5 Simple Steps to Building your Personal Development Plan--Darnyelle A. Jervey

If you were to survey 100 six and seven figure entrepreneurs, I’m almost positive that over 85% of them would say that among their secret weapons to success, includes taking time away from working in their business to spend time on personal development.

I can recall when I was an employee and the company I worked for made it part of our goals and performance appraisal to spend a specific amount of time each year to grow personally.

Let's be clear, growth in business is contingent upon growth in life. They are connected and to make a commitment to your personal growth and development is a catalyst for an amazing business transformation.

My personal recommendation is to get away from your day to day business activities every 90 days, or once a quarter. That way you can gain clarity and perspective from others. This will help you shift what must be shifted in your business so your next quarter is massively productive.

So, I have another recommendation for you. I recommend that you create a personal development plan because I know “what gets attended to gets done”.

Think about a simple trip to the grocery store...when you have a list, you're focused and on purpose and purchase only what is on your list. When you do not take the time to plan for your trip and hit the store "willy nilly" you buy a whole bunch of stuff that you already have or don't really need. I'm sure that the same happens for you. So to ensure that you don't attempt to grow your business "willy nilly" creating a personal development plan will help to ensure that you will actually get what you need to achieve your business goals and reach your next level.

In preparation for 2012, let's create your first or next personal development plan:

1. Get clear about your year's business growth goal. Get to a quiet place and list what you would like to accomplish over the next year. What is your income goal? What is your client goal? What products or events do you want to create and launch?

2. Determine what you will need to achieve the goals you listed. What training, guidance, mentorship, etc… are needed to achieve these goals?

3. List the people (mentors, coaches, seminar leaders, joint venture partners, etc.) you would like to help you achieve your goals this coming year. Visit their websites and find out what they're offering that could meet your needs. Find out the dates when they are holding an event that you can participate in.

4. Create your plan by taking a sheet of paper and making four quadrants, one for each quarter and list all of the options you found to develop personally throughout the next year. List them all and then go back and pick the four that will best suit your business goals. Or, you can find a mentor and join their mastermind program, most masterminds offering quarterly mastermind retreats every 90 days.

5. Make a non-negotiable decision to complete your plan in the next year. When you do, I am very confident that your business growth will have increased as a result of your personal growth.

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

5 simple steps that lead to more successful selling conversations--Darnyelle A. Jervey

Let’s be clear; it is as honorable to sell as it is to buy. Even though most business owners are aware of this fact, they still struggle with asking the most important question after the solution has been presented to the problem their ideal prospect has. Now that question, which can take many forms boils down to this: when would you like to get started? Some might say that asking it that way is too blunt and I’d say that they are chicken, not fully convinced of the value they add and clear that they are THE solution that their prospects need to once and for all solve the problem.

I recognize that selling occurs every day and somehow most would say that it’s easier if money doesn’t have to change hands. I say, why? You can convince your spouse that the movie you desire to see is somehow better than the one they desire to see but you can’t show your prospects that the solution you offer is better than the others offered in the marketplace and that they should pay you to get access to it? I’m not buying it and hopefully you won’t either as you learn my simple steps for helping to make your selling conversations more successful.

1. Set an intention before your conversation. Get quiet and clear and see yourself closing the sale and welcoming a new client into your business. What will it feel like when they enroll in your program and pay your well positioned rates? Write that positive, life affirming feeling in your journal. Start your conversation by expressing your gratitude for them wanting to meet with you. Keep your energy high and assume the answer will be yes.
2. Gain a clear understanding of the problem they are experiencing and help them to understand why they need to solve it now. Is the problem costing them money? Use a portion of the conversation to show them how much the problem is costing them so they can feel a sense of urgency to find a solution. Hint: you’re the solution!
3. Transition them from pain to promise by highlighting your solution for them with clear, measurable results NOT step-by-step processes. They want to know what they can expect when the problem has been solved not the exact way you’re going to solve it. You will lose them in translation if you don’t focus on the outcome, transformation, overall benefit or results.
4. Ask them for the sale. After you’ve walked them through your best option for them, the option that encapsulates their problem with the best possible solution in the most reasonable amount of time so that the solution is clear, experienced and no longer a hindrance, ask them if they are ready to stop the pain. While you may not use those exact words, you must use that level of conviction and confidence that in your solution lies their redemption.
5. Celebrate your new client. Collect their payment information, celebrate their decision and start solving their problem so you can get a killer testimonial or success story to bring more new clients into your business.

Selling is as honorable as buying and when you start with these simple tips, you will find yourself closing more sales and welcoming more new clients into your growing business. They’re waiting on your solution, it’s time you unleashed it!

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

4 Ways to Avoid Being a Commodity So You Get Paid for Your Incredible Factor--Darnyelle A. Jervey

1. Stop competing
Because you have clearly identified your ideal client (your audience of one) there is no need for you to compete with anyone else also in your industry. As an example, there are thousands of marketing coaches but few of them focus on mindset, marketing and money-making strategy the way that Darnyelle does.

By defining and unleashing your Incredible Factor, delivering your “Secret Sauce” and “Signature Business Move” to your ideal client and marketing your Incredible Factor Signature System, you are no longer going to blend in with the crowd. Instead, you are going to stand way out and get more people to take notice to the way you offer results for your clients.

2. Say you specialize
Tell people, “I specialize in…” when talking about your services. People are accustomed to giving more respect to specialists. You’ll automatically have more authority when you describe yourself in this way. And, it helps them to understand the investment it will take to work with you because they expect to pay a specialist more.

3. Raise your fees
Regardless of what you are charging now, it’s probably not enough. So raise your fees. Whatever your highest rate was, it is now your lowest. Take a deep breath.

You may opt to allow current clients to continue at their current rates and raise your fees only for your new clients.

4. Ask every client for a testimonial or success story
If someone experiences a breakthrough because of you, ask them to put it in writing, in audio or on video. Make it a point to ask for the testimonial as soon as they experience a breakthrough. You can ask them if you can use what they told you over the phone or would they like to send you a formal testimonial.

When highlighting your clients via testimonials, always ask if you can feature them. A “feature” allows them to be prominently displayed via your website for all of your website visitors to see, which is a win-win. You win because they are singing your work’s praises; they win because they may attract clients and prospects to their products and services.

Assignment:

1. Step 1: List all of the ways that you stand out from your peers in your industry:
2. Step 2: How can you create marketing materials that highlight how you stand out?
3. Step 3: Do your products and services focus on how you stand out? If not what adjustments are necessary?
4. Step 4: How would your clients say that you stand out? Ask every client you’ve worked with this year for a testimonial

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

5 Simple Strategies to Getting Your Next Paying Client--Darnyelle A. Jervey

I think we can all agree that nothing happens until somebody sells something. Regardless of what is being sold – the next restaurant where you and your special person will have dinner, a new television or one of your products or services – the sell predicates everything that happens from then on out. So what happens when you can’t sell? What happens when you have been working tirelessly for months and months doing what you believe will yield a successful selling situation and yet you still sell nothing?

Many entrepreneurs find themselves in this predicament as they endeavor to grow their businesses and as you might guess, it is utter frustration. While we can all agree that this is not the energy you want surrounding your business, if you happen to be one of those who’ve yet to master selling conversations, this may be exactly what you experience on a consistent basis.

I happen to be of the opinion that your next client is closer than you think. In fact, I think that if you follow the five simple strategies outlined in this article, your next paying client will materialize in days. Don’t believe me? Give these strategies a try:

1. Find out what they’d pay anything to fix – the universal law of business corroborates the statement that nothing happens until somebody sells something. But it suggests that the sale is predicated by a problem that needs to be solved. If people only buy to fill a need or solve a problem, what would your ideal clients pay anything to fill or solve?

2. Focus on the transformation – most business people are so focused on the steps and jargon and technical step-by-step processes that solve the problem of their client that they fail to show the result, outcome or transformation that one who buys their product or service will get. If you begin to focus on the transformation you provide when you speak to prospects, they will start to pay attention and eventually they will even open their wallets.

3. Go to where they’re already hanging out – if you go to where your ideal clients are and focus on the transformation you provide, the law of averages say that someone will buy. I’m just saying, it is sometimes the simplest things that go undeveloped.

4. Give them multiple options – when you only have one option for them to work with you, you create a “take it or leave it” scenario and most will leave it. If you present several opportunities to get great results from working with you and those options represent multiple budgets, you will usually get them to take you up on one of them, which will allow you to close more clients.

5. Ask for the sale - I know this seems like a no brainer, but many people go through the trouble of sharing the value and blah blah blah, only to never ask for the sale. They assume that people are just going to tell you that they want to work with you every time. While I believe that sometimes people will just come right out and tell you they’re ready, especially when you learn how to create compelling selling conversations, more often than not, you will have to ask them if they’re ready to work with you. You can only get a yes if you ask….

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

5 Reasons Why They Won’t Buy and Simple Strategies to Sell More Starting Today--Darnyelle A. Jervey

I received a question recently from a follower in Los Angeles and she wanted to understand why, despite all of her networking, she wasn’t selling anyone into her programs. She was confused because she was out 3 days a week networking with people she perceived to be her ideal client yet no one wanted to learn more or work privately with her.

Sadly, this happens to tons of entrepreneurs who haven’t quite successfully learned how to share who they are and what they have to offer in a way that leads to a closed sale. To help those of you who feel like my follower, I compiled my list of the top five reasons why they won’t buy from you:

1. They don’t understand what you’re offering. You’re most likely so concerned about the bells and whistles that you forgot to tell them the results. As I’ve heard it said many times, “features tell, but results sell.” You haven’t done a good job of highlighting the problem that will be solved by your solution. You’ve also not shared the solution in a compelling, results oriented way to indicate what they can expect if they work with you. To change this, focus on the results and benefits, not the steps or features. A feature is 30 minute calls but dig deeper, what will happen for them in that 30 minute call that will change their life and solve their problem?

2. They don’t understand the value. You’re most likely not helping then to understand that they need it. You’re not explaining the value in a way that makes them want it, which means for them, it’s not relevant. You have to make them want it. The best way to create desire is to get clear about what they need to solve their problem and use their words to convey the true value for investing with you right now.

3. They don’t believe you. In this instance, you’re likely talking to hear yourself talk; which means that there is no proof to substantiate your claims. Social proof is essential if you want to attract more ideal clients. How do you get social proof? Ask for testimonials and success stories from those who’ve worked with you and got a result, especially a result that you’re boasting to others who should work with you.

4. They think they can buy it anytime. You’re likely not illustrating a sense of urgency in your approach, helping them to understand how significant the problem is and counting the cost of the problem for them. If you’re not helping them to see that the longer they wait to solve the problem the more it will cost them (time, energy, money, frustration, stress, etc.) and they’re not likely to budge. To change this, figure out what the pain is costing them and show them that by working with you, the pain will stop and they will make money, save money, save time, reduce effort and/or increase happiness and fulfillment.

5. They don’t believe that working with you will truly solve their problem. This one really doesn’t have much to do with you; it’s tied to their mindset that they’re problem is too great to even bother trying to solve it. Truthfully, in this case, they don’t believe that even with your help they can do it. To help them here, you have to listen and reassure them based on the results you’ve gotten for other clients.

Your marketing (online or offline) must solve these five problems each and every time so that more prospects will be interested in going to the next step with you. If you fail to do so, you can forget being able to add more clients to your roster. But it can change as soon as you make compelling marketing a priority for your business.

Your assignment:

1. Contact previous clients and ask them for a success story or testimonial.

2. Re-write your program offerings based on results not features and memorize it for your selling conversations.

3. Create a bonus structure that allows them to gain more value only when they make a decision within the next 24 hours to work with you.

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

5 quick tips to re-invent your social media posting strategy--Darnyelle A. Jervey

With recent reports indicating that Facebook is now a social networking platform to over 750 million people, it’s safe to say that no matter who your ideal client is, he/she is on Facebook. That being said, an effective strategy for reaching them and standing out from the noise makers who post and post and post without substance is the key.

Developing a social media marketing strategy is a great way to ensure that the post you create will be well-received and impact the growth of your business when you create an effective follow-up strategy. While many still boast that the best way to reach your ideal clients is to join the groups where they hang out, we don’t disagree; however, we suggest that in so doing, you get crystal clear about how to create client magnetic posts so that your time spent using social media combing for new clients is not lost in the sea of entrepreneurs who don’t know how to stand out in the crowded marketplace.

1. Research the group or page – when you’re added to a group without your consent, instead of just going with it or just deleting yourself, do your due diligence and research who created the group, why they saw the need for the group and who is actually in the group and actively engaged. While you may not have asked to be included, your inclusion could be just what your business needs. If your own thorough research proves that it is a place where your ideal clients hang out, stay engaged and actively participate in discussions.
2. Test the waters – submit a post that may be perceived by others as a bit controversial to see if they are really paying attention to what’s being said. Now, I’m not suggesting that you dilute your brand, character or integrity; however I am suggesting that you push the envelope. If you are a true expert in your industry, you know what the pain points are of your clients. Highlight the pain by creating a post that kicks them in the gut. Watch closely those who respond and present yourself to them with the pain killer because those who respond are the ones bleeding right now.
3. Make each post client magnetic – be sure that you are able to pull your ideal prospects toward you with compelling topics and articles, questions, comments, etc. As a rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t respond, they won’t either.
4. Give a killer call to action – want to know where most entrepreneurs go wrong? With their call to action – they get the prospect to the water but fail to tell them how to take a drink. Be sure you make it crystal clear what the next step is for those who want to deepen their experience with you. Make the next step a no-brainer for them and remember that everyone tunes into WIIFM – what’s in it for me?
5. Follow your posts – after you post and it goes down the stream out of initial view on the group’s wall, don’t let it go. Keep tabs on who is viewing and responding. Add the names of each person to your warm file – as with a proper follow up strategy you could score an opportunity to get acquainted with them.

Your assignment:

1. Identify at least one group that would greatly benefit from your expertise. Do your research to clarify that you’re in the right place, a place where your ideal clients are hanging out.
2. Introduce yourself to the group – three times in one day with the same post. This will ensure that many more people get to see it versus you only posting it once. Be sure to offer something that is a bit controversial in nature, to cause a stir from others (this is marketing 101). Be sure that the post is informative, contains value and has a killer call to action
3. Follow your post. Does anyone like it? What about commenting? Be sure to track those individuals for 1:1 follow up using the inbox feature on Facebook. If no one pays it any attention, this may not be your group OR your copy is not compelling enough.
4. Follow up with those who liked your post or made a comment.
5. If they respond offer them a get acquainted or next step conversation to learn more about how you can help them solve their problem.

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

5 Simple Strategies to Avoid the “Gaper Delay” in Your Business--Darnyelle A. Jervey

In case you’re wondering, yes, this is a business article about traffic. Well, it’s actually NOT about traffic; it’s more about how you, a creative entrepreneur, can get caught in traffic that is not beneficial to your business if you are not careful.

I admit I got the idea for this week’s article while driving on the I-90 heading toward Chicago. It was a mess, cars everywhere, going nowhere fast. Primarily because there was an accident on the other side that had nothing to do with us going toward the city, yet everyone was so busy seeing what happened that they couldn’t drive their car to their destination. It’s easy to get side tracked when you’re driving if you’re not clear about your ultimate destination.

See my point? Your business is suffering because you’re too busy seeing what’s going on with others in the marketplace that have nothing to do with you. Instead of picking a lane and staying in it and preparing for the journey ahead of you as you endeavor to attract ideal clients, you’re changing lanes to get a better look at what they are doing.

Focusing on what others are introducing to the marketplace has the potential to kill your business. Now, don’t get me wrong, knowing what your competitors are offering is important; however, you can’t be so focused on what they’re doing that you aren’t doing anything but watching them. I’ve seen it happen many times in my business of helping entrepreneurs unleash the Incredible Factor in their businesses. I ask one question, like what does your business do? And they respond with something like this, “you ever heard of X? Well, I’m just like them, I do the same thing,” instead of offering their own power statement, one that has them starting a trend as opposed to living in the shadow of their competitor.

When I hear that, quite honestly, I just shake my head, because they’ve been caught in the “Gapers Delay” syndrome – too busy watching others and not spending enough time building their own brand.

Hopefully, I’m not talking about you. But if I am, no worries, if you really want to avoid the effects of the Gapers Delay syndrome, I recommend that you:

1. Turn on your GPS – Your GPS is your business and marketing plan. You know, that thing you wrote when you started your business (I hope you did anyway) Pull it back out, check your destination and let it tell you which turns to take. When you gain a clear vision of the transformation your products and services will provide for others, you will gain perspective and that perspective will lead to prospects. Deciding to start a business without a clear intention of who you are and what you will offer to others in service to solve their problems is one sure fire way to find yourself on the business roadway caught in a traffic jam.
2. Avoid hitchhikers – oh, those pesky little distractions that appear out of nowhere. Sometimes they’re holding a sign; sometimes they are bold enough to stick their hands out. When you remove those hindrances that challenge your ability to be fully authentic about how YOU will serve your ideal clients, you can breathe and with each breath, you allow abundance to flow toward you and your business. It’s important to know when you drive your car and when to pull over and let traffic die down. Taking much needed time to retreat, with your team or advisors can make all the difference as you grow your business. Avoiding the bright shiny object syndrome is essential to becoming known for offering quality service to your market
3. Check the rearview mirror only momentarily – more often than not, a mindset shift can easily prevent road rage or an accident. I recommend that you watch what you feed your mind by putting quality information in. Look in your rearview mirror just long enough to assess that the way is clear. Focus instead on the open road ahead of you by creating daily mindset shifts that keep your breakthroughs consistent to the speed at which you desire to drive your car. Remember, your thoughts are equal to your feelings and beliefs which affect your actions and alter your results. If you believe that you are the only solution to your ideal client’s problems and work toward ensuring that they know you exist through effective and compelling marketing, you will be rolling down the freeway toward your ultimate destination.
4. Crank up your car radio – while you are driving, to avoid the need to text or look away from the wheel outside of the occasional rearview mirror check, play your theme song loud and proud. In fact, if you don’t have a business theme song, get one immediately. It will stop you from focusing on what’s happening around you, you’ll be so into “rocking” it out for your clients, you’ll arrive at your choice destination easily and effortlessly
5. Create YOUR roadmap – this is your business; no one can do it like you. Your plan of action to grow your business is your roadmap – what to do and when to do it to achieve the results you crave. When you stop focusing on others and focus instead on your plan and do the work it will take to make it a reality, you will realize that who you are and what you were created to be is Incredible – in and of itself and truly no one else can hold a stop light to your brilliance. Focus on ways to achieve your plan through concerted effort daily, remembering that it is the little and not so little things that add up to the unassailable difference in your business.

Bonus: let the wind blow through your hair. When you are driving, really driving toward your destination, clear and focused, you will breeze your way through. You’ll be able to relax in full authenticity because who you are is exactly what your ideal clients need to grow to their next level.

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

7 key questions to craft your ideal client profile– Darnyelle A. Jervey

When it comes to starting your business marketing efforts, it’s very important to realize two very important truths. Number one, marketing is the oxygen of your business. Truthfully, you are not in the business you think you are in; you are actually in the business of marketing – marketing your products and services, that is. And secondly, if you do not get clear on who you are marketing your products and services to, you will not benefit immensely in your business life.

I’ve watched it happen time and time again – a new small business owner gets started in business and is very excited. That excitement includes lots of confusion because they are distorted enough to believe that they are here to help/serve EVERYONE. You CANNOT help everyone, no matter how good you are. This is a very popular misconception amongst new entrepreneurs…they believe that if they target their marketing efforts by selecting a niche they will somehow be leaving tons of money on the table. The fact is, you increase your chances of earning in direct proportion to your gift by selecting a niche market. When you become clear about whom your product and service is PERFECT for, you begin to invite them into your experience and as a result of saying exactly what your target markets needs to hear to take action, you increase your chances at success in selling your products and services.

In my own business and being wet behind the ears, I tried the whole “I work with everyone” approach. A few not so perfect clients later, I realized that not only was my value and service NOT for everyone, but I reserved the right to choose who I want to serve in my business. I immediately hired a coach, that’s right, I hired a coach for one reason – it’s hard to see the picture when you are the frame. That was five years ago and now my business is thriving because I got out of my own way and invited someone in my field with more experience than I to help me develop the mindsets and marketing strategies to earn significant income.

As a business coach, I help my clients craft their ideal client profile by asking a series of thought-provoking questions. During this process, I force them to look at the areas that they probably would not have otherwise thought about when it comes to clarifying who they want to work with. Because my clients can’t see the big picture and often their mindsets hinder their ability to achieve business growth and success, when we complete this activity every time, they get BIG results….The result…every time is a concise encapsulation of their one ideal client. In doing so, they gain clarity on how to communicate to their ideal client and their ideal clients appear, ready to take action on their products and services. They begin to attract and turn potential clients into paying clients over and over again.

Because I want to see your small business thrive and I know that it will when you establish your ideal client profile, I will share a few of the most important questions you must ask yourself if you truly want to grow your small business with the right clients from the start.

• Is your ideal client a man or woman?
• Does your ideal client fit into any special groups, categories or professions?
• How much money does your ideal client make?
• How many times each year does your ideal client buy products and services like those you provide?
• How much money does your ideal client spend on products and services like those you provide each year?
• What is the pain point or struggle that your ideal clients have?
• How do you take away their pain? Show results not steps.

There are many more important questions to ask to craft your ideal client profile. These are just some of the very important ones. I offer my clients an entire worksheet and framework for identifying and crafting their ideal client profile. If, as you read the questions suggested that you answer and felt uncomfortable or anxious, perhaps a mindset shift is necessary. Working with a coach will help you to get out of your own way and open the flood gates to the success you started your business to enjoy.

Be Incredible,
Darnyelle

To get step by step assistance in how to attract your ideal clients, register for my Ideal Client Bootcamp. For details visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com/ifbc

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

Does Your Incredible Factor Offer Options? - Darnyelle A. Jervey

When new to business, let's admit it, many are wet behind the ears. Despite previously corporate success or advanced degrees, the thought of running a "from scratch" business is a new experience, which is often scary and filled with challenges. Of course, you know that you need clients. And also, it is your desire to present your Incredible Factor in the best possible way.

Your Incredible Factor is your "secret sauce" and signature business move that positions you as the ONLY solution to your ideal client's problem. Many solo-professionals, upon starting their business provide only one option for prospective clients and prospects can take it or leave it.

Let's be clear, most people will leave it and that will leave you feeling inadequate and unsure of you ability to effectively offer the results you know in your heart that you can offer. Because your goal is to move from passion to profit, you must shift the way you think of what you offer your clients.

Sound familiar? It probably does if your Incredible Factor doesn't currently offer several options, at least three, for people to work with you.

I don't want that for you. Today, I'm clear that you've got to offer options so that your clients can find a place to fit into to solve the problem that they have using your products, services and systems. So how do you present them in such a way that they invoke your prospects to take action and ultimate move you from passion to profit?

If you want to attract more prospects and turn them into clients who pay, you've got to give them a few different options - people LOVE options because they feel like they are in control of the buying decision. Think about it, you go to the supermarket to buy laundry detergent and you are not married to any particular brand, you see all your options and make the best choice based on a series of variables. Well, your prospects are no different; they want to be presented with options so that they can make the best choice for them. It's your job to give them what they need to decide to buy from you.

When I began to offer a few different options, I began to sign up more and more clients for my programs and I know you can get excited at the thought of doing the same.

Here are my recommendations:

1. Offer different price points of service so that there is one for every budget. Take away value as you reduce the price. Think about having a super size, large and regular option. Build your super size option first with everything that you can offer and scale down from there. As the price reduces, so does the value and the offerings. This will allow you to feel comfortable with your pricing because you've got varying levels for them to get on board to work with you. Many will go for the super size option but others will select your regular option. And no matter which option they choose, it's okay! And that, Incredible One, will improve your confidence and ultimately grow your business.

2. Provide some form of incentive or bonus if they choose your super size option. Offer something irresistible that makes the super size option more desirable and the ONLY option if they really want your Incredible Factor to solve their problem.

3. Give your options results-oriented names so that the prospect can get clear on what they can expect from each option.

4. Describe what's included in each package and share the price at the end, telling them that they can pay in full OR make payments. You want to consider and work on the prices until you feel comfortable offering what you will offer at the price that you set. There's no right or wrong price; it's based on what you feel the value and services each option will provide are worth in the marketplace. Hint: The more private or one-on-one time you offer, the higher the price should be.

5. Study your options until you feel good and can say them without stuttering or flinching, especially when it comes to telling them the price and when you are ready, start offering your new and improved options to your prospects.

Trust me, following these simple steps will give your Incredible Factor options and increase your client count almost instantly.

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio download "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

It's cute but is it clear? - Darnyelle A. Jervey

Because I am a business and marketing coach and I work with entrepreneurs, who are by nature extremely creative people, I find that many of them get caught in what I've affectionately called the "cute syndrome." You know, cute little names for programs and services, a pretty website with lots of color and no content or call to actions that produce results and create income, catch phrases and buzz words and sometimes even jargon. The big challenge when you're stuck in the "cute syndrome" is that it is seldom clear and effective in getting your ideal clients to see you as the only solution to their problem, which after all is the reason we are all in business, right?

Once I explain to you what I explain to my private clients, they get it almost immediately. Cute doesn't attract clients, cute doesn't have money deposited into your checking account; cute seldom pays the bills. I assert don't be cute if clarity is the sacrifice.

To become a successful service based entrepreneur, you've got to move beyond cute and focus on clarity. People only take action when the next best step is crystal clear. To create an environment where your ideal clients can move easily and effortlessly through your prospect and sales funnel, you've got to get clear on the transformation you provide as well as the results and benefits they will experience in working with you and displaying it in a language that is compelling, engaging and action-oriented.

Here are a few quick questions/tips you should consider to ensure that your content, sales copy, programs, products and services are clear and not just cute:

1. When I visit your website, will I immediately be able to tell the transformation that I will experience if I opt to work with you?
Most first time visitors to your website will never look beyond the fold of your website so, your best stuff, the clarity of what you do must be laid out in a "power statement" making it obvious who you work with, how you solve their problem and the results they get from moment go. If you fail to do that, ideal client prospects will click away, never to return.

2. Is your marketing messaging and website content compelling, engaging and easy to read?
Again, don't be cute; be clear about your compelling marketing messages and case studies to illustrate what you do, how you do it and what others will gain when they hire you. To write compelling copy is essential if you want to allow your website to make you money while you sleep.

3. Do you have social proof to validate the transformation you claim to provide?
It's great that you say you can do something amazing for your clients. Really, it is. But who else is saying it? Are you previous clients singing your praises? are the signing up to work with you again after their program is complete? Do you have one page on your website designated to reflect success stories or testimonials?

4. Does your Incredible Factor (USP, HUG, secret sauce and signature move stand out)?

Your Incredible Factor is your unique selling proposition, value proposition, hot undeniable gift, secret sauce and signature move all rolled into one yummy client magnetic package. When a prospect lands on your website is it clear to them how you stand out in the marketplace or do they look at your pictures and whisper, "aaww, that's cute;" before they click away?

5. Are your call to actions clear, strategically placed so the prospect doesn't get lost of confused?
Do you clearly lay out a path for prospects to follow to get closer to working with you or do they need to poke around until they find that needle in your website's haystack?

6. Are your programs designed to make the results clear and are the next steps that should be taken clear and easy to follow?
Are you so focused on selling the contents of your programs that you never tell what participants have gained by being enrolled? Do you tell them what to do next if they'd like to enroll?

7. Do you have a way for them to sample your offerings that is irresistible?
An irresistible free offer is like the pink spoon at Baskin Robbins...it's just enough to entice them to buy the full size...do you have one that they'd do anything to have?

As you can see, cute doesn't pay off in the world of entrepreneurship. So take my advice - stop being cute and get clear.

If you desire to gain clarity so that your cute creates cash, contact me for a Play Big Strategy Session - in 60 minutes I will replace your cute with clear so that you become an ideal client magnet.

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio download "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com

5 Keys for Being More Authentic in Business - Darnyelle A. Jervey

5 Keys for Being Authentic in Business

When you're a new entrepreneur, it is easy to see others doing what you desire to do and decide that the best thing to do is copy them. I do not recommend that because the grass is seldom greener on the other side. If we just learn how to consistently water our own grass, we will soon have grass that is just as green. The same holds true in business. Instead of trying to be like your competition, get MAD - make authentic decisions about the way you will operate your business.

I recommend that you take some time to "Inspect the Incredible," or complete a self-assessment, business plan review and strategic outline of your business goals and assess why you started your business, what makes you different.

Your Incredible Factor (your secret sauce, signature business move, unique selling proposition and hot undeniable gift all rolled up into a yummy client magnetic package) is the first clue that will enable you to serve your ideal clients despite what's happening on the other side.

To grow your business in true authenticity, I recommend the following tips and you should complete this process every 90 days in your business to ensure that you are always being authentic to your purpose, gifting, goals and objectives and ideally your customers.

1. Clarify the reason why you started your business. Your "why" is not about you; it should be about those who will benefit from your gift. If, when you ask yourself why you are in business you say, "to make money;" "to increase my lifestyle," or "to show my naysayers that I could do it," you've missed the point and should get a job as you will never achieve your goals when you are selfish-minded and narrow-focused.
2. Ensure that your gifting is completely innate in you. As an entrepreneur, you will trade working 8 hours a day for someone else for working 24 hours a day for yourself, so be sure that your gift is innate and you could do it all the time, without break because you will have to.
3. Surround yourself with people who support and edify you. It will get tough and having the right circle of influence will make the difference. You should evaluate your circle as often as needed to make sure you always have the right mix directly next to you and your goals. Don't be afraid to let friends go. Everyone is not for every season and you have lives to change and it's very challenging with lots of dead weight.
4. Set authentic goals. You want to be sure that your goals resonate with you on the deepest level- in your core. Set goals you can't wait to achieve, illustrating a desire to do whatever it takes to make them happen. Ensure that the goals you set for yourself and your business correspond to a problem that needs to be solved in the marketplace. It should be a problem you can solve easily and effortlessly because the solution is innate in you. This, my friend is authentic business at its best.
5. Establish a vision statement, a mission statement, a brand statement and a power statement you can share openly, easily and effortlessly as needed. This will ensure that others understand the value you offer to the marketplace through your authenticity.

Before you can get to the profits and loss of doing business, you should be clear that the business you endeavor to offer to the marketplace not only resonates with you on the deepest levels but it authentically solves a problem. If you solve a problem with your gifts and talents, your business will profit - not only you, but those you serve.

Want to reprint the article? Sure, just be sure to include the following:

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit

http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

5 Ways to Show Your Ideal Clients Some LOVE - Darnyelle A. Jervey

Entrepreneurs are extremely creative people and they typically love what they do. They love solving problems for their clients and they love showcasing their gifts and talents for the benefit of others. When you love what you do, it's a natural inclination to want to share it with other people. As an entrepreneur, it must be your goal to show your clients and prospects some love by not trying to "sell" to them; instead, show the value that you add to their lives and businesses by solving their problems. A successful entrepreneur knows how to show the love and uses their marketing efforts to build clients for life. Here are five ways that you can use your marketing efforts to show your clients some love:

1. Handwritten Notes - sending a handwritten note to an ideal prospect, previous client, or even a current client is a great way to show them that you love the value they add to your work and you love solving their problems. It's the personal touch, the fact that you've taken time out of your schedule to write a note to them that gets your TOMA - top of mind awareness. It is recommended that you send 3 to 5 handwritten notes each day. Handwritten notes should take the place of emails if you want to focus on building clients for life. Try this: Instead of allowing the business cards that you gather at networking events to sit in your office untouched for weeks and weeks at a time, create a system to send handwritten notes to those you've met so they remember you within in 48 hours of the initial contact. Be sure to have your own stationary created, to extend your brand positioning.

2. Irresistible Free Offers - your clients will know you love them every time you introduce a new irresistible free offer (IFO) for them. An IFO can be a tele-class, a webinar, an audio download, special report or a video tip where you add value for free, just because you love what you do and the value you add to the marketplace. An IFO is like the "pink spoon" at Baskin Robbins for your business. They give your ideal prospects a taste of what you offer to solve their problems and create a love affair that leaves them wanting the full sized solution. Of course it may go without saying, but be sure that your IFO has a call to action so they know how to extend their love affair.

3. Schedule a Client Appreciation Day or Night - schedule an opportunity to thank your clients virtually or in person. You can hold office hours where they can call you for a free laser coaching/consultation session of 5 minutes or you can get them all together and allow them to network with other clients and prospects that you are currently working with/connected to. People love to build relationships and create new partnerships and networks. So by opening your database to your ideal clients and prospects, you can help them to begin to build their own and they will love you for that. Additionally, with technology, if you have an account with one of the live streaming video sites, you can schedule a live broadcast and welcome your clients and prospects into your virtual event and share the love with them. When hosting a live client appreciation event, be sure to engage an event management team to give your event those special touches that leave clients and prospects ready to take their love to the next level.

4. Share Success Stories - everyone wants to be celebrated and loved and when you share the results and highlights that your ideal clients have gained in working with you, they will get some love from your prospects and website visitors that may need a product or service that they (your success story) offers. Highlighting others on your website is a great way to show the love and grow your client base at the same time. Remember social proof is a must if you want people to buy from you and success stories are the best way to show social proof.

5. Client of the Month feature in your e-zine - featuring a client in your e-zine each month is a great way to show them you love them and also celebrate a non-competing client and the products and services that they offer. This is different from a success story; this is a business spotlight and/or product highlight that helps to extend the reach that your client of the month has within their own business. This isn't about you; but you will gain clients for life when you show the love by highlighting their business to your database.

Your assignment:

Determine which way you will show your clients some love this week. You may select more than one if you'd like.

Create your plan of how you will get this done. List out each step that is necessary to get the task done this week. Can someone else help you? Always consider delegation to be sure the task doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Be sure the task is completed by Friday so you can enjoy your weekend and get ready for next week's Incredible Factor Moment and Tip.

I love you!

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio download "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

Speak Their Language - Darnyelle A. Jervey

In today’s marketplace, many entrepreneurs struggle with consistently attracting their ideal clients using marketing systems and strategies. It’s believed that this challenge stems from a lack of taking the time to get clear about who your products and services were created for. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs start a business out of lack or desperation instead of with a clear plan and strategy. When this happens, those entrepreneurs will consistently find themselves behind the 8-ball in their businesses because they do not have a calculated method of attracting clients and growing their business.

Many believe that marketing is something you can do when you need to and that it can easily be done to produce results. Unfortunately, this is a big misconception in business. Marketing is essential; what I like to call oxygen for your business – without it your business will die because your ideal clients aren’t receiving information that suggests that you exist to solve their problem. To alleviate this challenge, I recommend that you create a detailed ideal client profile. In doing so, you will become crystal clear about whom you desire to work with and the problems they are experiencing. Your marketing materials will then speak to them in such a way that they will choose you as the solution to their problems. When you’ve taken the time to complete a client profile, you will find yourself ready to create compelling marketing materials that immediately speak the language that your ideal clients understand and take action as a result of.

Until you learn how to speak the language of your ideal clients, it will be like trying to call your scattered friends and family together for a meal using a dog whistle – they won’t hear you and as a result they won’t take action. But when you do learn to speak their language, the benefits to your business will include:

1. An influx of ideal clients who recognize the solution you offer to their problems. Remember, people purchase when the problem they have is causing pain and they want to alleviate the pain. They chose from people they know, like and trust who have proven to offer the exact solution they need. When your marketing materials clearly speak to your clients, you won’t have room enough to manage the requests they will submit for your services.

2. Referrals from your ideal clients who quickly become your unpaid sales force, sharing with everyone they know that you are exactly what is needed to solve a problem. When we have received great service, we can’t stop talking about it. If you are able to speak their language and successfully deliver exactly what they needed with results and benefits, your ideal clients will start telling everyone they know and they will all start seeking you out as the solution they also need to ease their pain.

3. Increased exposure, a sense of fulfillment and more income – okay this is really three benefits rolled into one. The key here is that when it’s clear that you are talking to a person who you can help, you get personal satisfaction. Your Incredible Factor is changing lives and solving problems, which leads to success stories that increase your exposure and more income. The value of the service you provide goes up with every ounce of clarity you represent in the marketplace.

So go ahead and speak up, they can’t hear you.

Want to reprint the article? Sure, just be sure to include the following:

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit

http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

7 Quick Tips for Adding More Value to Your Products and Services--Darnyelle A. Jervey

In order to consistently attract ideal, paying clients, it must become your mission to ensure that everything you do and offer to your ideal clients exceeds their needs and expectations. Gone are the days when you can get away with an attempt to solve a problem, today you MUST be the clear solution and add enough value to stand out amongst your peers in the industry. Gone are the days when "just enough" will lead to an influx of ideal clients. In today's marketplace, you must go above and beyond if you want to keep a steady flow of ideal clients on your roster.

Exceptional customer service remains a top reason why people return to a previous supplier for a new repeat or additional service. Despite what economists tell you, people are still buying, but if you want to be the recipient of your ideal client's spending dollars, you must add value.

If you're not getting the response you want from your ideal clients it is because you've not fully expressed the value of your product or service in terms that makes them want to buy right now.

When the focus on your business practices include adding significant value to your ideal clients, you will increase your brand perception - that is, the way others see who you are and the value you add in the marketplace. As your brand perception increases, you are also earning brand equity, just like equity in your home, increases the value you represent in the marketplace, consistently over time.

When it comes to adding value, your goal must be to offer additional items or services that do not take additional time for you. It is very likely that right now, in your business inventory, you've got tons of products, services and value-add items that are just sitting there collecting dust. If you were to dust them off and prepare them to be used by new and existing clients, you'd find yourself a lot busier than you may be right now.

When we are looking for new money opportunities in our businesses, more often than not, the tools to get more are right in front of us. Because we are accustomed to looking at what we offer, we often miss the "value-adds" that we have had access to since the creation of our business.

This is why participating in masterminds or having a coach can be a valuable addition to your business plan. An outside person looking into your business will quickly identify the value adds that you already have that will cost you no additional time or effort to make available to your ideal clients.

So, how do you create more value and increase your brand equity, ensuring return clients and more referrals than you ever thought possible? Consider these quick tips:

After you create products and services for your clients, ask yourself these questions:

1. "How can I add value to this offering to ensure that my ideal clients will be satisfied, keep returning for more and share me with others they know who have the same problem they used to have?"

2. "What do I have sitting in my inventory that would further enhance the experience my clients get when they work with me?" Note: these items add value but do not increase your work output.

3. "How can I create value that will increase my Top of Mind Awareness amongst my clients?"

4. "What are five little things I can do now to add up to the unassailable difference that I offer to my current clients to get them to upgrade their level of service with me?"

5. "If I were my ideal client, would this add enough value for me to take advantage of the offer?"

6. "What would I want to make me open my wallet over and over again to purchase my products and services?"

Here are some of my favorite quick tips to add into your products and services to add more value, increase your ideal client count and grow your business:

1. Add a gift with purchase component to your service offerings. Think like a make-up counter, when your clients spend a certain amount, offer them something for free. The gift should be something you've already created: like a book, audio CD, DVD, etc. No additional time should go into supplying this item when a client makes a specific dollar amount purchase.

2. Offer a product sampling with a coupon should they decide to buy the full-sized offering. A great way to do this is by offering a sample session for 15 minutes - at the end of the sample session sell them on getting the full hour session.

3. Offer a "done for you template" as a bonus for your consulting services. There are many things that you do easily and effortlessly that others wish they could do. You've probably already created your template; offer it as a free bonus when they become a new private client.

4. Re-purpose some existing content in the form of a free report or audio download as a bonus when someone becomes a client. Everything you do should be recorded, which can easily be turned into a transcript, free report, article, etc. Because you've already done the work, it's easy for you to offer, but it will mean the world to your client.

5. Create a referral incentive program to let your ideal clients know that you are not only accepting new clients but if they refer you to a new client, they will earn a special incentive like more private access to you, an additional product or a significant discount on a future purchase.

6. For your top-tier clients, offer them a significant discount to attend a live event.

7. If you offer phone sessions with your clients, give them the recording for free - your clients will LOVE you if you do this as they will be able to listen back to the value you add and solutions you offer over and over again.

Final thought: It's important to ensure that every time you work with a client, they give you a testimonial based on the results you offered to improve or resolve their problem, which ultimately can be used to further add value to others. People love to know that other people with their problem found value working with you. Highlight those testimonials and success stories on your website, in your e-zine and wherever your ideal clients might see them.

Here's to adding more value!

©2011 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of IncredibleOneEnterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

5 Tips for Delivering What Your Ideal Clients Want

In today's marketplace, it is important to know that people purchase to solve problems that they have right now. Whether they buy a product or service is dependent upon whether or not the pain of the problem is so great that if they don't make a buying decision, the problem will linger and fester and get worse, causing significantly more damage. As a service based entrepreneur, it is imperative that you understand this. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs get an idea for a product or service, get excited and begin to produce it without ever ensuring that the people the product would be for actually need and want the product as a solution. If you are creating products based on what you THINK your ideal clients want because you'd want that, STOP immediately. It's not enough to have a great product or service idea; you must be sure that you are clear what your ideal clients want and then, and only then, should you offer solutions to the exact problems that they have and are ready to buy the solution to.

It is important to note that there are seven reasons why people buy YOUR product or service:

1. They are clear that your product or service will solve their problem.

2. They, after listening to you speak or meeting you in person, believe that they need to extend their experience with you to learn more and increase their success.

3. Your product or service will make them more money.

4. Your product or service will save them money.

5. Your product or service will save them time or effort.

6. Your product or service will increase their happiness or fulfillment.

7. They believe that they will actually be able to complete your product or service, thereby getting a sense of accomplishment.

If you want to make sure that you create products and services that will be purchased, instead of collecting dust in your office, consider these 5 quick tips:

Clarify your ideal clients for the product or service you would like to create - just because someone is in need of your product or service, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will buy it. You've got to be sure of what they want and need and make sure that they can afford to buy it right now. This is why you can't just pick a target market for your products and services. You must create a niche and an avatar for your one, ideal client type. Perhaps you are a professional organizer. You understand the importance of living and working in an organized space; however, some people in your very broad target market may not have a problem with the clutter. If you want to sell your product or service, you've got to clarify who would actually pay for it and focus on sharing the results and benefits they'd achieve if using your product or service. You must identify who they are, the issues they have and what they need most RIGHT NOW to resolve that issue. Lots of entrepreneurs are jaded enough to believe that "they can help everyone" or "their product is for everyone." This could not be farther from the truth and until you clarify the exact person that your product or service is for by understanding their pain points and demographics, your product or service will be sitting on a shelf.

Survey your ideal clients - Once you clarify who would want a product or service that you offer, the best way to know what they want so that you can deliver exactly what they want and need is to ask them what they need. Seems obvious, I'm sure, but you'd be surprised how often this step gets overlooked. Use a simple surveying tool or attend a networking event where your ideal clients hang out and ask them the questions that you need to be answered so that you can create the product or service of their dreams.

Use their words - when they take the time to tell you what they want, don't get cute; use their words to create the concepts and lessons and solutions in the products or service. If they say, "I want to learn how to organize my office in 1 hour because I don't have a lot of time and need to be more productive." Create a solution called "How to organize your office in one hour to increase your productivity." For those that said that's what they want, they will jump on it and purchase right away. They'll also be impressed because you listened and gave them what they want.

Complete a test market - After creating the product or service, test it out. You can complete a test market and share the product or service with a few of your ideal clients on a trial basis to make sure that it meets their needs and it's exactly what they want. A great way to do this with lots of people is by creating a free preview to the product or service. In doing a free preview call, you can share the key concepts, speak to the pain that it solves for your ideal clients and get immediate feedback from participants to ensure that it meets their needs and wants. Because you've assembled your ideal clients in one place, it is also a great place to position the product or service by making them an irresistible offer to participate in the full version for continued learning and results.

Create a consistent marketing plan - once the product has been created to your ideal clients specifications, create a plan to get it out there where your ideal clients will see it en masse. Consistency is key in your marketing efforts and you want to be sure to maximize all marketing streams to ensure that no matter where your ideal clients are, they are learning that you are the ONLY solution to their problem and your new product or service is not only what they need but what exactly they WANT.

Don't Talk; Just Listen What Your Incredible Factor IS Saying to Your Ideal Clients- Darnyelle A. Jervey

Don't Talk, Just Listen: What Your Incredible Factor IS Saying to Your Ideal Clients

Sounds weird, I know the thought that I, a business coach, would tell you NOT to talk about what your business offers to your prospects, right. Well, that’s not entirely what I’m saying. What I am saying is that many of your service based businesses are suffering because you’re saying way too much and it appears disingenuous. I mean they (your IDEAL prospects) are looking at you like you’ve got three heads because you aren’t listening to what they need. Instead, you’re going on and on about what you do and how you do it and who you’ve done it for. ENOUGH. Stop. Do not pass go; do not collect $200. Instead sit down and let me tell you how to have an effective interaction with a prospective client.

1. Smile, shake their hand firmly. DO NOT hand them your business card. Instead, tell them your name and what you do in one sentence and turn the conversation back to them.
2. Ask them what the biggest challenge they are facing right now in their life or business? This distinction depends on if what you offer affects life OR business. Or, direct the question to the area in which you work. Clearly if you are a business coach and they have a business, you’d pose the question specifically to what you do so that the chance that you are the solution to their problem actually enters into the conversation. If you are an event planner, you might ask, “When you think about planning an event for personal or business needs, what is your biggest challenge in getting it all done?” Note: The problem they have may not be one you can solve but you may know someone that can help them. If you can’t solve it, don’t try to act like you can for the sake of gaining a new client – STAY in YOUR LANE!
3. Listen to their challenge and ask subsequent questions to determine what if anything they have been able to do to alleviate the challenge?
4. Ask them what do you want to experience instead? Listen, they are speaking from their head right now. Paying close attention will cue you on what it means to them on a deeper level before you ask the next question.
5. What would it mean if you were able to resolve this challenge, how would that change your life or business?
6. As you listen, offer verbal and physical cues that you are paying attention. Remember, people will forget what you said and did but they will never forget how you made them feel – Dr. Maya Angelou. You may need to pull them into a quiet corner at the event.
7. Reassure them if you are the solution to their problem. Let them know that you can assist them and you’d love to set up an opportunity to learn more about them in the near future. NOW HAND THEN YOUR BUSINESS CARD; get theirs and set up a date and time, preferably in the next 48 hours to talk at least to schedule your meeting or consultation.

When you follow the suggestions I lay out for you, your Incredible Factor is saying that you care; that you recognize the problems and pain points of people and you have created effective solutions to help them resolve their problems. Your Incredible Factor will be credited with such thoughts and feelings as considerate, compassionate, interested, concerned, and exceptional – especially if you pretended as if no one else was in the room as you talked. If you follow up and through after such a powerful interaction at that meeting or networking event, and you’ve got irresistible offers available for them to choose to work with you, you will welcome a new client. Remember a good business owner is a problem solver for their ideal clients. By listening and asking poignant directed questions, you can assure your prospect that you are the ONLY solution to their problem.

In the event that you do not do as I suggest, your Incredible Factor won’t be so Incredible. In fact, you will appear arrogant and unconcerned about others. Remember the famous Zig Ziglar quote, “help enough people get what they want and you will get what you want.”

Trust me, it’s worth it to just listen, that could be the difference between welcoming a new client or going back to the drawing board.


©2010 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises, LLC and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System ® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio CD "How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients" visit http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

Get Your Incredible Factor Back in the Game - Darnyelle A. Jervey

Part 2 in the series on how to prevent fear from blocking your Incredible Factor

Are you watching the NBA Play-offs? Are you excited to see the Lakers and the Celtics battle to the end? Has the renewal of the age-old rivalry gotten you excited? Just as there's lots of pass interference in basketball, there is pass interference in your life and business. This week's Incredible Factor Article is all about Pass Interference. Please note I'm aware that "pass interference" is a football term....but work with me! In the spirit of the NBA Finals, I got to thinking....

How many times have you interfered with passing your product or service on to your prospect because FEAR crept into the conversation just as it was time to make your pitch? How many times have you come to a screeching halt because you didn't want to seem salesy, although you knew your prospect needed what you've got to offer? When was the last time you had the perfect line prepared but decided they wouldn't think you were authentic and instead went against your gut and intent and left with the very product or service you declared you'd sell?

Pass Interference is nothing more than letting the fear of going out of bounds keep you from playing the game. (Of course you know I had to keep with the basketball theme! Pass interference is the fear of failure, the fear of success, the fear of talking to new peopl.e, the fear of making a mistake....it's got to stop. You are blocking yourself. Typically pass interference involves another player, but you Incredible One are interfering in your success all by your lonesome. That's right, The only one who can change your situation is you.

Well, as promised, I've got some strategies that will help you to stop interfering with passing your product or service onto your ideal client. Yes, ideal client. if you are attempting to pass to someone who is not your ideal cleint, they will not accept the pass, so...

First up... Get clear on who your ideal client is. This has nothing to do with fear per se, but it is a necessity if you want to score points and win the game of growing your business. Despite popular belief, you cannot help every and anybody. There is an exact, specific profile of your ideal client. See the blog from last week for more information on how to do that.

Now on to eliminating Pass Interference:

1. Determine the root cause of the block. What is really holding you back? What limiting belief or self-sabotaging thought has infiltrated the game? Is is fear of rejection - you've gotten so worked up that you believe that they will reject you and so you go sit on the bench?

2. Think of a time when you thought you'd be rejected but you pressed through it, completed the task and in the end you weren't rejected. In fact, you were embraced and loved on. How does recalling that time make you feel? How will reminding yourself of that time help you face this fear today?

3. Ask yourself, "Where is the evidence that I will be rejection if I share my Incredible Factor with my ideal client?" Write down ONLy concrete evidence. Are you surprised to see that there is no evidence?

4. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and repeat after me: "I am a gift to the world. My ideal client needs my products and services to live their best, authentic life. I am in service to others and therefore living my passion when I own my incredible and share it with those whom I serve.

5. Visualize the exchange the way you intend for it to go. Be clear on each detail and speak in positive, present tense. This will allow you to act as if it has already happened.

6. Write down each benefit others will receive from your product or service.

7. Remind yourself that "no" simply means "next." As I've heard it said for many years, one monkey will never stop the show. One player fouls out and the game goes on.

8. Take a deep breath and repeat again, "I am a gift to the world. My ideal client needs my products and services to live their best, authentic life. I am in service to others and therefore living my passion when I own my incredible and share it with those whom I serve."

9. If you can't let the fear go, feel it, acknowledge it but refuse to allow the fear of going out of bounds and fouling out of the game keep you from playing.

10. Do it anyway....period.

Repeat as needed

(c) 2010 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved.

Darnyelle A. Jervey is a life & business coach, committed to imparting skills, strategies and solutions to define and unleash the Incredible in you. Darnyelle coaches on marketing, mindset, movement, branding strategy and empowerment to prepare her clients to share their gift for the world.