Month: July 2020

As a whole, we are average people. Our society is average. Most businesses are average.  But why? When we were all growing up, were we told, “just make a C, that’s average”? No, we were told that we should get an A. Some were told that an A was all that was acceptable, but most got by with Cs. Because a C is, after all, average – and what’s wrong with that?

When did we stop dreaming? Stop striving for better? Settle for okay?  I am not sure, but I for one have stopped that nonsense, and I encourage you to as well.  God, who created us in his image, is not average. So why do we think it is okay to “low rent” ourselves and get lazy?  You may not feel that you are lazy. You may feel that you work 8-12 hours a day, and that is enough. That, my friends, is just life and work. Not fulfillment.

If you are not reaching your potential, I encourage you to attempt to do so!  This brings you above the average line. Push yourself – the way that maybe you have never been pushed before. Push yourself to be better, to grow, to become better than you were yesterday. My great-uncle Charlie said it best, “The more you learn, the more you earn.” My uncle Charlie was my first boss – and the toughest on me – and a top producer for State Farm Insurance. He, and his two brothers – my grandfather, and my great Uncle Tony – always pushed to be a bit better every day. All three, in their own way, making their own way.

You see, in the era in which these men grew up, taking care of yourself was the ONLY way. With immigrant parents and no “family fortune” to rely on, they had to help provide for the family from a young age and they figured it out, all three providing well beyond average lifestyles for their families. Somewhere between that generation and mine, however, that drive got lost. Many (not all, but a lot) of the next two generations had or have a job, which is supposed to provide security and financial stability. It didn’t and can’t though, because in that same time-frame, credit became the “big thing” and it is difficult to find anyone without some kind of debt racked up that is not related to mortgage. Most have at least major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) and some have store cards, and many are maxed out, with no hope of paying them off by paying the minimum payment each month.

Is this the way to live? Paycheck to paycheck, money going out as fast as it comes in, and in debt. God did not want us to live like this. We do not want to live like this. I challenge you today:

• Don’t accept that your life is the best it can be
• Set Goals for yourself and set them HIGH
• Learn something every day
• Be better today than you were yesterday
• Don’t compete for average, DOMINATE and Demonstrate EXCELLENCE

My Top 10 E-mail Tips

e-mail is one of the most effective types of communication, but if your audience doesn’t open the email, there is no communication. With that being said, check out my top 10 tips to email effectively.

1. Did you know that over 30% of email recipients open the email (or not) based on the subject line alone?

Your subject and tone should fit your audience. Don’t be too casual, and don’t be too long, and don’t ask stupid questions. And whatever your subject line indicates, make sure it is in your email (keep your promises).

2. Over 30% of professionals read their emails on their mobile devices – not a laptop or desktop computer. If your email is too long, they won’t read it all. Many of us were taught to “lead up” to the point of the email. This no longer applies. Keep it short and sweet and easy to reply or take action to.

3. Practicality leads over fact. When your subject line or email is too dry, you guessed it, your audience either won’t open it or won’t read it all. 

4. Although we are also taught to not “re-create the wheel”, if your email looks like everyone else’s you won’t stand out. Brand yourself – and your email should stand out too!

5. Follow up! First by email, then by phone (in case your emails are going to SPAM).

6. The most effective subject line words? Apply, Cancellation, Conference, Connect, Demo, Opportunity, Payments.

7. The most ineffective subject line words? Assistance, Confirm, Invite, Join, Press, Social, Speaker.

8. E-mails written on a third-grade reading level get the best response. Here’s your confirmation: everyone isn’t as smart as you are. If they must read it twice, they won’t make it through the second reading.

9. Videos are popular. If you can send a video, or a link to one, you will be more likely to get your information across.

10. Instead of “checking in”, or “reaching out” (this one always makes me think of someone under the bed or in the closet…ugh…) send something with a funny picture:

I learned this one when sent one asking if I had been kidnapped by pygmies.  I laughed really hard, then responded…and most people will also respond!

If you need more ideas, or if you have questions on these, give me a shout! I am happy to answer questions.

God Bless, and Have a Great Week!

Christine

In the current world climate, we are never sure what tomorrow may bring. Some people worry, I look around and say, “It’s EXCITING!” Why? Because it is. As children, we hear that we can be or do anything, but as we grow up, we find that to be rather an overstatement because society, family, and numerous other factors put limits on us (sometimes we do this to ourselves). But today, not knowing can be turned into an asset, instead of a danger.

How can we handle this as an asset? For one, just keeping going, when all else tells us to shut down and go home, brings market-share – because other companies are closing all around us…and many won’t open again. For the first time that I can remember, the government is stepping in to support small business in a big way. PPP funds to help pay payroll, EIDL loans to cover overhead and other expenses that slower business renders some companies unable to pay, and may other programs and products available to help. If you haven’t applied for these (or need help doing so), reach out to us – we have successfully helped clients bring in funds that literally saved their businesses.

Taking the time and spending the energy NOW to build, will build habits in others that will not soon break – habits of shopping with YOU, getting services from YOU. This builds loyalty in ways that you cannot imagine. So you see, the psychological impact on your customer base of simply staying open is tremendous.

Look around you. Decide if you want to survive. Pull your head out of the sand and determine to overcome and DOMINATE your market. I am here to help and to cheer you on!