George Kao's Blog, page 8
August 12, 2022
Content Ideas for Coaches & Facilitators
Coaches often tell me: “Because I’m not a consultant or teacher, I can't create content.”
This is certainly an example of a limiting belief ;-) and it prevents many coaches from experiencing a greater potential that they could have as coaches and facilitators. If you had a larger audience (created via content sharing), you have more choice – among your fans – of which clients you’d like to take on. You could raise your rates if you wished. You could also more easily create a group coaching pr...
August 7, 2022
Energy Reboot 3
Energy Reboot is a practice of checking in with oneself throughout a day. It combines intentional breathing with a quick stretch. It’s important that it is quick ( about 20 seconds) because it’s meant to be practiced frequently throughout the day.
I've been doing the practice since at least 2017. It’s been deeply helpful. It has supported me through big shifts in my business, as well as getting me joyfully through my daily work. The key is consistently doing it.
Since this post is named Energ...
July 15, 2022
Let Go of the Need to Make a Good First Impression
Many of us grow up hearing “You only get one chance at making a good first impression.” We are taught this when applying for schools, for jobs, and when finding friends and partners.
It’s no wonder that so many people are blocked from their authentic creativity. I also believe this is why so many of us are not consistent in creating content, due to this deep philosophical limitation.
Years ago I encountered this quote, which had a life-shifting impact for me:
“Do not be too timid and squ...
July 8, 2022
Sell Only to the Eager 10%
We become inauthentic when we try to persuade people.
When you’re in the energy of trying to “get” someone to believe you and to buy your thing, it becomes too easy to say whatever you think the other person wants to hear. You lose your grounding and integrity.
Instead, what if you sell only to people who will quickly understand the value of what you’re selling?When speaking to potential clients, only describe your services, in detail, to the interested.
When creating an email or webpage to descri...
July 1, 2022
The trouble with cold outreach
Too much of online prospecting/sales is about reaching out to strangers or acquaintances who have not signaled their interest in your work.
"But based on their profile they might be interested, so I should reach out to them."
Most of the time, this feels to the recipient like spam.Most spam is obvious to me before I even open it. The less obvious ones (where I need to open the email and read to realize it’s spam) are written by a copywriter or other marketing expert.
They try to get my attention...
June 24, 2022
The Most Secure Investment
Cryptocurrency is a gamble. The stock market is volatile. Shockingly, even bonds don’t feel safe anymore.
The best investment for most of us is – and has always been – in improving our own monetizable skills.
You will never have to worry about ups and downs. It’s always valuable. It’s the highest sustainable return on investment in money and in your personal growth. Win-win.I wrote in December 2017, at the height of that Bitcoin bubble, about why I’m not investing in cryptocurrency. I still agree...
June 17, 2022
Beyond Limiting Beliefs: Work on Your Limiting Structures
The following article is a slight edit of an older one. After I wrote it, I updated my beliefs some ;-) and the result is the above video.
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We empower whatever we fight against… especially if the enemy is intangible, such as “limiting beliefs”, which has the danger of multiplying based on our rich imagination, and our continued attention on “clearing” them.
So, although I don’t give a lot of energy to clearing limiting beliefs, I see plenty of evidence of limiting structures – the systems ...
June 10, 2022
Go Where You're Respected.
Years ago, I received a simple piece of career advice:
“Go where you’re respected.”
— eco-entrepreneur Paul Hawken
These 4 words have guided my careerIt applies to marketing too — aim to sell only to prospective clients who are already eager to work with you. By doing so, there will be no feeling of “selling.” There’s only connecting from the heart, helping them genuinely, and answering their questions.
Imagine never having to overcome objections… do multiple follow-ups… use compelling incentives ...
May 13, 2022
Don’t fixate on “growing an Email List”... instead, grow a holistic audience.
“How do I grow my email list?"
I’ve been asked this question for years. People hear from business experts that building an email list is the most important thing to do in marketing.
It’s a myopic focus. If you talk more deeply with marketing experts, I think they'll agree.
None of us need an “email list”. What we actually want is an audience who cares about what we offer. It is essential for authentic marketing to switch our mindset from “building an email list” to growing an engaged audience....
May 6, 2022
Principles of Authentic Sales Conversations
It’s unfortunate that most sales conversations don’t feel authentic and uplifting.
Here is the typical framework:1. Cleverly remind the prospective client of their frustrations, blocks, and symptoms that made them want to seek out a solution. Ask questions or tell stories to get them to really feel the pain and how bad it would be to stay there. (Try to get them to the point of feeling desperation about solving the problem!)
2. Get them dreaming about what’s possible, the ideal life if only that ...
