How you can invest in yourself
In my last article I talked about how you need to invest in yourself and your business first, before you can expect others to invest in you. But what are some of the things you can do?
And the answer is?
So I got to thinking about the many ways businesses like yours can invest in your success, both personally and professionally. Some involve only your time (which I know you have oh so much extra of, I write sarcastically). Others involve money (which of course is limited for almost all of us). Here are a few things you can do to invest in yourself and your business: Ideas that take more of your time than money:
- Attend a conference that’s not only about your technical skills – you have lots of opportunities to learn how to be a better DJ, wedding planner, or floral designer. How about learning how to be better at business (sales, marketing, social media, etc.)? You get to do more of what you love when you’re business is thriving, rather than when you’re just getting by.
- Take a class that’s outside your industry – online or at a local adult education program or college. We’re all multi-dimensional. Things you learn outside your current discipline very often end up giving you a different perspective to come up with new ideas for your work. Many of you know that I’ve been studying Spanish. I want to become fluent so that eventually I can give presentations in Spanish (2016 is my goal on this). I’ve spoken 4 times already in Mexico, with a translator and I’d like to be able to go to conferences that don’t have, or can’t afford a translator. Another benefit is that I run into native Spanish speakers almost everywhere I go (it is the fastest growing part of the US population). But the biggest benefit to me is that it’s challenging me intellectually. What have your done recently to challenge yourself?
- Attend a networking event – I love going to networking events because I never know whom I’m going to meet, what I’m going to hear, or what I’ll learn. Definitely bring a stack of your business cards, but don’t go there specifically looking for business. While getting referrals is one of the residual benefits of networking, that’s best obtained when you’re not seen as the person who’s always taking and not giving.The people who get the most out of networking meetings, groups and associations are those who give first. No one likes the person who walks around handing out cards, asking for business, especially if it’s their first meeting, or first one in a while. Besides, we refer people we know and trust. If you rarely show up at meetings, people don’t know you. They know and trust the people they see regularly, don’t you? It’s not the job, nor in the mission statement, of industry associations to bring you any business. It’s your job to form relationships that lead to referrals.
Where are you going to find the time?
These all take some of your precious time, so you’ll have to make it a priority, or you’ll never do it. You’re never going to get any more time, so you’ll have to decide to allocate some of your time to invest in you. And don’t tell me that you don’t have enough time, we all do. We change our priorities all the time.
If a friend called you and said they had tickets to a hot concert, sporting or cultural event, would you go? There’s a good chance you would. But wait, you had something to do already (it may have been the laundry), so where did you get the time? I speak about this in my book and presentation “Your Attitude for Success”. I wanted to do Tae Kwon Do, but I didn’t have the time. I was 39, working full time, 2 kids (sound familiar?). Once I decided to try it I went once a week, then twice, then 3 times a week… for 8 years! I had all of the time I needed, I just had to prioritize that time, and so can you.
I don’t have the time to learn Spanish, but I’m finding a way amid traveling over 80,000 miles this year, speaking at over 50 events. I do lessons on my iPhone walking through the airport, or driving in my car. We have all the time we need, to get the things we are willing to work for.
Ideas that require a financial investment
Here are some things that you can do to invest in your business that require more of a financial investment. Some still require your time and input, but not at the same level as the ideas above:
- Have a professional design your website – Can you tell when someone has made their own website? Usually you can. That’s actually the first of my “5 Signs It’s Time To Fire Your Website”. If your website looks like you made it yourself, it’s time for a new website. Despite what Wix, Web.com and GoDaddy would like you to believe, designing a great website is not something you can do yourself without training. Sure, you can drag and drop elements around the page, but making an effective site is more than just placing photos and text on a page.Having a great website is marrying design, technical skills and marketing. Very few people are good at all of those. I wrote a book on websites and I didn’t make my site. There are countless people who have better technical skills than I. My skill is in marketing and conversion – making your site work better to get you the results you want. I have a good design sense, but there are great templates already created, and great designers who are better than I. So I buy great templates or hire the designers. That said, I’m very excited about the website tool that WeddingWire is developing. They’re building them with a lot of the elements I speak of in my webinars, presentations and book.
- Hire a graphic designer – similar to websites, can you tell when someone has hired a professional graphic designer for their marketing and branding? Yes, you can. Despite what VistaPrint, Moo and others would like you to believe, giving you the tools to make your own business cards, brochures and postcards doesn’t give you the skills to do it. This is not a dig against VistaPrint. They’re a printing company and if you use professional design, and choose the better paper and coatings, your materials will come out just fine. That said, most people who use those services don’t have professionally designed artwork, and don’t choose to invest in better paper or coatings.I’ve used several online printing companies, with varying results. I always use professionally designed artwork, either my own, or more likely, my professional designer (who happens to be my son Ian, who is a professional graphic designer, with the BFA and portfolio to back it up). My personal benchmark is that I don’t want you to be able to tell when he did it, or when I did. Truth be told, I usually only do it myself after he’s designed it and I just need to tweak and update it. I’m pretty good at Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, but not nearly as good as he. He’s got way more hours on them than I ever will.
- Become more visible – Where would you expect to find the best businesses on a website like WeddingWire (or any of the other such sites)? On page 2, 3 or 4? Where would you expect to find the best business at a bridal show? In the smallest booth in the back corner? No, the best, smartest businesses know that, as with real estate, it’s about location, location, location. And yes, just as the corner store costs more to rent, so does the Spotlight or Featured placement, or better, bigger booth.
Invest in showing up
I’m a proud member of the National Speakers Association, as well as some wedding and event industry associations. I invest thousands of dollars, every year, in belonging and attending association events. I block dates off my calendar and won’t take speaking or consulting work on those dates. There’s no do-over if I miss a conference. Sure, there will be another meeting, but they’re not all the same. The speakers, the agenda, the attendees are different.
You don’t know what you don’t know, until you learn it
The best part of attending these events is that I never really know how I’ll benefit. I don’t know what I’ll hear and see, and for me the chance encounters in the hall, over a meal or at the bar, are often the best part. I get most of my new speaking topic ideas from speaking with folks like you, when I’m not onstage. I’ve had many conferences thank me for hanging out with the attendees, when it’s really to my benefit to do so. I’ve made so many good industry friends and connections and they all started with showing up.
The best is yet to come
What’s your next step? First decide that you’re a priority. Take one small step today. Read an article or blog post. Register for a networking event or conference. Research online, local adult education or community college classes. Buy a CD, DVD or book. Hire a professional graphic or website designer, people will notice the difference. Or you can choose hire a consultant to guide you (I just happen to know two ;-).
As I said in my first book, without action there’s no change. I look forward to hearing your stories of success, please share. Thanks for listening.
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If you’d like to find out how I can help you better understand how to invest in yourself through consulting, private sales training, a website review or online marketing services, call or email Alan, 732.422.6362, international enquiries 001 732 422 6362