2 Ways To Become A Millionaire

So here’s the thing… we all want to become millionaires, right? Yes, for the most part. But most of us haven’t reached this goal yet or we believe (our inside voices) that we probably can’t or won’t. Well, think positive. There are two ways that you can put yourself on the path to becoming a millionaire, but you have to work hard and you have to remain steadfast.

First, write down 3-5 of the best people in the world who do what you do. Yes, there are others… if there wasn’t, you’d already be a millionaire. So, write down the names and then write down one step you know each person took to get to where they are at. Now, you have a road map and you just have to develop your very own plan that can mirror it.

Second, show up. I know people who want to strike it rich. They create a product or service, they launch it, they walk away and head to their latest and greatest idea. Well, where is the investment? It takes more than money to make something work for you. You have to invest time and effort and energy and love and so forth. Anyone can invest in creating a product or service, but not everyone is willing to show up to promote it and sell it and really go to bat for it. Create a routine and move your life forward by showing up for what it is that you work on. Think about it in book terms. If you hire a ghostwriter to create a book for you, it’s done. There is no love. You can sell it but are you really showing up for it? Now, let’s say you work on the book yourself for a year. You believe in it. You’ve loved it. You’ve hated it. You are more likely to really believe in it and pitch it and see it through to your earned success.

If you take my advice, and I hope you will, these two steps will put you on the right path to becoming a millionaire.

Twyla N. Garrett

3 PR Tips for Business Owners

Someone asked me recently if I had a super tip that would blast them into PR wonderland. Well, I have 3 tips that everyone should know about PR and practice, but they aren’t going to “blast you into wonderland.” Publicity is a layered approach and it requires practice and the development of relationships. There is no such thing as overnight success- unless you’re only looking for 15 minutes of fame.

So, here are my 3 PR tips;

1. You need to be your own brand. Don’t let an interview, introduction, or any other opportunity go by without telling someone who you are, how you can help, and what your tag line is.

2. Your tag line should be a phrase that explains what you do and why you’re better! For example, Burger Kind’s is “Home of the Whopper”. They sell Whoppers. They are the only company that sells Whoppers. Period. BTW – There was no Whopper until Burger King branded it this way…..

3. Don’t stop selling – it’s not shameless to plug yourself, as long as you do it honorably. If you meet a radio show host, talk yourself up but do so in a way that he or she would see how having you would benefit the audience- not yourself. Remember, you have to solve a problem for someone in order to present media value. Often, this problem solving comes in the way of providing expertise or industry insight.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Media Writing Tips 101

I was thinking about the conference the other day when I came across a poorly composed press release. You see, writing separates the stringers from the professionals. No matter how many connections you have, if you can't write- you will fail. Period!

This said, I wanted to share the top 3 writing mistakes YOU need to avoid. If you don't, your peers will look at you like a stringer and you will not obtain any respect within the media relations field.

1. "At the end of the day" - Do not ever use this. You should be able to write your point without having to point it out. If you have to write a "look at me" tag, the rest of your writing is fluff and journalists will hate it and laugh at it.

2. "I know you're busy" - If you're using this in a pitch or a sales letter, slap yourself on the wrist. Everyone is busy. Writing this phrase just wastes more of the reader's time and it sounds corny. Avoid using this phrase at all costs.

3. "In this day in age" - Ok, first- we all assume that you are writing about the present. If not, why are you writing at all. The goal is to be media savvy and relevant. This phrase is ad copy and doesn't have a place in the PR world.

I hope this info. helps you become a better writer and understand what separates the true professional from the wannabe.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Increasing Sales.... Write It Down

I’ve been asked time and time again about sales and how to get more of them. Well, there is one sure-fire way to get sales but it is a practiced art and it shouldn’t be the only sales funnel you rely upon. So, what is the one way to actually improve sales?

Notes. Yes, take notes. If you don’t take notes, you likely won’t remember what’s said or what commitments you or the customer made to each other. Plus, when you take detailed notes during a cold call or an initial conversation, you can make your follow-up more personal, which will resonate with the customer and lead to better chances of closing a deal.

I have found that we often spend so much time selling ourselves and pitching our products and services that we fail to listen. We fail to take notes. We fail to solve the problem for the customer vs. selling the customer on solving the problem. Hint: The customer knows they have a problem. They don’t want to hear that you can solve it, they want you to understand how they feel and then have you understand their point of view. Once you can convey that you understand how they feel (again, through detailed follow-up via your notes), then you can ask for their business and start to really close deals and increase sales.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Peer Referrals …. Do They Really Work?

I recently had someone ask me if I get any ROI from attending marketing events or online symposiums. The truth is ‘Yes’ – I do. While I know many people don’t think marketing events or peer referrals truly work, the bottom line is to understand that referrals aren’t a “sure” thing. You still have to work to obtain the business.

Some people say, “Sure, refer me to your source” only to be nice. This is a lead that you will pitch and pitch and will never come through.

Other people say, “Ok, make the introduction” only to see the cost of your services and run away- no matter how valued the relationship is. This lead was never secure to begin with.

Other people are thinkers. Other people are price comparers. And other people are actually interested. Like any type of business, referrals are simply enquires and you have to earn their business. Just because someone knows you and loves your services doesn’t mean the third party will buy on a handshake or virtual introduction.

So, how do you close a referral lead? Simple – just follow these 3 steps.

First, reward those who send you business. If the referring party has a financially vested interest, he or she will help to follow up and close the leads they do send over. Keep in mind, however, that only about 20% of all leads will actually close.

Second, offer a discounted or rewards program to those who have been referred to you. Even with praise and amazing ratings, an incentive-based offer to try your services for a limited time works better than sending over a large contract or long-term service obligation.

Finally, don’t be aggressive. Stop with the daily “follow up” phone calls, sales-ad emails (sent twice a week), and Facebook ‘Likes’. If a potential lead is annoyed with a pushy sales process right off of the bat, he or she will be skeptical of your services. I know it is hard- but be conservative with your follow up efforts.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Communication = Sales

There isn't anything you can do to hype up your company that will replace communication. No amount of social media development, beautiful website design, or publicity stunts will lead to actual sales if you, the owner of the company, can't communicate. Internal and external communication leads to sales... period!

Breathing patterns aren't often addressed when dealing with communication. Why? This is the most important thing a great communicator can do. You see, when someone is trying to sell you something and they talk too fast- we tend to feel rushed into a sale and that something may not be on the up and up. So, you see, leading by example through speaking slowly, using correct breathing techniques, will help your staff and clients not only trust you- but buy from you!

Remember, it isn't how fast or slow you speak- it is the content that matters. Some people practice their sales or idea pitches so much that they don't leave room for error or interruptions in the form of client questions. This said, know what you are talking about and practice answers- but never be too canned in a response or a presentation. Don't worry about not making your time in the speech to match cue cards or slides. You need to be more worried about what you are saying and if it is understandable then staying on time or rushing a phone call and/or presentation.

Communication can make or break you and your company. If you are challenged in the area of self-expressions, take a moment to slow down your speech and realize that you're selling content, not the communication form itself.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

How to give a killer presentation.

I receive wonderful comments back from attendees at the conferences I speak at. I don’t mind gloating about this. Why? Because I can share the secret to my presentation success with my blog audience. You see, I love public speaking but wasn’t that great at it when I first started. Someone shared the following secret with me, which has improved my presentation skills regardless of the audience size. So, I thought I would share it with you. I promise, if followed, you will be gloating about your wonderful feedback too!

End with a quote! It seems simple enough, right? You’re probably thinking a quote ending is silly. Well, it’s now. You see, people will remember a quote. They will associate that quote to your brand. They will use the quote often and, when doing so, think of you. They will share the quote on social media, they will talk about the quote at meetings, they will not believe that you ended a presentation using someone else’s quote. Your borrowed quote will be memorable!

The key is to select the right quote. It has to tie into the topic you are speaking about. It has to be cited to someone everyone is capable of knowing- at least from a name recognition point of view. The quote should be limited to two sentences. The quote should be said and mirrored in a presentation slide. And, if you give out any collateral, the quote should be at the very end.

Still intrigued? Try it! The next time you are speaking to a small group- even friends at Starbucks- leave the room with a quote. I promise you it will be a pivotal moment for you.

Until next time,
Twyla N. Garrett

To work on the weekends or to not work on the weekends – that is the question!

There are many schools of thought when it comes to working on the weekend. Some people don't even have a choice, it is just a matter of fact. However, if you are a business owner for an executive you are prone to work on the weekend. The question becomes is it effective.

Why when it working on the weekends fee effective? Many studies suggest not being able to unplug and relax from your work can cause you to become spread too thin, stressed out, and eventually ineffective. While it is good to take vacation days and mental health days, business owners and executives feel that this is time lost and not spent effectively. Not working, for many business owners, is the equivalent to losing profit. We become obsessed with work.

It is my suggestion business owners strive to find a happy – medium when it comes to working on the weekend. You will have to work weekends, there is no getting around this fact. I don't suggest you work every weekend. It will wear you out, stress you out, and cause you to be ineffective.

It is my suggestion that you pick and choose the opportunities for working on the weekend when you can, and I understand this will not always be a point of choice. So, if you can't take it day here or there – regardless if it is a Saturday or Sunday – do so. It is beneficial to unplug when you are not at risk of losing profit or clients.

Until Monday,

Twyla Garrett

Best iPhone Apps for Business

The iPhone seems to be taking over the world. Many business owners use it because b2b or customer sales can be conducted from anywhere at anytime. But what are the best iPhone apps for business owners? I have complied a list of favorites!

#1- Office on Your iOS Device; CloudOn. Cost? $5.00 a month. Why? It does a super job of delivering cloud-based versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to your iPad -- provided you have an Internet connection, which you might be lacking on an airplane.

#2. Google Drive. Cost? Free! Why? You can collaborate on a text document in real-time with one or more of your colleagues. The feature, just added to the iOS app, lets you see what others type into the document as you're working on it. It's a fantastic way to eliminate the old back-and-forth of sending document revisions over email -- and then, inevitably, getting confused over which version is truly the most recent.

#3. Time Tracking: Toggl Timer. Cost? Free. Why? Toggl is a Web-based service with a clock timer that makes it easy to track hours by project and client. The timer is available as a Windows, Mac, and Linux software utility as well as an iOS and Android app.

There are plenty of other great apps, but for business owners (especially small business owners who are watching their budgets), these applications seem to be the cheapest, most efficient and work the best!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Twyla

Business Idea.... Now What?

Many business owners go from idea to funding easily. They have it in their blood. That good old entrepreneurial  spirit is there and ready to materialize products and concepts, but what about the administrative software to get you from concept to profit? That's why I am listing the top five software products that can help you go from concept and funding to streamlining your business and growing your profit margins!

** Note, I am NOT paid by any of these companies

1. ZenDesk.com is a great tool for maintaining your online reputation through a customer service platform!

2. Google Analytics is awesome because it is FREE! With this application you can find out how long people are staying on your site  and see which pages are getting the most traction.

3. Microsoft Corporation This is great if you work from home and use Microsoft for your business, personal, and even the kid's homework needs.

4. SalesForce.com This is a great sales application and has everything you need to "grow revenue, boost productivity, and get visibility into your business."

5. AME Payroll This payroll software is great because you can use it for an unlimited number of businesses and  it has an auto-setup wizard.