Archive for the ‘Attitude’ Category
5 quick ideas to get clients this month
March 11th, 2010 by Nika Stewart | No Comments
Your call to action this week is to implement at least 1 new marketing idea (or improve upon one that isn’t being done in the most effective way).
- Join Twitter
Designers have been slow to join in on this incredibly effective marketing tool. But you don’t want to miss out on this great way to get more hits on the web. Search engines pick up on all your short posts, and you can drive a lot more traffic to your website. Plus it’s a great way to build relationships with your ideal clients. - Set up or update your email signature
This very quick update may catch the attention of an ideal client. Many designers tell me that they got a new design job within one week of adding an email signature with a link to their website. - Start your email newsletter (or send another issue)
E-mail marketing Is still the king of relationship building . E-mail is personal. It’s professional. It’s not going anywhere. Get on board now. Send out an email newsletter. - Create a free tip sheet, or special report, to put on your website
You need to give your prospects an irresistible sample taste of your incredible talent. And a free report is a great way to build your newsletter subscriber list. - Have a professional photograph taken
While you are building your Internet presence, you must make sure that the photo of YOU reflects your branding. Don’t take an old snapshot and crop out the other people (yes, I see this all the time!). As a business owner, you need to have a professional photograph to use in all your marketing material: social network profiles, website, brochures, etc.
If you are a professional in the Home Fashion Industry and you are struggling to get new clients, join me for a free EMERGENCY INTERVENTION CALL on March 24: www.nikastewart.com/attract-more-clients-today.htm
Posted in Attitude, Customer Service, Marketing, business, economy, email newsletters, ezine, mindset, money |
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5 Tips for Really Thriving in This New Economy
March 5th, 2010 by Nika Stewart | Comments Off
Are you feeling like your clients and prospects are wary about spending money? Are they taking longer to make decisions? Are you struggling to convince homeowners to purchase from you?
In the past, I would talk about how to improve your sales techniques and try to help you realize that people DO want to purchase what you have to offer. But let’s face it – times have changed. Very quickly. Homeowners ARE taking longer to make decisions. People ARE afraid to spend money on luxuries like interior design.
So what do we do? Many small business owners stick their heads in the sand and ignore it, hoping that what they’ve done in the past will start working again… soon. But if you keep doing the same type of marketing and selling while the economy changes around you, you very well could be out of business before things pick up. If you want to be a design professional who thrives despite the challenging economy, there are many proven methods you can use.
Here are a few ideas to get more sales now:
- Spend more time and energy on short-term marketing
Long-term strategies, like branding and website optimization, are extremely important for creating a strong, profitable business, so you can’t give that up. BUT – in a slower economy, you need to apply strategies that create immediate revenue. Hold a promotion, offer a limited-time special, try pay-per-click advertising. - Highlight your less expensive products
Okay, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying to sell cheap things, or to sacrifice your high-end image. But there are homeowners who want to spend right now – if they can get something less expensive. If you can offer a fabric line, for example, with lower cost fabrics that are still of a quality you are proud to sell, everyone wins. - Go virtual
Is there a way you can offer any of your services online or over the phone? Businesses that are working this way are seeing overhead costs go WAY down, and profits go way UP. - Increase online product sales
Most designers have a hard time imagining selling online. We are artists, for goodness sake! And our services are personal and customized. How can we sell over the Internet? Well – with rising gas prices, homeowners are shopping online more than ever. These homeowners, who once only wanted customized service (and who will want this again in the next few years), will more likely purchase something now because it is quick, easy, and inexpensive. Make sure you have products for this market. - Ramp up your client retention
It is always harder and more expensive to acquire a new client than it is to get business from a past one. But during a slow economy, the cost of acquiring new customers is even higher. Remember to exceed your existing clients’ expectations, and keep in touch with past customers through your email newsletter and by calling them on the phone.
When the market seems tough, you just need to be smarter with your marketing. Fortunately, you now have some effective tactics to use so that you can not only get through the tough times, but actually flourish!
If you are a professional in the Home Fashion Industry and you are struggling to get new clients, join me for a free EMERGENCY INTERVENTION CALL on March 24: www.nikastewart.com/attract-more-clients-today.htm
Ideal Client Experiment
March 4th, 2010 by Nika Stewart | 67 Comments
I want to start this article with a quote from my favorite Law of Attraction teacher, Esther Hicks:
“You could sit for 15 minutes and conjure an image of yourself (with your ideal clients, in your ideal business). And if you could imagine it to the point that you bring yourself to some level of enthusiasm, you will have accomplished more in that 15 minutes of visualization than you could in 10 years of action.”
Would you like to see how this works in attracting the type of clients that you really want? This is a simple exercise that will take you just a few minutes each day.
Remember: “What you focus on… expands.”
What you need to do first is visualize your ideal client. Don’t try to be “realistic.” Dream about who you would really like to work with. What is this person like? What do they think about? How do they spend their time? Where do they hang out?
Then enjoy the feelings:
- How does it feel when this ideal client calls you?
- What is your experience when you walk into their home?
- What is it like when their project is completed?
Each day for 7 days, spend a few minutes writing a little about your ideal client. You can add some more details each time you write, and each day you should get clearer about this target. The clearer you get, the more you will attract these clients. Really! This works! It is easier AND more effective than working very hard, spending loads of time pouring through business books, or wasting lots of money on advertising to try to draw clients to you. Simply relax into this visualization, write down what you are seeing and feeling, and watch these people walk into your life.
Are you game? Leave your thoughts and your notes below:
Build Customer Loyalty… by Creating Memories
September 21st, 2009 by Nika Stewart | 4 Comments
This beautiful video says it all. How will you be a Johnny today? Please share your thoughts…
Watch “The Simple Truths of Service” movie
How do you create memories? Comment here.
Creating Balance – the Millionaire Mompreneur Way
September 3rd, 2009 by Nika Stewart | 1 Comment
Is there really such a thing as perfect balance? Many gurus teach their methods for creating a balanced life, but as a busy mompreneur, I have come to realize that there is no method that works 100% of the time. Even with systems, schedules, and routines – all perfectly put into place with the best of intentions, snags are bound to happen. This is true with any business, and it is certainly true with children. When you put the two together… well, you just can’t expect every day to go flawlessly.So how do you keep your sanity? Here are some tried and true tips, gathered from my many successful mompreneur colleagues and clients.
Delegate:
Many entrepreneurs struggle with outsourcing, delegating, and hiring help. You know it would help the business grow. You know it would give you more time to spend on the money-making projects. But you are still not delegating everything that you should.
When you consider the time you could be spending with your family, it makes even more sense. Imagine enjoying an extra hour each day with your kids while someone else handles your paperwork, ordering, and customer service issues? What would that do for your overall lifestyle?
Let go of perfection:
I hear your screams. But it is time to let “good enough” be good enough. Would you really rather spend an extra hour making your blog or newsletter perfect? Or would you prefer to finish it quickly so you can read a book to your child? Do you want to spend your weekend cleaning the floors, shining the countertops, and organizing the toys? Or can you give that up once in a while, so you can enjoy a day being silly and spontaneous?
There are days when I would be embarrassed to have people see my house – with all the games strewn about, the laundry unfolded, the beds unmade (are you horrified?), but I am learning to relax about this, so I can spend more time enjoying my family and my business.
Get a pedicure:
…or a massage, or a facial, or whatever helps you relax and feel rejuvenated. You may feel that there is too much to do to take time for yourself, but when you are feeling overwhelmed and harried, pampering yourself is exactly what you require. You will gain the strength you need to conquer your tasks with more ease and joy if you take care and reward yourself with little treats once in a while.
Being a mom and a businesswoman is certainly a challenge. But with a few simple mindset shifts, it is the most rewarding combination.
