Wildly Creative Women Podcast with Sarah Layton

Storytelling Seductress Bootcamp [Day 1]

Storytelling – true storytelling – is all about connection.

How do you connect? Here’s the big secret, straight up: Telling your story is never about the storyteller, even when it is personal. It is ultimately all about your listener – particularly those who will identify and relate to the tale. And that strong sense of identification and connection is why storytelling is such a powerful and essential part of being an entrepreneur.

Are you one of those people who struggle to come up with a “story” for your bio? Are you one of those who says, “I don’t really have a story. I’m pretty boring” – or do you list off all your achievements, and expect that to dazzle potential clients enough to sign up for your list or buy your product? Or do you throw in a bunch of quirky ‘facts’ that are pretty safe – “Jane Doe lives with her dog Chloe in a quaint, Colonial farmhouse in the spunky small town of Anklebite, Minnesota…” Sounds like the book blurb to a cozy mystery, doesn’t it?

Stop agonizing over what to put in your story and focus on why. Why should you include something? Why should you skip telling about other incidents? Telling your business story should be all about relevance. There is only one reason that your ideal client stops to listen to your story – to see how you overcame what she is struggling with right now.

Sure, you can hook her in with an outrageous or intriguing email title or video title or entertain her with a cute video of your parrot moon-dancing to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, but that won’t get you a paying client. With shock-value or entertainment videos, once she’s satisfied her curiosity about the hook or laughed at your parrot’s antics, she’s gone. It might be enough to keep a subscriber or Facebook page fan following you, but it doesn’t convert to the sort of trust that makes her put her money down on you and select you out of all your competitors as her coach.

From a marketing relationship perspective, how your story relates to her is the only thing that’s is going to make her stick around to hear the end of your personal tale and decide that you are someone she trusts … and who, more importantly, understands her. (That will take weeks off the trust-building process and qualifying-to-buying cycle!)

The first thing to do is put yourself in her shoes. Is she going to want to read a long, rambling tale that details just about every event in your life? No. Does she really care if you won the Interbusiness Blogger of the Year Award? No. She wants the relevant details – the ones that hit her right in the gut and make her say, “wow, this person really knows what it’s like!” To craft a powerful story that makes her feel this, you need to know your client – particularly, her biggest pain point.

That is going to be what your story addresses. The actual personal details may vary, that specific deep well of pain is what you have in common.

Secondly, your story needs to make a promise – and that’s to give her a key for getting past or overcoming that pain point. So inspirational stories are good – especially when they are raw and real.

The stories that connect most powerfully are stories that address not only your own “why” – why you do what you do – but appeal to the “why” behind your ideal client’s pain point. Sure, Doris wants to make six figures in less than a year – but why does she need to do that? What deep emotional need is driving her? Because you can bet there is a deep emotional need. Those who think that money is just about money are seriously mistaken. It’s always about what money represents to each person.

2 Simple Steps To Scale With Serenity

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton

1. Make Sure Your Business Runs Full-Steam-Ahead Without You

If your business grinds to a halt because you’re sick for a day, you’re thinking too small. Make sure that things can run just fine without you: That you have assigned people to take over if you’re not available; that they know what to do, and are capable of doing it.

2. Be the Captain, Not the Crew

Let go of the details: Especially if you have always been someone who is very hands-on (and even more so if, up till now, you have attempted to do everything yourself). Step back, and concentrate on the overview rather than on the details. Focus on what keeps moving your business forward: Not on what single task you can get absorbed in today.

3 Major Mistakes In-Demand Service Providers Make When Trying To Scale Up

Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson

1. Allow for Your Ideal Client’s Journey

A mistake entrepreneurs and coaches who scale up often make is to operate under the assumption that all their new client targets have the same pain point. Find the pain points for key stages of your ideal client’s journey and create offers designed to solve these minor pain points and keep your ideal client moving through your funnel. Remember, a client’s journey is a process; not just a destination.

2. Learn to Under-schedule

Chaos and workaholism is spawned from perfectionism, believe it or not. People take on too much or push themselves toward impossible deadlines.

Don’t just focus on simplifying your business and targeting your branding: Use this process to also teach yourself to under-schedule. Decide how long something is going to take you to complete – and multiply that by three. Dispose of other tasks to accommodate that time frame: Outsource them, delegate them, automate them or discard them.

If you can learn the value of under-scheduling your time, you will soon find you actually HAVE time for the things YOU want to do.

3.  Take the Time to Hire the Right People

If your company is just you, it will stay small and be limited by your limitations and tunnel-vision. Creating a dream team of others with expertise you can lever adds value to your business: But do take the time to check references, interview, try out and build a strong working relationship with the right people. There are millions of contractors out there, but there are only a few who are going to “click” with your business and help you grow it in an enjoyable way.

So, take your time with the process of finding the right person. When you do find them, make sure they will want to stay, and appreciate them as not just someone you pay to do a task, but as a vital member of your team who helps you keep your clients happy.

Remember, your business is as good as your team.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson

My negotiation skills are strong.

Since I strive to live an existence of peace,

financial security, and fulfillment, life

requires me to know how to negotiate.

The ability to talk to others and bargain to

satisfy my wants and needs is enriching. I

have confidence that I can be instrumental

in resolving any crisis because of my

excellent negotiation skills.

I find myself stepping up to the plate to

offer my ideas and skills regarding how to

resolve any disagreement.

I endeavor to establish a common ground

that works for me and others involved.

I am blessed with the life I have because I

communicate well with others and am able

to resolve any special challenge. The

willingness I show to negotiate makes me

proud.

The process of negotiation hones many

important skills, like bargaining, mediating,

compromising, and reaching agreements

that satisfy everyone involved. I strive to

utilize these skills when the opportunity

arises.

Today, I know that the more I practice my

negotiation skills, the stronger they

become. I vow to further develop my ability

to communicate, bargain, and create

positive agreements by seizing every

opportunity to put my negotiating skills to

the test.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I comfortable with the level of my

negotiation skills?

2. When a situation requiring negotiation

efforts arises, how do I react?

3. What steps can I take to ensure my

negotiation skills are strong?

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson

The Many Benefits of Virtual Summits

They’ve long been a popular choice for online marketers. But if you’re wondering why everyone is suddenly hosting (or participating in) virtual summits, here’s what you need to know.

They make money. Even a free summit has the power to add to your bottom line through “back end” sales. The ability to market to new subscribers again and again means you’ll continue to make money from your summit long after it’s finished.

Audiences love them. With the option to tune in and learn from a wide variety of speakers, it’s no wonder people are quick to register for virtual summits. Even better, if your guests generously offer free gifts to attendees, they’ll find even more value in your summit.

They grow your list. Yes, your virtual event will likely be free, but like any good giveaway, an email address is required for participation. Because you’re hosting a multi-person event, though, you’ll be in front of many more eyes than normal, which has the power to add hundreds or even thousands of new names to your mailing list.

They make you an expert. Even if you’re relatively new to your niche, simply by surrounding yourself with experts you’ll gain instant expert status. You can leverage your new status to gain interviews, speaking engagements and more.

They create long-lasting connections. While you might not have a lot of connections now, the guests you invite to participate in your summit will likely become long-term partners and friends. You’ll be able to reach out again and again with new product launches, JV opportunities, and other business building fun.

They offer an opportunity to give back. Got a charity or cause that’s close to your heart? Consider donating the proceeds from your event. It’s a great way to help others while growing your own business.

These are just a few of the many benefits of hosting a virtual summit. They really are the best way to grow your business for free, and while they can be a lot of work to plan and execute, they’re definitely worth the trouble.

What Your Potential Clients Wish You Knew

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson

Your market is out there, and they are looking for you!

It doesn’t matter if you’re a health coach for seniors, a dating coach for middle-aged women, or a business coach for crafty people. You have a large audience, and they are eagerly anticipating the help only you can provide.

But you’re missing the mark in some important areas, and it’s causing them to turn away in favor of another coach.

Make it Easy for Them

When you’re selling your products and services online, the one rule you must abide by is to make it easy for your customers to buy. It sounds simple, right? Yet you might be shocked how often coaches (and others) break this rule.

· They don’t make the “buy” buttons obvious.

· They don’t make contact information easy to find.

· They don’t provide clear calls to action on their website.

· They don’t create easy website navigation so readers can quickly find what they need.

· They don’t offer the next logical product via a well-planned funnel.

The list goes on, but the bottom line is this: make it easy for your customers to buy from you, and not only will you make more money, but your clients will be singing your praises.

Court the Newbies

Even if your ideal market is established business owners, don’t forget the up-and-comers. While they might not be ready for you yet, they will be in the future, and they’ll remember you if you treat them well today.

Some ideas for helping the newbies out might be:

· Low cost self-study products

· eBooks or guides

· Email courses

· Membership sites and forums

· Facebook groups

Remember, the new business owner today is tomorrow’s superstar, so make sure you get on her radar. She’ll remember (and thank you for it) later.

Get Personal

Every niche is crowded, and the only thing that sets you apart from every other coach out there is your personality, so don’t be afraid to let it shine. That’s how your potential customers will get to know, like, and trust you.

· Share personal updates on social media, so potential customers can see the “real” you.

· Post photos of your life outside of business on Instagram and Facebook.

· Take a stand for what you believe in—even if it’s controversial and unpopular.

Will you maybe turn some potential clients off with your personality? It’s possible. But ask yourself this: Do you really want those people as your customer?

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson

Interview With Stephanie Duesing: The Other Side Of Being Blind

KEY Resources for research on CVI, blindness, and visual impairment testing

https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/vision-loss-children-whose-eyesight-may-be-2020-requires-new-diagnostic-and-teaching-strategies

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/05/26/314621545/the-blind-woman-who-sees-rain-but-not-her-daughters-smile

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393221002359

https://cviscotland.org/

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/getting-to-the-heart-of-pediatric-vision-loss-and-blindness

https://www.perkins.org/our-work/cvi/

https://www.aph.org/product/vision-and-the-brain-understanding-cerebral-visual-impairment-in-children/

REVIEWS FOR STEPHANIE'S BOOK: THE EYELESS MIND

"...as warm and humorous as it is insightful...A must read, and an epic love letter to the importance of music and art education for children." - Alexandra Patsavas, Grammy nominated music producer/soundtrack producer (credits include The O.C., Mad Men, Grey's Anatomy, "The Twilight Series," Supernatural, and Riverdale)

About Stephanie:

Wildly Creative Women Podcast Affirmation Reflection 1 read by Host, Sarah Layton Anderson

I inspire respect from others

I inspire respect from others.

I am proud to use my actions and words as a

positive example for others. My choices in

life bring respect from those around me.

My mantra is to treat each person I

encounter with positive regard. I believe

that respect is something that comes

automatically based on how I treat others.

Co-workers and organizational leaders

deserve the same level of respect from me. I

make it a point to show others how I prefer

to be treated. My actions dictate the kind

of response that comes from those I work

with.

When I am honest in my interactions, I

make it clear to others that I resist

compromising my integrity. When I am

able to display that belief, I receive their

admiration.

Hard work leads to successful outcomes

that are worthy of recognition. My efforts

at the office prove that I am an exceptional

worker. My peers admire my abilities.

Strangers deserve kind greetings when I

pass them on the street. My smile and

warm words inspire an equally positive

response. Random interactions like this help

to make the world a more livable place for

everyone.

Today, my words and actions make others

feel good about relating to me. I recognize

that the kind of respect I expect is based on

the respect I give to those around me.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What other character traits allow me to

be viewed positively by others?

2. How does my academic success impact

the respect I receive from my peers?

3. What can I do to show that I consider the

perspectives of others?

Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson

Book Marketing Made Easy

Here’s a big fear we all have when it comes to writing a book: What if no one buys it?

While that is always possible, with a little planning and advanced buzz, it’s highly unlikely. The key is to get others excited about your book, and to get them talking and sharing the news with their friends.

Host a Launch Party. Weeks before your official publication date, it’s time to start revving up the launch engine. Offering bonuses for early purchases, incentives for a review, and free chapter downloads are all proven strategies for building the buzz for your upcoming book.

There are a lot of moving parts in a successful book launch—landing pages, mailing lists, JV partners, social outreach, and more—so if you need help with the planning, you can turn to your Wildly Creative Women Collective members area for project kits and planners to walk you through every step of planning, writing, and selling your book.

Make the Interview Rounds. Two to three months prior to your book release, have your virtual assistant begin researching podcasts, blogs and other media outlets for potential interviews. Create a press package to send out, including headshots, book cover art, blurbs and testimonials, and let everyone know that you’re looking for interviews and guest posting opportunities.

Blog About It. You are your own best publicist, so don’t be afraid to toot your own horn on your blog, in your email newsletter, and on social media. Include images of the cover, and blurbs from advanced readers, and give your audience plenty of time to get excited about the upcoming launch, so when the buy button finally goes up they’re eager to get a copy.

Boosted Posts. Facebook is a terrific way to get new eyes on your book. Paid ads leading to your launch page are ideal and can generate a lot of traffic for a very low cost.

Free Kindle Days. This technique alone can catapult your book to bestsellerdom in a matter of days. The key is to build up a buzz on your mailing list, share, share, share on social media, and ask your friends and colleagues to do the same.

Book marketing isn’t as easy as simply listing it on Amazon and becoming an instant bestseller. Anyone who tells you that is the exception to the rule. But that doesn’t mean selling your book is impossible either. With some strategic planning and a little effort, you can have a fantastic launch, whether it’s your first book or your fourteenth.