How is it Going for You?

  

So how will your holidays be different this year?  Have you been able to visit with your family and friends?  Have you lost family and friends because of COVID?

It's been a different kind of year.  We've all had our challenges to deal with, some more than others.  I've seen many take it in stride and make the best of it and others are still wallowing in 'Oh ain't it awful and it's not going to get better until.......'  

As the holidays approach, are you making plans differently than you have in the past or will you celebrate as you usually do?

For those with a business, how is it going for you?  I've seen some thrive while others have closed their doors.  And yet others have used this opportunity to start new businesses.  

I believe our outcome is in large part to how we deal with things on an ongoing basis.  When life throws us a curve ball do we dwell on getting punched in the stomach or do we suck it up and move on?  Is the glass half full or half empty?  What difference does it make?  You can fill the glass to the brim and solve that question.

So, do you look for opportunity?  Do you look for the silver lining?  Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?  Things to think about.

One of the aspects of my business that I promote is keeping in touch with clients and prospects.  You never know when they might need your products or service or have the opportunity to refer you.  It's important to stay Top of Mind.  I've been fortunate in that my business has thrived during this time.  Which brings me to one of the reasons I am writing this newsletter....to share an opportunity.

SendOutCards recently announced there will be a new program coming in January which will offer six streams of income.  They are giving the opportunity to sign up for the pre-launch for free until 11/16 with the capability of adding others.  I've been with SOC since 2006.  They are a solid company with a great product that almost everyone can use.  If you're reading this, perhaps this is your opportunity knocking.  Sign up for free, see what the program is in January.  If you decide it's not for you, then no harm, no foul.  For a little preview, watch this two minute video.

Here are some additional resources for Working Virtually:

Seven Tips for Working At Home

Networking Online

5 Tips for What to Wear for Video Conferencing

The Gratitude Effect

Relationship Marketing 

To Your Success,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

Kindness Matters

Wow!  What a difference a few weeks can make. So how are you managing these days?  

In all of this 'social distancing,' it seems that we could use this time to socially connect.  Now, more than ever, reaching out to family, friends, customers, clients, prospects, acquaintances, etc. to see how they are doing, to offer encouragement and help.  To show kindness.

I've talked with many over the past couple of weeks.  Some are busier than ever.  Some have no business.  Some are considered 'essential' workers and are still going to work.  Many are maintaining a positive attitude and finding ways to be productive and doing some of the things for themselves and their business that they didn't have time to do before. Where are you in all of this?

On the business side, I believe we need to continue to stay in touch with our clients, even if we can't see or service them now.  There are many ways to offer help.  One creative massage therapist is offering to use Facetime and Zoom to teach her clients massage techniques that they can use on their significant other or to do self-massage.  A real estate agent is offering tips on how to get your home ready to sell.  A Home organizer is offering tips on home organization throughout the home. A therapist is giving daily A to Z video tips on how to cope during these stressful times. Thinking outside the box to add value will be what people will remember when this is over.

Speaking of going virtual, my family arranged a virtual dinner party last weekend.  It was great to be able to see and talk to everyone, even though we were social distancing, we were still socially connecting.

All of my networking meetings have gone virtual also.

So what are some ways to can reach out to people?  To your clients to stay in touch and to stay Top of Mind?

Here are some suggestions:

- phone calls 

- email

- social media

- news letters

- greeting cards

The same list I would recommend prior to our social distancing.  The point is, we must continue to market, to stay in touch, to let our customers and clients know we care and are here to help and service them.  

Yes, in my last email I mentioned sending cards and this time I mention it for the reason of keeping in touch.  Sending out Kindness.  Sending out Happy Mail.

SendOutCards is offering a 12 Day series of Global Kindness Webinars starting today, Wednesday, April 1st.  These will be at noon MST (mountain standard time) for one hour.  They will be recorded so if you miss any you will have the opportunity to go back and review them. Each one will be different.

Here is the list:

Wed. Apr. 1st - Kody Bateman - 'How to Turn Promptings into Daily Habits.'  By attending his live presentation you will receive his book, 'The Power of Human Connections.' 

Thurs. Apr. 2nd - Jodi Bateman - 'Sending Happy Mail.'

Fri. Apr. 3rd - Darla Aquilera - 'Converting the Thank You.'

Sat. Apr. 4th - Jordan Adler - 'Delivering Opportunities in a Time of Need.'

Mon. Apr. 6th - Callie Teegardin - 'Expanding Your Reach.'

Tues. Apr. 7th - Linda Walters - 'Hope Sendathon.'

Wed. Apr. 8th - Jodi Bateman, Betty Ann Goldman, & Whitney Jensen - 'Nurturing Yourself - Being Kind to Yourself.'

Thurs. Apr. 9th - Dr. Ivan Misner - 'The Power of Networking.'

Fri. Apr. 10th - Larry Levine - 'Bringing the Heart into Business.'

Sat. Apr. 11th - Gayle Zientek - 'ABCs of Productive Quarantine.'

Mon. Apr. 13th - Kody Bateman & Dave Smith - 'Creating Habits of Prosperity.'

Sat. Apr. 18th - Kody Bateman - Promptings Academy

And I understand that Monday evening April 13th, there will be a special announcement by Kody regarding SendOutCards.

The calls will be on the SendOutCards Facebook page.  Click Here to view the calls.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Here are some additional resources for Working Virtually:

Seven Tips for Working At Home

Networking Online

5 Tips for What to Wear for Video Conferencing

The Gratitude Effect

Relationship Marketing 

To Your Success,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

Perspective

In this uncertain time, how are you approaching things?  Doom and gloom or looking for opportunities?  I am a big fan of Shark Tank, the TV show, and recently I saw a segment on Daymond John and his new book Powershift. It is very inspiring.  It's all in our perspective.  'If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.'  If you think it will work, or you think it won't work, you're right.'  

Yes, this situation is wreaking havoc in all areas of our lives, but it's how we react is going to determine how we come out of this.  We've probably all faced some sort of set back in our life.  Did you let it control you or did you take charge?

Once when going through a rather difficult period in my life, I heard what a friend had to say about the way I was responding to the situation, 'Well you know, AW, she is just pulling up her bootstraps and taking care of business.'

Now granted, I did my fair share of wallowing in some self-pity, but I knew that wasn't going to get me anywhere.  And I knew that if anything was going to get done or changed, it was up to me to do it. The past is the past....leave it there.  You can't change it.  Learn from it. Use it to do things differently, make things better given the opportunity again.

Why do I say this?  I guess because I have a problem with the naysayers.  Have you ever said it won't work, only to see someone make it work and turn it into a successful venture?  I haven't found my million dollar idea yet, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop looking.  

So, I guess I'm fortunate in that I made the decision some time ago, to have a virtual business.  My goal was to be able to work anywhere I could get internet service.  To offer products and services that most people could use or benefit from.  'Knock on wood' being virtual hasn't affected me like many business owners I know.  However, some of the work I do is for other business owners and so far I'm still doing work for them.

Today, March 19, is International Client Day.  It is a day we are to be grateful for the clients we have.  One of the things I try to convey in regards to relationship marketing is to keep in touch with clients and prospects because you never know when they might need your products or services or when they can refer you.  That's why you keep in touch.  Keeping in touch takes many forms, i.e. phone calls, emails, newsletters, social media, and the old fashion US mail.  Which ones of these methods do you use to keep in touch?  I use all of them, but I particularly like sending cards.  I send my clients thank you cards, birthday cards, anniversary, etc.  I believe by adding a personal touch helps to strengthen the relationship and helps to be remembered.

I mention the sending of cards because this is also an affiliate, work from home, business opportunity.  No it's not a get rich quick scheme, but by using the system and sharing the benefits, there is revenue to be made.  Of course the amount is determined by each individual.  The reason I share this is because SendOutCards has waived the affiliate fee until March 30th.  Here's an opportunity to start a home-based business with no upfront costs not even a subscription unless you choose to.  So if you love spreading good cheer, gratitude, helping people feel good, etc. this just might be what you're looking for.  Here's the link Click Here and scroll down to where is says Affiliate Opportunity.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Here are some additional resources for Working Virtually:

Seven Tips for Working At Home

Networking Online

5 Tips for What to Wear for Video Conferencing

The Gratitude Effect

Relationship Marketing 

To Your Success,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

Getting to Know Your Customers

Did you know that  January 16th is 'Getting to Know Your Customers Day.'  Did you know that Getting to Know Your Customers Day happens once per quarter?  Why do you think this day happens so often?  It's very important to get to know customers and maintain a relationship with existing customers as it is five times harder to get a new client and it cost six to seven times more money than it does to keep an existing client.  So you can see why it's important to get to know your customers.

Here are some ways to Get to Know Your Customers -

• Ask your customers for their opinions. Both positive and negative feedback lets you know what your customers like.  On 'Get to Kow Your Customers Day, send a survey asking some brief questions.  By asking for your customers' opinions, you convey how important they are in helping you make improvements.  Offering a discount or a giveaway will encourage them to reply.
• Host a Customer Appreciation event so your customers can meet each other.  Make it a fun experience with activities for the entire family.
• Send Cards and Gifts - Find out your customer's birthday and anniversary.  Recognize their special day by sending a card and perhaps a gift.  Some enterprising realtors and mortgage agents send an anniversary card on the day their client closed on their home.  And other business owners track the years a customer has done business with them and sends an anniversary card to say thank you for your continued business.
• Highlight your customer's achievements.  Spotlight the successes of your customers on your social media accounts.  By celebrating their milestone events, you strengthen your relationship with your customers.
• Keep customers informed by providing them with sneak previews of new products and services.  Since 'Get to Know Your Customer Day' happens four times a year, use this opportunity to announce new products, services, launch dates, etc.  Provide them with samples if appropriate.  By sharing what's happening and what's new, customers feel like an insider to your business.
• Provide information.  Educate your customers on your industry, not just your products and services but about your industry.  Provide seminars and take the opportunity to thank your clients for their business.
• Create a rewards program for your customers both for their continued business, but also reward them for their referrals of new clients.
• Keep in touch and follow up.  Newsletters and social media are great to reach out to clients to inform them of discounts and specials, however, don't forget the personal touch by following up with them when you suspect they might be running out of product or it's time for your service again.  Also, following up after a purchase to find out how they liked the product or service shows customers you really care.
• Thank You goes a very long way.  Always thank a client for their business.  Sending a personalized thank you card goes a long way and shows you go the extra mile.  
• Respond to clients' rave reviews as well as negative reviews.  By responding it proves that you are listening to their concerns as well as their compliments.  It only takes a few minutes to respond and offer to resolve the issue.  Also, consider asking longtime clients to leave a positive review, and thank them with a small reward.  

Remember 68% of all customers are lost due to perceived indifference!  A customer who feels appreciated will not go somewhere else when the competition comes calling especially if you have taken the time to get to know them and build their trust and loyalty.

What are some things that you do to get to know your customers?  Your comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.

In appreciation,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com 

What is your Vision for the new Decade?

As we turn the page and look to the new year, what is your Vision for 2020?  It's not just a New Year, it's the beginning of a New Decade.  Time to not just set goals for the New Year, but to set BHAG Goals for the Decade!

I am a member of BNI and I recently listen to Podcast #445.  In this podcast, Dr. Misner talks with John Assaraf with OneCoach.  He's also one of the teachers from the movie, The Secret, and he's the author of Having It All and The Answer.

The title of the podcast is 'How to Grow Any Business in Any Market.'  The original podcast was done in 2009 during the recession, but it covers some very good key points on our beliefs and conditioning when it comes to Goal Setting and Visioning of what we want to achieve regardless of the state of the economy.

John gives these three key points in setting a vision:

1. Number one is to set an absolute, clear new vision of what it is you want to achieve.  And so let's say you want to earn $100,000 or $250,000 or $1 million, what you want to do is set an absolute, clear vision for the brain to be able to pick up, number one, on that vision, i.e. what would it look like, what would it feel like?.

1. Number two, you want to impress that part into the subconscious or implicit part of the brain.  A visualization technique would be seeing yourself playing at that level over and over and over again so that we create the new neural networks in the implicit part of the brain, which is the automatic side of the brain. Also, create affirmations or declarations that create emotion.  This will actually accelerate the neuron connections of the brain as well.  This is putting our reticular activator in motion.
2. Number three put ourselves into meditative states through self-hypnosis and use auditory technologies, or brain-and-train technologies, that will embed these new affirmations, or declarations, into the nervous system, basically, of the brain.

Those are three simple things that anybody could do inexpensively to make sure that our brains are being rewired at the part that actually is responsible for 96 to 98 percent of our perceptions and behaviors. And over the course of 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, we're actually reprogramming our brains at the level that's going to cause all of our perceptions and behaviors to change over time thus leading us to meet our goals.

I want to share a story with you.  Many years ago, when I had my first sales position with a direct sales company and before I knew anything about these techniques and the principles of Laws of Attraction this actually worked for me.

After working for this company for about 9 months, I attended their yearly sales seminar.  First time I had flown, so I was very excited.  I was one of the winners of their Fall Sales promotion which added to my excitement.  But the frosting on the cake was when they announced what the next big sales promotion was to be for the company.  They had never offered a promotion this big.  It was a trip for two to Hawaii.  I made up my mind right then and there...I was going.  I took one of the posters from the promotion, packed it in my suitcase, brought it home and hung it on the wall of my workroom.  That was my vision.

Over the next several months, I was focused on what I needed to do to achieve my vision.  I had determined exactly what each week and months sales had to be to meet my goal.  The company had given us 18 months to meet all the criteria to win.  I achieved my goal in 10 months and was the first sales rep to win!  Was it easy, NO!  There were many obstacles to overcome and work through, but I believe that the emotion I put behind the determination and the explicit declaration of, 'I am going,' was my key to achieving my dream in even less time than given.

Later in my career when I worked in a corporate setting, I had the privilege of being exposed to this concept even more through becoming a Master Facilitator in a program called 'Investment in Excellence' which was from Pacific Institute.  It was through this program I learned about the 'Reticular Activator.'  That part of the brain that doesn't know the difference in what is real and what is imagined.  So if we can imagine with enough emotion we can set the brain in motion to achieve the end result - our vision.  Remember #2 - 'Play at the level in our mind and seeing ourself playing at that level over and over and over again so that we create the new vision.'  The other piece is writing affirmations in the first person as if you have already achieved your goal and put the feeling and emotion into the affirmation, i.e. 'I AM sitting on the beach in Oahu listening to the beautiful Hawaiian music as I watch a gorgeous sunset.'  Can you feel that?

So what is it you want to achieve in 2020?  If it's a monetary level, what would you do with the money?  Buy a new car, buy a new house, take an exotic vacation?  How would the end result make you feel?  Write your affirmations with how the end result would make you feel.

I would love to hear what your BHAG goals are for 2020.  

FYI - 'What few people know about me....I have won 2 trips to Hawaii with 2 different direct sales companies.  This stuff does work.  

Here are some additional resources for Goal Setting:

Grow Any Business in any Market

Stay in Your Flame

Amplifying Results Using a Lens

How Building it Can Make You Fearless*

Limits Are Illusions* 

(*FYI - I am an affiliate for SOC)

In appreciation,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business to Look Good'