Content Marketing Mindset For Dealing With Your Haters

Let me tell you a secret:
For a long time, I was letting myself down.

Why?

Because I didn't put out content to grow my copywriting business on Facebook. (Or any social media platform for that matter.) And the reason why was stupid.

Wanna hear it?

Sure...
I was scared of being judged.
Scared of what people would think of me and my copywriting advice.
Scared of what they would say.
Anyway, I joined Dan Meredith's mastermind group of about 20 successful entrepreneurs which cost 4 grand. And I also paid 2k for something with John Lee Dumas.
And do you know why this was the best thing I ever did?
Because it made me take action.
I now had some "skin in the game".
I mean, it's not exactly life-changing money, but who wants to invest 6k in something and not do anything with it?
So, after our first webinar in the mastermind about a month ago, I made a decision.
I was gonna take out my phone, hit the "Facebook live" button, and start talking about copy.
Now, this might not seem a big deal. But to me? It was.
See, I've never in my life used my personal Facebook page for business. Not even in my Personal Training days.
I thought, "Most of the people on Facebook aren't gonna give two shits about any of it, so I'd just be annoying them."
Looking back, it's stupid thinking.
Really stupid.

I remember Dan saying that unless someone's a relative, close friend, or paying you money, then their opinion is invalid.
Anyway, it turns out the people who don't care about learning copy simply don't watch the videos.
So worrying about people's opinions turned out to be irrelevant. A total waste of time and energy.
Which is why, my friend, if YOU have a message you want to put out to the world...
Or you have a skill that others can benefit from...
Then don't be a scaredy-cat like I was for so long.
Take that leap of faith...
And put your content out there.
PS- I've had a few people argue with me on various forums and Facebook groups since. And you know what? I actually enjoy it.

Why?

Two reasons:

1) Because it means I'm not boring. And I'm getting myself out there more. So more people know about me.
Happy days.
2) Because I will win any argument. Every time.
And I'll say this, too.
It's easy for people to act all "macho" online. People think they're invincible.
In real life?
Bunch of wimps.
Wouldn't say "boo" to a goose.
Plus, when get abuse from someone on a forum, click on their profile and 9 times outta 10 you'll see that abuse everyone.
They're the very definition of a "Negative Nancy".
So screw 'em.
And screw their opinions.
You'll be much happier for it.
PPS- Not my usual copywriting and direct response marketing advice today.
But this was important. And I was feeling passionate about it.
Really passionate.

And putting out content for the world to see is something you should be doing if you're serious about growing your business. Content marketing is very much in at the minute. And you need to be doing it, yourself.

So please don't be one of those people who gets an endorphin rush after reading this but doesn't implement any of it.

As "Doberman Dan" says:
"Motion beats meditation."

So take some action!

Tom Andrews

http://iamTomAndrews.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tom_Andrews/2298168

5 Steps To Take To Ensure Your Degree Certificate Does Not Block Your Financial Success In Life

I strongly believe that you are going to find this article both eye-opening, refreshing, challenging and true because practical research and facts have been considered to ensure that you get to receive help from it.

You will get an epiphany.

Between the lines you will have a revelation like no other and most certainly you can thank me later. If you don't get the revelation, read this post again and again then come and thank me or send a postal mail or email or call using the details provided on this article.

Now to the 5 steps...

But before that, I would love to bring to your attention a true story that will prove useful now and in years to come.

A story is told of a certain African farmer who had 5 acres of land that had a stream at the lower side of the farm full of clean water. Sometime later, this farmer heard of people getting massive amounts of wealth from selling diamonds that they found on their pieces of land and he decided to sell his acres of land to go in search of those precious jewels and become rich.

Several months later, his body was found hanging on a tree because he searched with no luck and he became frustrated which made him decide to take his life.

Back in the farm that this farmer sold, the friend of the new owner came to visit him and upon close scrutiny of his fireplace he saw a large rock that this new owner had put to decorate his fireplace. He looked closer and noticed that this rock was in real sense a diamond in its natural form and in amazement he told the farmer that it was the largest diamond that he had ever seen.

Curious to know how he had come across such a large diamond, this friend asked him where he had found it. The farmer said that he had found it at the stream that was at the lower side of the farm and that there were thousands of other such stones smaller in size strewn all over the bottom of the stream.

True to what the farmer said, they went to the stream and saw them which made them dig up more. They discovered that the diamonds were occupying a whole acre of land, free and clear.

The land originally sold to this new owner was full of the same precious jewels that the previous owner went looking for after selling his land for so cheap a price.

You see, the now dead original owner made a mistake of not first doing his research to know how diamonds looked like when natural and went blindly in search of the elusive jewels whereas his own land had a whole acre of diamonds that would have made him rich beyond his expectations.

This story illustrates how today in the modern world people go in search of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow without knowing that there is no gold there.

Many look at the wrong places instead of first focusing on one thing...

The resourcefulness of their mind that has been given to them for free at no charge.

The mind of man when properly harnessed and equipped can create so much for the owner but it has become the least used resource when people want to get solutions to their problems or situations that are affecting the community.

However, it will no longer be like this to whoever takes action and follows every of the steps outlined in this article and every other resource made available here.

You see, we are in an age of what I would term as learned helplessness whereby many look to jobs and bosses as their only source of provision whereas there would be much more reward if they chose to look beyond the jobs and make use of their freely given minds to get more out of life.

The time of telling children to go to school, get a degree, get a good job, marry, get children, retire and then die is far outdated than the stone age and it is time that those who want more out of life learnt to know that opportunities exist all around us just waiting for that soul that is ready and willing to live beyond the comfort zone of just paying the bills and into a zone of leaning on your edges to do all that you can to create an impact in your environment and beyond.

And so to help you get started on being the best version of yourself and not be hindered from the success that you deserve, below you will find five simple steps that you can take today and come out of learned helplessness which may kill the spark in you.

Step 1: Think Outside The Box

This is a common term and today it will make a different meaning than what you may have ever thought it meant.

You have heard it said that good things come to those who wait?

WRONG!!

Good things come to those who show up and take massive action.

Good things come to those who dare to take action even when everything within them says no.

Good things come to those who invest in themselves without counting cost.

Good things come to those who keep moving on even when the present

circumstances do not give them the motivation or reason to keep moving on.

Good things come to those who have the mentality of an eagle and not that of an oyster. An eagle soars to go look for whatever it wants whereas an oyster is tossed to and fro by the sea waves and eats whatever the ocean brings on its way.

For you to think outside the box, it means that you are willing to keep moving on when everything within you shouts to you to stop.

To think outside the box means you have to be uncomfortable with average.

To think outside the box means that you don't want to forever be chained to a job rather you have in place the strategy to become your own boss before old age starts showing signs of approaching.

There is so much we can say about thinking outside the box but for now let's go to the next step...

Step 2: Increase Your Skills Outside Your Field of Expertise

I will not say much in this but if you ever want to go far in life equip yourself with practical knowledge that is able to inspire you to action.

There are lots of free online courses that are far much better than a university degree that you can take advantage of and learn a skill that is able to finally pay you more than your job.

And if you dare look more keenly, you will find what you seek...

Step 3: Get Entrepreneurial Genes

Most education systems have put millions of people in learned helplessness and made them stick to one line of thinking without knowing that there is so much more outside the comfort zone of a job.

To put it in plain language, never depend on a single source of income: JOB

Leverage your earnings and pocket money to start a side business using part of the little that you get.

Some side businesses need zero capital and others need very little capital.

Learn business skills like market research which will help you know how to identify the needs in the community which you can solve and cash in on them.

Step 4: Don't wait for retirement

A research has been carried out and it has been confirmed that 70% of people are in jobs they hate or work for bosses they hate which in turn has led to poor service and inferior products.

Whoever is reading this article ought not to be in that category because you will get a blueprint of how you can come out or avoid getting into the chains of a job or a boss you loathe.

You need to set goals to retire early and start your own corporation before your strength is gone.

You need to consider getting your hands dirty and start cultivating your own plantation as early as in your 20s or 30s or 40s.

Simply put, don't work for 40 years in a job just to pay the bills, desire much more than that!!

Step 5: Get a Mentor or Mentors

The final step in all this is to ensure that you model somebody who is doing what you desire to be doing.

Mentors make your success come faster than you had anticipated because you learn from their mistakes which saves you time so that you don't make the same mistakes that they made.

Mentors don't need to be meeting you face to face. You can have a mentor who you have never met or will ever meet by interacting with them virtually. Read their books, watch their videos, listen to their audios, follow them on social media and study their thought patterns through their words. And then think as they think.

In conclusion, being just an employee never gave anyone financial freedom and there is need to learn new ways to create your own economy in such a way that despite tough economic times, you can always have various skills and opportunities that you can leverage.

There is so much more within you and you need to activate your success genes by investing in yourself and buying what is able to expand your mind and grow you into a better, more knowledgeable version of yourself.

We would not want you to miss on the chance to have faith in your ability to take action and it is of great importance that you do whatever it takes to ensure that the next 90 days are going to be far much better than the last 90 days.

Life's too short for ordinary.

It is known that 99% of Being a Multimillionaire is Deciding To BE ONE. It's not what you do. It's not how hard you work. It's not even what your "job" is. I have sought to open up a lot of what could otherwise have remained hidden to millions of people and through a step by step guide, there is a blueprint that has been made available for those who want to bet on themselves and take massive action.

Click the link below and let us interact more:

http://www.financiallyfreebeforegraduation.com/the-book/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Raymond_Comba_Mvuria/2317871

Top Motivation Tips For Entrepreneurs

What's your mission?

Every business begins with a mission. Call it your goal or the underlying reason for starting your own business. Spell it out and you'll know where you are and where you need to take your business. Your mission statement will work as a light house that gives clear direction. Whenever you feel demotivated, read it aloud... and you'll derive the energy to steer your business to success.

Planning

The next step is to have a detailed plan that aligns with your mission. Specify your short term and long term goals and how you will go about to meet these goals.

Maintain a Schedule

Start your day by reviewing your plan. Ensure that your activities are channelized towards your plan.

Delegation is the Key

Often entrepreneurs get bogged down with work. They get so busy in the routine activities that they find no time for review, develop and grow the business. The key to give your business the time it needs and this can be easily accomplished by delegating the routine tasks. You certainly don't need high budget for that. You can easily hire freelancers to help you with the task at affordable prices.

Review, Remind and Meet the deadlines

Review and remind yourself about the short terms goals you've specified. Set achievable deadlines and ensure that the deadlines are met. You may also automate some of the tasks using apps, programs etc. Google it and you'll see loads of apps available which you can use in your business.

Celebrate the Success

Pat yourself when the targets are met. Give yourself a reward when your goals are achieved, no matter how small. After all, every positive step takes you closer to your bigger goals.

Socialize with likeminded people

Often motivation and inspiration is derived through peer pressure. So, keep yourself in good company of budding entrepreneurs and people with positive bent of mind. You can discuss the challenges, seek their guidance or even share goals. Several apps such as KlashApp, ChallengedApp, MakeMe can make this a fun thing for you and your friends.

The Power of Positive Thinking

There's immense power in positive thinking. It can keep you push forward even in times of difficulties. Make it your life mantra and you'll reap the fruits of success.

Get Inspired

Watch inspirational videos or movies to motivate yourself. This will help you a long way to get going.

Quality Time

Spend some quality time with yourself. Take time to listen to music or engage in sport activity of your choice. This will help to de-stress and help in clear thinking.

Take adequate sleep

Sleep puts our mind and body at rest. So, it is vital for long run success. Make it a habit to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep.

So, stay motivated and reach out to your goals, even if it is one day at a time!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sundeep_Dhawan/2306642

Getting a Mindset to Work

How many times have you heard motivational speakers, personal development gurus and life coaches talk about creating a "positive mindset"? You may have heard it so many times before that if you don't know, you question what does that actually mean. Still, in your lifetime you may've never heard that adage before! So, for many, the first step is understanding what does having a mindset mean?

We all have a mind. A place where our thoughts, ideas, feelings, perceptions and concepts are formed and the mind is in a place, the greatest computer ever known to man - the brain - and according to Wikipedia: "In a human, the cerebral cortex contains approximately 15-33 billion neurons, each connected by synapses to several thousand other neurons. These neurons communicate with one another by means of long protoplasmic fibres called axons, which carry trains of signal pulses called action potentials to distant parts of the brain or body targeting specific recipient cells."

How magnificent is that?

So, based on what we are facing or feeling, the neurons in our brain enables our 'mind' to perceive the situation that's in front of us. And when the events around us are negative and stressful, the resulting perception of a negative-leaning mindset can be misleading as once influenced in this way, it may manifest in ill-health, misinformation, internalising the negative energy and displaying or demonstrating impolite and uncivil behaviour. Thus the trick is to create a positive mindset by feeding the mind with positive thoughts and images and there are a number of ways of how to do this:

• Listen to motivational speakers and self-development gurus;
• Create a quiet space or place where the mind can sift through the rubbish it is fed on a daily basis from the mediums around it;
• Listen to uplifting music;
• Read positive quotes, affirmations and books;
• Move around positive people, dispelling anyone with any negativity;

Once our mind has been trained to focus on positivity, it becomes easier to discern when it is in a negative space (since we're only human and imperfect!) and what needs to change in order to be in that place.

As an individual, entrepreneur, marketer, CEOs or even an employee, having a positive mindset is crucial and critical in how we achieve our goals since, as with everything in life, there are challenges. The question is, how do we overcome those challenges when the going seems tough or the trial looks never ending? Like being on a boat or ship in a raging storm, on a rough and undulating sea, buffeted by wave upon wave, higher than the boat or ship itself; the captain must reassure his crew and passengers that everything will be fine. It's his duty to provide stability and a secure outlook, and he can only do so with a positive mindset, backed by his confidence and competency. Otherwise, if he fails to have one, he'd have more trouble on his hands than just with the weather.

I've had my share of challenging moments and continually do but I never ever give up or throw in the white towel. Contrary, I savour the test since this will take me out of my comfort zone and dare me to face the challenge. It can be scary. It can be unnerving but I never ever stop believing in myself and my abilities. I never stop to think I'm not capable or unworthy. At the end of the day, having a positive mindset helps to overcome the smallest of problems and I say to you, if you haven't got it already, cultivate one.

Help with focus and achieving a writing goal of publishing your own book? FREE 30-min consultation available.

Contact: http://www.kwamemcpherson.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kwame_MA_McPherson/2298651

Entrepreneurial Mindset 101 - A Positive Mindset Is A Powerful Skill To Develop

How often have we heard motivational speakers say that an entrepreneur must have a positive mindset?

Before I go any further, I want to discuss the idea of a mindset. We all have a brain. In that brain, we place our thoughts, feelings, ideas and our concepts. When you start your own business, your business will take a lot of your time. In addition, you will have to sustain that business for as long as maybe 3 years before you see a return on investment.

Their will be many times in which you will want to quit and you will not want to invest any more capital to keep your company afloat. To give yourself the best chance of sticking it through, you must develop a positive mindset. Developing a positive mindset can be acquired by:

1. Listening to powerful gurus or motivational speakers

2. Listening to uplifting music or music that makes you happy

3. Read positive books or quotes

4. Hang around positive people and strong-minded people

Once your mind is conditioned to focus on the positive perspective on any situation, you will be able to get through the tough and negative times easier.

Me personally, I have had my share of negative moments and times I wanted to quit. However, because of my positive mindset, I was able to get through the tough time and start collecting a lot of returns on my investments.

I started out as a broke college student with a dead end job. I worked on week-ends because I was a full time college student majoring in computer engineering. I had to keep my company afloat on the little paycheck I was collecting every two weeks. However, because I hanged around positive people and only surrounded myself with positive quotes on my walls, the negative times did not crush me.

Bonus Tip For Developing A Positive Mindset!

You must get educated. I recommend doing some research and educating yourself on the type of business or industry you will like to be a part of. If you are able to find out all the requirements it will take for you to succeed in your business, you will be able to brace yourself when the tough times happen.

Luckily for you, there are organizations of powerful business experts who offer free pieces of advise and information to those who are interested in building their own brand from scratch.

For more information on developing an entreprenuerial mindset and making money from home, check out Your Free Report

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marc-Eddy_Drouinaud_Jr/2289154

5 Ways To Be The Best Online Service Provider

If your online business venture is more focused on providing services, you definitely want to provide the best service possible and be the number one person that people go to when they need your particular service.

There are lots of service providers on the Internet these days, things like freelance writing and editing, grammar proofreading, voiceover services, graphic design, animation videos, programming, website creation, link building or any other service.

There are professionals with huge price tags and sites like Fiverr that make some services incredibly cheap but no matter which part of the spectrum you're at right now, there are a few ways to be the best service writer possible.

1. Don't charge prices based on the market, especially if you're trying to undercut the competition.

Price your services based on what you think they're worth and don't worry if some people are willing to pay the price because you'll find people looking for quality work like yours that are willing to pay good money for it.

2. Be consistent with all of your clients even if they don't know each other.

Charge the same basic prices to all of the clients that you have, promise the same deadlines and don't pick and choose policies based upon the client. If they ever do encounter each other, you may lose both of them.

3. Double and triple check your work before you send it out.

Even catching one or two minor mistakes could mean the difference between a client coming back or not, or telling other people about your services. Take a few extra minutes with every single project and make sure it is 100% what the client wanted and that it is your absolute best work.

4. Be okay with saying no.

There may be some projects that you don't want to work on and it doesn't really matter what the reason is. You could have a moral objection or could be just too much work for the price that the person is willing to pay.

The point is that you should be willing to say no to clients. They will respect you and not ask for unreasonable expectations in the future.

5. Figure out what people's problems are and then try to solve them.

If you can come up with solutions to people's problems other than your regular services, you could make a great deal more money and could spark a business idea that will take you to the big-time.

These are the 5 simple yet powerful ways when you start your service-based online entrepreneurial endeavor. Use them and differentiate yourself to be the best go-to expert in your industry today!

By the way, Keye Wu is on a mission to transform 1 million guys into the most productive, masculine and purposeful men. If you REALLY do not know the 5 Little Known Ways To Double Your Productivity For Men yet, we need to fix that. Join hundreds of other men already using it right now FREE in my value-packed productivity blog here. Alternatively, check out one of my most popular flowstate video here.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Keye_Wu/2314157

Excavation Entrepreneur

Startup lessons from a patient archaeologist

The two words, 'excavation' and 'entrepreneur,' are most likely to conjure up a construction site with giant yellow excavators. But if you were talking about Stuart Wilson you would be wrong.

Lost Medieval City Beneath the Sod

Stuart Wilson, 37, is a graduate archaeologist-and entrepreneur, though he might not classify himself as such. He was a toll collector when he invested in his passion: archaeological excavation. He followed a conviction that he was on the trail of a long lost major medieval city in Trellech, Wales.

Whereas he might have put a deposit on a home, or bought a sports car, he actually bought a 4.6 acre field-for £32,000 (about $40,000 at current exchange rates). He used his life savings and took out a bank loan to cover the cost. His mother, Barbara, said at the time, "Ah well, if you don't find anything, it'll make a nice picnic site." So he had a risk mitigation plan right from the start!

This field was where he was pretty sure part of the lost city lay, buried beneath the farmland. He was sure enough of his passion that he gave up his job in the toll booth and settled in to demonstrate that his passion was about something real-and important, through digging up the site.

Without formal backers for his enterprise, he invested heavily of his time and energy, and precious little else, except an army of probably as many as 1,000 volunteers from across Europe as well as the locality, over the last eleven years.

The volunteers included archaeology students, who paid a small fee ($61 a day) to participate, as well as people from the surrounding areas. He also raised funds by selling T-shirts and other small scale revenue producing efforts. So convinced was Stuart, that he gave up his full-time job and worked shifts at a betting shop to help fund the project.

A Hidden Manor House

One of the major finds has been the remains of a large medieval manor house. But many other buildings, artifacts and whole streets have been unearthed. Stuart believes that there is much more that will see the light of day.

He was amazed to find that walls were fully intact, and floors, a well, drains, road surfaces, cobbled pavements, entrances, and now a fireplace with a chimney and a courtyard have all been found. Though they have unearthed parts of a street, know where many more exist, since they are still used as roads or tracks.

But now, following massive world-wide media attention, he envisions permanent on-site dig structures, an interpretive centre and recreations of Trellech buildings. His persistence is now paying off and he is dreaming much bigger. What in entrepreneurial terms one might call scaling. Part of the scaling might include a takeover-of more land, surrounding his own plot, since it holds but a fraction of the sprawling lost city.

Entrepreneurial Characteristics

From my own 50 years of living, observing and writing about entrepreneurship, I have come to distill seven characteristics that will almost certainly be present in a person who creates a new venture of any kind. Such a person:

1. is predisposed to action-"I could have done that, but... ", you've heard many people say something similar, they never do;
2. enjoys investigating & innovating- comments on the idea like, "it'll never be worth it, because... " incite finding a solution;
3. experiences learning as a way of life-rather than shutting up shop and sticking to the known;
4. tolerates ambiguity-and allows creativity to resolve it, often coming up with innovative solutions to problems;
5. is a (controlled) risk-taker-will always consider how to deal with the downside;
6. is able to put vision into practice-the passion has to have an expression in reality;
7. while remaining very much in the present-to deal with the unexpected rather than being floored by it.

Stuart manifests most of these characteristics and his venture is now maturing. He comments that, "As a result of buying the field, my parents had many years of servitude." In the case of almost any new venture, friends and family tend to be its best and most patient backers. In Stuart's case this has certainly been the case, though he has now moved out of home, to a toilet block he converted to a home in the local town of Chepstow.

Stuart also suggested that, "When you are a small fish in a big pond, then bigger fish tend to ignore you, leaving you alone." However, his time of swimming in a 'Blue Ocean' where there are few predators, is now ending-as he is discovering.

He knows that he's beginning to swim in a 'Red Ocean,' where a lot of blood is spilled, as competitors fight for prey. His solution like many entrepreneurs faced with that situation, is to become "a much bigger fish to make them think twice about attempting to take a bite."

Financial Bootstrapping: The Stuart Wilson Example

Much that is written about entrepreneurship assumes that significant amounts of capital are needed. However, the reverse is true for about 99 per cent of new ventures started on a wing and a prayer. Stuart bootstrapped his venture big time. He cobbled together enough revenue and muscle to persist in his endeavor-a bootstrapper par excellence.

It is a particularly interesting example of bootstrapping, in that he did not set up a business, or even a nonprofit to achieve his ends. His venture is an example of something that is happening ever more frequently-and especially in the hands of creative individuals like Stuart, who don't find that any conventional kind of organization meets their needs, and may not even think that they need a legal structure to change the world, anyway.

Of course, there are many instances in which it becomes necessary to have a formal legal entity. Stuart is now faced with choices that he did not need to confront at the outset. Two things have happened as a result of his efforts. First, he is beginning to gain traction, as the startup jargon calls it. The venture capitalists might call traction 'evidence of market demand,' and in Stuart's case, it is the sheer numbers of people that have become involved with his dig, as a consequence of its revealed importance.

The second thing that has happened, is the notoriety he has been receiving from the world's press and television media. That kind of public attention has followed disruptive startups in many sectors. When they can no longer contain their success, predators start showing an interest. There have been numerous instances of that happening. One of the more spectacular recent examples was the behemoth Walmart's acquisition of jet.com-the online retailer.

In the case of the Lost City of Trellech, it is not buyers who may be circling the site, but government bodies or professional associations who may consider that such an important archaeological site cannot be left to what they may consider a maverick, despite his professional degree.

Potential Predator Poses a Problem

Right now, Cadw, the historic monuments arm of the Welsh Government threaten to 'schedule' his site. Stuart refuses to accept that they should take control, just as a business founder might fend off a takeover suitor. He has been assured by current officials that things would stay as they are, with him running the show. But he is savvy enough to know that officials come and go, just like management in an acquiring company.

Wanting to reach an accommodation, Stuart has offered to form a Heritage Partnership Agreement with Cadw, so that they can work together, without him losing control. But he's not leaving it there. He is about to write an open letter to the Welsh Government to bolster public opinion in his favor.

It is not surprising that he has started this one-man lobbying effort, since he now has plans to turn the site into an public attraction. Stuart has submitted plans for an archaeological research centre and camp site to Monmouthshire County Council, signaling the dig site as "a valuable community asset that supports local tourism, hotels and pubs." To ram the point home, he adds that it's also, "an important archaeological site as well as a training and educational facility."

Now that's scaling, business or otherwise, and Trellech, the Lost City of Wales would inspire any aspiring entrepreneur who lacks big bucks, but dreams big.

Note: Stuart's dad, Alan, applied for a job in total quality in our company. At his group interview, he demonstrated the quality process by baking a loaf of bread before our eyes in the office, portable oven and all. He got the job and worked with us for several years. Clearly, creativity runs in the family.

William Keyser, a veteran entrepreneur, is Managing Director of Venture Founders LLC: How To Start a Business. Startup Owl offers a wealth of free information and advice to would-be and early stage entrepreneurs.

Will is a veteran entrepreneur with VC experience and he is committed to help business startups to: clarify their business purpose; sharpen their business model; better their business plan; speed their market entry; offer customer value; finance their business right; grow their business strongly; survive their business challenges-more effectively than they might do on their own.

Will taught strategy and entrepreneurship on an MBA program for 7 years and his book, Founders Are Storytellers is available from his website.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_Keyser/56299

Why Is There a Need for Brands to Tech-Innovate?

Technology is affecting consumers' lives by changing the way they live and interact with brands. A recent study by consulting firm Kantar TNS, found that that 47 percent of India's consumers with access to basic Internet feel constantly followed by online advertising, about 13 percent more than the global average. But what is more interesting is the fact that 21 percent of those responded that they ignore social posts or content from brands. This brings us to the question: Can publishers and business owners still find success to win customers?

Problem is in the roots

One of the biggest hurdles that still hinders the brand-consumer conversation is the lack of personalization. The traditional methods of web marketing included mainly Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing (SEO and SEM) and paid search. In those days, 'more visibility' of the product was the primary motive of online marketing. The directive was pretty straightforward - find a product and promote it digitally. It took a while for brand managers to realize that mere visibility is not effective - the results were more often linked with how the message engaged the consumer.

That is when the marketers understood the value of 'Unified Consumer View' and 'Customer Journey Mapping'. Thus, with the advent of data analytics the shift of focus from 'push marketing' to 'pull marketing' began. These changes also gave rise to marketing technology or MarTech, slowly crediting it to become a critical part of the brand strategy. The question is: Is enough being done? Perhaps, not!

Marketers today are looking at something more than just marketing messaging gateway. Brands today are capable to track their consumer behaviour through their digital footprint by means of analytics and MarTech tools to help customize product offerings depending upon the consumers' individual interest. A paradigm shift in this direction has already begun - from finding a product to promote to eventually becoming marketing relevant products basis consumer needs.

The workflow of visual-based marketing has made way for marketing automation tools to help brand managers to engage consumers with the right message on the right platform. This often means that companies need to tech-innovate (innovate using technology) to craft engaging conversation points across channels such as web mail, SMS and social media, etc. This habit of innovation using technology has to be based on the understanding of the customer's preference. For instance, if a consumer prefers email as source of information from brands, data analytics will process and assimilate the data and automate personalized email messages can be directed to the consumer.

The most important aspect of marketing automation is that it enables brands to strategize and manage their Marketing campaigns well in advance. Therefore, in case of festive season, which is peak time for brands in terms of sales, marketing automation helps brands to manage their messaging and strategize promotions well in advance, which leaves no space for chaos during heavy traffic on their websites.

The benefit that a consumer gets is access to all the information of various products and services on relevant platforms and engage real-time with brands while browsing or shopping online.

The adoption rate of marketing technology is extremely high with brands to gauge better customer data integration, and mapping customer experiences to a company's vision of omni-channel customer service.

Therefore, the data analytics embedded at the core of MarTech helps to improve customer service. Currently, ecommerce, retail and BFSI have been taking the lead in this. But opportunities are galore for other industries too. There are innumerable things that a brand can do with MarTech more efficiently and get into the next level of customer integration.

Digital media and technology in marketing has become omnipresent and there is no longer complete divide in perception amongst "digital marketing activities" and is simply considered as part of marketing. This thinking is partially driven by changes in consumer media consumption where they continue to consume content in different formats such as mobile, web, social media, etc. basis their preferences without consciously thinking about the channels. Real-time engagement in digital platform has emerged to be the most significant tool to drive improved outcome for brands to engage directly with consumers in a more coordinated and efficient approach.

Often, building in-house capabilities to nurture and implement MarTech best practices poses a challenge. In such circumstances, it is best to associate with a marketing technology consultancy that not only understands the ecosystem, but also has the wherewithal to execute plans across channels, which is imperative.

For more visit: http://www.netcore.in

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Winay_Bari/2352790

Entrepreneurship Misconceptions

Don't let what others think about entrepreneurs hold you back from greatness,

Misconception is a thought or opinion that is incorrect based on the faulty thinking or understanding of people. Here, we want to clarify some of the misconceptions in entrepreneurship.

They work for money

Entrepreneurship isn't all about money, it's about solving problems for people and love what they do. Also, it's about creating a name for themselves and making a positive impact in the world.

Money is also a way to do bigger and more exciting deals. The motivation of a new idea, and the risks involved have far more power to motivate the entrepreneurial spirit than money. In entrepreneurship, your business and success become an obsession not the money.

They lack courage

I've never seen anyone that is as courageous as an entrepreneur.

It takes courage to forego the predictability of a corporate job, It takes courage to take the risk of failure, It takes courage to make your dreams into reality.

And it takes courage, lots of it to hand over the reins when your startup grows beyond your ability to manage it.

That's why entrepreneurs are rightly the true heroes of our modern world.

They are professionals

Most successful entrepreneurs are not highly qualified fellows, but are success driven. Surprisingly, attending an elite university or higher education doesn't provide a significant advantage in entrepreneurship. What matters is that the entrepreneur gains a degree; the choice of major or college doesn't play a big role in success. However, the greater the education of the entrepreneur, the lower the rate of business failure and the higher the business's profits, sales and employment.

They sometimes have overnight success

It may seem to you that entrepreneurs made the huge amount of money, but do you know that there is a lot of handwork before he made it.

Overnight success is possible; entrepreneurs are inspired to start their own business by witnessing successful and established entrepreneurs. They study the success stories, the beginning of those success stories, which often includes massive struggle prior to the breakthroughs. As a matter of Fact, it takes years to become an overnight success in entrepreneurship!

Many entrepreneurs needlessly worry that they haven't perfected their ideas. No idea is ever perfect. When you have an idea, go ahead and build a prototype or two, tinker with what works, make refinements as necessary, but by all means get it out there! You can always improve on a good idea. Let the market help you improve.

You don't have to be a Harvard graduate to be an entrepreneur, but you do need to understand the characteristics of entrepreneurial. See you at the top!

Femi Adefioye is an Investor, A business man and Internet marketer, a motivational speaker, a financial consultant. He is also an Analyst. He has wealth creation blog http://entrepreneurship-skills.blogspot.com where he writes life transforming articles on entrepreneurship and wealth themes.

Notice - You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact, active and included with every reproduction.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Femi_Adefioye/271306

5 Tricks To Stay Motivated For The Self-Employed

Working for oneself is an exciting prospect for most, but like any other job, it comes with it's set of challenges. Often times, sole proprietors begin with a bang but begin to lose focus or motivation as time goes on. We thought it would be beneficial to our licensees, and anyone who works for themselves or in small groups, to outline some helpful tips to stay motivated, energetic, and productive.

1) Even if you're not in an office environment, act like you are 
Yes, one of the nice things about working for yourself is that ultimately, you are the boss. You decide when to start and end your day, what tasks to take on, what you're going to wear, and so on. While this is a freeing concept, make sure that you're treating your business with the respect that it deserves. Think about some of the structural aspects of an office setting and apply them to your business. Everything from getting up early to getting dressed, taking lunch to finishing up at certain time will help to keep you focused and motivated. Getting into the cycle of what a more traditional job requires will get you into a routine that encourages productivity.

2) Make a schedule 
This may seem obvious, but laying out a schedule for yourself provides structure. If you're not ready to schedule out each day, try starting with the upcoming week or even month. This is particularly important for those who tend to procrastinate (you know who you are). With a schedule, you'll know what tasks you want to get done at what time and will help you to keep yourself accountable.

3) Set goals 
Humans have a natural disposition toward demonstrating ability in achievement situations. Do yourself and your business a favor and set goals for yourself. With clear goals laid out, you will help yourself stay motivated to achieve those goals. Goals of all sizes are important: Small daily goals, moderate weekly goals, larger monthly goals, lofty annual goals. Your daily goals should help you achieve your weekly goals, which should help you achieve your monthly goals, and so on.

4) Reward yourself 
To help hold yourself accountable to your schedule working toward your goals, reward yourself after you've made some progress. Simple rewards like finishing a task before taking lunch will help you work toward completing your daily goals. If you have a distraction that tempts you throughout the day like something on TV or just some fresh air, turn those distractions into rewards for your work. When you reward yourself, you'll stay motivated while taking a positive approach to how you work.

5) Take action 
Stop thinking and start doing! Once you've made a schedule and set goals for yourself, it's time to execute. If you overthink what you should be doing then you'll only end up procrastinating. The worst thing that can happen when you start doing is the possibility of failure, and you know what they say... "Failure is the seed of growth and success." Allow yourself to have these learning opportunities. They will only further help you to achieve the goals that you've laid out for yourself. The more you learn about the processes you take, the easier they will become and the more effective you will become at working through them.

Being your own boss can be a daunting task only if you allow it to be. When you walk the walk, make a schedule for yourself, set goals, allow yourself to earn rewards, and act on your goals, you'll be a more productive and happy entrepreneur.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Clint_Pitts/2347715

Getting a Mindset to Work

How many times have you heard motivational speakers, personal development gurus and life coaches talk about creating a "positive mindset"? You may have heard it so many times before that if you don't know, you question what does that actually mean. Still, in your lifetime you may've never heard that adage before! So, for many, the first step is understanding what does having a mindset mean?

We all have a mind. A place where our thoughts, ideas, feelings, perceptions and concepts are formed and the mind is in a place, the greatest computer ever known to man - the brain - and according to Wikipedia: "In a human, the cerebral cortex contains approximately 15-33 billion neurons, each connected by synapses to several thousand other neurons. These neurons communicate with one another by means of long protoplasmic fibres called axons, which carry trains of signal pulses called action potentials to distant parts of the brain or body targeting specific recipient cells."

How magnificent is that?

So, based on what we are facing or feeling, the neurons in our brain enables our 'mind' to perceive the situation that's in front of us. And when the events around us are negative and stressful, the resulting perception of a negative-leaning mindset can be misleading as once influenced in this way, it may manifest in ill-health, misinformation, internalising the negative energy and displaying or demonstrating impolite and uncivil behaviour. Thus the trick is to create a positive mindset by feeding the mind with positive thoughts and images and there are a number of ways of how to do this:

• Listen to motivational speakers and self-development gurus;
• Create a quiet space or place where the mind can sift through the rubbish it is fed on a daily basis from the mediums around it;
• Listen to uplifting music;
• Read positive quotes, affirmations and books;
• Move around positive people, dispelling anyone with any negativity;

Once our mind has been trained to focus on positivity, it becomes easier to discern when it is in a negative space (since we're only human and imperfect!) and what needs to change in order to be in that place.

As an individual, entrepreneur, marketer, CEOs or even an employee, having a positive mindset is crucial and critical in how we achieve our goals since, as with everything in life, there are challenges. The question is, how do we overcome those challenges when the going seems tough or the trial looks never ending? Like being on a boat or ship in a raging storm, on a rough and undulating sea, buffeted by wave upon wave, higher than the boat or ship itself; the captain must reassure his crew and passengers that everything will be fine. It's his duty to provide stability and a secure outlook, and he can only do so with a positive mindset, backed by his confidence and competency. Otherwise, if he fails to have one, he'd have more trouble on his hands than just with the weather.

I've had my share of challenging moments and continually do but I never ever give up or throw in the white towel. Contrary, I savour the test since this will take me out of my comfort zone and dare me to face the challenge. It can be scary. It can be unnerving but I never ever stop believing in myself and my abilities. I never stop to think I'm not capable or unworthy. At the end of the day, having a positive mindset helps to overcome the smallest of problems and I say to you, if you haven't got it already, cultivate one.

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Contact: http://www.kwamemcpherson.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kwame_MA_McPherson/2298651