Carolyn's Corner

Join me at the Conscious Capitalism Breakfast

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:58:00 GMT

We’re entering an Age of Transendence, as people increasingly search for higher meaning in their lives, not just more possessions. This is transforming the marketplace, the workplace, the very soul of capitalism. Today's most successful companies are bringing love, joy, authenticity, empathy and soulfulness into their businesses: they are delivering emotional, experiential and social value – not just profits. Raj Sisodia, Firms of Endearment

Firms of Endearment is a ground-breaking book about gaining ‘share of heart’ not just ‘share of wallet’. It’s a book that will change the way you think about your business and how you operate. And now Raj Sisodia, co-author of the book, is coming to Sydney to share his wisdom with Australian business leaders at a Conscious Capitalism breakfast presentation on Tuesday 1 May from 8.30am to 10.30am at the Ivy Room.

I’m hosting a table at the breakfast with some of Australia’s leading change-makers. Would you like to join us? I’m giving away one ticket to a Connect subscriber. Email me by Tuesday 5pm EST with the reason you’d like to attend in 50 words or less and I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday. Email me

If you'd like to book your own ticket/s there’s still a limited number available:
Book for Keynote Breakfast ($100 pp or $1000 for table of 10)
Book for Keynote Breakfast and Masterclass ($525 pp)

As a marketer, I’m passionate about changing the marketing paradigm under which many businesses operate. I want businesses (including my own) to operate with more heart and more soul and for marketing to become more purposeful and purpose-driven. That’s why I’m keen to learn everything I can from the masters like Raj. If you’re hungry to change your business and marketing paradigm along with me, I know you won’t be disappointed if you join me at this amazing event.

I look forward to connecting with you there!

Warmest regards
Carolyn

Director, Connect Marketing
E carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au
P 0412 806 950

PS Special Offer Extended for Connect Subscribers
Last month I offered a very special website deal to Connect subscribers which has been extended until 27 April...Now your business can truly harness the power of the internet with a PiperDM small business solution. From just $2,496 Piper provide you with everything you need to take your business to the next level. This includes a powerful website, DIY content management system, database, reporting and analytics. Place an order before Friday 27 April and receive a FREE HTML e-newsletter template to launch your fresh new website (valued at $550). Read more

7 Numbers you Can't Ignore...Purpose-driven marketing and more...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:39:00 GMT

Hi folks! Can you believe the month of March is almost over and that Easter is on our doorstep? For me, it’s been a month of working from sun-up till well past sun-down. I’ve been beavering away on three exciting client projects and rewritten my own marketing plan (why, oh why, is it so much easier to write a plan for a client?)

Also during the month of March I’ve written these few articles to help you boost your marketing and I’ve secured a juicy website deal for you (don’t forget to read to the end of the page). Tell me, what goals have you kicked in this merry month of March?

Purpose-driven marketing…changing the marketing paradigm
In the many years I’ve been guiding clients through my ten-step customer value proposition model, the question that always requires deep and serious contemplation is WHY do you do what you do? Read more

7 Numbers you Can’t Ignore
Marketing is most definitely a numbers game. Discover the 7 numbers you simply can’t ignore to ensure marketing success. Read more

10 Foolproof Marketing Tips for Professional Service Businesses
Are you a professional service provider finding it tough to stand out from the crowd and get new business? Take heart, you're not alone. Read more

Special Offer for Connect Subscribers**
Now your business can truly harness the power of the internet with a PiperDM small business solution. From just $2,496 Piper provide you with everything you need to take your business to the next level. This includes a powerful website, DIY content management system, database, reporting and analytics. Place an order before Friday 6 April and receive a FREE HTML e-newsletter template to launch your fresh new website (valued at $550). Read more

Happy Easter! Till next month.

Carolyn

*On Wednesday 18 April, I’m hosting a lunch in Melbourne for those people interested in understanding more about ‘Purpose-driven marketing - How to make a profit AND make a difference.’ If you’d like to be my guest, email me or call me on 0412 806 950.

**PiperDM are the team behind this newsletter and the Connect website, which is soon to go through another overhaul. I’d thoroughly recommend giving them a call

10 Ideas to Refresh your Business in 2012

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:41:00 GMT

Happy new year! I hope 2012 is already off to a flying start for you and your business.

I’ve just spent most of January rejuvenating, refocusing and goal setting. I’m 100% sure it’s going to be one of the best years ever, as I push full-steam ahead into making a difference to your business. Read these articles to inspire you to make 2012 your best year yet.

What’s your Mantra for 2012?
There’s been much written on the concept of using mantra’s for life and business. Mantras are defined as a sound, syllable, word or group of words that are capable of creating deep transformation. In the world of business they may appear as a slogan, motto or tagline. After writing down my goals for the year, I looked for common themes to help me define my mantra. And I came up with... Make a Difference. In 2012, I’m committed to making a difference to my health, to my son, to my family, my friends and clients. Ultimately I’m committed to making a difference in the world. What’s your three-word mantra for 2012? I’d love to know.

10 Ideas to Refresh your Business in 2012
The beginning of every new year is a great time to refresh your business to increase sales, improve customer relations or develop a whole new approach to your products and pricing. Implement just one of these ideas and you’re bound to notice the impact. Implement three or more and watch what happens! Read More

Bill Johnson on Taking a Leap of Faith
Discover how Bill Johnson navigated the tricky move from employee to first-time business owner of Bali Recharge at the age of 60. You’ll discover why he loves Bali and what led him to take the leap of faith to start his own business at a time when many people may be considering retirement. Read More

A Word from Kate
'When Tom and I met with Carolyn in Melbourne to develop our Kick Start Marketing Plan we got so much more than we expected. We left with clarity and focus on what we needed to do to rejuvenate our marketing efforts and make some big changes to our business. We also implemented a myriad of her smaller recommendations that immediately improved our sales results. I'd thoroughly recommend having a chat with Carolyn and considering using her services. We haven't looked back.'
Kate Bridson 4x4 and More

If you’re interested in a Kick Start Marketing Plan and would like a mini-marketing appraisal, contact me to book a time.

Happy marketing, till next month!

Paying it forward... Dear Gladys, Ideas into Action, Fabulous Lemon Drops

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:42:00 GMT

I’m sorry it’s been so long. Please don’t unsubscribe. I promise to pull my socks up!

This month I’m simply going to pay it forward and tell you about three awesome businesses you absolutely must check out.

Dear Gladys – Help a woman in need

Dear Gladys is a most gorgeous vintage and contemporary boutique. I’ve had the pleasure of working on her over the past few months. Dear Gladys is the first online social enterprise of its type in Australia. All proceeds go to the NFP Fitted for Work, helping women experiencing disadvantage to get work. If you’re Xmas shopping for the woman who has everything, look no further. Your gift will help transform a woman’s life.

Ideas into Action – Recharge your business

Recently I spent a weekend of business planning (admittedly interspersed with a spot of shopping and dining) with Angela Raspass of Ideas into Action. She’s one smart cookie when it comes to marketing and she’s achieved incredible results for a long list of clients. That’s why I’m recommending her Business Recharge Sydney workshop on Thursday November 24. It’s being co-hosted with business management and finance guru Alan Hargreaves. Connect subscribers receive a discount of $50 (cost of $145). Click here to find out more and enter the promo code of ‘connect2011’. Tell your friends too!

Fabulous Lemon Drops – The next United Breaks Guitars

Last week I had the privilege of sharing my marketing advice with Dez Staunton of the Fabulous Lemon Drops. All I can say is move over Wiggles! Note: Get your kids before clicking here!

The subsequent email he sent me (100% unsolicited) really made my day.

‘I just wanted to thank you once again for all the advice you provided the Fabulous Lemon Drops. We’ve made a list of the six most important areas to work on and have already managed to get six shows in a shopping centre.

One of the most important things I gained from our discussion was clarity. I’ve read so much information recently about marketing and was having trouble knowing where to begin. Your input has enabled me to realise what our most important challenges are, and how best to go about tackling them.

I also had a chance to look at United Breaks Guitars which is absolutely fantastic. I can see why they’ve had so many hits. I guess if you can make people laugh then that’s half the challenge, particularly in the entertainment industry. We’re also planning to do a new video, which we hope will be both funny and entertaining.

In a world seemingly dominated by greed and self-interest, it’s reassuring to know there are people like you out there who are prepared to give up valuable time to offer advice. I hope one day to be able to repay you in some small way. Dez

You’ve just done it Dez! Thanks a million.

Till next month!

Cheers

PS My last blog on networking got some great responses and confirmed that good-old-fashioned networking here to stay. This story from Margaret Munoz of Tangible Results took me on a trip down memory lane and bought a tear to my eye. “Six of my current clients came to me as a result of meeting the wonderful Patricia Rose at one of your Connect events over 9 years ago. It’s proof that networking works! Thanks!”

PPS Stay tuned for next months incredible story on how my client Bill Johnson (aged 60) built and launched his first business, Bali Recharge in just three months!

PPPS If you want some free marketing advice for 30 minutes, just ring me or email me and lock in a time. I’m feeling generous in the lead up to Christmas. Phone 0412 806 950

Storytelling - the secret to marketing success

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:43:00 GMT

Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact. Robert McKee

Big ads offering big promises don’t cut it any more. Storytelling is the new currency in business and the secret to marketing success. Great stories win you raving fans because they make you and your business, well… human.

My books Small Business Big Brand and Marketing your Small Business for Dummies are filled with real stories of small business owners and how they tackled their marketing challenges. Without these stories the books would have been mere theoretical claptrap, zero fun for me to write and zero fun for you to read.

Every business has a million stories to tell. Its just a matter of determining which ones should be dug up and told (and which should never see the light of day!) Read the story, Lessons from an accountant to discover what NOT to do when dealing with clients. And Why word-of-mouth marketing rules combines storytelling with practical tips on how to spread the word about your business.

If you think storytelling is not for your business, maybe you’ll think again after reading Five steps to brilliant storytelling. And check out this great example of storytelling by Jenny Stilwell of Boss Group in her latest online magazine Renaissance (yes a story of my sabbatical in France features in it :))

And lastly I have a very special EOFY offer just for Connect subscribers. The biggest complaint I receive from business owners is the amount of money they waste on marketing – money that has reaped NIL return-on-investment. So together with my partner in Sydney, Angela Raspass of Ideas into Action, our mission is to stop businesses from wasting money and to help you generate consistent, quality leads week-in-week out. But the only way to do that is through a simple, easy-to-implement marketing plan. We’re offering a 20% discount on all Kick Start Marketing Plans booked by 30 June. Jump in and find out more HERE.

And finally, if you’ve a brilliant story to tell about your business, let me have it. The best storyteller will receive a marketing pack (DVD program and two books) valued at $200 and have it published on my website.

Happy storytelling!

PS Read more stories at Daily Slice of Melbourne Life (Après French Life). If you’d like to pre-order a signed copy of my new book Unstuck in France (due out by 30 August, drop me an email at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au)

Confused about how to market your business?

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 06:32:00 GMT

Hi from unusually sunny Melbourne! I’ve been doing a bit of careful observation with my small business networks, local businesses and at Fitted for Work (the incredible NFP I’m managing a marketing project for). I would have to say that when it comes to marketing, CONFUSION reigns. The world of marketing has become so murky now with the advent of social media that most businesses are at a loss as to how to keep up.

We’re told we’re twits if we’re not twittering, barmy if we’re not blogging and foolish if we’re not facebooking. All this while we’re still grappling with how to get our website working (if we even have one!) Then there’s the more traditional methods of marketing. Should we be advertising in the local paper, cold-calling, hosting events, doing letter box drops or even handing out flyers at the local train station wearing a pink tutu?

No wonder the weary small business owner often puts marketing in the ‘too hard basket’. Yet marketing should never be seen as a desperate scramble to simply get more business. It must be built into the heart of our business and in every interaction we have. And it truly doesn’t need to be that tough. Read 'lessons from my yoga studio' for some inspiration and the chance to WIN a $200 marketing pack.

Now, more than ever, small businesses need a simple, focused plan to help you define ‘what’s in’ and ‘what’s DEFINITELY out’ when it comes to marketing. Check out the ‘One page marketing plan’ article. And when it comes to the ever murky world of E-Marketing, there are just some things you need to get your head around before jumping in. Check out Top Ten eMarketing Tips You Must Know for some ideas on that front.

I wish you every success in life, business and of course marketing! As ever, I’m here to help. Just drop me a line.

Carolyn

PS If you’re interested in finding out what’s happening around Melbourne, check out my blog Daily Slice of Melbourne Life (Après French Life). I’ve been back two months already and am discovering the many French delights of Melbourne!

Set your BHAG and begin with the end in mind…

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 23:13:00 GMT

Bonjour! After five months in France and the first draft of Unstuck in France under my arm, I’m now back home in beautiful Melbourne Australia and ready for a brilliant 2011. The time in France gave me the opportunity to remove myself from everyday life, dream about my future and set my BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for 2011.

Three of my ten BHAGs are;

1. To work on a project that empowers disadvantaged women.

2. To continue to grow my business, Connect Marketing.

3. To get my book published.

Writing these goals led me to the realisation that it is absolutely possible for me to create a ‘portfolio livelihood’ (I prefer to use the word ‘livelihood’ than ‘career’ which I find quite corporate and linear) - a livelihood that will allow me to follow my personal passions while still earning a healthy income. The 'porfolio livelihood' is becoming more and more popular amongst business owners, thought leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. Food for thought for you?

As for the first goal, I’m really excited to announce that I commence work tomorrow on a marketing project with Fitted for Work – a wonderful organisation that empowers disadvantaged women by providing them with the clothing, skills and mentoring to gain employment and become financially independent. Join me for some fun in the FFW Fashion Challenge or if you would like to know more and find out how you can personally get involved email me at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au

As for the second goal, I plan to continue running Connect Marketing, speaking at events and producing Kick Start Marketing Plans for small business owners while working with my marketing partners Ideas Into Action and Piper Digital.

And as for the third goal? That’s still a serious work in progress. Getting a book published can be a long, tedious and challenging process and I’ve only just started approaching publishers. So to keep me motivated, I’m beginning with the end in mind by visualising myself back in Aix en Provence, France doing an authors talk and signing books at Book in Bar, my favourite English bookshop where I wrote the opening lines of my book.

If you have dreams and goals to achieve this year, whether that’s buying a new home, doubling your revenue, helping your child through their HSC, losing weight, launching a new business, building a new website or even creating your own ‘portfolio livelihood’ I would encourage you to begin working towards those dreams with the end in mind and to undertake some simple yet powerful actions to get you started.

Martin Luther King said ‘you don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the first step.’ I do believe however, that we must really want what is at the top of that staircase in order keep taking the next step. In other words we must really, really want to achieve that BHAG! Which brings me to another point. Living under the false expectation that our lives will be miraculously more fulfilled, when we do get to the top of the staircase, will only cause us suffering. This is called ‘living in expectation’ rather than living for the NOW. We need to enjoy every single step we take, as we are taking it, regardless of the outcome.

Anyway, enough of my musings on life, love and the universe. I’d love to hear how you’re going with your BHAGs so far this year so please drop me an email at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au

And here’s wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2011!

Carolyn

PS Whatever you need when it comes to marketing, whether that be a speaker for your event, a marketing plan, a new brand and logo, sales brochures, a website, social media marketing, advertising campaigns, copywriting or PR, we are the first port-of-call. Ring us on +613 8682 9838 or email me at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au

PPS If you missed reading about our adventures in France, check out our Daily Slice of French Life blog

Joyeuses Fêtes & Happy Holidays!!!

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:19:00 GMT

To cultivate kindness is a valuable of the business of life. Samuel Johnson

Bonjour from Aix-en-Provence and Joyeuses Fêtes! I last emailed you from Paris on 23 August en-route to Aix where we have set up home until I return to Melbourne in January. While you could stuff a Christmas stocking with all my excuses for not keeping in touch, I can only give you one; I’ve been writing a book. I had intended to work on my business while here, but when I got here all my best intentions flew out the window and writing just took over. With 45,000 words written and a deadline of 1 January for completion, you can guess what I’ll be doing over the festive season.

We’ve had the most delicious time here in France. I would even go so far as to say it’s been life changing. Sure there have been as many challenges as there have been triumphs, but then it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as rewarding if it were all smooth sailing. If you’re interested in finding out more about how we’ve adapted to French life, check out our blog Daily Slice of French Life.

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to take this sabbatical from my business in such a fabulous country. Somehow the French seem less serious about the ‘life of business’ and more committed to the ‘business of life’ and I intend to take a little bit of that back with me to Melbourne as I launch new plans for the business in 2011. In the meantime, I thank you very much for subscribing and look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

For many people, Christmas is a time of suffering, loneliness, poverty and hunger. Let’s make this festive season a time for kindness and compassion not only towards those we love, but those less fortunate than us.

Joyeux Noël et au revoir!

Carolyn

Our French adventure has begun...

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:22:00 GMT

Anything can happen in France. Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Bonjour! Excusez-moi for not blogging sooner. There’s been a bit happening here. After moving to Melbourne and setting up home just two weeks ago, Billy and I are now in Paris en-route to Aix en Provence (our home for the next few months).

On the personal front, it feels great to have all the hard work done and to have a bit of a summer break before Billy starts school and I start work. If you’d like to keep up-to-date with our personal journey in France check out our blog Daily Slice of French Life

On the work front, everything seems to be in order. I’ve got my communications platform sorted (Skype, VOIP phone number, email and a French mobile number), a virtual assistant handling my mail and book orders and my marketing and web partners Ideas into Action and Piper Digital ready to take on new business enquiries.

My own work action plan is also taking shape and will include writing these newsletters, running Skype Mentoring programs (if you’re interested drop me a line), freelance writing, completing the Marketing Toolkit and getting three chapters of my new book finished so I can submit it to publishers. Facile! (Easy!)

So it all seems to be falling into place. Happy days ahead! Any tips and tricks on how to work successfully remotely would be greatly appreciated by me and other bloggers. Au revoir!

The Countdown to Our French Adventure Begins

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:02:00 GMT

'A goal is a dream with a deadline.' Napoleon Hill

If like me, you have a dream to live and work from anywhere in the world, I hope you enjoyed my last blog - Our French Adventure. In just 32 days we leave for France (Monday 23 August) for four months. I've sold the house, found a lovely family for our dog (the most heart-wrenching decision) and still have a car to sell, household belongings to pack up and an apartment in Melbourne to set up. Strange that I feel so calm then.

Of course I'm not doing it all without help. On the personal front I've enlisted the support of a wonderful PA, Yasmin. And on the business front I've established an alliance partnership with Angela Raspass of Ideas Into Action (NSW Marketing Partner) and Dena Dillon and Ryan Fitzgerald of Piper Digital (Web Partners) who will take on clients that I am not able to work with directly. Welcome aboard team!

Operating a business remotely will have its challenges no doubt. Setting up the best communications platform is a must, especially as we we'll be on the move a bit (am considering VoIP for this). The nasty France/Australian time difference won't help either (you'll be turning on your computer to start work for the day while I'll be out to dinner.) And of course there will be a myriad of other little things to sort out too, like how to get my BAS done and accounts handled. Deciding on what work I will do from afar ( copywriting and skype mentoring) and what will be referred to my trusty partners has already been done. (And of course, there are other projects to work on too, like learning French, discovering the country, writing and having FUN!)

If you’re on an adventure and happen to be running a business remotely or have done it before, please share your ideas and stories with readers. What lessons did you learn? What worked well and what didn't? Where did you go? What was your greatest memory? Where are you planning to go on your next adventure?

Our French Adventure … working from the other side of the world

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:22:00 GMT

Bonjour amis! Welcome to the first edition of Carolyn’s Corner.

‘Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.’ Helen Keller.

Everyone around me seems to be embracing change and embarking on a new adventure at the moment. Friends and clients are moving overseas and interstate, ending relationships, starting new ones, restructuring businesses, taking up new jobs and selling up real estate. It’s truly hard to keep up with!

And the winds of change and adventure are breezing through my family too. After 13 years in our beloved Coogee Sydney, my son Billy and I are bidding farewell to set up home in Melbourne. Then on the 23rd of August we’re leaving to live in Aix-en-Provence France for four months. Billy will be attending school while I’ll be running the business and writing. (We’re calling it Our French Adventure.)

On the personal front, the to-do list is as long as my arm and includes everything from selling my Sydney home, finding homes and schools in Melbourne and France and learning at least a smattering of French!

And to be able to work remotely there’s been lots to sort out too. What work can I continue to do while I’m away? What work will need to be referred on to my trusty alliance partners? What agreements and processes do we need in place to do this? Who will handle the mail, bills, new business enquiries, phone calls and the postage of books and products ordered online? Who will keep the website and database up-to-date? How can I use Skype, blogs and social media to keep connected to clients when I won’t be able to see their smiling faces over a real coffee?

The idea of being able to run a business from anywhere in the world, is one that appeals to many business owners and future blogs will be dedicated to this concept. If you’re on an adventure and happen to be running a business remotely, please share your ideas, experiences and stories. Jusqu'à ce que nous nous réunissions de nouveau (Until we meet again)!

Subscribe to RSS Feed

KEEPING IT REAL THIS FESTIVE SEASON AND BEYOND

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:26:00 GMT

I’ve been agonising over what to write in this last email for 2009. I could write an article giving you marketing tips for the festive season (yawn) or send you a pretty e-card wishing you a fabulous Christmas (yawn again) or I could keep it real and share with you, the ups and downs of my year in business so maybe you’ll gain some insights for your own business.

After seven years in business, I have to say 2009 has been the most challenging of them all. Maybe it’s a case of the seven-year itch? Or maybe I just need a holiday?

On the downside, I’ve had to get real about the fact that I’ve been attempting to do too many things and have lost sight of the big vision. I’ve had to restructure the business model to make it more profitable and retrench my loyal, right-hand woman Doris. I’ve experienced the real disappointment of spending months pitching my services to the big corporates only to face rejection. I’ve attempted and failed at dipping my toe in the China market. And I’ve let my website get a bit old and rusty. (Now that’s a real admission coming from a so-called marketing expert!)

On the upside, I’ve been invited to speak at 18 conferences in towns and cities from one end of Australia to the other. I’ve hosted 10 events for over 500 people. I’ve run the 30 Day Marketing Challenge with 12 business owners and mentored and produced real marketing plans for a further 26 businesses. I’ve successfully set up the marketing program for one of my favourite clients (and it’s been a huge amount of fun actually practicing what I preach). And one week ago I emailed off the last chapter of Marketing your Small Business for Dummies (launching May 2010)!

I’ve had down times wondering if it’s all worth it and up times when I’m completely on path and in-the-flow. I just figure that’s what goes with the territory of being a business owner. And at the end of the day, I really do love what I do. Doing this 2009 stock-take has been quite cathartic. I know I’ll be standing for yet another year seven years - but only if I keep it real!

I hope you make the time this summer holidays to review and reflect on 2009, to create your dreams and to make it happen for real in 2010. Happy holidays!

Subscribe to RSS Feed

HAPPY NEW DECADE…SOME BIG CHANGES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:25:00 GMT

Happy new year! Like me, I hope you’re bounding into this new decade with renewed enthusiasm, hope and determination.

You’ll recall I ended 2009 with a warts and all stock-take of the ups and downs of my year in business. The response to my ‘Keeping it real this festive season and beyond’ email was both humbling and overwhelming. I received 70 email responses (usually I’m lucky if get one or two!) One lovely reader, also called Carolyn, summed up beautifully the response from most readers - ‘I wanted to say thank you for the honesty of your email. It’s refreshing to read something so real and down to earth. It stood out - as it didn’t have any of the usual BS and hype one expects in most newsletters. 2009 has been hell for many (including me) and speaking your truth will give many the permission to also speak the truth. Thank you.’

While exactly 65 of the responses almost bought me to tears with their encouragement and gratitude for being so honest, a further five were not so positive, saying how brave I was to expose my flaws to the world (which by the way has made me even more determined to tell it like it is!)

So each month from now on, instead of sharing my marketing pearls of wisdom (which can be read any time on the website or discovered at my Small Business Big Brand workshop on February 26 – shameless little plug there…), I’m going to give you a scorchingly real account of the changes I’m making in my business. I would love for you to come on this journey with me and share your changes, triumphs and flops. Read on to find out about my first big decision for 2010…

While my company name is Connect Marketing it would be fair to assume most people think of me - Carolyn Stafford - as the brand. So I’m about to do what most brand experts would say is brand suicide… change my name to Carolyn Tate (the name I was born with). Why, after all this time would I go through the tedious process of changing my name and having to re-establish myself again? I could list a whole stack of rational and practical reasons why I shouldn’t change it. On the other hand I really only have one reason for doing it – simply because it just feels right!

Far too often in my life, I’ve made what I call head (ie rampant, monotonous thinking) decisions rather than heart and gut instinct decisions. No more.

As I launch myself into the new decade my new-old name will be there beside me gently reminding me that the riskiest thing in life is to take no risks at all.

If you’re on the cusp of making your first big change for 2010, I hope like me, you can put a little bit of heart, soul and gut into your decision making! Here’s to a bonza 2010!

Carolyn Tate
Director Connect Marketing
E: carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au
W: www.connectmarketing.com.au
P: +612 9340 7210

Subscribe to RSS Feed

THE NEXT BIG CHANGE – THE 4-DAY WORK WEEK

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:23:00 GMT

The response to my last email Happy new decade… some big changes for the year ahead… was again overwhelming. I had an awesome 73 email responses (all positive and constructive, including Ian who suggested I lose the ‘Granny Green Clampit’ cardigan I used to wear at my workshops – consider it done Ian!) On the other hand I had 22 ‘unsubscribes’ to my email. Don’t know about you, but I really hate getting these. However, I’m learning (the painful way) not to take it personally. I reckon it’s better to have a response (any response), than no response at all.

Enough of my rants. Are you keen to hear about The 4-Day Work Week?

It’s all to do with my new way of working. While I’m not quite ready to leap into The 4-Hour Work Week (if you haven’t read Timothy Ferris’ book yet, do yourself a favour), I am ready for The 4-Day Work Week. I’ve given my business a heart, head, soul and gut instinct overhaul and come up with a pretty compelling four day plan for how I can get the business to support my personal dreams.

From 1 March, here’s what an ideal week will look like; Mondays are the day for working ON the business ie growing the subscriber list, finding my first licensee, refreshing the website, building product to generate passive revenue and meeting the movers and shakers to help make it happen. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the days for working IN the business by selling my time, speaking at events, running my Small Business Big Brand workshops (just 3 spots left for this Friday by the way), doing Kick Start Marketing Plans with my wonderful clients and some project management. Fridays are the days where I don’t work IN or ON the business at all, but on my next top-secret creative project….

After years of banging on to my clients about setting aside time to execute the brilliant marketing plans I build for them, I’m actually doing it for myself – not just for marketing the business, but for other personal creative pursuits, like acting lessons, French lessons, Billy’s school activities and even having a social life!

My vision has always been to create a business that will allow me to live and work from anywhere in the world. Admittedly, it’s not been until now, that I’ve been able to devise a plan on how to do it (Perhaps I needed seven years in the trenches doing the hard-yards to actually work it out!).

If like me, you have personal dreams you want to fulfill, I encourage you to do an audit of your business and devise a plan - a plan that adds real value to your clients, while allowing you to achieve your personal goals in life, whatever they may be!

Maybe you’re not quite ready for The 4-Hour Work Week, but if you’re ready for The 4-Day Work Week, I’d love to hear how you're going about it.

Warmest regards

Carolyn Tate
Director Connect Marketing
carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au
Phone +612 9340 7210

Subscribe to RSS Feed

MARKETING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS…GET BACK TO THE BASICS PLEASE!

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:24:00 GMT

The response to my last email The Four-Day Work Week was mixed. Some people sent friendly but slightly sceptical emails questioning if it will really work, while many others applauded me and were kind enough to share their own Four-Day Work Week plan. I’m working smarter (not harder) ON and IN the business than ever before and while I admit it’s taking some getting used to, it really feels like it’s beginning to work (after just three weeks). I’ll keep you posted!

However, the subject of today’s email is about getting back to the basics of marketing. I am continually amazed by the number of marketers promoting website, social media, SEO, Google courses and programs to help you make your fortune. While many of these programs have merit and are indeed run by reputable business people, there’s often one critical missing ingredient – they all assume that you have something worth marketing in the first place and that people will actually buy it and be willing to talk about it to their friends and family!

No matter how great your website is, how many followers you have on Twitter or how well found you are on Google, if visitors fleetingly cross your path and don’t hang around, contact you, buy from you or tell anyone about you, then it’s likely you’ve ignored the basics of marketing.

Marketing really IS about how you position and differentiate your business and then package, price, distribute and promote your products and services so people are compelled to find out more. It’s about establishing your brand reputation and positioning yourself as the expert in your field. It’s about continuously listening to your customers and innovating to offer new stuff. It’s about using multiple tactics (NOT just the internet) to get the word out (I advocate at least four to six tactics for every business). Shall I stop now?

In my own business I am continuously focusing on the basics by seeking feedback from clients and my readers, researching the competition, re-defining ‘why ME and not some other marketer?’ and repackaging services such as the New & Improved 2-Day Small Business Big Brand workshop (being held April 21 and 22 in Sydney for just 12 participants) and launching new packages like the Small Biz Copywriting Package and Skype Mentoring Program.

And one of my biggest selling packages, the Kick Start Marketing Plan is next in line for an overhaul along with the website which I am currently working on with my new web team at Piper Digital Marketing (check out their unique Small Business Intelligence Workshops being held on the sunny Sunshine Coast in QLD on 16 & 17 April – they actually DO focus on the basics!).

Sometimes I fear I spend so much time on the basics that the Twitter phenomenon might just pass me by! C’est la vie…

The problem with marketing today is that the basic disciplines have been forgotten and too many businesses and marketers are not asking the hard questions. Sure, the basics aren’t as sexy as being a facebook guru with 3000 friends, but if you want a business that will withstand the test of time, then frankly there’s no option but to focus on the basics of marketing.

Give yourself a free marketing health check with the Power Marketing Checklist and let me know your score. I’d love to hear how you’re putting marketing at the heart of your business by getting back to basics!

Cheers...

Carolyn Tate
Director Connect Marketing
carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au
Phone +612 9340 7210

Subscribe to RSS Feed