Becoming a Master Of Time June 8, 2011

Posted Wednesday 27 April, 2011 by Mark Heerema

If you want to become an individual who maximises every second, versus one who spends time on an unlimited budget, there are four simple actions you’ll want to take.

Train Your Brain

If there is one point that you take from this over any other it is this: maximising time must be a mindset before it will ever become a habit. I can’t count how many people I have heard say, “I want to be better with my time!”. But, I can count just how many people have been able to do it. What is the difference between the two?

MINDSET first, habit second. Most people try and create the habit of being more efficient with their time before they have convinced themselves as to why.

Implement A System 

The best definition of the word “system” in this context is: “organisational habits”. A system is the habits you have developed with how you organise your day and everything involved in it. You see, having a “system” forces you to do things consistently. When we do things consistently, we develop a pattern of behaviour, and that pattern increases our efficiency which makes us faster. In other words:

consistency = pattern = efficiency = accomplishing more in less time

The second reason why you want a strong “system” is to help guide your decision-making. It’s crazy how many arrows we have flying at us in a day. How do you choose what to do? What do we give our attention to and what do we let go? An effective “system” will help solve that problem because your “system” works as a filter and a holding tank. It aids in helping clarify what IS important and what can wait. What is truly urgent and what is not.

A “system” will save yourself, time, energy and money! There’s a quote I see in many of the offices I visit which states, “Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part”. It’s perplexing to me when I work with individuals who are stressed because of their own creations!

Make Rules To Live By

Through my experience of watching small differences of time utilisation create drastic differences for professionals, there are nine rules you can implement today to begin changing your results. Here they are in no specific order, with a brief explanation:

Rule #1: Plan your day

Jim Rohn, a premier expert in the field of personal development said many people spend more time planning vacations than they do their lives! Our days are no different. We take time to plan our vacations so they are enjoyable and we do what we want. Why are the days we work any different?

Rule #2: Give yourself time to “clean up”

“I’ll do that first thing in the morning”, you promise yourself. The next morning while you are completing your task an email comes through that catches your attention. Before you know it, it’s 11:00 a.m. and your day is doomed. Advice: Get home at a time that warrants you the opportunity to clean up your day. Starting fresh the next morning is a great feeling!

Rule #3: “What is my ROI?”

Remember, there are a number of psychological factors that influence our behaviour, so check your actions often. Ask yourself, “Is this THE most productive action I can be accomplishing right now?” If not, try and juggle your to-do’s and tackle the more productive option.

Rule #4: Adopt a minimalist mentality

A minimalist approach is effective WHEN it is appropriate. A minimalist mentality is doing the minimum work to meet the expectation. Once the expectation is met, move on! A huge time abuser is when we go unnecessarily overboard. The key to working this mentality correctly is using your professional intuition.

Rule #5: Take your pick – In or out

Do your best to devote each day to being in or out. Doing a bit of both is a time killer. Barring an emergency, commit to one or the other. Your production WILL rise!

Rule #6: Eight is great

Next time you are setting an appointment, be the initiator and ask to meet them at 8:00 a.m. or earlier if possible. If you hesitate, they will likely throw out something later, and that’s fine as long as you try first! There isn’t anything tastier than soft, warm pillow in the a.m., but your day will be much more productive when you are pushed out early!

Rule #7: Chunk your time

Think of accomplishing your tasks like you are working an assembly line. Minimise your screen and check your emails every hour. Do all your quotes, research, or calls in chunks. Touching too many things at once just isn’t effective.

Rule #8: Do the most important first

One way to effectively chunk your time is to block off time first thing in the morning. That way you KNOW it will get done. If you put things off, we both know the chances of it getting done later.

Rule #9: Windshield time = Learning time

How many hours do you think you spend behind the wheel every week? Imagine how much you could learn on a topic if you CHOSE to invest that time in personal development. You could become an expert in any field of study within a few years! So, this past week, how has the material you’ve been listening to made you more money or a better person?

Expect some bumps

How you spend your time is a series of behavioural habits and priorities, so even the greatest of intentions won’t put you at your final destination. Learning how to maximise your time is a process, not something you possess. Be gracious in your mistakes, while challenging the current way you operate. Achieving this balance will allow for the necessary growing pains which are sure to accompany your journey, while simultaneously providing you with the self motivation and accountability necessary to complete your mission!

Author Credits

Mark Heerema. Give Mark just 45 minutes and he will completely “pull back the curtain” and deliver a proven, simple, and life changing recipe that is backed by real successes and verified by top sales achievers everywhere, as he reveals all the secrets that he used to shatter sales records before turning 24!… And, how he took a start up sales team from total scratch to over 3 million in sales, all in less than 3 years! BETTER YOUR BEST! In Sales was created after Mark got sick and tired of hearing and seeing, over and over, the ineffective results of the traditional sales training that focuses on strategies and techniques. Call Mark today to talk, one-on-one, about getting him in front of your team, or drop him an email at mark@betteryourbestnow.com. Phone: 888-688-1912 or Website: http://www.betteryourbestnow.com

Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Customers Happy December 19, 2010

A happy customer will sing your praises to family and friends.

People keep talking about and focusing on ways to attract new customers, but what about the existing lot? It is said that the cost of drawing new customers is roughly 8 to 10 times more than that of maintaining the existing ones. So how do you keep your customers coming back for more?

 

Communication is the key to all relationships—business and customer relations too. To keep a fine grip on your existing clients and customers, you need to understand their communication level and choose appropriate channels to stay in touch. Advertise, make calls, reach out through email newsletters or social networking, but make sure that your customers know you’re still the best in the market.

 

If you want to make your clients and customers happy and make them feel special, sending personalized gifts is a great idea. This can be done in the holiday season, around special occasions and highlighted calendar events. We are not talking about something fancy, just a basic thing for your customers to be reminded of your great service. You can also throw a party or organize an event for your major and regular clients.

 

Giving incentives and special offers is one of the best ways to keep people coming back for more. Discount coupons, incentives and complimentary gifts are sure to keep anyone happy!

 

Most important of all, make sure that your customer support and after-sales service are up to mark. If you annoy your customers in any way, or give them the slightest chance to complain, it is going to be a great setback for your business. It could even lead to negative publicity in some cases. So make sure that you offer the best services to your clients—before and after sales.

 

Stay connected with all your customers. To keep your customers aware of latest plans and offers, send a regular newsletter. Electronic newsletters through emails are the best options. However, if you’re selling to an older age group or senior citizens, you must know that phone calls or snail mail is the way to go.

 

With these simple tips, you are sure to keep a good hold on your buyers. Encourage regular feedback from your clients, give them good service and complimentary treats, and diversify your services. Last but not the least, remember to stay loyal to all your customers. If you follow simple guidelines like these, nothing can stop your business from reaching great heights.

 

The Internet and Backlinks – How they can Boost Your Business November 27, 2010

Backlinks help boost your business ranking on the internet

These days, Internet marketing has become supplementary and has proven to deliver as much if not more than its traditional counterparts. Websites, online advertising, email marketing, and even blogs are just a few lfo the low cost and no cost marketing tools used in further promoting a business and its services. However, another avenue of advertising which is gaining popularity especially with the evolution of search engine optimization is backlinking.

Backlinking, or the creation of backlinks, involves making links which may be posted to other websites, directories and even forums. These links, once clicked, lead people back to your own website. Usually, it is your website address, but can just as easily be a word or group of words which acts like a hyperlink and directs the clicker to another site. Its primary purpose is to draw traffic to one site and thereby build up the chance to gain customers. Ideally, it would be best to post or create backlink on sites with high traffic that relate to your product or service. The need to backlink from a high-traffic website is that the whole point of backlinking is to capitalize on the popularity of a certain website to draw or lead traffic to yours. The more popular the site, the higher the chances will be of drawing a larger crowd.

Nevertheless, other than increasing traffic, what it can really accomplish for your site is an increase in your site’s ranking. The more backlinks, the greater the chance is of getting ahead in the Google ranking. The more clicks your backlinks get, the higher rank your site obtains from a normal Google search. This higher rank may mean more traffic and increased popularity for your site.

A quick tip in regard to your site ranking! If you haven’t already to help customers find you, get your business listed on google maps today.

Facebook – The Start Up Guide For Business – Part 2 November 11, 2010

Maximise your Facebook page

Maximize Your Facebook page.

If you want people to visit your page, you have to give them a good reason.  Finding ways to optimize your Facebook page is the key.  Implement the following tips and you will be on track to building a powerful Facebook page.

• Use a Profile Picture

No one wants to see Facebook’s placeholder when they log onto your page.  Use a profile picture.  If you are the person behind the brand, don’t shy away from using your own picture.  However, if you want to use a picture that speaks more to your brand, choose carefully.  Logos are okay, but pictures work better to attract people to your page.

• Post Relevant Links

Links to relevant content on the internet is a great way to attract people to your page.  If you run across something that would help your target audience, share it.  You may genuinely help one of the people you target on the network but you can also generate comments from these posts.

• Use a Vanity URL

Brand your Facebook page even further by adding your name to the web address.  Instead of www.facebook.com/a bunch of irrelevant numbers and letters, you could have a web address like this, www.facebook.com/yourbrand.  Not only is this easier for your visitors, it is easier for them to remember and, therefore, share.

• Participate on a Regular Basis

Once you get your page going, make a habit of talking to your fans.  Tell them what is going on with the brand and offer them special discounts, exclusive sales, and company news.  If you get some comments about a post, make sure you reply to the content.  The more you participate, the more they will participate.  If your fans think you aren’t going to reply to their comments, they won’t comment at all.

• Engage Your Fans

Now that you know there are some people on Facebook that like your brand, find ways to get them engaged.  What does that mean?  You can offer prizes, set up contests, and free giveaways to those that generate the most buzz about your brand.  Maybe they have to post a message on their stream to enter the contest.  Whatever you do, think about how you can leverage the influence of your fans.  Use them and reward them for their work!!!

Facebook – The Start Up Guide for Business – part 1 October 21, 2010

 

Facebook - Are you using it to promote your business?

 

Facebook is the world’s leading social media site; there are more than 300 million Facebook users.  It is clear that if you are just starting a business or own any kind of business, there is definitely a market on Facebook.  Maybe you ask, “How do I tap into this market?”  It will take a little bit of time to cultivate your following on Facebook, like any other social media site, but there is definitely potential business awaiting your arrival.

I use Facebook for personal use, how do I use it to grow my business?

If you already use Facebook for personal use, you should have a handle on how it works.  You share an information stream with friends who can comment on your posts and it all happens in real time.  Your information stream may contain links to content on the internet, Facebook applications, status updates, and notes to friends.  In fact, you can post almost anything in your Facebook stream.

So, how does all of this help to grow your business?  When you aggregate relevant content plus updates and offers from your company into one place, you not only give your current customers a place to visit but you also offer a place for prospective customers to learn more about what you do.

There is one major difference between using Facebook for personal use and for business use; the Facebook page.  Individuals use Facebook profiles to share information across the network.  Brands, like your company, have the option to launch a Facebook page.  A page is different because it isn’t linked to one individual.  The Facebook page was designed to give brands a voice on the network.  You can create a genuine dialogue between you and your customers just like you do with your personal profile.  You can even acquire fans, the Facebook page alternative to friends.

Fans make your Facebook world go ‘round.

Individuals that use Facebook build a network of friends.  You, with your newly minted Facebook page, will build a network of Fans.  Fans are those individuals that have told the entire Facebook universe that they like what you do.  These are the people that you should be targeting in your communication on the network.

Your fans have already declared their love for your brand.  If you leverage these relationships you can build a powerful marketing network.  Facebook revolves around information streams that are linked by Facebook friends.  My friends can see my stream and if something from my stream ends up on your stream, your friends can see my posts as well.  It works the same with Fans.  Your Facebook fans can send your marketing messages much further than you could yourself.  This is the power of the social network.  The sharing of information creates a powerful broadcast vehicle.

Build a Facebook page that interests your target market and drive traffic from your other internet sites to your page.  Get people interested in what you have to say and you can create a marketing powerhouse that runs almost by itself.

Note: We are just setting ours up now!!  Why don’t you join the No cost and Low cost Marketing Community?

Are you Disorganised? 7 tips to Organise your Time and your Life October 12, 2010

Cut down on frustration

Business owners have to wear so many hats.  There are so many things that need to be done.  In an effort to do it all, it can all become a mess.  Being organised adds a peace and focus to your daily activities and gives each minute a purpose.  Practice these 7 tips and you transform your life from confused and clutter to focused and under your control.

1. Take Notes

There are going to be times when you are out of the office and you get an answer to that troubling situation.  Maybe you just got a great idea for a new product.  The truth of the matter is that you aren’t going to remember it later on.  Keep a pen and paper, or a smartphone, ready to take notes during the day.

2. Set Time Limits

It seems that some tasks stretch on forever.  It might be the task that you don’t like or it can even be your time on social media.  Either way, you need to set limits for you tasks.  If you don’t have a timer on your computer, you can use an old fashioned egg timer to keep track of the time spent on individual tasks.  When the timer goes off you should be close to done if you have stayed on task.

3. Divide Your Tasks into Manageable Parts

Some projects are so big that they can be overwhelming.  If you break down your projects or tasks into smaller parts, it is easier to get a mental grasp on what has to be done and how long it should take.  The more small parts you complete, the more motivated you will be to continue.

4. Delegate

You don’t have to do everything yourself.  I am sure that there is something that you can pass on to someone else.  This is one of the main reasons business owners become bogged down, they want to do everything themselves.  Delegate and move on.

5. Schedule Personal Time

Business owners can be trapped by their freedom and find themselves working all the time.  Set a schedule for work and personal time.  You can literally block off time on a calendar with work and personal time.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

We all want to be friendly and accommodating, but sometimes it is not in your best interest to take on another task.  Honestly think about what you are committing to before you give your word.  If you can’t find time for it in your schedule, say no!

7. Clear the Clutter

No matter where you work, in a home office, at the kitchen table, or in your car, your workspace needs to be neat.  It is hard think clearly and be productive when you are surrounded by clutter and disorder.  Keep your workspace clean and neat and keep your essential close at hand.

 

12 Topics for your e-Newsletter October 3, 2010

Make your e-Newsletters fun and interesting

Creating an e-newsletter can seem like a daunting task.  It seems like you can never figure out what to write about.  Well, stop procrastinating and get your list ready.  Below you will find 12 items you can rotate to beef up your newsletters.

1. Offer 3-5 Tips to a Common Problem

Do you know how to solve a common problem experienced by your readers?  Offer the resolution in 3-5 easy tips.  You can even create a short how-to article.

2. Answer a Frequently Asked Question

Keep a list of the most common questions asked by customers and prospects.  Answer one of these questions in each issue of your newsletter.

3. Give a Teaser to Content on Your Site

Did you post a great article on your blog or company website?  Offer the first paragraph or so and link back to the complete article on your site.

4. Relate it to the Seasons

Relating your business to the current time of year can make you more relevant to your readers.  Write articles that connect you to the seasons or upcoming holidays.  Show your readers how you can meet their needs at this time of needs.

5. Tie into a Current Event

Is there something noteworthy in the news?  Find a way to relate your business to the biggest news stories and create more relevance with your readers.

6. Be the Devil’s Advocate

Do you have a controversial argument for a debatable topic?  Does it relate to your business?  Bring the two together and see how a helping of controversy can increase your readership.

7. Give Your Unique Viewpoint

Do you have unique philosophy that drives your business?  If so, share it with your readers.  Adding a personal touch to your newsletter creates more trust among your readers.  The more they feel like they know you, the less it seems like you are selling.  They will view your marketing as recommendations.

8. Give Company Updates—and how they benefit your readers.

Are there changes happening in your business?  Share them with your readers.  Not only will they feel like they are on the inside track, if you create a benefit from the change, they just might make a purchase.

9. Tell Success Stories

Everyone likes to hear how a business has helped others just like them.  Interview a loyal client and publish the interview in your newsletter.  If you post a picture and contact information for your client your readers will be even more impressed.

10. Offer Inspirational Quotes

Is there a quote that helps you get through your tough days?  Share these with your clients.  Little things like this cause your readers to hold onto your newsletter long after you sent it.

11. List a Calendar of Relevant Events

Are there events that you will be attending in the local community?  What about events online?  Create a calendar so your readers can keep up with the best events in your industry.

12. Write a Note to Your Readers

Every month magazine editors write a letter to their readers.  You don’t have to write a full length letter, but a note to your readers is a nice personal touch to your newsletter.  Don’t forget to thank them for being a client and a reader.

How to Use LinkedIn to Grow Your Business September 21, 2010

LinkedIn is a well-known social media site, however, the best way to use this site eludes many business owners.  LinkedIn is strictly a professional site.  There are no pictures of last year’s trip to the Great Barrier Reef or your child’s second birthday.  LinkedIn is 100% down to business.

But how do you use this site to grow your business?

The most effective way for business owners is to view the site as a way to network with fellow business owners, corporate counterparts, and industry influencers.  You may run across a customer or two on the site, but that shouldn’t be your focus on LinkedIn.

3 Best Uses for LinkedIn

As a business owner you should be looking to do three main things on LinkedIn:

1. Locate the decision makers and influencers.
2. Connect with others in your industry.
3. Position yourself as an expert.

Locate the decision makers and influencers

LinkedIn allows you to make connections to people you know and then you can find out who it is they know.  This can be very powerful when you are trying to get to know someone.  Maybe you want to connect to them to pitch your business or maybe you want some advice.  Either way, LinkedIn is the best network for meeting those elusive power players.

Connect with others in your industry.

There are more than 8.5 million experience professionals on LinkedIn and these users represent more than 130 industries.  No matter what business you are in, you can find others just like you on LinkedIn.  Why spend time finding others in your industry?  LinkedIn is a great way to find business owners to discuss partnerships and fusion marketing opportunities.  You can even be putting together a mastermind group of successful business owners in your industry.  LinkedIn would be the best way to do this, especially if you could get an introduction from someone you know firsthand.

Position yourself as an expert.

LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to join groups.  It is in these groups that you can start dialogue with others and answer questions posed by other professionals.  Here, you can highlight your specific area of expertise and make a name for yourself as the go-to person in that particular area.  You can go a step further and create a group.  As the administrator of a group, you can have a bigger voice and more control over what is discussed if you choose.  The more you help and share on LinkedIn, the more you position yourself as an expert.

Create your own Company Video September 12, 2010

The website is about low cost and no cost marketing activities.. keeping this in mind I want to ask you the questions …. Ever thought about introducing your business to potential customers by creating your own company video?

What tools do I need?

Today, doing such an activity is very easy, especially if you purchase of a Flip or Samsung flashcam (which range from $130 upward and available at your local Dick Smith or electronics store), or even use your phone video capabilities (just make sure the pixel ratio is high, nothing worse than a very grainy video). All these tools are so easy to use.

TIP:  Got an iphone? There is a fabulous little app that is called a Telepromt (cost to download is around $10).  It is great for those of us that feel more comfortable to have a script on front of us while creating a video.  The beauty here is that you can look directly at the camera, just read the script and you won’t miss a beat in what you are wanting to tell your intended audience. Just write your script directly in to the Teleprompt or copy and paste by mail, set your scroll speed and start talking!

What Angle will I take?

So you have the tools, the next step is to think about your angle. Do you want to educate?  Showcasing your product or service? Do you want to explain & demonstrate a particular process?  Do you want to include client testimonials?  Have your happy clients relate how they found your product or service provided the right solution for the problem they had been experiencing, A client testimonial is so much more convincing than anything you could ever say.

How many videos should I make, and how long should they be?

You are passionate about what you do, so you have a lot to talk about, so create maybe three different videos to begin – an introduction, product demonstration, an insiders tip or strategy.  Don’t restrict yourself if you are motivated do more. Decide on a style for each video – chatty and relaxed or if you are educating take on a more serious manner. Just remember to make it interesting to the viewer.

As to the length, I suggest no longer than three minutes, less if possible.

How do I put it all together?

Depending on the type of video recorder used, upload to your computer and use Windows Movie Maker (already pre-installed in your computer).  Here you can cut and paste, add music (don’t forget to use royalty free music) and titles.

If you used an iPhone, Flip or a Samsung U10, they have software installed where when you connect them to your computer where you can cut, paste and edit your video.  Just make sure the background of your video is well lite and what you are showcasing is in focus, clear easy to see, and your voice is clear and audible. Once you are happy with finished project, copy the video to a cd/dvd and get ready to play,  you can even upload your finished product to YouTube.

Note: It all takes a bit of practice, but if you persevere (or give the job to someone who likes doing that sort of stuff), you will be more than happy with the outcome.

Now my video is created what do I do with it?

Congratulations, the final result is in your hands.. Play it in store, on  your website, YouTube, blog, infact whereever you would like to have your video posted,it makes a fabulous sales tool and will increase links to your site.

Creating videos for your business is cheap and easy.  Stay ahead of your competitors.  Build your business, make those sales ….

What are you waiting for??

Inspirational Story – told by Wayne Dyer September 1, 2010

Just had to share this with you, a beautiful story and Wayne Dyer does its so well .. Inspirational stories touch our hearts,  lift our spirits and cause us to reflect.