Worship time, not money

“Worship time, not money.” It was just a quick tip in a business-building book I read recently, but it stopped me in my tracks. I’ve been thinking about time and money a lot this past week because I just hired 2 new team members to help me in my business.

Now, I’ve always been big on getting (and investing in) support. I’ve had peeps on my team before, I’ve paid big money for coaches, and there are just certain things that, well, I just don’t do any more because my time is too valuable.

That said, all entrepreneurs have their stuck points, and I am no different. Investing in the kind of support I’m receiving now was a big deal for me.

What finally got me off the fence? Time. The pain of NOT valuing my time enough just became too great. (12 hour days and complete creative burnout were just 2 of the many, many things that I refuse to tolerate in my life and business any more.)

It could be said that we all worship money, where “worship” equals “giving near ridiculous amounts of attention.” Will I have enough of it by X date, why don’t I have it, when is it coming… the endless loop of money conversation in our minds goes ever on. Money is the “silent partner” in every step of our lives, affecting nearly every decision we make.

What if you worshipped time, not money? What if, instead of money, every single decision was driven by the fact that you can always create more money in your life, but that every moment of your life that passes is a moment that you will never get back?

(If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I hate to sound like a drama queen, but I really want you to get this.)

“What would you do if you only had 1 week/month/year to live?” It’s one of those questions that’s supposed to make you go all deep and stuff, but frankly, I’ve never found it all that useful or motivating, and maybe you haven’t either. That’s why my coach’s request to you this week is to consider a different question.

How will you use your time differently when you have more of it?

We all have the same amount of time in every day. So some might argue that we never get more. The truth is, there is more there for us when we value our time and refuse to give it away.

Know this: your time is as precious as you are, and I urge you to treat it as such. Bright blessings and massive success to you…

Is This Launch Myth Costing You Big Time?

Quick question: when you hear the world “launch” in the context of your business, what do you think of?

If you’re like many solopreneurs building a business online, you think of a Launch-with-a-capitol-L: affiliate partners all promoting for you, a list of thousands, hitting the “send” button on the fateful email with the link to your order page and your inbox overflowing with orders as the stampede of hungry clients hits….

Well, I hate to be the one to burst any bubbles, but… it doesn’t quite work that way.  As you may know all too well if you’ve ever tried to launch a new program and didn’t get the results you were expecting.  (Believe me, I have been there, done that.)

I think of a launch this way: A launch is simply a marketing campaign to enroll your desired number of clients into your upcoming program. You can substitute selling a product for enrolling a program, if that’s what you’re up to.

The myth I see so many spirit-rich entrepreneurs falling for is that you have to have all this “stuff” (a big list, JV partners, affiliates out the wazoo) to have a successful launch.  This belief costs them BIG time: waiting until they have a bigger list, putting all their eggs in the launch basket (otherwise known as “If this doesn’t work, I’m screwed!”), spending lots of time/energy/money when there’s an easier way, and more.

Here are 3 things you DO need in order to successfully fill your next program:

1.  A decision to create the outcome you want and a commitment to serve your clients. As with manifesting anything in your business and life, a successful launch requires you to make a clear and powerful decision.  Your decision should include:

• How many clients do you want to serve?
• At what investment point?
• How much money do you want to create?
• When will your program be full?

You want to be very clear about these numbers before you get started.  As with Bold Goals, be realistic and stretch yourself.  Remember that not every launch has to be a big payday – if your goal is to just enroll a few clients in a slow month, that’s fine!  But make a decision, and be sure it includes numbers.

2. A group of people with whom you are in conversation. No, you don’t need a big list to successfully fill a program!  What you DO need is people to talk to.  The good news is, you can get into conversation with people right away, even if you don’t have a list.

To start, reach out to the key people in your existing network (and you DO have a network, even if it’s only friends and family to start).  Next, select some key networking events where your clients are sure to be.  Line up some opportunities where you can connect with people and share your message. Recognize that every gathering is an opportunity to share your message in an authentic way.

If you do have an existing list and communicate with your peeps regularly (think once per week), great!  If you’re not in touch with them very often, now is the time to start.

Yes, this might mean getting over being shy or a fear of emailing too much.  Which leads me directly to the 3^rd thing you’ll need for a successful launch…

3. A willingness to move beyond your comfort zone. Otherwise known as “getting uncomfortable.”

Are you willing to send that extra email to encourage more people to sign up for your preview call, or are you afraid you’ll upset someone (or they’ll all unsubscribe)?  Are you willing to have an open, authentic 1-on-1 conversation with a potential client to find out if your program is a fit for them?  Are you willing to pick up the phone and call the client you know would benefit and would love to work with, and invite them personally, from the heart?

If you want to fill your programs, you MUST be willing to go beyond where you stop and do what it takes.  Remember, you’re not asking your peeps for money for nothing – ultimately, your program is about being of service to them.  When your “come from” is one of service, and you act boldly and with sincerity, you can take fearless action and remain in the utmost of integrity.

© 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 power of an “all or nothing” decision

I’ve always loved to study the inner workings in the lives and backgrounds of successful people. I love reading about the people I admire, and I’m always looking at their details of their lives while asking “How do they do it?”

(After rediscovering my dog-eared biographies of Harry Houdini, I realized that I was doing this long before I became an entrepreneur!)

Not so long ago, I got to thinking about that “How do they do it?” question a little differently. I took a look at all of the people I’ve been drawn to over the years. Was there a common denominator that predicted their success? What I discovered was very eye-opening.

I realized that every single one of them had made an “all or nothing” decision: to live their purpose, to achieve their goal, or to do whatever it took to have what they want.

Some of them had found their passion early in life and went for it, full out, no excuses. (I’ll admit that I’ve always been a little jealous of those who found their path and got on it from the very beginning.)

Others found themselves in a situation they just couldn’t tolerate any more and said “I’ll do whatever it takes.” (That includes yours truly!)

No matter what you want, the first step to getting it is always the same: make a decision. Not just any decision, but an all-or-nothing, do-whatever-it-takes decision.

An all-or-nothing decision pulls you forward, almost as if by magic. It’s not that you don’t have to do the work – of course you do! But here’s what happens…

When you make an all-or-nothing decision, you become perfectly aligned with your purpose. All conflict inside of you just melts away. And the Universe will respond by lining everything up to support your decision.

If you’re not manifesting the results you want in your business, undoubtedly there is an all-or-nothing decision that you need to make somewhere. And it might not be what you think.

My coach’s request to you is to take a look at where you may have resisted making an all-or-nothing decision, and ask yourself, “Why am I holding back on committing to this?” (Hint: chances are it’s because of someone else’s agenda.)

Then make the decision. Say, “I am doing/being/having this, no matter what, and I will NOT take no for an answer!!” (You’re also welcome to stomp your foot or bang an imaginary gavel or whatever else feels good to you. I like to say “So mote it be.” )

Done deal, right? Right! Bright blessings and massive success to you…

Why They’re Not Buying From You (And What You Can Do About It)

There’s probably nothing more frustrating than pouring your heart and soul into creating a program, putting it out there into the world and… nobody buys.  It’s like planning an incredible party and then nobody comes.  Not fresh!

The great news is, the reason why nobody’s buying usually comes down to one of just a few things.  Once you get a feel for what makes an offer fizzle or fly-off-the-shelves, you can design your programs and offerings to be irresistible.

Here are 4 questions to ask yourself the next time you’ve made a great offer and are still wondering, “Why won’t they buy?”

1. Is there a demand for what you’re offering?  (In other words, do they really want it?) I often hear my clients say they need to “drum up interest” in their latest product or program.  Straight up: drumming up interest is not only exhausting, it’s a losing battle.  It’s much, much easier to find a demand and fill it.

Now before you start groaning or pulling your hair out in frustration here… this is easier than you think!  I’m willing to bet a milkshake (my favorite wager) that at least one of your offerings provides an outcome that your clients already want.  What do they say they want solved, in their own words?  Which of your products or programs provides that outcome?

Your job is to position that offering so that it meets your clients where they are.  Which leads me to…

2. Are the benefits and outcomes stated clearly? We transformation pros loooove our process.  For example, I heart coaching.  However, nobody really pays me for coaching.  People invest with me to build their business, to create fabulous income for the work they’re meant to do, and to create freedom in their lives.

Your clients are not paying you for your process, either.  They want a very specific transformation… and they must value that transformation enough to invest in it.  When you show them that what you do will provide what they want, they’ll happily invest.

Bonus tip: One tool to powerfully communicate the value of your work is a Signature System.  Packaging your process into a step-by-step system positions you as the go-to expert and makes it easy for clients to “get” what you do.

3. Do you have payment plans to make it easy? One of my mentors loves to say, “Don’t make it hard for people to give you money!”

Payment plans are a great way to support your clients in saying yes to your offerings AND they help even out your cash flow.  Always offer a full pay option and at least one other payment plan.  (Important tip: make sure to structure your plan so that you’re NOT giving away a ton of service before your program is complete!)

4. How’s your energy? Whatever your doubts, fears and insecurities around your offerings are, they’ll be mirrored back to you in your clients – guaranteed.  So if you’re wondering, “Will they pay for that?” don’t be surprised when you attract a lot of people who can’t – or won’t – invest in your program.

Make sure you’re crystal-clear-certain on the value of what you’re offering first.  Also, remember that you don’t have the right to decide what people will or will not pay.  (This is a biggie!)

While there will always be people who truly can’t pay, 99% of the time “I can’t afford it” is an excuse.  When you’re certain that your deal is a no brainer, and you refuse to accept excuses, the clients you attract will match your energy with their energy… and their commitment and their money.

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