Every show needs an audience.  Every performer needs a stage and so does every entrepreneur! A few weeks back, we talked about the importance of building a list and some “how to’s” to building your list. Once you get those guests in your database, then what?
 
It is crucial to authenticity that you communicate with your list in a genuine way. Offer good information, helpful suggestions, and sharp insights about your expert area.  In other words, give away your best stuff!
 
Your list is your audience. It becomes your community, and the better you treat your community, the more your business grows.  There are lots of ways to communicate, but I find one of the best ways to be is a monthly ezine. The more you touch them, the more people look to lean on your guidance and that is good for both community and business!
 
Here are some quick tips to touch your list!
 
1) Have a weekly or, minimally monthly, newsletter. Wanna know how to really optimize your newsletter? Go to the Queen – The E-Zine Queen!
 
2) Offer special opportunities ONLY to your list.  An early bird rate, a free gift, or an event are a few examples.
 
3) Remember to keep it real! I like writing about my dog, meals or trips. I AM more than my business. I hope you appreciate that and enjoy my silliness on occasion.
 
4) Ask for feedback and input. Have others share an article or highlight a client’s success story.
 
5) Don’t worry if people unsubscribe. Really. It is ok. Your information is not for everybody. You would rather be talking to people who WANT to listen anyway.  Unsubscribes are normal AND a very good thing in creating an interested community.
 
Be sure you are reaching your list and sharing your very best insights. Your subscribers will appreciate it and look forward to hearing from you!

(c) 2009 Suzanne Evans

About the author:  Suzanne Evans is best known as the ‘action expert’ and has coached hundreds of solopreneurs to model her multiple six figure business. Learn how you can help more people, make more money and have more fun doing what you love by signing up for your free copy of the 5-Part Mini-Course ‘Awakening Your Authentic Entrepreneur’ at http://www.helpmorepeople.com

When in business for yourself, we succeed by getting “yeses!” Yes, I want to be your client -  Yes, you can speak – Yes to writing an article for us – Yes to joining my group.  It is the “yes” that excites us and makes us money! The “yes” enables us to help more people.

I realize that we do get a lot of “no’s”. The most successful entrepreneurs get more “no’s” than “yeses” and that’s mainly because they are moving toward the “yeses” with more veracity. It needs to become a valuable moment to land that “no”. It means you are putting yourself out there in a big way and you are seeking opportunity.

Too many times, Helpingpreneurs wait. They want the time to be right, the idea to be perfect and the approach to feel authentic.  I understand all these desires, but the most authentic you can be is showing up everyday and going after the “yes”.

Recently, I have known there are things I want to accomplish and the answers I need are hard to come by, but I also know there will never be a perfect way or a perfect time so the only way to grow a business is to dive in – you have to go to the “YES”.

Here are a few ways I built my business and wake up everyday heading toward “YES!”

1) Google.

I research 5-10 speaking opportunities for organizations or groups and send them 5-10 emails a day.

2) Have a plan.

The minute you get a “no”, it can be discouraging. You need to plan what your next step is so that you can move on and keep marketing.

3) Have a big thinking mentor.

When I am thinking too small, I make certain to turn to my mentor and mastermind members to kick my arse a little. You need to have the right mentor to help you towards the “YES”.

4) Ask anyway.

Often, we assume something will not work, a group will not want our workshop or the client can’t afford us. Nothing has served me better than to ASK anyway.

5) See the “no’s” as stepping stones.

Every time I get a “no”, I get closer to a “yes”. The “no’s” are like overtures – they warm up the audience for the main event – The YES!  Stop worrying about rejection and get excited to put yourself out there in a big way!

(c) 2009 Suzanne Evans

About the author:  Suzanne Evans is best known as the ‘action expert’ and has coached hundreds of solopreneurs to model her multiple six figure business. Learn how you can help more people, make more money and have more fun doing what you love by signing up for your free copy of the 5-Part Mini-Course ‘Awakening Your Authentic Entrepreneur’ at http://www.helpmorepeople.com

Are you ready to discover the secrets to success?  Listen to Suzanne as she interviews two of her clients who achieved high success in a short amount of time after completing business makeovers with Suzanne. One achieved six figures in four months while one tripled her income after working with Suzanne for only a month! These two highly successful women will share their secrets and tips on how they achieved success.

And the good news is that you can listen in to this f.r.e.e. teleclass!

Secrets to Success F.R.E.E. Teleclass
Tuesday February 17, 2009
8:00 PM EST

Click here to sign up now!

Think about how we keep in touch. Maybe you are a client or in a group, but mainly we stay in touch through this newsletter. I share insights of value, tell you what’s going on in my world, and keep you aware of my programs and offerings. I love my database! I feel like once a week I get to sit down and chat with thousands of friends. It IS authentic marketing.

Having a list is one of the most important elements of marketing your business. I would bet many of you have lost opportunities to build your database. I had one client who is a brilliant coach and he had been doing workshops for years and not collecting a single name! Once he saw the value in a list and communicating with them, his business started growing.

Think of it this way…a play needs an audience and a ball game needs a crowd. YOUR LIST is your audience and they care. If they shared their name via an event or opportunity, then they care about your message and are interested in YOU!

Here are my TOP 5 ways to grow your list and use it as an authentic marketing tool to help more people and make more money!

1. Speaking. Each time you speak or hold an event, offer a raffle item. Pass a hat and have everyone drop in their name and contact information. Give away a juicy gift and add those names to your database!

2. Freebie. Be certain to have a freebie on your homepage of your website. This ensures that you will collect the name of the website visitor, but it is also a great way to share more about you and your business. I particularly like www.addca.com. Check theirs out! (Be sure to have this opt in on every page of your website)

3. JV. A joint venture is a great way to build your list and someone else’s! Offer a free teleclass together or workshop. As people register, be sure to share those names and add them to your database. Win/win!

4. Signature Link. Make sure to put your freebie offer in the signature line of your emails. You will be surprised at how many e-mails you do send and the number of sign-ups you will get.

5. Write articles. Write articles (like this one) for other ezines and sites. In the author’s resource box, place a link to your freebie subscription.

BONUS # 6 Social Media. My list have grown be several hundred through Twitter and Facebook! By simply sharing and dialoguing with others, people will be drawn to your site and then drawn to your freebie opt in. This is my favorite way to grow my list because it’s fun! ;-)

(c) 2009 Suzanne Evans

About the author:  Suzanne Evans is best known as the ‘action expert’ and has coached hundreds of solopreneurs to model her multiple six figure business. Learn how you can help more people, make more money and have more fun doing what you love by signing up for your free copy of the 5-Part Mini-Course ‘Awakening Your Authentic Entrepreneur’ at http://www.helpmorepeople.com