The key to unlocking your client's heart...

Be a true friend

1) Do you know your clients as people?
2) Do you call them just to say hello and catch up?
3) Have you ever gone out to lunch with one of your clients?

If you've ever had to work hard to get an account, or to build business of any kind, the answer should have been yes to all of those questions.

Being a true friend to your clients doesn't mean you have to get too close, but it means that you are there for them when you're needed. It also means you think of them and how they're doing. That you care about how your products are working for them, and you check in with them from time to time. Just like you have to keep in touch with relatives and friends to show you love and appreciate them, a relationship with a client should be nurtured in the same way.

Make them laugh

It's very true that we take ourselves too seriously. I've done it, and I'm sure you have, too. But, come on! There's nothing wrong with making a situation lighter and happier for everyone by having a sense of humor. As long as it's appropriate to the situation, I'm sure your client will appreciate your sense of humor, and that you put a smile on their face. It lets their guard down, too, making it more likely they will want to spend more time with you. More time equals more sales, and more lasting relationships.

Understand them as people

What happens when you really feel like someone understands you? You want to talk to them more. Put yourself in your clients shoes, and work hard to understand what they are truly saying to you. Sometimes, this will make you have to take a step back, and really think about what they're communicating to you. It helps to slow down a bit, and listen to them more than you talk. When you ask them a question, give them plenty of time to answer. It helps to know something about their lifestyle, their family, their job. Get them talking about what matters to them. It should reveal a lot more than just the information they provide. It will give you a better understanding of your client as a person first, and of what they really need from you.

Understand what's valuable to THEM

In our minds, value may be very different than what a client may find valuable. It's pointless to try to define what you find valuable about a product if your client doesn't find it valuable. It's important to find out what your client thinks of as valuable, and it may require a shift in gears on your part. It will make you more effective in your pitch, though. And a lot more likely to have a happy customer. For example, if your client can't be sold on quality, and they only think of price as value, that's when you talk to them about the best price option.

A lot of customers aren't going to listen to your pitch about how great a product is if it goes over what they are willing to spend. You should find out what their spending limit is, and point out the highest quality product to them in that range. They'll be more likely to be willing to spend a little more over their limit if they see you are staying within their range. Prospects and clients alike are mainly concerned about cost first, and then quality. To them, cost is value. I don't think in those terms, but I am not some of my clients, so I work with what is important to them to find them the best solution. And they usually end up going over with me, because they know I care about what's valuable to them.

Be sincere

Sincerity is all about meaning what you're saying, and having your actions meet up with your words. It also makes it a lot easier to maintain an honest relationship, which is what you want. You want your client to feel comfortable, but you also want to be comfortable in helping them to get their needs met. Be genuine. Be true to you. If you feel that something isn't the right fit for them, tell them in a caring way. They will appreciate your honesty, and be more likely to trust you.


Be true to who YOU are

This is probably the scariest one for a lot of people. It's scary to open up and be yourself sometimes, especially when people have let you down in the past. It's scary to think that people may not like, or agree with, what you have to say. They may simply not like YOU. But wouldn't you rather work with people, and work for people, who genuinely like and value you for who you really are? Not so scary after all, is it?

When you let your real personality shine through, it's like a ray of sun through the clouds. People can tell it's real. And it warms the hearts of those around you. What could be better than making people feel happy to be in your presence? I can't really think of anything better, as a basis for business, or for a good life. It's about understanding that who you really are is what makes you special to them.

Thanks for stopping by...CC

Top Sales and Marketing Awards 2011

http://www.topsalesawards.com

Jerky behavior from a client's perspective (and what they'll never tell you)

Yes, I know...

The title is catchy. And why is that?

Because I think we're all guilty.

At times, I think we've all been guilty of actual jerky behavior, or perceived jerky behavior.

Caring more about your own agenda

"I feel rushed into making a decision. I'm not liking this. It's uncomfortable. Do you really care about helping me, or just your commission?"

Customers can always tell if you really care about them. They can also tell if you don't. If you rush them, it'll make the whole process uncomfortable and counter-productive. You'll achieve the opposite result of what your looking to achieve. Really take the time to connect with your customer as a human being, not just a number. I guarantee your numbers will be better for having invested the time. More time connecting equals more sales. It makes you memorable, and virtually guarantees that client will want to work with you again.

Opening those listening ears

"That's the third time I've had to repeat myself. I feel like I'm talking to a wall. And do you really care about what I'm saying?"

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who asks you a question, and then they'll interrupt you when you're answering THEIR question? I have. And I'll tell you right now, that is a real conversation killer. Or when you're talking to someone, and it's about something very important to you, while they're off in outer space somewhere? You know they're not listening to you, and you feel really irritated. And rightfully so. That's how clients feel when you don't listen to them. Exactly the same way you feel when someone is not listening to something important to you. Something that may mean a lot to you, and they're not caring is the main deciding factor of whether you continue to talk to that person or not. Clients are human, too. If they don't think you care, they'll just walk away.

Only talking about yourself

"Come on, not only is it vain, but I'm falling asleep listening to you go on and on about you. What about me? I'm standing here, and I need you to help me. And you're wasting my time."

There no bigger sign of a jerk than someone who doesn't care about the time constraints of others. It cries out selfishness. Time IS money. Some of us have so little of it, that we hire people to help us manage our time better. Don't waste someone's precious time showing them something they don't need or want.

Perceived jerky behavior

"I am very lonely. I'm here, waiting for some help. I'm willing to pay you to help me, which is the only way I can get help from anyone most of the time. And you're busy. How dare you be busy? I want help now, and you're not helping me right away. I shouldn't have to wait, even though you might be helping someone else. And so what if the phone is ringing? That phone can wait.You're so rude."

Now, this one is left to interpretation. I've had someone tell me I was being rude to them, when my intention was, by no means, to be rude. I think some folks think that everything needs to stop operating when they walk in the door. That you need to stand behind them, even when they're not talking to you. You can't please everyone, and there are some customers that are always looking for something to criticize. Those people are different than the ones that have an actual problem with your jerky behavior. At least now you know the difference, and you'll be able to nip any potential jerky behaviors in the bud. It'll give you more energy to focus on trouble shooting with the ones that perceive you in their distorted perception as a jerk. This is your opportunity to show them you're not.

Thanks for stopping by...CC

The road not taken...

The art of selling...

Selling: definition~ "The art of convincing someone to buy something they didn't know they needed." Jeff Marsh

This is the way I've been trained, and it makes a lot of sense. In many ways, "selling" is opposite of "transaction." Anyone can make a transaction. Not just anyone can "sell."

Transactions are easy to make. They don't take much effort. You go to get the customer something they already knew they wanted. No problem! They make their purchase, and goodbye! Pretty easy, right? Well, selling is altogether different. Selling, which is now becoming more and more uncommon, is a carefully orchestrated set of negotiations. It's asking a string of intelligent, thought provoking questions of your client. It's actually caring about making them happy by adding value. It's about suggesting something they didn't know could be a better choice for them. And it's really paying attention to them and their needs, not just wanting to take their money.

It's completely different than a transaction. A transaction is putting money in a cash register, or your company's bank. It's not about caring. It's not really anything more than the end of the line. And if you missed the most important part of the process, then you didn't really sell. You just took their money, and traded something for it. Yes, a transaction is essential for survival, but it's not anything more. It's not passion for business, and it's certainly not going to get you known in your field as a leader, or anything, really. If all you do is make transactions, then you're missing the point of being in sales.

Sales is about passion, and really selling what you believe in. It's a whole process, not just a transaction. It's real work, with an even bigger reward. It's pure love for what you do, and it's obvious to everyone when it's there! And when it's not.

Passion

When was the last time you came to work, and really felt like leaping for joy? Some of you might be reading this, and thinking I'm crazy. But seriously, answer the question, okay? When was the last time you really felt passionate about selling? When was the last time you felt like you were in your element, and everything was right with the world? If you can't remember when that was, then I'm sorry. You can't fake having passion for what you do. If you're not passionate about selling, then it's not the right profession for you. I've seen people get into sales, and they start off strong. They do great. In the beginning. Then they fall flat in their numbers. They can't make it. They lose their drive.

Why does this happen? Because they don't like selling. They may even be great salespeople, but they don't have a passion for selling, and they're not going to make it in sales because they simply don't love it! You have to love selling to stick with a sales career over the long term. There's just no other way... 

Attitude can make or break you

There are a couple very important things I've learned about having a positive attitude. First off, you can think your way to being happy. That's right! You can literally influence your own happiness! I've had someone tell me point blank that they were jealous of me because I'm happier than they are. And this was someone very close to me. That's funny, isn't it? I mean, I'm really no different than anyone else. I have a job, a home, family, a husband and child. I have struggles, just like everyone else. But I'm happy. And I see other people who might even have it easier than I do who are always complaining about this or that. They're unhappy. Why?

Because of them. Yes, you read correctly. Because of them, and their attitude toward things. They choose to look at the negative, rather than thinking of ways to help the situation they might be in. They choose to be complaining birds, rather than take responsibility for things that aren't working in their lives. They choose to accept mediocrity, instead of rescuing themselves, and pulling themselves out of their mental rut. And whose fault is that? It's theirs.

Sales is very much the same way. There are pitfalls, and there are moments of darkness. You might have a really bad month, and feel like you want to slap yourself silly. You might feel really upset about your numbers declining. But a winner is not going to get stuck complaining about the situation. They're going to get up, and take action to try to correct it! They're certainly not going to blame anyone else for their lack of performance, or let themselves sink into negativity. The price for that is too high, because...

A great client just walked through the door. And you don't want to let them down. So you make damn sure you get the corners of your mouth up, and approach them. And don't let them know, or even get the smallest inkling of what was happening before. Your numbers were down. So what? One of your favorite clients is here, and they need your help. So you help them to feel good about coming in to see you. Not only have you made them a happy customer, but now your numbers seem to go back up again. It's not just because of that one customer, but because you made the decision to take responsibility for your success. You made the decision to focus on growing your business through a difficult time, and you got through it. Three months later, your numbers are way up again. And all because of your understanding that when it got tough, you needed to work harder. You needed to sell!

It's all about service

By now, you've worked hard to create great relationships with your clients, and you've worked with them every step of the way to build value. When all is said and done, you've made sure to really sell! You've become an artist, and that has its own reward.

Thanks for stopping by...CC

Funnel Vision

Sales Funnel: Definition~A metaphoric sales process showing a large number of unqualified leads at the top of the funnel, being filtered in subsequent levels i.e. stages, and the actual clients that result exiting the bottom of the funnel. Also known as a pipeline.

Getting that first appointment

Remember the first five minutes of the conversation is what will make or break you. Friendliness goes a long way in a conversation, and remember, this is not rocket science! You don't have to be a fancy talker to be a great salesperson. You just have to know your company, your services, and your products. And you have to be passionate about what you do, and have a love for business and selling. If you can sell yourself and your idea to the prospect, chances are you'll get your first appointment. Get the prospect to like you, and you will get the appointment! Getting them to like you means being genuine and caring in your approach, and showing you want everyone to win, not just yourself. Put your potential client's needs first ahead of yours, and you will get the first appointment, guaranteed!

Don't forget the first three letters

"Fun" should always be part of the funnel. I know we get caught up in wanting to sell them, but if you're not having fun, they won't be, either. Don't be afraid to throw in a little appropriate humor. If you think the prospect won't appreciate silliness, go for a more subtle joke. But make sure to make it, alright? Nobody likes to deal with someone who has no sense of humor. So make it a fun experience for you and your potential client! The fact they've had fun dealing with you could turn out to be the main deciding factor between you and a competitor.

Positive energy

I said it before, and I'll say it again! Smile! It's contagious. You can't be smiling around other people without them smiling back. You can't be feeling good about yourself and your surroundings without everyone else feeling good to be around you. People buy things from people who make them feel good about themselves...

Staying focused

Keep your eye on the prize, always with big picture in mind. And understand that the process may take longer than you anticipated. Be patient with the process, taking one thing at a time. You can't go on the the next part of the process without clearing a few bumps along the road. That being a metaphor for a few tough questions that need to be asked your potential client, and possibly some personal or business related problems that will need to be addressed. Answer questions patiently and honestly. Be sincere in your answers, and make good eye contact. Your prospect will probably confide more in you at this point. Be steady in your tone, always speaking in an even and clear voice. Maintain an aura of calm. Your prospect will be calm if you are.

Spending money to make money

In order for you to make money in any business venture, you must first spend money. A lot of business people are scared of this fact. There is a lot of uncertainty involved in spending, or giving something, and not knowing what the return will be. If any. And the simple truth is that we don't know if our giving will be reciprocated. We hope it will be, possibly resulting in a sale, or business success. If we happen to own our own company, for instance, we hope our investment in the business will pay off in profits and growth. Still, there are no guarantees. And that can scare people.

Personally, I'm not afraid of losing money to gain a client for life. It seems to me like a small investment for potentially gaining so much more. And even if I fail to gain the client, there's still a possibility I could sell to them in the future. I would say that possibility, including the good reputation I'll hopefully build as a business woman will over-ride any small monetary loss. It's not something to stress about. It's just an investment in building a future, and a business. An investment in success, not only for yourself, but also for your client, and their business.

That being said, there will be times during the sales cycle that you'll have to spend money on your prospect. You may take them out to lunch to discuss furthering the sales process. You may need to bring them something that means something to them. It doesn't have to be something expensive, but it needs to be something that took time and thought to create. For instance, you could bake something for them to take home to their family and enjoy. All it takes is a little bit of thoughtfulness, and you really wanting to give to them. That's all. And don't expect anything back. Hope that you get something back(i.e. the account), but don't expect it. At the very least, you've started building a good relationship, and building a great rapport with them. That should be enough for now.

Expect less, get more

It's as simple as that! If you expect less, you'll usually be more relaxed than if you are so eager to get an account that you forget to enjoy meeting the person. You don't want that! So go into this with an open mind, and understand that the person you're talking to is just a person. You're getting to know them, and their getting to know you. That's all! Treat them like a person, not just a potential client. And don't have such high expectations that you forget to have a good time.

The art of appointment making

Give them a choice of two times to meet with you, not a choice of any time on the calendar. You set the times, and they choose. Then, follow through with the appointment. This will ensure that the sales cycle moves along faster, without you appearing the slight bit pushy. Pushiness is big turn off for your prospect. It literally pushes them away. So be gentle in telling them where and when you're able to meet. That'll make it much easier for them to accept limits, without feeling that they're being imposed upon. And even though they may assume you have an indefinite amount of time to go over everything, you need to have a set amount of time predetermined in your mind. Otherwise, the meeting could go way over the amount of time the prospect may really need to make a decision.

Genuinely caring about your prospect

I've covered this before, and I'll say it again. You can never be too caring toward your future client. There really is no such thing as faking it in this category. You can't fake caring! You have to really care about making them happy...

Your final proposal

Preparation is key in regard to your final proposal, and it might take more time and commitment on your part than you initially thought. No matter how many hours you need to put into it to feel comfortable presenting your offering, you need to make sure to invest that time. I will be time well spent when your prospect agrees and signs the deal with you and your company. It will also help you be able to focus on the situation at hand, instead of worrying about what to say. You'll know exactly how to answer every concern the prospect may need to be addressed, and you'll be way ahead of the game. It will also give you the confidence you need to show you are capable of handling your potential client's problems, and that you can take care of them in the way they need you to.

Make it clear you're interested in closing

Set a date and time, and get them to commit. How will you be able to close if you don't ask? It's your job, not your potential client's job to guide them through the sales cycle. They're not going to suggest closing the deal. That's your job! And hopefully by this time, you've cleared away any obstacles. Make sure all questions are answered at this point, because there is no turning back now...

Never ask the prospect a question where they can verbalize the word "no." At this point, you can't risk that. You have come too far, and you can't risk losing the deal so late in the game. You've almost won, now go in there and act as though you've already got the account. Now, you just need to confidently ask for the sale that you've earned! You've also managed to convince them that you are their best and only solution to their business needs. Congratulations! You've just gained a new client!

Following up

You should understand, though, that this is only the beginning of your relationship. I've covered this before in my post http://carouselsalesblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/client-relationships-are-like.html, and it addresses how to maintain client relationships for a lifetime. This is where a lot of salespeople fail miserably. They gain the account, but fail to care after getting the client to sign. This is what I call client neglect, and it's serious grounds for divorce. So please, whatever you do, just don't make the mistake of leaving your client stranded after you've closed the deal. If they need your help after the sale, help them as much is needed for them to feel happy with their decision. You also need to follow up, even if they seem happy, and haven't called you. It's your job to call them, and make an appointment with them to see what is working, and what's not. And to make adjustments accordingly. Remember, you have to maintain that relationship with your client for a lifetime. Put in the work, and I guarantee that later on, your invested time will pay off in more sales to that same client.

And remember...

First impressions matter
Confidence is imperative
Make soft eye contact
Make sure to ask questions sparingly, and intelligently.
Don't over-plan
Respond to questions, and ask questions according to the direction of the conversation.
smile and relax
Listen aggressively
Address every concern, and take notes before, during, and after the sales cycle.
Follow up with your new client as needed.
Call them, and make a quarterly appointment to see how your services are working for them.
Invest in your relationships, and your investment will work for you!

What's your take? Let me know what you think!
&
Thanks for stopping by...CC

Client relationships are like...

Marriage

And you want it to be a good one, right? Let's face it, though. Not all marriages are good, and not all last a lifetime. Some marriages last six weeks, some last for two years, and some last a whole life long! Relationships with clients should be formed with the intention of making them last a lifetime, not just a couple of years.

Unfortunately, there are some so-called "sales people" who ruin, or at least hinder the success of legit sales people. They neglect their clients to the point of utterly frustrating them, or disappoint them to the point where they are hell bent on never talking to another sales person again! Not now, not ever! Because those phonies lied to them and broke their trust, then left them in the cold.

Sometimes, you happen to inherit some of these disgruntled clients without your new boss telling you why the old sales guy got canned, and without knowing what you're walking into. You have to fix this problem quickly! Good luck dealing with that, right? Here's what you do...


Apologize

Despite popular belief, it's never too late to apologize. Even if it's not your fault. Yes, even if you personally didn't do the damage. It's still happened to your inherited, or potential client, so make it clear to them you're different. Apologize for the past mistakes made by the previous guy. That's one way to immediately rectify, or at least begin to rectify, the situation. The next step is to ask important questions as to how this situation can be resolved. Ask what you personally can do to help. You'd be amazed at how much that could turn things around! A company that was once about to lose a client could gain much more business from that existing client just by doing one thing...



Showing them that you care

I also have to stress that you shouldn't be disingenuous. Clients can smell a lie from a mile away. They can also tell if you're being real with them in acting like you care about them. So genuinely care so much about making that person happy, that you stop thinking about what might be in it for you. Think only about what you can do to make THEM happy. I guarantee they'll love you for it!



Make your client look good

The most loyal clients usually turn out to be the ones you help to look better, and not just aesthetically. If you help to improve your client's business in a way that creates value and efficiency, you've probably gained that client for life! If you find a way to save them time to do the activities they enjoy, instead of wasting it on products that aren't working, you've probably gained that client for a lifetime! Just remember, you have to provide consistent value to your client.



Listening is caring

One of the many keys to great communication is being an aggressive listener, not an aggressive talker. Aggressive listening means you are so intent on listening to your client, that you let them talk until they're finished with their point, until you know they are done! And with no exceptions. Listening is the key to gaining something from your client. It is the key to helping them make their business, and your relationship, successful. It also lets them know you value them, and what they have to say. It lets them know you care about them as human beings, not just as clients.


Building a foundation of trust and honesty

Any great relationship is built on trust and honesty. If you lie to someone, it's hard for them to ever trust your word again. It's also a major deal breaker in business. Contrary to what some people might believe, lying is a major way to lose much more than can possibly be gained momentarily from it. It can cause you to potentially lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions that could be made by not breaking a client's trust. The relationship that is built on trust can literally yield millions over a lifetime of an honest and trusting relationship with a client. Now, you tell me if it's worth the loss to be dishonest...


Becoming friends

And given time, they may trust you with very personal bits of information about their lives. That's part of the reason I believe prospects are leery of dealing with salespeople. They know that if they do business with you, there is potential to become friends, and that could get you dangerously close to them. They need  to know you are deserving of knowing them and their business.


Allowing them to need you

You've probably heard that song about how people need people. Well, I hate to sound sappy, but it's true. Have you ever seen a person become successful all by himself? I doubt it. There was someone along the way who believed in him or her, and saw potential, and wanted to work with them to achieve a goal. I've had mentors who've really backed me up, because they believed in me, too! I haven't become successful in my field all by myself, either. And in much the same way that sales leaders need mentors to believe in them, your clients need you to believe in them and their business. And they need to believe in you, too. They are counting on you to do a good job for them, and to help them maximize their potential. Embrace the fact that you need each other, and nurture the relationship. Twenty years later, you'll realize it was all worth it.



As always, thanks for stopping by...CC

Pressed for time?

So many times, I've heard people say they don't have time to do things. They don't have time to go to school right now. They don't have time to look for a better, more fulfilling job opportunity, and the list goes on and on. Really? And yet, there are others who really don't have a lot of time, but still manage to accomplish a lot in their lives. Why is that? Is it because some people have more time in their day to accomplish great things, or is it something else? We all have the same amount of time to work with each day. Twenty-four hours. What we do with that time can make us successful, or unsuccessful in our lives.

You'd be amazed what great things you can accomplish in small steps. You can finish anything in little bits, and won't suffer from burn-out nearly as much. Some great accomplishments have been made in my own life, and in other's lives this way. I talked to one of my clients, who just finished her nursing degree. It took her approximately six years to become a registered nurse. How did she do it? Literally one class at a time. Now she is a nurse! She knew that if she just kept pressing on, that she would get there.

Plugging away at a project until it's finished is the way to go, as long as you don't have a deadline. If it's a personal goal that's meant to help you better your life, it's alright to take a little while to accomplish it. That is, as long as you finish what you start. That's the main point here. To finish. And it spares you of a lot of stress, even helping you live longer! It helps you to understand your day's purpose, and how it will take you a step further toward your goal. It all comes from understanding that it's about small steps, not taking great leaps. Patience is key, too. It's important to understand that, as long as you have a goal, that you will get there. You just have to come up with a strategy for each day's steps to achieving that goal.


Being in the Moment

This is tough for a lot of people to do. However, being in the moment is one of the highest forms of wisdom. It means you know that this day is the only one got for sure, so you're going to make it count. There are some people who breeze through their day unscathed by situations that would really bug other people. They've learned to let most of it roll off, like water off a duck's back. Other people go through their day, wasting it by being moody or unhappy. I'm sorry, but that is a great way to spoil your whole life! Before you know it, those unhappy days could turn into a waste of a person's whole being. Yes, it really is that serious! So snap out of it! This is your life, and it's a blessing. This day is the only one you have for sure, so try to be hyper aware of your surroundings, and the people in them. Those are the things that matter right now, not what's in the past or future.


Get Going

The first step is to get up. It's as simple as that. I know it sounds like I'm over-simplifying the situation, especially for people who are tied to a desk chair for the whole day. It really is that simple, though. I've found that I can't sit at a desk and accomplish everything I need to do. I can't just sit down and expect everything to magically get done. I have to get up first. I've gotten to the point where I don't like just sitting down for extended periods of time. It makes me feel lazy, even if I happen to be working on something. It's healthy to take a walk around the office to refresh your mind and rest your eyes in between tasks.

If you want to get in shape, you have to get going to the gym. If you want to go to school, you have to get going to the admissions office, and do your testing to get started. Anything you want to accomplish doesn't necessarily have to have a planned time line. You just have to start it, and it will take on a life of its own. After that, you can plan your time around it. Sometimes, though, you just have to get going, even if its unstructured time. I start working on something around the house, for instance, and then that will automatically take me to the next step. As soon as I complete that step, I realize I'm almost done, and then I have to finish what I started. By getting started, you're actually forcing yourself to finish!


Breaking a large task down into smaller parts

Sometimes you'll have to break a big job into smaller sets of time to get everything done. You can't organize your whole house in one day. However, you can organize the kitchen cabinets on Saturday, and then work on organizing your office on Sunday. It's better to make the job smaller, and more concentrated, focusing on making it as great as you possibly can. After that, you'll have time for other things that you enjoy.
Take small steps toward a larger goal. Understand that you WILL get there. It's might take longer than you planned, but you will definitely be able to have more to show in the coming year if you have worked daily toward a goal. I guarantee you that!


Strategy For Accomplishing Goals

I've found that I can't predict or plan every single thing during the course of my day. There is a natural course or routine that takes place during the day. There are some things that you can't anticipate, like a new project dropped on you at the last minute, or your child getting sick. Those are atypical events, though, and most of the time you can plan your day based on a typical time line. Even if you don't have big goals for your day, you need to have an outline for at least two big accomplishments for the day, and write them down. This will help you focus on priorities, and once you finish those, then you can work on the smaller stuff. You can apply this to any day, not just work days. It'll help you get more accomplished, in anything from completing a report on a certain time line, or even planning a garage sale. You always have to have a plan first, and a set amount of time for each task, otherwise you'll just waste precious time.

Planning

If you look at the life of any successful person, you'll notice they all have one thing in common. They set goals with a specific time period to complete those goals. I've noticed that those who are ambitious set a deadline for their goals, whether big or small, and then follow through come hell or high water. They don't let any setbacks keep them from achieving, because they know the consequences if they allow that to happen. For successful people, wasting time and failing are not an option. They won't let anything get them off track while accomplishing their dreams.


Time is Money, Literally

That's why we get paid to work. They're paying us, at least partially, for our time. To spend time working on a job is valuable to an employer, so much so that they'll pay you for it. But do you ever act as though you're getting paid for your time when you're not at work? If you're not, then you should start doing so. It really is that serious! I hate to sound melodramatic, but we really aren't here very long. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, and that should make it so much more crucial to focus on achieving today! The bottom line is that this day is a gift, and the time you have today is limited. Make it count!


Thanks for stopping by...CC

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Support the Cause)

The Purpose of Blogging

Have you noticed the way some folks talk about blog writing? It's as though they don't know what it is. They don't really understand the power of the written word, and how you can add value to a business or career with this very important tool. 

Blogging is one thing that can set you apart from the pack

Not everyone likes to write. Some people simply hate it. Personally, I love writing, so I don't understand why anyone would hate it. Some folks might wonder why in the world I like writing so much. The truth is that I don't really know why. Maybe it's because I don't have to make much effort to write. I'll come up with a title, then sub-titles for the paragraphs, then fill in the body of my post, and I'm done! I think that's a major part of what it takes to be a successful blogger. Love of writing, and having an interesting blog on the web will set you apart from your peers.

There are a couple of other things that will determine your success, though. Commitment to the project, and consistency is also important. Some bloggers don't write for months, and that just won't work. You have to at least post something interesting to your blog once or twice a week, to keep your readers coming back. If you don't, there simply won't be enough traffic to your blog.

Proliferation of Blogging

Not everyone likes to sit down and write for hours. Well, I should say that about people who aren't writers by nature. For some people, it's not enjoyable, and those are the folks who probably also have said that blogging is a dying art. I beg to differ. If blogging was dying, it would probably turn out very much like MySpace, right? With millions upon millions of stagnant accounts in the blogosphere. That's not what's happening, though.

Yes, there are many stagnant blogs out there, but it's not because blogging is becoming obsolete. It's because of a lack of commitment on the part of the person writing the unsuccessful blog. There are MANY successful bloggers on the web, and it's because of their commitment to the work. Yes, MySpace IS dead! There is no doubt about that, and we've known that for some time now. However, blogging is very much alive and thriving. Every day, people open up thousands of new blogs, and the numbers continue to increase around the world. 

It Takes Time

It can take a while to get your blog to the level where you want it to be, but once you're there, it will take on a life of its own. Once you've gotten through the initial bumps in the road, it's a smooth ride. The problem is that most people don't have the extra push to get over the bumps, and that's when their blogs start to stagnate. You have to visit the blogs of your networking buddies, support them in their efforts, and leave back links wherever you can. The more links you leave on the web, the better. 

I promise you, bloggers are some of the most supportive people on the web. They've been through the same things you have, and will do what they can to support you. It's like a snowball rolling down a hill. It picks up momentum with each contact and word of support. Before you know it, you won't have to think about re-tweeting for a friend, commenting on blogs of others, leaving links, or guest blogging. It just becomes second nature, with the bloggers in your network returning your gestures of appreciation.

Many Different Kinds of Blogs

I've seen so many different types of blogs out there. There are some bloggers that just post blogs about food. That's all you'll see on them. Picture after picture of yummy recipes some foodie chose to post to their website to give their readers ideas. Some folks like to write about beauty products, and everything they entail. Some like to post about very personal things going on in their lives, making their blogs like an online diary open to the public. Personally, I am not that bold! But some people are. And there will always be someone out there who'll be interested. 

Blogging for Business

This is the category most people fit into. My blog would fit into this category, as well as most of the blogs I follow. Most of my networking buddies/fellow bloggers fit into this category as well. There are a lot of sales and business people I know who do this type of blogging. I think it's a great supplement to their business, and another way to get their name out there. It is also another great way to connect with like minded individuals, as we also do on social networking sites. Blogging has become an extension of social networking for many business people.

I know the feeling

I've been there. I thought my blog would take off faster than it has, but I'm also really happy with my website. It's been a labor of love, and I'm proud of it. I have come to understand that you have to build one relationship at a time to get things going, and it takes time and commitment.That's the reason why a lot of blogs don't make it. It's not because they're bad blogs. It's because the writers aren't completely committed to making them successful. Just like with anything else, success is not based on luck, but on taking important steps to make a work successful. If you don't work at it, and constantly try to improve it, it can and will fail. 

Understand that blogging has a purpose 

Whatever you choose to write about is welcome in the blogosphere, and there are many people who will probably love to read it. Just remember that once you've started a blog, your work is only beginning. You will have to continue to come up with ideas for making your blog interesting and relevant, and that will take a significant amount of effort on your part. You can and will be able to make your blog a success if you follow these tips, and if you always remember that success is up to the individual writing the blog.

Thanks for stopping by...CC

Daily Inspiration: Poetry

One of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, has been featured in movies like The Outsiders. Maybe you've heard this one...

My Most Favorite Favorite;)