As a solo preneur you’ve probably experienced the frustration of being a one person band and if you’re like me you have also wished, on more than one occasion that you could clone yourself!

The problem with that is you’d still end up with your own shortcomings and while it’s only human to have them it’s not going to solve your problem.

Collaborating in business makes very good business sense and I’m talking here about a solid Joint Venture partner. Someone invested in the outcome as much as you are. Someone to watch your back

as you will theirs.

Here’s the rub. There are things you are naturally gifted at and then there are things that drive you nuts, slow you down and generally take the fun out of it. True? It’s the same for everyone.

Even with team, outsourcing and delegating can only carry you so far. And while brainstorming with like minded colleagues is tremendously valuable (and I wouldn’t be without that) it’s just not the same if

they’re not involved and vested in the outcome.

So this got me thinking and taking action on collaborating with a business colleague and teaming up with someone who has the skills and nature to complement mine. I suggest you think about doing the same.

The trick is to find the right match so don’t leave that to chance. Give it some careful thought and you will be well rewarded.

Here’s 6 steps to guide you on your way.

# 1
Think about what’s on your plate right now and check in with yourself where you are procrastinating or feeling overwhelmed. You know the tasks that take you forever and you have to push yourself to do because you really don’t like them.  You’ll easily recognize these because they pull your energy down.
Make a list to refer to later.

# 2
Now it’s time to visit your ‘wish list’ of products or programs you want to launch – if only you had the resources. Being the creative entrepreneur there are probably quite a few things here that may never see the light of day and that would be a shame. There’s lots of energy around these tasks if you only had the ideal partner to help you birth them and take some of the labour pains away!
Make a list to refer to later

# 3
Take a long hard look at yourself and assess where your strengths are, where you excel and are connected with your brilliance. What areas of your business energise and excite you – basically what brings you joy?

Make a list to refer to later

#4
Conversely, take another hard look at yourself and assess where your weaknesses are where you know you’re not at your best. What areas of your business drag you down, overwhelm you but you know are important so they can’t be ignored?
Make a list to refer to later

#5
Now, think about the people in your network that you admire. Then think about exactly what it is that you admire about them. What qualities do they have that you would love to have yourself. What are their strengths?

And just as importantly – what are their weaknesses, in your view. It’s OK remember we’re all human!
Make a list to refer to later

#6
Time now to take out your lists. Set the intention to find a perfect business collaborator and take yourself out of the office. Read them over. Dream a bit! What if?  And see what comes up for you.

By now you should be feeling excited about the possibility of finding your perfect  collaborating partner.  There’s bound to be at least one project and one person that you can combine with that will be a win-win for both of you. Not to mention your clients.

Then simply pick up the phone and sound them out.

My advice is to start small and get started.

Love to hear your view on collaborating or joint venturing and whether there’s a place for that in your business – please leave a comment

Exciting news ! You know my mentor, Kendall SummerHawk is a high value content leading small business expert and I am one of her certified Money, Marketing and Soul coaches.

Well I just heard she is hosting a no-cost training call that you definitely don’t want to miss:

Business Growth Secrets:

5 Simple Steps That Will Quickly Propel You To
Break Through and Generate Six Figures in a
Year/Month/Week/Day (You Choose!)… in Less Time,
with Less Effort and Greater Ease, No Matter Where You
Are In Your Business Right Now!

Happening Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at 8pm Eastern.

In a hurry? Click on this link now to register for this  complimentary call:
http://budurl.com/kzda

Kendall has coached more women in business to create 6-figures than just about anyone. Her teachings are simple, easy to follow and fast for anyone to implement. Best of all, she “walks her talk,” having created her own home-based multimillion dollar business (no, that is not a typo).

As Kendall explains, the secret is not in working harder, or trying to run your business “like a guy,” which only leaves you exhausted, burned out and frustrated. She skillfully applies Divine Feminine principles to proven marketing strategies and the results are magical, exciting and profitable (all the things a gal in biz wants!).

So, join me on this one-time complimentary call with Kendall where you too will discover:

* 3 sneaky ways you may be unconsciously discounting and undervaluing yourself, and what you can do today to break free of these deadly habits and enjoy the 1ncome you deserve to have (what Kendall recommends may go against what you learned from well-intentioned but poverty conscious people – She’ll explain why your playing small doesn’t serve anyone)

* Why you don’t need a big list to make your first – or your next – six figures (ladies, this is one time when si.ze does NOT matter!) * How to know with certainty if your niche is holding you back, limiting your 1ncome and preventing you from working your magic with greater numbers of people (not to worry – Kendall will share what steps you can take to remedy this quickly and authentically)

* Secrets for generating thousands of dollars in new 1ncome, practically instantly (and why, if you’re not implementing these strategies you’re letting tons of mo.ney slip through your fingers every day)

* The one simple step Kendall took to increase her list by 25% in less than two weeks…and what you can do today to generate your own similar results * The hidden advantage every woman possesses that will help you achieve six figures (and why you MUST stop trying to run your business “like a guy” in order to discover this powerful, ancient Divine Feminine secret)

Kendall will be sharing detailed CONTENT in this no-cost training call, so I STRONGLY URGE you to join her, LIVE.

Just one tip could make the difference in saving you years of frustration and 1ncome that otherwise, once lost, can never be reclaimed. Don’t let that happen to you…..click here to register now:

http://budurl.com/kzda

I can’t wait to hear you on this no-cost, high value call with Kendall! I’ll be there.

PS: Feel free to forward this to your friends and colleagues, but know that spots are LIMITED on this call, and Kendall already has over a thousand people signed up, so be sure to reserve your spot first: http://budurl.com/kzda

PPS: It doesn’t matter if you’re a new business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur. What Kendall has to share about adding six figures to your business will work for you too…just join us on the call!

Just a couple of days ago I got the Sydney members of IAWBC together for a face-to-face meetup in a cozy little cafe that is famous for their wonderfully decadent specialty drinks such as traditional parisian style hot chocolates

Besides that indulgence, we swapped stories, goals and business cards and as Marina said in a Tweet “Hot chocolate, red crystal chandeliers and fun company – what more could a cold Wednesday afternoon hold?!”

That’s me on the left, then Colleen Quinn, Yvonne McIntosh and Marina Jacoby (Danette Hibberd and Belinda Jackson were unable to make it on the day).

On the far right is a friend of mine, Philippa Lowe a PR expert who I invited along to introduce to my new associates.  Philippa and I first met as members of a BEC group (Business Enterprise Centre) in our local area and quickly recognised each other as kindred spirits with the potential of joint venturing and isn’t that what networking is all about?

Do you want to know the shocking truth? Up until a few years ago I had never thought about being a coach or for that matter, hired a coach (except for golf  LOL) – really!

In fact it wasn’t until I met Kendall SummerHawk when I was radomly surfing the net that coaching even came onto my radar. Afterall I was a marketing consultant and gave my clients advice and strategies and even implemented their marketing programs for them. But coaching?

What I discovered was I had a natural talent for coaching and in reality had been a coach all my life, I just didn’t recognise it – back then. Even more exciting I found that training as one of Kendall’s Money, Marketing and Soul coaches was a perfect fit for me and it has allowed me to step into the next highest vision of myself and a whole new level in my business.

I’m a happy girl with a growing group of happy clients

Why am I sharing this with you right now? Because there’s some exciting breaking news in Kendall land and if you are a coach or you are considering adding coaching to your business I wanted you to be amongst the first to hear about it.

You can read about it here http://budurl.com/joiniawbc

And, if you hurry you can join me as a Charter member and save $100 straight off – available until 15th May, 2010 – then the investment goes up!

I invite you to join my vibrant community in the “Consult The Marketing Champion” with Expert Kathleen Ann” – monthly ‘meeting on the phone – FIRST Wednesday of every month.

Next meeting
Wednesday 5th May here in NSW Australia (convert here for other time zones http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc)

Next topic -
LIST BUILDING : THE MONEY IS IN YOUR LIST
Build your list quicker and easier with a simple system.  Your chance to get live advice and coaching to help you grow your list consistently in leaps and bounds instead of tiny little increments. Book now http://budurl.com/uf52

You’ll also read why you can join this special community of big-hearted, soul inspired entrepreneurs for a ridiculously small investment of just AU$19 per month – what are you waiting for – a written invitation? Well here it is   http://budurl.com/uf52

INTRODUCTORY FREE TRIAL – 1st month is on the house – no strings attached. Come along and bring your questions with you!

Email marketing campaigns are one of the sharpest tools in your tool box for ramping up results from your marketing efforts.

But we all know that getting our emails opened is becoming increasingly difficult and as consumers ourselves we can well understand why. Both the volume and range of topics we are bombarded with means we just have to be selective or we’ll never get anything done.

So it’s easy to put yourself in your client’s shoes and think about their “elimination” process when you are putting your email campaigns together.

Which means you need to treat your marketing emails as far more than a one way – or once off – communication. In fact this is essential if you want to increase your open rates and get your sales messages read.  Obviously this will increase your response rates and of course your chances for a sale.

Here are 5 tips to improve results to your email campaigns

1.   Focus on the outcome you want

Ask yourself this question “what do I want my reader to do as a result of receiving this email”?

This is where many marketers fail in their campaign. Many think they want a sale – when really they want to get the prospect to take the next step in the sales process.

So get clear about the purpose of your email and specifically what action you want your reader to take. Then your copy will flow towards that and not lose focus trying to do too many jobs.

2.  Put yourself in your clients’ shoes

Have a client perspective when you are putting your email marketing campaigns together.

This will make sure what you say and how you say it is the most appealing for them and not just full of you and your product or service. Which means you will be tuned into their radio station WIIFM or “what’s in it for me”.

3.   Remember, the role of your subject line is to get your email opened

If your prospective client doesn’t open your email then even the best crafted persuasive message will fall on deaf ears. So make sure your “subject line” does it’s job!

One warning. Be authentic and relevant – there’s nothing more annoying than opening an email only to find you’ve been mislead.

4.   Grab your readers attention in the opening paragraph

Now that you have your reader inside your email don’t blow it with a boring introduction – grab their attention with something enticing that builds on the “subject line”. Then lead onto the next paragraph, and so on throughout the body of the email – all the way to the mandatory PS.

5.   Track and measure results

Quite simply, if you don’t track your results you will never know what works and what doesn’t.  And the good news is it’s an easy thing to do. Not only will you be able to see your open rates but depending on your email system you should also be able to track the clicks on the hyper links.

Implement these tips and you are bound to improve the results from your email marketing campaigns.

Quick post to remind you the early bird savings of 100 dollars ends tomorrow for the virtual workshop Branding with Archetypes!

It’s time to act if you’re sick of struggling to  set yourself apart from everyone else in your field. Like so many other big-heart entrepreneurs you’ll be  wasting your time, money and energy without the payback if you are not attracting your ideal clients who are ready and willing to hire you.

What you need is a rich, authentic, m~oney-making BRAND that instantly conveys what you are truly about AND the valuable results you deliver! And be able to articulate it!

And the good news is that’s easier and much more affordable than you think….

In fact you could get it done in just half a day if you register for my VIRTUAL workshop AND because it’s a small group, your investment is a fraction of what it would normally cost.

Book today for the best deal and save $100

Using the ancient power of Archetypes I will lead you through Kendall SummerHawk’s proven system and you’ll create a rich and authentic signature brand that magnetically attracts attention, opportunities and
high-paying clients!

Entrepreneurs worldwide have used this very same system to brand their brilliance and multiple 6-figure businesses. Now it’s YOUR turn to be  instantly recognized as an expert with the help of a signature brand!

Even if you already have a brand, the Branding With Archetypes System will reveal vital tweaks that can dramatically boost your sales and results.

Best of all, the process is easy and FUN! You can read what other participants have to say here http://budurl.com/vgy2

Virtual Workshop 21st April, 2010 from 8am to
finish around noon, NSW Australia
(20th April, 2010 from 6pm to 10pm Eastern USA)
http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc

Early bird savings ends 14th April and it’s strictly limited to only 20 participants so be quick. Book today to make sure you get your Archetype cards and assessment in time for the workshop. They’ll be shipped to you as soon as you make your booking.

Make sure you check out the 3 valuable bonuses I’ve personally selected for you.  Worth $744 they are all designed to make sure you implement and max the impact of your new branding http://budurl.com/vgy2

Lourdes Elardo-Gant

Meet my new Private Platinum Client, Lourdes Elardo-Gant.

A young business woman, wife and mother living a million dollar lifestyle with the man of her dreams.

The interesting thing is – this is not by chance but by design! Or rather, desire!

Let me explain…..

Lourdes is a Law of Attraction coach with her eyes firmly on what she wants and what she wanted was a financially successful husband who would treat her like a princess.  And as if by magic – that’s exactly what she manifested.  The good news is she can help you do that too – but more about that in a minute.

What she also wanted was a new business model with a brand new system helping the type of clients that would get her juiced. This meant finding a new niche, creating a new brand as well as creating a signature system.

It also meant finding a mentor and coach to accelerate the process.  I had just announced my business theme for 2010 is  ‘acceleration’  and as a Money, Marketing and Soul coach I was delighted to take Lourdes on as a client.

Initially Lourdes tapped into her unique brilliance and created her own powerful and authentic brand in my Branding with Archetypes workshop (just like the one I’m holding in April – learn about that at my f~ree preview call -  Click here to sign up)

Just one VIP day with me,  a couple of coaching calls and less than 3 months later – the Million Dollar Man was launched….

And that’s why we were both excited this week when we did her kick-off launch call as a brand new Private Platinum member of my BreakThrough and BreakFree Challenge.  You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

Meanwhile if you want to attract the man of your dreams, visit her site and get the first chapter of her book as a complimentary gift.

Or if you just want to see how I help soul-inspired passionate entrepreneurs brand themselves and create a signature system that attracts their ideal client AND gives them the solution they’re looking for – check out her site at www.MillionDollarMan.ca and see how Karen Brunet from www.essdreamteam.com created it.

Let me know if I can help you too,  to step up and share your brilliance with the world.

Let’s start by demystifying what a signature system is.

It’s simply the series of steps you take your clients through to get the results they want and that you deliver. Actually, if you’re working with clients you already have a system or a process that you follow whether you know it consciously or not.

Even if you feel that it’s organic and that every client is different. I guarantee you that there is a thread running through your process that you follow from beginning to end to get the results you get for your clients. True?

So creating your signature system is as simple as recognizing and documenting the step by step process you are already using.

Here’s 3 big reasons why you ought to take that simple step.

1.    A signature system is easy to create

Creating your system couldn’t be easier.  If you are already getting great results for your clients become aware of the main steps that you follow and write them down. In the order they usually occur.

Fill in all the in-between, baby steps as you go and note any special processes you do at the various stages.

You’ll end up with a certain number of steps and ideally you would want no less than 3 and no more than 10 or so.  If there seems to be too few or too many, simple chunk them up or down.  Do this by grouping a couple into the same logical step or break one big step into two.

And you’re off to a good start.

2.    A signature system is easy to sell

This is a no brainer. It’s easy to sell because clients simply love it when you present a step-by-step process that shows them an easy path to follow. Once they see you have a repeatable proven formula that will give them predictable results they will be much more likely to say ‘YES’ to your offer.

Particularly if you are offering a service or training because having a system makes it tangible. Something to touch and see that’s more real. And no doubt you will have evidence and testimonials to back it up.

Now you’ll be offering a ‘done-for-you’, easy to follow formula that just about sells itself and now you don’t have to work so hard at explaining what you do. Which lets you focus on the results that you deliver instead. This means you will definitely make more sales.

3.    A signature system is easy to deliver

The good news is you won’t have to  re-invent the wheel every time you offer a new program or service. Now that you have your signature system it will be easy for you to adapt it to offer in lots of different formats like teleseminars, workshops or information products. You only have to tweak it rather than redesign.

You can package your signature system up for groups or individuals – in modules or the whole a-z system in whatever combinations you like. This will ensure you have different offers at different price points to provide something for all your clients at whatever level or price point that suits them.

Then all you need to do is show up and deliver it!