There are several ways to share some tools and techniques that are to help you create awareness of what you have to offer. Don’t forget to start making your own list as these ideas come to you. Make sure you grab the downloadable where you can keep it all in one spot. Are you ready?

Newsletter– A newsletter is an excellent way to touch base with your prospects and clients on a regular basis. It allows them to see what you’re up to and what events might be coming up that may be of interest to them. Ensure that you have great content and you are providing value. Your newsletter can be electronic or in paper format. Most people tend to be shifting online using providers like Mail Chimp, AWeber, Constant Contact.
Articles-Not only does writing an article bring awareness to what you do it also provides credibility as positions you as an expert. Articles are a great way to share your knowledge. You can post articles on Selfgrowth.com, LinkedIn, and your website.
Testimonials-Testimonials or endorsements are social proof providing evidence from clients stating that what you say is exactly what you delivered. Social proof is very powerful as it adds an extra element of trust. When people hear what others have said about you it influences their decisions. If others have been impressed with your work then they feel that they are willing to take a chance to in and hope that you will do the same for them.
Sponsorship-Sponsorship is a great way to show that you’re giving back to your community or supporting a local event. Sponsors are often showcased throughout the events and in advertising. You may sponsor a breakfast at your local business meeting, conference, or a sports team in your community. You may even get a minute or two to talk about your business.
Joint ventures-You may consider collaborating with others and extending your network as you will both be marketing your program, product, or service to each other’s markets.
Public speaking– I don’t believe that there is anything more credible than someone who positions himself as the expert to speaking. This is an excellent way for people to get to know like and trust you. Your audience can learn your perspective.
Networking and business meetings-Getting out amongst the leaders in your community is a great way to build awareness and let people know what you are doing. Be sure to create intrigue and interest in demonstrating what you are able to do.
Website-In today’s day and age, you need to have a website. When people hear your name, they may not come and speak to you however, they will go home and “Google” you. Ensure that they will find you and that you will be providing value.

These are a few of the techniques that can help create awareness. Start making a list of others that will position you in the marketplace.

GAINING CREDIBILITY

Credibility is one of the important measures in which people decide to work with you. They are not only investing money but they are investing their time and their story. They want to be able to trust you and to ensure that you deliver on your promise.

Post or answer questions on social media-When you can provide responses or post powerful questions on social media, you can grab people’s attention and want to learn more about you.
Blog– A blog is a great way to provide high-quality content consistently and provide valuable information and continue to build that knows like and trust factor. Make sure your writing awesome headlines that people will not ignore.
Testimonial/Endorsements – As mentioned before play a role in awareness and credibility. It is social proof.

BECOMING VISIBLE AND PROVIDING VALUE
Visibility and value are products of exposing yourself in your business and your business. You want to be visible in the community as someone people need to know. Your visibility and value can be demonstrated in the following ways:

Volunteer At Community Functions Or Fundraisers
Volunteer As A Board Of Director for a Non-profit
Donate Your Product Or Service As A Door Prize Or Silent Auction Item
Blog Or Post On Social Media About The Events You Attend
Create Videos Offering Tips And Valuable Content -Top 10 List Are Very Popular
Get Published In The Local Newspaper
Send Out Press Releases So That You Can Be Interviewed On Television Or Radio

There are so many ways that you can be exposing your business to stand out from the crowd and create your unique presence. As you do this and build your tribe, list, or following that is when the people will come and you will be building your field of dreams. Don’t forget that once you start meeting and connecting with these people you want to be building the relationships so the key is to follow-up within 24 to 48 hours of meeting them. Listen to your prospects needs and learn what their goals are-discover ways that you can help. Remember that the more you help others the more in turn people will help you. Exposure is a powerful positioning tool in which you cannot do without.

We would love to have you subscribed to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time: 12:53 min

Keywords: credibility, gain credibility, know like trust factor, visibility, become visible, creating awareness, awareness in the marketplace, providing value, provide value, answer questions on social media, volunteer, prospects, benefits of blogging, benefits of volunteering

Taste the Benefits of Writing a Blog – What’s A Blog Got To Do With It?

July 1, 2012 by Debra Kasowski 13 Comments

A couple years ago when I started blogging one of my colleagues had mentioned that she would not start a blog because she had heard from a marketing person at a seminar that blogging had no benefit to a person’s business. Over the time that I have been blogging, I would have to say it has been further from the truth. Blogging does benefit a person’s business if done right. Guess What? She is blogging too and now recommends it to others.

Blogging can really boost your business and create many opportunities for you. Blogging can be personal – like a travel journal or used professionally to boost a business. “Julie and Julia“, the book and the movie, is a prime example how a blog lead to an opportunity. It helped her tap into her creativity while working an office job, do something she loved – writing, and even experimented and stretched her out of her comfort zone trying out new recipes. And yes – even more people other than her mother started to follow her blog.

Let me just share some of the benefits of writing a blog:

Increase your visibility – Your blog can be posted on your social media networks and to great way to get your brand known.
Increase your credibility – People can get to know more about what you do and your expertise.
People get to know you – Blogging is great way for people to get to know you and your business and what you stand for.
Increase traffic to your website – Use keywords that people would use to search your topic. Ensure that others have a way to share your blog.
Hone your writing skills – The more you write and develop your voice online, the more readers you will gain as well.
Develop products and services by compiling blog posts into ebooks, teleseminars, books, and workshop guides.
Monetize your blog – Blog about books (do a book review) and promote them through Amazon.
Support other colleagues or business owners – Perform a product review and promote products your believe in.
Share your knowledge, voice, and creativity with a greater audience than you currently do – GO GLOBAL!

Should you blog? I say “Yes”. Be mindful of your audience, blog purposefully, and have fun! You will be able to connect with other bloggers like I do during the Ultimate Blog Challenge! Are your ready to BLOG about it?

I would love to hear why you blog!!!!

Build Your Expertise Through Education on a Shoestring Budget

June 7, 2012 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

Are you on a shaky financial ground? Have you been stretching your marketing budget or spending money from your business in your personal life and going through tough times? Do you need more education or knowledge to build your credibility as an expert? Many women in business have been in your position at one time or another.

“If knowledge is power, where do you get some. ” – Debra Kasowski

There are several ways you can build your credibility as an expert. Develop a presence of being a go-to or knowledge expert. People are looking for people who deliver results. You must be confident in your abilities and be able to demonstrate this to others both on-line and off-line.

Educate yourself to be the best:

You Tube Videos or TED talks

– Watch videos about the expertise you are trying to develop or hone. There are many tips and techniques out there.

iTunes – Podcasts also have valuable information. Listen and take notes. Remember knowledge is only good if it has been applied and works for you.
Books, Articles, Magazine, & Newspapers – Learn from the experts already out there. Find out what you need to learn and work toward honing that skill with one action step each day.
Google – The best resource out there. How many times have you heard, “Just Google it!” For example, you might want to learn about blogging. Think of the questions you might have about starting a blog. What? Where? When? How often? How can I do it? Why blog? Who is your audience? Type in what you want to learn, there are literally hundreds of websites and blogs like this sharing information.
Networking Events and Conferences – There are often speakers at networking events and other experts like yourself. Go for coffee or lunch with one of them and learn about their business.
Study the experts. Success leaves clues. What are they doing that you could be doing to build your business? Go to their websites they often have a free newsletter or other resources that you can use.
As you are growing, you will need to invest in yourself in other ways by attending conferences and seminars. My greatest growth came from working with a coach who has been where you want to go and done what you want to do. You want to be able to have the knowledge so you can leverage opportunities and give the people you serve the results they want.

Are You Missing the “Blog” of Opportunity? 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Blogging

April 5, 2012 by Debra Kasowski 1 Comment

Wow! I have had great feedback about what the cost of “not knowing” something has impacted many people’s businesses and lives. I have learned that it is up to me to gain new knowledge, search for information, find the right team members, and get involved in knowing where my money is going. Yes, I have made mistakes and learned quickly to get up to speed so it never happens again. Let’s make sure you are not missing the boat, pardon me, the “blog” of opportunity.

Are you blogging right now? May I ask why not? Some of the reasons I have heard all range from:”I do not having enough time”, “I am not even on Facebook yet how can I blog?” , or “What should I blog about? First of all, a blog is short for “weblog”. According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the definition is “a blog is a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, and comments”. Some people refer to it as a online diary.

What Does a Blog DO?

In business, as an entrepreneur, writer, or an author, a blog is a powerful tool for connecting with people, building relationships, sharing great content that people can learn from or relate to, and a way for people to get to know you. A blog can help build that know, like, and trust factor. It is not a sales venue to “Say here buy my product!” However, it can be a way to review a product or service. I have been to event where people have come up to me and said I am your Facebook friend and I read your blog – “Thanks for the great tips and inspiration. Your messages always seem to come at the right time.”

What Can I Blog About?

People all have their own preference as to what they would talk about in person. Remember this is the internet age, you want to post information that you are willing to have out in cyberspace forever and you would even show or say to your mother – otherwise it does not belong out there. Blogs do not have to be long but it can vary in length depending on the depth of information. People want to learn, relate to, and be entertained. Think about what you look up on the internet – you may be looking for ways to build your business and get more clients all the way to stay productive while working at home or parenting the terrible twos. Information is everywhere.

Topics You Can Blog About:

Tips and Techniques that can improve our lives or business=- related to your business. They are the “how to” articles with instructions and words of wisdom. Each tip or technique can be its own blog post.
Lessons learned and reflected on “what not to do” and “what you should be doing”
Introduce a new product or service – without saying BUY THIS! Tell us more about the product or services and what it can do for us
Share content from an event. Blog about a seminar or conference you went to. Share a picture. 2-3 messages you may have learned.
Write a book or article review. I know you are committed to life long learning – share what you liked about your latest read and how it has impacted your perspective.
Promote a colleague, a coach, or a member of your team and share what you have learned from them.
The best of the best…create a listing of your top articles, books, or resources.

These topics are just of few to get you started but there are many! WordPress and Blogger are great places to start blogging. Do your research and learn more about blogging and how it can work for you. You can get started in no time with little to no expense!!!

Did you know your the content from your blog posts can be used to create an e-books, books, future articles, or even a product?

Start thinking big to achieve big ladies!