Friday Joy Infusion: Laura West interviewed for Going Pro – a new online magazine for women entrepreneurs
I am honored to be one of the 17 women interviewed for the premiere issue of Going Pro online magazine. This online magazine is beautiful, inspirational and full of practical information for how real women grow their businesses.
When I received the preview copy last weekend, I literally read it "cover to cover." I really enjoyed the interviews of my colleagues and the realness we all shared about our business growth and personal growth. One truth telling I'll share here: When asked do we ever doubt or get scared any more, every one of us pretty much said, "Every day. All the time." You'll really get that running a business is as much a spiritual growth journey for yourself as is knowing all the nuts and bolts.
Are You on the Brink of Success But Not Quite There?
Are you frustrated with the revenue your business is (not) generating?
Are you tired of your current story and ready for a new one?
Are you tired of feeling like you're on the brink of success, yet you.... never.... quite.... get.... there?
It’s exhausting and frustrating! I know... I’ve been there.
The truth is that you might be perfectly fine with where you are in your business. You're happy with working your business part-time, and you don't feel the drive and the yearning to make it bigger.
But if that's NOT you, then how do you get to that bigger place, the place where your business fulfills your passion, and you're making great money in your business?
First, you have to commit.
Commit to truly being the Business Goddess you are meant to be. To playing big. To stepping into the spotlight. To being seen as a Thought Leader in your niche. To marketing with purpose and strategy.
That’s hard to do alone. You need a champion and a coach to help you do things differently. We all know that if you keep doing the same things, you're going to get the same results.
To get different results, you have to do something different.
Do you know what that something is?
I do.
That's where I come in. I've worked with thousands of women business owners like you to grow their businesses, build their credibility, expand their lists, make more money, and attract more clients and more joint venture opportunities.
I have two spots open in my Business Goddess Six Figures and Beyond Private Coaching Program for two women entrepreneurs who are ready to commit to being a Business Goddess making six figures and beyond. I'll tell you that this Private Coaching Program isn't for everyone. It's only for those who are ready to commit.
Whether you know that YOU are that Business Goddess, or you have an inkling that you might be, check out the Business Goddess Six Figures and Beyond Coaching Program information. You can then send off for the Invitation and Application to see if this program is right for you.
Are you ready to stop being on the brink of success and actually get there?
En-JOY!
Laura
P.S. The deadline to apply for the Business Goddess Six Figures and Beyond Private Coaching Program is Friday, January 28. Don't miss out on this life-changing, business-enhancing opportunity. Send off for your invitation and application today, and then we can set up a phone conversation to see if this program is right for you.
Tuesday April 20th, 2010 5:00pm Pacific / 8:00pm Eastern
You’re a passion-based entrepreneur, which means you’ve created a business you love, that feeds your soul, fuels your passion, and gives life to your purpose.
And for that business to be viable – to *really* make a difference – it – and you – need to be profitable. What most entrepreneurs don’t understand is that there are revenue plateaus. You reach a certain level. You stay at that level.
At any level you can’t keep doing the same things you’ve been doing and expect to double your sales results. TThere are only so many hours in the day.
During this information-rich session, you will learn the essentials to breakthrough to the next revenue level in your passion-based business." with Laura's sentence below: "During this information-rich call, Francine Allaire will interview *yours truly* as I share with you the essentials you need for you to breakthrough to the next revenue level in your passion-based business.
This event is NOT to BE MISSED! Easy, FREE Registration yet priceless information. Don't worry if you can't make the call live, there will be a recording. But you must register first!
FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast - It's Your Choice!)
I’m giving a Special Bonus Gift to The Daring Woman Success Circle Members – SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL JOYFUL BUSINESS AUDIO GIFT PACKAGE which includes:
* Immediate Access to my 3 Favorite Teleclasses Audio Recordings (not available to the general public)
**The Key to Thriving in Any Economy- Isn’t What You Think!
*** My 5 Most Powerful Law of Attraction Strategies to Help You Create the 6 Figure Business of Your Dreams
**** What You Need to Know about Money, Marketing and Spirituality
Get access to My Special Bonus Gift by joining The Daring Woman Success Circle for only $57.00for an entire year. Plus you’ll have access to a complete audio library of 40+ Interviews with Success Experts and Special Bonus Gifts from other Success Experts just like me valued at over $1,000.00.
Invite in the Voice for What's Next in YOUR Business!!
I just got back a couple of days ago from my own personal creative retreat on St. Simons Island at an amazingly beautiful hotel. As soon as I walked in the door of the hotel room, my DNA shifted, ideas were buzzing, and new possibilities opened up! It’s amazing what ocean and a beautiful environment does for you and for getting out of your normal, habitual routine. I felt myself being the Business Goddess Millionairess!
Business Goddess Millionairess?
Yes - to me that metaphor is about being so filled with abundance and possibilities where I know - I can feel - I can do anything.
Now that I'm back home, I am full of confidence and a sense of purposeful expression. I have been in a place of asking for what’s next in my business – not just from an idea place, but from a soul-nourishing place. I really feel myself finally opening up and feeling excited about what’s possible. Getting out of your familiar environment and routine really helps, especially when it's beautiful.
Here’s where I stayed AND where my upcoming NEW retreat is also being held: www.OceanLodgessi.com. It’s truly amazing, beautiful and inspiring at every turn!
I would love for you to be here with me at the For the Love and Soul of Your Business retreat coming up in April. This retreat is for six women entrepreneurs only, and I already have one spot taken out of the six. I am so excited about the potential that these six amazing, heart-centered, passionate female entrepreneurs will create with me at the For the Love and Soul of Your Business retreat.
I’m envisioning and setting the intention that these six seasoned women opening to the voice of what’s next in their businesses.
Imagine getting clear about what’s next. Stepping into your soul’s purpose in a big way with grace, ease and life nourishing prosperity! You will be supported and inspired to create what’s next for you here with me, these kindred spirits, and this delicious location. I know I was - and still am, even back in my "normal," everyday environment.
To find out all the juicy details and to apply for one of the five spots left (one is actually already taken - and I'm just announcing it to the public today!), visit www.joyfulbusiness.com/deepretreat.
Breathing deeply... feeling expansive and grounded - and wishing that for you!
6 Ways to Package Your Services, Products and Knowledge So You Make More Money in Less Time
One of the most important intentions in your business, even in
passion-based business like yours, is to make a profit. Yes, you want to make
money while making the world a better place by contributing your magical gifts.
In order to keep contributing and changing the world in your unique way through
helping your clients, you need to also be financially successful. This is part
of the holistic model of success.
The secret is to look at how you can bring your
creativity into your pricing and services so that you make more money and give
more value with out taking so much of your time that it starts to drain your
energy. You want to look for energy-enhancing business models!
I recently had a new Platinum client who was resisting this
idea. She loves her clients and didn’t want to become so expensive for her
clients that she was no longer accessible to them. The thing is she also told
me how she is running all over town delivering her services. An hour there, 45
minutes there and she’s booked up solid. Sounds great until you get inside and
realize that all this running around is taking a toll on her physically – her
energy is way down (which impacts her enthusiasm, confidence and creativity)
and physical symptoms were screaming at her to “pay attention.”
Don’t wait until your body rebels! There are ways of serving a
variety of client needs while serving your need to develop a financially
sustainable and flourishing business – all without depleting yourself
physically, spiritually and energetically.
Here are six ways to create packages for your services,
products, experience and knowledge so that you can joyfully serve more clients
in less time and make more money doing it!
Strategy #1: Offer Options with Your Time
The idea here is to offer three ways a client can work with you
- a small investment option, medium option, and top of the line option. Clients
love choice. If you tell them that you have one price or one package, they will
often not take it because the question becomes “Do you want this service? Yes
or No?” With three options, the clients have a choice. The question becomes
“Which one would you like?” This is a totally different question which will
lead you to more clients. You’ll also be surprised at how many people will take
the top of the line or premium option. This is a great way of stretching into
new pricing options that might have been higher than you were used to charging.
Strategy #2: Package Your Process
Potential clients like to know that you have a process. It
helps them to know what to expect from you so they can get their arms around
the commitment. Most of all, it gives them confidence in you. When you share
that you have a process, they trust that you know what you are doing. Funny
thing is…they don’t really care about what your process is – they really care
about the results for them. They just want to know that you have a system for
what they are going through. For example, you may offer a six-hour package
where you take them through five steps that will change their life or business.
Or you may have a 90-day program or a four-week series. When you package your
process, you will get more and better results from your clients as well. It
creates a win-win. Your clients get more value and better results – and you get
clients with amazing results – which feels great!
Strategy #3: Create Products From Your Process
Have you determined your five-step process? Now is a great time
to put it into a workbook, an e-course or create an audio series. Some people
may want to just buy the product and apply the principles or tools themselves.
You’ll be surprised by how many people will buy the product and still want your
help in taking them through the work. They need the accountability and
partnership for success!
Strategy #4 Create A Membership Program
You attract people to your services who are at different places
in their buying process. Many people want just a taste of what you have to
offer. Maybe they are new business owners and aren’t quite ready to invest in
an entire coaching package with you, or they are just new to your services and
want to experience more before they invest in a full program. Offering a
membership program is a way of creating a community of these similar clients
and giving them a taste of what you offer. You’ve seen examples of free
membership clubs like Starbucks, an Amazon Prime Account, or airline frequent
flyer mileage programs. Then there’s the small fee membership club that for
$24, $47 or $97 a month they can join your membership club and get access to
certain services. For example, you could offer a group teleseminar and then
mail the audio CD and transcript to them each month. It’s a great way to get
them in a relationship with you and usually on ce people experience your magic
– they are going to want to upgrade and they’ll want more from you.
Strategy #5: Offer a Continuity Program
A continuity program is typically a long-term relationship
where clients consistently get to work with you in a variety of ways. It’s
often offered over a year. You can package together products, ebooks, audios,
teleclasses, transcripts, online forums and even in person retreats to create a
program throughout the year. For an example of one of my past continuity
programs, visit http://www.joyfulbusiness.com
Review the program for ideas on how you can design your own program. I’m not
just trying to get you to my information page, (wink) I’m offering up my
program as a model or template for what you could create for your own
continuity program. Remember - don’t copy anyone’s program exactly, and you can
use other programs as a springboard to design your own unique offering.
Strategy #6: Premium Programs or Platinum Style
Programs
Look around you and you’ll start to notice how often the word
“Platinum” shows up to describe an upscale or premium offering. Delta Airlines
and their Platinum program comes to mind for mega flyers. A premium or platinum
style program is ideal when you are ready to scale back your hourly work and
create a premium program (with a premium price tag) for more one-on-one work,
special retreats, or small group coaching. There are some of your clients who
are ready for this type of intense work. The greatest reward is that the type of
clients who come into this program are usually very committed to their success.
Again, it’s creating a win-win program. They get flourish with big results, and
you see the impact of your work! Every time a client commits to this type of
program with me, just the power of this big commitment within themselves
creates a jump in their business, new clients, a big PR opportunity or other
major success.
What ideas has this article sparked in you for your
business? Pay attention to your inspired energy. That’s where you want to
start. Don’t try to do all these ideas at one time. Pick one idea and focus on
it for the next 90 days. Clear, focused energy is powerful creation energy!
Laura West is an award-winning online entrepreneur and president of The Center for Joyful Business. If you are ready to shift your marketing and mindset for more success with joy and ease, get your free report: Business Attraction Success Kit
Best-selling author and Comfort Queen Jen Louden
is doing it again - her soul-filling Virtual Retreat February 12-14th,
featuring a roster of world famous teachers. This is NOT another
talking head tele-summit, but it is an interactive experience that's
all about taking care of yourself so you can share your unique self
with the world.
And for Business Goddesses, it's so important that we take care of
ourselves. Only then can we really soar in our businesses and lead the
lives we want, without getting weary in our businesses.
Jen's
Virtual Retreat is a series of 12 mini-retreats -- led by teachers like
Mary Manin Morrissey, Christina Baldwin, Bill Baren, Stephanie
McWilliams, and Tama J. Kieves. THey'll give you a deep experience of
rest and nurturing - and with help you renew yourself to share your
gifts with the world more easily. Of course, all the sessions are
recorded and transcribed so you can participate in some live and some
later - and all of them in your pj's!
The world is shifting, and there's a different way to do business than what we've been taught or modeled.
Traditional business has been built around a model of "get it done & get it done quick." It very much requires a lot of masculine action-oriented energies and strengths. That has served us well in the past, but now, especially for women (and honestly, for men too), it’s time for business to change.
It's the idea that both the feminine and masculine energies have a place - and should have a place - in business and life. That your business is one nourishing part of your life, not an energy-drainer or all-consuming. You want a business that is an outlet for your passion, a business that helps you change the world or makes it better in some way. And your business should provide you with financial success so you can continue to do your world-changing work.
As women, we can't continue with the current way of being in business. As women, we can't continue to drain our energy trying to do it like someone else who doesn't understand our natural strengths, our individual rhythms and our lifestyle priorities.
It's a brand-new way of doing business--and there aren't many models out there and certainly not a map of how to go about running such a business.
That's what the SpiritRICH™ Business Teleseries is all about. I want to help women entrepreneurs understand that they can grow their business to wildly successful heights while at the same time honoring their whole lives –whether it’s children, parents, travel, hobbies, vibrant health or (and) life purpose.
Join me for three calls (while they can all be listened to individually, they'll be the most powerful when you join us for all three):
Thursday, November 5: The 5 Shifts Happening in the World For Women Entrepreneurs – and Why YOU Need to Know About Them to Be Successful!
Thursday, November 12: The 7 Traps that Keep Women Entrepreneurs From Authentic Success
Thursday, November 19: What You Need to Know To Market Yourself Like a Business Goddess
*All calls are 3:00 – 4:00 eastern
The first call is tomorrow on those very shifts in business. If you want to be successful in your business, you have to know what these shifts are all about! Join me as I encourage you to think differently about how you run your business, and how you show up in your business.
How Does She Do It? - Teleseries - October 16th - 18th
Join me as I am interviewed along with 16 other successful women so you can get a peek behind the curtain of our businesses. This series is invaluable to any woman who is comparing herself to others and feeling frustrated, doubtful or just plain wondering if other women know something you don’t.
This thought-provoking interview series hosted by Gina Bell exposes the comparison trap as it relates to "success" stereotypes and draws attention to how our knee-jerk reaction to compare ourselves to others or to "model success" the wrong way sabotages authenticity and confidence. This is a unique Teleseries in that it’s not just more marketing tips – you really get to hear how we get it done – you get the peek behind the real curtain.
The series also reveals the top five challenges that women in business online commonly face and directs the how does she do it question to these relevant topics with the intention of protecting your authenticity.
I'm proud to be one of 16 successful women who are speaking up to reveal our own experiences with comparison as well as my real life stories for how I manage my mindset and energy behind the scenes. Our goal is to provide valuable insight, share lessons learned and inspire you to take YOUR next steps all from a caring and supportive approach that ensures your authenticity. Click here to sign up.
Your business is always changing and evolving. As you grow, your business grows. Growing can mean a lot of different things - higher paying clients, creating products or programs, or adding a new line of revenue. As your business continues to shift, you will find that it might be time to upgrade your client.
What does "Upgrade Your Client" mean? It means that you are ready for a new type of client. It might be one who is committed or further down the experience curve than your current client. In my first few years of business I was great at attracting brand-new business owners. Those who were just leaping into the solo-entrepreneur home-based experience. I loved them at the time. Over the years, my business has evolved, and I attract a much more seasoned and committed type of business owner who is adding multiple streams to her business, leveraging her marketing with systems, and creating products and programs to reach more people. Now I really love this client! The evolution has kept it interesting and allowed me to grow along with my business.
There are certain points in your business life cycle where things are ready to change. You just have to listen and pay attention to the signals!
Signs that you are ready to Upgrade Your Client:
1. You are restless. You find that you feel restless and even impatient with clients and your daily tasks. You find you are just grumpy and irritated that your clients are having the same problems over and over again.
2. You are bored. You look at your calendar in the morning and you start sending messages to the universe... "Oh, how I hope they cancel today!" You know something is up if you don't even have the energy or interest to meet with your clients.
3. Your clients are restless and bored. How do you know this? They start canceling, rescheduling or not even showing up for appointments! Or they show up but are not prepared or obviously not enthusiastic about being with you.
4. You are distracting yourself with other things. You find that you are running errands, doing laundry, losing yourself in endless computer time - anything but calling a client or doing the work.
Ok, before you think that you are a hopeless business owner and you should just close your business down, consider this...these are all signals - good signals - that your business is wanting to shift. That it's time to upgrade your client. These are flashing beacons asking you to pay attention that it's time to let your business evolve to the next level. It's funny, but your business will speak to you if you just listen.
There's one more signal. This one feels really good.
5. Your clients are asking for "what's next" Yes, they are outright asking you for more. They want more from you. It's time to go further than you've gone before with your services or products. They are calling you forth into the new evolution of your business! This happened to me. I had clients signing up for my year-long Platinum Style program before I even officially launched it. My clients were ready. I just had to keep up!
These 5 signals mean that it's time to shift your business model - maybe it's time for a more successful and committed client - one who can pay you more too; maybe it's time for a new type of client or a similar client in a new industry to making things more interesting, or you might be getting the signal that it's time to package your wisdom, knowledge and expertise into products or programs to reach more people. It's time to create multiple streams of income.
All these avenues to shift your business are part of the natural evolution. The big message for today is to pay attention to the signals. Don't think your business is going down because you are irritated or bored - it's a good thing!
What signals are you experiencing? Where is your business telling you it wants to move to?
Laura West is an award-winning online entrepreneur and president of The Center for Joyful Business. If you are ready to shift your marketing and mindset for more success with joy and ease, get your free report: Business Attraction Success Kit
Laura Howard West is a certified professional coach, writer, speaker and the President and Chief Creative Officer of The Center for Joyful Business. She is the creator of The Joyful Business Guide™, a business attraction system blending law of attraction principles with smart business designed for solo-entrepreneurs and business owners.
I am honored to be one of the 17 women interviewed for the premiere issue of Going Pro online magazine. This online magazine is beautiful, inspirational and full of practical information for how real women grow their businesses.
Here’s where I stayed AND where my upcoming NEW retreat is also being held: 
