Marketing Person You Think You Arent

Have you thought about starting your own business? Have you started one and are having challenges with marketing, fear of failure, fear of success?I could go on and on. Has the question, Now what? ever entered your mind? If so, I would like to share my story with you. A journey, from corporate to business owner and everything in between.

After working in the corporate field for 25 years, an opportunity presented itself to start my own business, to work out of my home. I found a fulfilling profession in personal and business coaching. I love working with others helping them to achieve a better life for themselves. Although it was my choice to develop my own business, I did not have the marketing experience and desire I needed to build that client base. The truth is, I disliked (kind word) marketing, I didn't want to sell and I knew I didn't have what it takes to achieve this part of my business?or thought I didn't have what it takes. The fact is, if I had a dollar for every time I said, "I'm not a marketing person," I wouldn't have to market my business; I'd be set for life.

I did the typical routine of sending some letters of introduction to my friends and business acquaintances, giving away sample coaching sessions and making a few calls that felt safe. I even put a few ads in the paper. I soon came to the reality that the phone was not going to ring and people were not going to approach me while I was sitting comfortably at my desk. Then a turning point came while I was standing in my office one afternoon. I realized I just wasn't a person that could be an independent business owner - what was I thinking that I could do this? I decided I should quit and go back to an office job. At that moment I heard a voice; it was very clear. "If you quit before you've given it 100% you will be very disappointed in yourself for the rest of your life."

I thought I'd give it one more try. How was I going to do this? I asked myself two basic questions. What did I need and what did I want? The answers I received were simple. I needed movement and I wanted color. At that point that was all I knew. I decided to trust that these answers would forward my direction in marketing and building my business. About one week later I drove past a juggling academy in Burnsville MN. Color, movement - I signed up. I started with a juggling class, networked with friends and business peers and developed a monthly call with other business owners about "manifesting" what you desire. I started looking at me; what made me tick, what energized me and when was I at my best. This became a time period of self-discovery. I had been so tied up in who I thought I wasn't, I had forgotten who I was; a great team player, a great partner, the queen of brainstorming and resource extraordinaire. I thrived from the energy of others to help build my business. I needed diversity to keep things interesting and took a look at what really interested me. What were my strengths and what made me unique? I also looked at what was giving me energy and what was taking my energy. I decided to cut loose a part of my business that was draining rather than energizing. About 2 weeks later "Marketing On The Playground?" was born. I had created the space for what was supposed to come in by releasing what wasn't working.

About 1-½ years have passed since I allowed myself this self-discovery time and gave myself permission to market my business "my way". My business has blossomed into: 1) writing a booklet, "Marketing On The Playground?" 2) developing playshops and teleclasses to help others struggling with marketing their business 3) creating retreats for entrepreneurs that need time to get away and develop their ideas.

Here's the bottom line. Discover what works for you. It should be an extension of your own strengths, passions and uniqueness. You have chosen to be in your own business; that took guts, passion and a desire for making a better life for yourself. Tell me again why you don't think you have what it takes to market your business? If you have passions, interests, the strength, and I do mean strength to step into this world and set your own course, you have what it takes to market your business. Now, it's just a matter of finding what works for you.

What was my secret for overcoming obstacles? "True" belief. Belief so strong that you are willing to stand up and overcome anything and everything that challenges your vision.

A Few Marketing Tips:

• Give yourself "permission" to follow your own style as an extension of yourself.

• Network and Market Through Your Strengths, Your Passions and Your Uniqueness.

• Trust Yourself - You are the only one who has Your own unique talent to market Your business.

• Look at what's working and what's not - If it's not working do you need to cut it loose?

• Believe in Yourself, and "Be" Yourself.

Visit http://www.marketingontheplayground.com to request your free Marketing on the Playground? booklet. Or e-mail beth@thepinnaclecoaches.com to receive an assessment tool to identify your passions and strengths. Copyright © 2003 Beth Woodward, Pinnacle Coaching Associates

About The Author

Beth Woodward, CPCC

Author of the booklet, Marketing On The Playground?

http://www.marketingontheplayground.com

612.861.7519

877.915.8090

beth@thepinnaclecoaches.com

---

Brochures that Generate Sales Leads (and How to Write Them)

One rule in direct mail is that your letter sells... Read More

Free and Easy School Fundraisers | Elementary and High School Fund Raising Ideas

Parents are always looking for free and easy ways to... Read More

Marketing With Brochures

With the explosion of the internet and online businesses many... Read More

Connecting With Your Clients

Many service professionals tell me that they are uncomfortable with... Read More

Online Magazine Subscription Services Make Shopping Online Fun For Magazines

If recreating the old experience of subscribing to magazines by... Read More

Mastering the ABCDs of Small Business Marketing & Selling

I believe that small business marketing and selling follows a... Read More

Ready, Fire, Aim!

You probably read my headline and thought, wait a minute,... Read More

Metaphysical Marketing

The foundation of success is in your mind. You do... Read More

Spike TV - Know Your Audience

What do Klingons, giant rubber bands, and monster trucks all... Read More

Large One?

Here's a proven, and truly easy way to start increasing... Read More

Marketing Got You Stumped?

It's not unusual for entrepreneurs to find the whole idea... Read More

Pamphlets and the Money They?ll Put in Your Pocket

People are making a fortune on pamphlets. If you go... Read More

Top 7 Tips for New Businesses

The marketing decisions you make for your new business are... Read More

In Sickness And In Health

I recently drove by a business that had a sign... Read More

Niche And Grow Rich

Unless you've been living under an Internet rock, you've probably... Read More

Independent Professionals: What Stands Between You and Your Artist Statement?

What Stands Between You and Writing an Artist Statement or... Read More

Meaning and Marketing -- The Links

You know who you are and what you want and... Read More

What IS the Difference Between Marketing and Sales?

There seems to be a never ending argument among marketing... Read More

10 Important Marketing Tips

Each of the following Ten Marketing Tips is based on... Read More

Collecting Customer Data The Easy Way

Market research is a critical component of any marketing strategy.... Read More

How to Measure the Benefit Your Product or Service Offers

Measuring the benefit of your product or service means putting... Read More

Make It A Threesome

What if -- every time you had a networking appointment... Read More

Every Days a Holiday!

You probably know that February 2nd is Groundhog Day. But... Read More

Why Referral Business Is So Valuable

With so much money invested on innefective advertising, it's time... Read More

Networking Magic

YES-- it is true that Networking is an art that... Read More

10 Proven Ways To Accelerate Your Profits

1. Make copies of your web site in many different... Read More

The 4 P s of Marketing: Effective Marketing Programs Depend On Them

There is no shortage of marketing programs, many with great... Read More

High Response Marketing With Low-Cost Postcards

Postcards can drive a huge amount of traffic to your... Read More

Where to Find Cheap Brochure Printing

Whether it is for is a real estate listing, a... Read More

Direct Mail Response Devices and How to Craft Them

Successful direct mail packages contain three things: an attractive offer,... Read More

Three Simple Keys Will Make Your Customers Stick

Do you spend a lot of time and energy courting... Read More

Four Essential Marketing Plan Components

Preparing a Marketing Plan for your product or service is... Read More

Eight No Cost Ways to Market Your Business

Are you trying to promote your business with a tiny... Read More