Dreaming up Magic

I once had a boss who said, "If you're in marketing, you should always be thinking about marketing; even in the shower, you should be thinking about marketing."

I'm not sure if at the age of 22 that I fully understood what he was telling me, although I know I wanted to.

It was my first job working for a fashion brand within a legit marketing department. I had varied positions in the past including wholesale sales, event coordination, managing retail stores and e-commerce websites.  A year prior, I had launched my own company where I connected business owners with creative experts. It was called Marka Concepts and it was when I first knew I had a knack for seeing a need and solving a problem. It was my first taste of entrepreneurship and I knew some day I'd want more. However, I decided to put it aside to focus all of my attention on my new role.

This boss of mine was the CEO of a successful wholesale and retail junior denim brand. He had a fiercly strong personality and I always admired his drive. He had created the company from nothing and while many brands in that highly competitive space fizzle out after a few years, he and his business partners have continued to grow the the company since launching in 2000. While working there, I grew from Website Specialist to Marketing Coordinator and finally to Advertising Manager. It was the true jumping off point in my career and I'll never forget the opportunities and exposure I was provided. 

Fast forward to today, after launching Written & Styled in August of 2016, I can finally say that I am living those words spoken by my past boss. These days, creative marketing ideas and inspiration come in strange forms and seem to appear most often when I take time to breathe and let go.

By setting yourself up for opportunities to be inspired or gain clarity by getting away from the day-to-day grind and connecting with others, you might find the answer you're looking for was always there, you just have to be open to seeing it. It may come to you on a serene beach or maybe even in the shower. 

I hope you take time to recharge in order to let go and dream up some magic for the New Year. 

With love,
Arica

Do You Need Clarity in Your Marketing Message?

Everyone appreciates an objective third-party perspective.

Each time I meet with a coaching client for the first time, my goal is to provide some clarity and help them see things that they may have missed by being too "in it". In most cases, the owners and creatives I meet with know their stuff... they just need a little guidance in the right direction.

Many times, their reason for starting the business in the first place gets blurred or even forgotten. I think it's important to stay connected to that passion even if that means the passion has shifted. It's about awareness about, where you started and where you want to go. 

It's not easy to see the entire map when we're in the middle of the road. 

Here is a fun little clarity exercise to try:

Step #1: Write or record an explanation of your business without looking at any of your marketing assets. Just write/record freely without any references and try your best not to edit yourself.

• What inspired the creation of your business?
• What products/services do you make/provide?
• Who do you sell to?
• What do you love most about the business? What brings you the most joy?

Step #2: Look at your marketing assets (website, brochures, social platforms, business cards, hangtags, etc.) - Ask yourself if they all convey the same information/story as your clarity exercise did. 

When things don't jive, this creates confusion for you and for your customers. 

If you found inconsistencies, fix them so that every aspect of your message is cohesive and authentic to your story. 

This is actually the first thing I do when I provide a consultation with a potential coaching client. I want to see if what they tell me verbally about their business is the same thing that is being conveyed on their website, social platforms, etc.

Providing this kind of third-party perspective is one of the things I love most about coaching/consulting. I get to view the business like a potential customer might and give them truly unbiased feedback. 

Try the clarity exercise and PLEASE share your findings with me either confidentially via email at arica@writtenandstyled.com or be extra brave and post it here in the comments. :)

-Arica

image by Jordan McQueen via unsplash

1:1 Coaching Workshop Week by Week

Running a business while consistently generating new customers and nurturing current ones can feel overwhelming.

As we develop our businesses, there comes a time when asking our family and friends for advice just doesn't cut it. Yet, if we don't have anyone holding us to our goals, it's easy to let ourselves slide. 

So what to do?

With my coaching clients, I've realized that across the board the biggest benefit that I provide is level of accountability. Throughout our sessions we focus on gaining clarity on what is needed to move forward based on their specific goals.

I work with you every step of the way. 

My clients all begin with a 4-week workshop designed to get organized and thoughtful about marketing their business. It's a way to shake all of those ideas, questions and concerns out of your head in order to truly consider them or just let them go.

It's a pretty freeing experience.

Throughout the month, we are focused achieving the following:

• Defined Goals
• A Clear Brand Message, Mission & Target Audience
• Objectives to Meet Goals
• Strategies & Tactics to Support Objectives (specific actions)

 

Here's what it looks like:

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PREPARATION

Prior to our initial session, I conduct a brief audit of your current marketing assets:

• website
• social pages
• email designs, marketing materials, etc.

Next, I provide a Brand Review Questionnaire based on my assessment for you to complete.

 

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WEEK 1

1. Based on the findings from the questionnaire, we'll map out a path from where you are to where you want to be. 
2. I provide a recap of our discussion, action items and access to the recording from our call. 
3. During the week, clients are welcome to contact me via email for feedback related to the action items.

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WEEKS 2 + 3

1. Review progress on action items from the previous week. In some cases, an action item may be a work in progress throughout the month.
2. Review our map from the beginning of the workshop. What I have found is that as we work through items, new ideas or revelations come to light that may end up shifting our path and priorities in small or large ways. 
3. Discuss any new or ongoing action items that should be developed through the upcoming weeks.
4. I provide the recap, new action items and the recording of our call.
5. Again, emails are welcome and newly completed action items should be sent over prior to the next session.

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WEEK 4

1. As in weeks 2 and 3, we will review previous action items and determine aspects that will be considered an ongoing effort. 
2. Review our map and decide if any new alterations are necessary.
3. Discuss any next steps and options for continued coaching.

In most cases, my clients are feeling energized and in a good place with a new productive weekly routine. They may decide to transition to ongoing maintenance with a bi-weekly or monthly session. This allows for the same key component for continued progress in the form of accountability and a line of support on a  less frequent basis. 

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Who might benefit from marketing coaching?

• You have a desire to push yourself forward, but get sidetracked with a ton to do.
• At the moment, outsourcing marketing efforts isn't an option. You need to learn the skills.
• You are open to honest feedback and welcome a third-party objective view.
• You've tried researching, purchased e-courses or continued your education only to still feel unsure about how to apply what you've learned to your business.

If you connect with any of these statements, I invite you to schedule a complimentary discovery session via the link below. Let's find out what you need to move forward.

Cheers to progress!

-Arica

Building a Team for Success

Failing isn’t something most of us enjoy. In fact, I’ve lived most of my life avoiding it. Yet, one thing I’ve gotten really good at is taking chances. Mostly I'm excited about taking chances on other people and trusting in the idea that we can do more together.

In order to grow as business owners and entrepreneurs, we need a stellar team to support us. I'm lucky to be surrounded (virtually) with a killer group of women. They are all smart and creative hustlers who also push me to be my very best. 

Learn more about the ladies here. 

Some people may say to be cautious of sharing about your "dream team" on your website because someone may steel or contact them directly for potential projects. 

I'm not saying it can't happen, but I'd prefer not to make business decisions based on fear. I'd rather support these ladies as they support me.

I try to focus on being open, honest and as clear as possible. So far this philosophy has made for a wonderfully synergistic environment. I'm even letting go of my control-freak mentality because I trust them (and they've come to trust themselves) and I know our projects are in good hands. 

I've definitely made mistakes, but I try not to dwell on them. As Mary says:

“Take chances, make mistakes, that’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave. ”

— Mary Tyler Moore

Many of the small business owners that I work with in my marketing coaching program take on so much. They then feel defeated when either things don't turn out great (because they are burned out) or it just takes a really long time to get things done.

I've been there...

Although I admire their tenacity and respect their need to keep costs down, it's just not a good long-term strategy.

I'll always remember advice about when to delegate from Melissa Phar (Business & Wealth Creation Coach). She makes a point to tell her clients not wait to build their "dream team" until the moment they are truly slammed.

No one starts off getting your working style perfectly. That takes time, patience and coaching. It's so much better for everyone to have that beginning period to get some experience working together before you are freaking out and really need help.

I'd love to hear your experiences (the good and the bad) with building a team in the comments below. :)

Cheers to teamwork! 

-Arica