Raise Your Visibility, Boost Your Success

There can be times when any business owner feels like they have reached the limit of possibility and potential, yet see many competitors securing record numbers of new clients and contracts. You can be left wondering ‘How do they do it?

Sadly, experience reveals that it’s not the smartest who get promoted. There are many tax consultants, coaches, well being experts, stylists, and recruiters out there but it’s what you do, how you do it and who knows what you do that will set you apart.

Being visible and successful is about being in the right place at the right time; seizing those opportunities to be seen. It means others trust you as the right person for the job, the first person people think of when they want something. You have a “buzz” about you which engages others in your product or service.

If you want to raise your visibility, get people talking about you positively and boost your success now is the time to set some targets for 2010 that are challenging and inspiring.

Maintain visibility with new or existing clients. In his book ‘Influence. Science and Practice’ Robert B Cialdini researched the key factors that cause one person to say yes to another. He discovered 6 principles which contribute to the acceptance or rejection of a request, including increasing familiarity.

When you are unsure of a purchase do you find that you are more likely to seek out a brand that you have heard about or seen more often? Repeated contact builds familiarity and trust over time and plays an important role in decision making.

Don’t take your existing clients for granted. Let them know that you value their business and make them aware of any new or current services or products which can add value. It is much harder and more expensive to acquire a new client than it is to maintain an existing one.

When attracting new clients think about how you can build the relationship by varying the way in which you make contact and engaging them in more personalized ways that show you understand them and their needs.

Master the Media. Being quoted in the media can instantly boost your credibility, gives you a competitive edge, raising your profile and bring you more business contacts.

You don’t need an expensive PR machine behind you to get in the news. Journalists need your story, they are hungry for experts to provide quotes and top tips- why not be the Next Big Thing?

Organise an Event. This could be a small lunch or short talk where you invite new or existing clients. Most people prefer getting to know you face to face.

Attend Events. If you don’t want to organize something – attend events. There are interesting talks at the British Library or the London Business Forum where you can meet others and learn something new. Occasionally go to an event which is completely different from ones you would normally attend. It may inspire you, give you fresh ideas and at the very least you will stand out from the crowd.

Use Social Media. This is another great way to create a buzz about you and your business. Raise your visibility on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter by posting status updates which are interesting and up to date. Or write a blog – you don’t know where it could lead to – a book or a film? At the very least the content can be used in newsletters, articles and features.

Write a Book. If this sounds overwhelming hire a book coach to guide you. A book can be the perfect show case for your knowledge and expertise.

Speak at Events. Speaking at networking events, workshops or seminars is a great way to give you and your business immediate authority. If you are worried about speaking then start with small gatherings whilst you build up your confidence. And remember as Louis Armstrong said ‘It is not what you say it’s how you say it’ that counts.

Banish Excuses. It’s so easy to not bother. We are all so busy now. There’s not one of us who isn’t working flat out these days to make a living and have a life. Time is extremely limited and precious. But you have to make the effort.

How else will people meet you or find out about you?

It requires some effort but it’s a journey infinitely worth taking to you raise your visibility and get to hear one day “It is great to meet you. I’ve been hearing so much about….”

Pass on Positivity and Dump the Doom

Does your inner gremlin get to you every now and again, (perhaps daily!), when you remember how you said the wrong thing, messed up a meeting, arrived late, upset your colleagues? Extensive research by Roy Baumeister a psychology researcher from Florida State University found that we remember the bad things more often than the good things in our lives. We store those bad memories more easily and recall them more frequently.

Unfortunately all this unhappiness, stress, anger and disappointment can get passed on to whoever happens to be around at the time. Colleagues take it out on co-workers, bosses on staff, parents on children and partners on loved ones. We admit to being guilty on this one!

David J Pollay has written a book on the ‘Law of the Garbage Truck’, http://www.bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/ based on his experience in New York City, sixteen years ago. During a taxi ride his driver very nearly had a ‘huge accident’ which led to much shouting and remonstrating by the driver of the other vehicle. David was astonished that his taxi driver just smiled and moved on saying that many people are like garbage trucks full of negative emotions looking for a place to dump them – ‘I just smile, wish them well and move on. Believe me. I’m happier for it’. This got David thinking, ‘How often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? How often do I then take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the street?’

You may have heard the expression that what you focus on expands. If you want to avoid the rubbish trucks in your life, take control and open the way for more success here are our tips for making room for the good things.

Be fully present. Most of out time is spent mulling over the past and wishing for a better future, forgetting that we just can’t change the past and the future is not wholly in our control. Being fully present this minute with your work, your business and the people you relate to, will help you to be at your best for that important meeting, client or business opportunity.

Avoid the energy vampires. You know who they are so try to minimize time spent in their company. If they are unavoidable (i.e. your boss) then lay down firm boundaries. For example if you have a colleague who always phones at inconvenient times to talk about the latest workplace disaster, then inform them that the best time to speak to you is lunchtime and that you will be happy to have that “10 minute” chat with then. Be firm and polite. They won’t like it but will have to comply eventually. If you waiver on your own boundary they will stampede over them. So mean it.

The same goes for difficult clients, and unproductive colleagues. State your intention calmly, clearly and firmly giving detailed deadlines and instructions. Express your expected outcome and stick with it.

Don’t be a victim of the energy vampire.

Don’t take it personally. We are emotional beings who experience highs and lows throughout the day. When someone has dumped their angst on you don’t take it personally and please don’t pass it on. Most times when others vent their frustrations they feel so much better whilst you are left feeling terrible.

Be like David J Pollay, wish them well and move on.

Communication and Selling Skills Workshop, Wednesday 7 October 2009

This one day programme in Central London uses the Insights Discovery Personal Profile to provide you with a transformational insight into yourself and others.

Celebrating the uniqueness of each individual, the profile illustrates how recognizing and valuing difference can help you to adapt and connect with others to create positive and long lasting business relationships.

You will benefit from developing a greater understanding of how you communicate, learn how to recognise behavioural traits in others and master the art of adjusting your approach to selling and influencing.

Price : £450 + VAT (Price includes individual Insights Personal Profile)

Register your interest today to qualify for the special 25% discount. This discount will only be available to those who have pre-registered their interest by 28 August 2009. Additional programme information will be provided to all those who register an interest. Email : sarah@realcoachingsolutions.co.uk

Business Building Breakfast, Wednesday 23 September 2009

Real Coaching Solutions presents the Business Building Breakfast - a fresh way to build and grow your business, meet people and start your day positively.

How to Raise your Visibility and Position yourself for Success

Venue: St Stephen's Club, Central London, www.ststephensclub.co.uk
Date: Wednesday 23rd September 2009
Time: 8.00 am-10.00 am.

Do you often wonder how it is other people get all the lucky breaks? In this breakfast workshop we will show you How to Raise your Visibility and Position yourself for Success in ways which will help you

• Establish your credibility and expertise
• Open doors to new opportunities
• Build and develop strong relationships
• Become the 'go to' person in your sector

Your ticket price is £25 which covers tea/coffee and continental pastries, includes the workshop, and the opportunity to mingle and make new contacts with other like minded business folk, in the sublime surroundings of the elegant St Stephen's Club.

Places are limited so please book now. Early bird tickets priced at £20 (instead of £25) if booked before 31st August 2009. Contact sarah@realcoachingsolutions.co.uk

Mastermind Coaching Call, 6 Steps to Grow Your Business in a Tough Economy

Our next Mastermind Coaching Call is THURSDAY 23 July at 8:00pm UK time

Even though we are experiencing a challenging economy there are still opportunities out there. However, business growth will only happen if you take purposeful action.

Individuals and businesses need to get savvy and take advantage of the changing market. With change there are opportunities. Big names have been born out of turbulent times - Apple, Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathway, Disney, Burger King. These companies recognised consumer needs in a changing market and were quick to respond to them.

In this month's mastermind coaching call on Thursday 23 July 2009 at 8.00 pm Susan together with Lynne-Marie Kelly of the Creative Concepts Group will outline 6 Steps to Grow your Business in a Tough Economy. By taking decisive actions we will show you the way to take a quantum leap in your business growth.


Contact info@realcoachingsolutions.co.uk to reserve your place

What It REALLY Takes To Be A Winner In Your Solo-Business And Make More Than You've Made In The Next 12 Months Than in The Last 12 Years COMBINED

Do you ever wonder what makes SOME people succeed, wildly succeed, while others are just scraping by, trying to make 5-figures or barely break 6-figures?

If you really want to know what's going to get you from where you are in your business now to a TOTALLY different level, here's the secret...

The secret is actually a COMBINATION of several key techniques (like a combination lock) that, when applied in a particular order, create phenomenal results in your business AND in what you make. In fact, these techniques can help you make more in the next 12 months than you've made in the last 12 years COMBINED.

For herself, She's always interested in looking for more ways to take charge of her OWN life and her OWN business. That's why I was intrigued by Fabienne Fredrickson's new free teleclass on Wednesday July 1st, called "What It REALLY Takes To Be A Winner In Your Solo-Business And Make More Than You've Made In The Next 12 Months Than in The Last 12 Years COMBINED."

Here's the link to sign up:
https://attraction.infusionsoft.com/go/WIABpreview/susan/

And Fabienne is ready to reveal it ALL to you, step-by-step, without holding anything back, on a FREE Teleseminar happening Wednesday, July 1st.

Will you join me? I can't wait to have you with me.

https://attraction.infusionsoft.com/go/WIABpreview/susan/

5 Steps to Raise Your Media Profile and Boost Your Business

By Carole Ann Rice

As the one-time Fashion and Lifestyle Editor of the Birmingham Post I received six "thank you" bouquets in one week. I write this not to boast about my literary expertise but to share the story behind all those fabulous floral tributes.

They were sent to me from business owners, small, large or just by individuals that I had written about and featured on my pages.

The articles written had generated such an unprecedented up swing in business the featured individuals wanted to thank me and show me their gratitude for the increase in custom and, in some cases, the follow-on interest which lead to TV and radio coverage.

Getting yourself or your business featured in the press is a guaranteed way of not only attracting more sales but of raising your profile, creating a competitive edge, gaining credibility and establishing you as an expert; if not the expert. Why not become a household name?


Journalists need good stories and news. It's what fills their pages and makes their life easier for them. Could you or your business be the Next Big Thing the media need to know about? Does the world need to know what you have to offer?

The route to developing a media profile is not a complex one but one that needs some honing and consideration before you embark on the journey. Just like anything concerned with business building the results won't happen overnight but with persistence and tenacity you will eventually get a return on the time and investment you put in.


Here are 5 steps to help you set your compass to magnetize the media and considerably expand your business and personal potential.

1. Be clear about your intention - Ask yourself what you would like press coverage to give you. Is it to inform, educate, establish or introduce yourself or your products or services? What do you want people to know about what you do? What is your offer and why would people want to read about you? Would you like to establish yourself as an expert in your field?


2. Placing your story - Where and what publication would your "story" fit into? Is it ideal for the business or lifestyle pages of your daily paper? Would it be best placed in the weekend supplements, the woman's pages or new gadgets features? Don't rule out specialist publications and periodicals; there are thousands out there, which could give you concentrated exposure to a specific target market. Finding a suitable publication in which to place you story is essential.


3. Do your research - each day the nationals have different themed pages - careers, health, business, beauty, women, books etc - start to find out who edits the pages you want your story to appear in. The glossies work approximately 3 months ahead to plan seasonally. Check the themed pages and research for who is responsible for editing them and directly contact them by email or telephone. This way you can start to compile a data base of contacts as you go.


4. Have a compelling story - finding a story that the journalist will be interested in is the key. What sets you apart from others in your profession? Do you have case studies or clients willing to testify to your services? Identify your USP and don't hold back in selling it. You need to explore your offer and give it a commercial twist. For example if you are a financial consultant could it be that you help people save money, become money magnets or know how to make passive incomes? What would make my story interesting to others? Are you noticing current trends that you think the press would be interested in?


5. Look for hooks - Using current affairs or the latest news stories as a hook is also a useful way of developing an angle. Money-saving tips in the current economy go down well; recycling, green issues and even the seasons can all provide a relevant peg.

With persistence and ingenuity you will eventually see that harnessing the power of the press can really work for you and your business.

To find out how our coaching and development programmes can help you succeed in business please contact sarah@realcoachingsolutions.co.uk who will book you in for a free consultation.