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:


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.

 


WEEK 1

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  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.

WEEKS 2 + 3

written-and-styled-coaching-sessions
  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.

WEEK 4

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  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. 


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

Learning to Say No

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I speak to you today from a place of love. 
How often do you say yes when you really want to say no? 

I'll be totally honest, I've always struggled with my natural desire to please others and say "yes". I'm not sure if I've always been that way, but my heart would rather come from a place of yes than a place of no. While that might sound nice, it's not always nice for me.

Do you relate?

I have been feeling really lucky lately to be increasing the amount of marketing services I provide as well as signing on super fun coaching clients. Things have been busy and I love that. Seeing clients have a light bulb go off about a certain idea I've suggested or be really pleased about a press release I've written is so amazing and fulfilling to me. I truly enjoy being helpful.

Yet, just recently, I found myself in a predicament of wanting to take on a new client. However, after some real soul-searching,  I decided it wasn't the right fit for either of us and referred them to another person that may have more experience in their industry. It was one of those moments where you realize you've grown in a new way. 

I pride myself on being fully transparent when I feel my expertise in a specific area is lacking. For someone just starting out, it can be scary to say no to new business. Yet, being honest about it is quite freeing. I think a lot of people may have taken on the project because of fear that their client may leave them for someone that could meet their needs more fully.

Working like that just doesn't work.

What about you? Are there aspects of how you run your business that aren't jiving with your goals? Has it just been easier to just say yes? It's never too late to make changes and be true to yourself.

I thought I'd share an article written by Michael Feeley for the Huffington Post, titled: Saying 'No' is Saying Yes to You and What Matters

It's a nice reminder to learn how to say no as well as how to say yes in our professional and personal lives. 

_____

In other news... I'll be traveling this week to a very special conference for entrepreneurs and creatives called, The Unique Camp. Four days of perspective changing experiences - no electronics allowed. I'm quite excited to step outside of my comfort zone and come back brimming with ideas and inspiration for all of our businesses. 

Inspiring Examples of How to Create Content with Value

What is content marketing? To keep it simple, I see content marketing as the voice of your brand and what you consistently put out into the world that conveys the value of your business, products and services. The content itself must be useful and relevant to your audience. You want your audience to look forward to what you have to provide. Just because it's free, doesn't mean people automatically want it.

The most important aspect is that it provides value. 

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Content Marketing can take on many forms. Here are a few vehicles for content marketing:

  • Videos
  • Books
  • Infographics
  • Podcasts
  • How-to Guides
  • Testimonials
  • Blog Posts...wink wink ;)
  • Lookbooks

Ok, what about the actual content?

When I'm working on content, I find having too many options is actually stifling. It's easy to get overwhelmed and fear there is something else better out there I could be providing. What can help is to actually give yourself boundaries. For content creation, here are three types of value you can bring:

You can...

  • Entertain
  • Educate
  • Inspire

If you're like me, things start to click with examples. I pulled a couple that relate to each of the three value buckets listed above. 

You'll love the video below - pinky swear.


In 2014, Kate Spade launched a series of videos featuring Anna Kendrick, Zosia Mamet, Kat Dennings among other fabulous and very likable female actresses, comediennes and even political activists. I dare you to watch just one and not click to the next...

Kate Spade did an AMAZING job of integrating their new product collections into comedic adventures. Yes, you know they want the clothes, shoes and accessories to take center stage, BUT the girls are so impeccably styled, you don't mind and kind of like it.

 

The Lego Movie

If my little dude wasn't already obsessed with Legos, the Lego movies and other programs have won his heart - and mine. They do such an killer job of making you forget you're excited about paying to essentially watch an advertisement about toys. Genius...

lego-movie

Educate

 

Co-Schedule's Headline Analyzer

A brilliant way to provide value to the user regarding how to improve their headline copywriting skills, the FREE headline analyzer provides a score based on the overall structure, grammar and readability of your headline.

With this valuable free resource, Co-Schedule positions themselves as a voice of authority in the space which invites the user to check out other products and services without sales pressure.

Amber Renae's True Colours Kit

For less than a couple of lattes, you can change everything you thought about what colors work best for your skin tone, hair and eye color. I spoke about this on Instagram recently and I'm telling you, I thought I knew what colors suited me best, but I couldn't have been more off!

Amber created a super easy way to determine what "season" you fall into: Winter, Summer, Autumn or Spring. Then she created videos for each and a handy pocket guide so you can reference your best shades when out shopping.

It's a great way to get into the fold with Amber, understand her teaching style and check out her programs and courses on personal branding and presentation. What season are you??

 


Inspire

 

Sharpie Creations

You might think content marketing would be tricky for a company that sells markers. Sharpie thinks outside the box by helping YOU think outside the box.

To inspire current and potential Sharpie fans, they launched a campaign to share all the ways people use the classic permanent marker in crafts, around the house, on clothing, art and more. Website visitors can browse, rate and get inspiration.

 

The 'Dove Real Beauty Pledge'

Dove has been an inspirational force in the beauty industry for sometime now. In this campaign, Dove invites all women to realize their personal potential for beauty by engaging them with products that deliver superior care.

This concept both encourages and inspires women to be themselves by clearly defining the Dove core values and vows:

  1. Feature real women, never models.
  2. Portray women as they are in real life.
  3. Help girls build body confidence and self-esteem.

 


My best advice is to begin by:

1. Determining how you can bring value to your audience.

2. Make a list of the ways that you (or your products/services) can provide value before asking your audience to purchase from you. 

3. Look for even more specific examples within your industry. You never want to steal ideas, but you might get a spark of inspiration for your own content by checking out successful campaigns by your peers or completely different types of businesses that might have a similar audience to yours.

Cheers to creating content with clarity!

-Arica