The Success Center

Overwhelmed with Social Media?

Yesterday, in a poll, I asked, Do You Ever Feel Overwhelmed with Social Media? I can already guess a couple of the answers, but I’ll share the results with you all next week. The fact of the matter is, if you’re an entrepreneur and you’ve just created a Facebook account, started your first blog, and still don’t know what Twitter is . . . you’re probably overwhelmed with social media. There are probably a ton of things that you haven’t discovered and once you do you might feel like it’s all too much to handle. But fret not my friend! You’re not alone and it’s actually not as bad as you think.

Before we take a look at some ways to help you manage your social media activities, let’s explore why you’re doing it in the first place. I call it . . .

Square One

This is the cornerstone of your social media and networking activities. In order to make a return on investment one has to first understand why he or she wants to invest in it. I’m sure you’re thinking, “to make money, Rod, duh!” Money is fine and dandy, but what if I told you that by engaging with people online you could get something better than money? That’s right! What could be better than money? How about someone’s trust and favor? What about building a relationship that could net you the repeat business of that one person and all of their friends? This is the simple yet powerful truth of social media.

Someone’s influence online can be just as or more effective as a 30 second advertisement on Television. In traditional media you only have a limited time to catch a prospect’s attention and pitch them your product or service. By maximizing social media time becomes your friend and not your enemy. The longer you build a genuine relationship with people the easier it is for them to trust you which is the equivalent of gold and silver. If you want to learn more about building relationships and trust in social media I highly recommend Chris Brogan’s new book, Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust. For the uninformed, Chris is a rock star of social media and has built a loyal following through his blog and social media activities.

Now that you have a better understanding of why you’re engaging in social media in the first place let’s move on to . . .

Square Two

The first building block of social media is actually networking with like-minded individuals. That’s where Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Myspace, Ning sites, and other networks come in. I highly recommend Facebook for building deeper relationships, Twitter for instant communication, news, and sharing, and Linkedin for an overall professional web presence and business networking.

Tip#1 - Don’t join everything!

There are some that would disagree with me on this, but I believe you should only join a site that you’re going to devote time to actually being on. When people reach out to you on sites that you’ve joined but don’t maintain you’ll reach back too late and miss opportunities. I recommend that you choose 3 main sites that you’ll be able to update easily and maintain. My top three picks are Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin for the reasons specified above.

Tip #2 - Create a Social Media Plan!

Having a Facebook page or a Twitter account is great and all, but don’t forget that they’re still platforms for marketing yourself, blog, products or services. So include social media into your marketing plan. Go at it with a plan and set realistic goals like generating web traffic, increasing your email newsletter subscriber base, or sell X amount of product units per month.

Tip #3 -  Integrate social media tools!

No matter where you are or what you’re doing you’re able to update your blog, your Facebook page, or Twitter status in a matter of minutes. That could be via phone, computer, or even email. Learning to integrate tools on a regular basis is the key to maintaining your sanity with it all. Maximize web applications like;

• Ping.Fm – This site updates all your social networks and blogs at the same time. It really takes the hassle out of logging in and doing it all “manually.” Note: When update all your status at the same time, you loose the “engagement” element that makes social media work so well for business. You’re there in spirit but not there in presence. I only use this service for letting my networks know of new blog posts or universal messages. I stay active on my social networks beyond using it to keep my level of engagement high.
• TweetDeck – Excellent desktop application that allows you to manage your Twitter, Facebook, and now, your Myspace accounts at the same time. Each account is managed in a window all within the application. Very versatile tool that allows you go beyond the Twitter website’s functionality and keep the same functionality of the Facebook and Myspace sites.
• Google Reader – If you’re new to social media, you’ll be reading a lot of websites and blogs that can help you increase your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in that area. Read them all in one spot via RSS (Really Simple Syndication). In short, RSS allows a website to send new articles to RSS reader programs. Which means, you’ll get new stuff without having to visit every website in your bookmarks! Visit Google’s Reader site, Subscribe to The Success Center, and you’ll instantly start receiving new articles when they’re published. Also, you can Follow Me in Google Reader where I share lots of articles that I find helpful and informative.
• Google Calendar – This is a great tool to help you organize your blog posts, web content, events, and life in general. I’ll explain more on it in Tip #5.
• Web Browser Extensions + Plugins:
  1. The Hootlet – Once you’re on twitter you’ll want to share news, articles, blog posts that you write, etc. instantly. Hootsuite is a browser based twitter manager with a twist, they actually track your tweets. So you’re able to see how many people click on a link you shared that goes back to your website. I don’t use Hootsuite’s website for my twittering (as I use tweetdeck now) but I do use their “Hootlet” browser plugin that allows me to share on twitter from my browser. It’s extremely useful.
  2. Facebook Share Button – Similar to the “Hootlet”, you can also grab the Facebook share button which works with any web browser as well. Just as the name implies you’re able to share any content with your Facebook network no matter what browser you use.
• Mobile Applications:
  1. Blackberry – I’m a “crackberry” user and abuser so when I’m out and about and I need to send a quick update, I use Ubertwitter. It allows me all of the functionality of the Twitter mobile website plus, retweeting, search, following, and unfollowing. Facebook App – The Facebook application has come a long way. It gives you access to your Facebook “stream” with status updates, pictures, etc. One unique feature is it syncs up your friends with your phone book so you’ll have numbers at the touch of a button plus their profile pic. Unfortunately, you can’t access your in-box, but you are able to send messages. Viigo – This priceless tool allows me to get all of my Google Reader feeds (or websites) on my phone. So I’m never disconnected or out of the loop when it comes to the blogs and websites I subscribe to. It also has a twitter client built into the app for easy updating, weather, news, and more. Give it a try. Wordpress for Blackberry – I actually just found out that there’s a Wordpress app for Blackberry in beta. I haven’t used it yet, but will definitely give it a try.

  2. Iphone – Tweetdeck – same functionality as the desktop version . . . smaller package. Facebook app – I hear that the blackberry and Iphone versions are a bit different, but none-the-less, a valuable tool for staying connected. Wordpress for Iphone – yep, you can blog away while you’re on a long plane ride, at a meeting, or even live event.

Tip #4 - Invest a hour a day

If you’re a super busy entrepreneur, like most are, try penciling in a set time of day that you can relax and write a blog post, respond to comments on Facebook or Twitter, and share information that you find on the web. I’ve been a web junkie since I was born so I’m on the net “working” for hours at a time naturally. If you’re more strategic and structured than me then a set time might help you to develop good social media habits.

Tip #5 - Plan out your website or blog content

I can’t stress enough how important it is to create an editorial calendar for your website or blog. Most entrepreneurs create a “static business card” of a website and all this does is tell people who you are, what you do, and what you offer. If you really want to build relationships and earn sales, teach people something unique and share it with the world. This is the essence of blogging. Some of my clients take to it extremely fast and others are like, “how in the world do I fit this into my daily routine?” The answer is two-fold; first see Tip #4 and second, plan out your articles in a monthly calendar. This will keep you organized, on-track, and you won’t be stuck trying to figure out what to write. Here’s a short video explaining my process for creating The Success Center’s editorial calendar. I use Google Calendar to schedule my posts. This keeps everything organized and  I can also access my calendar on my phone while I’m mobile.

These 5 tips are a reflection of the strategies I’ve employed to help me manage and maximize social media for my business. Don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of tools I’ve listed. A tool is only as useful as it’s handler makes it. Somethings will work well for you and some won’t, they key is to test, try, and try again. What tools do you currently use that should of been added to this list? If you have a handle on social media, how are you managing it? And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to cast your vote in the poll below.

Flickr image by Gary Hayes

Rod

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Naomi Trower

I had the pleasure of chatting with real estate and mortgage professional/social media expert [and good friend], Naomi Trower. Naomi has a passion for writing and social media and has satisfied that desire with blogging and social networking.

She has been blogging for 1 year with her fitness blog and 2 years with her internet business blog which was transformed into her current social media blog for real estate and mortgage professionals. Naomi is a frequent guest blogger on The Social Media Examiner blog and a slew of other sites.

Today, we chat on all things social media marketing and her new e-book, Social Media Marketing For Real Estate & Mortgage (Aff link). Check back tomorrow for a full review of her e-book.

In this interview you’ll learn;

• Why your blog is critical to your social media marketing plan.
• How to use Twitter “the right way” and build a following.
• Strategies to create a “rockin” Facebook Fan-page.
• How to make your Linkedin profile SEO (search engine optimization) friendly.
• And more!

Have any questions for Naomi on maximizing social media for your business? Leave your thoughts, comments, and questions below. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for a full review of Naomi’s new e-book, Social Media Marketing For Real Estate & Mortgage (Aff link)

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Are Your a Master Marketer like Obama?

This is a continuation of Mike Holmes’ post, The Barack Obama Guide to Marketing Success

Barack Obama’s presidential campaign set new standards for social media marketing. If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur don’t take his example lightly . . . you might just become president of the United States. Or, at the very least, gain new customers, make new connections, and generate a sale or two.

Here are 7 lessons on marketing successfully using social media, Barack Obama’s way. . .

Lesson #1: Go Where Your Market Is

If you’re going to use social media as your marketing platform of choice then you’ll have to know where your target market networks. If your market is the entire United States like Obama then you might want to set-up accounts on every major social network. However, my advice is to start networking locally on at least 3 major networks and branch out from there [if necessary].

Namechk Service

Look at the graphic to the left. Using a service called, Namechk, we can easily see that the username, “BarackObama” has been secured for around 90% of all major social networks (secured accounts are highlighted in red). Use this tool to see if your name is available wherever your potential customers are and start building your brand.

Are Your Engaging with Your Market?

Lesson #2: Engage with Your Market

The Obama campaign had a dedicated staff of 30 people to head up his social media/networking campaign. What this equated to was, someone being there at all times to answer inquiries, reply to questions, update content, and interact with people across every major social network.

Tip: Don’t just set up social accounts and forget about them . . . set up a command post! Publish frequent/fresh content and engage with people that respond to your brand. You may not have a staff of 30 but you can still monitor your brand by using tools such as Tweetdeck and Hootsuite which allows you to update multiple accounts at once.

What does it really mean to engage? Here are a few tips;

• Post quizzes
• Put out polls and surveys – do you have a Wordpress blog? Give Poll Daddy a try. The folks that made Wordpress created it so you know it’s cool.
• Offer contests
• Start conversations
• Jump into other people’s conversations related to your brand, product, or service
• Offer advice
• Do free online consultations
• Share content related to your brand, product, service, or that which is helpful to your market
• Include your network in major decisions such as article titles, website design, or other elements that impact your business. Doing so allows others to interact with your company and brand on a deeper level.

My.BarackObama.com

Lesson #3: Give the keys of Your Brand to Your Fans

One of the key strategies that the Obama campaign implemented was the way they established Obama’s brand of ‘Change’ and let their followers “play with it”. They set up the social network, my.barackobama.com which became a “myspace” for his supporters.

The plan was definitely more effective than they could have anticipated. The site allowed people to start groups and share media which lead to offline activities; such as volunteering at events, rallying, and the spread of Obama’s name. How can you harness the power of social media for your brand in this fashion?

• Start a ning social network of your own and allow followers to interact with each other and spread your brand.
• Start a Facebook fan page, post exclusive content, and encourage your fans to share the content with their Facebook friends. Need a little help? Here’s a great article from The Social Media Examiner Blog about, How to Better Engage Facebook Fan Page ‘Fans’
• Got a Wordpress blog and want to jump-start your own social network? Download the Buddypress plugin pack and let readers become members, set-up profiles, forums, blogs, and more!
  Note: this plugin used to only work for Wordpress MU installs, but now works with standalone Wordpress installations . . . so go crazy . . .

Barack Speaking

Lesson #4: Create Value for Your Market

Obama didn’t just let his supporters organize events for his campaign . . . he attended his supporter’s events! According to Wikipedia, “On February 2, 2007, Obama attended a rally at George Mason University organized by “Students for Barack Obama,” a group that began on Facebook, with several thousand in attendance.” His initial acknowledgement of the group and presence at their event created value, grew his market share, and instilled loyalty into everyone in attendance. You can do the same by organizing:

• Tweet-ups - if you have an active Twitter following take the conversations offline and organize a meet-up at a local restaurant, bar, library, or other venue.
• Webinars, tele-conferences, seminars – these events can be very inexpensive or swing the other way depending on how you set it up. Whichever method you pursue, give out valuable information, answer tough questions, and connect with your followers, fans, and market on a totally new level.

Remember, value is anything that enhances how your target market experiences your brand, product, or service. Don’t limit this concept to just organizing events. This could be anything from how you consistently deliver quality content to offering free stuff on your blog. Want to know more about creating value? Read my article, What’s Your Value Proposition?

Lesson #5: Build Your List by Offering Value

Remember Getting This Text?

Remember when you got news that Obama was set to tell the world who his running mate was via text message? The only requirement being you had to sign-up for his website to be the first to receive the news.

Word of the text message revealing hit every social media outlet such as Facebook, Youtube, blogs, and more. Garner the same buzz over a product or service announcement by building your list in the same fashion:

1. Offer an Item of Value for an email sign-up

2. Make sign-up easy – don’t ask for too much information

3. Selling a product? Offer a sneak peak, free sample, or exclusive review for an email sign-up.

4. Offering a service? Give out an exclusive discount or coupon for email sign-up.

5. Be creative and don’t put a limit on how you create value for your followers, fans, or supporters. It’ll only breed loyalty to your brand.

Form Strategic Alliances

Lesson #6: Form Strategic alliances

The Obama campaign hired former facebook founder, Chris Hughes who was the online organizer for the campaign and the genius that made Obama’s brand shared, tweeted, and socially effective.

Needless to say, I wouldn’t be writing this article if it wasn’t for Chris joining the Obama team during the campaign days. By forming this strategic alliance, Obama was able to go where no other candidate had been before [and succeed]. Follow his lead by forming your own strategic alliances:

• Guest Blogging – Look for guest blogging opportunities from influential bloggers in your network. Doing so will gain you new readers, grow your blog’s community, and increase your web traffic substantially.
• Use Linkedin – Forge partnerships with like-minded entrepreneurs on Linkedin. If you and someone else offer complimenting products or services [meaning, they work well together not compete against each other], why not partner and advertise to the same market? Linkedin has great features that connect you with these kind of groups and entrepreneurs.

Barack Music Video

Lesson #7: Use Video and Extend Your Reach

The screenshot on the left is a music video produced by the Obama campaign that went viral only hours after it’s release on Youtube.

It’s impossible for Obama to spread his message everywhere all the time but the video did exactly that for him. Video enables people to experience you, your product, service, or message in a totally different way. Here are a few ways you can maximize it for your marketing plan:

Produce a webshow – Highlight your customers, capture testimonials, answer questions, or take live callers. These are just some of the things you can do to create your own show and deliver value to your market.
Record your speaking engagements – By using some standard video editing software you can package your speaking videos into free products or sizzle pieces for events. This will build your credibility as well as garner interest from whomever you give it to.

Final Thoughts

Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from a man that ran his presidential campaign in such an unprecedented way. He connected with millions of people via blogs, social networks, videos, or wherever people gathered socially online. Barack’s team ultimately created this content for the campaign, but the real magic is how he empowered, encouraged, and inspired people to use and share what was put out. What else can we learn from Barack when it comes to social media marketing? How did his campaign engage with YOU across various social networks? Add your two cents in the comments section below.

Rod

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Are Your a Master Marketer like Obama?

This is a guest post by Mike Holmes and will be continued by Rod Kirby in next week’s installment.

Entrepreneur’s can learn a lot from Barack Obama when it comes to marketing their businesses.

Was it because AdAge named him Marketer of the Year?

No…

Was it because he raised $639 million in campaign contributions, nearly doubling McCain’s $335 million?

No…

Was it the way he used Web 2.0 to galvanize and speak to thousands?

No…

What was it then?!

Easy… his follow up strategy.

What??

Nobody can dispute it: he ran a phenomenal campaign!! He literally transformed that six letter word: CHANGE. He had millions of volunteers–and, during his campaign, those volunteers received text messages and emails from him on a regular basis.

But then he won.

Now what?

He could’ve done like most political campaigns: “Thanks for the memories.” “Thanks for your support.” “Wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am…you really helped ME a lot!” But he didn’t do that. Instead, he keeps in contact through his website and maintains those forged relationships. He hears his supporters voices, concerns, and ideas. They still have their leader and he his followers. So when it comes time for re-election he won’t have any trouble drumming up support!!

Take Care of Your Supporters

One day Jesus was met by thousands of people–He taught them,  healed them, and welcomed them. After a while He “called His disciples to Him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.’” [1]

If Jesus were like most marketers, He would’ve said, “Well thank you everybody for supporting Me; I hope you guys get home safe…ummm…I’m pretty much done here…you guys’ve helped a lot. Thanks!” Instead of that, He fed them with seven loaves and a few fish. And after “they all ate and were satisfied.” [2]

Take care of supporters!

Don’t just use them and throw them away! Keep in contact, hear their opinions, listen to their ideas, receive their feedback, and etc. Don’t send them away hungry lest they “collapse on the way.”

What do you think?

1. Matthew 15:32 (New International Version)
2. Matthew 15:37 (New International Version)

Mike Holmes

Mike Holmes is the author of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He’s also a blogger that writes on business and leadership development from a Biblical perspective. When he’s not writing blogs or speaking he can be found writing bios in the third person. Check out his website/blog here. Mike is also working on his second book: “Biblical Stratgies for Marketing Success.”

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Need a little balance in your life?

As I stated in Monday’s post, my life has changed significantly since I’ve been in a new relationship and things have changed on my job. I asked God, “How do I find the right balance of time to spend in my relationship, with family, friends, and my business?”

His response to me?

—————— Spend time with me and I’ll show you —————————-

That blew my mind.

For months I had been so wrapped up in my own agenda, head-over-heels in my new relationship, and working constantly that I had not spent as much time with the Lord as I should have. Sometimes, as Christians, we can get caught up in just living  life that we forget the one who brought us life in the first place.

Last Friday I went to Creflo Dollar’s 2010 Change Experience Convention and it changed my life! Creflo spoke on how we should honor the Lord with our time and our tithes (Read why tithing is a part of my proven secret to business success here). You see, if we honor the Lord (which means to let His word weigh heavy on our hearts in every area of our life) then we’re in position to be honored (blessed!). It was in that moment that I realized that I had not honored God with my time, instead, I put everything else before Him.

Remember, Matthew 6 and 33 (King James Version)? It reads,

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If you’re married with a family, a single mother, a corporate over-achiever, a small business owner, or a combination of all the above, put God first and He’ll create the balance you’ll need to succeed.

How do we put God first and honor Him with our time?

Get into Your Bible

I’ll admit that I’m not the most dedicated Bible reader. But, when I get into it . . . I get in to it! The Bible is God’s love letter to us, His living Word, and contains everything we need to succeed in life and business. Open it up and read what He says about you and every situation you encounter.

Pray and Fast

You’ll see a lot of these next tips include prayer. That’s because, it’s the gateway to communication and communion with God. When you pray and fast (disregard certain foods and liquids for a specific time period) you make your spirit more sensitive to hearing from the Lord. This opens up blessings for your life, family, and business in ways that you could not have gotten otherwise.

Pray and Speak the Word

After you pray, find a couple of scriptures that pertain to the areas of your life that you want God to prosper, and speak them out loud. Doing so enables God to move on your behalf and perform for you in ways you can’t imagine or think. Can’t find time to manage your family and your business (which is growing fast)? Apply the Word and watch God give you the supplies, help, and resources you need to make it work!

Pray and Write

Writing is an awesome way to receive instructions from the Lord. I’ve got tons of journals with business ideas, strategies, and other things that have come to me. Journaling is a great tool that will help you archive the wisdom, knowledge, or understanding God drops in your spirit.

Read Inspirational Books

I just finished reading Creflo Dollar’s 8 Steps to Create the Life You Want: The Anatomy of a Successful Life (Faith Words) [affiliate link] and now, I’m looking for my next book. Reading is a great way to spend time with God because He allows the wisdom that He’s given others to minister to you. Put down the fiction, the murder mystery, or the sleazy love novel for a bit and you’ll see awesome results in your life!

Set aside Worship Time

Listening to music is a great way to spend time with God because He ministers to us through song as well. Put on your favorite gospel or inspirational song and just meditate on where you want God to take you in life. I promise you there’s nothing more liberating than to just worship and love on God freely like this.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with family duties, running your business, working your job, or all the above – honor the Lord and He’ll honor you. This simply means that He’ll bless you to handle it all by bringing in needed help and supplies or give you tactics and strategies to see it through. If you’re looking for practical steps to maximizing your time, go back and read 6 Ways to Maximize Your Time and Get More Done. However, this article lays the foundation for success that goes beyond your own strength and capabilities. What are your thoughts? Share them below.

Rod

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Last week, I explored the concept of how fear can hinder your success. Because of fear, we limit God in moving on our behalf which limits our success. Sometimes we don’t believe in the vision He’s given us and we place a cap on what can or can not happen in our lives. Well, today, I want to present proof that there really is NO excuse for any of us to NOT become successful in the thing God has called us to do.

Watch the video below and tell me if you’re not inspired!

If Ephren can make a million dollars at age 16 there really is no excuse for any of us to not make our own dreams come true. So, are you limiting your success? What’s holding you back from achieving all that God placed on your heart to accomplish? Sound off in the comments below.

Rod

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Need to Get More Done in Your Day?

Once upon a time I had plenty of time to update my blog 5 days a week, interview guests for my podcast twice a month, shoot an episode for my video podcast once a month, work a full-time job as a flight attendant, and live a [somewhat] regular life. Now-a-days, I can barely spend time with myself or afford to keep in touch with close friends.

My Secret Weapon to Being an Over-achiever

People asked me all the time, “Rod, where do you find the time to do all that you do?!” My reply would be, “you just gotta make time and go with what you’re passionate about.” However, I had a secret weapon that allowed me to eat, sleep, and work every waking moment on my business. . . I was single.

No kids, no girlfriend, no wife, no family to tend to . . . totally free to give all my time to being an entrepreneur.

Now?

Not so much.

A Snap Shot of the Real World

Presently, I’m in a relationship with someone pretty awesome, I’m flying more than I’ve ever been, and I still have a blog/business to run. When I’m with my girlfriend I don’t handle business, get online, or anything. I give her my undivided attention and at work I haven’t had much downtime. Lately, I feel as if I’ve been neglecting my entrepreneurial duties.

I asked God, “How do I find the right balance of time to spend in my relationship, with family, friends, and business?” I’m going to share exactly what He told me in Wednesday’s post, but for now, here are a few things that work for me and will help you maximize your time.

Become an Early Riser

I didn’t become an early bird until I became a flight attendant. When I’m off I’m usually up by 8 in the morning and earlier than that when I’m on duty. Working in the morning time is a great strategy to deploy since you don’t have as many distractions and you’ll have the rest of the day to relax. Just get ready for early bedtimes!

Become a Night Owl

Some people prefer the night-time to get things done. You’re more awake, alert, and active at night than early risers. The still, peace, and quiet of the night makes it ideal for people who stay up late and enjoy burning the midnight oil. The only down thing is, if you’re not used to staying up late, prepare to get really sleepy really fast!

Unplug from the Matrix

When I had the time I would spend hours on end online checking news, reading blogs, on Facebook, Twitter, etc. It’s still important that you engage wherever your market is online, however, it’s not important to do it at all times. Instead, choose strategic times to work offline and engage online. If you know you’ll be distracted at night with Twitter and Facebook then get off early and get some work done. Be smart and play your cards right.

Check Email Once a Day

I used to be email crazy, checking it more than a few times a day. And then things got really “convenient” with my Blackberry delivering emails to my phone. However, stopping to check it from the phone or even a computer only wastes time you could be using for something else. Instead, check all your mail at the beginning or end of your day. Sure, they’ll be waiting for you in a big stinking pile, but you’ll be focused and ready for it.

Note: Gmail is my webmail client of choice. I love the ability to “star” messages which saves important emails for later. You can do the same by setting up special filters and folders for important emails. Sort them in the morning time and respond to them at night.

Get ahead of Your Work Days

I would consider this to be a power tip so pay attention! I’ve started to write blog posts a day or two before my due dates [I used to write each on the day it was meant to be published]. Not only does this save time, but it frees time up for me to focus on other things. Beyond time, it’s a great feeling to know that you accomplished something off your to-do list a day early.

Work out of the Office

Many entrepreneurs and small business owners work out of a home office. Unfortunately, many times you can’t get any work done because of family needs, lack of quiet, or other unique home distractions. Pack up the office [aka, your laptop] and head to your nearest coffee shop, library, or bookstore. You’ll find the atmosphere more tranquil, peaceful, and enables you to concentrate more.

No matter where you are in your life you’ll have to find that perfect balance between business and other obligations. I hope I’ve shared a few useful tips to make it a little bit easier for you. Of course, I don’t have all the answers. How do you maximize your time and get more done when working on your business? Share your best tips, practices, and advice in the comments below.

Rod

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Watch this video and I promise to share something powerful with you after the jump!

Question: If God placed a dream in your heart and He promised it to you, does that mean that it will come to pass automatically? Survey says,

“Nope!” <add buzzer sound here>

The truth is, God will give us the tools we need to succeed, but we’re still obligated with working the dream and protecting it. “From what?” You ask. We have to protect it from the destruction of our circumstances, nay-sayers, debt, jealous family members, even our own disbelief. In short, anyone or anything that would come against you and your destiny.

Like a new mother you’re going to have to protect your baby from the harsh elements of the world. How do you protect your dream? Here’s a hint, control your senses and control your destiny!

1. Close your Eyes – You can’t dwell and meditate on the reports of the economy, crime, rampant disease, and other distractions that bombard your eyes on the evening news. Look past your current economic circumstances and peer into the future! Keep your focus on the dream and have the courage to continue pressing toward it. The clip above is from one of my most favorite movies, The Pursuit of Happyness which illustrates the amazing success story of Chris Gardner. If you haven’t seen it yet, you owe it to yourself to have it in your DVD collection. Close your eyes to ill reports and watch something that will truly inspire you!

Final Thought: The things you see determines what you want, so if you see nothing but the economic recession then you want to participate in it. (Yes . . . you have a choice!)

2. Tune-out what you Hear – Have you ever been told that you couldn’t do something or “that’ll never work.”? In the clip above, Chris Gardner (Played by Will Smith) said to his son, “Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something . . . ” You have to have such a passion for your dream that you won’t allow people to tell you it won’t be successful. Your mind is a radio station playing all kinds of music. You’re the DJ, so it’s your job to keep the positive tunes pumping. One way of doing that is by reading books that will inspire, empower, and equip you for success. I highly recommend Chris Gardner’s new book,

Final Thought: The things you hear prompt your actions so make sure that you’re only listening to people who will give you good feedback, strengthen, and empower your ideas.

3. Watch what you Say – Did you know that the power of life and death are in the tongue? I believe that what we say forms the atmosphere around us. If you say, “My business will never take off because I just don’t have any funding,” then it won’t because you’ve created an atmosphere of failure. As an entrepreneur I have good months financially and I have not so good months, but I thank God in advance for them all. Why? I want to be set-up for success! It’s that simple.

Final Thought: The things you say affects your attitude which ultimately will determine if you’ll even take a step on the road to success. Watch over your words and make sure you’re always speaking life and never death for your dreams.

Let me hear from you! What dreams and aspirations do you have? Are you “working” them or letting the dreams sit on the back burner? Are you protecting your dreams? Login using your Facebook or Twitter accounts and sound off below!

This article was originally written for my “Success Tips!” newsletter subscribers, but I really wanted to share this with the entire community. Please subscribe to “Success Tips!” here if you don’t already. Also, if you receive my newsletter and this is your first time visiting the Success Center, subscribe and receive blog updates, news, and more!

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Rod

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The Greatest Marketer that Ever Lived

This is the age of amplification–where news, opinions, and reviews go further and faster than ever before. This is both good and bad for the Christian Entrepreneur.

It’s good because if what you’re selling is great, with just a little bit of communication, you can get it in to the hands of people quicker. But, if what you’re selling sucks [1], there isn’t enough PR out there to change the opinions of people. Because people are quicker to believe their friends than your ads.

And with all the changing marketing techniques there’s a need for changeless marketing principles that work regardless of product or service. And there’s one Person that’s been using these strategies for years–the greatest marketing phenom the world has ever seen:the Master Marketer Himself, Jesus.

Jesus was a Master Marketer!

He had no marketing budget and still gained such a following that most Chief Marketing Officer’s would’ve passed out from disbelief; He used no ads and still thousands showed up to hear Him speak!

In only three and a half years He preached a Message that still continues on to this day!

So its safe to say we could probably learn a few things from Him. So, here they are… some tips from the Master Marketer Himself:

Have a great product

Not a good product, not an ok product, not a status quo product…but a great product!

When the people of  Samaria heard a woman raving about Jesus–they ran to see for themselves. When they saw what He was offering themselves, they were impressed:

“Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world.’” [2]

I warn you: don’t make a big hype if what you’re offering doesn’t match the hype! You will regret it.

Let people try it for free

When getting His Message out there Jesus didn’t charge people.

He didn’t say,

“Ok, if you want Me to heal your eye that’s $50. What that’s a withered hand? Yeah that goes for $45. Raise your daughter from the dead? Whew…that ’s our special of the week…its gonna cost ya!”

If you want to get the word out about your great product, let people who need it try it.

• That’s what William P.Young did to get the word out about his book The Shack. He and two freelance editors–Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings–were rejected by traditional publishers and decided to publish it themselves. They introduced it to the the Christian Community through a series of podcasts–described as “an ever expanding conversation among those thinking outside the box of organized religion.” With only $250 spent on marketing these unknowns, with no national platform,  had a book that has sold into the millions, and the rest is history (Faith Based Marketing, pgs 87 and 89)
• That’s what Rick Warren did for Purpose-Driven Life. Years before he wrote his first book, Purpose Driven Church and followed it up with a website: Pastors.Com. The membership of the website grew to 85,000 pastors who saw Warren as trusted advisor. He enlisted their help with the PDL book–asking them to conduct the “40 day campaign” in their churches. He gave away 400,000 copies of  the $20 book for $7 to churches and congregations that agreed. Within two months, those 400,000 spokespeople pushed sales to two million, and  the rest is history (Faith Based Marketing, pgs 85-86)
• That’s what Mel Gibson did to market The Passion of the Christ. When he approached movie executives about producing the movie nobody wanted to go near it. So Gibson decided to fund it himself using $30 million of his own money. Not having much money left to marketing (it usually costs $40 million for marketing, he only had $15 million) he tried an unconventional approach: letting pastors see it for free.  They started small–showing only a few pastors, but it grew exponentially. One of the final screenings was at Willow Creek Church. After the showing, Bill Hybels took the stage and spoke for the 5,000 pastors in attendance: “All right, what do you need us to do?” (Faith Based Marketing, pgs 87, 89) And with $611,899,420 in gross sales the rest is history.
• That’s what Timothy Ferriss did to promote his book The Four Hour Work Week. He called successful authors and asked them how they promoted their books. They gave him two answers: radios and bloggers. Since radio was losing its influence he decided to rely on bloggers. He went to a blogger event, met the ones he wanted to meet, established relationships, and then asked them to do a review. They did. And with the book becoming the #1 New Times, the #1 Wall Street Journal, and the #1 Businessweek bestseller the rest is history.
• That’s what Seth Godin did to promote his first best seller. He built a website, sent out an email asking people if they wanted to read 1/4 of his book for free, some did and some didn’t (most of the one’s that didn’t just plopped down money to buy the whole book!). And with multiple bestsellers under his belt, the rest is history!
• That’s what Rod Kirby did to promote his new E-book. And with hundreds of visits to the site, tons of downloads, and plenty of good reviews the rest is history!

The Bible says Jesus went all over Galilee, using synagogues for meeting places, teaching  people the truth of God.

And…

“He healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives.”

What happened next?

“Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering. Besides those from Galilee, crowds came from the ‘Ten Towns’ across the lake, others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.” [3]

In other words, word about this Guy spread near and far!

Give it to people who want it…not to everybody.

In the middle of His ministry Jesus decided to stop by His hometown.

And “on the Sabbath, He gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. ‘We had no idea He was this good!’ they said. ‘How did He get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?’ But in the next breath they were cutting Him down: ‘He’s just a carpenter—Mary’s Boy. We’ve known Him since He was a kid. We know His brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and His sisters. Who does He think He is?’ They tripped over what little they knew about Him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.” [4]

So because of their unbelief He didn’t do much miracles.

What He was selling was good, but they didn’t buy into Him and therefore couldn’t buy into His product (or Message).

So what did He do? Fight with them? Beg them to believe Him? Do more miracles in spite of their unbelief? Nope! He just left. Went somewhere else. He went other places where He’d be more receptive.

Stop fighting people who don’t believe you (or in you)…especially when there  are others that do. Stop wasting your time and go find those people. Rick Warren didn’t market to atheists, William P. Young didn’t market to people comfortable with religion, Gibson only showed screenings to conservative Christian and religious groups (even refusing to include those that initially criticized the film), Timothy Ferriss didn’t go after those interested in a 9-5 lifestyle, and Seth Godin gave books to those that wanted it!

Service Your  Best Customers

Not all customers are created equal. Remember: 20% of your customers will buy your stuff. That 20% will market you the best, talk about you the most, and defend you with all their strength.

Jesus spent time with thousands of people but He revealed Himself the most to the 12 disciples. When He left it was the 12 (Matthias replacing Judas) who spread the Gospel and turned the world upside down! Jesus spent His time with His best customers and as a result got His product into the hands (and hearts) of millions. Would He have received the same return spreading Himself to the masses?? Probably not.

Do whatever you have to do to keep in contact with your best customers!

Now do you see what I mean? Jesus was a Master Marketer. And if You follow Him, have a great product, and use His examples you’ll be one too…even in a market like this.

What are you thoughts?

1. By “sucks” I mean the dictionary definition: “To be objectionable or inadequate.”
2. John 4:42 (New Living Translation)
3. Matthew 4: 23-25 (The Message)
4. Mark 6: 2-3 (The Message)

Mike Holmes

Mike Holmes is the author of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He’s also a blogger that writes on business and leadership development from a Biblical perspective. When he’s not writing blogs or speaking he can be found writing bios in the third person. Check out his website/blog here.

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When it comes to principles of entrepreneurial success nothing is more proven than sowing and reaping. It’s more effective than any business, marketing, or social media plan you’ll ever come up with. Why? Take a look at this short verse from Genesis 26:12 (amplified);

“Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings.”

This scripture is pretty self-explanatory, Isaac sowed a seed and received a great harvest. However, to understand why Isaac received a harvest we have to take a step back to verses 2 & 3.

²And the Lord appeared to him and said, Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I will tell you.

³Dwell temporarily in this land, and I will be with you and will favor you with blessings; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

You see, anyone can sow a seed but there are certain variables that must align before you see a harvest. It all comes down to being in the right season to plant seed, giving it time to grow, and reaping your harvest. Isaac was in the right season to be blessed, he obeyed the voice of the Lord, planted his seed, and reaped a great harvest.

What does this have to do with your business? Everything! When you sow a seed you exercise your faith that the seed will grow. You anticipate growth without knowing what the full harvest will be. This is where favor sends you a harvest a hundred times more than you planted.

To get a full grasp of this principle let’s first define what sowing and reaping does for you and your business.

• It blesses you by taking care of present and future needs (God’s obligation for your sacrifice).
• It blesses others because your business was destined to be a blessing and not just make money.
• It gives freedom for God’s will being done through you and your business (our obligation to God for giving us the vision).

Now that you understand what it is and how it benefits you, let’s talk about “what to sow.”

• Tithes & offering – The Bible says to give a 10th of your income. I’ve always been taught to give a 10th plus a little extra. Why? If you give God your best you’ll receive the best from Him. Giving a 10th is your obligation as a Christian entrepreneur and giving an offering is your sacrifice. Combined, God is obligated to do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask or think.
• Time & effort – In order to receive a harvest a hundred times as much as you planted you have to do your part. Meaning, you have to be willing to put your hands to the plow and work the land (or vision) God has given you. That means not giving up, staying persistent with the dream, and sticking with it when times get tough.
• Products & Services – Sometimes it’s strategic to sow products and services to organizations, people, or businesses that need them. This is a  great way to build credibility, relationships, and generate buzz for your business. God honors your sacrifice and will definitely make it worth your while.

A Short Story

I haven’t always been a faithful tither but when I give I never worry about needing anything for my life or business. It’s interesting how God honors the financial sacrifice and gives us back more than just money. Ideas seem to flow freely, favor from others enters my life, and I lack nothing to accomplish my goals.

It’s really awesome how it all works in the supernatural to enhance our natural lives.

I remember needing a place to host my monthly seminars on business leadership and I couldn’t stand to pay my local library anymore (non-profits could host events free but for-profit organizations couldn’t). I remember challenging God to make something happen and He challenged me to sow a seed. I started bringing my tithes and offering on a consistent basis to church. Before the end of the month I got an offer from a pastor, who’s church I didn’t belong to, to host my seminar series – free of charge – at his church!

That’s how I know it really works. If you don’t believe me, then challenge God for yourself and watch Him work on your behalf. If you need financing to start or grow a business, need new equipment, investors, etc. – this is how you get it. Try it . . . I dare you!

Has anyone else experienced this level of success from sowing and reaping?

Further Reading

Does God Want You to Succeed?

Are Christian Entrepreneurs Supposed to be Wealthy?

Rod

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