Like Marketing? Want to Write?
January 31, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton are putting together their second book-Age of Conversation 2.0. And, they are inviting you to be a part of it! You can vote on a topic or submit yourself as an author.
All proceeds of the book will be donated to Variety, the Children’s charity. A great cause and a wonderful topic. Pitch in here!
Fear of Success (Or How Can I Handle all these Clients?)
January 31, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
One of the first things I do when I work with a new client is help them get over their "marketing fears." It’s a crucial step when it comes to marketing successfully. Even the most self-confident professionals have a few looming fears in their heart of hearts.
One common fear that I encounter is "fear of success." This fear manifests itself in many ways. Take a look at some of these-
- "If I get too many clients, how will I have time for my family?"
- "What if I get the clients and then mess up?"
- "I will turn into a workaholic"
- "What if I am not as good as I think I am?"
These fears feel very real to the individuals who harbor them. There are many ways to get rid of negative thoughts. One powerful process that I am a big fan of is called The Work. The Work was invented by Byron Katie to help people get rid of their stressful thoughts by a process of simple questioning. It involves taking any stressful thought and turning it around using four questions.
Let’s try it now on a thought related to the fear of success.
Client’s Fear: If I get too many clients, I will turn into a workaholic.
Q1- Is it true?
Client: Yes. My dad was the same way. He built up his business and then turned into a workaholic.
Q2- Can you ABSOLUTELY know it’s true? (Can you ABSOLUTELY know that you will turn into a workaholic if you get too many clients?)
Client: I suppose I have no "absolute" proof because I have never had too many clients. *smirk*
Q3- How do you react when you think that thought? (How do you react when you think you will turn into a workaholic?)
Client- My shoulders start to feel heavy. I can just see my family moving away from me…missing my son’s baseball games, being tired all the time. It’s a feeling of fatigue.
Q4- Who would you be without that thought?
Client- *Laughs* I’d be happier! I guess I wouldn’t be so scared to tell more people what I do. I hold myself back at networking events. I wouldn’t carry the fear of losing my family all the time.
(Now what’s known as the "turnaround" happens. This is where a statement that feels true as or truer than the earlier sentiment replaces the stressful thought.)
One Potential Turnaround: There is no proof that I will turn into a workaholic. I am not like my father. In many ways, I am his complete opposite.
This practice can be applied to any area of life. I find that it’s very helpful in battling marketing fears.
What do you think?
Startup BizCast Podcast- Marketing During a Recession
January 29, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
The dynamic Steve Mullen had me over as a guest on his online radio show last week. We talked more in depth about my earlier article on Selling During Stormy Times.
You can check out and download the podcast here. It’s only 10 minutes long. (What’s a Podcast-? A podcast is like a radio series that’s available via the Internet. You can listen to shows online or download them to your computer or mp3 player.)
One of the first things you will notice is that Steve has an amazing voice and manner. He has radio experience and now helps clients of all sizes with their podcasting needs. If you have ever wondered if podcasting is for you, visit Steve’s site here.
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