A Note From Colleen

Hi, friend.

I’m flipping the script a bit this week. I have two topics I want to chat about, but want to start with our Life Reimagined Section. I’ve got a big conversation I’d love to start.

1. I want to start a conversation around ‘What’s the plan?’ How are we being intentional about this next phase?

2. Where do you find customers when you’re just starting out?  

I have one word for you - visibility.

Yikes! I know. The thought of putting yourself out there and promoting your product is scary.  We’re going to talk about it. 

I’ve got a simple strategy for you.

Thanks for being here.

Cheers,

Colleen Kochannek, Publisher

*This publication may include affiliate links and links to products I sell. If you click and buy, I may earn revenue and/or commission. 

LIFE REIMAGINED

Truth be told, I don't know what I really want from this next chapter. 

I feel a bit caught off-guard because I’m having the realization that I have a whole next phase to my life that I haven’t even thought about. 

I'll be 57 in a month. Will it be another 20, 30, 40 years? My gut says a solid 30. And, my gut says I'll be strong and healthy for the most part. 

What's Our Plan?

I definitely don't have enough money to 'live my bucket list'. Not yet, at least.  

My online business is quickly becoming the foundation of my 'What's the plan?' situation. It’s definitely checking some big boxes (money and purpose), but it’s not the whole plan (or is it?).

As women, I believe we're not taught or told to think about this next phase. We’re just supposed to get old and sit quietly in the corner (according to ‘society’). 

Reality, however, is SO different. I don’t know about you, but I don't feel old. I'm smarter, more self aware, more healed and more capable than I've ever been in my life.  

I'm a planner, but I'm a bit stumped on how to plan this next phase.

I've already achieved so many milestones that I was told to work towards. I feel incredibly grateful and proud of this.

But,  now what?

I find this phase to be equally terrifying and exciting. 

I have no idea where my story is going (the exciting part), but I'm also not sure I know how to write the plot (terrifying to think of life just happening vs. being intentional).

What's your plan? How are you figuring this all out?

Hit REPLY and let’s chat about it.  

BUSINESS BASICS

Where To Find Your First Customers 

Clearly, one of our first tasks as business owners is finding customers. No customers = no business. 

You have to show up and market.  But, how and where do you start?  

You’re already working on a lot of firsts as a new business owner. Let’s keep your first marketing plan simple.  

A Simple Facebook Marketing Strategy

I recommend starting with Facebook because it’s the most widely used social media platform, especially for our over-50 demographic. You’re likely familiar with it as a consumer (one less learning curve).

Create A Facebook Business Page (You initiate this from your personal profile)

1. Naming Your Facebook Page after your business niche or product.   

   1. If your product is How To Organize Your Pantry In One Hour name your page Kitchen Organization Hacks

   2. If your product is How To Choose Your First RV  name your page RVing for First-Timers 

   3. Always be clear over clever. People must know what the page is about instantly.  (“Dream Manifesting Captain” is not clear.)

2. Create A Cover Image (The large image at the top of your Facebook Page) in Canva using a premade template. Search for Facebook Page Cover for options.

3. Optimize Your Page with a hyper-link to where people can purchase your product.

4. Create A Consistent Posting Schedule 

   1. Post as frequently as you can with consistency. 3x per week at a minimum

   2. Post Ideas: 

      1. Build anticipation for your coming product. Talk about what it is, why you’re creating it and WHO it is for. What will it solve? What result will it offer?

      2. Highlight individual features or parts of your product. If your product is How To Choose Your First RV choose a few of the items included in your product and call them out.

      3. Tell us about you and why you’re the expert in your product’s topic. Tell us your back story around your product.

      4. Don’t forget to highlight new followers and thank them for supporting your Facebook Page.

      5. Start asking followers for feedback on your product (this data is gold)

5. Facebook Page Tips 

   1. Don’t be afraid to reuse content. For example, use the same copy with a different image. Use the same message in a different format (video, image, copy-only post).

   2. Understand you will be posting to crickets in the beginning. It can take weeks/months to gain any traction. Pretend there are followers!

   3. Have fun and experiment with different types of posts and messages. In the beginning, when you have fewer followers, is a great time to test things out.

Use Your Facebook Profile!

1. Your Facebook Profile is a built in platform. You already have friends and followers.

2. Don’t be afraid to talk about your product here. Direct people to your Facebook Page.

3. Create A Cover Image (The large image at the top of your Facebook Page) in Canva using a premade template. Search for Facebook Profile Cover for options. Let  your followers know about your new product.

4. Optimize your profile with a hyper-link to your Facebook Page and to where people can purchase your product.

5. Encourage potential customers to check out your new Facebook Business Page.

6. Post regularly (but not only) about your product on your profile.

It used to be that Facebook discouraged people from ‘promoting’ on their personal profile, but Facebook is getting ready to allow people to run ads from the profile so… I guess we can promote from ours.

Want to see some examples? You can check out both my Facebook Profile and Facebook Page for ideas! 

Once you begin gaining some traction on Facebook consider branching out to another social platform. I encourage you to go all in on just ONE platform in the beginning until you’ve built a following and understand the time/effort required to maintain a consistent marketing strategy.

QUICK WINS

I’m not sure this is officially a ‘quick win’, but I reserve Mondays (until about 2pm) for personal admin: dog to the vet, grocery store, paying bills, renewing auto insurance, etc… I find if I leave these items ‘hanging over my head’  they are a distraction all week.

I no longer feel guilty about starting ‘work’ at 2pm on a Monday (and clocking out about 4pm). Flexibility is one of the main reasons I have my own business.

COMING NEXT WEEK

You see your business idea everywhere. How do YOU stand out?

The SUGGESTION BOX

Questions and suggestions for admin or the Ask-Me-Anything section. Simple Hit REPLY to this email or email us at: [email protected]