Category: How-To Guides

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Info Product Creation: How To Create Your FIRST Info Product in 7 Easy Steps

Once you’ve mastered your online marketing system and you’re growing your list on a daily basis, this is a good time to then set about creating additional offerings for your subscribers.  This is where you start to look at your Product & Marketing Funnel and see where the gaps are and where new products can fit.

If you’re like most solo service professionals you’ll have something at the top (i.e. the widest part) of your funnel, which is usually your free taste, and then you’ll have something at the bottom (i.e. the narrowest part) of your funnel, which is usually your most expensive one-on-one services, but you won’t have anything in-between.

This is where you need to create products at different price points so that your clients and customers can experience your services and expertise without having to invest in your top (most expensive) service, but they want more than you are offering at the ‘free’ level.

A great first info product to create is one that sits at the second level within your Product & Marketing Funnel; somewhere between $1 and $50.

So, here is the step-by-step guide on how to create that all-important first paid offering.

Step 1 Host a Free Teleclass

Not only is this a great way to build your list, but it also exposes your audience to your expertise.  You get to interact with your target market via the teleclass and they are able to ask you questions right there on the call.

Step 2 Record Your Teleclass

In addition to this being a great incentive to getting more sign-ups (if a registrant is not able to make it to the live teleclass they know that they’ll be able to get hold of the information afterwards via the recording), but this is where you’ll turn your free teleclass into your first paid info product.

Step 3 Create an Accompanying Guide or Special Report

Using the notes you prepared for your teleclass, turn these into a guide to accompany your teleclass.  Or turn your notes into a special report and sell the report as the paid product and offer the teleclass recording as a bonus.

Step 4 Create a Workbook

If you also provided instructions or how-to information as part of your free teleclass, take that information and create an additional workbook.  A workbook is a simple document that will allow your customer/client to make notes, write down their ideas, or plan out how they’re going to implement the how-to information that you shared with them on the teleclass.

Step 5 Bundle It All Together

Now that you have your teleclass recording, and you’ve created an accompanying guide/ebook and/or workbook, bundle all this information together to offer as a paid product at the second level within your funnel i.e. between the $1 and $50 price range.

Step 6 Create a Sales Page and Shopping Cart Link

You now need to create a sales page for your product, and associated shopping cart link.  It is also a great customer service feature to create an autoresponder so that you can follow-up with your customers to check that they are happy with their purchase and are implementing the information you shared with them.

Step 7 Promote to Your List

Once you have your product all set up (Step 5), and created the sales page (Step 6) it’s time to promote it to your list and make sales!  This is the exciting part!  Include some teaser information in your newsletter leading up to the launch of your product, and once you’re ready to take sales send a solo mailing announcing the launch of your product.  A solo mailing is much more effective than including the announcement as part of your regular newsletter.

After the initial launch continue to promote your product through your newsletter; promote it on your blog; and tell all your social networks about your product.

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How-To Guides

How To Create A Business Plan in 3 Simple Steps

There comes a point in every solopreneur’s business where they need to sit down and plan … and I mean, really plan! Not just write down a few ideas on the back of an envelope and hope for the best, but really map out a long-term strategic plan for their business.
Creating this kind of business plan is so important as, for one reason, it immediately eliminates a lot of the overwhelm and frustration that you’re probably feeling, but it also allows you to:
* See where you’re going;
* Know how you’re going to get there; and
* Lays out exactly what you need to do along the way to get from Point A to Point B
How do you know when you’ve reached this critical business planning point?
Well, there are a few indicators:
* You have LOTS of ideas swimming around in your head but don’t know how to pull them all together (lack of a Big Picture Vision)
* You offer several different programs/products, at different price points, but get very few or no sign-ups (lack of a strategic Marketing Action Plan MAP)
* You get feedback from your clients and/or customers letting you know that they’re confused and not sure which program is right for them (lack of a clear Product & Marketing Funnel)
Today I’d like to share with you three basic steps to business planning success so that you can start the year off on the right foot!
Step 1 – Create Your Big Picture Vision
This is the really fun part; it’s where you get to let your imagination run away with you. You want to sit down somewhere quiet with a pad and pen (writing is much better for this exercise as you can let your ideas flow) and start to write! Write about what you want your business to look like, the type of clients you want to serve, the sort of products and programs you want to offer – in fact write down anything and everything that pops into your head about what you want your business and life to look like.
Important: You want to write your Big Picture Vision in the present tense, as if you already have that business and lifestyle you’re writing about. Use terms such as, “I have, I own, I run”.
Remember that every part of your should say “YES” when you read your Big Picture Vision out loud!
Step 2 – Take Inventory
The next part is to take a look at where you are now and where you want to go. What needs to change in order to take you from where you are now to where you want to be? Is it:
* More/less clients
* More/less billable hours
* Offering more programs/products
And then create a timeline for making these changes. Put down dates of when you want the changes to have been made by, and set about implementing!
Step 3 – Plan Your Funnel
Now that you know what you want your business to look like and what you need to do to get there, start and map out your different income streams. The Product & Marketing Funnel is the perfect model for this exercise as it allows you to create different products/programs/services at different price points within your business. This way clients can move from free (your ezine and articles) to your paid info products, and eventually through to your high-end programs.
Follow these three simple steps above and you’ll instantly create a business plan that will guide your business to continued success this year … and beyond!
TraceyLawtonPhoto.jpgOnline Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business. Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com.

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How-To Guides

How To Shorten Your Sales Cycle & Win More Clients, Faster!

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Article Contributed By Coach Jeremy J. Ulmer
As a sales professional, entrepreneur or business owner, being able to effectively establish new client partnerships and increase sales results quickly is vitally important. When sales are going great it can be very exciting! When you have a great month you are filled with sales motivation!
But, after a while, things slow down and you hit a wall. You find yourself chasing after prospects and wondering why it is taking so long to convert prospects into clients.
You’re stumped!
You start exploring different techniques and try to find a solution. But, no matter what you try, the results are the same and the sales cycle is a much longer process than what you would like.
So where do you turn when you are stuck in sales quicksand and can’t get your prospects to move forward?
Here’s How You Can Shorten The Sales Cycle and Win More Clients, Increase Sales and Profits with 2 Simple Strategies:
1. Determine, Uncover & Clarify Challenges
If a prospect is not clear about their challenges and the impact of these challenges, this will greatly slow down the entire sales cycle. This is because the client does not yet believe their challenge is significant enough to take action, and guess what, because of this, they won’t take action! It is a waste of time for you to give information before understanding their needs, goals, challenges and problems. You are presenting a “solution” to someone who doesn’t believe they have a “problem.”
So, what do you do about this? Ask a lot of questions! Ask open ended questions. Get curious and don’t assume you understand their problem or challenge no matter how long you have been in the industry. Dig in and really find out what is going on, and ask follow up questions that focus in on the greater impact of their challenges. Uncover the impact of the current challenges on both the organization and the individuals or groups you are selling to. Your questions will help them understand and verbalize that they have a challenge or problem. Now you have the information you need to explain how you can help solve their challenge.
If you find yourself talking more than 20% of the time during your sales meetings with prospects, stop yourself, and ask a question!
2. Always Set A Clear Next Step
Have you ever heard this before? “Thanks for your time today, your product looks great and we will get back to you soon.” Yet, you never hear back, and end up having to chase, follow up, and make multiple calls, send multiple emails to no avail. That is not fun for you, nor is it fun for the prospective client.
How do you solve this?
Well, if you are a great salesperson or great sales minded business owner, you don’t need to chase. You don’t need to pressure. You don’t need to persuade. Really. You need to set up a clear next step, and if your prospect is not ready to take the next step, they will tell you, and you will determine if they are a serious prospect or not, on the spot.
Remember, give your prospects an option to say, “No.” When you do this, all the pressure is taken off of you, and more importantly off of your prospect. That way, they do not feel like they are being “sold,” nor do they feel any pressure from you. Many of the sales coaching programs and sales coaches still are teaching the same old techniques developed decades ago that involve pressure and persuading. You do not need to do that anymore and it does not work.
Simply set up the next step at the end of your meetings. The next step could be a follow-up face to face meeting or a scheduled phone call for example. However, make sure the next step is moving the sales cycle forward and has a scheduled date, time, and location.
Map out your sales cycle and know what steps need to take place. Here is an example of a 5 step sales cycle: 1. Initial appointment, qualification, discovery, 2. Agreement to conduct an in-depth analysis, 3. Demonstration of service or product, 4. Contract review meeting, 5. Signed agreement.
At the end of each meeting, you should be setting up the next meeting and next actions. Explain the next steps you both will need to take to start working together. Map it out for them and provide them with a simple document that explains the next steps with clear time lines. Ask them to commit to the next steps along the way. Guess what happens if you do this effectively? You don’t need to “close” or persuade, the sale will be made, faster, naturally, and more effectively.
These 2 steps will help you shorten your sales cycle and experience dramatically improved sales results. Don’t wait to make these changes, take action now, and make a commitment to yourself.
About the Author:
Sales Coaching & Business Coaching Expert, Jeremy J. Ulmer, has helped hundreds of sales professionals, sales leaders, businesses and entrepreneurs overcome sales and business challenges to achieve breakthrough results. Jeremy has been ranked a #1 sales performer in the U.S. for 4 years at two Global Fortune 500 Companies, is the former Director of Sales at the #1 Outsourced Sales Company in the U.S., and is a Featured Presenter on Sales Skills and Entrepreneurship at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. If you are ready to dramatically increase your sales or business results then subscribe for your Free Tips or request a Free Coaching Consultation at: http://www.CoachWithJeremy.com.

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How-To Guides

How To Transform a Business Challenge Into a Business Breakthrough

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Call me headstrong but once I make a decision to do something, I don’t let anything stand in my way. My motto is, “There’s always a way.”
This determination (or “grit” as my mom dubbed it) has helped me stay true to my Soul’s Divine Purpose of creating a highly successful coaching business, making great money doing what I love: helping women entrepreneurs design an exciting and lucrative, multiple streams of income business.
So when I hear a woman say she wants something, like to be in a coaching program, attend a workshop, invest in a training program or hire more team members, I think “Great! She’s made a wise decision that will support her success.”
But later, when the first little obstacle, delay or challenge pops up, I hear from her, “This must be a sign that I’m not supposed to do ….”
Ladies, please, you have got to be kidding me! Look at it this way: if you saw a gorgeous pair of shoes on sale for half off, would you let the fact that someone was standing in front of you stop you from snapping up those new heels? Of course not!
Let me share a big secret with you: a challenge is NOT the Universe “telling” you you’re not supposed to stay the course. Nor is it telling you it “isn’t meant to be.”
If you’re serious about achieving the goodies of success: money, respect, freedom, happiness, then let me share with you 3 quick tips for handling those moments when it feels like your plans are being threatened.
Tip #1: Don’t Confuse Fear With A Sign From The Universe
The moment you make a decision it’s likely fear will kick in, trying to “convince” you that you’re better off staying as-is, even though as-is clearly isn’t what you want.
Gently remind yourself that doubt is not truth. This is the moment to trust the wisdom of your initial decision. Do that, and you’ll reconnect yourself to the power of Divine Wisdom that helped you make that decision in the first place.
Tip #2: Approach Every Obstacle As An Opportunity For A Breakthrough
Once you make a decision to do something powerful for your business, such as joining a coaching program or attending an event, it’s not uncommon to have a challenge come up. What I do in this situation is use my “there’s always a way” belief to help me quickly create solutions, thus negating the power of the challenge to take me off course. What I don’t do is let those challenges change my mind.
Tip #3: Ask For Help Rather Than Giving Up
I just received an email from a client who was strapped for the cash needed to purchase her plane ticket so she could attend an event. She was literally hours away from having to cancel her plans. Rather than give up, she reached out. Within hours she had the money, secured her ticket, and was celebrating this as a major breakthrough.
Remember, How You Do One Thing Is How You Do All Things
Ask every successful woman how she got where she is today and she’ll tell you that she didn’t take no for an answer and she didn’t let obstacles, challenges or excuses change her mind about something she decided she wanted.
Just because Universal Source energy wants you to be successful doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges along the way. It’s up to you to see those challenges for what they are: an opportunity for a breakthrough.
So, my beloved friend, the next time you’re tempted to give in and say, “it must be a sign” remember that it IS a sign…a sign for you to stay in your power, stay faithful to your decision and focus on getting what it is you want. You can do it!
About the Author:
Kendall SummerHawk, the Million Dollar Marketing Coach, is an expert at helping women entrepreneurs at all levels design a business they love and charge what they’re worth and get it. Kendall delivers simple ways entrepreneurs can design and price their services to quickly move away from ‘dollars-for-hours work’ and create more money, time, and freedom in their businesses. For free articles, free resources and to sign up for a free subscription to Kendall’s Money, Marketing and Soul weekly articles, visit www.kendallsummerhawk.com.

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How to Ensure the Success of a Food Delivery Service Business

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Article Contributed by Joe McVoy

After initially setting up your Food Delivery Service Business, you can not expect everything to just start working and clicking. You would need to do some actions and draw up a restaurant food delivery business plan to be able to ensure that it would be a successful business venture.

The very basic steps could be these five things: Knowing your target market, Ensuring that you have a complete list or menu from their best-loved restaurants, promoting your business properly, getting the right location and starting small.

1. Knowing your customers.

Knowing your market would mean understanding the people which your food delivery service business caters to. These would mean doing preliminary research and learning their eating habits. You should be able to know the times that they would order their food, the food types that they would like to order and other things related to your business. Having this information would enable you to properly plan how your run your business.

2. Ensuring you offer a complete menu from their favorite restaurants.

The next step would be to ensure that your food delivery service business offers a complete menu guide from their favorite restaurants. By creating a complete menu guide from all these restaurants, would mean that the food that you would be serving to your clients are coming from a list of restaurants you have carefully studied and chosen that offers good food, has good value for its price, and a favorite restaurant chain. You may take an extra effort of getting an initial survey just to make sure your menu guide consists of the best restaurants in your area.

To ensure you make a good impression you must really make a point to serve their food hot and fresh and that their orders arrive on their doorstep without delays. Investing in improving the quality of the service that you provide for your clients would truly help in ensuring that you would be able to maintain an active and continuing customer base.

3. Promoting your business the right way.

Lastly, you should also try to promote your business. No matter how excellent the quality of your food service is, it would be useless if the people are not aware of its existence. You could try traditional fliers, promotions and even online means through email and websites to try and make people more aware of the food delivery service business that you have.

You may need to extend all possible marketing materials and even give out fliers, ref magnets or cards containing your menus.

You also need a restaurant delivery service marketing plan.

4. Getting the right territory.

In setting up your own food delivery business, you must need to make sure that your location is not that small that you would not be getting a decent number of delivery orders. And not that big that you would not be able to handle all orders coming. Picking the right place can be a very crucial factor in setting up your own restaurant delivery service.

5. Start your food delivery service business small.

One good thing about this type of business is that you do not have to start that big. It is even recommended to start your business from small to medium scale. Start with around 3 to 5 restaurants first. If you are starting to get a good customer base, that would be the time to add a few more restaurants on your menu. By testing the waters first, you can ensure that your restaurant delivery service business will keep rolling slowly but smoothly.

Of course, these five are merely basic steps, you should always try to find more ways on improving your business to be able to ensure its success.

For more information and to get your free report on how to ensure the success of your food delivery service business, visit http://www.dine-in-delivery.com/dine-in-delivery-free-report/.

About the Author:

Joe McVoy is the VP for Marketing of Dine-In Delivery Inc. For more information about starting your own Restaurant Delivery Service, visit Dine In Delivery. Dine-in Delivery provides you with a proven system and shares with you years of experience and expertise to help you set up your own restaurant delivery service business.