Your Most Valuable Piece of Content Isn't What You Think
If this wacky Pandemic has revealed one thing about entrepreneurs, it’s this:
Most people don’t feel comfortable talking about themselves online.
Even those with exceptional talents and experience.
They shrink back from sharing their stories.
They say too much…or the wrong things..so prospects click somewhere else.
They “kind of” think they have a story that’s worthy of sharing.
Still, deep down inside they’ve convinced themselves otherwise.
These are the common themes I’ve been seeing and hearing online and with clients since last March when the health crisis hit.
It’s especially rampant on Clubhouse.
People are messaging me about their deep fears around what to say when introducing themselves and how to say it.
Then I get the follow-up DM:
- I need...
Why You Must Stop Talking to Get Ahead
Today is World Voice Day.
It's a perfect reminder that when you speak — online or in-person —you are merely repeating things you already know.
So, if you want to up-level your business and yourself so that you can truly step into your power and potential, do this:
1. Close your mouth. And watch this 3-minute video. It can change your life.
It's time to learn.
7 Heartfelt Lessons from Brooklyn on International Women's Day 2021
I don’t need International Women’s Day (#IWD2021) to recall one of the women who has had a profound impact on my life.
She passed away in 1994, yet to this day, I talk about and think about her. Every. Single. Day.
Her name was Nettie Freeman. My sisters and I called her "Mama." She was our maternal grandmother.
Mama was born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. She was married for 63 years (to the same man), had three children and nine grandchildren. She lived to see 12 of her 21 great-grandchildren. She died at the age of 95.
How would Mama, who had a high school diploma and never worked outside the home, be an inspiration for International Women’s Day?
- Mama had never been on an airplane.
- She never lived anywhere except New York, and a short time in New Jersey.
- So what could Mama have taught me about business and my career in the 31...
The Confidence to Receive
We’re so quick to compliment others.
Still, most of us struggle to receive praise and kind words.
How do you respond when someone commends you on a business report, new hairstyle or an impressive run on the ski slopes?
Do you smile and gracefully thank the other person?
Or do you deflect their comments and start overtalking?
Consider this scenario: A friend says, “I love your shirt; is it new?”
One typical response is: “Yes, I got it on clearance and saved $20. I couldn’t have afforded the full price. The car broke down last week...”
Another common reply: “No, I’ve had this since last year; the button’s missing from the sleeve. Gosh, I’ve gotta buy some new clothes!”
The best answer, however, is one that is uplifting, positive and shows your own deep confidence.
5 Common Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Looking for More Clients
"Just show up, share some value and post consistently."
Entrepreneurs and coaches who want to be seen and heard must know how to show up. Because showing up with valuable content brings credibility and clients.
Your content is your ticket to business growth.
But what does showing up as your true self (ok, the dreaded word "authentic") really mean???
How do you...
Comment on an active thread in a way that's not salesy or pushy?
Figure out what people want from you?
Avoid embarrassing yourself in front of everyone on the Internet??
You can't be seen as a credible go-to expert in your niche if you're always questioning your self-worth and value.
If you want more clients, you've got to share your message online with pride. The business will follow.
Your message = money
Publicity = profits
Showing up in groups, chats and podcasts means you have deep-rooted confidence and belief in yourself.
You...
Do This and You'll Quickly Grow Your Business
Stories around the holiday season run rampant.
From family and generational tales to Biblical passages, stories bring us together as human beings.
It is the words within the stories that wield true power.
Words move us deeply.
We listen, watch and read with wonderment, curiosity and emotion. Well-written and well-told stories have the power to move us to laughter...and to tears.
One thing I’ve noticed in business as “Life’s Little Observer” (being a people-watcher and listening with a keen ear as a news reporter) is this...
The highest paid people in the room are exceptional storytellers.
Believe me, I have interviewed everyone from homeless people to presidents. During my 35-year career, I have seen it all!
My point for everyday business pros like you is this:
- Nail...
Why You Must Surround Yourself with Smart People
Leaders are not supposed to know everything.
Plain and simple.
People everywhere—whether they are entrepreneurs, stay-at-home parents or retired—most often succeed when they are willing to ask for help.
They are smart about their strengths and weaknesses.
Like many entrepreneurs, I used to think that asking for help or admitting you don’t know something was a sign of weakness. But a few years into my entrepreneurial journey, I began thinking about delegation as a sign of humility; of being a human being.
You just can't know everything.
No one does. And no one ever will.
Leaders appreciate and respect what they know—and don’t know.
They don’t see themselves as incompetent. They take a different approach by knowing they don't have to know everything.
Instead, successful folks look for people...
7 Ways to Engage Today's Busy Audiences
I was FaceTiming with my nephew Eric, a college senior preparing to take on the world and make his mark.
Eric loves writing and has a strong sense of himself. He's bold, fun and funny. But he scared me beyond words.
Eric told me about his papers and professors. I'm sure he saw me twitch as he described his writing style and expression within the confines of a college classroom.
I told Eric point-blank: For the most part, everything you've had to write in college—style, formats and opinions.—will all go out the window.
The writing most of us have learned in school and have been using in business all these years is rarely effective these days.
Why?
Long, dry and stuffy writing is equivalent to a sleeping pill. People want personality and pizzazz.
Please don't ...
How to Get EXACTLY What You Want
I was driving in a new area a few days ago and got lost...despite the GPS.
So I approached another human being who was walking his dog and he gave me on-point directions. "Go 2 miles; you'll pass the library and a gas station. At the light, turn left onto Broadway. There's a Walgreens on the corner. Take Broadway about half-a-mile and you'll see signs for the highway on the right. Bear right and then stay left towards Highway 10."
The various places and signs he told me to look for were super helpful in me finding my way. Being specific in our communication is critical, especially when we "talk to ourselves"...you know the internal soundtrack that's constantly looping in our heads. Our brains are wired to be specific. When we write down clear goals, our brains become laser-focused and move us towards what we want.
{COMMUNICATE WITH CONFIDENCE AND CLARITY. JOIN SUSAN'S FACEBOOK GROUP, COMMUNICATION NATION}
A key take-away from students in one of my recent online coaching programs was...
A News Reporter Dishes on Why Your Pitches Are Being Ignored—and How to Fix Them
Hundreds of people over the years have asked me why reporters and podcasters are so dang hard to reach.
Why are they grumpy, uninterested and non-responsive?
Here’s the secret:
Ninety-five percent of the pitches and “great story ideas” that are sent are irrelevant. They aren't newsworthy. They aren't valuable and “worthy” of an audience’s attention and interest.
It's that simple.
I was a radio news reporter and on-air anchor. I received thousands of pitches during my 10-year career in newsrooms in New Jersey and New York.
I decided what was newsworthy. I was the gatekeeper.
My audience depended on my sound judgement to share important, compelling and interesting stories that affected them. The same is true today with reporters—and podcasters. They want subject matter experts—people like YOU!
...