The only opinion that really matters is your truth

So here it is: the new Marketing Goddess logo. (Or one version of it, anyway.)

Branding and logos are tricky things.

Ultimately, your business is NOT about you. So conventional wisdom would say that you should get the input of your tribe on things like your logo. (Or if you’re a hardcore direct response marketer, you ditch the logos altogether because they’re distracting and ruin your conversion rates.)

On the other hand, when you’re creating a business and the “brand” is you, well… the look and feel must resonate with you.

(One of my favorite people, a comics writer rockstar who taught me much of what I know about writing, cautions that if something in a story is bugging you even a little, change it before it goes to print because it’ll be with you forever. Same deal.)

The last time around on the rebranding tip, I didn’t have a clue about my logo, let alone anything else about how my site should look. Except for one thing: I knew my color scheme had to be red.

Why? Because my color has always been red. Even when I was a little kid with a bowl haircut. Quite simply, I rock the red – namely, a gorgeous dark blue/purple-y red. Period, end of.

So I asked Victoria to whip me up a logo. “Make it red,” I said. She did. And because I saw another marketer ask her list to weigh in on HER soon-to-be-new logo, I thought I needed to do the same.

So I did. And a couple of curious things happened.

First, I got a TON of feedback. Literally one third of my list responded – and that was before Survey Monkey broke. (The takeaway: when you ask for feedback on logos, you will get it!)

One of the people who responded was a woman I had met a few months earlier at an event – a bona fide branding whiz with years of Madison Avenue cred to back it up. Here is what she said:

“Have you/would you consider using a more ENERGETIC color? It’s critical to make sure your branding reflects your energy, your essence, your core being!

You just don’t come across to me, at any rate, as a dark red/ox blood red color kind of energy!”

She meant well. And clearly, from her perspective, I was not rocking the red. Thing is, she had met me for all of the proverbial five minutes. She didn’t know my “energy,” “essence” or “core being” and really had no business commenting on these things. (In fairness, I was hiding out, so there’s that.)

Long story short: the whole thing sent me into a tailspin of doubt. Ultimately, I ditched the red. And I have always, always regretted it.

In his book, Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill makes a distinction between wise counsel and opinions. Despite all of her branding wisdom (which I do not discount), this woman’s voice was an opinion.

And yet, that one opinion lead to hemming and hawing and churning and whinging and, ultimately, my poor choice of ditching what I’ve always know in my heart to be true: that my energy, essence, and core being rocks the red. Always has, always will.

I invite you to learn from my experience by asking yourself this question…

Where are you letting the opinions of others sway you from what you KNOW to be true… about your business, your clients, your work, yourself?

Even wise counsel is NOT a good reason to abandon your truth, especially when it comes to your heart work.

Bright blessings and massive success to you…

Spirit Rich Entrepreneur Spotlight: Danielle Livellara

“Over 50 new clients and I quit my J-O-B…”

CMMS Accelerated Success Mastermind Client

Danielle Livellara

DanielleLivellara.com

When I first met Elizabeth, I was working full time and wondering how I would find the time to start and grow my business.  Within the first month, with the help of Elizabeth and my mastermind colleagues, I started a successful workshop series that has brought me over 50 new clients! And I continue to bring in a stream of new business.

Now, I have officially quit my job and am running my business full time – and it’s less than 60 days later! I feel immense support from Elizabeth’s Accelerated Success Mastermind, it has been a lifeline!

What’s more, I’ve experienced a huge shift in my own self-worth.  I am now able to charge more for my services than I ever thought possible.  I have a successful, thriving business, and more hope for the future than I have ever felt before.

Up next, I’m launching a new “Million Dollar Mindset” series and my Platinum coaching program. These 2 additions will be sure to double my income from last year.  I am on my way to financial freedom.

Spirit Rich Entrepreneur Spotlight: Shauna Harper

“Attracted 4 new Platinum clients…”

CMMS Accelerated Success Mastermind Client

Shauna Harper

ShaunaHarper.com:

“My business prior to the Accelerated Success Mastermind program was full of energy but lacking in direction. I came to Elizabeth with an incredibly packed, over-the-top marketing schedule and was feeling very overwhelmed.

But during and right after my full day with her, I walked away with a MUCH saner plan. She also encouraged me to shift right on into higher fees as the main focus of my calendar. The intimate mastermind group that she created has given me a safe place to table fears and successes and really celebrate the journey of my business.

Since working with Elizabeth, I have attracted 4 new Platinum clients in just a couple of months. Thanks for holding the energy of possibility for me!”

If you weren’t feeling fear, what would you do?

There’s been a lot of “feel the fear and do it anyway” around here lately. Know what I mean? (Confidential to my clients: I know you do!)

As I’ve been moving forward more and more, I’ll confess that I’ve been bumping up against some of my old “hiding out” patterns. Often I won’t notice them until after the fact. (Love that sneaky subconscious…)

Before you go thinking that’s a bad thing, it’s actually pretty normal. One thing I’ve realized on this journey is that the fear never really goes away, it just becomes more manageable.

Back in the day, certain kinds of fear would knock me out for a week. (Seriously.) Then it became a day. Now, it’s an hour or two – if that.

Indeed, it’s when you’re not feeling fear that you have to look out – because “no fear” means “no growth.” Feeling some fear as you take massive action and speak your truth means that you’re on the right track.

For example, as I move forward with the Marketing Goddess relaunch, you’re going to hear me talk a lot more openly about money. Not because I’m all about the money, but because helping others heal their money conflicts is one important part of my truth – and my life’s work.

(Note I said part of my truth and work – it’s just one of many energetic pieces. Money is not the be-all-end-all, but a means to an end, and one of the most powerful vehicles for inner and outer change.)

Is it kinda scary? Yeah. Do I have to do it? Actually, yeah. Because to NOT bring that piece in would mean to hang back, to withhold what I know to be true, to not show up fully in the way that I know that I can because of what “they” might think.

So what are you holding back from saying, doing, or being because of fear?

Here’s a powerful question for you to ask yourself the next time you find yourself shrinking back instead of shining your light…

“If I weren’t feeling this fear, what action would I take?”

Bright blessings and massive success to you…

3 Key Strategies To Boost Your Business Confidence

There’s no doubt that the work of a spirit rich entrepreneur changes lives.  So why do so many coaches, healers, metaphysical consultants, writers and designers wonder if they’re good enough and if their work is worth it?

Listen up, ladies: your fear and self-doubt is NOT the truth.  Worse, fear and doubt will absolutely keep you from living your purpose if you let them.  If you want to create a business that serves others, serves your purpose and creates your ideal lifestyle, you MUST learn to manage fear and create confidence in yourself.

Thing is, when the saboteur is in charge, just telling yourself that you’re awesome doesn’t work because your “squishymind” doesn’t want to hear it.  So what does work?  Evidence!

When I say evidence, I do NOT mean seeking outside approval or validation.  Remember, confidence is a gift that you give yourself.  The “evidence” you seek is accurate information that your inner saboteur can’t argue with.

Here are 3 of my favorite strategies that will help you get reconnected to the TRUTH about your brilliant self so you can get down to the business of your business:

1. Read testimonials – and collect new ones. Even if you’re new in business, you do have happy clients whose lives you’ve changed.

Go back and read testimonials from your best clients, or those glowing emails where they tell you how much has changed for them as a result of working with you.  Make a habit out of really and truly receiving the praise when a client openly shares how you’ve changed their life.  (And be sure to stash all of those emails away for when you need a reminder of how powerful and transformative your work really is.)

Remember, they’re thanking you because it was YOU who helped them have their breakthrough.  They are giving you a gift with their thanks.  Receive, and truly own, your role in helping them.

2. Get clear on the real value of the results you help your clients get. While you’re re-reading those testimonials or emails, be sure to take a closer look at the results they got.  What’s the real value of those results to them?  What yummy stuff got to unfold for them as a result of the work you did together?

If you find yourself saying things like, “That would have happened anyway,” or “They had support from so-and-so, too,” stop.  No matter what, you had a part in their success.

This is NOT about taking credit for their results, which are theirs alone.  This is about owning our roles as facilitators of healing and transformation.  It’s about acknowledging your work and how you make a difference in your client’s lives.

3. Get an outside opinion. No, not from just anyone, or someone who might judge you!  I’m talking about the people who know the truth and see the truth about you, when you can’t see it yourself.  (Remember, the truth is, you’re brilliant!)

When you’re on shaky emotional ground, it’s imperative to receive support.  Reach out to an accountability partner, a coach, a mentor or members of a mastermind.  Ask them to share with you what they see is great about you, and allow yourself to truly receive that support – no minimizing, shrinking, or discounting.

(Not a part of an entrepreneurial support system?  You must surround yourself with a community of like-minded people, such as in a coaching program, to receive ongoing support and accountability.  You cannot become successful alone!)

Knowing the TRUTH about yourself, deep in your bones – that you are brilliant, capable, and already changing lives –  will give you confidence to make the bold leaps and stretches necessary to create the business you want.  Don’t wait until you’re feeling shaky to put these 3 steps in place.  Get started on them NOW and the next time you’re feeling doubtful, you’ll move through it quickly – so you can get back to the important stuff!

© 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.

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