Yellow Fish Fortunes

I believe that every person has value to share with the world.   We all have knowledge, skills, life experiences gifted to us, that can be used to help other people.   I believe we are each here to leave a legacy, our mark on the world.      

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10 Strategies To Snatch Some Free Publicity By Placing Your Content On Authority Sites

Capturing the attention of authority site owners can be a struggle. If you don’t want to swim upstream then these 10 tips will help you get it right. It’s knowing the small details that mark you as a pro – even when your confidence is lacking in this area.

1. Be Careful How You Use Authority Site Logos on Your Site

It’s great to place the logos of authority sites you have appeared in on your site like trophies, however, be cautious of how you do this. You don’t want to imply that you are a staff member or officially affiliated with these publications or site, or to violate their trademark in any way.

ALWAYS put the words “As Seen in” above your authority site logo collection, and keep them all together

ALWAYS check their Brand Guidelines, and Terms and Conditions, for specific information on how to use their logos—or even if it’s permitted.

NEVER make an authority site name or logo so big that anyone could confuse your site with the authority site.

When in doubt, ask permission OR just use the site or publication names under “As Seen in”; not the actual icons.

2. Pay Attention to Word Count

When writing posts for your own blog or LinkedIn, vary them between 500-1200 words. That is the average required range for most authority publications, so it’s good to have examples of all posts within this range.

3. Think Like the Authority Site Owner or Editor

Why would they want to feature your article? Figure out what it would do for them, who it could bring and what it says about you. If you’re not a celebrity with a raving fan following, then position yourself as the best expert you can be.

Make sure your website is professionally designed. Get going with those LinkedIn articles. Get quality backlinks as a guest blogger on smaller sites. Do everything you can to grow your fan base and look like a top player (without misrepresenting yourself).

4. Follow and Interact

Follow other top influencers. Be seen commenting on their posts and blogs. Join their membership sites and groups. Get them talking to you.

5. Find Topics Fast

Another way to generate powerful, current posts quickly: Use tools such as Fresh Title to generate awesome, optimized titles for you. You feed it your keyword, and not only does it come up with optimized titles, it also searches real-time news headlines for news about your keyword topic—plus many more features

6. Be In-Play Every Day

Make a plan, create an editorial calendar—and stick to what you schedule. Get those posts and appearances out … every day. Follow and actually read official blogs and your favorite authority blogs … every day. Interact with and help your community … every day. Work on finding fabulous new topics to help your community … every day.

7. Don’t Just Re-Purpose Your Posts, Change Them Up

Look at the results your old blog posts generate. If you’re hearing crickets, with zero comments, check to see if you’re using the right language to reach your desired audience. Research a new headline, find more current examples, generate new keywords, say it a different way… and before you know it, you’ve got a new, improved post.

8. Give Authority Sites Original, First-time Content

Authority sites are like jealous lovers: They don’t share. Don’t make the mistake of giving them a re-purposed post, or one that has appeared elsewhere.

Go out of your way to provide them with new twists on hot topics, definitive evergreen articles or undiscovered, game-changing news about your topic.

9. Choose to Review

Another way to impress any authority site scout: create crystal-clear, unbiased reviews of products, apps and programs important to their readerships.

Design a template to establish consistency and clarity when writing your reviews, as well as an easy review formula for you to use.

Getting known for your reviews is another way to position yourself as a true expert in your field.

10. Approach Smaller, Niche-Specific Authority Sites

Yes, there is such a thing. Sites run by one single person dealing with specific sub-niche topics are a great place to get accepted.

The trick is to (a) search within your narrow field (b) provide the site owner with an article suggestion that will make them a hero and enhance their own reputation. Solve a real problem for their readers, and you’ve done the site owner a huge favor too (as well as probably picked up new readers from her site).

To find them? Start by thinking of the go-to sites that you instantly visit first, when looking for news or solutions in your niche. There are also directories for special niches that you could explore for ideas.

So, what authority site would you love to have published your article? Go, check them out and write your article.

If you are struggling with getting authority sites to notice you, sign up for the Publicity Plunge wait list.  We have a system for getting you standing out as the Yellow Fish on many authority sites.

Click the link to get on the wait list: https://lindagpoteet.com/publicity-plunge

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Are Your Customers Happy? If Not, You May Be Creating Bad Publicity For Your Business

If you don’t hear any complaints from your clients, you might assume that they are satisfied with your service or product. But are they really satisfied or are they just non-confrontational and looking at your competitor behind your back?

The easiest way to attain client feedback is with a survey. You can create surveys with a service like SurveyMonkey and ask just a few simple questions.  One common complaint is that clients don’t take the time to look at the survey or answer the questions. If you want to avoid this scenario, offer a free gift for taking the survey, such as a coupon code for an upcoming product or a free checklist or other tools they will find useful. Sometimes gifts like these provide just enough incentive to get the answers you need.

To make your survey even easier, simply ask for a customer satisfaction score, such as 5 stars. This can be done via SurveyMonkey, email, or even a card with a drop box in your store. If anyone gives a low score, you can follow up with a personal phone call or email to get clarification of what happened.

Checking online for review sites, like Yelp is extremely beneficial.  One thing I recommend to my clients is that when they buy a business domain they also purchase the same domain with the word “reviews” added on. That way they have a little more control over their online reputation.

What If My Client Blasts Me with Negative Feedback?

It’s bound to happen at some point that you and a particular client just don’t mesh for any number of reasons. When you ask for feedback – which can be a simple question of “Why don’t you want to continue working with our business?” – you probably won’t like what they have to say. However, it’s important to listen objectively and not take the negative feedback personally. Think back to your interactions objectively; is there any validity to their complaints? If so, make note of those complaints and work immediately to resolve those with other clients.

If your unhappy clients turn to social media to blast you, remain calm when crafting your response. Yes, you should respond to unhappy customers, so it shows anyone who’s reading that you’re receptive to resolving the issue. When responding, always take the high road and don’t resort to name calling or throwing insults, no matter how tempting. Showing a calm demeanor online can build up your professional image and credibility.

Monitoring your social media should be a daily practice so you can catch any kind of negative talk right away. Your assistant can monitor your profiles and can set up Google Alerts, Mention, or Social Mention, so you’ll know when people are talking about you online. Lots of positive shout outs occur on social media so keep an eye out for those mentions, too. Don’t be afraid to screenshot those mentions and share the positive feedback you receive either on social media or as testimonials on your website.

Avoid Negative Feedback by Creating a Plan

One way to prevent poor client satisfaction results is to create a plan of action. Make sure all of your employees know your expectations for customer service.  Seek feedback and improve from the feedback and if you get bad press from a negative customer complaint, you can reach out to a public relations specialist who can help you repair the damage.  

If you are ready to get media exposure and take your business to the next level, then get on the wait list for Publicity Plunge and start getting the exposure you and your business deserve. 

Click here to join the waitlist: https://lindagpoteet.com/publicity-plunge

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Does The Media See You As Credible?

You might be the most brilliant financial advisor a work-at-home mom has ever hired, but how will your market know it?

Do you blog about investing?

Do you share tax tips with your social media followers?

Do you offer free advice in a select group of private forums?

You might do all of the above, but that’s not enough if you are trying to attract top-tier media attention.

In order to be seen as the expert you are—especially by the media, you’re trying to woo—you have to dig deeper, and not just with your content and advice.

You have to also “look the part.”

Now, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on professional headshots (although you should have a selection of high-resolution photos available), but it does mean you need a clear, quality brand.

Get a Professional Website Makeover

Your website and blog are often the first things a reporter, producer or other media pro is going to see.

What story does yours tell?

If your site is old and still sports that logo you created in PowerPoint, it might be time for a makeover.

Just as you can’t command top dollar as a Financial expert, consultant, or local salon, if you’re still “making do” with a free Wix website, you won’t attract the attention of top media outlets if you don’t look the part of an expert. Invest in:

A quality theme or—if you can swing it—a custom branded website.

A professionally designed logo.

A well-written media page featuring several high-resolution headshots.

A professional video on your website that showcases how you look and sound on camera.

With these pieces in place, any media pro will instantly know he or she is in the right place.

Invest in Writers and Editors

Even an active, engaging blog filled with great advice will look unprofessional if it’s riddled with spelling and grammar errors.

We’re not all natural-born writers, so if you struggle to convey your message in text, invest in a great writer or editor. He or she will make you look like the expert you are and leave no doubt about your suitability for a media outlet’s audience.

When it comes to gaining the media attention you deserve, it pays to take a look at your business from an outsider’s perspective. Are you presenting yourself in the most professional light? Does your message match your branding? When you get this right, the media will flock to you, rather than you chasing them.

If you are ready to get media exposure and take your business to the next level, then get on the wait list for Publicity Plunge and start getting the exposure you and your business deserve.

Click here to join the wait list: https://lindagpoteet.com/publicity-plunge

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Be The River…. Nature’s Business Lesson

Nature has a way of teaching lessons when we slow down long enough to listen to its message. Recently, a river was my guide for a valuable lesson not only in regard to business but additionally life.

You see, I love water.  We live adjacent to a river in the wine country in Oregon.  It is beautiful. But frequently I can experience an entire day without noticing the river.

One day, we spied a homeless camp that had popped up on the riverbank.  Boom! That attracted my attention in a tremendous way! Why did it take something negative, like the sight of worn down tents and garbage to grab my attention?

Thankfully, the homeless camp was evacuated and demolished, so we have a gorgeous, peaceful view again.

A few days later the river snatched my attention once again. We were working in our yard and heard a BOLD, LOUD noise…suddenly a large tree crashed into the river.  

Other times, the sun glistening on the river or kids playing on the rope swing captivates my eye.

Both positive and negative, simple and bold, have caught my attention of the river, but nothing changes how I feel about the river. I believed in business that it is better to play it safe, to stay clear of “being the attention”.  Do you recall moments of being scolded for “attracting” attention for some goofy thing you did as a kid?

Now, before you start to get nervous or think I’m promoting that you jump in and do an insane, negative act to create attention for your business, I’m not.

Let’s get back to the story of the river…several days later, while writing in my journal, I contemplated that river further. I considered the qualities of a river… at intervals it is rushing or calm, refreshing, inviting, a life-affirming wildlife watering hole, amazingly clear and beautiful, and intermittently muddy and a tad dangerous.  

However, the river does have a constant. It is always flowing, and concurrently it creates a “splash of unexpected” to disrupt our thinking.

The river was the nudge I needed to see that I play it safe in my business all too often.  And, that is not what is “natural” in this world. The natural state of affairs has been just a bit unpredictable… Mother Nature… the Stock Market…Love…all which can be fabulous and erratic, at the same time.

My point is that being unpredictable or a bit spontaneous in business and life is a GOOD thing! Be assured that playing it completely safe is not the best for any business.  And, your life can be “oh so delicious” when you add a “little variety and boldness” into it.

So, my questions for you this week:

Are you playing it safe in business or are you allowing yourself to

BE THE RIVER?

What is one action you could take to SURPRISE AND DELIGHT your customers this week?

If you need help feeling confident in a media interview, reach out or join the Publicity Plunge where we will dive in and get your 12 must-have soundbites done, prepare your media kit and train you how to appear on camera and interviews before we pitch you and your fabulous expertise and business to the media. 

Click here to join the waitlist: https://lindagpoteet.com/publicity-p

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Is your Confidence Level Keeping You From Seeking FREE Media Attention?

Confidence is one of the biggest blocks for many when it comes to reaching out to media outlets

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Here are Ten proven ideas for building your confidence so you can magnetically attract publicity and clients.  Choose and put into practice the ones that best resonate with you.

1. Use Music

One of the simplest tricks for helping yourself to both take action and feel more confident: Creating your own inspiring musical playlist and playing it whenever appropriate. (Athletes know this secret and use music all the time, while training at the gym.)

Just as sad music in minor keys can help us process feelings when life deals blows like relationship breakups, so can energizing music or inspiring music actually raise our confidence level to the point where we take action.

Choose your own favorite “theme song”. It will automatically boost your confidence whenever you hear it. I pick a theme song a month and play it every morning, it is a little bit like an affirmation, so choose a song that really is energizing and builds positive emotion.

2. Adopt a Mantra and Live By It

In the 1999 movie, “Galaxy Quest”, an entire civilization bases its core values on a cheesy TV sci-fi show from Earth. They take the series hero’s glib motto, “Never give up; never surrender” to new heights—and achieve peace within a warring society before teaming up with earthmen to defeat a super villain.

This is what happens when you adopt a mantra, motto or slogan—and live by it.

“Never give up; never surrender” is a great motto, when you are trying to build new habits that increase your confidence. Just recently, I have been using the motto, “Don’t kill with Doubt what you created in Faith.”

3. Start Small

Do you have a big change to make? Don’t wait for the “right time”—start small. For example, if you want a new office but can’t afford it, try buying a new piece of furniture or an accessory for your office that will make your life easier—like a bookshelf; or even just a shelf. Or a new lamp, to reduce the chronic eye strain you suffer. Or even just some flowers because you deserve them!

When you start to surround yourself with things that signify success or make life easier, you are sending yourself a strong message – “I CAN have this in my life! I deserve this!”

4. Make Confidence a Habit

Contrary to what others might think, no one is born with supreme self-confidence. It has to be learned. And it CAN be learned.

So consciously work on changing your habits. Take actions you need to take, change negative self-talk to realistic and more positive talk, and actively adopt the attitude of what you define as a successful person.

Confidence is not only for the lucky few who “succeed”. Anyone can have it—all you have to do is make it a habit.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

Speaking of mottos, we all know the old Boy Scout motto: “Be prepared”. There is nothing better for increasing confidence than knowing you are absolutely ready to give that interview, an approach that podcast host or promote your book.

So, read over the notes and clearly know your 12 must-have soundbites for your business, in plenty of time for your first interview. Write down what you need to accomplish before tackling some event or project or task that makes you nervous. Make sure you try everything out in advance.

Practice being interviewed (many times!) Practice using your soundbites and pitching your business in a subtle way. Anticipate questions. Make sure you have everything you need to assemble and ready to go.

Being prepared is the best way to step out with genuine confidence.

6. Do It Until It’s a Yawn

Does phoning people to ask for interview opportunities terrify you? Remember that doing it once is only an ice-breaker. Once you’ve done it, the next one is easier (even if only marginally)—but if you don’t get straight back on the horse, the effect will wane.

Resist the urge to make just one phone call, or send one custom email, or approach one person at a conference. Set a goal of reaching ten, or twenty, or even fifty (if there are enough people to converse with). Sure, it’s a great breakthrough if you do something like approach a JV partner or do a book-signing for the first time—but the way to REALLY start enjoying these activities is to do it again and again, until you feel confident and sure of yourself

7. Know Your Own Value

The most confident people are those who know their own worth: What their time is worth, what their life experience and expertise is worth and what their services are worth.

Track your time. Look over your achievements and credentials. Read your customer testimonials and praise. Identify the area where you help people make the biggest shifts.

Realizing how truly unique and valuable you are to customers can give you the confidence to set a realistic and healthy value on your services… so you can stop over-delivering and under-charging, and have the confidence to know you deserve your fees.

8. Take Action

Speaking of small steps, one of the best you can take for yourself is to stop thinking and “just do it”—whatever “it” is.

Thinking leads to over-thinking, which leads to procrastination, which leads to a loss of self-worth. So be the person who takes action when others are still tossing around possible solutions.

Taking action is empowering. So, give your others the best example, and be that “action person” they look up to, and admire.

9. Indulge in Confidence-Building Activities

Are there areas in your life where confidence is a chronic struggle? If so, invest in confidence-building activities around that particular area to counteract your fear, negativity or bad memories.

For example, if you won’t run a webinar or be a guest-speaker because you feel hopelessly inadequate as a speaker, join your local chapter of Toastmasters, and learn to give mini-speeches regularly in a supportive, non-threatening environment. If you’re afraid of coaching in person one-on-ones, hold an afternoon event for a small group. Get to know your clients (and new ones) in person! If you secretly feel insecure because you’re thirty pounds overweight, go to a weight loss group and talk with others like yourself.

Sometimes realizing that others have the same fears—and being inspired by what they do to counteract these—can build your confidence and empower you too.

10. Do the Hard Stuff First

Want to know a quick way to boost your confidence? Start with the hardest task or action you have to take, that day. Get it out of the way before you even look at the rest of your “To Do” list.

Getting it out of the way can jolt you out of even the most minor paralysis, depression or exhaustion. Getting it out the way will not only increase your confidence level, it will energize you too. That way, you’ll have lots of inspiration for the rest of your day!

I hope if confidence is part of your struggle that you will not let it STOP you from reaching your business dreams.

If you need help feeling confident in a media interview, reach out or join the Publicity Plunge where we will dive in and get your 12 must-have soundbites done, prepare your media kit and train you how to appear on camera and interviews before we pitch you and your fabulous expertise and business to the media.

Click the link below to join the waitlist:

https://lindagpoteet.com/publicity-plunge

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The One Sure Way To Get FREE Publicity For Your Business

Are you ready to take advantage of what some FREE publicity can do for your small business?

You already know that a strong foundation is the key to being ready for media attention. At a minimum, you’ll need:

Professional head-shots. Give your friends in the media easy access to your preferred images, or you might just find a 6-year old Facebook “selfie” on the cover of Time. Yikes!

Well-worded, professionally edited bios. Again, give journalists and others access to the bios you want them to use. If you don’t, you have no one to blame but yourself when what’s printed is less than flattering.

Your 12 well prepared Soundbites.

Accurate, up-to-date contact info. News happens fast, and when a journalist comes looking for a quote, they don’t have time to troubleshoot a typo in your email address. They’ll just move on to the next expert in their contact list.

But now that you’re ready for the attention, what does it really take to get it?

Simple—you just have to have a “hook.”

Your hook is nothing more than your unique area of expertise. What do you do and know better than anyone else? Because let’s face it, the world is full of “coaches, realtors, salon owners, insurance agents…” You have to have something that sets you apart and allows you to make the most of the right opportunities when they come your way.

For a business coach who helps burned out corporate types transition into self-employment, a looming recession offers a golden opportunity to earn some well-deserved press. Likewise, a real estate expert might have found much to talk about in the wake of booming house prices in some local markets making it difficult for new homeowners to purchase their first home.

What natural hooks does your area of expertise present to you?

Make it a habit to pay attention to current evnts and consider how each happening ties into your business, and what potential for publicity there might be. Don’t limit yourself to current events though. Take a look at holidays and awareness days as well. There are often opportunities to be seen in conjunction with events such as Eat Your Vegetables Day (June 17), World Productivity Day (June 20), or Buy a Book Day (September 7).

One great way to find what reporters are looking for is by signing up for

HARO – Help A Reporter Out.

Each day you will receive an email with different areas of expertise, reporters are looking for.  The key is to be prepared and respond quickly.

Being an expert in your niche—and always being ready for an interview or to provide a snappy quote—can quickly propel you to the national stage. It’s simply a case of being in the right place at the right time.

You just have to be prepared for your moment of fame.

Yellow Fish MARKETING VIP DAY with Linda G Poteet

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The Media Outlets No One Talks About But Helps Small Businesses Become The Go-to Place

When you think of “the media” you probably think:

The New York Times

Oprah Winfrey

Good Morning America

Huffington Post

Or maybe even a top podcast, such as The Art of Charm or Ted Talks Audio

And while those and many, many others are certainly at the top of every would-be media star’s wish list, there’s an even larger subset of media outlets no one talks about—and that you may never have heard of.

Trade publications are typically print magazines written and designed for a specific industry. While they don’t enjoy the name recognition of The New York Times or Huffington Post, they do have one huge benefit to you:

a highly targeted audience.

Let’s face it, unless you’re working in the fitness industry, you’re not likely reading publications such as American Fitness or Fitness Trainer Magazine.

But if you’re a coach who helps fitness enthusiasts transition from gym employee to high-paid personal health coach, those are exactly the types of media you should be looking for.

Are they as sexy as being able to brag about a featured spot on the Today Show? Maybe not, but they do:

Put you directly in front of your ideal audience, rather than a broad, disinterested one.

Give you those all-important “clips” that show off your expertise to larger outlets.

Typically offer a lot more space to share your message.

Not only that, but since they typically have a lot fewer pitches to choose from, getting featured in a trade publication tends to be easier than landing a spot on a national stage.

Ready to pitch your message to a trade magazine? Here’s where to start:

Read a few issues first. This should be a no-brainer, but to effectively make your pitch to a trade (or any) magazine or journalist, it pays to know your market. What types of stories do they typically write? What unique “spin” can you put on your message that hasn’t been covered dozens of times already? Why are you the perfect person to be featured? If you can answer these questions in your pitch, they’ll be begging you for an interview.

Don’t use a shotgun. Resist the urge to blast out the same bulk email to several publications all at once. Spend the time to personalize your message, and you’ll be much more likely to get a call back.

And remember, small trade publications have a big reach. Not only will you find yourself in front of your ideal client, but they make a perfect stepping stone to larger, national media outlets, too.

If you are ready to get media exposure and take your business to the next level, then get on the wait list for Publicity Plunge and start getting the exposure you and your business deserve.

Click the link below to join the wait list:

https://lindagpoteet.com/publicity-plunge

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Is Getting Your Name In Oprah or Entrepreneur a Goal – THEN READ THIS

What media outlet is on your “Big Hairy Goals” list?

CNN?

Entrepreneur.com?

Inc., Magazine?

Oprah?

Whatever it is, you probably realize that the odds of getting an out-of-the-blue invite to join Anderson Cooper in the Green Room are slim… at least right now.

That doesn’t mean your media dreams are always going to be out of reach, though. One snapshot of Marie Forleo hanging out with Oprah Winfrey is enough to prove that the national media is a goal worth pursuing. The only question is how do you get there?

No Outlet is Too Small

Just as you didn’t start out making huge amounts of money in your business, your pursuit of media attention won’t likely begin at the top either. Instead, concentrate on small, local publications. Weekly newspapers, regional magazines, local news channels are all looking for experts they can interview and quote.

Even better (for you, anyway) it’s tough for a local market to attract the attention of national celebrities. Is Dr. Phil going to appear on the morning show in Columbus, Indiana or Marquette, Michigan? Not likely. But you can.

Not only do these smaller outlets offer you an opportunity to share your message and products, but they also give you the chance to build your media chops. Here’s another critical reason to aim for these smaller markets: appearing in the media is a skill that must be nurtured. Just as you played endless scales to learn the piano and wrote 1,000 blog posts before you penned a book, interviewing well takes practice, and there’s no better training than small, local outlets.

Big Markets Are Still Within Reach

Of course if your dream is the national stage, there is a more direct route. As Jonathon Fields says, anyone can get featured in national media, you “just need to make national-level news!”

Always be on the lookout for media outreach opportunities, whether it’s a chance at a regular column in your hometown newspaper, or a soundbite on the national news. The more media exposure you have, the more you will attract, and before you know it, you might just be sharing the stage with Oprah Winfrey.  

So, for today, make a list of all your local media outlets – newspapers, local visitor magazines, radio stations, TV stations.  Next start following the reporters that do pieces on your area or niche, next reach out with a well-crafted email.

If you want to learn how to get local media attention or get email templates to reach out to reporters, click below to join the wait list for Publicity Plunge.  

https://lindagpoteet.com/publicity-plunge

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Are You Prepared To Talk With The Media About Your Business?

Did you know that getting your name in the local paper, on TV or a radio station can take your business from just barely scraping by to a Tidal Wave of Profits?

Did you know you can actually get in the Oprah magazine with your product and it will CRASH your website with orders, if you are not prepared?

Successful small business owners are used to bootstrapping their business. They (and you) are good at it.

Paid Advertising? They’re on it.

Networking? They get it done.

Social media? It’s not just a distraction (most of the time, anyway).

If there’s marketing to be done in any form, solo business owners are well aware and are doing their best to get the word out. But there comes a point of diminishing returns. Your website has all the traffic you feel you’re going to attract through organic (and even paid) methods. Your mailing list growth has slowed to a crawl. Your income has leveled off. It might be time to bring in a pro to help you get some much needed local and national media attention. But before you do, be sure you have a good foundation in place, or all your time (and money) will be wasted.

Solid, Consistent Branding

This goes a lot deeper than just your logo, colors and fonts. This is your message, your ideal client, your unique area of expertise, and even how you speak about it. It’s everything that makes you instantly recognizable to your fans, and it’s what helps media outlets know you’re exactly the person they need, right when they need you.

While you’re updating your branding, be sure to include your:

Website & blog

Facebook profile, business page, and groups

Testimonials

Speaker One-Page

Author Bio

Training & coaching programs and websites

LinkedIn profile

YouTube channel

Podcast artwork and message

Media-Ready Swipe Files and Photos

Imagine for a minute that CNN called you to ask your opinion about an important news happening. How quickly could you respond with a bio and headshot? If it would take you more than 5 minutes, you’re not ready. And, please make sure you have professional headshots and if you can a professional video done is super crucial.  A producer wants to know how you will appear on camera. (There are some great tricks that I teach in my program about how to look amazing on camera and feel comfortable)

A key component of every PR campaign is having an accessible, easy-to-find media page from which you can instantly pull the information any journalist or producer needs. Unless you have this page in place, you’re not yet ready to hire a PR specialist.

A Crystal-Clear Message & Ideal Client

While it might seem more marketable to have a wide area of expertise and varied clientele, the opposite is actually true. Experts are tightly focused. As one content marketing strategist puts it, they delve “an inch wide and a mile deep.” By focusing your efforts, you are able to dig deeper than simple surface issues, and server your clients better.

I really encourage my clients to have their Media Soundbites nailed! So, they are constantly giving the most important message to all media in all different formats.  This also helps you stay very focused during an interview.  I give all my clients 12 templates to work from to have their perfect Soundbites for every interview.  

Once you have these Soundbites and all 3 pieces in place, you’ll have a solid foundation that will support you in your media outreach efforts. More importantly, you’ll be able to make the most of every opportunity a PR professional can bring your way.

Yellow Fish MARKETING VIP DAY with Linda G Poteet

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Your Marketing First Impression May Be Killing Your Business

Have you taken a good hard look at how you come across to your potential prospects?

Does your website look branded and show you as an authority?

Do you show up for Facebook Lives with wet hair and no makeup and then tell your audience you are just being “authentic”?

During a recent 3-week, trip a salesperson who looked like he just crawled out of bed, tried to sell us a vacation property for $180,000.  When we told him that we were not very impressed with the property, he said to us… “Yeah, I wouldn’t even stay at that property.”

WOW!

He was selling something that he himself would not use or buy!

Take a look at what you’re doing…

Would you use your products or services? Do you look like the person you would buy from?

Can you say without a doubt that your programs are more valuable than what you are charging?

Are YOU showing up for your prospects and clients in a way that makes you PROUD of YOU and your Brand?

I’ve had clients tell me it is important for them to be authentic. You can be authentic without being LAZY. I have to tell you, the most authentic brands that are making multiple six-seven figures are BRANDED! 

They are purposely doing what they are doing in a very strategic way and they are analyzing everything they do to make sure it is making an impact and income.

Unfortunately, a lot of new business owners have bought into the “just be you and that is all you need” movement.  That’s not true! Every brand needs to be planned and it needs to be consistent.  Some of those “authentic” brands are a “Brand Personality”.  You would be very surprised if you met the person on the street and found out they are not like they appear in their videos and blogs.  Having a “brand personality” that you carry through all of your marketing is essential to a prosperous business.

Today, go through all of your business assets and review them…your website, your videos, your social media, your products, and programs…take a look and ask yourself, “Would I buy that from that person and does all my marketing, including images, send the same message to my prospects and clients.”?

If you think there is some room for improvement or you are not at the income level that you were hoping to be at by this point, then I am ready to help you.  Click the link below to find out how in one day, I’ll work with you to map out your marketing, launches and content plan for the next 12-months.

Yellow Fish MARKETING VIP DAY with Linda G Poteet

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Three Tips for Building Relationships Offline

In my Facebook group people often comment about wanting to build relationships offline – which actually can be much easier to do than online.

Do you have some fear around trying to build relationships face-to-face?

I do!

I’m an introvert... but I love to do public speaking and training in person. However, send me to a networking event and I want to throw up!

With all the different social media platforms available today, it’s easy to focus your marketing time here because it’s generally less time consuming to engage from your computer than it is to attend real-life functions and talk to people in your community. However, if you depend solely on social media for your marketing, you’re missing a vast opportunity to market your business to locals right in your own backyard.

However, by interacting with potential clients in person, in addition to engaging them on social media, you have built a foundation upon which to build a stronger relationship, which may ultimately lead to them buying from you.

How to Get Started Networking Offline

The idea of walking into a room without knowing a single soul can feel like swimming in the undercurrent of the ocean…you want to gasp for air, it feels so uncomfortable.  But the alternative of not sharing your story and your mission to those who may be seeking this exact answer to their problems is equally troubling. No matter how you want to start marketing in real life, put on your brave face and tackle your social fears head on so you can stand out as a Yellow Fish.

 1.     Join a Relevant Business Networking Group

Very often there are dozens of business networking groups and chambers of commerce spread across the country in every locale, so you really can pick and choose which group is best for you. Yes, you want to reap a reward for being a part of the group, but your acceptance into any business group will depend on what you can contribute. After all, it’s all about building relationships. Some groups are more formal and have standard meeting rules, while others may be much more casual and usually smaller in scale. Ask to visit a meeting or two before submitting an application and never be afraid to ask questions about the other members or when the group was formed.

 2.     Hold Live Workshops

This is my favorite!  And it can be quite profitable.  What better way to showcase your authority and expertise than to speak to your local community! Turn an online webinar into a live presentation or create a presentation customized to your community’s needs. Contact your local library, business association or community college with your ideas and very often if the presentation is unique and relevant to the community, you will get a booking.

Even if live events are not your forte, choose a topic you are passionate about and that you could speak about for hours. Your passion will carry through and you’ll be less likely to be nervous or get tongue-tied. Make sure to collect business cards or to have attendees sign in so you can connect with them on social media and continue the relationship building. I make a pitch at the end for another program that they can buy into.

 3.     Volunteer in the Community

Look for groups or charities that are relevant to your experience, but don’t go in thinking you need to change everything. Building relationships should be a positive experience, so offer your guidance and input when asked. Otherwise, enjoy conversing with other volunteers, board members, and administrative personnel, all of whom hold the possibility of referring you to their family, friends, or other networking contacts.

Still Stumped on How to Build Relationships?

Connect with me on a call and we can chat about ways you could start building relationships with potential clients in your own neighborhood.

https://lindagpoteet.com/schedule/

 #coaching #coaches #inspiration #motivation #mindset #businessstrategist #workfromhome #residualincome #smallbusiness #smallbiz #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #youngentrepreneur #femaleentrepreneur #business #businesswoman #businessowner #businessminded #womeninbusiness #internetmarketing #bosslife #businessman #businessworld #marketing #sales #program #guide #lindagpoteet #yellowfishfortunes

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Are You Building Relationships as an Expert Entrepreneur or Hard Selling?

Which category of business owners do you fall into: those who want to authentically attract their ideal clients and customers or those who just go in for the hard sell?

Maybe you’re a little bit of each type, caring about how your clients feel but feeling a little desperate that your sales aren’t coming in fast enough.

That’s a legitimate fear. You started your business, so you could be in charge and take control of your life, yet you’re dependent on a large audience of people to buy your products and services.

Let’s face it…very few people like or respond to the hard sell and you don’t want to sound desperate, for obvious reasons.

I’ve used relationship marketing to grow my business and create a community of followers who engage with me on social media and who respond positively to any new services or products I create. If you would like to know my secrets for cultivating these fans, I share them often in my Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/marketingforlifecoaches/

I’d love to have you join us in the group.

So, let’s get back to Relationship Marketing…

Business owners everywhere incorporate marketing tactics every week and every month to tell the world about their mission and their products or services. Without marketing and without millions of dollars in your advertising budget, not a single soul would know you have a business, never mind want to make a purchase with you.

Why? Because people purchase from those who they know, like, and trust. They want to know that you’re a real person with real feelings instead of someone who only cares about the almighty dollar. They want to know you’re not some slimy fish dealer who will steal their last dollar without providing a product. They want to hear recommendations from others who have purchased before them to be sure your product delivered what it promised.

People with purchase power want a relationship with you before they buy.

Relationship-based marketing gives you:

1. Visibility

In order to have a relationship with a single person or large audience, you need to interact with them. Get to know THEIR likes and dislikes, know what problems they are experiencing, and think about how you can help them solve their problem. In order to learn this information, you’ll be forced to be consistent with your interaction, whether on social media or in real life, naturally giving you more visibility.

2. Authority

Do you share your knowledge with your audience, or do you save that only for paying customers? Sharing your knowledge, practical experience, and even case studies for FREE, will position you as a knowledgeable authority figure and an expert in their field who cares about helping others. It will position you as the Yellow Fish from a sea of blue fish in a sea of blue. Platforms such as social media, podcasts, YouTube videos, or writing an ebook or short reports are all ways to both increases your authority rank and your visibility.

3. A Starfish Reputation

Can you see how Visibility and Authority build on each other and lead to a Starfish Reputation? As you interact with people and become an authority figure, your audience will naturally form an opinion about you. If you over-deliver with your products or your signature programs, your reputation will continue to shine. Overall, an amazing reputation will shorten the length of time it takes you to earn the trust of your audience or new followers.

4. Happy and Enthusiastic Fans

You’ll know you’ve made it when fans are clamoring for your latest product and tell all their friends how wonderful you are! This is the ultimate result of relationship marketing and worth all the time and effort it takes to reach this destination.

One key to remember is to never stop the process of building relationships. Like gears in a clock, you must find a way to consistently interact, show your authority, improve your reputation and take care of your happy fans. Keep these gears working to consistently grow your business for years to come. Confused about How to Start Building Relationships and Your Authority?

Relationship marketing should be a win-win situation for both parties involved. You should gain visibility, authority, and happy fans, and your audience should be thrilled with the value that you deliver to them. If you want to get more in-depth into relationship marketing and the steps you need to make this tactic work for you, then you’ll want to check out my latest ebook where you’ll learn six strategies to position you as the Yellow Fish so you can….

Build Strong Relationships so the money will flow in a Tidal Wave of Profits

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone to Make Powerful Connections

Turning Clients into Raving Fans

Maximize Your Authority

You don’t want to miss out!

Get your 6-Step Action Plan to Create Instant Authority and Sellout Your Programs here: https://linpoteet.clickfunnels.com/secret-steps-to-create-instant-authority-and-sell-out-your-programs

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Build a Business Like A Yellow Fish – Don’t Just Give Yourself Another Job

Many people after working a career and really honing their expertise, dream of working for themselves, being their own boss, and having the freedom to only take on clients and projects they love.

What they don’t realize, though, is that there is a huge difference between building a business and being self-employed.

Business owners scale their income. Self-employed people trade dollars for hours.

Business owners leverage the skills and talents of others. Self-employed people rely only on their own skills.  Unfortunately, this limits the impact they can make on the world.  It is natural for most entrepreneurs, authors, speakers and coaches to want to leave their mark, to create a legacy, but they can’t when they do not know how to really build a true “Authority” business.

Discouraged yet? Don’t be. Every business owner started out self-employed. Just don’t stay there. These tips will help you build a sustainable business instead of just another job.

Don’t Try to Do It All Yourself

Building a scalable business requires that you leverage the talents and time of others. While it might seem cost-effective to simply do everything yourself—especially in the start-up phase when you likely have more time than money—it’s a path to burnout and stress.

Instead, separate your tasks into those that you love and are especially suited for (such as marketing) and those you dislike and aren’t good at. Then make a solid plan to get those that you aren’t good at off your list of things to do. If you feel like you can’t afford to outsource it all right now, start with what you tend to procrastinate the most on, even if it’s just a few hours each month.

I was shocked at how fast my business grew once I STOPPED doing the things that were just not in my zone of genius and let others do those.  I had more time to concentrate on my message and getting it out into the world, which directly impacted my profits.

Don’t Allow Yourself to Work All the Time

The trouble with working at home is that you live at work. And that means that there’s no clear line in the sand between your work day and your home life.

Since there’s always work to do, it’s easy to find yourself working every available moment—often to the detriment of your family relationships.

You can help avoid this by:

·       Setting—and maintaining—clear work hours

·       Having an office with a door you can close when you’re done

·       Scheduling time for family and other activities

·       Taking time for yourself

Vacations and Downtime Are Important

Don’t create a business that requires you to be “in the office” every day. At the start, you may need to be available more, but you should definitely be planning for the day when you can be “off the grid” for extended periods of time.

·       Have trusted contractors who can handle things when you’re not available

·       Leverage automation tools such as autoresponders and autowebinar systems

·       Create repeatable systems so you’re not always re-inventing the wheel

While you might not be able to hit the road with no internet access for weeks at a time, at the very least you should be able to reduce your workload to a daily check-in.

Sound impossible? It’s not. With some forethought and planning, you can create a team—and the systems they need—to successfully run your business without becoming overwhelmed and overworked.

If you believe in the Laws of Attraction one thing that is important is that you create the vibrations for the life you want. If you continue to work all the time and trade your time for dollars, that is where you will stay.  It is important you start having “time and money” freedom from day one of your entrepreneurial journey.

One way is to take little weekly adventures. They don’t need to cost a lot. Just go or see something new – this will also help you get your creative juices flowing.  

Another concept that I always teach my clients is to set up a bank account for “profits”.  The very first income you receive in your business, take 5% of it and put it into your profit account.  Keep doing that with every sale you make.  It will truly help you create a profitable business and mindset.  Let your profits easily attract more profits!  

If you want to learn more about how you can use your “Authority Expertise” to create a profitable and scalable business that gives you time and money freedom check out:

https://linpoteet.clickfunnels.com/steps-to-create-instant-authority-and-sell-out-your-programs

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http://lindagpoteet.com/blog/2018/02/06/what-you-must-know-about-your-clients-to-position-yourself-as-an-authority-and-increase-your-bottom-line/

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What You Must Know About Your Clients To Position Yourself as An Authority and Increase Your Bottom Line.

How well do you know your potential clients?

Chances are you’ve developed at least a simple client avatar. You know her business, her age, her income and education levels. You know where she lives and how many kids she has and what her biggest dreams are.

But do you really know what drives her?

We’re not talking about just what she wants (we all want more money and free time) but more importantly, you need to know what her biggest pain points are. Figure this out, and you’ll not only be able to better create products and programs to help her, but your sales copy will dramatically improve as well, and you will get more media attention.

Think about it—if you’re uncomfortable with technology, and once in a DIY mood you destroyed your website during a simple update, then website management becomes a huge pain point for you. Now imagine you find a VA who not only works with WordPress, but who calmly shares examples of how she’s rescued client websites after such disasters.

She’s clearly addressed your biggest pain point, and you’re sold!

The same is true for your potential clients. Show them you can help them avoid those pain points—or better yet, eliminate them completely—and you’ll forge an instant bond and be the instant authority in her mind.

Now you may already have a good idea what causes your clients pain, but if not, you have plenty of ways to find out.

· Talk to them. What do they most often ask or complain about?

· Listen in on forums, on social media, and other places your audience hangs out. What are they struggling with?

· Reader surveys. These can be a rich source of information in any market. Pay special attention to the words and phrases your readers use to describe their troubles.

· Keep an eye on your competition. What pain points are they addressing?

Once you’ve uncovered your ideal clients’ biggest pain points, you’ll have a powerful tool that you can use not only in your sales copy, but it will also help define your programs and service offerings. If you can help your customers overcome the most painful issues they face—whether it’s a lack of self-confidence or a fear of public speaking—you’ll instantly become a more valuable expert and shine as the Yellow Fish Authority in their minds.

And when you incorporate those same pain points in your sales copy, your conversions will dramatically increase as well.

You cannot create your authority content and add value if you do not understand your customers pain points and what really keeps them up at night. While I’m guessing you have heard this advice over and over again, you may have not acted on it, or you are looking at too broad of a pain point.

Let’s take weight loss an example – you could compete with a million and one, weight loss experts out there – but, you could SHINE as the authority on weight loss for women who are struggling with it after menopause. Think about how people “google” for answers to their issues and struggles – that can help you narrow down your expertise.  

I also like to think about it in terms of your own core concepts.  One of my core concepts is around how “expert entrepreneurs” set up their business profit model.  Many entrepreneurs have one main offer – or high-ticket product. While that does work, it is a hard stream to swim up for most and create a scalable and sustainable business.  I encourage people to have 6-12 core offers and then work at getting each offer to $10,000 in sales per month.  It is much easier to sell $10,000 of one thing than a million dollars of one product or service. So, if you had 9 offers and they each made $10,000 per month you would have a million dollar a year business. And, in this day and age, it is easy to automate or outsource a lot of the work for these types or offers.  

I also encourage people to monetize their authority assets – their books, speaking engagements, WebTV show.  There are so many ways to monetize these assets and it just increases your bottom line.  For example, if you have a WebTV show you could get a paid sponsor for the show, you could mention affiliate products and have links to them, you could have paid guests, you could sell your own products, or let people advertise on your show. Same with your book, you should make sure you have links in your books to get people on your email list or onto your site to a landing page with an offer.  

Not only do you want to make an impact with your expertise and solve people’s pain points, but you need to monetize it and grow your business, so you can help more and more people.  

If you would like to know more about how you get your 6-Step Action Plan to Create Instant Authority and Sellout Your Programs here:  https://linpoteet.clickfunnels.com/steps-to-create-instant-authority-and-sell-out-your-programs

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It is time to really learn how to make your consumer feel you are looking them right in the eye and speaking directly to their problem and touching their heart by emotionally connecting. Continue to my blog: https://goo.gl/LoLgbo SIGN UP FOR FREE: https://goo.gl/UxD50Q

Visit lindagpoteet.com for more!

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPDqql8p11E) Want something FREE for Christmas? Sign up now for a Free Discovery session with me.So if you are wondering what exactly you can do to make your brand more human, connect with me for a free discovery session and lets get you looking your fans in the eye for more impact and income in 2017. CLICK THE SIGN UP BUTTON ON THE PAGE OR CLICK THIS LINK BELOW: https://www.lindagpoteet.com/p/Discovery%20Session