Inner Compass Coaching - finding and following your true north

April 30, 2004

In this issue:
I. The things we do for friends... :)
II. Asking for what you want for your business, part 4
III. From behind the barn door…

I. The things we do for friends... :)

I started writing this issue early this week because I'd made last minute plans to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends, whom I haven't seen since December, which took me out of the office for a day. When I first received her invite, I thought of the four deadlines I needed to meet by the end of the week, and my first reaction was there really wasn't any way I could meet all four deadlines and be away from my desk for that day. Then I started looking at my calendar to see about other times we might be able to get together, and as I turned the page to the end of June, I stopped. This is ridiculous, I thought, I'm just going to go. I'll figure out how to meet my deadlines somehow.

Well, this newsletter was the third of the four projects that I needed to complete this week, and I swapped Monday (usually a day off for me) for the day I took off, and I'll meet all my deadlines. I'm so happy I just decided to go for it. We had a fabulous visit, and even though I'm a bit tuckered today, it was worth the effort.

Is there a friend in your life whom you haven't connected with in awhile? We all need to spend time with our friends, even if that time is spent sending a card with a short note to let your friend know you are thinking of them. Perhaps you could take a half hour to write a letter, or ten minutes to write and send an email. Or pick up the phone. I realize that it can be difficult to get together in person (my friend is a 4-hour drive away) as often as we'd like. In my case, I needed to see her, I needed to spend time in her presence. So even though I traveled to see her, it's purely selfish on my part because I needed to do this, and that's what spurred me to be a producing machine so I could go with a clean-enough plate. (Remember we talked about having a big enough Why? This is a great example.)

Connect with a friend over the next few days. Make a commitment to contact - in whatever way works for you - at least one friend. Hey, if you have a friend who's a mom, why not call her and wish her a happy Mother's Day? You'll be so glad you did.

II. Asking for what you want in your business, part 4

Last week, we talked about Asking for Written Endorsements/Testimonials as a way to boost your business. This week, I'm adding a bit more to that strategy to add to your business success toolkit: Ask for Written Endorsements from Highly Credible People.

If you know someone (or know someone who can introduce you to someone) who has a bit of clout in your industry and who is willing to give you and your product or service a written endorsement, your prospective clients/customers will feel that your offer is more credible. This is particularly true if they recognize the name of this individual. They will be impressed and will afford your offer with more attention and consideration.

If you can include a few folks who are established peers in your industry in your written endorsements, you are making it mush easier for your potential clients/customers to buy from you.

Written endorsements or testimonials can be grouped into sections as well. For example, if you have several written endorsements relating to your fantastic service, in your marketing materials, you can create a heading about service and follow that with those specific testimonials.

A point I want to make about testimonials, whether you use them in whole or in part, is something that my friend, and founder/editor of Artella, suggested to a fellow student her YOU*U course. The student had her testimonials, mostly in parts, listed without crediting the persons who had given them to her in her marketing materials. It's important for credibility and professionalism to credit the person with the testimonial by using their full name with permission, and with initials if you don't have permission. Very good point, Marney, thank you.

Testimonials can really put you ahead of your competition, so make sure you always ask for them. As a matter of fact, Marney just reminded me that I still owe her a testimonial for the last great class I took with her, and I'm happily off to do that now.

In my business program for entrepreneurs, one of the key strategies we cover is creating a low-cost marketing engine, and getting testimonials is a great low-cost marketing tool, which every business should use. If you'd like to know more, visit www.innercompasscoaching.com/entrecoaching.htm.

III. From behind the barn door…

Well, my first column hit the newstand a few days ago. The editor chose to put my picture on the front page - which made me feel like a celebrity for just a moment... :) I just sent off my second one for next week's issue and I'm really enjoying this new addition to my life's work.

I recently started a course called YOU*U and we had our first teleclass this week. It was fabulous. I already feel connections to at least three people in the class, and I do believe they will have some really positive impact on me and my practice, and I hope vice versa! I have to say that I do love technology for the way it enables me to connect with people I would have never known otherwise.

It's been a great week. James went back to his office on Monday and I've been working away at my desk here in my home office. Today is one of those warm spring days, though, that I'm going to switch over to the laptop and take the rest of the day's tasks outside to the deck.

Enjoy your weekend!

Cheers ~
Alicia

Alicia Forest is a Personal & Business Coach serving enterpreneurs and small business owners in their desire to create a sucessful business, by their definition of success. Her coaching programs are delivered by means of quarterly teleworkshops, monthly teleconference calls, email and telephone.

You are welcome to pass "Inner Compass ~ Weekly Directional" along to your colleagues and friends, as long as it is intact. Your recommendation is how we grow. The author of "Inner Compass ~ Weekly Directional" is Alicia Forest. Contact her at alicia@innercompasscoaching.com or at 845-216-8838.

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