Should you list prices on your website?

I debated for quite awhile about whether I'd list my prices. I've even changed it three times since my website has gone live. There's no right or wrong answer for this question, but it's worth considering.

The argument for listing prices:

+ Listing your prices works as a filter. People will know what to expect, and you won't spend unnecessary time speaking with people who don't have the budget. It saves time for both you and the potential client.

+ Transparency is highly valued.

+ It can help with your SEO. Most people don't list their pricing, but people search for pricing all the time. Wouldn't you rather be in charge of that conversation and get the traffic?

The argument for not listing prices:

+ You might miss out on clients who don't understand the real value of your services. Since the consultation call is one-on-one, it can help you both understand the needs and value in the transaction.

+ You might work on a sliding scale or have highly customized services. This is part of what I struggled with because my work varies greatly from client to client. You might need to speak with the client and get all the details before determining a fair price.

My verdict?

I recommend listing your pricing on your website for the reasons listed above.

People are trained to look for a price when they're shopping. Even if you have customized work, list an estimate or scale so people have an idea of what they're getting into. I love this quote, and whole article, from Hubspot, "The goal is to own the price and value dialog of your product or service, so you can provide researchers with the context they need to understand your pricing model." Listing your pricing while your competition doesn't puts you in charge.

Did you know listing your price can also help with your search engine optimization? Searchengingland has a great list of reasons to list pricing, starting with your SEO.

 What do you think? Let us know in the comments why you did or didn't list pricing on your website.

How to Choose the Right Colors for Your Brand

The psychology behind how colors make us feel is one of my favorite business + psychology topics. In college, I wrote a research paper about it for one of my marketing courses and have been obsessed ever since. The first branding I started with a few years ago consisted of blues, greens and light brown. It had an earthy, fresh feeling to it.

When I rebranded last year, I kept the blue, but went with shades of coral and pink to give it a more feminine touch. While my business was still related to wellness, it had taken more of a business turn, so my branding changed slightly to reflect that (and my target market).

Why should you put thought into choosing the right colors for your brand?

• 92.6% of people put most importance on visual factors when choosing a product
• Color increases brand recognition by up to 80%
• Color can improve readership by 40%
• Color can improve comprehension by up to 73%

by AttwoodDigital.

I like how this infographic mixes in a few facts in addition to the feelings associated with colors. Plus, it adds global meaning, which is especially important if you have an online business. It's much easier to reach a global market than it used to be, so you should know what message you're giving off.

I like how this infographic gives specific examples, such as red being popular in fast food restaurants and for impulse buyers.

Blue and green are popular among health coaches and wellness businesses because they make viewers think of the earth, nature, freshness, peace, green vegetables, and so on.

The Psychology of Color Break Down:

Red: Exciting, energizing, hot, passionate, impulsive, dramatic, aggressive, dangerous

Orange: Fun, happy, active, friendly, loud, whimsical

Yellow: Joyful, stimulating, surprise, friendly

Brown: Earthy, grounded, steady, natural, durable

Black: Powerful, sophisticated, elegant, nighttime, sober, depression, death, mourning

Gray: Classic, corporate, professional, reserved, basic

White: Pure, clean, innocent, bright, clinical, cold

Blue: Calm, peaceful, water, clean, classic, strong

Green: Natural, healthy, life, growth, spring, renewal

Teal: Serene, cool, tasteful, sophisticated, confident

Purple: Spiritual, mysterious, creative, thoughtful, enchanting

Pink: Feminine, soft, sweet, delicate, compassionate, playful

See a full spectrum here.

Did you think about the colors you were choosing for your brand?

Why I'm Keeping a Contracting Job in a Different Industry

I'm at the point where I could go full time with my coaching business. Instead, I'm hiring an assistant (in full transparency, it's my fiance) and keeping a contracting position in a completely different industry. Clients are often surprised that I have a contracting job that's not in the health and wellness industry. Also, why would I choose to keep a contracting job if I could make more money coaching and expand my business? I've actually gotten a lot of similar questions lately, so that's why I decided to address it.

I contract for a company that sells plumbing and drainage equipment. Not exactly in the industry I target, right? And not exactly glamorous. But hey, I've learned A LOT from this job. As a little background, I've been with this company for 3 years. I worked in the marketing department in the Alabama office for about two of those years. My position has evolved so much since I started, and I've been able to turn it into something I love. About a year into the position I wrote my own job description and title (content marketing specialist). I manage over 36 social media accounts, handle SEO, help with all of our website redesigns, help with copywriting, manage our monthly reporting and analytics (I'm SUCH a nerd for analytics), and have recently taken on managing a new marketing automation platform. Over the years I've planned huge events, was the Smartboard expert and a host of other random things. (The featured photo is one I took for a company I work with named Murdock Manufacturing.)

Why I'm keeping my position:

1. I like what I do, and they treat me well.
2. I get to travel and attend events I can't yet afford on my own.
3. I like variety in my work. I don't want to get burnt out on any one thing.
4. I contract for a B2B company, which is challenging. It keeps me on my toes.
5. I like the stability. I don't have benefits or vacation time, but I have 40 hours a week if I want them.
6. Working for yourself can be lonely. We have daily Skype meetings, so it adds some of the office interaction I don't get at home.
7. Marketing for something outside of your industry (health + wellness) can teach you a lot and help you stay creative.
8. We're always learning about new marketing tools. I feel like I learn more being part of this team than I would if I was solely responsible for my marketing awareness.

I recommend keeping a full time, or at least steady, job while building your business. Sometimes the stress of making ends meet can fuel you, but often it adds unnecessary stress and might lead you to make decisions for your business you wouldn't otherwise make. It also gives you a chance to explore what your business should feel like. Give your business room to evolve and become what it was meant to be. The other side to this, like my situation, is that if you like what you do and are learning from it, you don't have to give it up. (Quick tip: be open with your boss and coworkers, and if you're a contractor, make sure they respect your time.)

I'm frequently asked, "How do you know when to go full-time with your side gig?" It's different for everyone. Pay attention to your gut feelings.

I've come across entrepreneurs who feel guilty for hanging on to their jobs (or make me question why I do). Stop the guilt. Design your life + career however YOU see fit.

I love this post by Laura Sims at Create As Folk: Why I Took a Full-Time Job

How many of you have full time jobs and a side job? How did you make the transition?

Loving Your 9-5 Job + Finding a Job You Love

I mostly work with other entrepreneurs, but inspiring people to seek enjoyable careers is also important to me.

Let's explore:

1. Learning to love the 9-5 job you already have
2. How to find a job you love

Yes, I love being an entrepreneur, but we need all different jobs to make the world work.

There are a lot of unhappy people working 9-5 jobs (myself included at one point). I think the cause is often a mismatch of company culture with the individual's personality or a position requiring the wrong skill set. Sometimes that trickles down if the manager is not ideal for his or her position.

I've heard WAY too many people say "it's your job, you're not supposed to like it." That is a huge misconception. You won't love what you're doing all the time, no matter what job you have, but you should like your job at least 60-70% of the time. (Completely made up statistic, but you get the point.)

Jess Lively has an inspirational podcast called The Lively Show that has completely consumed me this past week. Her interview with Mr. Lively is an excellent example of how you can love your "9-5" job. They touch on company culture, which is one of the most important aspects of liking your job. Especially these days, you can find a culture that fits with you. Interview the company as much as they're interviewing you so you can get a feel for what it's like to work for that company.

The Lively Show episode with Noah Kagan also touched on similar topics. Noah mentions the "Sunday Test" - how do you feel on Sunday about going to work on Monday? I can totally relate to this. I had a job where I loved the work I was doing, but the culture didn't jive with me. I felt out of place and confused, so a feeling of dread and anxiety would come over me on Sundays. Noah also gives recommendations on how to find a job you love, even in a competitive environment.

3 Ways to Stand Out at a Job Interview:

1. Research the company
2. Have ideas for how you can improve the company
3. Know why the company should hire you

If you're doing work you enjoy, it doesn't matter if it's for someone else or yourself. In another podcast, the guest compares his internet job with a construction worker's job. While he has what some would consider a "dream job," the construction worker would hate sitting inside hunched over a computer all day. Think of how much we could accomplish if we were all well-suited for our jobs.

[Tweet "Think of how much we could accomplish if we were all well-suited for our jobs."]

So while I love to inspire entrepreneurs to go after their dreams, I want to point out that I encourage everyone to find jobs based on what will make you happy. Do something that makes you feel alive. It will work out better for everyone.

Danielle LaPorte talks about basing your actions on your "core desired feelings" in The Desire Map, and this resonates with me, too. Maybe your desired feelings are stability and community or maybe creativity and variety.

One of my core desired feelings is flexibility. I live far away from family, so I want the freedom and ability to travel and work from anywhere.

How do you want your career to make you feel? What's really important to you?

There may not be one path to what you want from a career, and what you thought you wanted may not make you happy. Let's answer a few questions to give you a different perspective:

3 Questions to Find a Job You Love:

1. How will you feel when you have your dream job?
2. What will you be doing day to day?
3. What kind of people do you want to spend every day with?

At the same time, there are ways you can learn to love the job you already have.

5 Ways to Learn to Love Your Job:

1. Ask for specific projects that more closely relate to what you want to do.
2. Request flexibility if that's what you need.
3. Make your desk and working environment more tranquil and more YOU.
4. The longer you're with a company, the more easily it will be to switch departments. Start looking for open positions within the company.
5. Don't get caught up in negative talk about your job. Focus on the positive. (Applies to life in general.)

Do you love your day job? Did you leave a job to do something you love? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

The #1 Rule for Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur

You can follow every rule, how-to and template. You can take the courses, read the books and get the credentials.

But the thing that really matters is what you do differently.

How can you get your audience's attention when it's already pulled in a million directions?

Four signs you're missing the point:

1. Your website looks like every other website in your industry.
2. You go to networking events that are filled with competitors and colleagues rather than your target audience.
3. You're following every tip but can't seem to find your tribe.
4. You're holding back in your writing and communication.

Why should anyone listen to your message? What do you have to offer that's unique? That's where you need to focus your energy.

The market place is saturated. But customization is on the rise, and no two people are exactly alike. Figure out what you can do differently, while still being authentically YOU, to stand out.

What really matters for your business is what you do DIFFERENTLY.

What helps you stick out? What do you offer that's unique in your industry?

The #1 Mistake Entrepreneurs Make

I've seen this with clients, classmates and friends time and time again. It applies to more than just starting your own business. Once I finish this course, I'll be ready to apply for that job. When things slow down, I'll be ready to get certified in X, Y or Z.

I don't have the right [business name, logo, website theme] to put myself out there yet.

I don't have enough blog followers to write that e-book.

You get the point. The #1 mistake is waiting. Not jumping into it. It's too easy to get caught up by the fear and lack of confidence, but you know how you'll gain that confidence? Experience.

You'll figure out more about your business from your clients than from yourself. You'll figure out what you want to do more of and less of.

I was speaking to a client last week who validated this thought for me. Through starting to coach clients, she realized that helping with romantic relationships wasn't quite up her alley. And that's okay. It's better to specialize and to refer people when it's not what you want to do.

You don't need to have the perfect website, blog, social media presence or even business name to get started. My logo is only a pretty font I made myself and my website and blog are currently separate. Not ideal, but it hasn't slowed me down one bit.

Follow these steps to get started TODAY:

1. Start with your legal name as your business name to skip some legal steps. In most cases you won't need to do any special registrations as long as you use your own legal name as part of the business. Example: Danielle Zeigler Coaching. My name and what I do. If you use a different name, such as Kickin' Fitness, you'll need to file as DBA (Doing Business As), at minimum. (I know, I know..that's why I don't have a fancy business name yet.)

It also allows your business to grow and change directions. I offer health coaching and business coaching, but I may not always offer both. I'm not ready to commit, so using my name is perfect. The tagline is the important part anyway.

2. Start a blog, even if it still looks like name.wordpress.com Start writing what you know and building an audience or community. You'll learn which topics you like talking about and what questions you see over and over. You'll also demonstrate your expertise. Clients like to work with someone they know and trust, so a blog is the perfect, non-committed way for someone to get to know you.

3. Put together a Wix.com website. You can even keep the ads and free domain, and you'll have a free website set up in an afternoon. It's drag and drop, and they have beautiful templates to get you started.

4. Start telling people what you do. Introduce yourself as a health coach, business coach, life coach, etc. to everyone you meet. Even if you don't have any clients yet, that's still what you do.

5. Keep your day job. You don't have to jump head-first into the world of entrepreneurship. I highly recommend keeping your day job and working in the evenings and on weekends until you have a more solid footing with your business.

What tips would you give other entrepreneurs as they get started? What did you struggle with or see success with?

My Experience at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition + Special Offer

I officially graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a Health Coach two weeks ago. It's hard to believe it's already over. I wanted to recap my experience while it's still fresh in my mind, PLUS I have a great special offer for anyone who enrolls with me as a referral.

Summary

You'll hear the same thing from most IIN graduates. The experience is life changing. You'll learn to think critically about what you're putting into your body and how your lifestyle affects your overall well-being.

You'll not only learn over 100 dietary theories, but also about the sustainability of our food choices and how big business impacts the USDA guidelines. This leading-edge nutrition information comes from the top experts in the field of nutrition and health.

Looking to turn your passion into a full or part-time business? You'll also receive the necessary business and marketing training through the program.

Integrative Nutrition's mission is to “play a crucial role in improving health and happiness, and through that process, create a ripple effect that transforms the world.”

Watch this video to find out why the world needs health coaches.

Why I Enrolled

It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason I enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. It was the perfect storm of interest in nutrition; major health struggles in my family; and searching for a more fulfilling career, whether that be part-time or full-time. All of my reasons are enough for multiple posts, so I'll save all of that and jump into the details!

Community

The community at IIN is one of the best parts. Connecting with people all over the world who are interested in alternative medicine and holistic nutrition is amazing. I was part of the May 2013 class, which had around 1200 students. We had a Facebook group for our class and numerous side groups for specific topics, such as Plant-Based Eaters, Women's Health or Blogging.

We had students from all over the world, of all different ages and from all different career backgrounds. You'll encounter medical doctors, pharmacists, school teachers, stay at home mothers, and anything else you can imagine.

Students are encouraged to create a study group in their geographic locations. After you graduate, you'll start coming across other graduates in your every day life. I promise you'll be immediate friends.

Classes + Curriculum

The curriculum is separated into 40 modules, with 10 modules per quarter and 4 tests (one at the end of each quarter). It's recommended to spend at least 5-10 hours per week on your course work, or potentially more if you're ready to plan a business or already have one. Between the tests you can go at your own pace with the modules. You download them to your Apple device and listen to lectures and read PowerPoints at your leisure. You'll also receive a workbook that contains your assignments. These are optional, but I highly recommend completing them!

The course work is a mix of nutrition, business/marketing and coaching skills. Even if you plan to create a product, open a yoga studio, or just want the nutrition knowledge for your family, all of these skills are applicable to every day life. You'll learn over 100 different dietary theories, but you'll also learn how everything works together holistically. You'll touch on topics such as positive psychology, relationships, sleeping habits, and so much more. A recurring theme is bio-individuality, which is the belief that no one diet is perfect for every single person. This also applies to lifestyles. From veganism to the paleo movement, you'll help people find what's right for them.

You'll be able to access your course work for life, as long as you download it to your device. This is a plus for me, because sometimes it takes a few times of hearing something for it to sink in!

You'll have the opportunity to apply for AADP (American Association of Drugless Practitioners) membership and also to apply your certificate toward credits to a growing variety of college programs. More information can be found here.

After the normal one-year period course, you'll also be able to enroll in a the Immersion Program. This is geared toward those who are ready to take their businesses to the next level. I'll be enrolling in the January Immersion Program and can't wait. From what I understand, you can complete Immersion as many times as you like.

Tests + Requirements

We had 4 tests during my class with two chances to take the test. We had a 2 week window to take each test, so that was perfect for those who were extremely busy. The staff and curriculum creators at IIN really understand the fast-paced lifestyle that nearly everyone has, and has developed a way to work around it. Keep in mind that the curriculum is constantly updated, so I can't promise that's how it will be.

During my class we also had to complete coaching calls (small groups discussing the curriculum) and practice "health histories." So, despite the school being a distance learning, go-at-your-pace style, there was plenty of hands-on learning and communication.

Overall Pros

• Great community of people. You're sure to make life-long friends

• Diverse education on nutrition

• Skills to build a business and help others achieve their health goals

• Manageable for those working full-time, mothers and busy people in general

• Taught by the leading nutrition experts

• Continuously updated material so it is never outdated

• A variety of payment plans are available

Overall Cons

• Some people in my class complained that they wanted more nutrition information and less business. I wouldn't personally say this is a con, but it's the only one I can think of. The education sets you up to seek out information and how to make sense of all the different theories floating around.

• I would have enjoyed a little more science behind the information. The more in-depth information can be found in the books written by the presenters, however.

I am in SUCH a better place in life since completing the program, both mentally and physically. There were many times when I doubted myself, my business ideas, and my goals, but everyone is extremely supportive at IIN. It takes courage and dedication, but you really can have the life you want. You just have to create it. Plus, everyone is a work in progress at all times. Nutrition, health and wellness are an ongoing education process.

Enroll and let IIN know that I, Danielle Zeigler, referred you, and you'll receive up to $1000 off tuition + any other special offers going on right now.

Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to know more. It was hard to include everything I wanted to in this post without making it extremely long!

4 Ways to Increase Productivity + Efficiency at Work

        Never mistake motion for action -Ernest Hemingway

Have you ever worked with one of those people who is always frantically busy, works late every evening and always seems stressed? But yet they never seem to get a whole lot done? Or maybe you've had a boss who suggested it would "make you look good" if you were the last person to leave every evening, despite not having work to do.

Not only is that constant state of stress and over-extension bad for you, but when you stop to think about it, does it really make you look good? To me that screams inefficiency.

Our culture is obsessed with staying busy, and we wear our stress like a badge of honor. "You think that's bad!? Last week I pulled 3 all-nighters in the office. I may not even go home this weekend!" (Alright, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point.)

Don't get me wrong. There will be times in your life when you need to push yourself, work the extra hours and take on extra stress. And it will (hopefully) be very rewarding. That's not a sustainable lifestyle, however. As working hours increase, sleep, healthy eating and exercise tend to get pushed aside. When you're not taking care of your body (and mind) your work will start to suffer, and that will send you into an even worse cycle.

With that said, here are a few tips to stay productive and efficient so you can lower your stress and stop extending your work days.

4 ways to increase productivity + efficiency

1. Get enough sleep Seriously. You need adequate sleep to keep your immune system strong and your hormones regulated. It's been said that people getting under 7 hours of sleep make more errors during the day than those who get more. People wearing "little sleep" as a badge of honor could be a whole post on it's own.

2. Eat better This one is pretty simple, and seems obvious, but it can be challenging to put in the effort when you're stressed and crunched for time. Increase fresh fruits and vegetables. I won't tell you to never eat junk food again, but try to crowd out the bad food with good food. When you get the proper nutrients, your body and mind will thank you by working with more clarity and energy. Junk food slows your body down because its trying to digest foreign chemicals, fighting to balance sugar levels and protect your body from damage all at the same time. How much could you accomplish if you weren't fighting brain fog and an afternoon slump?

3. Remove distractions Limit social media throughout the day. There are plenty of computer apps that will actually block designated websites for a certain period of time. Try setting specific breaks to check and respond to email. You'll get on more of a roll if you're not interrupted every few minutes by a new "urgent" incoming request.

If you find your mind starting to wander, get up and take a short walk instead of checking Facebook. The walk will increase energy, get blood moving and give you a chance to rest your eyes, among other benefits. You can play on Facebook later with the extra time you have from finishing your work.

4. Get organized This may look different depending on your personality style. I'm a very Type-A list-lover, so I like to start my day by making a to-do list. I break this list into sections of importance. What do I need to finish today? What do I need to keep in mind, but doesn't need to be completed immediately?

Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Consider batching similar tasks together. Designate an hour for admin work, 3 hours for client meetings, two hours for up-keeping your online presence (responding to comments and questions on your blog, social media channels, etc.) and so on.
• Make a list of 3-5 things you must accomplish today. Work hardest to easiest. You'll free up mental space when you finally call that client you've been avoiding.
• If you're visual, spend a little time color coding your notes and files. This will save time when you're looking for papers you need.
• Sarah over at XOSarah has created this efficiency worksheet to help you figure out how much time you're wasting throughout the day. I highly recommend using this, even if it's just a test for one day!

Our culture is literally killing itself from stress and over-working. Here's an eye opener:

        75% of health care in this country is stress related and preventable. -Arianna Huffington

As I've said before, you'll do better work when you feel better. So if you're stuck in the chaotic, overworking trap, slowly start to rethink what it's helping you to achieve. How is it serving your body, mind, and life in general?

        Eulogies never talk about what's on our resumes. They're about what really matters. How we made people feel... -Arianna Huffington

How do you stay focused and efficient?

7 Tips for Working From Home

I've been working from home for about a year now. Here are some tips I've gathered and taken advantage of in that time: + Don't eat while working and DO take a lunch break. Get outside for a walk if possible, and eat in a calm environment. Entrepreneurship can be hectic and stressful,  so take time to regroup.

+ Feeling stuck with an idea?  Take a shower. Or meditate.  Just remove all other distractions.

+ Cook at home. Save money and feel better. It can be tempting to go out to dinner every night since you've been cooped up in the house all day. If you want to get out of the house, go to a coffee shop, bookstore, hiking, etc. Spend that time doing something fun.

+ Have a dedicated space for work and make sure it's a pleasant environment. Light a candle,  listen to soothing music, decorate with uplifting colors. Keep a vision board in your office.

+ Think about investing in a standing or adjustable desk, or even a treadmill desk so you get more movement during the day. Use a pedometer or fitness tracking band to stay on track. It can be all too easy to get wrapped up in projects

+ Have structure to your day, but take advantage of the flexibility every so often. Schedule tasks, make a list of what you need to do and categorize it. "Batching tasks" will make your day flow more smoothly and productively.

+ Have a stop time when you walk away from your work for the evening and spend time unwinding with family,  exercise,  etc.

What have you learned about working from home? Share your tips below!

What to Write About in Your Email Newsletter

Now that you're convinced you need a newsletter and have chosen a provider, it's time to write! You may be thinking,"I already write blog posts. I don't have time to write a newsletter!" Don't worry, this will be painless.

What to write about + newsletter tips:

• First, keep it short and sweet.
• You must have a compelling headline. Make sure you stand out in the inbox.
• Already have a blog? Great! Use your newest blog post. Use a great opening paragraph and then have a "read more" link sending readers to your blog post. Your blog post titles need to be attention grabbing, too, so this will help your newsletters.
• Write a little about your newest feature. Marie Forleo, inspiring woman + founder of B-School, writes a few sentences about her newest "Q&A Tuesday" with a picture and link to the newest video.

An example from Marie Forleo:

• Use frequently asked questions or quick tips. Again, keep it short, simple + engaging. You can re-use this tip or FAQ for a blog post down the line.
• Which emails do you open and which emails do you find compelling? Which do you click through to websites? Pay attention and test that method in your own newsletters!

What do you write in your newsletters?

The Basics: 4 Health Tips for Entrepreneurs

If you're new to working from home and/or entrepreneurship or have gotten off track with your health, this post is for you! Feeling your best will lead to doing your best work. + Drink enough water Drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Dehydration can cause headaches, muscle aches and false food cravings, among other things.

+ Move your body Set an alarm every hour. Take a short walk and stretch. Download a free pedometer app on your smart phone and aim to get 10,000 steps per day. Bonus Tip: Every 20 minutes or so, move your eyes away from the computer screen and look at something far away for at least 20 seconds. This will reduce eye strain.

+ Release stress Set specified working hours. If you have proper discipline and motivation, you can still take advantage of the flexibility of entrepreneurship, but try to limit stretching your work hours too far into the evening. There need to be boundaries between work and family/you time.

Being an entrepreneur is stressful. It's on you to land the clients, pay the bills and stay inspired. Find a way to release your stress and focus on your own wellness. When you feel good, you do your best work. Try meditating, yoga (my personal favorite!) or taking a leisurely walk around the neighborhood.

+ Eat more fruits and veggies (especially green!) For those entrepreneurs who are working from home, this should be relatively easy. You're not hauling produce into an office or figuring out how to keep apple slices fresh for 6 hours. Try replacing one carb-loaded snack a day and go from there. Eating fruits and vegetables keeps your energy high without the afternoon blood-sugar dip.

What health + wellness habits have you adopted while working at home?

How to Choose a Target Market

You have great ideas and skills to match, but you're thinking, "Why exclude anyone who can benefit even slightly from my services? There are so many people who need help!" First of all, congratulations on recognizing your passions and becoming an entrepreneur! Second, you can't help everyone, but you can get really good at helping a select group. A target market will give you a clear focus and make your marketing easier. You'll become an expert in your field. Plus, you can build up a network of colleagues in your industry (health coaching, graphic design, etc.) who specialize in something different. Build a referral network.

Reasons to narrow your target market:

+ You'll eliminate some of your competition. + Research will be easier (both to find clients and to help clients). + You'll be able to focus your marketing materials, blog posts and newsletters more easily if you know who you're writing for. + You'll get to know this group's specific problems intimately and become an expert. (Tip: You'll be able to charge more if you specialize.)

Questions to ask yourself:

+ What groups are you already part of? (Spiritual, hobby, organizations or other specific groups.) + What health issue or life obstacle have you overcome? + Do you have a specific passion close to your heart? Maybe a family member or close friend has dealt with a life-changing event. + What industries have you worked with in the past? What expertise do you already have?

Beginning steps to choose a target market:

+ Write down 3 target market ideas, with at least one being somewhat larger than the others. Is there any overlap? For example, "Young Women" and "New Mothers." You may want to try targeting "Young First-Time Mothers" + Do your research. Is there a need in those markets? Can you solve a problem for them? + Make a list of where you can find this group. You want to hang out where your target market is, not where your competition and colleagues are. This includes both in-person and online locations, such as the local yoga studio or an online forum.

Get to know your target market:

+ Can they afford your services? + What problems do they face? + What do they fear? + What goals and dreams do they have? + How do they spend their leisure time? Careers?

Answering these questions will give you a great start. Now it's time to start connecting! Get over to that yoga studio, local park or online forum.

Remember: There's nothing wrong with starting where you are and adapting later. This goes for marketing in general, too! Check in with yourself every 3 months and make sure this is the path you want to be on. Check your Google Analytics to see who you're attracting with your website. Don't know about Google Analytics? We'll get to that later :-)

Why You Need an Email Newsletter

I hear questions like this all the time, "I already have a blog. Do I really need a newsletter?" The answer is YES you need a newsletter. Here are some reasons why:

Why you need a newsletter:

+Everyone has email, but not everyone uses social media. It may be hard to believe, but it's true. My fiance refuses to join any social network.

+Social media channels are over-saturated. You have a better chance of reaching people through email. People are more selective about the emails they opt-in to receive, but they're more engaged with the ones they do. "It’s much easier to ignore a status update than a new inbox item."

+People won't check your website for new updates as often as they check their email (24/7 these days).

+"According to Experian, $1 spent on email marketing typically provides a return of $45 to $50."

+Your email list is your best tool. These people took the time to sign-up for your newsletter, so you know they're interested in your product or service. Plus, it's already targeted to your market. -OR- maybe you'll discover your market is different than you thought. The statistics from your email newsletter will tell you a lot.

How to get sign-ups/opt-ins:

+Offer an incentive. Make it a valuable piece of your work. Use an e-book, bundle of recipes, training videos, etc. This is a great way to demonstrate that you really are an expert in your field.

+Add opt-in forms to the following places: top of your side menu bar (so it's above the fold), in your header and/or on your "About Page." --Tried and true locations from socialtriggers.com.

+Social Triggers also warns that clutter on a website is the number one conversion killer. I couldn't agree more. Embrace the white space!

Recommended newsletter providers:

Aweber - Highly recommended by others, but have no personal experience Mailchimp - My personal favorite. Free up to 2000 subscribers, professional looking templates and connects easily to your website, social networks, etc.

Action step: Dedicate an hour this week to choosing your provider and getting your newsletter set up on your website. Schedule it in!