September 15th, 2016
I have been on fire ever since I attended the Black Card Books Bootcamp this past weekend. The way I see everything has changed. I am a very passionate person. As an art therapist, I get clients active, focused on the issue at-hand and how it is impacting their current life. My goal is not to draw out the process but to build a bridge between their life as-is and the life they are hoping to create. We explore the perceived obstacles and, through storytelling and art-making, we begin moving in the right direction. People leave with tangible tools and a plan. I am happy about that. Is that a smart way to run a business? Some would say no. However, I see it as positive because if people can get "un-stuck" in one session, they will feel great, get results and tell others about my services. I also feel drawn to clients who, traditionally, don't have a whole lot of money: teenagers, single moms, women in the process of getting a divorce, men who have stopped working due to ptsd etc. This leads to a need for sliding scale fees and, in some cases, I choose to offer my work for free.
At this bootcamp, I realized that my approach is not effective from a business standpoint. So far, I've tried to get into schools to showcase my workshops. The teachers and students love my workshops but they can't afford to pay me. The people who are in a position to fund my services do not see the children's smiling faces, they don't feel the excitement and energy in the room, they don't witness my connection with the children, they don't feel the relief of teachers as they hold tools in their hands that can help them manage negative class behaviours and promote cooperation in the classroom. So, now I am thinking: stop selling your services to the people who desperately want them but have no resources. Start educating the people with the purse strings by teaching them how they can benefit from your services.
As I walked around running errands this morning, I noticed every t-shirt or shopping bag with a logo on it. I took in the signs and slogans plastered on trucks, billboards and shop windows. I analyzed McDonald's golden arches and Timmie's brown coffee cups. I reflected on my purchases over the past weeks-Smile cookies for the Kemptville Youth Centre, an added two dollars at the grocery store to support Neon Night and raise funds for families whose children are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
We breathe and eat marketing through the logos on our clothing, our choices of shopping venue, our patronage, the many commercials we watch on television or jingles we hear over the radio. People are constantly trying to sell you something. More and more, we are our business card. People get to know you, not as a client but as a person. They find out what you do. They like and trust you and recommend you to a friend.
I remember working in long term care as a program manager. My mother also worked at this facility as an administrative assistant. I heard about some professionals who had behaved rudely toward my mother because she was just "the secretary". This changed they way I saw them and my inclination to do business with them. Treating everyone with respect gets you noticed. Embodying the values you promote in your business is one of the best marketing tools. I once paid for a yoga instructor to come and teach at my husband's spa. She showed up late, stressed, holding a cup of coffee and smelling like cigarettes. If we are hiring her to help us lead a healthier and calmer life, then her behaviour is a deterrent.
The bootcamp has me thinking differently. Other businesses want to serve my target population. I can work with them to provide services in a seamless manner. A client recently told me how difficult it can be for families who are adopting a second child to adequately prepare their eldest for this transition. They get a call and, within 24 hours, they have a child. I had never thought about this. I have this great book about a dog who feel jealous when a kitten gets adopted. I have been selling the book through clients and in local stores. I now see how providing copies to adoption agencies can boost the amount of families who are exposed to my book and ease this transition for so many families.
I also see how the Humane Society who is very conscientious of preparing adoptive families to take on a new pet might want to use this book for fundraisers. If I rely simply on selling directly to families, I miss so many families who could benefit from this book. By catering to organizations who serve my target population, I can reach more families and really make a difference in their lives. I am so excited by this revelation. I have a French book for children due out by the end of September. I now have a plan to pair up with a new French school in Kemptville in order to distribute the book to as many French families in the area as possible.
Whatever business you are in, I urge you to think about your target population. Where are they? What do they need? How can you communicate to them that you can help? What other businesses serve this population? How can you collaborate with these businesses to reach your clients? Marketing has become more than trying to sell my services to potential clients. It has become a way of sending a message to future clients that I understand what they are going through and I can help.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Monday, 12 September 2016
Black Card Books
September 12th, 2016
What an amazing weekend! I attended the, Publish a Book and Grow Rich Bootcamp with Gerry Robert and his team. This is a free event spanning the entire weekend from Friday night to Sunday at 5pm. I have so many books in me, just wanting to get out, vying for my attention. I decided to attend this bootcamp because I heard about it, as serendipity would have it, right after I proclaimed to my husband that I was determined to publish a book. I saw it as a sign but I wasn't sure what to expect.
On Friday night, as all 200 attendees registered, workbooks were handed out. I didn't know anyone so I leafed through this document and was tempted to just sit somewhere with a coffee and work my way through it. Everything was in there from choosing my primary objective, identifying my target population, creating a blueprint for my book, getting it funded before I even started writing it, publishing the book and marketing it. I was so excited to read all this content. It was like finding a treasure map, right there in plain sight.
Gerry Robert showed up. I had received clips of the bootcamp via e-mail so I was familiar with his charisma and had heard some of his jokes but there is nothing like seeing him in person. This guy spoke to us pretty much non-stop for three days and I never felt bored. He weaves personal stories with visits from successful authors via Skype and carefully selected slides. He combines this with assignments from the workbook to keep us moving.
I've self-published two children's books, two short stories in a collective works, a deck of art therapy cards and will be releasing my first book in French in a matter of weeks. I know first-hand that getting the book done is rarely the hard part. It's moving the book and raising awareness about your book that can be challenging. As Gerry shared his tricks of the trade with us, I was thinking what a difference this would have made for me when I released my first book. I kept thinking, of course, that makes sense!
We got tips on writing, marketing and speaking. I enjoy public speaking. I would love the opportunity to speak about any of my books. Gerry taught us how to get invited to speak and then sell or give our book to audience members as a marketing tool. What I learned about getting advertisers through interviews and selling one bonus chapter to a co-author as a way to fund my book was pure genius.
I left the conference with clarity and purpose. There were publishing packages available at the conference. I don't have that kind of money at this time but, thanks to everything I have learned for free, I can now prepare the path of success for my book. Today, I will review all my notes and organize a step by step process for my next book. I feel so prepared and excited!
Thank you Gerry Robert for empowering me to do what you have done-start with nothing but grit and determination and end up on top.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
What an amazing weekend! I attended the, Publish a Book and Grow Rich Bootcamp with Gerry Robert and his team. This is a free event spanning the entire weekend from Friday night to Sunday at 5pm. I have so many books in me, just wanting to get out, vying for my attention. I decided to attend this bootcamp because I heard about it, as serendipity would have it, right after I proclaimed to my husband that I was determined to publish a book. I saw it as a sign but I wasn't sure what to expect.
On Friday night, as all 200 attendees registered, workbooks were handed out. I didn't know anyone so I leafed through this document and was tempted to just sit somewhere with a coffee and work my way through it. Everything was in there from choosing my primary objective, identifying my target population, creating a blueprint for my book, getting it funded before I even started writing it, publishing the book and marketing it. I was so excited to read all this content. It was like finding a treasure map, right there in plain sight.
Gerry Robert showed up. I had received clips of the bootcamp via e-mail so I was familiar with his charisma and had heard some of his jokes but there is nothing like seeing him in person. This guy spoke to us pretty much non-stop for three days and I never felt bored. He weaves personal stories with visits from successful authors via Skype and carefully selected slides. He combines this with assignments from the workbook to keep us moving.
I've self-published two children's books, two short stories in a collective works, a deck of art therapy cards and will be releasing my first book in French in a matter of weeks. I know first-hand that getting the book done is rarely the hard part. It's moving the book and raising awareness about your book that can be challenging. As Gerry shared his tricks of the trade with us, I was thinking what a difference this would have made for me when I released my first book. I kept thinking, of course, that makes sense!
We got tips on writing, marketing and speaking. I enjoy public speaking. I would love the opportunity to speak about any of my books. Gerry taught us how to get invited to speak and then sell or give our book to audience members as a marketing tool. What I learned about getting advertisers through interviews and selling one bonus chapter to a co-author as a way to fund my book was pure genius.
I left the conference with clarity and purpose. There were publishing packages available at the conference. I don't have that kind of money at this time but, thanks to everything I have learned for free, I can now prepare the path of success for my book. Today, I will review all my notes and organize a step by step process for my next book. I feel so prepared and excited!
Thank you Gerry Robert for empowering me to do what you have done-start with nothing but grit and determination and end up on top.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Monday, 6 June 2016
It Takes A Village
June 6th, 2016
We've all heard the expression: "It takes a village to raise a child". However, I have been thinking a lot lately about the power of community as an entrepreneur.
I was raised in the city and, as a child, I got to know the kids in my neighbourhood but the adults didn't mingle unless their children were friends. You could live three years within spitting distance of your neighbours and never get to know them. They were a mystery-their name, occupation, secrets, aspirations etc.
When I moved to the country, one of the things I loved was the way everyone seemed to know each other. Initially it's challenging because you are an outsider but as people see you around, as you get involved with various groups, as you cross paths, you forge connections and people and places become familiar. You reach a comfort level and a feeling of belonging. My children hate running errands with me because we bump into people I know and I like to chat which prolongs each errand much to their chagrin.
As an entrepreneur, sometimes, your biggest struggle is getting people to try your product or service. Word of mouth is a powerful tool in a rural community but only if someone has tried your services. There are so many expenses involved in starting a business-website, business cards, social media, marketing, inventory, staff, taxes, professional memberships, cell phone and e-mail accounts just to name a few. The advantage of being a part of a small community is you will find that many people are willing to connect you with the right resource and you help each other out.
I have been so fortunate to meet the right people who have connected me to amazing professionals. This past year has been focused primarily on working with children and teenagers within the school system. I was lucky that Mme Graham, then a Grade 3 teacher, allowed me to offer my creativity workshops to her students. Shelley Mitchell connected me to Oxford-on-Rideau Public School when they were searching for someone to run a few after-school art programs in November and December 2014. Tia Akse introduced me to Meredith Luce who became the illustrator of my deck of cards and books. My walking buddy, Chris Turnbull, brought Andrew McManaman, a first-year film student, into my life just when I needed someone to film my workshops. Mandy Moodie at Classic Graphics is super talented and constantly sets up posters or documents for me so they look professional. Maggie Boyer and David Shanahan empowered me to write a bunch of articles on topics of interest to me. Their paper, The NG Times, connected me to this community in a way I had never experienced and, they helped me publish my first book which gave me the confidence to write a second one. Jocelyne Elliott invited me into her Grade 2 class for my Have You Hugged Your Alien? workshop and sang my praises at the parent council. The Parent Council applied for funding so I could develop three workshops to improve communication among family members. The grant was approved and I had the pleasure of meeting so many local parents and children in the process. Bev Illauq invited me to the Catholic District School Board Community Partner Day two years ago. This led to me meeting Michelle Neville who has been a great resource and liaison for me. Anita Mitra, a teacher at the Smiths Falls District High School welcomed me into her High Arts program for a half day stress management workshop with her talented students. The North Grenville Public Library who is hosting my book launch. Jim Beveridge at B&H Your Community Grocer who not only supplies the empty boxes to organize my supplies for workshops but who has also offered to display my books for sale in his store at no cost to me. Are you out of breath yet?
As an entrepreneur, you depend on people to give you a chance, to tell others about your business, to sing your praises and to refer clients to you. You also grow as a business when people use local services and help each other out. I am so grateful to live in a rural community where people promote one another and celebrate each other's successes. Thank you Kemptville for your support and encouragement! I couldn't have made it this far without you.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
We've all heard the expression: "It takes a village to raise a child". However, I have been thinking a lot lately about the power of community as an entrepreneur.
I was raised in the city and, as a child, I got to know the kids in my neighbourhood but the adults didn't mingle unless their children were friends. You could live three years within spitting distance of your neighbours and never get to know them. They were a mystery-their name, occupation, secrets, aspirations etc.
When I moved to the country, one of the things I loved was the way everyone seemed to know each other. Initially it's challenging because you are an outsider but as people see you around, as you get involved with various groups, as you cross paths, you forge connections and people and places become familiar. You reach a comfort level and a feeling of belonging. My children hate running errands with me because we bump into people I know and I like to chat which prolongs each errand much to their chagrin.
As an entrepreneur, sometimes, your biggest struggle is getting people to try your product or service. Word of mouth is a powerful tool in a rural community but only if someone has tried your services. There are so many expenses involved in starting a business-website, business cards, social media, marketing, inventory, staff, taxes, professional memberships, cell phone and e-mail accounts just to name a few. The advantage of being a part of a small community is you will find that many people are willing to connect you with the right resource and you help each other out.
I have been so fortunate to meet the right people who have connected me to amazing professionals. This past year has been focused primarily on working with children and teenagers within the school system. I was lucky that Mme Graham, then a Grade 3 teacher, allowed me to offer my creativity workshops to her students. Shelley Mitchell connected me to Oxford-on-Rideau Public School when they were searching for someone to run a few after-school art programs in November and December 2014. Tia Akse introduced me to Meredith Luce who became the illustrator of my deck of cards and books. My walking buddy, Chris Turnbull, brought Andrew McManaman, a first-year film student, into my life just when I needed someone to film my workshops. Mandy Moodie at Classic Graphics is super talented and constantly sets up posters or documents for me so they look professional. Maggie Boyer and David Shanahan empowered me to write a bunch of articles on topics of interest to me. Their paper, The NG Times, connected me to this community in a way I had never experienced and, they helped me publish my first book which gave me the confidence to write a second one. Jocelyne Elliott invited me into her Grade 2 class for my Have You Hugged Your Alien? workshop and sang my praises at the parent council. The Parent Council applied for funding so I could develop three workshops to improve communication among family members. The grant was approved and I had the pleasure of meeting so many local parents and children in the process. Bev Illauq invited me to the Catholic District School Board Community Partner Day two years ago. This led to me meeting Michelle Neville who has been a great resource and liaison for me. Anita Mitra, a teacher at the Smiths Falls District High School welcomed me into her High Arts program for a half day stress management workshop with her talented students. The North Grenville Public Library who is hosting my book launch. Jim Beveridge at B&H Your Community Grocer who not only supplies the empty boxes to organize my supplies for workshops but who has also offered to display my books for sale in his store at no cost to me. Are you out of breath yet?
As an entrepreneur, you depend on people to give you a chance, to tell others about your business, to sing your praises and to refer clients to you. You also grow as a business when people use local services and help each other out. I am so grateful to live in a rural community where people promote one another and celebrate each other's successes. Thank you Kemptville for your support and encouragement! I couldn't have made it this far without you.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
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