Be competitive. Do some online sleuthing to learn what competitors are up to in social media.

Be kind. Relationships drive customer loyalty and create vocal brand advocates who want to talk about the brands they love.

Be conversational. Blogs are a perfect tool to achieve digital buzz because they’re conversational in nature.

Be real. Keep your social media sites routinely updated with short entries that are written as if you’re talking to someone over the counter.

Be loyal. If you’re loyal to your customers, they’ll return the favor.

Be interesting. Use social media to talk about more than just your business. Give local perspective and advice outside the confines of your market niche.

Be exciting. Look at the language you use across your marketing communications. Is it bland or does it have a dynamic, knock-your-socks-off energy?

Be daring. The most memorable brand stories tell the unexpected, speak directly to the heart or dare customers to live life to the fullest.

Be the expert. Tell the kind of brand story that will position you and your company as a leader in your marketplace.

Be genuine. For your business brand to resonate with customers, it must be based on something truly genuine.

Be consistent. No matter what industry you’re in, a strong identity will help you stand out with customers.

Be connected. Great networkers ask the right questions.

Be proactive. Don’t offer your customers products – offer them solutions, connections and satisfaction.

Be proud. Build exposure for your brand by showing off your company’s expertise and top employees in trade magazines.

Key takeaway: “If you don’t brand yourself, Google is going to do it for you!”

Best Regards,

Michelle

http://www.WebMediaExpert.com ]]> http://passionalliances.com/top-15-social-media-secrets-to-success/feed/ http://passionalliances.com/the-top-10-things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-my-business/ http://passionalliances.com/the-top-10-things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-my-business/#comments Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:53:59 +0000 admin http://passionalliances.com/?p=470

I believe Michelle’s wisdom applies to any entrepreneur or business person.

Let me know if there is a point you don’t understand and would like a deeper understanding of.

Example: a lot of people don’t know what it means to grow themselves to grow their business.

It means that you will build your confidence, self worth and self-esteem, so your ability to take your business to the next level will rise. You will create clear plans of growth, stretch your mind and take calculated risks, grow yourself (public speaking, networking, personal dev…) and/or your business (get mentored, higher education, CEU’s…) that will move you forward, and grow your comfort level for change… are a few possibilities that represent her #1 point.

Marilyn O’Malley, CPCC
Leader & Master of Manifestation
CoachMarilyn@yahoo.com

Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads out there!

The Top 10 of Things I Wish I Knew When
I Started My Coaching Business

By: Michelle Schubnel

www.CoachAndGrowRich.com

michelle@coachandgrowrich.com

#10 - Passion Is Your Trump Card
Your passion, enthusiasm and energy will open doors,
deliver opportunities and literally work as a magic wand
in your business. Find your true passion and stay connected to it!

#9-Use Your Head And Check-In With Your Heart
As a business-owner you need to make a lot of decisions.
If your brain is telling you one thing and your heart is telling
you something else, trust your heart. Follow your intuition.

#8 - Be Who You Are
This is your business. You get to create it however you want.
Quirks are good and your best clients will be most attracted
to the real, authentic you.

#7 - Have Big Enough “Why’s”
What are your reasons for wanting a thriving, rewarding and
profitable coaching business- business?  You need strong and powerful
reasons so you get and stay committed to do what it takes.

#6 - Things Often Take Longer Than Expected
Whether it’s launching a website, achieving a full practice or
reaching an income goal, things often take longer than you
want or expect. Build in extra time and don’t beat yourself up.
Late is better than never.

#5 - Playing Big Is Actually Easier Than Playing Small
This may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s totally true!
When you play big and really go for it you have to take more
action, reach out for support, be bold and really put yourself
out there. Playing small really doesn’t serve you or the world.

#4 - If You Aren’t Willing to Invest, Neither Will Your Clients
Building a successful business requires a significant investment
of time, energy and money. If you aren’t willing to make financial
investments in your business, you end up attracting potential
clients who aren’t willing to make financial investments either.

#3 - It’s Okay To Make Mistakes
Making mistakes and experiencing setbacks are inevitable when
growing a business. Be okay with it. Besides, nobody pays half
as much attention to your mistakes or setbacks as you do.

#2 - Perfection Is Highly Overrated
Done is better than perfect. Keep in mind the 80/20 rule and
remember that often “good enough” really is perfect.

#1 - To Grow Your Business, You Must Grow Yourself
The more you grow yourself as person, the faster and
easier your business will grow.

“Every parent of a sensitive boy should read this book.”?–Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D. author of The Highly Sensitive Person and The Highly Sensitive Child ”The Strong, Sensitive Boy offers practical advice and innovative solutions for parents, teachers, and anyone working with sensitive boys.

I highly recommend it.”?–Michael Gurian, author of The Wonder of Boys and The Minds of Boys

“An insightful, important look at the role sensitivity has in true masculine power. A wonderful guide for parents, sons, and educators!”–Judith Orloff, M.D. author of Second Sight In this groundbreaking book, psychologist Ted Zeff explores the unique challenges of sensitive boys, showing parents, educators, and mentors how to help sensitive boys grow into strong, happy, and confident men.

Dr. Zeff offers practical advice on how to help your son increase his self-esteem and thrive in the family, at school, with friends, and in sports. This book is also important for sensitive men to read to help them heal their childhood wounds, learn how to navigate through our aggressive, overstimulating world, and accept themselves as sensitive men. This book is helpful for sensitive women since how society treats sensitive men deeply affects highly sensitive women-and all women close to sensitive males.

From Huffingtonpost.com 5 Gifts of Being Highly SensitiveBy THERESE J. BORCHARD

Living in a culture that devalues sensitivity and introversion as much as the U.S. means there are many pressures to be “normal” - meaning extroverted, sociable and outgoing. Dr. Ted Zeff, author of The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide, points out that other cultures, such as Thailand, have different attitudes, with a strong appreciation of sensitive or introverted people.

Be aware of other’s judgments of people as too sensitive, too emotional, or too dramatic. And if we are sensitive, we may use those kinds of judgments against ourselves, and think, as Winona Ryder said she did at one time, “Maybe I’m too sensitive for this world.”

Certainly, there are extremes of emotions that are considered mood disorders, for example, and should be dealt with as a health challenge. But “too emotional” or “too sensitive” are usually criticisms based on majority behavior and standards.

Overall, I think being highly sensitive is a trait we can embrace and use to be more creative and aware. But it demands taking care to live strategically, even outside popular values, to avoid overwhelm so we can better nurture our abilities and creative talents.

Let me know what you think!

Notes taken from Greatness Held Hostage by Mike Litman

People form habits & habits form futures.
(read that again and really let that sentence sink in)

3 steps to move you towards greatness & success
1. Ask: What is one thing I don’t want to do today but if I did would move my life or business forward?
2. How will I benefit from doing it?
3. Do it NOW!

Become outcome driven! Successful people focus on the reward instead of focusing on the process.

Successful people make a habit of doing things you don’t like to do that will get you the reward you want.

Recognize your time is precious!
Successful people have 3 Ps for respecting their time
1. Protect their time
2. Preserve their time
3. Prioritize their time
So, Plan your day in advance.

Write out your six things to do the night before and prioritize them in the order of importance.
On a 3×5 card write down the six things that you are going to do that will move your life/business forward. Do things in the order of their importance and don’t move to the next thing till you have completed the highest priority

You don’t have to get it right, you just have to get it going! We have been trained to be perfect
in school and at work and will not make a move till everything is in place or perfect. Just Decide to move forward and the market place, person or event will give you feedback to make it better.

Choose to be consistent! In life you’re either consistent or you’re non-existent.
Your power lies in you being consistent. Moments of brilliance don’t create greatness. It is the consistent ones who reap the benefits of their invested time and energy.

Stop saving the world first! You’ve got to save yourself first by taking care of yourself first. You need to make money by providing value to the market place or a solution to a problem in which you get paid. Charity is not business. Business is a value for value exchange. After you save yourself then you can help the world.

Raise your enthusiasm! Do 1% more than what you are doing today to create something greater in your life now. Find your passion, & unleash your greatness. Find something to get behind and create it. The world needs you, and you need it to save yourself first.

Say Yes to opportunities and be more decisive! Get in the habit of saying yes to more opportunities that show up. Say yes to life more! You loose more by being indecisions than by making bad decisions. Step up and be a leader in your life.
That is how greatness begins. You don’t have to get it right you just have to get it going.

Find someone to hold you accountable & coach you! Attach yourself to people who will hold you accountable to grow and get more of the results you want in your life. Build your team. Everyone needs someone to help them grow and move into their greatness.

Take Action! Take one thing and apply it NOW!

If you are ready for accountability and having a coach in your life give me a call and let’s talk about your greatness and how we can work together to break the habits & thinking that are keeping you small.

Please pass this on and let’s spread an abundance of intention for a healthy 2010

To your health and well-Being!

Marilyn

If you’re concerned about your blood sugar, you need to
know that a new research report from my friend Layne
Lowery, President of Health Resources now proves
conventional blood sugar solutions could be putting your
health at great risk.

1. Conventional wisdom says if you’re not having
symptoms, your blood sugar problems are not such
a big deal, they’re wrong!

Foggy thinking, memory lapses, low energy levels,
kidney problems and high blood pressure and cholesterol
levels are just a few of the symptoms you might not be
attributing to unbalanced blood sugar… but should be.

2. Conventional wisdom says low-fat dieting can control your
blood sugar. Wrong again!

Fat is not the cause of America’s epidemic of insulin
resistance, sugar is and most people are in the dark about
it. The average American consumes roughly 32 teaspoons
of sugar each day, much of it hidden in the processed foods
we eat. Ingesting too much sugar is acid-forming and wrecks
havoc on your health leading to unbalanced blood sugar.

3. Conventional wisdom says natural solutions won’t work
for blood sugar. Wrong, dead wrong!

The pharmaceutical companies have plenty of drugs to help
you deal with blood sugar imbalances. The trouble is… the
side effects of some of these drugs can be WORSE than the
disease they’re supposed to treat!

For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
recently mandated the use of a “black box” warning on the
diabetes drug Avandia.

This strong warning label emphasizes the drug, “may cause
or worsen heart failure in certain patients.”

Despite this disturbing admission, an agency advisory panel
voted 22 to 1 in favor of allowing continued sales to U.S. patients!

But here’s some good news. You can balance your blood
sugar naturally, simply by using nutrients straight from Mother
Nature’s pharmacy.

Nature’s Premium Nutrients for Healthy Blood Sugar

It might seem hard to imagine that a few herbs can help you
win the battle of blood sugar imbalances–but it’s TRUE!

Let’s examine each of these super nutrients individually…

Gymnema Sylvestre

For more than 2,000 years, people in India have used the
herb Gymnema sylvestre to help control blood sugar. In fact,
the leaves of this climbing plant are prized by practitioners of
Ayurvedic medicine–the holistic system of healing developed
in India and practiced by the renowned doctor Deepak Chopra.

The herb is also called “gurmar,” which literally means “destroyer
of sugar” in Hindi. This name describes the way that chewing the
leaves interferes with your ability to taste sweetness. Because
this amazing herb decreases the sensation of sweetness in many
foods, this may reduce your cravings for sugary snacks.

Chromium

Another weapon in nature’s arsenal of sugar fighters is the
mineral chromium. Chromium aids in digestion and helps
move blood glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for
energy. It also helps turn fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
into energy.

What’s more, chromium is critical for healthy insulin function.
Without enough chromium in your body, insulin just doesn’t
work properly.

Chromium exists in many foods, but research shows that 90%
of American adults have a chromium deficient diet! This could
be a key reason why an increasing number of Americans suffer
blood sugar problems.

Cinnamon

Believe it or not–your kitchen probably already contains a
key ingredient to help you control unhealthy blood sugar levels.
Recent scientific discoveries prove that the commonly used
spice helps regulate blood sugar in ways previously unknown.

Scientists at the Maryland-based Human Nutrition Research
Center were studying the effects of common foods on blood
sugar. Dr. Richard Anderson, lead scientist and chemist,
noticed that when patients ate apple pie…their blood sugar
levels actually IMPROVED!

Further investigation revealed it was the CINNAMON in
the apple pie–that helped their blood sugar levels.

Researchers discovered that cinnamon actually increases
your glucose metabolism. It contains a compound called
methyhydroxy chalcone polymer–or MHCP for short–that
works with insulin to help process glucose.

Banaba Leaf Extract

Traditionally, people living in the Philippines, South Asia, and
India have brewed a banaba leaf tea to help regulate blood sugar.

Medical scientists believe that banaba leaf’s beneficial effects
on blood sugar are due to its high concentration of corosolic
acid, a natural compound extracted from its leaves.

Corosolic acid mimics insulin by moving sugar out of your
bloodstream and into your cells. And numerous scientific
studies have proven banaba leaf’s effectiveness.

Fenugreek

Modern science is shedding new light on another traditional
folk remedy which delivers excellent health benefits.
Fenugreek is an herb native to the Mediterranean, Ukraine,
India, and China.

Practitioners of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine
have used the herb for more than 2,000 years. Modern
scientists now know fenugreek helps balance your
cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose.

Fenugreek seed stimulates insulin release. This helps food
sugars reach your cells properly.

BitterMelon

Although it may be unknown to most people in the West–bitter
melon has long been used in South America, the Caribbean,
East Africa, and the Orient as both food and a natural medicine.
And scientific studies prove its value for treating blood sugar
problems.

Studies have show bitter melon could play a key role in
helping to balance insulin in your body and had positive effects
on the serum glucose levels of those taking it–which of course
means healthy blood sugar control.

So if you’ve resigned yourself to a life filled by downing daily
prescription medications, jabbing yourself with insulin, and
praying that you don’t succumb to kidney failure or a brain
disaster…

I want to introduce you to a powerful new natural breakthrough
for balancing your blood sugar that’s bigger than the discovery
of insulin…

A natural formula so powerful it has folks just like you singing
its praises:

“Once I started using this, it started lowering my blood sugar
after 15 years of problems.”
–Ramona W., Missouri

“My fasting blood sugar went from 108 to 83 within two
months of regular use. My doctor was amazed.”
–Natalie S., California

“After taking three bottles and having my blood checked, my
doctor said, ‘whatever you’re doing for your blood, keep it up.’
It’s the best it’s been in years.”
–Carolyn D., Florida

“I’ve been on this for over three weeks, and my blood sugar
has dropped to 75-175. I am very pleased.”
–Elmer S, Ohio

Imagine a single natural life-saving supplement that can help…

? Balance your blood sugar
? Control insulin and help your body use it more effectively
? Keep you cholesterol healthy
? Boost your immunity
? Support healthy weight loss
? Eliminate sugar spikes
? Protect your kidneys
? Banish tired, sluggish feelings
? Reduce sugar and food cravings
? Plus, dozens more benefits!

To get the story behind this amazing natural breakthrough, I
suggest you claim your very own free copy of Health Resources’
research report entitled, “Blood Sugar Perfect.”

Click Here to get your free copy now.
http://www.healthresources.net/landing/blood_sugar/index6.asp?SC=HEV1617

Be well,

Bill

Great insight into a successful persons mind. Listen to how he thinks, what he believes with certainty and the actions he takes to create the life he desires!

There is no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to success and happiness. Practice and apply what you learn from this video and let me know how it changed your life.

Notice his commitment, passion, and focus.