“The realization of what it takes to create value might break your heart, because it means you have to specialize, take risks, create art, leave a positive impact and adopt generosity in all you do.”
Seth Godin
The Business Down The Street
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Theodore Roosevelt
(image via @jacksonk10 on Instagram)
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.
As Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” It can be a thief in business too.
On Saturday, I posted the above image to Instagram with the following message…
“Often when working with small businesses I hear something like this… Well the business down the street is charging this or promoting this or… should I do that? Awesome businesses are created when you define your own purpose, promise, target market, set clear objectives, create a bad ass strategy and execute like a mother … Focus on creating your own kind of awesome.”
It was one of my more liked posts. But this topic requires more time and explanation than an Instagram post. So here goes…
Yes, studying success and awesomeness is important. Learning from the greats, the ones who have consistently shown growth and profitability, the ability to create a strong culture, etc. Having an in-depth knowledge of those who have successfully gone before you, yes, all of that is awesome and important.
However, when we are comparing our business to the one “down the street”, this is where I have issues…
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Do you know their business model?
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Do you know their strategy & target market?
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Do you know their plan?
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Do you know their sales?
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Do you know their profitability?
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Do you know their cost of sales?
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Do you know how they are funded?
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Do you know how long they will be in business?
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Do you know if their clients are happy?
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Do you know if their team is happy?
My guess is NO. You do not know. Therefore, how can we even begin to compare our business to theirs? What if we decided to follow a pricing strategy of a competitor that was headed down a road of putting them out of business? Or a promotional program that depleted all cash flow and pissed off clients and team members? OMG, can you imagine?
Before you look around one more time to see what others are doing, take that time to look within. Your own objectives, your plan, your strategy, your P & L, your business model. Start there.
Focus on creating your own kind of awesome. And connect with and learn from people who not only own businesses but grow businesses, for reals.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina
Sticks + Stones
“Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.”
Confucius
(image via Google)
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.
Have you ever heard the nursery rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me”? OMG. That was actually something we put into children’s minds.
I like to think we have evolved more intellectually and emotionally to know how incredibly damaging that message is. But sadly, that is not always the case.
Words matter… in business and in life.
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They create an awesome experience. Or create a not so awesome one.
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They help build confidence. And they can destroy it.
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They build relationships. And break them.
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They build trust. Or create doubt.
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They can excite me. Or they can bore me.
How much time do you spend choosing the words you are using in your business communications, both online and off?
How much care do you use when choosing the words you use when coaching a team member or speaking to a colleague?
How conscious are you of the words you choose when talking to yourself? (and please don’t even tell me you don’t talk to yourself. We all do. Whether we are conscious of it or not.)
Some wander through the social web, through business, and life, using words that have the potential to cause damage. But some choose to use words that empower, enrich the conversation and create awesome experiences.
Your choice. Choose wisely.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
4 Awesome Content Creation Tools
“Create something people want to share.” John Jantsch
(originally posted May 19th, 2014)
Your content is your marketing. Both online and off. I have said it what seems like a thousand times since starting Passion Squared. And the question I get over and over again is how in the heck do I create content?
Before we dive into the tools I use the most and think are the most awesome, lets begin at the beginning.
1. Your content needs to tell a story.
2. It needs to be compelling and relevant to your community, clients, and audience.
3. It needs to be consistent with your brand why, promise, story and image.
4. It needs to be quality.
5. It needs to be easy to share.
The best content you can create as a service business to share on your social platforms is happening everyday around you. Whether you are in beauty or wellness, you are connecting with clients, seeing results, playing with your team, and creating experiences, all of which are perfect opportunities to capture those moments, on film. And by film, I mean your phone. If its important to you, you will do it. Just like anything.
Here are my 4 most awesome content creation tools…
1. Pic Stitch App
I love Pic Stitch because it is the tool that creates before’s and afters and allows us the ability to tell a story through a collage of photos. Before’s and afters are still the most popular pieces of content I have seen work on Facebook and Instagram. But it can also be used to show a style and products, different angles of a cut, a smoothie recipe with the ingredients, etc. You can even brand these pics by using your logo in one of the boxes. #awesome
2. Flipagram App
We all know that video can be SUPER engaging, and what I love about Flipagram is that we can make “videos” with music. Simply using photos in our phone, and music from our iTunes. These are great for creating Instavids, the 15 second videos on Instagram and for auto-posting to Facebook. I have seen some of my highest engagement numbers when using this tool. And, the bonus, we can add our logo into the “slide show” to create branded content. #awesome
3. Pic Monkey
This is my go-to platform to create all my morning quote posts. Once you create a branded template, or picture, you simply import it into Pic Monkey and type away. There is a paid version with more fonts and options, and a free version which is what I use. Again, branding is key here, so find a great designer to create the templates for you if you are not skilled in that area, like me.
4. Canva
My latest obsession! I love Canva so much and just began working with it. It has pre sized templates for Facebook posts, cover images, Instagram, Pinterest and more. There are free graphics and paid graphics you can use. Their font selection is not my fave, but I am sure they will be adding more. I created my latest Facebook cover photo using Canva, by simply choosing the Facebook cover photo template, importing The Weekly Dose of Awesome logo, and choosing a white background. #awesome
So, first things first. Create a plan tied to your objectives. Then begin creating. Then share. Then measure.
And most importantly, if you want to create compelling and relevant content, engage a designer to help you create templates, to size your logo properly and even in some cases, create your content. And if you are thinking you can’t afford it, I am telling you, you cannot afford not to if you want to create awesome in your marketing. Think about it like this… As a hairdresser, you get pretty worked up when people do their hair at home, think about how the designers of the world feel when they see crappy graphics.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
UPDATE on September 24, 2016
I still use these tools weekly except Flipagram. I’ve added Diptic, Afterlight, WordSwag and PicPlayPost to my go to faves. The point is, some things never change, and some things evolve, just like biz + life. #awesome
The High Price of DIY
“If you think a professional is expensive, wait ’til you try an amateur.”
Red Adair
(image via Google)
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.
Beauty professionals have incredible pride in being masters of their passion. And I love that. Graduating beauty school is still to this day one of my most awesome accomplishments.
Most likely you studied and practiced for years to obtain a license, certification, or some type of advanced knowledge. You have invested several thousand dollars to train with the best and are passionately committed to daily improvement to the tune of thousands more dollars and time in advanced education and tools.
What baffles me is how did that experience make you believe that you also can design marketing plans and strategies, design logos and websites and create brands? Last time I checked, beauty school curriculum did not include graphic design, strategy, branding or business development.
I’m sure the graphic designer or web programmer feels the same way you feel when they see your DIY graphics and websites, like when you see DIY cuts and colors. #ugh If I had a dollar for every time hairdressers freaked out about home hair color, and YouTube stars teaching at home beauty, I would be a gazllionaire.
Developing a website (and a business or brand for that matter) is way more than the colors and fonts. There is a strategy behind each word, each page, and each click. Same with logos. You think if it was that easy there would be a degree for graphic design? Creating a business, a brand, a logo, a website and a strategy is both an art and a science. Sound familiar?
By all means DIY, but please know that nine times out of ten it will show, in both your sales and profits.
In the world I work & play in, I cannot tell you how many times people have asked for help then quickly said, “I can’t afford it.” My question back is “Then how can you afford to build a business?” I have seen entrepreneurs waste thousands of dollars (including myself, not thousands but hundreds) and insane amounts of time on DIY, in the end, being frustrated and mad and nothing to show for it. I have also seen people do it the right way, invest time and money up front, and get what they need to create awesome.
You don’t need a million dollar budget to create. But you do need someone with experience and expertise to help guide you. You can do it right the first time, or you can do it wrong the first time, second time and third time until you realize it’s just not working.
When you choose to move way outside your experience and expertise, don’t be surprised when things don’t work out as you wished they would.
Once you engage a pro and set objectives, create a plan, logo, and brand identity, there are some great DIY (kinda) platforms for small businesses to use. But again, use with caution, and if you do not understand it, engage someone who does.
Here are some DIY and (kinda) DIY resources I use often for my business:
Canva
WordSwag
PicMonkey
Squarespace
WordPress
MailChimp
Moo
StickerMule
For my website, shopping cart, workshop materials and program logos, I engage a professional designer and web programmer, always. I pay $50-$75/hr. for these services and they are based on referrals from people I trust and content I love. For strategy, planning and marketing, I have quite a bit of experience in that area, so for me it’s DIY, after almost 30 years in the business of education, sales, leadership and marketing.
I also invest a significant time and money to feed my brain. Whether it’s through books, webinars, workshops, or coaches. This month alone I have invested over $500 in my education and well being. How much have you invested?
There are exceptions to every rule. If you are a bad ass hairdresser, graphic designer, web programmer, marketer, and strategist, I want to meet you and give you a big hug.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina
Want to work with someone who can help guide you on the path to awesomeness in your biz + life? Click here and lets chat. If we are not a good fit and I can’t help you, I most certainly will point you in a good solid direction to help you grow. But beware, you will get 100% honesty from me. Because I care. So be ready.