Just do Something...

It’s Time to Get Started? Just Do Something...

I just had to kick myself in the butt...... I needed it...

Do you suffer from “Making It Perfect” syndrome?

I know I do, that is why I had to kick myself in the butt.

You can spend tons and tons of time on:

• Planning
• Researching
• Making Notes
• Social Networking
• Downloading ebooks
• Doing the Logo
• Fixing the Colours
• And then …. More Researching!

Doing anything but doing what you actually need to do to get started.

Here’s what I have learnt:

Just Do Something – Do something - do almost anything...

Take Action Start Execute Just Do...

When I say “almost” anything I mean; anything that will move you slightly closer to getting it done. Not the “other” bits and pieces. At some point you have to draw your line in the sand and take that step … and do it.

If you are stuck, one of the first things that you can do is stop, take a step back - and ask yourself;

What am I trying to achieve? What is the purpose of this? This may help you get some perspective and bring you back to the point.

Sometimes explaining to someone what you are doing can also help. Just hearing your own words will clarify your thoughts and what you have to do next.

The goal is to be “Doing” no more procrastination, no more trying to make it perfect – you can always improve it later!

I can't waste any more time "thinking' about it... I’m off to do some Doing!

Reading List Recommendations

We have been asked by a few of our clients for some reading recommendations, so we also put the call out to our friends for their recommendations.

Here's what we have so far (in no particular ranking order - just good reads):

• Crust It! ~ Gary Vaynerchuck
• I want what She's Having ~ Naomi Simson
• The Tipping Point ~ Malcolm Gladwell
• Predictable Success ~ Les McKeown
• Tribes, We need you to lead us ~ Seth Godin
• Rework ~ Jason Fried & David Heinemeir Hansson

I've just ordered Rework and Predicable Success... looking forward to them!

Enjoy

Brand Vs Branding ... What's the difference?

These terms are often used out of context, and are misunderstood. Your “brand” is all about how you relate to your clients and is very different to “branding” as it is commonly used in an advertising context.

The term “Branding” when used by television and radio advertising refers to a “branding campaign”. They are talking about running ads that concentrate on “getting Your Name out there”. These branding ads generally focus inwardly on what the business does, and how good they and/or their products are. Statements like “we have the best quality”, “we have 25 trucks”, so come and see us…

This style of advertising has very little to do with your “brand”.

Contrary to popular belief – Your Brand is NOT your letterhead or your logo. They are the visual components that represent your brand.

So what is your “Brand”?

Your brand is everything you do - every communication and interaction your business has with your market. It is how you connect your passion to your target market. Your Brand is ‘what you are known for’. It is, and should be, all about your clients.

Your BRAND, if created and managed correctly, is very powerful because it will inspire people to want what you have to offer. If you talk about what you believe in you will attract those who believe what you believe.

The foundation of your business is your brand and is based on:

• Who you are and what you stand for
• Your passion
• Your vision and your values
• Why you do what you do
• Your philosophy, what you believe in
• What drives you and what you are aiming to achieve

Your purpose is to create an image and clearly articulate a consistent message that will evoke the right perception of your brand. Ultimately, your Brand is “how you are perceived’ by the market, by your clients and potential clients. It is how someone describes your business.

To be truly effective and therefore successful, your brand should attract, engage and inspire people who believe what you believe.

People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. A successful brand will inspire people to be a part of what you do.

Why do you do what you do? How is your brand perceived?

Your clients have to know what you will do for them and most importantly, they want to know why you do it.

Knowing Where to Start - 5 Key points to help you

One of the most common issues facing businesses, especially on-line business owners and entrepreneurs is: How do I attract the right type of clients for my business?

What differentiates the highly successful individuals and businesses from the rest? The answer lies in why they do what they do…

So where is a better place to start? The most important factors to consider is “your passion”. What are you passionate about? What drives you, and what do you believe in? What is it about what you do that you are determined to achieve? What is your purpose? What do you stand for?

Being able to answer this question clearly and succinctly means you are well on your way to creating a powerful message for your brand. If you cannot clearly explain why you do what you do, how will you ever get anyone to buy something from you?

To be successful, your passion, purpose and what you believe in, when clearly articulated will inspire someone to buy your product or service that will add value to their life.

In many, many cases they are too close to their business and cannot objectively see the true value of what they actually do for their clients. Moreover, they get distracted by what they ‘think’ the market wants to hear instead of what they should be talking about which is their passion and what truly believe in.

The starting point is being aware of what drives you. This is the reason behind why you started your business in the first place – Your Passion, Vision and Values that underpin your business. This is the reason why you get out of bed in the morning, what you truly believe, and what you are trying to achieve.

5 Key Points to keep in mind…

1. Based on your Passion, Vision and Values you must be really clear on what you believe. You have to have a good understanding of what is driving you. When you are passionate about something you don’t have to “sell”.
2. Remember, people don’t like to be sold but they love to buy.
3. Connect your passion with your clients – The “Why”… This is most important because it is the reason for doing what you do. This is your key message that will inspire your clients.
4. What makes them your client? They are your client because they are attracted to the “why” - because they believe what you believe. Once they identify with you and your brand they will want what you do.
5. Know your client: Who are they ... What do they think about? Once you know who they are and how they think, what motivates them and what pains them, then you can continue to have a conversation with them.

These days, in order to be successful, it is all about developing a relationship with your clients. Firstly, you have to be relevant to them, engage them and inspire them to take action.

By clearly and concisely articulating your purpose, you will inspire those people that believe what you believe. This "Why" statement alone will set you apart from your competitors.