Overcoming Fears

Fears have been quite a bit of discussion this week.

We all have fears. You know, the things you fear so much that they make your stomach so tight you can't eat! The things that you fear so much that you feel like passing out! Or sometimes they make you toss and turn and you can't sleep no matter how tired you are!

Why do we have fears? Is it because we don't know the outcome of something? Is it that we had a bad experience? There are many speculations. But one thing for certain is the how to of overcoming those fears. I know it may sound clichee but the best way to overcome a fear is to dive right into it. And, you don't want to be timid about it.....don't dip your big toe in the water to feel the temperature. Climb up the ladder of the high dive and do your best swan dive!

I recently decided to just jump right in and do things that I feared so much that I would do anything else simply to avoid them. I kept on adding things on my daily to do list.....and make it grow and grow......just to avoid doing those things!

How did I go about this? I basically made of list. And tackled them one by one. I decided to make it like a "H - E - double Hockey Stick" week. I did them all! It doesn't mean that I don't get nervous and such knowing that I'll be doing them again, but I've gone over the fear factor that was actually holding me back from doing them in the first place.

So, my challenge for you this week is to create your own "H - E - double hockey stick" week and do your swan dive right into your fears!

Networking is "Net-growing"

We all know that networking plays a major role in the fruitful growth and development of any business. But knowing and doing are two different things. Networking is an art and a mindset. It's like the art of fishing with a net instead of a single pole. Believe me, if you don't know how to throw a net, you just won't catch much of anything. Networking is a lot like farming too. The farmer doesn't plant just one seed and than hope that it grows. Instead he plants many seeds and then keeps on caring for them to encourage growth. Not everything will sprout and grow, just like the fisherman isn't going to catch all the fishes. But by knowing and applying the steps to the art of networking, we can be like farmers and fishermen. Networking can take place in structured professional groups, such as Business Network International – BNI, or less structured settings like after-hour socials or get-togethers with other business professionals. It can even take place in unexpected situations, like while volunteering for your local theater! In today's state of economy, it is imperative that business owners practice the art of networking and teach their employees how to be successful networkers as well. After all, the farmers and the fishermen teach their sons their art so that they can keep on feeding many families for generations to come so why not teach those that work with you.

There are many facets to the art of networking and the most effective, in my opinion, is to follow Ivan Misner's motto of “Givers Gain.” What is the meaning of this motto to successful professionals? It means that they have made themselves powerful contributors and an asset to others. It is their mindset to be an asset to others instead of focusing just on what their own needs are. Look at it this way. Let's say you have two potato farmers. Farmer #1, Jack, is busy working in the field and tending to his crops. On the other side of the dirt road, you have farmer #2, Josh, also tending to his crops. As they are both working hard in the hot afternoon sun, one of their neighbors (from a couple miles away.....I'm visualizing that we have stepped into the past) is riding by in his horse drawn wagon when one of the wheels fall off and all the wagon's contents roll off onto the dirt road. Both farmers notice this is happening, but only Josh actually does something about it. He stops what he is doing and goes to the aid of his neighbor to put the wheel back on the wagon and help reloading. Now, think about this for a moment. Let's say that Jack, farmer #1, never helps anyone because he is always too busy tending to his crops while Josh, farmer #2, makes time to help his neighbors. What do you think would happen if either one of the farmers needed help. Who do you think is more likely to get help in return?

The same principle seems to be true in today's world of business. It's not on purpose, simply human nature. When looking at it from a business standpoint, if you give business to others, they will in turn want to give business to you.

Successful Networking Tips:

1.Genuinely care about others

2.Learn about other people's businesses
a. What do they do?
b. How long have they been doing it?
c. What makes them different from others in the same field?
d. What makes them passionate about what they do?

3.Find out how you can help that person
a. What kind of referrals would they like to receive?
b. What indicates that someone could be a good customer for them?

4.Ask them for their business card
a. Keep one in your wallet
b. Ask for a couple extras......maybe you already know someone who can
benefit from their products/services

[Reproduction of this article is permitted with complete author's bio.]

About the author: Marie-anne Rouse is a Big Island MomPreneur, APAC volunteer and notable networker, as well as on the leadership team of BNI's Kona Krew. For information on networking or to sign up for her complimentary newsletter go to www.MomIsTheBest.com

Do & Don't tips for car magnets

Aloha folks,

This week's info is short, but important. It's about car magnets. They can be very cost effective advertising when done right.

Here are things I've noticed that we should all remember NOT TO DO:
- too much information
- wrong size magnet
- small print
- distracting graphics
- no contact information!!!

DO TO increase the effectiveness of car magnets:
- have one on the backside of the vehicle

Think about it. Where are most people when they can actually read what's on your vehicle? Stuck in traffic? Behind you? Have you "caught" yourself reading bumper stickers while you wait for the light to turn green? That's a captive audience......make use of that time!!!

Video quote of the week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GTPGKcfymU

Have a prosperous week.
To your Health, Success and Happiness,

Marie-anne @ MomIsTheBest
P.S. Want to join us in Anaheim (4 free nights)?

4 Keys To Running Successful Promotions

Aloha Folks,

Hope your having a great week. Today, I want to share with you some keys to running successful promotions in your MLM business.

You know not many people use promotions or effectively leverage the specials and bonuses that their company offers from time to time. WHATEVER promotion your company is offering (free product, auto-ship discount, free shipping, etc.) you should start by brainstorming how you can leverage the offer into your marketing. Your company goes to a lot of work to put these offers together for your benefit!

If you don't take advantage of what is being offered, you are literally saying 'no thanks' to growing your business. But if you're struggling with ideas, or just want to learn how to make each of your promotions more effective, then let's talk....

4 KEYS TO RUNNING SUcCESSFUL PROMOTIONS

1. Choose a Theme

One of the most important things you must do in running a promotion is give your prospects a good
'reason why' you are running the promotion in the first place! And you can ALWAYS find a good 'reason why' to run a promotion.

A great way to do this is to connect it to special holidays and events, even personal events. Maybe you're having a special 'birthday sale'. Or maybe your daughter is having a birthday, so you are running a special promotion to increase awareness of kid's nutrition. Here's an example of a event promotion that is going on right now. Saturday August 8th is the 1 year anniversary of the introduction of Vivix. And, I'm celebrating 2 in 1 as that is my birthday also! The special offered is new vivix customer orders thru August 8th will receive a complimentary basic membership + 15% discount (discount can be applied to any other product you want to get for 1 whole year!!!). Order your Cellular Anti-Aging supplement now at http://www.shaklee.net/sarahs/product/21000 before the special expires!

2. Offer Bonuses and/or Incentives

Right after choosing a good theme for your promotion, the next most important component is
determining good bonuses and incentives to use. Sometimes, your company does this for you and all you have to do is leverage it. But you can also 'plus' the promotion in little, easy ways is by offering additional incentives to your customers such as a free item or a complimentary educational piece. The point is choose something. It will give your prospects and customers another good reason to respond.

3. Use a Deadline

Deadlines are very, very important in all your marketing as they provide urgency in taking advantage of the promotion. Who wants to 'lose the opportunity' being offered in the promotion? Many times the fear of losing the opportunity after the deadline runs out is enough to get people taking action and
responding. It's just human psychology. More people will take action out of fear of loss, than they do out of desire for gain. And, if there was no deadline, it wouldn't make the promotion special.

4. Use Personality in Your Marketing

You've heard the saying before "People buy from people they like and trust". Haven't you noticed how true that is! They don't want to buy from big, impersonal, corporations. They want to buy from people they know, like, and trust. They want a RELATIONSHIP with the person they are buying from. Think about it. Would you get your hair cut, nails done, etc. from a stranger or from someone you know.

One of the best ways to build relationships in your marketing is to integrate more of what is called "Personality Driven Marketing" into your communication. It's quite simple to do actually. Share fun pictures of you, your family vacations, your kids, and more with your customers. Share personal stories about your life and the things you are passionate about. Don't be afraid to be yourself and share YOU with your customers! Did you know that my kids come to many of my meetings!

Have a prosperous week!

To your Health, Success and Happiness,
Marie-anne, Your ShakleeLady
at http://www.MomIsTheBest.com