A common challenge for coaches, teachers, healers and other helping professionals is differentiating themselves from others in their fields.

The good news is you set yourself apart just by being born. People forget that. The nature of your unique life makes you different and makes you unique. I call this your intuitive intelligence.

You have not lived the same life that I have lived and neither has anyone else. Even if we have the same training and we sat down and decided to teach the exact same model to people, it would be different because we are different people.

Hold your hand up in front of you right now. No one shares those finger prints. Your marketing style, your business style, and your message all reflect that uniqueness.

Get off of the marketing hamster wheel for a while and ask yourself the question: “why did you get into this game to begin with?” There is a reason that you are reading this article. There is a reason that you’re doing the business you’re doing.

Someone reading this lost a significant amount of weight. Someone reading this made it through a serious illness. Someone reading this helped a child through a diagnosis. Someone reading this got divorced and they thrived through it. Someone reading this changed their lifestyle through health and wellness. Someone reading this built a business out of nothing.

Continually telling my story has been the most powerful business building strategies I have ever implemented, and it comes completely naturally because it’s my story. Framing it in a way that underlines my movement and the changes I want to see in the world helps me attract perfect clients.

Everyone has a story and any business must have a movement and a mission driving it. Don’t lose sight of the fact that it is your story that is going to heal people.

When I started my business, I finally got off my butt and decided to do something and change something. I came across coaching. I didn’t have a clue how to market. It was hard and it was painful, and there were some really difficult pieces.

Through that experience I healed a lot in myself, I healed a lot in other people, and I now have this really brilliant gift. I know that my purpose on this earth is to help people heal their shame around money and use marketing and business building as the tools to do that.

Keep it simple. Go back to the reason you got into your business or the field you’re in to begin with, whether you are an energy worker or a life coach or a marketing consultant. Why did you start this to begin with? Because that’s what you’ve lost sight of if you don’t have the energy to share your movement in a way that differentiates yourself from others.

I’d like to invite you to learn how to help more people, make more money and enjoy more freedom with the free 5-day mini course, “Awakening Your Authentic Entrepreneur,” at http://www.HelpMorePeople.com/minicourse.htmSuzanne Evans is best known as the ‘action expert’ and has coached hundreds of solopreneurs to model her multiple six figure business.
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We have talked about this in previous articles, but it is definitely worth mentioning again…and again, if you are failing to do this. It is vital to your business that you capture people’s information, if only their email address.

Due to your marketing efforts or even word-of-mouth from a friend or current client, once you are blessed with a new client, it is your job to keep them as a repeat customer. Obtaining their email address will allow you to do this. It is recommended that you stay in front of your client base with a monthly newsletter.

Some businesses send out information (something short and sweet!) every two weeks. That frequency all depends on you; but be sure to be consistent as your clients will start to expect to receive what you are sending.

One thing to remember in your emails and newsletters is to NOT always make it about what they can and should buy from. Instead, it is better and more valuable to you and your client when you are just “thinking” of them and sending them something that will help them make their day a bit better.

For example: a recipe, information on the benefits of a particular product or service, a thoughtful quote of the day, an upcoming event, etc. Just don’t always try to SELL them on something. Information and teaching people is the key to them NOT deleting your emails.

Ok, now that we know what you need to do once you have your client coming into your store, but what about clients that have not graced your doorstep yet?

What About Your Website.

I s your website providing all that it can to attract new customers? Does your website offer new and exciting information about you and your business so that it is attracting your current clients?

Let’s talk a bit about the value of an “Opt-In” box on your website. This opt-in box is going to give people a way to find out more about you and your business. It is a way for clients to sign up for your newsletter, a FREE eBook about your business or one of your services (such as the benefits of a massage, or how to safely and successfully jump-start a battery…depending on your type of business, of course), or even to enter in a contest you may be having or special coupons that only people who subscribe to your opt-in box will receive. The ideas are endless and only limited to your imagination.

The opt-in box is also a great way to send your clients to your websites (MORE HITS!!!). By having them go to your website, you can tell them if the opt-in to your newsletter, or whatever you are offering, that they will receive a discount off of their next service or a product you offer.

Opt-In email marketing is not different than direct emailing marketing except they don’t have to be a client who has already visited you and you received their OK to send them an email. With the Opt-In box, you are receiving their OK so that you will not be SPAMMING them. That is a no-no! NO SPAM!

Whether you are using Direct Marketing Emails or your “Opt-In” Email Marketing campaigns, follow these tips to better success with your email marketing.

1. Personalize.

It has always been said that the sweetest sound to anyone, is their name. Make sure you use their first name in the subject of the email and in the body of the email. It is proven that your email has a greater chance to be read and not deleted.

2. Short and Sweet.

Keep your emails informative, but short. People want to hear from you, but do not necessarily have the time to read everything. So decide on maybe a quick three little tidbits of information.

3. Chat.

Write your email as if you are having a conversation. Feeling like they are having a one-on-one conversation with you will make your client (or potential client) feel like a real person and not just another number.

4. A Gift.

Offer your clients a gift. Give them something FREE for taking the time to read your email or if they come into your shop. Maybe you have samples of your products that if they come in at a specific time and date, they can receive. Or if they come in for an oil change, they can receive a FREE car wash. Again, this is only limited to your imagination and your budget.

5. Benefits.

Tell clients the benefits of your products or services and not the features. This is your learning part of the email or newsletter. Just share and teach.

6. Call to Action.

Although we don’t want to sell to our clients in every email or newsletter, we do want to make it known that we are there when they need us and to remember us. Maybe you could mention that they need to call you and let you know when their birthday is, so that you can reward them with something special when their special day arrives. This gives you the opportunity to connect with them and them with you on a more personal level.

Or your call to action could be a survey in the email that month. This will get a response out of them. Again, letting them know that you care how they feel or what they are thinking.

7. Track It.

It is vital to know who is and who is not opening their emails. By tracking you will also see which emails are no longer valid and who is opting out of your emails. This gives you a better understanding of your email and newsletter campaigns so that you can correct and change anything that might up the odds of all of them getting opened and read.

8. Contact.

Make sure you remember to put all of your information on your email or newsletter at the bottom. Your business name, your contact numbers, your address, your business hours, and your logo. Remember every email and newsletter is an opportunity to “brand” your identity. Don’t miss out.

The power of “in-house” marketing is too often overlooked and is a very powerful tool. So capture those emails when they come to your place of business. When they give you their email address, you now have permission to send. So don’t neglect this valuable asset to your business.

As far as your “opt-in” emails, now you have a greater chance of getting these people to enter your business. My, isn’t the internet wonderful?

The email opt-in boxes I have used and found easy, where you can create a wonderful newsletter marketing campaign with autoresponders is Constant Contact.

One last thought…and it IS a big one! Think of your email data base AS your business. So many people don’t realize that when it is time to pass on their business to a relative or sell your business for big bucks, your database is really what you are selling. It cost you tons to get those clients and is a very valuable asset to your business. Use it to your best advantage.

Andrea Pekarik Welch specializes in helping people to build their business through the understanding of the basics of advertising, internet marketing and utilizing social media to their business’ advantage. Whether you have the typical brick and mortar business, email marketing with monthly newsletters is an absolute must when keeping in contact with your clients.
To receive more articles on how to increase your business, sign up for our FREE Marketing Tips Report at http://www.SpalonTechniques.com.
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When you’re running any kind of business, the budget often gets depleted by seemingly important things, sometimes overnight.  Suddenly there’s nothing left to market with.  Since marketing is everything, how do you consistently get your message to your audience without emptying your bank account? 

 Here are three very effective and low cost ways to get your name “out there” without breaking the bank.

1) Internet Article Marketing

One of the primary ways you can drive traffic to your Web site is position yourself as an expert on your subject. You can do this by writing articles.   

Article marketing simply means creating informational articles about a topic that is relevant to your audience, based on your keyword research.  You can then submit or post your articles to:

 -  online article directories,

 -  your blog,

 -  related business blogs

 -  your web sites.

Now, there are two options here:  You can write the articles yourself, or hire someone else to write the articles for you (with you as the author.)  The second option is good if you are pressed for time, but it will come with a fee, of course.

The hardest part about writing an article is just getting started.  There’s also a misconception that you must be a professional writer to do this; you don’t.

You will want to do a little research on tips to writing great articles, but don’t do too much.  Remember, you have something to say, and the best way to start is with a few sentences, on your topic.  Then formulate some tips by asking yourself questions.  For example: “How to Grow the Best Tasting Tomatoes,” or “5 Tips for Growing the Best Tomatoes.”

Start filling in the blanks, and before you know it, you will have your article.

Then, submit your articles to the major directories, at least three.  Once you have submitted several articles, you will be considered an authority, and will begin to attract an audience who is interested in your topic. From that point, there is a very good chance they will become leads for your business.

2) Online SEO Press Releases

Online SEO press releases are different from standard press releases. An online SEO press release is written so that keywords are scattered throughout the copy of the release. These press releases are then distributed online, posted on the business Web site, blog, etc., all with the purpose of driving traffic to your Web site and gaining a high position in the search engines.

Write your press release in third person, and submit it to a paid service such as PRWeb, or to various free distribution sites.

There are many “news worthy” things that happen in small businesses.  If you are not sure about what to include or how to do it, read other press releases, or you can out-source it.

3) Blogging

Business blogs are extremely important in your marketing.  Why?  They are the number one way to drive traffic to your Web site — which is traffic that you then have the opportunity to convert into a sale.

One of the reasons that blogs are so successful is because blogs are constantly updated with fresh content and search engines love fresh content. That means you have a higher ranking on the search engines organic side (the left) which you did not have to pay for.  Again, use keywords and build your posts around topics that your audience is interested in.  

Post to your blog two or three times per week.   Add images, videos, video blogging (also called “vlogs.”) Constantly ask yourself how you can help someone else solve their problem.  Then write about it. 

This will keep visitors (and the search engines) coming back to visit….your goal.

There are other low cost ways to market, but I have found that these three are highly effective and will get you on your way quickly.  You can either use any or all, but the key is to be consistent, and you will drive lots of high quality traffic to your site.

And the best part is that it won’t cost you anything except a little time!

Would you like to be shown more methods for driving massive traffic to your site without draining your bank account?
You’re invited to receive my newsletter, “Marketing Is An Art, Learn to Make It Yours.” 
 Here you will find user-friendly, creative tips and tricks for running a successful business from home, or anywhere.  Learn step by step different methods of marketing, and exactly how to put them in action. You’ll be able to use these methods to market anything, anywhere, on any budget.
To receive your 10 free issues, visit http://www.dianejdavis.com
Written by Diane J. Davis
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