How To Give Yourself Permission To Go For What You Really Want

I’m often asked by the women I mentor, “Elizabeth, how is it that you get to work with such amazing clients and built a multi-6-figure business so quickly?”

Yes, I have the skills – marketing, sales, coaching, copywriting, and more – that go into making a business successful.  But the real answer is that I gave myself permission to be successful.

There is a part of us that longs for approval and begs for permission. As you’ve probably discovered, you can give time to that part ‘til your dying day… and still it’ll never be satisfied.  Which means that at some point you have to just say, “This is who I am.  This is what I’m going to do.  Starting… now.”

Now you might be thinking, “Easier said than done, Elizabeth,” especially if you wrastle with doubts, fears and feeling like you’re not good enough.  And trust me, Goddess… I know EXACTLY what that’s like.

But once I made the commitment to go for what I really wanted in business, no matter how much “stuff” I had to move… I discovered that there’s actually a method to giving yourself permission.  And I want to share it – my gift to you!

Step 1: Recognize that all the “yeahbuts” aren’t really your own.

As human beings, we can’t help but “pick up stuff” from the people in our environment, especially as children.   Then the beliefs that are handed to us when we’re young end up running the show for years – rearing their heads as doubts, fears, and feelings of inadequacy every time we try to take a step forward.

Most people will never realize this is happening, let alone shift it.  But as entrepreneurs, moving through fear is not an option – it’s a requirement.

Here’s a simple way to get started.  The next time you feel doubt, fear or an inkling of “I can’t,” stop and examine the idea from a place of curiosity.  Is it truly yours?  Probably not. You can safely release it or give it back to whoever it came from.

Step 2: Surround yourself with support

One of the most vulnerable stories I share with my circle is that of my husband Leland calling me forward.  At a time when I was completely on my knees, he was the one person who said, “I will not stand for you holding yourself as anything less than the powerful woman you truly are.”  He could see my brilliance when I couldn’t see it for myself.

Without that reflection, I can honestly say that I’d probably still be in the same place.  And that’s why it’s SO important that you surround yourself with people who will SEE you.

Most women don’t have people in their day to day lives who truly see them and hold them accountable to their greatness.  But I promise you, there are people out there who WILL.  It’s your responsibility to find them, even when it means investing in yourself to do it.

Step 3: Create impeccable boundaries.

The flipside of receiving support is boundaries.  Surrounding yourself with amazing people also means limiting your exposure to negative, dream-stealing people and ideas.

No, this doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your friends – in fact, your growth can be a true gift to those you care about.  You can have compassion for those who are hurting, as negative people truly are. But you must take back your power by setting clear boundaries with the people who drag you down.  (This also goes for what media you allow into your field. Turning off the television is a great first step!)

Step 4: Put yourself in the game.

When the clutter of doubt, fear, and negativity is gone, what do you get to say YES to?

Hire the mentor.  Go to the event.  Reach out to that potential partner.  Throw the “rules” out the window and be yourself.  Say what you really mean without worrying what others will think.  When you’re feeling shaky, reach out to your support system.

Saying YES to your dream consistently is a practice, one that creates incredible momentum.  Small “yeses” count – celebrate them all!

The Difference Between Bliss And Mediocrity Is Giving Yourself Permission.

Whatever you want to create this year – whether it’s to double or triple your business, cut the time you work in half, treat yourself to a 2-week vacation, share the stage with big players, land your book deal – you can have it when you give yourself permission.

It’s easy to look at others and envy what they have, but really, the only difference between them and you is that they said YES and followed through.  You can do the same – no matter what you wish to be, do or have.

Are You Creating “Marketing That Matters” To High-Paying Clients?

I hear it over and over again: “Elizabeth, I’m Tweeting, I’m Facebook-ing, I’m updating my blog, I put myself out there… and I’m still not getting any clients.”

It’s frustrating.  I get it.  Can I let you in on a little secret?

The question is NOT “Are you marketing?”

The question is, are you creating marketing that matters? Specifically, marketing that matters to high-paying clients?

Truth is, if you’re getting out there like crazy and yet NOT getting the clients you want, chances are you’re sinking a lot of time and energy into stuff that, when the rubber meets the road, simply doesn’t have as much of an impact on your clients’ buying decisions as you might think.

Remember, your clients seek your help to solve the hard challenges they face in their lives. While having a presence and “getting out there” is important, the secret question your clients want answered – the one they don’t even realize they’re thinking about –  is this: “Can this person really help me get what I want?”

Does YOUR marketing answer that critical question?  To see where you stand, here’s a quick checklist of the 5 marketing essentials that matter most to high-paying clients who are ready to take action.

1. Copy that’s rich with problems, results & benefits.

To attract the right clients, you must learn to think like a client – which means getting into their world of challenges and struggles.   For the compassionate entrepreneur, this is a place of highest service.  What’s going on for them, in their own words?  What can unfold for them when they work with you – in language that THEY understand?  (I.e., NOT your process!)

2. Your Signature System.

Remember, your clients want to know that you can help them.  They want to know that you have it all figured out!  Packaging your deep process into a clear step-by-step system instantly conveys that YOU have the magic to take them from where they are to where they want to be in the simplest and most elegant way possible.  Your system also gives you enormous credibility, whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years.

3. Your expertise.

High-paying clients want you to BE the expert, not a buddy or peer.  As an entrepreneur, you ARE that expert.  But are you claiming it?  Your credibility is within your control, so you can always be taking actions to build it, such as being interviewed (sooo many sites are looking for content), getting published (ditto), or creating an information product or teleseminar.

4. Testimonials and case studies.

Neglecting case studies and testimonials is a classic symptom of heart-centered hiding out.  So if that’s you, I’m calling YOU out.  (You know I do it with love!)

Nothing proves that you can help people better or more persuasively than benefit-rich case studies and testimonials.  We all hear the blah-blah-blah about listbuilding all day long, but truth is, if you have a big list but NO results-based testimonials, you will still have a very tough time attracting clients who will pay high fees.  Start – or update – your testimonials collection today.

5.  Regular, consistent follow-up with free content that demonstrates your expertise.

You know what’s coming.  If you want to get clients and fill your programs, you need to be publishing a newsletter or some kind of consistent follow-up – like a blog that people actually read.  (Big hint: there’s a reason why top bloggers use email to keep their peeps informed of posts.)

Why is regular follow-up SO important?  Your clients are asking themselves things like “can this person be counted on?” and “are they a legit business?”  Staying in touch will go a long way to easing these subconscious questions.  Plus, there’s that all-important relationship.  Not everyone is going to buy from you right away!

So if you’re not publishing a newsletter now – start NOW. The payoff is priceless: freedom and doing what you LOVE.

Remember, your business is NOT about you…

You are in business to help your clients.  You can’t help them until they say YES!  And they won’t say YES until they know you can help them.

My coach’s request to you?  Stop wasting time on the “marketing churning” and take a strong stand with the 5 essentials above – your high-end clients are waiting!

If you’re ready to create “marketing that matters” so you can attract the right clients, but you’re not sure how, or the prospect just seems overwhelming, we’re going to break it down step by step in Goddess Business School.  It’s my signature training for spirit-driven entrepreneurial women who want to create a sustainable 6-figure business in just 12 months or less.  Registration opens soon for a January 2012 start!  For priority notification of when we open (so you can get in on early savings), email my team at teamgoddess@marketinggoddess.com with “GBS priority list” in the subject line.

How To Get High-End Clients When You DON’T Have A Big List (Yet!)

One of the biggest questions I hear about Platinum is this: “Can I offer Platinum Programs even if I don’t have a list?”

The answer is… yes!

Whether you’re new in business, or just never got around to building a list in any systematic fashion (and if that’s you, no worries, you’re definitely NOT alone), you can still offer Platinum programs.

Indeed, Platinum Programs are perhaps THE best way to create significant income WITHOUT a big list, or even a list at all.

Why?  Because all you need to get new Platinum clients is:

a. A well-designed, irresistible Platinum-style program

b. The willingness to be in conversation with a potential client

That’s it!

No matter what business you’re in or where you are in your business right now, you have a tremendous opportunity to create a high-end offer your ideal clients will love.

And while you may be skeptical, it’s well-known in marketing circles that a certain percentage of the clients in every business – sometimes up to 20% – want a high-end or premium level of service.

(Even pizza parlors and dry cleaners have pulled this off.  So can YOU.)

So what do you do when you don’t have a list?

Well, my clients will tell you that I’m a huge fan of hand-inviting – that is, reaching out to people already in your circle and making a personal, heartfelt invitation.

(Indeed, this is the “low hanging fruit” lead generation strategy I start everyone with, whether they have a list or not.  I also give them specific scripts so they know exactly what to say.)

And rather than coming across as “pushy” (which is what so many heart-centered entrepreneurs fear, which keeps them stopped in their tracks), you will be amazed at how much your clients will appreciate that you thought of them, and cared enough about them to let them know.

So my coach’s request for you for this tip is to think of the people in your circle right now.  Who really needs your help to step into their greatness?  Who would you LOVE to work with in a deeper, richer way?

If you can’t think of anyone, don’t let that take you out.  Get support from a buddy on the brainstorming, because I promise you, they’re there.

At this point, I’ve mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs and I have YET to find a single one who did NOT have ideal clients in their sphere already – even people who live in the proverbial “middle of nowhere.”  That’s why I’m so confident about this one.

So do this simple exercise and see what pops for you, ok? You’re going to get some ideas on how to be of service – and that’s always a good thing. 

Ready to step it up and offer high-end programs… even if you don’t have a list?  I created my first multiple six figures with a list of 650 people and will be sharing some of my best secrets for easily filling your programs (even when you don’t have a list) on a new fr’e’e training call happening on JULY 19, “3 Surefire Strategies To Fill Your High-End Program, Even If You Don’t Have A List.” This call is part of my all-NEW training series – when you sign up for the videos, you’ll be invited automatically.  Register here: http://www.6figuregoddess.com

How To Create “A Goddess State Of Mind” To Attract High-End Clients

When I mentor my clients on how to create, launch and fill their own “Platinum style” programs, one of the very first things we work on is mindset.

Truth is, it isn’t a lack of skill, capability or experience that holds most heart-centered coaches and practitioners back from launching their first high-end program. It’s their emotional mindset – what I like to call a Goddess State Of Mind.

So what’s a Goddess State Of Mind?

It’s the to-the-core-of-you belief that YOU are worth it, and what you do is worth it because of the power it has to transform the lives of your clients. (You can see there’s one more belief in there – that your clients are worth it, too!)

Creating a Goddess State Of Mind just might be my favorite part of the whole Platinum model. Why? Because of who it calls you forth to become. Let’s face it – there is simply no way you can hide out, play small, stay scared to expand and doubt whether people will pay you what you’re worth (and more) when you honor and truly embody the goddess you are.

Pretty yummy, yes? Oh YES.

So how do you develop this Goddess State Of Mind?

First, you make the decision. Then you authentically uplevel in key areas of your life and business – so that everything supports this awesome, empowered way of thinking. Here are 3 ways to start.

1. “Goddess-ize” your ENVIRONMENT.

Your environment either pulls you forward, or slows you down. What’s your personal style? Does your office and home surroundings reflect your personal style? “Stuff” has a habit of creeping up (and around) and clutter takes a major toll on your energy. You may not notice it, but believe me, it’s there.

I will never forget the space clearing that mirrored my first massive upleveling a few years ago. It felt so good to let go of things that were no longer me. Now, clearing out the clutter is one of my secret strategies to moving forward with lightning speed.

Your environment has a huge impact on your success and you feel about yourself. Surrounding yourself with beauty and luxury doesn’t have to be expensive (case in point: the roses in my office cost all of $10 at the grocery store). A little bit of self-care in this way will have a BIG impact on your bottom line.

2. “Goddess-ize” your SELF-TALK.

What are you telling yourself, day in and day out? Most women are playing a loop in their heads of criticizing, judging, comparing, and despairing. None of that negative crap is “good enough” (ha!) for the goddess YOU are. It’s time to break the pattern!

Here’s a simple, empowering action step to uncover some of the self-sabotaging messages you’re not even noticing right now. For one day this week, have a notebook on your desk and just notice what goes on in your head throughout the day. No judgments, just observations – like a journalist would do.

Then notice – what are the key disempowering thoughts or phrases or beliefs that come up again and again? (Examples: “I can’t afford it,” “they won’t pay for it” and any version of “not enough.”) Pick ONE message to shift, starting right now. You’re going to feel sooo much lighter energetically, right away.

3. “Goddess-ize” how you handle MONEY.

I’m not talking about affirmations, visualizations, or all that good stuff. (And it is good stuff, no matter what the haters say; it’s just that too many spiritual entrepreneurs stop there.) I’m talking about practical and energetic STEPS to honor your money, every day.

Here’s the deal, Goddess – creating Platinum programs means that greater and greater amounts of money will be coming to you. How you HANDLE that money will absolutely have an influence on the clients you get and the fees you attract.

Cleaning up your “money stuff” can be overwhelming, so here’s a simple place to start. Track EVERY bit of income that comes to you, every day, to the penny. Your motto here is “it all counts” – including your partner’s money, lucky pennies you find in the street, and money from Grandma. Taking this stand of “it all counts” will help you begin to stop the discounting, separation and compartmentalizing that can sabotage your ability to attract and keep more.

How You Treat Yourself Has EVERYTHING To Do With Receiving Higher Fees

You can’t attract clients who value you until you the work, and value yourself. Then your programs become a powerful container of possibility for your clients to step INTO. Instead of matching whatever fear or resistance they have and lowering your energy, you hold a powerful NEW space for them to step up.

When you value yourself first, others will follow. It’s a beautiful thing!

10+ Ways To Consciously Create Credibility (That High-End Clients Crave)

When I encourage my new clients to offer a high-end (or “Platinum Style”) program, usually one of the first concerns I hear is, “But Elizabeth, I don’t know enough yet” or “I haven’t had enough training.”

If that’s you, I get it. As a heart-centered entrepreneur, you want to be in integrity. You’re committed to giving great value. You want your clients to get the transformation they’re yearning for.

Problem is, behind these positive intentions is perhaps THE most damaging belief that stops talented women in their tracks, keeps them playing small and struggling to create 1ncome: the belief that they’re somehow not good enough, don’t know enough, or haven’t done enough to claim their worth.

Holding back on being the authentic expert you are causes you to miss out on thousands of dollars, plus opportunities to help your clients step up into phenomenal results. So hear me now, Goddesses (and all you heartfelt Adonis-es who are waiting for a crown, too)…

Nobody gives you permission to be the expert. You decide to BE the expert, and step into it.

Your clients WANT you to be the expert. They are WAITING for you to be the expert. And it’s a lot easier than you think, because your expert status and credibility are almost entirely within your control.

If you’re wondering exactly HOW you pull that off, I can help! Here’s a checklist of 10+ simple actions that build your credibility and help you own the “inner expert” you are…

1. Create your Signature System. Your signature system is simply what you’re already doing with clients, organized into a highly marketable series of steps. When you package your expertise in a step-by-step system, you instantly tell your clients that you have it all figured out and can help them get results.

2. Tell your Signature Story – everywhere. Many heart-centered solopreneurs, especially women, hold back on sharing their stories because they think their clients don’t care. Truth is, it’s your story that creates instant credibility with high-end clients. Your story tells them that you’ve “walked the walk that they want to walk” and can show them how.

3. Be a collector of testimonials. Proudly sharing your clients’ results creates proof that you’ve got the goods, plus you’re bound to inspire others in your tribe to stretch and grow… right into your programs.

4. Talk about the results your clients get. Sprinkle stories about your clients’ results in your articles, teleseminars and signature talks. (Remember, people love stories, so these powerful case studies will come across as totally natural, not bragging.)

5. Be a testimonial on someone else’s site. One of the fastest ways to skyrocket your visibility and credibility is to align with successful people and make them look good. Also? You’ll attract more clients and get more sales. (This strategy alone has been worth thousands of dollars in business to me.)

6. Share your insights and opinions. Yes, you’ll ruffle a few feathers along the way – that’s how you know you’re having an impact. Being willing to have a point of view positions you as a woman or man of courage – a thought leader who commands respect and attention. (Plus, you’ll attract more of who’s right for you and less of who isn’t.)

7. Share what you’re learning. The more you train, the more you know… and the more you can bring back to your tribe. High-end clients want to see that you’re learning, growing, expanding.

8. Be interviewed. These include teleseminars, radio and in print. With the huge demand for high-quality content, it’s simple to set up 2 interviews minimum – month in, month out. You’ll build your list and your credibility at the same time.

9. Interview other experts. This year, I made a conscious decision to establish myself as a leader in the conversation around the Divine Feminine, especially as it pertains to entrepreneurship. My first move? Launching Goddess Business School, followed by my signature teleseries, 6-Figure Secrets Of Divine Feminine Entrepreneurs.

Did it work? Well, I receive inquiries constantly, and just a few days ago I spent over an hour talking with an established journalist who is working on an article on the emergence of the Feminine in business for a mainstream, well-respected publication. (The takeaway? You can do this, too!)

10. Publish high-quality content on your blog and in your newsletter. Include tips that demonstrate that there’s a problem, and WHY it’s a problem, along with quality how-to content that leads them to taking the next step with you.

11. Make a bold claim – take a strong stand! As always, I’m telling it like it is. If you’re not willing to make a claim and take a stand, why should high-paying clients invest with you? What is a claim (and a stand) that you can live up to?

12. Offer a high-end (Platinum-style) program. It may seem weird at first, but when you start offering high-end programs (which are actually easier to fill than the low-end ones you’re struggling with now), you’re instantly seen as the expert. People take you seriously. YOU take you seriously. Clients line up to work with you.

Yes, really. And that, dear Goddess, is a win-win-win blessing for everyone.

Want more practical steps on how to BE the expert your clients want to hire? It’s all part of the proven step-by-step system I share in my Client Enrollment Secrets program, to attract and authentically ‘seal the deal’ with high-end clients who are ready, willing and eager to pay your fees. Go here to get instant access to all modules, bonus trainings and tons of done-for-you goodies (including my exact system to get the awesome success stories you see me sharing): http://www.ClientEnrollmentSecrets.com

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