Carolyn's Corner

Happy new year! I hope 2012 is already off to a flying start for you and your business.

I’ve just spent most of January rejuvenating, refocusing and goal setting. I’m 100% sure it’s going to be one of the best years ever, as I push full-steam ahead into making a difference to your business. Read these articles to inspire you to make 2012 your best year yet.

What’s your Mantra for 2012?
There’s been much written on the concept of using mantra’s for life and business. Mantras are defined as a sound, syllable, word or group of words that are capable of creating deep transformation. In the world of business they may appear as a slogan, motto or tagline. After writing down my goals for the year, I looked for common themes to help me define my mantra. And I came up with... Make a Difference. In 2012, I’m committed to making a difference to my health, to my son, to my family, my friends and clients. Ultimately I’m committed to making a difference in the world. What’s your three-word mantra for 2012? I’d love to know.

10 Ideas to Refresh your Business in 2012
The beginning of every new year is a great time to refresh your business to increase sales, improve customer relations or develop a whole new approach to your products and pricing. Implement just one of these ideas and you’re bound to notice the impact. Implement three or more and watch what happens! Read More

Bill Johnson on Taking a Leap of Faith
Discover how Bill Johnson navigated the tricky move from employee to first-time business owner of Bali Recharge at the age of 60. You’ll discover why he loves Bali and what led him to take the leap of faith to start his own business at a time when many people may be considering retirement. Read More

A Word from Kate
'When Tom and I met with Carolyn in Melbourne to develop our Kick Start Marketing Plan we got so much more than we expected. We left with clarity and focus on what we needed to do to rejuvenate our marketing efforts and make some big changes to our business. We also implemented a myriad of her smaller recommendations that immediately improved our sales results. I'd thoroughly recommend having a chat with Carolyn and considering using her services. We haven't looked back.'
Kate Bridson 4x4 and More

If you’re interested in a Kick Start Marketing Plan and would like a mini-marketing appraisal, contact me to book a time.

Happy marketing, till next month!

 

 

 

I’m sorry it’s been so long. Please don’t unsubscribe. I promise to pull my socks up!

This month I’m simply going to pay it forward and tell you about three awesome businesses you absolutely must check out.

Dear Gladys – Help a woman in need

Dear Gladys is a most gorgeous vintage and contemporary boutique. I’ve had the pleasure of working on her over the past few months. Dear Gladys is the first online social enterprise of its type in Australia. All proceeds go to the NFP Fitted for Work, helping women experiencing disadvantage to get work. If you’re Xmas shopping for the woman who has everything, look no further. Your gift will help transform a woman’s life.

Ideas into Action – Recharge your business

Recently I spent a weekend of business planning (admittedly interspersed with a spot of shopping and dining) with Angela Raspass of Ideas into Action. She’s one smart cookie when it comes to marketing and she’s achieved incredible results for a long list of clients. That’s why I’m recommending her Business Recharge Sydney workshop on Thursday November 24. It’s being co-hosted with business management and finance guru Alan Hargreaves. Connect subscribers receive a discount of $50 (cost of  $145). Click here to find out more and enter the promo code of ‘connect2011’. Tell your friends too!

Fabulous Lemon Drops – The next United Breaks Guitars

 Last week I had the privilege of sharing my marketing advice with Dez Staunton of the Fabulous Lemon Drops. All I can say is move over Wiggles! Note: Get your kids before clicking here!

 The subsequent email he sent me (100% unsolicited) really made my day.

 ‘I just wanted to thank you once again for all the advice you provided the Fabulous Lemon Drops.  We’ve made a list of the six most important areas to work on and have already managed to get six shows in a shopping centre.

 One of the most important things I gained from our discussion was clarity. I’ve read so much information recently about marketing and was having trouble knowing where to begin.  Your input has enabled me to realise what our most important challenges are, and how best to go about tackling them.

 I also had a chance to look at United Breaks Guitars which is absolutely fantastic.  I can see why they’ve had so many hits.  I guess if you can make people laugh then that’s half the challenge, particularly in the entertainment industry.  We’re also planning to do a new video, which we hope will be both funny and entertaining.

 In a world seemingly dominated by greed and self-interest, it’s reassuring to know there are people like you out there who are prepared to give up valuable time to offer advice.  I hope one day to be able to repay you in some small way. Dez

You’ve just done it Dez! Thanks a million.

Till next month!

Cheers

PS My last blog on networking got some great responses and confirmed that good-old-fashioned networking here to stay.  This story from Margaret Munoz of Tangible Results took me on a trip down memory lane and bought a tear to my eye.  “Six of my current clients came to me as a result of meeting the wonderful Patricia Rose at one of your Connect events over 9 years ago. It’s proof that networking works! Thanks!”

 PPS Stay tuned for next months incredible story on how my client Bill Johnson (aged 60) built and launched his first business, Bali Recharge in just three months!

 PPPS If you want some free marketing advice for 30 minutes, just ring me or email me and lock in a time. I’m feeling generous in the lead up to Christmas. Phone 0412 806 950

 

 

 

 

 

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. Jane Howard

I’ve always been an avid networker. However, since arriving in Melbourne early this year, I’ve attended very few networking events. There’s simply been no time for it.

But on Friday night I had a fun and entertaining night out with a bunch of talented, gregarious and savvy businesswomen. There were no speakers, no agenda and no formal introductions. No one talked shop or talked themselves up. We just sat in a bar, ate snacks from the bar menu, shared our business and life stories and chatted and laughed. Eight strangers became friends and the evening ended with a solemn promise to get together again very soon.

On my way home, I pondered on this wonderful evening of networking (actually connecting would be a far better word for it). It was unlike many other networking events. It was small, informal, friendly and totally authentic. Nice.

Networking is a key ingredient to ongoing business success. You’ll find networking is recommended in two new articles;

Twenty Ways to Market your Franchise and

Attention Professional Advisers…Follow the 3R’s of Marketing.

Finding a networking group you're happy with takes time and effort. If you can't find what you're looking for, why not start your own? Or contact me for some ideas. Only too happy to help.

If you've got a great networking story, let me have it. You could win a marketing pack valued at $200 and be acknowledged in next month’s newsletter.

Happy networking!

PS Congratulations to Kate White of Financial Agility who won the $200 marketing pack with this email. 'Thank you for your latest email. I always make time to read your newsletters with a fresh cup of tea as I find them enjoyable and thought provoking. Today, I read your lessons from an accountant. Boy, that piqued my interest.  You see, I’m finally breaking out on my own as an accountant and your experience is why I’m doing it!'

PPS Want to know the tricks of the trade on how to design surveys that give you powerful, actionable and authentic feedback? Look no further than my good friend Kate Tribe's, Survey Design Masterclasses. Melbourne August 17, Brisbane November 9, Other States...

PPS Need to inspire your audience on how to market their business on a shoestring with immediate results? Book me to speak at your next event. Free copies of Small Business Big Brand available and Marketing your Small Business for Dummies available for sale.

PPPS For inspiration of a more personal nature check out Daily Slice of Melbourne Life

 

 

 

Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.  Robert McKee

Big ads offering big promises don’t cut it any more. Storytelling is the new currency in business and the secret to marketing success. Great stories win you raving fans because they make you and your business, well… human.

My books Small Business Big Brand and Marketing your Small Business for Dummies are filled with real stories of small business owners and how they tackled their marketing challenges. Without these stories the books would have been mere theoretical claptrap, zero fun for me to write and zero fun for you to read.

Every business has a million stories to tell. Its just a matter of determining which ones should be dug up and told (and which should never see the light of day!)  Read the story, Lessons from an accountant to discover what NOT to do when dealing with clients. And Why word-of-mouth marketing rules combines storytelling with practical tips on how to spread the word about your business.

If you think storytelling is not for your business, maybe you’ll think again after reading Five steps to brilliant storytelling. And check out this great example of storytelling by Jenny Stilwell of Boss Group in her latest online magazine Renaissance (yes a story of my sabbatical in France features in it :))

And lastly I have a very special EOFY offer just for Connect subscribers. The biggest complaint I receive from business owners is the amount of money they waste on marketing – money that has reaped NIL return-on-investment. So together with my partner in Sydney, Angela Raspass of Ideas into Action, our mission is to stop businesses from wasting money and to help you generate consistent, quality leads week-in-week out. But the only way to do that is through a simple, easy-to-implement marketing plan. We’re offering a 20% discount on all Kick Start Marketing Plans booked by 30 June. Jump in and find out more HERE.

And finally, if you’ve a brilliant story to tell about your business, let me have it. The best storyteller will receive a marketing pack (DVD program and two books) valued at $200 and have it published on my website.

Happy storytelling!

 PS Read more stories at Daily Slice of Melbourne Life (Après French Life). If you’d like to pre-order a signed copy of my new book Unstuck in France (due out by 30 August, drop me an email at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au)

 

 

 

Hi from unusually sunny Melbourne! I’ve been doing a bit of careful observation with my small business networks, local businesses and at Fitted for Work (the incredible NFP I’m managing a marketing project for).  I would have to say that when it comes to marketing, CONFUSION reigns. The world of marketing has become so murky now with the advent of social media that most businesses are at a loss as to how to keep up.

We’re told we’re twits if we’re not twittering, barmy if we’re not blogging and foolish if we’re not facebooking. All this while we’re still grappling with how to get our website working (if we even have one!) Then there’s the more traditional methods of marketing. Should we be advertising in the local paper, cold-calling, hosting events, doing letter box drops or even handing out flyers at the local train station wearing a pink tutu?

No wonder the weary small business owner often puts marketing in the ‘too hard basket’. Yet marketing should never be seen as a desperate scramble to simply get more business. It must be built into the heart of our business and in every interaction we have. And it truly doesn’t need to be that tough. Read 'lessons from my yoga studio' for some inspiration and the chance to WIN a $200 marketing pack.

Now, more than ever, small businesses need a simple, focused plan to help you define ‘what’s in’ and ‘what’s DEFINITELY out’ when it comes to marketing. Check out the ‘One page marketing plan’ article. And when it comes to the ever murky world of E-Marketing, there are just some things you need to get your head around before jumping in. Check out Top Ten eMarketing Tips You Must Know for some ideas on that front.

I wish you every success in life, business and of course marketing! As ever, I’m here to help. Just drop me a line.

Carolyn

PS If you’re interested in finding out what’s happening around Melbourne, check out my blog Daily Slice of Melbourne Life (Après French Life). I’ve been back two months already and am discovering the many French delights of Melbourne!

 

 

 

Bonjour! After five months in France and the first draft of Unstuck in France under my arm, I’m now back home in beautiful Melbourne Australia and ready for a brilliant 2011. The time in France gave me the opportunity to remove myself from everyday life, dream about my future and set my BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for 2011.

Three of my ten BHAGs are;

1. To work on a project that empowers disadvantaged women.

2. To continue to grow my business, Connect Marketing.

3. To get my book published.

Writing these goals led me to the realisation that it is absolutely possible for me to create a ‘portfolio livelihood’ (I prefer to use the word ‘livelihood’ than ‘career’ which I find quite corporate and linear) - a livelihood that will allow me to follow my personal passions while still earning a healthy income. The 'porfolio livelihood' is becoming more and more popular amongst business owners, thought leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. Food for thought for you?

As for the first goal, I’m really excited to announce that I commence work tomorrow on a marketing project with Fitted for Work – a wonderful organisation that empowers disadvantaged women by providing them with the clothing, skills and mentoring to gain employment and become financially independent. Join me for some fun in the FFW Fashion Challenge or if you would like to know more and find out how you can personally get involved email me at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au

As for the second goal, I plan to continue running Connect Marketing, speaking at events and producing Kick Start Marketing Plans for small business owners while working with my marketing partners Ideas Into Action and Piper Digital.

And as for the third goal? That’s still a serious work in progress. Getting a book published can be a long, tedious and challenging process and I’ve only just started approaching publishers. So to keep me motivated, I’m beginning with the end in mind by visualising myself back in Aix en Provence, France doing an authors talk and signing books at Book in Bar, my favourite English bookshop where I wrote the opening lines of my book.

If you have dreams and goals to achieve this year, whether that’s buying a new home, doubling your revenue, helping your child through their HSC, losing weight, launching a new business, building a new website or even creating your own ‘portfolio livelihood’ I would encourage you to begin working towards those dreams with the end in mind and to undertake some simple yet powerful actions to get you started.

Martin Luther King said ‘you don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the first step.’ I do believe however, that we must really want what is at the top of that staircase in order keep taking the next step. In other words we must really, really want to achieve that BHAG! Which brings me to another point. Living under the false expectation that our lives will be miraculously more fulfilled, when we do get to the top of the staircase, will only cause us suffering. This is called ‘living in expectation’ rather than living for the NOW. We need to enjoy every single step we take, as we are taking it, regardless of the outcome.

Anyway, enough of my musings on life, love and the universe. I’d love to hear how you’re going with your BHAGs so far this year so please drop me an email at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au

And here’s wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2011!

Carolyn

PS Whatever you need when it comes to marketing, whether that be a speaker for your event, a marketing plan, a new brand and logo, sales brochures, a website, social media marketing, advertising campaigns, copywriting or PR, we are the first port-of-call. Ring us on +613 8682 9838 or email me at Carolyn@connectmarketing.com.au

PPS If you missed reading about our adventures in France, check out our Daily Slice of French Life blog

 

 

 

To cultivate kindness is a valuable of the business of life. Samuel Johnson

Bonjour from Aix-en-Provence and Joyeuses Fêtes! I last emailed you from Paris on 23 August en-route to Aix where we have set up home until I return to Melbourne in January. While you could stuff a Christmas stocking with all my excuses for not keeping in touch, I can only give you one; I’ve been writing a book. I had intended to work on my business while here, but when I got here all my best intentions flew out the window and writing just took over. With 45,000 words written and a deadline of 1 January for completion, you can guess what I’ll be doing over the festive season.

We’ve had the most delicious time here in France. I would even go so far as to say it’s been life changing. Sure there have been as many challenges as there have been triumphs, but then it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as rewarding if it were all smooth sailing. If you’re interested in finding out more about how we’ve adapted to French life, check out our blog Daily Slice of French Life.

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to take this sabbatical from my business in such a fabulous country. Somehow the French seem less serious about the ‘life of business’ and more committed to the ‘business of life’ and I intend to take a little bit of that back with me to Melbourne as I launch new plans for the business in 2011. In the meantime, I thank you very much for subscribing and look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

For many people, Christmas is a time of suffering, loneliness, poverty and hunger. Let’s make this festive season a time for kindness and compassion not only towards those we love, but those less fortunate than us.

Joyeux Noël et au revoir!

Carolyn 

 

 

 

Anything can happen in France. Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Bonjour! Excusez-moi for not blogging sooner. There’s been a bit happening here. After moving to Melbourne and setting up home just two weeks ago, Billy and I are now in Paris en-route to Aix en Provence (our home for the next few months).

On the personal front, it feels great to have all the hard work done and to have a bit of a summer break before Billy starts school and I start work. If you’d like to keep up-to-date with our personal journey in France check out our blog Daily Slice of French Life

On the work front, everything seems to be in order. I’ve got my communications platform sorted (Skype, VOIP phone number, email and a French mobile number), a virtual assistant handling my mail and book orders and my marketing and web partners Ideas into Action and Piper Digital ready to take on new business enquiries.

My own work action plan is also taking shape and will include writing these newsletters, running Skype Mentoring programs (if you’re interested drop me a line), freelance writing, completing the Marketing Toolkit and getting three chapters of my new book finished so I can submit it to publishers. Facile! (Easy!)

So it all seems to be falling into place. Happy days ahead! Any tips and tricks on how to work successfully remotely would be greatly appreciated by me and other bloggers. Au revoir!

 

 

 

'A goal is a dream with a deadline.' Napoleon Hill

If like me, you have a dream to live and work from anywhere in the world, I hope you enjoyed my last blog - Our French Adventure. In just 32 days we leave for France (Monday 23 August) for four months. I've sold the house, found a lovely family for our dog (the most heart-wrenching decision) and still have a car to sell, household belongings to pack up and an apartment in Melbourne to set up. Strange that I feel so calm then.

Of course I'm not doing it all without help. On the personal front I've enlisted the support of a wonderful PA, Yasmin. And on the business front I've established an alliance partnership with Angela Raspass of Ideas Into Action (NSW Marketing Partner) and Dena Dillon and Ryan Fitzgerald of Piper Digital (Web Partners) who will take on clients that I am not able to work with directly. Welcome aboard team!

Operating a business remotely will have its challenges no doubt. Setting up the best communications platform is a must, especially as we we'll be on the move a bit (am considering VoIP for this). The nasty France/Australian time difference won't help either (you'll be turning on your computer to start work for the day while I'll be out to dinner.) And of course there will be a myriad of other little things to sort out too, like how to get my BAS done and accounts handled. Deciding on what work I will do from afar ( copywriting and skype mentoring) and what will be referred to my trusty partners has already been done. (And of course, there are other projects to work on too, like learning French, discovering the country, writing and having FUN!)

If you’re on an adventure and happen to be running a business remotely or have done it before, please share your ideas and stories with readers. What lessons did you learn? What worked well and what didn't? Where did you go? What was your greatest memory? Where are you planning to go on your next adventure?

 

 

 

Bonjour amis! Welcome to the first edition of Carolyn’s Corner.

‘Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.’ Helen Keller.

Everyone around me seems to be embracing change and embarking on a new adventure at the moment. Friends and clients are moving overseas and interstate, ending relationships, starting new ones, restructuring businesses, taking up new jobs and selling up real estate. It’s truly hard to keep up with!

And the winds of change and adventure are breezing through my family too. After 13 years in our beloved Coogee Sydney, my son Billy and I are bidding farewell to set up home in Melbourne. Then on the 23rd of August we’re leaving to live in Aix-en-Provence France for four months. Billy will be attending school while I’ll be running the business and writing. (We’re calling it Our French Adventure.)

On the personal front, the to-do list is as long as my arm and includes everything from selling my Sydney home, finding homes and schools in Melbourne and France and learning at least a smattering of French!

And to be able to work remotely there’s been lots to sort out too. What work can I continue to do while I’m away? What work will need to be referred on to my trusty alliance partners? What agreements and processes do we need in place to do this? Who will handle the mail, bills, new business enquiries, phone calls and the postage of books and products ordered online? Who will keep the website and database up-to-date? How can I use Skype, blogs and social media to keep connected to clients when I won’t be able to see their smiling faces over a real coffee?

The idea of being able to run a business from anywhere in the world, is one that appeals to many business owners and future blogs will be dedicated to this concept. If you’re on an adventure and happen to be running a business remotely, please share your ideas, experiences and stories. Jusqu'à ce que nous nous réunissions de nouveau (Until we meet again)!

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