April 8th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
1) Leverage your Profile- If a client walked into your office, what would you want them to see? Would it be articles you have written? Your professional looking demeanor? Awards you won? Your Facebook profile is your virtual office. If you wouldn’t put it up in your office, don’t put it on your profile. Your profile allows you to showcase your talents to prospects. Use this space wisely.
2) Reach out- I am not sure what it is about Facebook, but people respond to messages faster than email. It’s more casual and has a coffee shop hello feel to it. I have reached out to many people I didn’t know and the result has always been positive. Ask for advice, offer feedback, or just say hi. The idea is to get the conversation started while being respectful of people’s time.
3) Add applications selectively- There are some applications that are MADE to get your business noticed. Some of these applications are: My Box, Business Card, and Blog Reader. You can search for these applications on Facebook and pick the ones you like best. Don’t clutter your profile. Keep it clean and professional. These applications are marketing tools.
4) Join Groups and Participate Actively- There are online groups on Facebook for almost every topic imaginable. And some groups are more active than others. Find active groups related to your industry and participate. Leave comments, start discussions, and reach out to fellow members. Don’t see a group that you like? Start your own! It’s easy and it helps establish you as a leader in your field.
5) Easy to get in touch with Bloggers and Reporters- Bloggers and reporters are people too. They are always looking for sources to cite. The best part? Many of them are on Facebook and on constant alert for the next cool story. They are also easier to get it touch with on Facebook. My friend, Peter Shankman, started a group on Facebook to connect reporters with expert sources. His group grew so big that he now has his own site. It’s f’ree to join and has led to great publicity for many. You can check it out here.
*Bonus-* Add me as a friend! I’d love to get to know you better.
Posted in Facebook Marketing, Marketing Tools for Your Service Business, Marketing Your Business | 1 Comment »
March 27th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
Earlier this week I shared how I skyrocketed my past coaching business in three months. In that post, I promised I would also share my top lessons. These are my nuggets of wisdom.
1) Your brand matters. "Branding" is not just a fluffy feel good word. It matters. It is what your business is about, and it is what sets you apart from the million other service providers. I didn’t realize exactly HOW important a brand was until I got into the business. Once I caught on, I changed everything. Do this right from the start, and you won’t have to slave over it after the launch of your business.
2) Don’t do one shot coaching-it takes time! When I first started coaching, I worked with clients one month at a time. BAD idea. One month is not enough to create lasting change- unless you are in a specialized field. In personal coaching, it isn’t enough time. If I could do it over, I would ask clients for at least a 3 month commitment.
3) Get FEEDBACK. No matter how amazing you are at what you do- get feedback and get lots of it. I thought some ideas were just brilliant and they "felt right." Then I asked colleagues and clients. They didn’t agree. And that’s okay! Your business is not about you. It’s about serving your market. Listen to them and heed their advice.
4) Don’t get discouraged- No matter how seasoned you are, starting a business from scratch is tough. Don’t get discouraged. Keep at it and try different methods. Give the methods time, but don’t beat your head against a brick wall. Get help, get motivated, and don’t give up!
5) List, List, List- Offline, location is everything. Online, your LIST is everything. Build up a list of people who care about what you have to say. Respect them, treat them like friends, and offer them value in exchange for their time and attention. I constantly give away things to my list. I adore them. I share my life stories, case studies, and whatever else I can. This is your most valuable asset. I learned this in my coaching business.
What have you learned while building your business? Please share below! = )
Posted in Managing Your Business, Marketing Your Business, Training, Coaching, Mentoring, Seminars | No Comments »
March 24th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
As some of you know, I had my own coaching practice before I started After The Launch. One of the driving factors behind starting After The Launch was my success with the coaching business. I saw (still see) really good coaches struggling to make ends meet. Here is how I built a thriving coaching practice and later sold it:
1) I didn’t "jump in." I am a fairly methodical person and I like to do my research. I suggest all serious business owners do the same. Before I ever opened shop, I talked to other coaches, I created a marketing plan, and most importantly-I found a mentor. Jeannette Maw is a very successful coach. She was doing something very close to what I wanted to do, so I hired her to help me. It was the smartest decision I made. Very few people realize how tough it is to start a business from scratch-even if you are a seasoned entrepreneur. There is no alternative for human support. Having her support enabled me to reach further and feel safe doing so at the same time.
2) I had a model and methodology- A structure is one of the most underrated yet useful components of a successful coaching or consulting business. It provides a flexible framework for getting a client from point A to point B. I created the WOW coaching method. It was a three step process that I honed over time to deliver results. It allowed me to explain how I worked in very simple terms .
3) I participated in forums- Marketing your services through forums is online guerilla marketing at it’s best. I participated mainly in forums where my target market was hanging out. And I didn’t post any ads. I just answered people’s questions with my web address in the signature. This was a GREAT list building tool. On an average week, I was adding 50 to 60 new people to my list.
4) Positive intentions- Our intentions are powerful. Once you make up your mind, you can (pardon the cliche) truly move mountains. I was intent on building a successful practice and I didn’t let up until I had one. I also realized that I didn’t need a million clients. I just needed a few that truly loved what I had to offer.
5) Created a funnel- Not everybody is ready for full fledge coaching. They want a taste of what you have to offer. Keeping this principle in mind, I created a funnel. It started with a free report, then a $9.99 personalized prescription for success, and then went on to coaching. The $9.99 made no difference to me, but it allowed me to show them how I could help. Paying a small amount helped them show trust in my services (even if it was a small start).
Later this week I will share the lessons I learned while creating and building my coaching practice.
Posted in Marketing Your Business | 3 Comments »
