George Kao's Blog, page 26

An alternative to 1-1 business mentoring or coaching

Photo by Randy Fath on UnsplashWhen you engage with a 1-1 business coach or mentor:You meet with them 2-4 times per month.You can email them questions.They might have additional learning materials for you. 
Essent...

Let go of “Building an Email List”... instead, build an engaged audience.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash(Originally written May 2018. Updated Nov 2019.)

“How do I grow my email list?"

A lot of people have asked me this question over the years. They hear from other business experts that growing an email list is the most important thing to do in marketing.

Unfortunately, building an email list is the wrong focus. If you talk more deeply with marketing experts, I think they'll agree.

None of us need an email list. What we actually need is

Let go of “Building an Email List”

(Originally written May 2018. Updated Nov 2019.)

“George, how do I grow my email list”?

A lot of people have asked me this question over the years. They hear from other business experts that growing an email list is the most important thing to do in marketing.

Unfortunately, building an email list is the wrong focus. If you talk more deeply with marketing experts, I think they'll agree.

None of us need an email list. What we actually need is ...

Staying on purpose in the middle of the storm

Photo by Arto Marttinen on Unsplash
Emotions, personal growth and being a Solopreneur

Guest post by Lucas Forstmeyer and Ruth Toledo Altschuler

As service based Solopreneurs (Therapists, Coaches, Wellness Practitioner.../>

Online Course: How To Get More Clients with Authentic Marketing

I’m excited to be launching an updated course about Authentic Client Enrollment .
 
Why is it that so many solopreneurs struggle to get enough clients? Some of the reasons, which this course helps to solve, are: (1) Not having a clear plan for client attraction and enrollment, or (2) Not feeling alignment with a plan you’ve learned elsewhere, and therefore (3) Not being consistent in working an effective plan.

Simple Model for Authentic Businesses -- Concentric Circles

Here’s the business model that I use, and recommend for all clients to consider.
 
It’s meant for those of us who wish to earn a living as solopreneurs, helping others with our wisdom and skills. 
 
This business model offers complete location independence, so you can create an income anywhere you live, rural or urban, as long as you have...

Concentric Circles: A Wholesome Alternative to Sales Funnels

Concentric Circles Business Model

Here’s the business model that I use, and recommend for all clients to consider.

It’s an alternative to sales funnels (which often feel unethical to me).

This concentric circles model is meant for those who earn a living as solopreneurs (simpler business with less overhead) by sharing their life’s experiences via coaching, mentoring, facilitation, or healing. 

Notice that there are boundaries to each of the levels in the diagram. The...

Start building an audience now — even if you have nothing to sell.

Photo by Austin D on Unsplash (Originally written April 2018, updated Oct 2019.)

A regret for many entrepreneurs is that they didn’t start building their audience sooner.

If you might want to start a business one day, I recommend that you start growing your audience now.

Here's the key -- it doesn't matter if you have no clarity about what you want to talk about yet.

Talking about anything from your authentic interests -- and therefore building an audience/commu...

Money Follows Confidence

Photo by Form on UnsplashNotice that money tends to flow to those who are most confident.
 
However, fake confidence is too commonly taught in marketing. Fake it ‘till you make it. Appear to be bigger, or more polished, than you actually are. Use hype to get the sale. Offer huge guarantees to remove all their risk. 

Overwhelmed? Apply Temporary Constraints.

(Originally written April 2017, Updated Oct 2019.)

Overwhelm happens when we have too many choices. So the next time you feel it, try this -- apply temporary constraints. 

Some examples:

Limit the tasks you must do today to just 3. (Everything else is bonus.)Limit the amount of time you have to work on a project to 25 minutes.Limit it to 1 type of person you're speaking to in your marketing.
By purposefully, and temporarily limiting your options, you create relief from overwhelm, and a more powerful fo...minutes.Limitbonus.)Limit/>Limit