by Brenda The Soulutionist | Dec 18, 2023 | Business
Do you have a PLANS? Whether you are an entrepreneur or not, having PLANS is essential for achieving success. The word PLANS may seem like a collection of letters, but if you break it down, you will see that it has a deeper meaning. PLANS stands for Passion, Learning, Action, Network, and Systems. These five elements are the key to achieving your goals and realizing your full potential. In this article, we will explore the power of each component of PLANS and how they can help you live your best life now.
Passion
The importance of having a passion for what you do cannot be overstated. I am incredibly passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners in closing the gap between their desires and their reality. Passion is the fire that drives you to work hard, strive for excellence, and overcome obstacles. It keeps you motivated and focused on your goal. When you are passionate about what you do, you are likelier to put in the effort necessary to succeed. As an entrepreneur, you need to be passionate about your business idea. Suppose you need more clarity about your why? Be willing to take time to gain clarity, or it will be challenging to motivate yourself when things get tough. Find a business idea that aligns with your values and interests, and work hard to make it a reality.
Learning
Learning is a life-long process; as an entrepreneur, you must constantly learn and grow to stay ahead of the competition. Please keep learning about your industry, target market, and the latest trends and technologies to help grow your business. I have learned that creating a daily learning practice is one way to ensure success. You can never know too much; the more you learn, the more you can apply to your business. Take advantage of online resources, read books, attend seminars or conferences, and network with industry people to stay current.
Action
All the Passion and Learning in the world will only amount to something if you take action. Taking action means putting in the time and effort needed to turn your dreams into reality. It involves setting goals, creating a roadmap, and taking deliberate steps towards them. When I started writing articles on LinkedIn, I aimed to write one a week. It was a difficult task with my already packed schedule and mental challenges. However, I have been able to make it work. As an entrepreneur, you need to be proactive and take calculated risks. You must be willing to fail fast, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward. Successful entrepreneurs take action, even when the odds are against them.
Network
Networking is a crucial aspect of building a successful business. Networking means building relationships with people in your industry, potential customers, and other entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship and advice. Networking helps you learn from others and find opportunities for collaboration and growth. Join online groups and attend events in your industry to meet like-minded people and make valuable connections.
Systems
Lastly, successful entrepreneurs have systems in place. The systems I have in place help me streamline my processes, saving me time, money, and energy. Developing systems for your business can also help you maintain consistency and quality in your products and services. Identify the key processes in your business and create a system to manage them. Systems could range from developing a sales process to automating your social media posts. With systems in place, you will be better equipped to scale and grow your business.
Do You Have PLANS?
Adopting a PLANS mindset is the key to living your best life, NOW – No Opportunity Wasted. Passion, Learning, Action, Network, and Systems are the building blocks of success for any entrepreneur. Adopting these five principles will help you stay focused, motivated, and on track toward reaching your goals. Remember, success is not overnight; it is a journey, and building your plan will take time and effort. Trust the process and keep moving forward. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning and take the first step toward achieving your dreams by making PLANS. Need help with your PLANS? Join my LIFE Community, where we Leverage Impact For Entrepreneurs, hosted on Convene Communities, the platform with a purpose for FREE.
by Brenda The Soulutionist | Dec 10, 2023 | Business
As an entrepreneur, you are no stranger to challenges. But sometimes, the biggest obstacles are the excuses we make for ourselves. I was the queen of excuses. I allowed excuses to keep me from living my best life. Let us break down the top six excuses that once limited my success and could be limiting your success and explore actionable steps to overcome them.
1. “I don’t know how.” This is one of the most common excuses but also one of the easiest to overcome. We live in an information age, where knowledge is at our fingertips.
- Seek out a mentor. Find someone who has already achieved what you want to do and learn from their experience. Finding Mentors was one of the most brilliant things I did for myself.
- Educate yourself. Countless resources available online, from eBooks to online courses and coaching, can teach you practically anything.
- Learn by doing. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by rolling up your sleeves and getting started. I set aside time daily just for learning and hands-on practice.
2. “I’m afraid.” Fear is a natural human emotion that should not hinder your success. Remember, most fears are socially based and rarely have real consequences. I have learned not to be concerned with what other people think. Trust your gut and own your choices.
- Acknowledge your fear. It is okay to be scared. Recognize your fear and then move past it. By acknowledging your fear, you can begin to face everything and rise.
- Take small steps. You don’t have to dive headfirst into your fear. Take small, manageable steps towards overcoming it.
- Visualize success. Imagine yourself succeeding and using that as motivation to push past your fear.
3. “I don’t have enough time.” Time is a precious commodity, especially for entrepreneurs. But remember, we make time for what’s important to us. How often have you watched TV or scrolled through social media during your busy time? Be intentional about making time work for you.
- Prioritize your tasks. Not all tasks are created equally. Identify what’s truly important and focus your time there.
- Eliminate time-wasters. Cut out non-productive activities from your day. You’ll be surprised at how much time you can free up.
- Use time management tools. Tools like calendars, to-do lists, and time-tracking apps can help you make the most of your day. Time blocking is one of my favorite time management practices.
4. “I don’t have enough money.” Financial constraints can be challenging, but they shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your dreams. With all the many options available for training, programs, etc., make time to research the cost-effective and free options.
- Get creative. There is usually a workaround for financial constraints. Think outside the box and find alternative solutions. I had garage sales and sold my excess shoes to pay for a mastermind I wanted to attend.
- Seek out financial resources. There are numerous grants, loans, and investment opportunities available for entrepreneurs.
- Start small. You don’t need a huge budget to start a business. Start with what you have and grow from there. Many entrepreneurs start online businesses with as little as a mobile phone, tablet, or computer.
5. “It’s too late for me.” There is always time to start. In fact, many successful entrepreneurs started their ventures later in life. According to SCORE.org, 33% of U.S. small business owners are between 50 and 59, 17% are 60 to 69, and 4% are 70 and up.
- Embrace the challenge. Starting late might be more difficult, but it also means you’re more likely to pursue something truly meaningful to you.
- Seek inspiration. Look to others who have achieved success later in life for motivation.
- Start now. The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is now.
6. “It’s too hard.” Yes, entrepreneurship is hard. But that does not mean it is impossible. When I started, the most challenging part was deciding what to do and adjusting my mindset to make it happen.
- Believe in yourself. You have the skills and determination to succeed. Believe in your ability to overcome challenges.
- Break it down. Big tasks can seem daunting. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks.
- Stay committed. Success often comes down to who will stick it out the longest. Stay committed and keep pushing forward.
Remember, excuses only hold power if you let them. So, shatter these excuses and start living your best entrepreneur life today! If you need help growing your business, join the LIFE Community hosted on the Convene Communities Platform for free. There, you will find the Soulutionist Portal paid group coaching. The Soulutionist Portal is the affordable Entrepreneurs’ and Small Business Owners’ gateway to success, knowledge, collaboration, and connections. Join us today and stop limiting your success with excuses.
by Brenda The Soulutionist | Nov 27, 2023 | Business
As an entrepreneur, do you already know marketing is essential to your business’s success? I have discovered that many new entrepreneurs still need to grasp this concept. While some of you may have already established your branding and marketing strategies, do you know your marketing assets? Knowing and gathering your marketing assets is crucial to your business’s growth and sustainability. It took me a while to understand this, and my lack of understanding cost me time and money. This article will discuss the importance of your marketing assets and introduce you to some essential marketing tools you may want to use for your business.
Show Them Who You Are Visual Branding
One of the most important marketing assets for any business is visual branding. Whether you are designing business cards, social media posts, or website pages, having cohesive and visually appealing branding elements is crucial. When I started my business, I needed something to help match the hodge-podge branding I created. I chose Canva due to the free trial and ease of use. Canva is a graphic design software that allows you to create professional-quality marketing materials quickly and easily. Canva offers a wide range of templates, fonts, and graphics, making it easy to create stunning visuals for even the design-challenged among us, like myself.
Get The Word Out With Email Marketing
Another vital marketing asset for your business is email marketing. Email campaigns are an effective way to reach your customers directly and can lead to increased traffic, sales, and customer loyalty. I did not use email initially because I did not see the value, and I have never enjoyed getting the many emails I receive. Besides, my word of mouth was working well. I soon learned that gathering emails was necessary to gain, keep, and discover clients. Email is also a vital part of revenue generation. I chose MailChimp, the free version, and only moved to paid when my business grew. MailChimp is a popular email marketing tool that offers a variety of features, including customizable templates, audience segmentation, and analytics tracking. Mailchimp also integrates with social media and other third-party apps to help you grow your audience and business.
Show Them Who You Are Social Media
Social media is another critical marketing tool for your business. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formally known as Twitter), and YouTube are powerful tools for reaching your target audience quickly and effectively. I spent hours posting everywhere and became overwhelmed until I learned about batching and social media posting software. I chose Vista Social because it offered a lifetime deal at an affordable price at the time of purchase. Vista Social is a social media planner that helps you create and schedule social media posts, track analytics, and manage your social media accounts all in one place. With Vista Social, you can stay on top of your social media game without spending all day on your phone or computer. It is one of my favorite time-saving assets.
Get Your Finances In Order Use SCORE.org Templates
One often overlooked marketing asset is financial templates. Understanding your business’s finances is essential to its long-term success. I was using spreadsheets I created and pen and paper when I started. I quickly learned there was no need to reinvent the wheel. Resources like SCORE.org offer a wide variety of financial templates, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow projections. These templates can help you track your financial health, plan for the future, and make informed business decisions.
Finally, Do Your Research
The best part is that there are many software and tools besides the one I listed waiting to be discovered. Do yourself a favor and research to find the right tools for you and your business. Knowing and gathering your marketing assets is essential for your business’s growth and longevity. With tools like Canva, Mailchimp, Vista Social, and SCORE.org‘s financial templates, you can create stunning visual branding, effective email campaigns, and a strong social media presence. Additionally, you can gain access to valuable training and community support when you join The Soulutionist Portal an affordable paid group coaching for passionate entrepreneurs hosted on Convene Communities, the Platform with a purpose that anyone can join for free. Don’t waste any opportunities, and start building your marketing assets today to live your best life NOW!
by Brenda The Soulutionist | Nov 25, 2023 | Business
Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are two of the year’s biggest shopping days. These two days are essential for small business owners to bring in revenue and boost their bottom line. However, if you have yet to plan for these events or this holiday season sales, you may miss out on significant opportunities to increase your revenue. I used to miss out on events like this simply because I did not know about them. As we move into 2024, it is critical to start thinking about your selling specials and overall marketing strategies. In this article, we’ll discuss the things you need to consider to succeed during Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or any special sales event with a bit of pre-planning as you move into the new year and beyond.
Start Planning Early
The earlier you begin to plan, the better. Start by creating a list of products or services you want to promote and the best ways to market them. Consider your target audience’s channels, such as email, social media, or paid advertising. Decide what promotions or discounts you will offer and how to showcase them. Tie your sales events to holidays or significant milestones in your business or personal life. I love doing offers for my birthday. I will turn sixty-one this year, so I plan to have discounted strategy sessions in December to commemorate my memorable day.
Utilize Social Media
Social media is your best ally when it comes to marketing for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or any special selling event. With artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into almost every program nowadays, content creation is a breeze. For entrepreneurs and small businesses with limited budgets, using AI in your marketing is an excellent way to save and make money. With or without AI, create a social media plan in advance to create content and schedule posts. Implement social media ads to drive traffic to your website or physical store to promote events and sales. Share teasers, sneak peeks, and exclusive deals with your followers on social media to ramp up the excitement.
Make Your Website and Landing Pages User-Friendly
Your website will be the first point of contact for many potential customers. Ensure it’s user-friendly, visually appealing, easy to navigate, and the links work. Create unique landing pages for promotions or discounts to highlight your best deals. Review and update your website when needed. Removing outdated offers, fixing broken links, and periodic maintenance is critical to making your band stand out. Remember, you want to make a great first impression and generate traffic to convert to purchases.
Create a Sense of Urgency
A sense of urgency can help push potential customers into making a purchase. Consider creating a countdown clock for sales and promotions. Use language that suggests that sales will quickly expire, encouraging customers to make a decision faster.
Follow Up with Email Marketing
Email marketing is a powerful tool to follow up with those who may have expressed interest in your products or services earlier. AI is a valuable enhancement to use in your email marketing. Send personalized emails to potential and returning customers, reminding them of upcoming special events like Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and all sales and deals. It’s also the perfect time to promote or showcase new products or services they may be interested in purchasing.
Plan to Succeed
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and special sales events are significant opportunities for small businesses to boost their revenue and create loyal customers. Planning is essential to maximizing the effectiveness of these events so that you can take advantage of the crowds that will be out shopping during national events and your pre-announced events for your company. Consider the five tips discussed in this article to plan, strategize, and execute your Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or any other sales plan. AI can increase your productivity, saving you time and money. Remember, the earlier you plan, the better chance you have of standing out amidst your competition and succeeding during these annual and special events you plan. Want more guidance on how to prepare your business for success gain knowledge, and make connections? Get information to Join the Soulutionist Portal group coaching, where entrepreneurs close the gap between desire and reality to grow their businesses.
