I am so bored.

I used to think that making money was some sort of super-secret, follow the “in-crowd”, high-energy event. That every time I closed a deal or landed a new client was an adrenaline rush. That making money was to always be fun and exciting.

Boy was I wrong.

Yes, closing deals can be fun and exciting – especially when you can do it your way – because it allows you the freedom to live your own life — on your own terms. But those freedoms – the fun that comes with spending money – are the results of making money — the actual process is (or SHOULD BE) really quite boring.

You see, everything has a process when striving to get the same result over and over again. There’s a method to the madness. For example, if you’re baking an apple pie, you need:

red delicious apples (1 cup),
a tablespoon of nutmeg,
a tablespoon of cinnamon,
a cup of sugar,
2 sticks of butter and a pre-cut frozen pie crust.

Baked at 350 degrees for an hour.

You can’t expect to get the same (or similar) pie each time if you don’t follow the same recipe. When it works – stick with it.

The same thing goes with making money. It’s a process. It’s methodical, and when you find the “recipe” that works for you – keep using it – only tweaking you’re no longer getting the results you expect.

The most successful business owners have a set system they follow each and every time, regardless of whether they’re working with a new client, existing client or potential client. The process doesn’t change. They find what works, practice it until it’s second nature and execute. Over and over again. Till it even shows up in their dreams. (Please tell me I’m not the only one that’s actually dreamt her way through a meeting in her sleep…)

Figure out what methods work best for repeated success in your business. (Hint… Hint… If there’s someone else that’s already done well – mirror them… it’s a little easier.) You’ll need to have a process for each step of the way:

• Day-to-day operations
• Marketing your business
• Communicating with your clients
• Holding meetings
• Closing the sale
• Customer Follow-Up and Customer Service
• Getting repeat business

One of the most highly respected women in business is Mary Kay Ash.

She didn’t just sell mascara and pink lipstick… She was a pioneer in a women-in-business model that provided a way for hundreds of thousands of women to become entrepreneurs. The self-development, financial freedom, and time freedom that many of these women achieve through owning their own businesses, and teaching others to succeed is exactly why Ms. Ash created Mary Kay! In fact, she often called it a Dream Company for that very reason!

One of my favorite quotes from Mary Kay Ash is one that can be applied to every business out there (every person really…) That quote is:

“Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, ‘Make me feel important.’ Never forget this message when working with people.”

Can you imagine how following that one simple rule – making other’s feel important – can transform your business… or your life?! Do you see what a positive impact on your wallet this can be – if you put it to daily use?

Lemme know if you’ve ever experienced this one…

You’re standing in line at checkout, ready to give money to the clerk after they’ve scanned your items. But it’s not quite your turn, because the clerk is too busy carrying on a conversation with their friend who just happened to be in line before you.

I was in a store one time and couldn’t figure out why that particular store had chosen the music that was playing over what I thought were some blown-out loudspeakers.

As I left the aisle, the music disappeared.

Going back onto the aisle, I realized that the music was coming from an MP3 player on the phone of the employee stocking the aisle!!!

Even worse, she later got ON said cell phone to talk loud enough for the whole store to hear.

Not only did I NOT feel appreciated, but I felt IGNORED (which is even worse than underappreciating someone).

Of course, there’s a flip side to appreciation as well.

I’ve banked with Suntrust for years. They’re so small business friendly and really make me feel special.

In fact, every time I walk into my local branch, I look forward to seeing the people inside. Why? Because each visit – even though it’s only 5 minutes long at the most – is pleasant. Everyone smiles the biggest smile, asks about my business, an they all know my name (it’s like walking into Cheers).

In fact, when I found myself the victim of identity theft several years ago, one of the representatives immediately knew WHY I had come to visit that day (before I even opened my mouth), reversed almost $3k in false charges, and I walked out 30 minutes later a happier woman.

Amazing what a little appreciation can do for you, huh?

So the moral of the story is – make every client, perspective client, or acquaintance feel important. No one wants to be ignored – especially when they’re about to spend money. And, people remember a feeling of appreciation and recognition just as much as they do a feeling of rejection. Wouldn’t you rather be remembered for making clients feel better – not worse?

When you act as though everyone is wearing their “Make me feel important” sign, you’ll not only treat your customers better, you’ll attract more of the same. Besides, one of the best ways to feel better yourself is to help someone else feel better…

I have only a poem for you today. One that changed my life forever.

I had to memorize it in 6th grade. Over and over again, I repeated the
words.

To this day, years and years since (more years than I care to remember), I
can STILL recite, word for word, this beautiful poem, almost written for us
entrepreneurs.

I hope it brings you as much joy as it has me:

The Road Less Travelled
Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel
both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I
could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better
claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the
passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden
black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on
to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two
roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that
has made all the difference.

If an entrepreneur wants to have a successful business, s/he’s got to have clients. Preferably, the right clients. You know – those ideal ones that make your life and business easier?

Do you know who your ideal client is? What would be a good way to describe him/her?

Is he a married father in his 40′s living in a suburban neighborhood? Or, a man who spends at least $250 per month on his credit cards? Or, how about a lady who subscribes to home and garden magazines?

Take some time to think this through, and write it down. Knowing who your ideal clients are saves you time, money and stress! And, when you know who that person is – you can better market to them via direct mail.

If you recall, I’ve done some pretty outrageous mailings in the past… I mean, wouldn’t you be intrigued if you got a set of wedding rings in the mail?

But, I knew who I was targeting, and had a good expectation of how they would react. I was able to tailor a list specific to these folks, and market to them in a way that they can’t ignore – their mailbox!

Now, the way I got their mailing addresses is through purchasing mailing lists. (Did you know you can purchase mailing lists specific to your search needs???) You can search by income, home value, type of vehicle, number of kids, mailing subscriptions, age, median home range… you name it, you can search by it.

These lists cost you next to nothing up front – and they save you time and money in the long run.

(Sidenote #1: I use USA Data for all of my list buying needs.)

Here’s what I mean…

When sending direct mail campaigns, you are sending mail to a lot of people. This can add up – so wouldn’t you want to reach the right people with the right message?

The upside to these campaigns is that you’re repeatedly getting your ideal customers’ attention in unique and fun ways. For example: a postcard about a trip they might have enjoyed; an upscale invitation to an event that you’re hosting; a urinal cake saying their website stinks…

They get to know your name, business and what you have to offer; so when you do meet, there’s already a connection. (And therefore, a higher probability of landing a new client!)

The downside, unfortunately, is that some of these mailing list companies will also send mail to your clients – spamming the people that you’ve worked so hard to identify, and paid to reach out to!

(Sidenote #2: I use King Mailing in Atlanta for all of my mailing house needs. They’re trustworthy and dependable. I’ve used them for YEARS with great results!)

The question is: How can you be sure that you are the only one sending mailings to your list??? That they aren’t double-dipping into your campaign?

The answer: You simply salt your list.

How?

You “sprinkle” in your name and a few others that you can track throughout the list. So, let’s say your list consist of 250 names. Add your name, or an additional name and address that you can track (read: check the mail) every 50 spots or so. That way, you know immediately if someone else is spamming your potential clients.

So, in a list of 1,000 names, you should have ‘salted’ the list with other people’s names 20 times.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Do NOT use the same name over and over. The mailing house will ‘de-dup’ your list, meaning they will take out any duplicate names or addresses before sending out your mailing.

This actually saves you money on the mailing (by not sending the same letter to someone 3 times), but means that if you’re only salting the list with your name, you’ll only be doing it once instead of the 20 times we just referenced.

If you find that the list generator that you’re using is stealing from the list that you paid for – take immediate action by moving your business to a new list provider. They can’t steal what they don’t have.

As the Marine Corps says, “Trust, but verify!”

I.Love.Food.

I love the way food tastes, (most of) the textures, the flavors, the smells, the way it looks.

I know I’m not alone on this one, given the rise in popularity of places like Golden Corral, Quincy’s, Ryans, and other buffet-style restaurants.

Buffets are wonderful places to access a large variety of food – you can literally get a little bit of everything!

Piling up that plate may taste, and look good (at the time) – but having a buffet mentality is a killer for your business…

As a business owner, your day is a buffet of tasks – things that need to get done – and need to get done now. Or so we think.

Many of us write a “to-do” list to track and mark off tasks as we complete them. To-do lists are great – they let you know where you stand on your daily tasks and accomplishments.

But what do you do when your list looks like a buffet? Like a smorgasbord of “must get done’s”? When it’s so overwhelming that you just sit with a blank stare, like you’ve stuffed yourself till you’re sick….

That’s when you know your list needs paring down – when you look at it and feel sick rather than energized. (Remember that feeling – being energized to tackle the day and live your dreams?)

Often times, when entrepreneurs reach this “sick feeling” point – they shut down – and the business suffers (another factor as to why so many businesses fail.) We forget the joy and passion behind why we started our businesses, and get bogged down in the day-to-day “blah”.

But you’re not like most entrepreneurs – you’re smart enough to be on my list – and I’m gonna show you how to “pair down your buffet”.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Make your list. Yes – we’re going to rewrite your list. Write down every single item that needs to get done.

Don’t hold back.

Don’t worry if it’s scary; it’s a packed buffet. You’ll want to include everything from daily operations, to data entry, to holding meetings and setting goals.

Dump it all out on the table. You see, if you don’t know what all you need (or want) to achieve in your business, how can you know what to do to get there – and in what order?

I even have one client who broke her list down into 5 sections – one for each of her businesses – she has 3 – one for home, and one for her personal needs and goals.

Step 2: Organize your list. As entrepreneurs (especially female entrepreneurs) we often feel as though we have to do it all, in one day, and still be home in time to make dinner and help the kiddos with their homework… and that is simply not true.

When organizing your list, separate it into two columns:

only be done by you

be delegated to others

This is gonna eliminate chores like “mowing the grass” and “washing the dishes” (what – your time is so cheap that it’s not worth it to you to pay the neighborhood kid $5 to mow your lawn???)

The portion that has to be done by you – that’s the meat of your buffet. It’s the heaviest, most solid course.

Part of you is required here because it is you – your talents, your brand.

Some tasks that go here are:

networking (at least in the beginning),

meeting with clients,

brand creation and marketing,

working on projects,

drafting proposals, etc.

The delegated items are the vegetables – needed, but can vary in flavor. These are items that help your business grow and run smoothly. These usually need to be completed on a daily or weekly basis… but that can be delegated to other individuals.

Some tasks that can go here include:

social media updates,

newsletters,

data entry,

some phone calls,

filing, etc.

Step 3: Arrange. Look at what’s most important on your list and arrange your steps by priority.

The most important items should go at the top of your list (read: the one’s that’ll bring moolah into your business).

Anything else should be categorized according to importance and numbered as such.

Step 4: Implement! You aren’t gonna get ANYWHERE if you don’t take action!

Now that you’ve organized your list, figured out what is best for YOU to work on, start with your top priority, and get that sucker done!

Step 4.5: Relax! Yes, this is a bonus step…because you aren’t going to get every single thing on your list done in a day.

When you get to the end of your work day, walk away from the list. No sobbing or worrying about the stuff you didn’t get done. That will wait until tomorrow.

Today – you’ve accomplished a lot. Now it’s time to enjoy 8 hours of non-work and get ready for another prosperous day tomorrow!