Category Archives: how to sell

Website shame.

Published October 1, 2013

As I talk to business owners about their message + writing, one subject keeps surfacing.

It’s that many of you don’t like how you come across on your website.

It’s your red-headed stepchild.

The thing I want us to have a conversation about is that certain things are important on your website, and certain things LOOK important… but aren’t.

The Basics — what’s important on a website
(1) A clear message – the urgent problem you solve, who you solve it for, and your “point of view” on the subject (for example, if you’re a weight loss coach, what’s … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to sell, how to write, websites

3 Ways to Reconnect With Your List

Published September 24, 2013

Do or do not. There is no try.

Has it been awhile since your mailing list has heard from you?

In this age of perpetual messaging, it’s tempting to convince ourselves that we don’t want to “clutter” the inboxes of our clients and contacts with yet another email.

And that by NOT staying in contact, we’re taking the high road.

But here’s the thing – these are people who have said they want to hear from you. They have the problem you know how to solve. Or you have the keys to the result they want to get.

And right now, you’re holding back from giving it to … Read the rest >

Posted in how to be, how to sell, how to write

What Makes a Website Make Money?

Published September 4, 2012

Myth Buster: Your website makes you money while you sleep.

There’s a myth out there that a website can be an ATM machine.

It just spits out dollar bills while you sleep.

And when you wake up, your only job is to sweep up all the filthy lucre before your morning coffee.

But that’s not really true. Well, for people who are “information marketers” it can be. But if you are a coach, a service professional, or someone who’s business flows from who you ARE (smart, trained, insightful), you are playing a different game.

Which means that the way you make money from your website isn’t to slap a bunch … Read the rest >

Posted in business, copywriting, how to sell, how to write, marketing, marketing online

Everybody Must Get Stoned

Published July 31, 2012

Don't be afraid to make enemies

Remember back in the day when people threw rocks at women who were non-conformist, uncommonly wise, and intuitive?

I think that’s what keeps a lot of coaches and service professionals from sharing their real point of view in their marketing.

They are afraid of getting stoned like folks used to do to witches.

Deep down, are you hiding your real point of view from your marketing because you think you will scare people off… or the townsfolk will come after you?

Because you think if people REALLY knew who you are, they would not like you. And they would not … Read the rest >

Posted in brand + message, business, how to sell

Magic doesn’t fill group programs (and what does).

Published July 24, 2012

Words aren't all you need to fill a program

From the “How It Works in Real Life” Dept. —

I pull back the curtain on what it really takes to go from one-on-one work to a more “leveraged” business model. (“Leverage” = you step out of “trading dollars for hours” and start offering your services to groups, so you make more per hour for the same amount of work… and you work with people who don’t live in the same town as you!).

For the purposes of this article, let’s imagine you want to move from working with clients one-on-one, to rolling out a 4- or 5-week … Read the rest >

Posted in business, how to sell, know your numbers

What’s your jellyfish?

Published December 13, 2011

What’s your jellyfish?

It was 78 degrees in the Atlantic ocean on Sunday, and I was pretending to be tough.

My companions had decided they were gonna spring the extra 5 bucks for wetsuits.

Not me.

Never mind that I was covered in goose bumps.

It was a wet, windy ride out to the reef, after all. But I’ve been running every day for 4 weeks and—I’ll admit it—I was rocking my bikini.

Dangit! My people are from Minnesota! My uncle was a deep sea diver in Alaska! Why on earth would I need a wetsuit?!

Thankfully, the still small voice within has … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to be, how to sell

If I see more of this, I will scream.

Published December 5, 2011

Take the cork off your truth

Alright, faithful reader. We’re about to get UNCIVILIZED up in here.

Stella’s about to get UNCORKED.

Grab your bucket of popcorn and sense of schadenfreude.

I just got a Facebook message from a woman I adore. She does INCREDIBLE work in the world. She is an AMAZING person. I would drag myself over hot coals in a swimsuit to help her succeed.

But not only that. She has an AWESOME personality. This woman lights up the room. She’s running one of those businesses where her clients seek HER out.

But when I read her message, I was crestfallen.

Totally … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to be, how to sell, marketing

Why my postman is sexier than Angelina.

Published November 29, 2011

Angelina Jolie is one hot tamale. Your postman, Stella? How can your postman be sexier than THAT?!

Ah, my little liebchen.

This is what we call in the business: a trick of the eye.

To Stella, consistency and value are sexier than sporadic asskickery.

And while my postman has been bringing me junk circulars lately, he also brings me cards, notes, news, packages, and goodwill from people I love and care about.

Angelina doesn’t. She just has those incredible lips.

My point is: there’s eye candy… and then there’s what we know we can count on.

And so it is … Read the rest >

Posted in copywriting, how to be, how to sell, marketing

Getting the skills to pay the bills

Published November 16, 2011

The Beastie Boys: smart marketing advisors?

We’re halfway through the Marketing Secrets of the Rich + Famous Summit. And there’s something that’s coming up that I just can’t keep to myself.

Growing a business takes skill.

Fans of the Beastie Boys will remember a little ditty called “The Skills to Pay the Bills.”

Enthusiasts may even choose to opt for the multimedia experience here and click through to the B-Boys’ Amsterdam performance of the song.

As part of the series, I’ve interviewed Linda Claire Puig on why you need to send a regular newsletter in your business. Business Breakthrough Specialist Monica Shah on the 5 … Read the rest >

Posted in brand + message, content, copywriting, how to be, how to sell, how to write, marketing

3 myths about marketing that will sink you.

Published November 14, 2011

Let’s do some marketing myth-busting, shall we?

Myth #1: Marketing is sleazy.
This is a worldview that must die if your business is going to live and thrive. Last time I checked, the definition of marketing doesn’t include lying or selling something that doesn’t work.

If you have negativity around the idea of marketing, I’m curious why. Have you never seen someone do with love in her heart? Have you gotten burned by someone selling you something in the past? Have you not met people who are totally awesome AND who are promoting their work in a wholehearted, joyful way?… Read the rest >

Posted in brand + message, content, copywriting, how to be, how to sell, how to write, marketing