Did you catch my interview on “The Coaching Show” with Christopher McAuliffe on Wednesday, January 4th? I spoke about attracting more clients, adding new income streams and moving beyond the time-for-money income ceiling.

01/04/12 – I’m segments 3 & 4.

You can listen to the replay here.

Attracting and retaining prospects and clients is the lifeblood of any business. Yet one of the biggest challenges most of the entrepreneurs and self employed professionals I work with say they have is getting a steady stream of new clients.

Is this a challenge for you?

Well, if so, you’re not alone. I know that when I started my professional coaching business many years ago, I struggled for the first few years to build up a full practice of clients. Now, I have systems and support in place to generate new leads for my website and my business automatically so that the marketing is not such a time-consuming effort anymore.

If you need more clients to sustain the income for your business or professional practice, here are three of the best ways to generate new business quickly.

1. Ask for Referrals.

Asking for referrals is the number one way for most businesses to get new business. Yet many professionals don’t use this strategy because they are not confident in asking clients and colleagues to refer to them on. You can send an email, a letter, or a postcard to everyone in your database letting them know that you build your business through referrals and that you have openings for new clients. Be clear about the type of client you are looking for and how you can help them achieve a certain outcome or result. Being as specific as possible will make it easier for people to refer you new business.

2. Give a Free Talk or Teleseminar.

Giving free talks is a great way to put yourself in front of people who might be interested in your services. There are numerous places in every city where you could give a free talk. Teleseminars are also a great way to gain wider exposure. Be strategic in giving your presentation only to people who are in your target audience so there is more likelihood they will hire you. Focus on delivering good content, and weave in stories about the results people receive by working with you. Make a ‘call to action’ at the end of your talk to entice people to follow up, and have business cards, a brochure, and/or a handout they can take away with them.

3. Contact Former Clients.

This is the one of the most overlooked yet one of the best ways to get new clients quickly. Most professionals make the mistake of continually looking for brand new clients. This can be costly and time consuming. They don’t think to try the quick, low-cost way of contacting and reactivating former clients. People who have worked with you in the past will often be willing to work with you again – especially if you make them an offer they can’t refuse. Contact former clients and make them a special offer, or offer them a slight discount for the first session. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many say yes.

If your business needs an infusion of cash and clients right now, try any one of these quick, low-cost way to generate new prospects and clients. It can be easier than you think!

Wishing you much joy and prosperity in 2012!
Jan

P.S. Are you coming NEXT WEEK Friday, January 13th for my one day WORKSHOP “ATTRACT MORE GREAT NEW CLIENTS WITH A SMART MARKETING PLAN AND STRATEGY FOR 2012”? I’ll teach you easy ways to simplify your marketing, increase your visibility and income, and build a meaningful business around your life purpose.

Early price just $99 until TODAY January 3rd – save $80 off the full price of $179 by signing up NOW. Burlington, Ontario. Seats are filling up – limited to only 18 women – Join Us . . .

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW here for the “Smart Marketing Intensive“

P.P.S: Can’t make the live workshop? Why not schedule a private half-day virtual intensive with me to create your blueprint for success? Together we’ll design your customized plan to attract more clients, opportunities and income in 2012. Find out more and sign up here for your own “VIP Private Virtual Intensive”“

Want to use this article on your website or your own ezine? You’re welcome to, however we do require that you include the copyright and the following bio with live web site link. Please also notify us where the material will appear. copyright by Jan Marie Dore of Femalepreneurs.com.

Jan Marie Dore mentors coaches, speakers, consultants and other solo-professional women to work fewer hours and make more money with online business building strategies. Get your free Professional Women’s Success Kit and other marketing resources at http://www.femalepreneurs.com

Attract More Great New Clients With a SMART Marketing Plan and Strategy for 2012 – One Day Workshop Intensive with Jan Marie Dore, MCC

For Women Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers and Other Service Professionals Who Want a Gameplan to Grow Their Business and Income in 2012

Are you a woman with a purpose-based business who is ready to make a bigger difference and make more money in 2012? – a coach, consultant, speaker or other service professional who wants more visibility, credibility and more income?

You Can Break Thru the Feast or Famine Client Rollercoaster, Use a Simple Step-by-Step System and Create a Smart, Simple Marketing Plan to Sign Up More Great Clients – In Just One Day!

I’m going to walk you through some simple SHIFTS you can make to break through the trading-time-for-money income ceiling into a simple, elegant business model that leverages your expertise so you can bring in a greater INCOME and serve MORE CLIENTS in less time.

With a perfect balance of strategy, tactics, hands-on exercises, brainstorming, networking and a supportive mentor to challenge and guide you, here’s what you’ll achieve in this one day intensive.

You will:

• Create a simple, step-by-step Marketing Action Plan you can start implementing immediately so you’ll get on track to have your best year yet.
• Eliminate the marketing mistakes that stop you from achieving the results you really want and wste a lot of time and money.
• Map out a simple system to build your visibility and credibility and increase the demand for your services so clients are calling you instead of you chasing after them.
• Learn the fastest way that works really well right now to sign up more high-end clients quickly – even in this economy. This strategy has worked very well for me to boost my cash flow on a regular basis.
• Know exactly how to make your offers irresistible to your ideal prospects so they say YES! every time.

BONUS RESOURCES you will receive at the One-Day Smart Marketing Intensive include my valuable step-by-step worksheets – plus you’ll get checklists and templates to make it easy for you to “plug and play” and get results FAST. – - – These checklists alone are worth investing in this marketing workshop as they will will save you time and make you money!

• CHECKLIST #1: 40 Marketing and Promotional Ideas to Launch and Fill Your Service Packages and Programs and Sell More Products
• CHECKLIST #2: “Top Ways to Position Yourself as an Expert, Specialist or Authority in Your Field”
• CHECKLIST #3: “Ten Steps to Create Your Unique Signature System”
• CHECKLIST #4: “Ten Great Ideas for New Income Streams to Create With Your Signature System”
• CHECKLIST #5: “How to Launch Your New Programs and Sell High-Profit VIP Intensive Days”

This day will be more like an interactive, action-oriented intensive coaching day than a seminar. The audience is limited to a small group of motivated women entrepreneurs and professionals who are ready to do what it takes to plan for better results in 2012.

Give yourself the gift of taking this day to step away from your business, DREAM BIGGER than you can on your own by connecting with other like-minded women, and create a SIMPLE, ELEGANT PLAN for INCOME GROWTH in 2012 in a highly creative, supportive environment.

Don’t let another year go by and not reach the results you really want! All it takes is a plan and a strategy to attract more clients and grow your business – and you’ll leave this intensive with a clear step-by-step strategy and a simple, written marketing plan – in just one day.

Only 18 spots available – and at this extremely low investment, I expect them to go fast. Early bird pricing ends December 28th. So sign up now and reserve your space so you’ll have a “Smart Marketing Strategic Plan to Attract More Great New Clients in 2012″.

About Your Facilitator
Jan Marie Dore is a Master Certified Coach dedicated to advancing women in business. She is a speaker, coach, consultant, mentor, author, and business strategist who draws on her extensive corporate background in senior financial roles and her many years as a successful entrepreneur.

Jan has played a pivotal role in helping thousands of women business owners get on the path to more success, meaning, and income by mentoring them to develop their natural talents and teaching them effective strategies to stand out, get ahead, and communicate with confidence. Her clients are professional women worldwide who are inspiring and leading change and making a difference in people’s lives. Jan’s passion is to teach these women new business models and strategies to get their voice out to more people and feel more fufilled in their business as they make their greatest contribution.

Date: Friday, January 13, 2012

Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm. Networking lunch included.

Location: THINKSPOT * Burlington, Ontario

Limited to a maximum of 18. This will be a small group of savvy talented purposeful business women who will each receive personalized attention from Jan in this intimate setting.

January 4th, price will be $149 + HST until January 10

Full price after January 10 will be $179 + HST – so be sure to sign up by January 3rd and save $80!

Registration closes January 12.

Contact us here if you have any questions.

I’m getting ready to celebrate the holidays, as I’m sure you are too, but I wanted to take a moment to share with you a quick business assessment that can potentially shift your income dramatically in 2012.

With the changing economy, you may have noticed changes in the effectiveness of your marketing tactics. In this period of slower economic growth, the women business owners who clarify the most profitable zone in their marketplace are the ones who will come out on top. It’s now more important than ever to find a profitable niche you can be a leader in.

Do you know your ‘Perfect Profit Zone’?

If not, here’s a quick assessment you can take for your current business to determine your most profitable and in-demand services and products.

First, look for these two groups or client types in your current client base:

1. clients who have been the most loyal


2. clients who have been the most profitable

Then, look at your services, programs and products to determine:

1. which ones are in most demand


2. which ones are the most profitable

Now, find the intersection of your most loyal, profitable clients AND your most profitable, in-demand services and products, and you’ll know where the sweet spot is in your business that you can now leverage in 2010 for continued growth and profitability.

I invite you to post your comments and thoughts below.

Wishing you much joy and love during this holiday season,
Jan

P.S. Are you joining me Friday, January 13th for my one day workshop “ATTRACT MORE GREAT NEW CLIENTS WITH A SMART MARKETING PLAN AND STRATEGY FOR 2012”? I’ll teach you easy ways to simplify your marketing, increase your visibility and income, and build your business around your life purpose.

Only $99 until Dec 28th – save $80 off the full price of $179 by signing up early. Give yourself the gift of working ON your big business VISION for one full day. Burlington, Ontario. Seats are filling up – limited to only 18 women – so

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW here for the “Smart Marketing Intensive“

If you have followed me for any time, you know that I am a big fan of article marketing. I regularly publish articles in my ezine and at my blog, and submit to online directories. By doing that, I get a lot of traffic back to my website to check out my free offer and paid services.

One of the sites I have submitted to recently is Evan Carmichael’s site for Entrepreneurs.

I received this list from them today on the 10 topics that their readers have asked for in the past week. They are asking for contributions on these topics. Here’s your chance to get started with article marketing if you feel you can contribute by writing an article on one of these topics:

1 – importance of honesty between coworkers
2 – creating empathy client
3 – retired executives
4 – word of mouth referrals
5 – head of content provision
6 – sales email blast samples
7 – how to find out what customers want
8 – how much does a bookkeeper make per hour
9 – what is the nichepreneur strategy?
10 – motivating people to sell

Happy writing!
Jan

Have you heard of entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown? Ali was featured this year on ABC’s “Secret Millionaire” and she’s a well respected resource when it comes to business success. Ali was my mentor for several years – and I still like what she teaches.

There is a lot of buzz around her brand new free VIDEO TRAINING SERIES, so I wanted to let you know about it.

It’s called “Elevate Your Income: Top Strategies to Boost Your Business Fast!”

It’s FREE to watch for a limited time only here

This detailed, step-by-step training is all about how to consistently and easily create the kind of real income you want for yourself and your family in any economy. Ali teaches her business system that’s proven and easy to follow.

If you own a business or want to start one, don’t miss this “Elevate Your Income” video training

It’s FREE. But it won’t be up for long.

So to get started now, go here

and you’ll get access to the first video right away.

I just know you’re going to love it. See you there!

Jan

Each of us is unique. Each of us has gifts to share and a contribution to make.

Have you been giving yourself permission to shine with your gifts and talents, or have you been dimming your light and not sharing it with others in the way you know you could?

“As we let our light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson

When you are out networking, do you love to hear the question, “Tell me, what do you do?” or do you dread it and stumble over your answer? If you don’t love the question, it’s a sign that you may not be embracing your inner brilliance. You may need to spend some time getting clearer on your strengths and the unique way that you can help people so that you can confidently share your power and expertise with others.

As a coach, part of my role is to challenge my clients. I want to challenge you to make the choice to release your resistance. Dare to go beyond worrying about what other people think and let your light shine brightly. Give yourself permission to draw outside the lines. Step outside your comfort zone. Perhaps you can change the world!

To your suceess,
Jan

P.S.: If you’re ready to shine your light and make a bigger difference in the world, I’d love to show you how to create a client-attractive brand and be more visible so you can help more people in 2012. My “PERSONAL BRAND BLUEPRINT” 6 week Intensive starts TODAY Dec 1st. Take a look at all that’s
included in the PERSONAL BRAND BLUEPRINT INTENSIVE

Are you ready to STOP being the best-kept secret in your field and START being more visible and making more money? Your journey of going from unknown to in-demand, brand name niche expert can begin with my new 6 week, small group tele-training.

The Personal Brand Blueprint Virtual Intensive: The Six Step Online Visibility Marketing System to Take You From Unknown to In-Demand, Well-Paid Niche Expert

Over the next two months, I will personally take you through my proven personal brand marketing system and mentor you step-by-step in how to leverage your expertise and passion into a well-recognized, authority brand so you can attract all the clients, income and freedom you really want.

I’ll share with you my self-promotion secrets so you can make a name for yourself in your niche market and make a bigger difference in the world.

Starts Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Find Out More and Sign Up Now

In this age of new media, it’s become much harder to stand out and get noticed – unless you have a recognizable personal brand that sets you apart and attracts more of your ideal clients.

Here’s a sampling of what you’ll gain from this Tele-Training Program:

You’ll learn:

• How to design a CLIENT-ATTRACTING personal brand step-by-step around your passion, personality, and expertise. (This is the EXACT formula I’ve used for myself and my clients with great results).
• Highly effective self-promotion strategies to rise to the top of your field and become more visible as a recognized LEADER in your marketplace. (Most professionals don’t know how to do this!).
• How to identify a profitable target market and niche where you can stand out, get noticed and GET HIRED.
• My 4-step formula to create a unique, branded marketing message that entices more of your ideal clients to say YES!
• Specific ways to generate more leads and referrals to grow your list and build a COMMUNITY of followers.
• What you MUST do to create a well-branded website and content-rich blog so you’ll get more clients, and MORE SALES. (Some simple changes I’ll tell you about can make all the difference in growing your list and boosting your INCOME).
• My systems to LEVERAGE the internet and social media to expand your reputation, get ATTENTION and attract brand fans. (These strategies really work to get your name out there in a much bigger way).
• How to use VIDEO marketing and eBook Marketing for the Amazon Kindle (and other ebook readers) to extend your reach GLOBALLY and attract more pre-qualified leads quickly.
• . . . And much more . . . !

You’ll learn exactly what you need to do to create a well-known, in-demand, client-attracting personal brand so you can work less, have more freedom, and make more money in your service business.

You’ll discover the steps you can take to expand your visibility and build a brand that people will notice and seek out for trusted advice.

These are the exact steps I have successfully coached and trained thousands of women to take to achieve much more success, freedom and income in their business. You’ll learn advanced marketing and personal branding strategies and internet tools you can use to authentically convert more prospects into long-term clients and sales. By implementing this formula, you won’t have to work so many hours and you can have more freedom, more income, and more time off in your business.

You just can’t afford anymore to blend in and not get noticed. Don’t risk being plagued by the need to perpetually chase clients and income. Give yourself the gift of creating an authentic expert brand that will do the marketing for you – not just today, but far into the future.

BONUS: You get specially-designed worksheets and exercises to fast-forward your success, PLUS learning guides and MP3 recordings of every call!

SPECIAL ADDED BONUS: the first 5 women who sign up will receive a one-on-one, Brand Makeover Strategy Session with Jan. You’ll get your own customized brand blueprint. Sign up NOW and start building the buzz for your brand TODAY!

PLUS a VERY SPECIAL BONUS for everyone who signs up by November 30th: a FREE VIP TICKET to my One-Day “Personal Brand Visibility” Live Intensive to be held January 2012 near Toronto, Canada. (value $299). I’ll personally take you through my step-by-step visibility marketing system and you’ll leave with your own customized brand blueprint to go from unknown to sought-after, highly-paid, brand name niche expert.

Starts Thursday, December 1st
All calls will be recorded if you ever have to miss.

Find Out More and Sign Up Now

I look forward to supporting you in making 2012 your best year ever!
Jan

 
]]> http://www.femalepreneurs.com/blog/personal-brand-blueprint-marketing-intensive/feed/ 0 http://www.femalepreneurs.com/blog/seven-benefits-of-creating-a-personal-brand/ http://www.femalepreneurs.com/blog/seven-benefits-of-creating-a-personal-brand/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:05:27 +0000 Jan Marie Dore http://femalepreneurs.com/blog/seven-benefits-of-creating-a-personal-brand/

Personal Branding can be a powerful tool for success. If you are marketing yourself or your professional services, a strong personal brand will draw people and opportunities to you like a magnet.

Personal Branding is about honing your skills, narrowing your focus, and getting clear on what you’re passionate about.

Branding is not just about you being better than your competition. It’s about getting your prospects to choose you as the ONLY solution to their problem.

Here are seven powerful benefits of creating a strong personal brand:

1. Increase your competitive edge

One of the greatest benefits to you of having a strong brand is that it creates a sense of individuality and “separateness” in the marketplace so that your clients are able to easily differentiate your company from your competitors.

2. Catapult your authentic self into the marketplace

Your brand is deeply rooted in your authentic personal identity. The goal of personal branding is to be known for who you are as a person and what you stand for. Your brand is a reflection of who you are, your opinions, values, and beliefs that are visibly expressed by what you say and do, and how you do it.

In effect, it evolves from the search for identity and meaning. For many, it’s about using your best talents and gifts in the service of others. With a clearly defined personal brand strategy, you will create your life and business from a level of personal authenticity that reflects your deepest priorities.

3. Focus your time and talents to achieve maximum leverage

Your personal brand plan can become your own compass or personal North Star. It can guide all your actions and communications so that you demonstrate authenticity and consistency in all your interactions.

4. Create top of mind awareness for your business or professional services

Product and service differentiation has now shifted to brand differentiation. It means consumers do not distinguish products and services, but brands. The branding process allows you to take control of your identity and influence the perception others will have about you and the services you offer.

5. Create the buzz to increase demand for your products, services and expertise

You can achieve effortless business growth using simple branding solutions to generate word-of-mouth marketing through the invisible networks that the buzz spreads through.

Your brand will connect you with the movers and shakers who will send you referrals and give you testimonials. It will get people talking about you to stimulate customer-to-customer selling. Persistent action to communicate your brand consistently through many channels will start to generate the buzz and create excitement for your products and services.

6. Generate more sales and higher income in less time

Most professionals don’t reach their full income potential. A strong personal brand will enable you to effortlessly attract clients and opportunities. You will position yourself in the mind of your marketplace as THE service provider of choice to dominate your market and command higher fees – work less and make more!

7. Establish yourself as an expert and become a celebrity in your area of specialty

Gain name recognition in your area of expertise where it counts the most – in your customer’s mind. Make a lasting impression and be super-rewarded for your individuality.

Trust, respect, and admiration will follow when your name and message are embedded repeatedly into the consciousness of your target market. You will be perceived as an expert the more you are visible to your target audience. Your brand will propel you to the top in your marketplace.

It’s your time to SHINE!

Do you have a story about how your personal brand has benefited you and your business?

Please share a comment below.

Your journey of going from unknown to in-demand, brand name niche expert can begin with my new 6 week, value-packed, small group tele-training.

The Personal Brand Blueprint 6 Week Virtual Intensive: The Step-by-Step Marketing System to Go From Unknown to Sought-After, Highly-Paid, Brand Name Niche Expert

Find Out More and Sign Up Now

Over the next two months, I will personally take you through my proven personal brand marketing system and mentor you step-by-step in how to leverage your expertise and passion into a well-recognized, authority brand so you can attract all the clients, income and freedom you really want.

I’ll share with you my self-promotion secrets so you can make a name for yourself in your niche market and make a bigger difference in the world.

You’ll learn exactly what you need to do to create a well-known, in-demand, client-attracting personal brand so you can work less, have more freedom, and make more money in your solo-business.

You just can’t afford anymore to blend in and not get noticed. Don’t risk being plagued by the need to perpetually chase clients and income. Give yourself the gift of creating an authentic expert brand that will do the marketing for you – not just today, but far into the future.

Starts Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Find Out More and Sign Up Now

Copyright © Jan Marie Dore ~ www.janmariedore.com ~ All rights reserved.Jan Marie Dore, ‘The Women Entrepreneurs’ Success Coach’, Master Certified Coach, Speaker, and Author, publishes valuable ideas to grow a professional service business and increase profitability in her newsletter ‘Success Secrets for Women Entrepreneurs’.Jan Marie teaches self-employed female professionals to attract more clients and financial success, and as a result, live extraordinary lives. For free resources and programs on marketing a professional practice please visit Femalepreneurs.com and read the Blog Success Secrets.

The quality and quantity of ideal clients you will attract is in direct relation to the work you put into building a client-attracting personal brand. You can increase your brand value by managing your website appearance and by communicating effectively with your marketplace.

Here’s how:

• Set up your website and blog so that you are speaking directly to your ideal prospects. Make the content about them, not all about you. You have about 30 seconds to capture their attention, and if they don’t see what they’re looking for, they will click away.
• Make an enticing offer at your website and blog that is very easy to see as soon as someone arrives at any of your pages. Don’t just say “sign up for my newsletter”. That just doesn’t work anymore. You must provide something that your prospects can get immediately and that they would value enough to give you their name and e-mail address in exchange for. (So you can build your list, of course!).
• Post to your blog a few times a week some relevant tips and actionable information that your ideal clients will benefit from. Communicate authentically from your expertise and come from a place of helping your clients solve their most pressing problems.
• Communicate consistently to your list so that they come to know, like and trust you. Twice a month or once a week is a good rhythm to get into. Be consistent with the day and time so they look forward to receiving your messages. Let your passion, expertise and personality shine through.

Do these four things and you will have the foundation for a client-attracting personal brand attracts more of your ideal clients authentically without you having to work so hard at selling.

I invite you to post your comments below.

I invite you to join me TUESDAY, November 22nd for my FREE Teleseminar: “Six Smart Strategies to Build the Buzz for Your Brand Online”.

Sign up here

In this value-packed training call, I’ll share with you my online marketing secrets so you can make a name for yourself in your niche market and make a bigger difference in the world.

You’ll learn exactly what you need to do to create a well-known, in-demand, client-attracting personal brand so you can work less, have more freedom, and make more money in your solo-business.

Sign up here

“Six Smart Strategies to Build the Buzz for Your Brand Online” – Free Training Call with Jan Marie Dore

Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 8pm Eastern (5pm Pacific)
Convert this to the correct time in your timezone here

In this age of new media, it’s become much harder to stand out and get noticed – unless you have a recognizable personal brand that sets you apart and attracts more of your ideal clients.

In this value-packed training call, I’ll share with you my online marketing secrets so you can make a name for yourself in your niche market and make a bigger difference in the world.

You’ll learn:

• The #1 MOST important thing you must do to stand out have people lining up to hire you. (Until you do this one thing your marketing will be a struggle).
• How to design a CLIENT-ATTRACTING personal brand step-by-step around your passion, personality, and expertise. (This is the EXACT formula I’ve used for myself and my clients with great results).
• Six highly effective online marketing strategies to rise to the top of your field and become more visible as a recognized LEADER in your marketplace. (Most professionals don’t know how to do this!)
• The BIGGEST mistakes entrepreneurs and solo-professionals make in building their brand. (I’ll share with you the secrets on how to do it right!)
• What you MUST do to design a well-branded website and blog so you’ll get more clients, and more sales. (Some simple changes I’ll tell you about can make all the difference in growing your list and boosting your INCOME).
• My systems to LEVERAGE the internet and social media to expand your reputation, get ATTENTION and attract brand fans. (These strategies really work to get your name out there in a much bigger way).
• The big key secret method that can extend your reach GLOBALLY and attract more pre-qualified leads quickly.



• Details on my upcoming “PERSONAL BRAND MARKETING BLUEPRINT INTENSIVE” 6 week TeleTraining Intensive that starts December 1, 2011. I will be teaching you the exact strategies and systems you need to STOP being the best-kept secret in your field and START being more visible and making more money. Over the next two months, I will personally take you through my proven personal brand marketing system and mentor you step-by-step in how to leverage your expertise and passion into a well-recognized, authority brand so you can attract all the clients, income and freedom you really want.

Join branding and marketing coach Jan Marie Dore for this valuable free teleseminar training to learn exactly what you need to do to create a well-known, in-demand, client-attracting personal brand online so you can work less, have more freedom, and make more money in your service business.

Click the arrow to listen to Jan Marie Dore reading this article

Is your website bringing you all the sales and opportunities you want?

Over the years as I have studied marketing best practices and mentored thousands of women entrepreneurs in marketing and growing their business, I have observed what works and what doesn’t work in creating effective websites that sell.

All too often I have seen entrepreneurs and professionals spend thousands of dollars on pretty but ineffective websites. They pay someone for a lovely design but that person may not know the basics of how your website needs to be designed so that you get more leads and more sales.

Here are the mistakes I see and the steps to fix them:

Mistake 1: No Way to Capture Leads
The number one goal of your website should be to capture names and email addresses of prospects so you can get your message in front of them over and over. You’ll want to automate this system with one of the many services that will do this for you.

Mistake 2: Opt-In Box and Call to Action Not Visible
Your opt-in box for your free offer and to subscribe to your list needs to be at the top of every page of your website. Top left is ideal, or in the header or top right are excellent too. All too often, these boxes are hidden far down the page. Make it very easy for people to find it as soon as they come to your site. A call to action is what tells people what to do next. Don’t assume they will know. Say “click here now to get your free report” or “enter your name to receive your free gift instantly”.

Mistake 3: No Compelling Offer to a Specific Target Audience
This is the biggest mistake I see. There are two aspects to this. First, the target market is too broad or general. Second, there is nothing offered that is compelling enough for these ideal prospects to exchange their name and email address for. It’s not enough now to say “sign up for my newsletter”. You need to make it much more enticing. Offer something that will solve a problem for your marketplace. Offer something they’ll get instantly – such as a special report, tips lists, audio class or e-course, a quiz or assessment, a CD or a video – and let them know they’ll also receive your ezine or weekly tips.

Mistake 4: A Homepage That Is All About You
When someone visits your website, the first thing they want to know is “what’s in it for me?” They want to know that you understand them and their challenges before they want to know about you. The mistake I see too often is the website owner’s mission statement or vision or credentials first thing on the homepage. Make the beginning paragraphs about your prospects, not about you. Show them that you identify with them and understand their frustrations, and only then let them know how you can help them.

Mistake 5: No Compelling Headline on Each Page
A headline serves two purposes: to capture people’s attention so they will want to read more, and to tell the search engines what your site is all about. Search engines look for key words or phrases in your headlines and first two paragraphs of text, and so do people. When prospects see that you understand them and you’re talking to them, they’ll want to read more.

Mistake 6: No Clear Path for Prospects to Follow
Keep your navigation at your site very simple and guide people through so they aren’t overwhelmed at your home page by too many options. The main goal of your website should be to get people on your list. Once they are on your list, you will have multiple opportunities to sell to them. Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of trying to sell high-end services too soon before prospects get a chance to know you and appreciate your expertise. Get them on your list first, and then as they come to appreciate you as a resource and trusted advisor through your articles and tips, start telling them gradually about your services and products.

Here are six steps you can take right now to shift your website from ineffective to a continual sales generator:

1. Have a way to automatically capture prospects names and email addresses. There are many excellent services that can automate this for you such as 1 Shopping Cart, A Weber, or Get Response.
2. Make sure your opt-in box and call to action to capture leads are at the top of every page.
3. Create an enticing offer that prospects will clamor to get and will gladly give you their name and email address to receive.
4. Review your homepage to ensure that it’s mainly about your prospects and their challenges and not all about you.
5. Write a compelling headline using your keywords for each page of your website.
6. Develop a clear path for prospects to follow from the initial subscription to your list to something free or low-cost, then on up to medium and higher priced products and services. This is often called your “marketing funnel”.

Do all these things, and you should start seeing more subscribers added to your list and more sales at your website.

Get ready to solve all these challenges and make 2012 your best year yet! My signature business training for women entrepreneurs, Femalepreneurs Business School, returns in January 2012. Want to be put on the priority notification list for when we open? Email my client support team here with “Femalepreneurs Business School priority list” in the subject line.

Copyright © Jan Marie Dore ~ www.femalepreneurs.com ~ All rights reserved.

Jan Marie Dore, ‘The Professional Women’s Success Coach’, Master Certified Coach, Speaker, and Author, publishes valuable ideas to grow a professional service business and increase profitability in her newsletter ‘Success Secrets for Solo-Professional Women’.Jan Marie teaches self-employed female professionals to attract more clients and financial success, and as a result, live extraordinary lives. For free resources and programs on marketing a professional practice please visit Femalepreneurs.com and read the Blog Prosperous Professional Women

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