One or Two Little WordsHave you ever asked someone to describe you in one or two words? What would your clients and/or colleagues say if you did?Here's why I'm asking, our brains are wired to associate words with things — that's basically the idea of language, after all. And when two things are repeatedly associated in our minds, then the likelihood of one of those linked thoughts leading to the other increases exponentially over time.So, when it comes to branding, it's all about that one or two-word association…Keep Reading
Back to S-CoolI don't know about you, but I'm so ready for some crisp, cool autumn days, otherwise known as 'sweater weather.' As we race toward September and the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day, I can't help but get that old familiar feeling—part excitement, part nerves—that signals "back-to-school" season. Even though I don't have kids and haven't been in school in a very long time, it still hits me every year. And, I'm kind of grateful it does because it sparks my desire to amp up my learning and…Keep Reading
Grow Your MindI want to tell you about an organization I truly admire and greatly appreciate: Creative Mornings. If you know about Creative Mornings, then you know what makes it so special. If you don't, then I urge you to find out. Creative Mornings is a way for people all over the world to share their passions, skills, interests, and more with folks who share or are interested in them, too. They're now in 224 cities across 67 countries, so there's bound to be a chapter near you. Membership is free, plus…Keep Reading
Find Your TribeDo you know who your people are? The ones that care about what you care about and what you stand for? Who get excited about all the ways you build value into your business, products, or services? The ones who say, "I love that" when you explain why you do what you do? Time and again, I find entrepreneurs define their target market too broadly and then wonder why they don't get the traffic and response they expected. It's not enough to define the demographics of your market—age, gender,…Keep Reading
Twist and ShoutIt's been hard to avoid news coverage of Simone Biles stepping away from several Olympic gymnastics events this week after experiencing what she called "the twisties." As she described it, the twisties are when "you can't tell up from down," which is scary and dangerous when you're spinning around in the air. But it's also scary and dangerous when you're standing on the ground and just have no idea where you are in relation to where you want to go. To me, the twisties sound like a fairly…Keep Reading
Are You Limited?Hello Reader, As you may recall, I’ve been conducting market research for a course I’m developing. So, I’ve been having a lot of conversations with small business service providers lately. One of my biggest takeaways from these conversations is that everyone makes assumptions about what the market will bear that limit their thoughts and beliefs around pricing. The best antidote for those limiting beliefs is to go out and talk to clients, prospects, and people in your target market, which I…Keep Reading
Have you ever asked someone to describe you in one or two words? What would your clients and/or colleagues say if you did?Here's why I'm asking, our brains are wired to associate words with things — that's basically the idea of language, after all. And when two things are repeatedly associated in our minds, then the likelihood of one of those linked thoughts leading to the other increases exponentially over time.So, when it comes to branding, it's all about that one or two-word association…Keep Reading
I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for some crisp, cool autumn days, otherwise known as 'sweater weather.' As we race toward September and the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day, I can't help but get that old familiar feeling—part excitement, part nerves—that signals "back-to-school" season. Even though I don't have kids and haven't been in school in a very long time, it still hits me every year. And, I'm kind of grateful it does because it sparks my desire to amp up my learning and…Keep Reading
I want to tell you about an organization I truly admire and greatly appreciate: Creative Mornings. If you know about Creative Mornings, then you know what makes it so special. If you don't, then I urge you to find out. Creative Mornings is a way for people all over the world to share their passions, skills, interests, and more with folks who share or are interested in them, too. They're now in 224 cities across 67 countries, so there's bound to be a chapter near you. Membership is free, plus…Keep Reading
Do you know who your people are? The ones that care about what you care about and what you stand for? Who get excited about all the ways you build value into your business, products, or services? The ones who say, "I love that" when you explain why you do what you do? Time and again, I find entrepreneurs define their target market too broadly and then wonder why they don't get the traffic and response they expected. It's not enough to define the demographics of your market—age, gender,…Keep Reading
It's been hard to avoid news coverage of Simone Biles stepping away from several Olympic gymnastics events this week after experiencing what she called "the twisties." As she described it, the twisties are when "you can't tell up from down," which is scary and dangerous when you're spinning around in the air. But it's also scary and dangerous when you're standing on the ground and just have no idea where you are in relation to where you want to go. To me, the twisties sound like a fairly…Keep Reading
Hello Reader, As you may recall, I’ve been conducting market research for a course I’m developing. So, I’ve been having a lot of conversations with small business service providers lately. One of my biggest takeaways from these conversations is that everyone makes assumptions about what the market will bear that limit their thoughts and beliefs around pricing. The best antidote for those limiting beliefs is to go out and talk to clients, prospects, and people in your target market, which I…Keep Reading