A SINGLE Focus Will Help You Attract More Clients (In More Ways Than One)

Guest post by Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Expert

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” – Carl Jung

You’ve heard a lot more about the Law of Attraction recently. For nearly 10 years, I’ve been using it consciously to create my ideal business, on a daily basis, in addition to disciplined marketing strategies.

With anything in life, if you don’t KNOW where you’re going, you’ll either eventually get lost or it’ll take you a long time to get there, much longer than necessary. If you’re heading out to drive cross-country and choose to do it without a roadmap, it may not even make sense to head out in the first place. Worse, if you don’t consciously choose what you want, you will continue to attract by default what your unconscious mind wants to attract.

Over the years, I noticed that certain entrepreneurs were really wishy-washy about what they want or wanting it for the wrong reasons. BIG mistake. A single focus will help you market AND manifest what you want, much faster. Not knowing what you really want creates confusion in both your marketing AND your manifesting. Here’s what I mean.

Say one day you decide that you want to attract a full practice of 20 clients, and you set that intention. But the next day, you decide that instead, you’re interested in only 5 private clients and 3 group programs. That same afternoon, you decide you don’t want ANY private clients, but instead, you want to only deal with groups. (This happened to a client just this week.)

If you know that what you focus on is what you bring into your reality, both in terms of manifesting, but also in the Law of Attraction (which I call manifesting) then you’re essentially sending the wrong message over and over again to the Universe (or your subconscious mind, whichever you prefer).

Some may not see this as a big deal, but it actually is. Take this scenario as an example: You’re hungry and decide to have lunch in the “Law of Attraction Diner”. Your waitress is the “asking”, your order is what you’d like to eat, and the short-order cook in the kitchen is the Universe, ready to send you exactly and precisely what you desire and ordered.

You tell the waitress that you’d like to eat a grilled cheese sandwich. She responds, “Your wish is my command” and starts walking over to the short-order cook’s window with your order slip. Before she hands it to him, you stop her, call her back to the table and tell her you’ve changed your mind.

Instead of the grilled cheese sandwich, you’ve decided you now want a tuna salad sandwich. She comes back to your table, crosses off the previous order, and scribbles down the new one. She says, “Your wish is my command” and starts walking over once again to the short-order cook’s window with your revised order slip.

But before she has a chance to place your order for the tuna salad sandwich, you wave her back to your table and tell her you’ve changed your mind once more. You’re now interested in eating a meatball sub, and you send her back with this new order.

As do this over and over again, the waitress never actually reaches the kitchen. If this continues, will you ever get to eat? Probably not for a while. And worse yet, you’d probably complain that your food was late, but in fact, here’s what’s really happened.

YOU are the one and only reason it was late getting to you.

Now imagine that this is exactly what’s happening when you aren’t clear about what you want your practice to look like, how many clients you’d ideally like or the revenue you’d like to make. Many entrepreneurs do this every day. And as you keep changing your mind, your “order” never actually reaches its destination and can never be answered! This may seem like a no-brainer to you, but look deeper and you’re probably making that same mistake (hundreds of my clients have been guilty of this.)

Your indecision is what gets in the way! If you’re not clear about what you want, you’re sabotaging both your marketing AND your manifesting. In terms of marketing, you’ll find yourself waffling, not really knowing where to focus your efforts, where to find your ideal clients, etc. In terms of Manifesting, you’ll wonder why what you want isn’t “arriving” quickly enough. This is why it’s absolutely essential that you get CRYSTAL CLEAR on what you really want, especially as we head into the next year.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

If you realize that you can have anything you want, then the question becomes, what DO you want in this next year? Make a “date” with yourself for some quiet time over the slower holiday season. Turn off your computer, turn the ringer off the phone and put a Do Not Disturb sign on your office door. Get a notebook and a pen and start imagining what you’d like to have for your practice.

A note of caution. What you’re looking for here is to put down what YOU really want, NOT what others are doing, not what others say you SHOULD want and certainly not something you’d be unhappy with. Here’s why.

If you put down something that’s inauthentic for you or doesn’t ultimately get you excited, then that “negative” energy will prevent you from feeling good each time you think about what you’d like to attract. And when you don’t “feel good” about what you’d like to attract, you won’t be in alignment with it and simply won’t get it. So, get busy with the following:

• How many clients would be ideal for you in this year?
• How much revenue would you like each month this year?
• What kind of clients would you be really happy with?
• If anything could be possible, how much time off do you dream of, per week, per month or per year?
• How easily would clients come to you?
• Would they pay you easily and eagerly?
• Would they receive massive value from your work and tell everyone about you?
• Where will you work?
• How would you describe (in detail) your ideal and typical day if you were to have all of these things?
• How will you feel having already achieved this?

I’ve been using this technique to nearly double my revenues each year. It works. So, set an intention statement (or two pages’ worth, as I do) and read it daily. Carve it into your both your conscious and subconscious. You’ll be amazed by the results, both in a marketing sense, AND in a Manifesting sense.

Got your vision laid out but having a difficult time marketing it? Then it’s time to take action and invest in a step-by-step marketing system that will feel easy and authentic to you. The Client Attraction Home Study System™ avoids all the unnecessary stuff and instead gives you the most important things to do to find your niche, get out there in a big way, set up simple, solid systems, so you consistently fill your pipeline and continually get new clients. It’s all step-by-step, not a big mishmash of things. So, you do step one of the system, and when you’re done with that, you move on to step two, and so on. So easy. All the tools, scripts, templates, and examples are handed to you on a silver platter. You can get it at http://TheClientAttractionSystem.com

© 2007 Client Attraction LLC. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author:  Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Expert, is founder of the Client Attraction System™, the proven step-by-step program to attract more clients, in record time…guaranteed. To receive your freebie audio CD by mail and sign up for her weekly how-to articles on attracting more clients, visit http://www.ClientAttraction.com

 

Collecting Your Money: What to Do When A Client Does Not Pay

Guest post by Sandra P. Martini, the Automatic Business Coach.

You’re psyched! You just landed a new client who is going to keep you busy with projects. Life is good.

You love the people, you’re really enjoying the work, things are going great. Everything proceeds along smoothly for several months until that fateful month where you submit a large invoice and payment isn’t immediate.

“No problem” you think. “Things are somewhat tight. It will just be paid a little late.” 

What are your options when a client doesn’t – or can’t – pay you?

There are several things you can do when a client doesn’t pay you. Before you start down the path however, you need to think about what type of future, if any, you want with this client.

1. Gentle reminder.

Your invoice could have been forgotten, misplaced or buried in a pile on your client’s desk. If they have gone past your due date, email – or call depending on what is most comfortable for you – a gentle reminder asking them the status of payment.

If you use QuickBooks or QuickBooks Online, you can also email a statement directly from the system.

2. Be personal.

If you’ve reminded the client and no payment has come, it is time for either another email or a phone call. Your client may tell you that he is very busy and apologizes that he “forgot” again.

Explain that cash flow is very important to your small business and that you can not afford to carry the unpaid invoice any longer.

Always remember to make it easy for your client to pay you. Tell him that you are happy to be paid via wire, PayPal, credit card – offer him all the options and be sure that you have more than just “send a check” available. Make it as easy as possible!

3. Be the “squeaky wheel”.

If your client is having his own cash flow issues, he may need to make hard choices about who gets paid when. Send an email reminder or statement every other day or every week – take your comfort level and go one step further.

By being the “squeaky wheel”, you insure that you are at the forefront of his mind when he is paying bills.

4. Cut him off.

As hard as it is, sometimes you need to tell the client – even though you’ve become friends – that you can not do any additional work until your invoices are paid in full.

As a small business owner, you are responsible for the running of your business and, as a result, there are times when you need to make tough decisions that are best for your business. You can’t afford to work without compensation and your client should understand that.

5. Get tough.

You’ve tried being gentle. You’ve tried being personal. And you’ve squeaked so many times that you’re tired of hearing your own voice. Now it’s time to put that prepaid legal plan to use!

Have your attorney send a formal letter stating that if you are not paid, in full, within X number of days, that you will either take the client to small claims court (the normal limit is between $2,000 and $7,500 – it varies by state in the U.S.) or to arbitration. Whether you sue or go to arbitration depends on the contract you have with your client as some state that disputes will be arbitrated. 

6. Bigger than small claims.

If the client owes you substantially more than the small claims process will allow you to sue for, you may wish to sue in a formal state trial court. Debt collection cases are usually simple and few collection cases actually make it to trial as most defendants either settle before trial or fail to show up for court (in which case you would receive a default judgment).

Chances are if you threaten legal action, your client will pay up. If he doesn’t, you may have to follow through on your threat. Just remember to make this decision taking into account how much you are owed, your time for the legal action and whether or not you ever wish to work with this client in the future.

Note that if the client never pays you, you *may* be able to deduct the amount as a “bad debt”. See your tax advisor for more information regarding the bad debt rule.

You want to take collection actions that you are comfortable with while thinking about how they will affect your future relationship with the client. Keep in mind however that you are a small business owner and should be promptly paid for services rendered and accepted. After all, you didn’t go into business for yourself to work for free!

© Sandra P. Martini, The Automatic Business Coach 2007. 

Get Sandra Martini’s FREE “5 Simple Steps to Putting Your Marketing on Autopilot” e-course/audio mini-workshop and her FREE small business success how-to tips at www.SandraMartini.com

7 Instant Ways To Boost Your Productivity!

Guest post by Marie Forleo, best selling author & multi-passionate entrepreneur

Would you like to get more done? There are a few simple and easy tricks that can radically skyrocket your productivity, income and satisfaction.

But when overwhelm hits, it all comes down to knowing what’s going to make the biggest impact - fast.

Here are my top 7 strategies to get you back on track in an instant:

1. Single-task

Are you a chronic multi-tasker? STOP that! Multi-tasking is moronic. It’s also the biggest productivity killer there is. Why? Because no two things can occupy the same space at the same time. For example, it’s impossible to be EFFECTIVE on the phone and email too. Not only do you miss parts of both tasks, but you make mistakes, drive your stress level sky high and do major damage your relationships. (Just think of how it feels when you’re speaking to someone on the phone who you KNOW is checking their emails!) Single-tasking, or, doing just one thing at a time with excellence is where it’s at.

2. Quit

That’s right. You read it correctly. I said quit! Sometimes we creative entrepreneurs get sucked into every new “bright and shiny” opportunity that comes our way. A few months ago I found myself feeling bogged down and realized I was involved in a project that really wasn’t a good fit for me. But I was scared to back out for fear of what it would do to my reputation. You know what? Getting OUT of that project produced a windfall of other, more profitable projects! Plus I had a surge of energy and time. And honestly, the other person felt relieved too.

3. Shut all the gadgets OFF

Don’t become the victim of your constant ringing phone, IM and emails. When you need to produce results, shut all your gadgets and notifications off. Contrary to popular belief, the world will not come to an end if you disconnect for a few hours. In fact, I guarantee that the more time you regularly “unplug”, the easier it will be for you to complete projects that bring you money and satisfaction.

4. Ditch and delete ruthlessly

Do you have piles of unread mail, newsletters and magazines? How about disorganized files on your computer? Or hundreds of emails in your inbox?

Most of us are buried under heaps of useless information that we collect because we “might need it someday.” PAALLEASE! Let’s get real people. 99% of this information can be chucked. I recently had to re-install the operating system on my computer and lost a good portion of my current inbox. While all my important files and emails are backed up and safe, those 25 or so emails in my inbox got wiped out! Guess what? No harm done and no small children died. Sometimes, the best way to move forward fast it to be bold with your delete key and trash bin.

5. Knock yourself off the Internet

When I’m on traveling on a plane it’s shocking how much writing I get done. Why? Because there’s no frickin’ Internet connection! The crack-head-like-addiction to hit send and receive or check Facebook simply vanishes. (Just to be clear, Facebook rocks. It’s super fun and if you’re on Facebook, add me as your friend!) But every once in a while, if you need to crank out a project fast, unplug your Internet connection and turn off your wireless access. Then dive in to producing results!

6. If it ain’t a ‘hell yes’ it’s a ‘hell no’

My friend Lorrie Morgan-Ferraro shared this quote with me recently and I love it! Take a look around your business and your life. If anything (including a relationship, project, client, outfit, opportunity, etc.) isn’t a “hell yes!” it should be “hell no!” Don’t allow time-suckers and energy drainers into your life. Unless you are absolutely clear you want to invest your time and energy into something or someone, steer clear. This is especially important the more successful you become!

7. Quit complaining

Complaining may be the deadliest time, money and satisfaction killer there is. The trick here is to really pay attention, BE HONEST and notice how much of the time you’re moaning (silently or aloud) about something. Want to know the wild part? Most of us complain so automatically we don’t even realize we’re doing it. In fact, we often complain about things we have absolutely no control over (like the weather) and wonder why we feel exhausted at the end of every day. My suggestion? Quit complaining cold turkey and watch your productivity and well-being rise fast.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marie Forleo is a best selling author, multi-passionate entrepreneur and creator of the “Live In The Moment Booty Camp” training program.  Her company is dedicated to empowering women around the world to live Rich, Happy & Hot™.   Visit http://www.marieforleo.com/7myths to gain FREE instant access to her “7 Biggest Myths of Living In the Moment” audio training call.

 

The Great Fear of Niching… and Why You Need to Get Over It!

By Guest Blogger Erin Ferree, owner of elf design

Do you find yourself offering a wide range of products and services, trying to offer anything that you can to everyone that you meet?

I certainly did, when I started my business! I offered every service that I thought I could perform—from design, to CD burning, to printing (off of my home inkjet printer!), to typing and transcription. Once, I even helped a family pack for a move—I had the spare time in my schedule, and it paid a few bucks!

I thought that this approach would bring me more business. It certainly kept me busy—thinking up new services to offer, finding clients for those services, and learning how to do them. But being busy is different from being successful. Since I didn’t appear to be an expert in any of the services that I offered, I was not able to convince my clients that I should be paid well for then. After a while, I decided that this was not the best plan. Read more

4 Ways to Build Your Ezine List Without Spending a Dime

Guest post by Sandra Martini, the “Automatic Business Coach.”

There are thousands of ways to build your ezine, subscriber, mailing list, etc. . .some expensive and many not.

Today I want to cover the Top 4 ways I built my list. Each of the following items can be done without spending a dime. Creativity is one of the strongest tools in the entrepreneur’s toolbox.

1. Public Speaking

Public speaking is the quickest and easiest way for you to quickly build a list of raving fans. Read more

Are You Pregnant?

Guest post by Sandy Grason, Rock Star Author, International Speaker & Hot Mogul (yes, that really is her title).

Did my subject line get your attention?

I was referring to the consistent, exciting and yet sometimes frustrating state of feeling ‘pregnant with possibility’. Have you been laboring for a long time? Or are you just stopping by the drugstore to pick up the pregnancy test? Are you in your 1st trimester? Or are you long over due? No matter where you are in your process, today’s blog will help you out by giving you 5 Tips to Get Through the Labor and Give Birth to Your Possibilities.

• Do you feel like you’re juggling an insanely high number of projects at the same time? Including trying to have a personal life that’s meaningful and makes a difference in the world? Read more
  Filed Under: Mindset
  Tagged: action, dream life, Guest Blogger, journalution, rock star, sandy grason, Vision, writing

  Savvy Debt: Using Other People’s Money to Grow Your Business

  September 2, 2008 by Elizabeth Potts Weinstein · 5 Comments 

  Guest post by Melanie Benson Strick, Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach.  

  How much debt do you have? That’s right, I’m just going to come straight out and ask. Is it $10,000? $20,000? $50,000? More?

  And how did you get that debt? Investing in your business? Or was it buying TVs and traveling to Fiji? Chances are you obtained most of it while making purchases for your business like computers, coaching programs, and marketing tactics to help you grow. While you might refer to this as debt, it’s called leveraging Other People’s Money (OPM.)

  Whatever you call it, the most important question is: How do you feel about that debt?

  Read more

  Filed Under: Finance
  Tagged: borrowing, business growth, debt, Finance & Debt, Financing, Guest Blogger, leverage, start ups

  You’re Being Too Hard on Yourself by Sandy Grason (guest)

  July 20, 2007 by Elizabeth Potts Weinstein · 1 Comment 

  One of my fabulous coaching clients is finishing up a draft of her first book proposal and sample chapters and getting ready to send it off to her editor. We worked together to plan her schedule. She needed to complete the edits on her chapters and the introduction before her family arrived for a 1 week stay. We discussed how wonderful she would feel once everything was sent off to the editor and she could relax and be with her family, taking a much deserved break.

  When she sent me her coaching form the night before our call, she wrote that she was on task. Yet the day of her call, I could hear the stress in her voice as she talked about how her family would be arriving later that day and she still needed to work on the introduction a little more. She told me she had run into some ‘blocks’ with a sleepless night and feeling exhausted the next day. Read more

  Filed Under: Life Balance
  Tagged: celebrate, Guest Blogger, journalution, sandy grason, Self-Care

  3 ‘A-Ha’ Success Principles That Have Reshaped My Business by Alexandria K. Brown (guest)

  July 13, 2007 by Elizabeth Potts Weinstein · Leave a Comment 

  Over the past three years I’ve immersed myself in learning. Because my business is marketing, I have mostly attended and spoken at marketing seminars. But I also make time to attend seminars and listen to audio programs on personal development as well.

  Why?

  You should actually work harder on yourself than you do on your business (or job). I first learned that from Jim Rohn, whom some call the father of personal development. Some call him America’s foremost business philosopher. I just call him brilliant. (Jim was one of Tony Robbins’ first mentors, too.)

  There are three success principles I learned over the past year that I wanted to share with you. I call them my "a-has" because they put my attention on areas I’d never thought of. And following these guidelines has helped me skyrocket my business. Read more

  Filed Under: Mindset
  Tagged: alexandria k. brown, ali brown, environment, Guest Blogger, habits, personal development, success

  Celebrate Your Victories and Give Thanks by Jack Canfield (guest)

  July 3, 2007 by Elizabeth Potts Weinstein · Leave a Comment 

  Celebrate Your Victories and Give Thanks
  by Jack Canfield

  Research has shown over and over again that the more you acknowledge your past successes, the more confident you become in taking on, and successfully accomplishing, new ones.

  As you stay the course and begin to realize your goals, you need to do two very important things:

  1.) Celebrate your successes, and …

  2.) Express your gratitude to everyone who has helped you along the way.

  Let’s look at a few of the ways you can acknowledge your positive past.
  Read more

  Filed Under: Mindset
  Tagged: Give Thanks, Gratitude, Guest Blogger, jack canfield, victory

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