Solopreneur Movement

By Dr. Bruce LundBusiness

Solopreneur Movement episodes

March 16, 2023Epi. 37: Status Sells
When it comes to sales and marketing, the phrase “status sells” is a common one. But what does it mean, and why is it so important for salespeople to understand and leverage in their self-marketing efforts?
At its core, “status sells” refers to the idea that people are often motivated by social status and the desire to belong to certain groups or communities. This can manifest in a number of ways, from the clothes we wear to the cars we drive to the brands we choose to align ourselves with.
For salespeople, understanding this concept can be incredibly powerful. By positioning themselves as experts in their field or as part of a respected industry or community, they can tap into people’s desire for status and use it to build trust and credibility with potential customers.
Here are a few reasons why status sells, and how salespeople can use it to improve their self-marketing efforts:
1. Status signals expertise
When we see someone who is highly regarded in their field or has achieved a certain level of success, we often assume that they must be experts in their area of expertise. This is known as the “halo effect” – the idea that our overall impression of a person is influenced by specific positive traits we associate with them.
By positioning themselves as experts in their field or highlighting their achievements, salespeople can tap into this halo effect and signal to potential customers that they are knowledgeable and trustworthy.
2. Status creates social proof
Social proof is a powerful psychological phenomenon that describes the way people look to others for cues on how to behave or what to believe. When we see others making a particular choice or following a particular trend, we are more likely to do the same.
By positioning themselves as part of a respected industry or community, salespeople can tap into this social proof and signal to potential customers that they are part of a larger group of people who trust and rely on their expertise.
3. Status fosters trust
Finally, by positioning themselves as part of a respected industry or community, salespeople can create a sense of trust and credibility with potential customers. When we see that someone is part of a group or community that we respect or admire, we are more likely to trust them and believe that they have our best interests at heart.
So how can salespeople leverage the power of status in their self-marketing efforts? Here are a few tips:
Highlight your achievements and credentials. Whether it’s a degree or certification, an award you’ve won, or a project you’ve completed, make sure to highlight your achievements and credentials in your marketing materials and conversations with potential customers.
Position yourself as part of a larger industry or community. Whether it’s by joining a professional association, attending industry events, or connecting with others in your field on social media, make sure to position yourself as part of a larger industry or community that potential customers can trust and rely on.
Use social proof to your advantage. Whether it’s by showcasing testimonials from satisfied customers or highlighting the number of people who have used your services, make sure to use social proof to your advantage and create a sense of trust and credibility with potential customers.
In conclusion, understanding the power of status in sales and marketing can be incredibly valuable for salespeople looking to improve their self-marketing efforts. By positioning themselves as experts in their field, part of a respected industry or community, and leveraging social proof to their advantage, salespeople can build trust and credibility with potential customers and ultimately drive more sales.

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14 min
March 10, 2023Epi. 36: Control What You Can Control
In life, there are things that we can control and things that we cannot control. Unfortunately, we often get distracted by the things that are out of our control and forget to focus on the things that we can control. This leads to a lack of productivity, feelings of helplessness, and even anxiety.
In this week’s podcast, I’m going to talk about how to focus on controlling the things that you can control and not worry about the things that are out of your control.
Here are some tips to help you focus on controlling the things you can control:
Identify the things you can control: The first step is to identify the things that are within your control. This includes your thoughts, emotions, actions, and reactions. You can control how you respond to situations, how you communicate with others, and how you take care of your health.
Accept the things you cannot control: Once you have identified the things you can control, it’s important to accept that there are things you cannot control. This includes other people’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. You cannot control the weather, traffic, or other external factors that affect your daily life. Accepting these things will help you focus on the things you can control and avoid wasting energy on things you cannot control.
Develop a plan: Once you have identified the things you can control, develop a plan to manage them. This could involve setting goals, creating a daily routine, and taking steps to improve your mental and physical health. It’s important to have a plan in place to help you focus on the things you can control and avoid getting distracted by external factors.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help you stay focused on the things you can control. It involves being present in the moment and accepting your thoughts and feelings without judgment. When you practice mindfulness, you are less likely to get caught up in worrying about things that are out of your control.
Stay positive: Maintaining a positive attitude can help you stay focused on the things you can control. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of a situation, focus on the positive. This will help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals.
In conclusion, focusing on controlling the things you can control is essential for achieving success in life. By identifying the things you can control, accepting the things you cannot control, developing a plan, practicing mindfulness, and staying positive, you can stay focused on the things that matter and avoid getting distracted by external factors. Remember, you are in control of your life, and by focusing on the things you can control, you can achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life.

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7 min
March 02, 2023 Ep. 35- How Attractive Is Your Brand?
How Attractive is Your Business?
As a salesperson, one of the most important aspects of your job is to build and maintain relationships with potential referral partners and consumers. The stronger your relationships are, the more likely you are to gain new business and retain past business. However, building these relationships can be challenging, especially in today’s highly competitive market. This week, we will focus on some key strategies for making your business or personal brand more attractive to potential referral partners and consumers.
Package your Marketing Message | Opportunity Statement
One of the most critical aspects of building a successful business or personal brand is developing a clear value proposition. Your value proposition should be a statement that outlines what makes you unique, what benefits you can offer, and how you can help your referral partners and consumers achieve their goals. Your value proposition should be simple, concise, and easy to understand. When you have a clear value proposition, it will be easier for your referral partners and consumers to understand the benefits of working with you and referring business to you.
Build a Strong Online Presence
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for any business or personal brand. Once you have your explanation of services down, focus on building a strong website, social media profiles, and other digital marketing channels that are aligned with your marketing message. Your website should be well-designed and easy to navigate, with a clear call-to-action that encourages visitors to contact you. Your social media profiles should be professional, with high-quality images and engaging content. You should also focus on building a strong email marketing campaign, with targeted messages that speak directly to your referral partners and consumers.
Deliver Exceptional Customer Service
Another key strategy for making your business or personal brand more attractive to potential referral partners and consumers is to deliver exceptional customer service. When your referral partners and consumers have a positive experience with you, they are more likely to refer business to you and become repeat customers. You should focus on providing personalized service, responding quickly to inquiries and concerns, and going above and beyond to exceed expectations.
Leverage Testimonials and Referrals
Testimonials and referrals are a powerful tool for building trust and credibility with your potential referral partners and consumers. You should encourage your satisfied customers to provide testimonials, which you can then use on your website and in other marketing materials. You should also make it easy for your customers to refer business to you by offering referral incentives and creating a streamlined process for them to provide referrals.
Network and Showcase Your Brand
Finally, one of the most effective strategies for making your business or personal brand more attractive to potential referral partners and consumers is to network and collaborate. Attend industry events, join relevant groups, and connect with other professionals in your field. You should also seek out opportunities to collaborate with other businesses or professionals, such as joint marketing campaigns or referral partnerships. By building strong relationships with other professionals in your industry, you can expand your reach and gain access to new potential referral partners and consumers.
Conclusion
Building a successful business or personal brand requires a combination of strategies, including developing a clear value proposition, building a strong online presence, delivering exceptional customer service, leveraging testimonials and referrals, and networking and collaborating. By implementing these strategies, you can make your business or personal brand more attractive to potential referral partners and consumers, and ultimately achieve greater success in your sales efforts.
The post Ep. 35- How Attractive Is Your Brand? appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
16 min
February 16, 2023Ep. 34: The 5 Love Languages of Business
The 5 Love Languages is a theory first introduced by Gary Chapman in his book “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts”. According to Chapman, the five love languages are Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. The theory suggests that individuals have different primary love languages, and when these love languages are fulfilled, they feel loved and valued.
Incorporating the 5 Love Languages into your business and client experiences can help you create stronger, more meaningful relationships with your clients, customers, and colleagues. By understanding and speaking the love languages of others, you can show them that you truly care about their needs and wants, and that you are dedicated to delivering a positive and memorable experience.
Here are five ways you can use the 5 Love Languages in your business and client experiences:
Words of Affirmation: This love language is about expressing positive, encouraging, and supportive words to others. In a business setting, you can use words of affirmation by sending personal notes, emails, or text messages to clients, customers, and colleagues, thanking them for their business and telling them how much you appreciate their partnership.
Examples: Immediately after the transaction, affirm and validate their decision. Over the long-term, program key dates inside your CRM to send affirmations during their birthday, anniversary, or other defining moments.
Acts of Service: This love language is about taking action to help others, either by doing something for them or by making their lives easier. In a business setting, you can use acts of service by offering additional services or amenities to clients, or by going above and beyond in your customer service efforts.
Examples: Support them in a cause(s) that seem meaningful to them such as their children, church, community, or charities. For instance, for a single parent maybe you hire a babysitter for a night or purchase a spa day for them.
Receiving Gifts: This love language is about receiving tangible items, such as gifts or presents, as a way to show love and appreciation. In a business setting, you can use receiving gifts by sending personalized gifts to clients or customers, or by offering rewards or incentives to those who refer others to your business.
Examples: Some examples for homeowners would be gutter cleaning services, mowing services, winterizing their home, etc. Send them pies for Thanksgiving or other holidays.
Quality Time: This love language is about spending focused, undivided attention on others. In a business setting, you can use quality time by setting aside specific time slots to meet with clients, customers, or colleagues, or by offering regular check-ins to see how they are doing and if there is anything you can do to help.
Examples: Invite them to your client appreciation events. Host a house-warming party for them. Invite them to any events that you enjoy doing such as happy hour, hiking, etc.
Physical Touch: This love language is about physical touch, such as a hug, handshake, or pat on the back. In a business setting, physical touch may not be appropriate, but you can still use this love language by offering a warm greeting, a friendly smile, or a comforting hand on the shoulder when appropriate.
Examples: 93% of communication is non-verbal. Be the “good doctor” when you are with them during short periods of time. Put your phone away and be very engaging.
By incorporating the 5 Love Languages into your business and client experiences, you can create strong and meaningful relationships with those around you. By understanding and speaking the love languages of others, you can demonstrate your commitment to providing the best possible experience and showing that you truly care about their needs and wants.

The post Ep. 34: The 5 Love Languages of Business appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
14 min
February 10, 2023Ep. 33: How To Plan and Attack the Week
As a salesperson, preparing for the week ahead is crucial to success. Research shows that 80% of the week should be planned prior to Monday, leaving room for only 20% to react to new things during the week. The goal is to be so proactive in your daily or weekly high value activities that you simply react to the week once it has started.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll share some tips and strategies to help you plan and attack the week with confidence.
Alleviate Pressure from the “Sunday Scaries”
The “Sunday scaries” is a feeling of anxiety and stress that often creeps up on us on Sunday evenings, as we think about the week ahead. To alleviate this pressure, it’s important to take the weekend to rejuvenate and stay in “somewhat” of a rhythm. This will help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead.
Weekly Vision Board
Creating a weekly vision board is a great way to set your benchmarks for the week. Our vision board is a bit different than most. It’s not about the external rewards such as the house, money, or cars you want but rather the people who can help you reach your goals. Write down your weekly database targets, such as “50 people per week” and stick to it. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the week. Sales is a contact sport. How are you proactively building and maintaining your network through database management?
How to Plan for the Week in 3 Easy Steps:
Step 1: New Leads from Previous Week (Weekly Success Tracker) Start by reviewing the new leads from the previous week. This will help you see what worked and what didn’t, so you can make necessary adjustments.
Step 2: Previous Week’s Follow-Up(s) That Got Pushed Did you have any follow-ups that got pushed to the next week? Make sure to prioritize these, so you don’t fall behind.
Step 3: Existing Meetings for the Upcoming Week Review any existing meetings you have scheduled for the upcoming week and make sure you’re prepared for each one.

How to Attack the Week in 3 Easy Steps:
Once you’ve planned for the week, it’s time to attack! Here are some steps to help you get started:
Step 1: Events to Leverage Try to attend at least one event per week. This will help you network and find new leads.
Step 2: New Targets Set a goal to prospect 3-5 new targets per week. This will help you continuously grow your pipeline.
Step 3: Record Activities and Follow-Ups in Real Time Take 15 minutes each day to record your activities and follow-ups. This will help you stay organized and on track.

Productivity Tips: Professional Development Theme Days
Timeblock 60-minutes each day for “themed” professional development activities tied to our selling system. We have 3 types of days to follow: Off Days, Backstage Days, and Performance Days. Whichever way you decide to look at these days choose from the following groups of people to batch your prospecting to.
Themed Day Types:
New Business (Help List or Fight Club)
Favorite People (Promoters & Advocates)
Current Business (New Clients)
Referral Partners (Connectors)
Other People of Influence (Someday, Climbers, Aspirational)
In conclusion, planning is essential for successful salespeople. By creating a vision board, consistently prospecting new leads, and following up with existing customers, you can set yourself up for success each week. With these strategies in place, there’s nothing stopping you from crushing your quota this quarter!

The post Ep. 33: How To Plan and Attack the Week appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
14 min
January 31, 2023Ep. 32: Same Sh!t. Different Day.
Welcome to this week’s podcast on “Same Sh!t. Different Day.”
Groundhog day is here! Growing up, this is one of my favorite movies. The storyline is that Bill Murray must replay the same day, Groundhog Day, over and over and over which literally drives him crazy. The definition of insanity is often referred to as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Can you relate to this as a business owner?
In sales, it can be challenging to balance this concept because we are taught the importance of routine, consistency, and discipline. We need to be all of these to avoid daily distractions.
However, doing the same thing again and again and again can become monotonous and boring. It can also be highly frustrating if we don’t see or can’t feel the progress we make.
The first place to start being more productive in your business is to ask yourself, what are the daily non-negotiable essentials in your business and how long, on average, should you spend doing them? Many of us get caught up in the doom-loop of busy work rather than money-generating activities. Busy work is, often, easier because it doesn’t involve other people.
Essentialism in business refers to the practice of focusing on only the most important and critical tasks, priorities, and goals while eliminating or delegating non-essential ones. It is a time management and productivity philosophy that emphasizes doing fewer things better, rather than trying to do everything. The goal is to achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness, and impact in business operations and decision-making.
“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” This concept is the biggest challenge for solopreneurs.
Here are some other tips to help stay motivated and inspired:
Vary daily tasks – salespeople can switch between different tasks to avoid monotony, such as alternating between making calls and meeting with clients. Theme days can help with this. So too can batching activities over smaller chunks of time (timeblock compression).
Set achievable goals – having a clear purpose helps salespeople stay motivated and reaching goals can provide a sense of accomplishment. Private, mini-victories precede major public victories.
Continuously learn – keeping up with industry trends, product updates, and new sales techniques can provide a sense of growth and make the job more interesting.
Network-building relationships with colleagues, clients, and industry peers can provide a source of support and stimulation.
Working Environments – Get outside of the house or the office more often. Find environments that motivate or inspire you. Inspirational things happen in inspirational places.
BONUS: Find hobbies outside work – engaging in non-work-related activities can refresh the mind and bring balance to a salesperson’s life. Learn how to “shut it down” for 24-36 hours to recharge.
I’ve never bought into the saying, “If you love what you do you’ll never work another day in your life.” As entrepreneurs, we must find various ways to stay motivated on a consistent basis. Entrepreneurs are naturally impatient people who like to try (or create) new things. Our greatest strengths are also our greatest weaknesses. As is the case with most things in life, we must practice balance.

The post Ep. 32: Same Sh!t. Different Day. appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
10 min
January 27, 2023Ep. 31: Perfecting Your Prospecting
Perfecting Prospecting to Keep Your Pipeline Full
For this week’s podcast, we are going to focus on one of the most misinterpreted words in the sales vocabulary which is PROSPECTING.
What it is?
Prospecting is a key component of any sales process. It involves finding and engaging new prospects or leads in hopes of converting them into customers. At times, prospecting can feel like a never-ending cycle of finding new leads and keeping your pipeline stocked with potential customers. Let’s explore what prospecting is and how you can perfect it to keep your pipeline filled.
In simple terms, prospecting involves researching and engaging potential buyers who are or might be interested in your service. To take pressure off the prospecting mindset, think of it this way. There are a group of people out there, think target markets, who need or want services in your field. It’s up to you to find these people and help solve their problems to the best of your ability. They are going to use somebody and you’re just as good as anybody in your market. We call this having a help list mindset of prospects to share ideas with and present offers to.
What it isn’t?
Cold-calling or chasing people trying to convince them you are important enough for them to spend time with. It’s not a one-call or one-meeting close. It’s an ongoing process for you to attract the right people to do business with through an opportunity filter.
There are TWO buckets I put prospecting into:
New Leads vs. New Targets
When prospecting, it’s important to differentiate between “new leads” and “new targets.”
New leads come in through referral sources or marketing efforts; because they already have some familiarity with your brand, the close time for these leads is often reduced.
New targets, on the other hand, do not know about you yet; so it can take longer to warm them up before making a sale. We’ll have a separate session in the future on how to proactively target prospects.
Common lead sources to assess in your current business model would be to evaluate where are your new leads coming from? The 90-Day Sales Manager system helps you differentiate into these three segments.
New Leads through 3 Main Sources
Referral Partners: These are people who consistently send you consumers who need your services. If you can build a consistent referral partner source, then the business becomes much easier.
Marketing: This is a broad term because there are so many types of marketing (promotions, ads, digital, social, traditional). We will have a future topic that breaks this down in more detail.
Events: One of the best and most efficient ways to convert is through events. Why? Because events are a multiplier. You can use them to market your services but also showcase your talents through speaking, networking, or just having a good time.
New Targets through 3 Main Sources
Lists
Company
Social Media
Conclusion:
Keeping your pipeline full is essential for any business striving for growth and success—and avoiding the dreaded sales rollercoaster! To ensure that you remain competitive in an ever-changing market landscape, prospecting should be done regularly and methodically so that your sales team has plenty of quality leads to work with. Fortunately, by using both traditional methods as well as emerging digital tactics like social media advertising, you can maintain a steady supply of qualified prospects without breaking the bank! By mastering the art of prospecting now, you will set yourself up for success in the future!
The post Ep. 31: Perfecting Your Prospecting appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
9 min
January 06, 2023Ep. 30: 5 Reasons Resolutions Don’t Stick
Most people blame their failure to fulfill resolutions on a lack of time, resources, or motivation, or a loss of zeal after starting. Only about 16 percent of people are able to follow their resolutions, according to research.
TOP 5 REASONS RESOLUTIONS DON’T STICK
1) Not YOUR Why
Not all-in because it’s not tied to emotion or tangible outcome
Making resolution just for the sake of making it
2) Not a realistic goal (over-confident)
Behavior change is HARD
What’s the The ONE Thing and not MANY things?
3) No clear plan or accountability
Have a daily, tangible plan (step by step)
Have clear accountability benchmarks (measurable)
Report to someone or something
4) Don’t Celebrate Progress
Lost the joy or passion
Trust & enjoy the process
The Reward(s) must be greater than the sacrifice(s)
5) Don’t Make Excuses
What’s an excuse? A self-proclaimed opt-out as to why you aren’t doing it.
Most give up or give in too soon. We all start with good intentions.
Almost always going to be harder or take longer.
Most people blame their failure to fulfill resolutions on a lack of time, resources, or motivation, or a loss of zeal after starting. There’s a lot that goes into finishing something after you start it.
The post Ep. 30: 5 Reasons Resolutions Don’t Stick appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
6 min
December 30, 2022 Ep. 29: Year End Business Planning Made Easy
Prospecting isn’t something you did it’s something you do. It’s an ongoing part of your business that should be a habit (non-negotiable). Prospecting can be intimidating. I know it used to be that way for me, which is why I created the Proactive Prospecting System to help “gamify” driving new business.

Did you know that 65% of salespeople don’t have a CRM and 95% don’t actively use one? I believe that’s because they don’t see their CRM as an ASSET, but rather “busy-work.”

Come learn how to proactively prospect through a consistent selling system tied to 15 sales & marketing strategies to grow your database and production each quarter.

Imagine waking up each day knowing exactly… what to do and why and how to do it. We got you covered.
The post Ep. 29: Year End Business Planning Made Easy appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
8 min
November 18, 2022Ep. 28: Sales is a Game of Probability
Definition of probability?
You don’t need more money. You need more people.
65% of salespeople don’t have an ACTIVE CRM
95% don’t have a selling system.
Stats about database? Every 100 people (Carl White)
Two Questions then:
How do you get more people?
How do you engage with them once you have them?

How to increase probability?
Dominant focus
Goals
KPI’s
Be accountable to daily activities
Selling System
Primary
Second
Be more attractive
Showcase events
Database blasts
POI on Social Media
Weekly accountability calls
Monday = Vision Board
Friday = Autopsy

Everybody competes harder when there’s a scoreboard. We all need some level of accountability.
Jab, Jab, Hook
Give, Give, Ask
The post Ep. 28: Sales is a Game of Probability appeared first on The Solopreneur Movement.
9 min

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