New To Me Tool for Online Success

Have you seen the latest tool all the online gurus are using? As I wrote in a separate entry, I am presently in an online intern program and have been shown ways to do presentations and videos with Camtasia Studio.

One of our projects was to record a video using word, or notepad, or a powerpoint presentation. The necessary equipment for this was the program you download and a microphone for recording your voice.

It was so easy. At this moment I am brainstorming ideas of ways to utilize this tool in my practice as a business coach. I believe there are so many possibilities for it.

In our intern project, I had to set up a video and download it to you tube. If you have an interest in checking it out here is a link to it



FYI--The name used in the video was a pen name chosen for my intern program. I'm not saying this is video is good but it was very enlightening. Again it helped me to become aware of the capabilities available to me at a minimal cost. If you are reading this entry and can think of some creative ways to utilize this tool in an offline environment, please comment. I will be working on a list of ways I believe this tool can benefit people offline and share with you once I get it completed.

Again, please leave your ideas or opinions on how this tool could be a benefit in an offline environment. I will be patiently waiting...

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Don't Give Up--The Goal is Not Far Away

As a business coach by trade, there are only so many hours in the day I can earn money. For the past two years I have been critiquing and enhancing my skills to improve my effectiveness in working with my clients while learning better ways to grow my business and make more money.

I recently signed up for an intern program to learn the ropes of an online internet business. I have always been intrigued by the thought of earning money while sitting at the computer or perhaps even while I am working with clients in the field. I am two weeks into the program now and am finding with each new lesson more dedication or perseverance is needed to complete as assigned.

When I first signed up it was explained that it takes approximately two hours to complete each assignment. Either I am very slow or too detailed; it is taking me two times the normal time to complete each assignment. I am one of those people that likes to excel at what I do so when the assignment calls for a list of 30 items, I will submit no less than 35.

I was also told that most people that sign up for the intern program do not finish it. In the first few lessons I could not imagine why anyone would not complete the program. Now that I am further into the program and I am struggling to keep up and also do my own work, I understand.

I also understand that if you want to succeed in life and are committed you have to have perseverance to succeed. In most areas of your life, when you are trying to move past a difficult job/experience/task, it takes perseverance to get through it.

I have seen this scenario too many times in my life, people who say they are going to do something and start on it but never finish. I have even did this myself (but hopefully I am learning). What is the purpose. I have learned to look at things differently now, somewhat like goal setting. If the goal is worthwhile, write it down, plan your time to commit to it, and finish it.

I should be done with this intern program within a month or maybe two. However long it takes me I will continue to work on the assignments, learn what is shared, and then apply what is taught. Otherwise my work and time will be in vain.

Keep the faith and don't give up!

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Planning for Networking Success

We are now into our third month of the year and I have been in the process of planning my marketing strategy. A big part of my strategy is networking. I believe the more relationships I build, the more likely the person or business will call me or refer me.

I recently wrote an article on networking and getting the most out of your dollar investment. Here is an excerpt from it:

Spending Wisely While Networking Smarter

Here are some other ways I prepare for events:

• Depending on the type of event, plan my attire to the event. Attire is very important when attending events. If it is a trade show and as a business coach my attire would be a business suit. At an after-hours function, you will find a variety of styles so normally what I was wearing during the day will fit the venue.


• Have an over-abundance of business cards. I cannot count the times I have met people that made excuses such as leaving them at home or ran out. Never let this be you.


• Bring marketing materials. Even at a black tie event I always have materials in the car in case I happen to see an old acquaintance who asks me for a brochure or card.


• Set goals. Perhaps my goal will be to connect with two new people at the event. Maybe it will be to meet the coordinator so I can volunteer to help or speak at their next function. Whatever the reasons, set a goal, make a plan, and take action.


• Follow up on the actions. After the event, make contact whether it be by emailing, writing a note card, making a phone call; whatever your choice do not let a week go by without follow up.

Preparation in advance makes all the difference between a fun event and a discouraging event. I always feel more confident when I know what I want to accomplish and my plan of action. If I meet and exceed my goals, I am further ahead in my marketing plan.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

P.S. The full article is available for reading or publishing at Ezine Articles. Thanks for reading and feedback is always appreciated.

Why Hire A Coach?

Below is an excerpt from an article I wrote and thought it was worth sharing with my readers. I write these to help build links back to my website and create traffic.

This article is about coaching. I listed some of the benefits to hiring a coach, professional or personal. There are many reasons why you would but being a business coach I am thinking about it from my perspective. These are just some that came to mind. If you read on, you will find that even though our techniques of appliation may be different, our ultimate goal is the same.

Why Hire A Business Coach

When you think of a coach what comes to mind? Is it a sports coach? There is soccer, football, softball, baseball, basketball, to name a few. Professional sports people are very familiar with the benefits of coaching. Most today have one on staff or seek out guidance on various occasions.
What are some benefits of hiring a coach?

1. Coaches through encouragement and accountability get their players or clients to work harder for peak performance.


2. Coaches enhance performance through more effective methods or skills they learned or figured out for themselves.


3. Coaches offer realistic assessment of where you are and how to improve.


4. Coaches help to identify personal strengths and weaknesses and help you focus on what you do best.


5. Coaches help you brainstorm for ideas for needed changes and help you plan how to make the change.

There are a variety of coaches for all areas of your life. There are life coaches, organizational coaches, business coaches, sport coaches, executive coaches, career coaches; you name it and you can probably find a coach to suit your needs. The greatest commonality with all of these types is their ultimate goal to help you reach the greatest potential in the area of focus.

To read the full article, click this link Why Hire A Business Coach. If you are reading this and in the coaching profession or have had experiences with a good coach, please share your additional opinions of some of the benefits.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Sites Worth Noting (in my opinion)

I have been doing a lot of research of late deciding what type of pages to offer on my website. Some of the websites I enjoy the most always had a resources page, sharing information with others for the benefit of others.

In particular I was searching for free sites to share with my visitors. In my search of free sites I found some noteworthy sites to share. Listed below are just a few that I ran across:

Startupphase.com is a FREE interactive business resource site filled with information and help for entrepreneurs no matter what stage your business is at. This site contains all the help and information you need to get your business off to a great start and help it grow successfully.

Selfseo.com This website combines various SEO tools, internet tools, and webmaster tools in one place and helps webmasters to build a successful website. In addition to that, you will find some webmaster articles with great internet related tips and tricks. I utilize this website alot when working on my website.

HTML Color Codes Great location to find html color codes for your website.

Kijiji.com Just found this website this morning. Another free site with the same concept as Craigslist. I actually like the look and feel of the website better than Craigslist.

Visit these websites if you have a need. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs are do-it-yourselfers and these sites could be of benefit to you. If you have any suggestions for other great resources, please share.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Start Planning your Market Strategy Now

How many of us are either doing our "Stunt of the week" or "of the month" without a plan in place? You thought of a great idea and so now you are initiating it. Have you thought about how much more successful you would be if you actually planned different strategies throughout the weeks or months?

Just as when you are firing a weapon, you are much more effective when sending out multiple rounds then just one. I'm not saying that one round will not hit the target, but if you are to send out multiple messages you are more than likely to hit more targets. Take one day, sit down, and put your thoughts in writing to come up with an effective plan for your weeks, months, and year ahead.

Last evening I gave a presentation to a group of small business owners on marketing preparedness and guidelines to start the plan. Below is a recap of some of what was shared.

1. Narrow Your Market Focus--Examine who your best customers are and what it is about them that is unique. In most cases, 80% of your business comes from these customers. Identify who they are and strive to reach more. When the other 20% call, refer them to someone else.
2. Know Your Business (positioning)--What is it that your customers want? Figure out what that is and do it better than anyone else. One of the best ways to find this out is to do a customer satisfaction survey. Your customers will let you know why they buy from you.
3. Share the Message--What do your customers get from what you sell? What is the benefit of your product/service/etc.? Write down what the benefits of doing business with you and create ways to share them in every conversation you have about your business.
4. Presentation--Now that you have determined who your target market is, know why they buy from you, and the benefits of your business, create all your marketing materials around this. Everything about your business from website, brochures, business cards, etc., need to share this information.
5. Create section-plans in each areas of your marketing--Determine how you want to spread your message and break it down into smaller plans. Examples are: internet marketing plan, networking plan, promotional events, and the list goes on.
6. Get a calendar and set dates for completion. If you do all this planning and no follow through you have just wasted a large amount of time.

Start today to plan your marketing year. Be sure to keep track of what works best and start planning for the next year in the fall of this year. If you consistently roll out different areas of your marketing, you will reap rewards with a steady flow of customers as long as your message is clear and accurate and is portrayed correctly in your materials.

Small business owners are doers, but one thing I suggest is to hire a professional if you are not a marketing person. The expertise they offer will help you to reap greater rewards.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Starting an Email Marketing Campaign-Top Tips

Recently I have started my own ezine. I've always had a newsletter that I sent out in PDF format but I wanted an ezine for email purposes to share information about upcoming seminars, the latest service offerings, and any news I felt would be beneficial to my clients and potential clients.

Previously I had an entry on my blog about different campaign providers and now I would like to share this article I found about some tips for effective email marketing campaigns.

I hope this information helps you as much as it helps me as I try to grow my list and share quality content.

Carole DeJarnatt, Alliance Advisors

Starting An Email Marketing Campaign - Top Tips
By Matt Hick

Email marketing is a fast, easy, and relatively cheap way to promote any business in today’s high-tech world. Whether you are selling a specific service, or an entire product line, email marketing allows virtually any business to reach literally thousands of potential customers with ease.

Today’s online business has the option of three major types of email marketing plans to choose from:

Newsletter Marketing:

It’s true. Just about everyone has their own newsletter these days. From chiropractors, dentists and dog groomers, to hospitals, senior advocates and toy makers, there’s a newsletter to meet anyone (and everyone’s) needs and interests.

E-newsletter marketing is an excellent way to promote your business or service online by providing valuable resources to consumers in an easy-to-read informative format, which also manages to highlight your business. While some other email marketing methods tend to be deleted by recipients before really being looked at, newsletters have the tendency to be read, thus giving you a chance – over and over again – to showcase yourself and your business in a unique non-advertising-like style.

Bulk E-Mail Marketing:

One of the least favorite (and less successful), methods of online advertising/marketing is the bulk email. Although an extremely cheap way to reach thousands of potential customers, it can so closely resemble SPAM, which many recipients may opt to delete the message without ever giving it a second glance.

There’s nothing wrong with sending bulk messages to a solidly researched emailing list that you have obtained recipient permission to use. But bulk-mailing uses purchased email lists to blindly contact recipients with little more than messages featuring more “advertising” than information. Be wary of using this tactic. It can destroy your credibility among recipients who may otherwise be interested in learning more about your business offerings.

Opt-In E-Mail Marketing:

Similar to bulk emailing in the fact that messages are sent to a large grouping of recipients, opt-in marketing is different in one major way: it uses a carefully compiled business directory of email addresses that your company has painstakingly taken the time to ensure that each recipient is interested in your message and has pre-approved its delivery. Opt-in email marketing is an essential tool used by most e-commerce businesses to send important announcements, updates, discounts and specials.

Whether you are an online retail store sending weekly discount coupons to valued customers, or an organization trying to notify clients of an upcoming seminar deadline, opt-in email marketing can get the word out quickly and easily, at much lower cost than any other type of traditional marketing tool. The key here is having a solid client base in which to stay in touch with. Then, let them pass along valuable information to potential customers on their own through a more high-tech form of “word of mouth.”

E-mail marketing can be a valuable tool for any online business if used properly and carefully to ensure that your messages aren’t deleted as junk before they are ever read.


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