by desing | Tools
We know the placebo effect can work for medical issues. Some of the participants in a drug study are given a placebo instead of the wonder drug being tested, and yet they see the same positive results as those who receive the drug. It’s a matter of our mind manifesting positive beliefs into actual results. The mind can do incredible things.
But did you know that the placebo effect can also work to trick yourself into feeling more confident than you actually are? This is partially because the more we “fake” confidence, the more we’re able to get through difficult situations and the more we see positive responses from the people around us—which results in us having more actual confidence. It also works because a lack of confidence can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Anyone who’s gone into a meeting terrified they’ll make a mistake can tell you that they probably did wind up doing something wrong, simply because they were so nervous.
So, how do you act confident in situations where you’re anything but? Here are some simple, but effective, ways I’ve found to “fake it till you make it”:
Smile. It’s been scientifically proven that the physical act of smiling can make us feel happier. When you smile, your body releases endorphins, the chemical that makes us feel pleasure. The simple muscle memory of smiling (something you do when you’re happy) can also trick your brain into feeling better. Plus, smiling gives you an approachable, easygoing appearance that can make people respond to you more positively—and better responses can lead to you feeling better about yourself.
Dress for success. If you have a big business presentation you’re petrified of giving, or if you just feel “blah” today and want to give your attitude a kick start, choose one of your favorite, most flattering outfits. Feeling put together can radically change how capable you feel, as well as giving other people the impression that you’re in control.
Watch your posture. Even if you feel like shrinking into the corner, stand up straight and look people in the eyes. Avoid nervous or defensive postures like crossing your arms or hunching your shoulders. And don’t fidget!
Forget about yourself. I get especially nervous and self-conscious when meeting new people for the first time. I worry that I’ll say something stupid or that I won’t have anything to say at all, and I get so wrapped up in my own head that inevitably my premonitions come true. Then I heard the fantastic tip that good conversation is all about making the other person feel interesting. So forget about what you have to say and ask the other person about themselves. Be genuinely interested and invested in what they have to say. They’ll walk away thinking you were an excellent conversationalist, and the more you focus on them, the less you’ll have time to worry about how you’re performing.
Laugh it off. If you do wind up doing something embarrassing or making a mistake, don’t let it totally unravel the confidence you’ve built up so far. Do something that truly confident people do when they have the occasional mishap: Laugh it off. It will take the pressure off you and put your companions at ease by showing them that you’re still on top of things, no big deal. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you handle them that shows your true capability.
Remember the times you made it through. The more you practice confidence, the more successes you’ll start to see. When you find yourself in a situation that freaks you out, call up memories of those successes—when you nailed that presentation in spite of your nerves, or when that new person you were so anxious about meeting wound up becoming a good friend. Confidence can be built, and every time you work to get through a nerve-racking situation, you add another notch of confidence to your belt until one day, you find you don’t need to fake it at all anymore!
About Kelly Gurnett
Kelly Gurnett, a.k.a. “Cordelia,” runs the blog Cordelia Calls It Quits, where she documents her attempts to rid her life of the things that don’t matter and focus more on the things that do. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook and check out her ebook here. She also offers her services as a blogger extraordinaire to those in need of some bloggy awesomeness.
by desing | Tools
Once the decision has been made to become a business owner, the next step is to decide where the necessary capital to launch the business will come from. One of the most difficult tasks a prospective entrepreneur has is raising the capital needed for their new business venture. Make sure to research whatever options and opportunities may be available. There are plenty of ways to raise funds for women-owned businesses.
Community Bank loans offer small business owners opportunities to build a relationship in their community. These smaller banks may not offer the same products or services as the larger banks but they are usually open to new business ventures in their community. Research the banks in your area or go to the Independent Bankers Association of America which provides a list of over 5,000 community banks.
Credit cards are the very foundation of small businesses. If bank loans are not an option, check with credit card companies for unsecured credit-line alternatives. VISA and American Express both offer competitive credit-line alternatives.
Reaching out to family and friends is an easy way to raise capital quickly too, especially if the new business venture is too small or too novel to secure bank financing. Although immediate bank funding can be accomplished, the amount awarded is often insufficient to cover all start-up costs. Be sure to consider the problems that can occur between all of the parties.
Grants are a common way for entrepreneurs to obtain financing too. Make sure to have a clear idea about how such funds will be used. In other words, a business plan is imperative! Talking to someone with experience in grant writing is a quick way to get up to speed on how to apply.
Business Investors are an option if the entrepreneur is willing to give up a percentage of the business and possibly some control. Test the waters of how some top investors look at new business opportunities by watching the television show “Shark Tank.”
Strategic partnerships should be considered if the entrepreneur has little or no experience in running a business or raising capital. Seek similar businesses in your area and approach them with a plan for partnering with them. It is important in this scenario to have a detailed plan in place of what you want to do and even more importantly what you have to offer the new company. Some business owners are looking for successors and having a partner come in on the ground level, learn the business, and then take the company over can be an attractive option.
Finally, check with the Small Business Administration in your state. The SBA offers many resources and much important business information on the subject of starting a business. Over the long haul, the SBA can become a valuable resource.
In conclusion, if the passion for starting the new venture matches the entrepreneur’s business acumen, then securing funds should not be a problem. Personal credit history is extremely important for a start-up of course, since that is all the creditors will have in order to properly evaluate the risk of lending funds. Do research on what options are available, then decide which option makes the most sense. Although a business plan is not always necessary, most lenders will want to see how the funds will be used, so consider doing at least a preliminary one.
by desing | Tools
Whether you’re a small business owner, an artist, or any other type of entrepreneur, there is one thing you absolutely must have to make it in today’s crowded, clamorous marketplace: A unique, compelling brand that makes your product or service leap out above the competition.
Consider the brands that speak to you, whether they’re large corporations like Apple or your favorite neighborhood coffee shop. They each have a certain “something” that keeps you coming back. You can relate to them. You feel they can relate to you. And even if they’re slightly more expensive than their competitors, you don’t care—because part of what you’re paying for is the chance to engage with their one-of-a-kind brand.
So. You’ve got your product and service, but now you need a brand identity. How do you create one that will personify your business and really resonate with your customers? Here are a few of the major steps to keep in mind:
Always picture your “ideal” customer. Who did you design your product or service for? Men or women? Young or old? Conventional and classy, or a little cutting edge and risqué? Take the time to envision your one true, ideal customer, and keep them in mind whenever you make a decision about how to present your brand. Speak directly to them. Use language they can relate to. Create a style and design they will find appealing.
Envision the experience you want to provide. Brands reach customers by engaging with them—through social media like Facebook and Twitter, through blogs, through local promotions and events. What do want your customers to experience when they interact with your brand? Do you want them to feel invigorated, relaxed, inspired, comforted? You can evoke those feelings with every element of your brand, from the colors you choose for your logo to the materials you use on the chairs in your restaurant. Every aspect of your brand should wrap your customers up in one cohesive, compelling experience, and it’s that experience that they will remember and, hopefully, want tell all their friends about.
Be willing to be unpopular. I love the book The Power of Unpopular: A Guide to Building Your Brand for the Audience Who Will Love You (and why no one else matters) by Erika Napoletano (affiliate link). As the firecracker voice behind the popular blog Redhead Writing, Erika knows how to build a fiercely loyal fan base. And her secret boils down to a saying you’ve probably heard before: “If you try to please everyone, you wind up pleasing no one.”
Meek or wishy-washy brands don’t get noticed—and they certainly don’t win fiercely loyal clients. Whoever your ideal customer is, you need to be willing to answer their needs, nurture their trust, and speak to their innermost desires. And as a result, there will be plenty of people who don’t connect with—or who even (gasp!) dislike—your brand. So be it. Those are not your true customers, and your true customers are where the money’s at.
In Short
Your customers’ attention is being pulled in so many directions that it takes a real presence to get them to even notice your product or service, let alone to win them over. The key to building a brand that sells is to build a brand that speaks. Know who you’re speaking to, pull no punches in doing so, and you’ll find yourself with a brand that engages and grows.
by desing | Tools
This is your moment. The moment you’ve worked like a dog for these past three years. You’ve showed up early for every Monday morning meeting, and you work late. You even bring in donuts and coffee for your fellow employees every Friday morning, as a way to spruce up the office morale. You go above and beyond with your clients, and offer creative input for boosting up sales like a pro.
So, how do you handle the recent announcement of your dream job, available to anyone who’s worthy? Will you sit down and allow it to be passed over to the next guy, or will you stand up and say, “I’M WORTH IT!”
Bingo. It’s your moment. It’s you time to shine. It’s your turn to finally show your company just how much better you can make it, given your creative input, decisive problem solving skills and your uncanny ability to lead a team to success.
It’s your chance to show your boss, and your bosses’ boss just how much you deserve the recently announced promotion opportunity. The good news is, this could be the chance of a lifetime – a bigger salary, consistent interaction with the CEO and just the type of managerial platform you need to shine. The trouble is, your male counterpart – the notorious aggressive and successful persuader wants this job just as badly as you. So how can you possibly beat out your competition? By working your magic, as only a strong, intelligent woman like you can.
Extend Yourself Outside of the Workplace
What’s the #1 reason most women don’t ask for that promotion they know deep down they deserve? Fear and intimidation. Let’s face it – we’ve come a long way in the workplace, but with still quite a ways to go. Many women get passed up due to a more aggressive male competitor. Is it fair? Hardly. But aggression for what you want, or at least, an assertive stance = promotional success.
You don’t have to be naturally aggressive to win over your competition, but you do need to bulldoze over your fear, and extend yourself in all aspects of your work life. That includes ensuring you’re sales record, customer service and leadership skills are better than ever. It also means going the extra mile when you’re not at work. Did your boss just invite everyone to a dinner with the Board of Directors you previously would have shy away from? Do you have an upcoming happy hour that will allow you to truly see who your competition is, and learn from the lessons of upper level directors? Talk to them. Discover what their biggest goals for the coming year are, and come up with create solutions – and clearly communicate them (oh so cleverly as only you can) during your interview.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Landing that promotion isn’t about working harder. You already work hard. The modern solution to land the job of your dreams (that no one is more perfect for that you) is by working smarter. For example, if you spend your time worrying or feeling anxious about what questions will be addressed in your interview, instead of building your case, you won’t go very far impressing the hiring team. If you worry about a miscommunication you had with your co-worker three months ago that affected the sign-on of a big client, you better believe that will be discussed. So think five steps ahead. How can you curve a potential ‘blame game’ into a direction of “I learned a valuable lesson in communication. Since then I have created a method for gaining new clientele by doing A, B, and C.” By thinking ahead of any and all directions your interview can go, you’ll land that promotion thanks to your quick and assertive response to any question they ask, and a confidence that translates to strong, efficient leader.
This promotion is yours, should you accept it.
You have everything it takes, and more. Show them how you can leverage your new authoritative position into success for the entire company, and shine with your radiant, savvy self for everyone – even your aggressive competition to see.
by desing | Tools
For some people, blogging is just a fun way to share thoughts and personal news with friends and family. But for many, blogging is more than that—it’s a hope that, somehow, they will be able to break into the infinite possibilities of a blogosphere that’s enabled many people to live lives we can only envy. There are the legends. People like Ash Ambirge who’ve turned their devoted audience into an active customer base and are now living in Chile, Brazil, wherever they please, sipping cocktails on the beach while the rest of us type away in our cubicles. That level of success may not be realistic for most of us. (I’m sorry to say. Believe me, I secretly wish for it, too.) But that doesn’t mean you can’t mine your blog in a number of ways to generate a nice side (or even full-time) income for yourself. Here are some of the biggest ways that people have used their blog to create a profitable business:
Create a Product or Service. By guest posting on other blogs, engaging with reader comments, and regularly providing links to useful resources, you can build up a reputation as an authority in your field—and once your readers see you as an authority, there are all sorts of side products you can offer them. Do you blog about entrepreneurship? Maybe you could launch a consulting service where you guide others through starting their businesses. Do you blog about healthy living? Maybe you could create a course that takes people through 30 days of healthy and easy recipes. The possibilities are endless; just listen to what your audience needs and wants, and tap into that, and you have a market of people already waiting to hear what you’ve got for them!
From Blog to Book. If you have a decent following, one way to generate some “passive income” is to create an ebook that fits with your blog topic. You can write a manifesto that summarizes your blog philosophy, consolidate your most popular posts and repurpose them into a book, or create a guide on a topic you know your audience is interested in. It’s “passive” income because once the ebook is written, all you have to do is set up an order form and delivery system and your work is done. People buy your book, pay for it online, and it’s automatically delivered to them electronically. You just sit back and watch the payments come in!
Make It Your Portfolio. When I started freelance writing, I was nervous because I had no real “portfolio” to show prospective employers what I could do. Then I realized: I’d been blogging for a year and a half. I had guest posts on several major blogs and contributed regularly to several others. When I added a Hire Me tab to my blog, the proof of my ability was already there! People could browse the blog for an idea of my personal style, and they could check out my Featured On page to see how I wrote for other blogs. (Just make sure your blog reflects the sort of work you’d like to get; my off-the-cuff, irreverent style definitely lends itself to certain projects better than others.)
Give Your Product or Service a “Face.” Whether you’re a life coach, a digital media artist, or have a boutique on Etsy, a blog can be a great way to bring some personality to your product or service and help you connect with potential customers. People are more drawn to brands they relate to; create a blog that’s fun, engaging, and optimistic, and people will be much more likely to choose your business over bland Brand X.
Sell Advertisements. I put this one last because many bloggers jump on this strategy first, thinking it will bring them millions, only to be disappointed when they see a few cents come in each month. While some of the high-traffic sites generate a large amount of advertiser revenue, the truth is that the average small-time blogger won’t be able to quit their job solely on ad sales. Paired with the above techniques, ads can increase revenue from your blog, but I wouldn’t depend on them. You also need to be extremely careful about the sort of ads you accept. Whether it’s a visual ad through Google AdWords, an in-text link, or a sponsored post, be extremely careful about the sort of ads you foist on your audience. My rule is that if I don’t believe a product or service is legitimate and will truly help my audience, I won’t accept an ad for it. I’d rather miss a few dollars here or there than damage my audience’s trust.
About Kelly Gurnett
Kelly Gurnett, a.k.a. “Cordelia,” runs the blog Cordelia Calls It Quits, where she documents her attempts to rid her life of the things that don’t matter and focus more on the things that do. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook and check out her ebook here. She also offers her services as a blogger extraordinaire to those in need of some bloggy awesomeness.
by desing | Tools
Women today are creating careers in a competitive climate. As a result, networking with other female entrepreneurs is paramount. Networking can secure new business, connect you with powerful women, and may even lead you to your dream job.
However, the challenge for busy women today is finding time to seek networking opportunities.
- How is it possible to quickly and easily find the right business community to join, and social engagements to attend?
- Where can you go to find relationships that are mutually beneficial in advancing business and life goals?
Here are three easy networking tips to guide you in meeting powerful women, building new relationships, and contacting women professionals to share advice and knowledge.
Create a LinkedIn Profile (and use it!)
As the world’s largest professional network, LinkedIn is where recruiters and hiring managers look first when they have a job to fill. It is an essential tool for sharing your resume, job searching, and meeting people who share your interests.
Intuitively laid out and easy to use, LinkedIn offers a platform for contacting women via its internal messaging system. There is also the option to join or create groups, where people with similar career interests converse and collaborate. Many groups for female entrepreneurs organize online, but meet in local settings. LinkedIn makes staying in touch and marketing yourself easy.
Make New Friends with MeetUp
MeetUp is a fantastic resource that helps people find specialized groups and meet people locally. Through MeetUp, more than 9,000 groups get together each day around the world. There are a plethora of MeetUp groups for women in business, women in philanthropy, mothers who work, and women’s book clubs, in metropolitan and urban areas across the country.
It’s also easy to start your own MeetUp group. Powerful connections are made possible through social network platforms, like meetup.com that foster the sharing of interests and aspirations for women today.
Get Involved with Charity
If you are looking to meet people like you, who are both business-minded and caring, local charity events and fundraisers are a good place to begin. Who knows, an hour at a charity lunch may spark a new friendship or a lifelong involvement with a worthy cause in your community.
Related Sources:
