Q: “Dare I disturb the universe?” A: YES

My peeps often tell me they value my transparency and “straight up”-edness (otherwise known as telling it like it is). So even though what I’m about to share here is really revealing, and some might question whether it’s the “right” thing to do given my current launch… I’m going to do it anyway.

If you listened to my preview call or had a gander at the registration page for my upcoming workshop (you can do both here), you’ll see that I said that I don’t know any of the uber-successful women entrepreneur mentors who are teaching exactly how to have a successful launch.

And that’s absolutely true. When I wrote the registration page, and gave my preview call, I didn’t know of any successful mentor teaching these strategies, outside of a high-level Platinum program or private VIP days. Until…

Seriously – not less than five minutes after sending out the recording of the call, I opened an email from the biggest name in entrepreneurship for women announcing… her next preview call on launches.

Yes, I did what most of us would do – I promptly freaked out. OMG! How can I do it if she’s doing it? Everyone is going to want HER thing, not my thing! She is HUGE and I am small! Who the hell am I?

Sound familiar?

When have you freaked out, second-guessed or even outright stopped yourself because “I can’t do thus-and-such because he/she/they is doing it already!” Be honest, now.

Couple of things going on, here. First, there’s that bugaboo of comparison. One of these days, I need to ask some whipsmart neurologist person if we humans are wired for comparison, or it’s just something we pick up because, uh, everyone else is doing it. Regardless, comparison is an illusion.

I think even more present than the comparison shenanigans is the implicit asking for permission energy behind these kinds of freakouts. “Can I really do this? Dare I disturb the universe?”

I reached out to my fave support network of coaches, who quickly reminded me of what I always tell my own clients, and I’ll tell you now:

Yes you can, and yes, you’d better dare… because the world needs what YOU have! What YOU do, you do like no other. And you don’t need anyone else’s permission to step into your greatness.

Remember, comparison and permission shenanigans are just another way our “squishyminds” conspire to keep us safe… and stuck. This week, my coach’s request to you is to pick one comparison you’ve been making and drop it like a hot potato. What are YOU launching that nobody else does quite like you?

Bright blessings and massive success to you…

Profitable Launches: What Does It Really Take?

I’m blessed to coach a lot of women and study with a lot of mentors.  And there’s something I’ve noticed…

Spirit-rich women entrepreneurs are really confused about what it really takes to have a profitable launch!

Why?  One reason is they check out what “the big gals” are doing and try to model them.

While there is a lot to be learned from studying what successful people and adapt it to your situation, in the case of launches, it can also lead you astray (think: wasting lots of time).  There’s a lot going on that you probably won’t notice unless you know what to look for, and even more going on behind the scenes.

I’ve discovered that way the big gals make launches work just isn’t something that most coaches, consultants and healers can make work for them.  So what do “the rest of us” really need to do to successfully fill a new program?

There are 3 essential skill sets you must have to profitably launch any new program, product or service, no matter what the price point:

1. A proven, step-by-step and day-by-day launch plan. You’ve probably discovered that unveiling your new program with a flourish and a “Ta Da!” doesn’t work.  What does work is an ordered sequence that is specifically designed to create momentum, create sales, and keep the sales going.

I’ve found that you can create that momentum in as little as 2 weeks.  (In fact, contrary to what you may think, when it comes to launches that make money, shorter is better.)

Your launch plan includes a launch calendar that tells you exactly what to do to, each day, including which email to send, important deadlines such as when the price goes up and when bonuses go away, and more.

2. A simple strategy for having value-rich conversations that turn into clients or purchasers of your new product or program.  Here’s a little-known secret that nobody talks about: Unless you have a huge list that is trained to buy from you, you’ll need to include OFFLINE methods in your launch – that is, conversations that turn into clients.

It takes personal connection to run a successful business. Every uber-successful mentor I know has someone in their organization who is on the phone with potential clients.  (One of my mentors, Kendall SummerHawk is a great example. Her hubby and biz partner Richard, spends all day every day connecting with clients.  Think that may have had a little something to do with the fact that they crossed the 2-million dollar mark last year?  You bet it did!)

It’s important to understand that there is NO “hard selling” in these conversations!  You’re simply helping your clients get clear and present to the problem, and inviting them to make a different choice – your solution, if it’s right for them.

When you combine these kinds of authentic conversations with your online marketing, you’ll create incredible results – for you AND the people you help.

3. A simple strategy for giving a passionate, profitable preview call that gets clients lining up to work with you.  Ever experience this scenario?  You craft a knockout call, give away a ton of information and get great feedback (“I loved your call!”)… but nobody buys. What’s the problem?

The problem is that there is a structure to a preview call that delivers a lot of value AND creates sales!

In your call you want to help your clients get present to their problem, showing them there IS a solution, getting them started by giving them a few tips, and letting them know where they can get more – ie., how they can invest in what you offer.

Your preview call is really an authentic selling conversation, delivered 1-to-many instead of just 1-to-1.  When you think of them that way, and structure them accordingly (instead of trying to solve the problem IN the call), you’ll dramatically improve your results.

These 3 skills combine specific planning with the 2 all-important authentic “selling conversations” that cover BOTH scenarios in which you’ll be working – online and offline. Master them all, and you’ll always be able to put together a plan to fill your programs…  no matter what your list size, experience in what you do, or what you’re offering.

Ready to master these 3 skills?  I’ll be teaching them all in my upcoming Spirit Rich Launch Secrets workshop, along with handing you a generous collection of templates, scripts, and sample copy that you can use to make filling your programs easy.  Register by WEDNESDAY, March 24 at midnight to nab your seat at the lowest investment ever!  Register here: http://www.SpiritRichLaunchSecrets.com

© 2010 Elizabeth Genco Purvis.  All Rights Reserved.

Want to use this article on your website, blog or in your own ezine? No problem! But here’s what you MUST include:

Elizabeth Genco Purvis, “The Marketing Goddess” teaches spirited solo business owners and conscious entrepreneurs how to attract an abundance of clients, income, freedom and satisfaction in their business while staying true to their values.  Visit MarketingGoddess.com to claim your copy of “Grow Your Business With Spirit And Soul,” a 7-part audio workshop with everything you need to begin attracting more clients right away.

The rules of engagement (or, “What would Neil do?”)

I attend a lot of events. I love great content, and I love connecting with people at events. At one event in particular, I really wanted to meet the event host. (It’s rare that I place so much stock in that – it feels a little fangirl to me, and my fangirl days are behind me. But of course there are other successful entrepreneurs that I want to meet!)

Let’s just say that the meeting was a disappointment.

I’d started to type out a play-by-play for you, but it’s not important. What is significant is that I’d invested considerable time, energy and money to be there, reached out with sincerity and got the cold shoulder. (Can you relate?)

Of course, the exchange we had was entirely experienced from MY perception – someone else could have interpreted events differently. (And indeed, the event host undoubtedly did.) But since we’re talking about my perception here, I’ll share that I found myself asking, “Hrm. What would Neil do?”

In case you’ve never heard of him, Neil Gaiman is significantly huge. His following on Twitter is approaching 1.5 million. Everything he does “goes platinum,” selling a zillion copies and winning awards. And his fans are almost as legendary as he is, in their loyalty and, well, love of Neil.

Neil is a fantastic model for a creative person, and one of my favorite things about him is how he treats people. Here’s what I mean.

Unless you’re at the front of the line at a Neil Signing, you’re waiting in a line that usually snakes around the entire length of the store, often doubling back on itself in labyrinth fashion. You can expect to be waiting in that line for hours. (Indeed, when STARDUST came out in paperback, I read the entire book while standing in line.)

But his fans don’t mind. Why? Because up until perhaps recently (I don’t really know – as I said, my fangirl days are behind me), he signed every single book, complete with a kind word. For every single person.

“No matter what, always be gracious.” It’s one of the first things my mentor said to me when we started working together. And I always think, “What would Neil do?”

Now, don’t get me wrong – you don’t have to be perfect. Everyone has their off days, and that’s ok. (Believe me, I am not perfect here!)

But graciousness IS important. It’s important because your tribe consists of human beings, with hearts, souls and dreams, and while you are not responsible for them, those hearts/souls/dreams deserve respect. And it’s important because yes, your graciousness will directly impact your bottom line.

My coach’s request to you this week is to ask, “How can I be extra-gracious?” Start with reaching out to your peeps on your list, if you have one. Bright blessings and massive success to you…

Why List Size Doesn’t Matter (Much)

I recently “came out of the closet” on a number that most big names in the online marketing space are all-too-slow to reveal.  Yep, I’m talking about that all-important list size.  (As of this writing, my list size is well under 1000, and therefore considered very small by most experts.)

Most marketing gurus teach that you need to build a big list of potential clients before you can successfully sell anything.  So how is it possible that I crossed the 6-figure mark last year within a matter of months, without a big list?  After all, “the money is in the list,” right?

Actually, not exactly.  The money is in the relationship you have with the people in your circle, including the people in your email database (i.e., your list).

When have a great relationship with your peeps, based on giving great value in every interaction, they’re happy to invest with you when it’s a fit for them.  The really cool thing for heart-centered entrepreneurs? Relationship-building is one of our natural strengths!  And as I can tell you from first-hand experience, it’s a heck of a lot of fun, too.

Here are my top 3 favorite ways to build the long-lasting love that leads to lucrative launches (sorry – I couldn’t resist):

Content, content, content. There is nothing like content to create the relationships that lead to paying clients.  Great content positions you as an expert in your subject area and demonstrates that you are a problem-solver.  Content also ethically activates some very powerful tools of influence, such as reciprocity (the urge to give back to someone who has given to you), likeability, and trust.

Remember that when it comes to content, quality and consistency count more than length.  Also remember that sharing information about yourself also counts as content.  Which leads me to tip #2…

Connection, connection, connection. Your clients don’t want just your announcements and they definitely don’t want ads.  They want to get to know you.  And they want to know that you care about them.  So tell them!  And better yet, show them by communicating with them on a regular basis (i.e., more than just once per month) and giving them great content they can use in their business right now.

Give before you get. A lot of spirited entrepreneurs fall prey to what I call the “buy my stuff!” syndrome.  You know what I’m talking about – where you only hear from them when they have something to promote, or their “newsletter” is full of nothing but promotions and announcements.

Now, if you’re guilty of “buy my stuff!” please don’t be hard on yourself – I’ve discovered that one reason why well-meaning entrepreneurs do this is because they don’t know what to do otherwise, or how to do it.  That said, if you have been “buy my stuff”-ing your clients, it’s time to make a shift.

What if you’ve got a list and you haven’t communicated with them in a while? There’s no time like the present to start.  Be yourself and send some great content – it could be an ezine, a video or a free report with tips.  Just be sure to re-introduce yourself and address “the elephant in the room” – that you haven’t sent them anything in a while, but you’d like to offer them something cool now.

If you are sending something to your list for the first time in a long time, let them know how they can unsubscribe.  They’ll appreciate your consideration for their time and inbox.  (If you do get some unsubscribes, what’s the big deal?  These peeps weren’t meant to be in your tribe anyway – bless them as they go on their way.)

No matter what, don’t put it off making contact.  Lack of relationship is one of the biggest reasons why spirit-rich launches fail and it’s something you have 100% control over.

My coach’s request to you: find just one thing you can do, every week without fail, to connect with your peeps, give great value and let them know you care.  Make it simple so you have no excuses for not doing it.  Then get going and make it a new habit – starting now.

© 2010 Elizabeth Genco Purvis.  All Rights Reserved.

Want to use this article on your website, blog or in your own ezine? No problem! But here’s what you MUST include:

Elizabeth Genco Purvis, “The Marketing Goddess” teaches spirited solo business owners and conscious entrepreneurs how to attract an abundance of clients, income, freedom and satisfaction in their business while staying true to their values.  Visit MarketingGoddess.com to claim your copy of “Grow Your Business With Spirit And Soul,” a 7-part audio workshop with everything you need to begin attracting more clients right away.

Next Free Training Call: Spirit Rich Launch Secrets

“Spirit Rich Launch Secrets: How To Quickly Sell Out Of Your Next Life Changing Program… Even If You Don’t Have A Big List (Yet!)”

March 18, 2010 at 7pm EST

Registration: http://budurl.com/spiritrichlaunch

Many spirited, heart-centered entrepreneurs believe that you have to have a huge list to successfully launch a new product or program. (And why wouldn’t they? It’s what all the marketing gurus tell us, no?)

Thing is, it’s just not true!

Over the past year, I’ve had multiple 5-figure+ launches of new programs and services. The kicker? My list size is still well under 1000 – yes, really!

In this call, I’ll reveal a few of my best kept secrets, and yes, bust a few myths along the way. You’ll learn:

1) The biggest “launch myths” most spirited entrepreneurs buy into that set them up to fail

2) How to beat the “Ta Da!” syndrome (where you pour your heart and soul into a new offer, present it to your peeps with a “Ta Da!” and nobody buys)

3) The one thing your launch MUST have to be successful (without this, it’s just not happenin’)

4) The 5 key mistakes that keeps spirited entrepreneurs from making money from their launches – and what to do instead

5) How to set your launch numbers (what’s realistic, what’s pie-in-the-sky)

6) Simple, empowering mindset shifts that make the difference between a launch that fizzles and a launch that sells out

To grab your seat, simply register here:

http://budurl.com/spiritrichlaunch

The call will be recorded if you can’t make it, but I encourage you to be on the call LIVE if you can – I have something special in store!

See you on the call!

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