Game Change Your Biz

Being in business for yourself, you always want to make sure your pipeline of new customers and new business is full of great prospects! The key is to forge relationships with people now, so you can ensure you have future customers.

Sometimes marketing feels icky, but if you approach it as building a relationship, it can become a beautiful partnership.

5 Steps to Help Be More Comfortable with Marketing

1. Know your target market - who you are targeting and what they want
2. Narrow your prospect list to a specific list you want to target
3. Gather intel - research website to see what services they already offer and write your proposal
4. Contact your prospect - letter, thank you note, etc. Set up a time to call on them.
5. Build a relationship - be their problem solver!

You may use your credit cards for trips, special occasions, birthdays and special purposes. The average consumer debt for Americans is $39,000. This can really put a strangle-hold on your finances. It's important to get your credit card debt paid off as quickly as you can.

How do you get rid of this credit card debt:

1. Get organized
2. Prioritize your debt repayments
3. Use an online tool to help you see what your best payoff would be

Why pay off debt?

• It can keep you from getting a house or car loan
• Your debt ratio should be no more than 30% of your income

Strategies to pay off debt:

1. Pay highest APR down first and roll that payment into the next debt repayment
2. Pay off the card with the lowest balance first. This can make you feel successful right away.
3. Try to consolidate your cards and then focus on paying it all off.
4. Stop charging any new debt.

Resources:

The Debt Analyzer

Welcome! How do you know when to quit your day job? If you've ever considered entrepreneurship, then you've been faced with this question. It's one that requires careful thought, soul-searching, and planning. After all, making this transition most likely means leaving a steady paycheck and benefits for a period of uncertainty. Let's talk about those challenges.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Tips in preparing for this transition:
• • Try to get rid of all your debt
  • Save a year's worth of living expenses
  • Follow a business plan
  • Create a personal financial plan
  • Have a business financial plan
  • Consider starting as an entrepreneur in a part-time capacity
  • Think about new skills and network connections that might be helpful
  • Consider finding a mentor
• Remember, there will never be a perfect time and a perfect situation to make this transition into entrepreneurship. The goal is to be successful in your endeavor. Good luck!

Today's episode is about finding and following your passion. In your business, you're always looking to maximize your passion and leadership. That may be easier said than done, so there are several questions you can ask to help you define your passion.

• What was your passion in the past?
• Has it changed from the past to the present?
• What fires you up?
• What makes you happy and brings a smile to your face?
• What is the ONE thing you could never give up?
• Is there a hobby or activity that always brings you joy?
• Is there something people constantly ask your advice about?

If you determine your passion, then what's next? Where do you go and what do you do with it?

• Follow it to get needed skills and stand out in your field among the competition
• Seek out mentors and instructors to help you
• Remember that there is always some kind of trade-off within any new venture

It's a New Year and everyone is talking about new changes, resolutions and goals. But many times we get held back from accomplishing these goals and resolutions because of fear. As humans we can't both want change and embrace change to reach new goals, and yet fear change all the while.

So my challenge to you is to set your fears aside in 2017, so that you can focus on achieving your goals.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm working hard on achieving my goals for the new year. I'm on track to hit a couple of them too!

Show Notes:

• You'll have to change your outlook on life
• Appreciate the moment you are in now - live in the moment
• Write down goals for 3, 6 and 12 months
• Goal setting triggers our sub conscience into thinking bigger
• Think deliberately and be strategic when doubt sets in
• When you get opposition think about it 3 days before you make a decision
• Be deliberate and strategic questions about what you want to achieve
• Review and update your goals every 3-4 months
• "Just so you know, you're awesome!"

Life moves at a rapid pace, so jump right in and make your change for 2017. Have no fear!

Happy 2017 to everyone! Today's topic is Strategies and Trends for 2017. Let's take a look!

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Top three strategies:
• • Look at financial records and set up a budget
  • Consider a mindset based on positive thinking
  • Look at your marketing strategies for what has (and hasn't) worked
• Top three business trends:
• • Technology (It's crucial!)
  • Branding and Marketing
  • Creative ways to improve the workflow process
  • Using remote employees and virtual assistants
  • Customer service

Resources:

Zoom.us

Skype.com

Let take a look our goals for 2016. Did you accomplish everything you wanted this year? Did you write them down?

It's worth going back and taking a look at what you did and didn't accomplish this year. Not so that you can beat yourself up, but so you can know what goals to set for 2017.

Over the next couple of weeks go ahead and do some analysis.

We are going to have a 5 day business challenge here, so stay tuned for the details.

5 Things that Setting Goals Does:

1. Write goals down to keep you motivated. Make it step by step.
2. Visualize your goals.
3. Make your goals attainable.
4. It makes you accountable.
5. It allows you to focus on what is truly important.

Don't get discouraged with the goal setting process. Take some time and think about it and write what comes to mind.

In the next episode we are going to break down the strategies for achieving your goals, and get you ready for the 5 day challenge!

Welcome to my conversation with Lawrence Woods, the massage therapist who developed the exciting new therapy called Neural Reset Therapy, NRT. From an understanding of the law of reciprocal inhibition and the law of symmetry, Lawrence formulated this technique that brings relief from muscular pain and tightness for his clients. Lawrence worked in other careers before a back injury and his first body work class led him into his new profession, and his newly developed technique is revolutionizing the world of massage therapy. Join us now!

What you'll hear in this episode:

• How Lawrence was led to create NRT
• How a simple evaluation can reset muscle tone in other areas of the body
• The BETTER way to talk to the nervous system
• Amazing success for clients—without PAIN!
• Forced into the roles of pioneer and entrepreneur
• Lawrence's partnership with Ralph Stevens
• Getting the word out about NRT
• Connecting the brain and muscle
• Who can benefit from NRT?
• Lawrence's best advice ever received? "Be prepared to give your life to it. It won't come easy."
• Lawrence's advice to other massage therapists: "Know anatomy and movement patterns of muscles."

Resources:

www.neuralreset.net

On Facebook, find Lawrence at NRT Now.

What is your specialty? As massage therapists, we need to learn other modalities, and there are a lot of them out there! Finding your specialty depends on your preference, but very few people know what they want to focus on, especially when they are starting out in the business. We'll discuss these issues and more!

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Common modalities include Swedish massage, reflexology, sports massage, deep tissue massage, and medical massage
• Why learning various modalities gives you more tools in your toolbox
• How I structure my simple menu for clients: 60 or 90 minute massage in various modalities, including "specialty" massages
• New therapists have to figure out what modalities they want to include
• My tips:
• • Start with continuing education
  • Take a class in-person rather than online
  • Don't get discouraged with learning something new
  • Get new certifications and work those modalities into your practice
• Remember that every therapist, every practice, and every client is unique. Find what works best for you!

We normally live and work for our family and dependents and we need a long life to be able to carry out this noble purpose as long as necessary; but life happens only once. Practice self-care to prolong your life and avoid burnout. As a therapist, you are often in contact with people who are not feeling well and they could drain out your energy.

Show Notes:

• Take care of your physical self
• Take care of your mental health
• Take care of your emotions
• Take care of your spirituality
• Do something good for yourself too. Get a massage, a manicure, pedicure, and style your hair
• Try the spa and sauna
• Eat healthy foods. – improve your health and increase energy and keep medical costs down
• Consult with your doctor to make sure you are in the right plan
• Get regular medical care for illness prevention
• Dance, swim, walk, play sports, sing, run. We all need to exercise.
• Get enough sleep
• Take a vacation
• Read fun literature
• Write a journal
• Say no to extra, burdensome responsibilities
• Spend time with others whose company you enjoy
• Play with children, play with pets
• Find things to make you laugh
• Spend time with nature
• Find a spiritual connection or community
• Be aware of the value of non-material things in life
• Meditate, sing, and pray.

Resources:

Our resource center: Game Change Your Biz

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