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Build Your Own Brand and Be Your Own Boss: Tips To Go From Just Thinking About Entrepreneurship To Just Doing It

September 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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Build Your Own Brand and Be Your Own Boss: Tips To Go From Just Thinking About Entrepreneurship To Just Doing It

by Frederika Angus

Wealth. Excitement. Opportunity. Family. Change. Freedom. Control.

There are a variety of reasons why business owners take the leap of faith into entrepreneurship including those on list above. While those general reasons will get you started, it takes more than inspiration, desire and hope to build a brand that you are passionate about and sparks lasting loyalty from your customers and brands.

Branding when done right will help you be found, be heard and be profitable. As you begin to build and grow your business brand and work for yourself, keep these tips in mind.

1. To thine own self be true – Ok so I didn’t originally pen this one but in order to build a business and brand that attracts your ideal client, nothing is more important than being yourself. As I work with different clients on bringing their professional and business brands online, we often take a look at what others are doing in the marketplace to determine their online business model, product offering, marketing message and the overall brand experience. The goal in this activity is not to replicate, duplicate or even imitate what similar brands are doing. It helps to further refine what they like and do not like. Every brand has its own DNA and as you create the business and life of your dreams remember to #BeBrandYou. Be authentic, be unique and remember be true to who you are.

2. Branding what you know helps your business grow – Simply put expertise sells. If you’re looking to start a business that will create a lasting legacy for generations to come, it’s best you start with what you know. If you don’t have a clue about baking, starting a business coaching other bakers is a recipe (pun intended) for instant failure and disappointment. It’s also faulty to believe that just because someone else you like and respect is doing something that you will be able to get the same results that they have. You can have the same ability and know how but if it isn’t your highest level of mastery you’ll find yourself frustrated. It isn’t important that your brand master everything. Start small, use what you know, and grow from there.

3. Even the strongest person needs support – Visionary entrepreneurs have dreams that seem to be bigger than life itself. As a mom of 4, I can tell you with all certainty that while you can carry a baby alone, delivering that baby is not something that you want to do alone. You want a team of people ready to help and support you. The same is true of your business “baby.” Get your support team around you that includes, mentors, graphic designers, legal counsel, accountants, web developers and assistants. While you can do much of the work on your own, having support allows your brand to go so much further.

I had the opportunity and honor to sit down with an awesome Virtual Assistant coach, Tiffany Parson and discuss how I got started in business and work from the comfort of my home daily. This interview really is the insider look at how I went from employee to entrepreneur as I build a brand and enjoy being my own boss. Included are tips on how to get started, tools I use in my business daily and exactly what you need to get your business started online. I invite you to listen to the interview NOW! 

Be sure to let me know over on my Facebook page what you learned from the interview!

Talk to you soon!

Frederika Angus

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What’s new at NextLevelVision.com

May 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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whats-new

Lots of excitement has been going on in the NextLevelVision.com office. Here’s some quick updates:

Spring Cleaning

We’ve rebranded our website using a theme on the Genesis platform. We started out with Thesis and still love it for it’s ease of configuration. Genesis is also very similar to Thesis in the SEO benefits and ability to quickly make changes without needing to pull your hair out.  If you haven’t been to the website lately, be sure to stop by and look around. If you have been thinking about refreshing the look, theme, feel and layout of your website, we’d be glad to help you find the right platform and theme to fit your business needs. Contact us and let us know how we can serve you!

Online Marketing Business Brand Checklist

Branding your business online can be confusing, stressful and overwhelming. There are so many tactics and strategies that it is often difficult to know what to do. We’ve created a checklist of what you need to do, step-by-step, to setup and implement all the pieces of a successful online branding strategy. Download your free copy today. http://nextlevelvision.com/online-business-brand-checklist-takes-guesswork/

New solution offering

With over 12 years of experience in program, project and product management we’ve decided to open our Virtual Project Management services up to our clients to help you be more effective and efficient with the work that needs to happen in your business. Undone work leaves money on the table and our goal is to ensure that you and your brand are being found, being heard and being profitable. If you need systems of processes created and documented, products launched, membership and coaching programs implemented, we are here to help turn your business goals into results. This frees you up to go be brilliant at what you do best.

Online Marketing Lunch and learn series

Each month I meet with savvy business owners and discuss online marketing topics that help them achieve results. The training is FREE, quick (only 30 minutes out of your day) and recorded. The goal is to keep you on the top of your game without having to spend hours doing your own research. You get to leverage my experience and expertise to move your brand to the next level online. Our next session is today, May 23rd, 2013 at 12pm EST/9am PST. If you aren’t already registered, go sign-up now at http://nextlevelvision.com/lunch.

Finally, we want to share a heartfelt thank you for your continued support. We have seen many of you grow from a seed into a tree in full bloom with your businesses. When you are successful, we are successful. If there is something we can do to better support you, if you have questions we can answer that will help you get unstuck and moving forward, don’t hesitate to let us know.

We love you all!

Talk to you soon,

Frederika Angus

Filed Under: Branding

Huge Key to Success With Your Direct Sales, Network Marketing Opportunities and Products As An Independent Consultant

January 25, 2013 by 2 Comments
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Huge Key to Success With Your Direct Sales, Network Marketing

Opportunities and Products As An Independent Consultant

by Frederika Angus

 

success-key-direct-sales-networking-marketing copy

 

I use to hate network marketing companies.

Yes, I know hate is a strong word. I’m just being honest. My dad was involved in one (ahem several) as I was growing up. He was constantly at some sales training or networking mixer, hosting a business opportunity meeting at a random hotel ballroom or calling tons of people on the phone to convince them to buy into his product or service.

Before call waiting and waaaay before kids had cell phones, having my dad use the phone for hours just was not going to get rave reviews from me!

But even more than that, every time he started in one of these opportunities our family dynamic changed.

I grew up in a home where family was a top priority. My mom spent 8 years of her life dedicated to being home with me, and creating a comfortable home. She had dinner ready at 6 when my dad walked in and we ate together.

But when my dad had these extra events to go to because of his new business venture that would really bring in the bucks, part of our family fun around the dinner table was missing. And it seemed like he worked so hard but never saw the returns the business opportunity promised.

As I got older and grew in my own career with eCommerce and online marketing and even joined my own direct sales company, I realized what I did not like wasn’t those organizations or even the multi-level marketing (MLM) business model. It was not having my dad around in the name of working a business outside of his full-time job. It was how hard he had to work to see minimal returns.

I work everyday with some incredibly savvy entrepreneurs and business owners. Some of my clients are even in direct sales and networking marketing organizations.

The big key that I’ve seen to their success is instead of travelling all over telling others about their product or services, they’ve branded themselves and moved the relationship building online.

Yes, I know your upline sponsor told you once you got the business kit a standard website was also included. Yes, I understand your special web link that includes your 8 digits customer id tracks your sales for your bonuses.

So why on earth would you invest in an additional website?

People do business with people not products and services. People will remember your unique domain name. They won’t recall your customer ID, or worse yet, what if they mistype it and someone else gets the credit?

Those that have their own custom branded website around who they are and how they can help are seeing amazing results in their business. Bringing a blog along as a major part of the website allows clients and potential business partners to understand who you are, why you believe in your products, and how they work, show off the results that people are having in your organization, and how to get started.

No more reading a script to prospect people. No more having to beg every person you know to try a sample or host a party. No more spending two hours in a hotel conference room after a long day at work or on the weekends.

Branding yourself in direct sales and network marketing with your own website is a game changer.

The best part is your time is now freed up because your branded website can do some of the work for you! A skilled website designer can link your products and services to your specific company link from your branded website and you’ll still get the credit.

Investing in branding yourself on the web works for direct sales and networking marketing and is a huge key to success.

Have you seen results by branding yourself for your company? Do you have questions on what your next step should be?

Leave a comment below. I’d love to help.

Talk to you soon!

Frederika Angus

 

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Using A Blog To Build Your Brand – 5 Tips For Blogging Success

January 6, 2013 by 1 Comment
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Using A Blog To Build Your Brand – 5 Tips For Blogging Success

by Frederika Angus

Blog for profit Blog with social media tips for beginners

Blogging these days is about as popular as smartphones; nearly everyone has one. And if you aren’t currently writing a blog, it’s likely that you’ve started one and quit writing in the past, you read someone else’s blog regularly, or you have an idea to start one.

Using a blog is one of the most effective ways to share your creativity, inspiration, and message quickly with those it will resonate with. It is also a great tool to use to brand yourself, share your expertise and build a business around. If you’re just staring out with blogging or looking for help to blog successfully, here are a few tips that will help.

1- Be You!

Authenticity is a critical point to branding, building a business and life in general. The popular phrase “Fake it til you make it” does not work well in the blogging world. People are naturally more suspicious of things that sound to good to be be true. No wants you to be perfect. Being perfect is a myth. Being the real, genuine, best you on your blog will results in building a brand that doesn’t feel like a production. Your blog will become the natural extension of who you are.

2- Be Positive!

When building a brand, save the drama. People may enjoy and laugh and agree with you for a while, but do you want your internet lasting legacy to be one of negativity? Think about the books, tv shows, and friends you enjoy and like to regularly read, watch and be around. If you’re like me, it’s very likely that negativity is draining and you much prefer the positive inspiration to constant negative news. Create that same culture for your brand through your blog.

3- Be Consistent!

Show up and write regularly. Attention spans tend to be short so if you don’t show up, you will quickly be forgotten. Bring your brand to the top of mind for your followers consistently. Once you determine your routine, this will be easy!

4- Be Focused!

Before you start, decide what exactly you will be blogging about. Try not to shift and jump around. For instance, if I talking about branding then jump into discussing makeup and fashion, that will create a disconnect between the topics and with my followers. Decide your focus and the topics you will discuss on your blog. When people arrive at your blog it should be clear what you are about and the type of information they will receive.

5- Be Diverse!

Everyone doesn’t like to read blogs in the same fashion. Some may like to go directly to your website, while others prefer to read them directly from their email. Other’s may happen upon your blog from the many social media outlets you post on. Be sure to provide your blog content in diverse ways. Being able to stay connected with your followers in the method they prefer most, will be beneficial in growing your following and spreading your message through blogging!

I hope you enjoy these tips!

Post below if you have any questions or to just let me know how these tips help you out!

Talk to you soon!

Frederika Angus

 

Filed Under: Branding, Wordpress Website Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Understanding Push and Pull Marketing Online for Brand Profitability

February 16, 2012 by 2 Comments
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Understanding Push and Pull Marketing Online for Brand Profitability

by Frederika Angus

push-pull-marketing

Imagine your business as an open house. Your visual branding will cause your ideal customers to look and perhaps even stop out front. While branding causes people to look, the biggest question for business profitability is how do you get people in the door?

When it comes to marketing, in particular, digital marketing, two forms exist. Pull and push. Understanding the concept of push and pull marketing will help as you develop strategies to expand your brand’s products and services online.

Push Marketing

Push marketing is where the company is pushing messaging to create excitement or interest. The customer hasn’t asked about or for your services and products. In traditional advertising this is done in the form of commercials, and magazines or radio ads. Online, methods such as banner advertising, Pay-Per-Click ads and email marketing are used. This method allows your target market to know you exist and provide a solution they might need.

Pull marketing

Pull creates awareness and when done well, a demand. Pull marketing is about positioning your brand so that as your prospective customers are seeking information, you are who they find. Its intent is to attract ideal customers and is usually done more organically. Customers who are gathering information in your area of expertise are less likely to have their guard up as they would in an unsolicited sales pitch. Websites with blogs along with SEO (search engine optimization) and even your social media presence, allows customers to find you, develop relationship that can grow into profits for your business.

Both push and pull marketing help expand and elevate your brand and business online. The two types are not mutually exclusive, meaning; it’s not a decision to select either push or pull. Both push and pull marketing strategies should work together. Often times without the promotion of push, websites and blogs would never get off the ground.

Push and pull marketing works best in tandem to grow profits for your brand. It is important to find the balance of pushing on certain avenues such as email marketing and using social media. Especially because both are great ways to develop relationships that will result in long-term brand loyalty. Know where your prospective customers are looking for your products and services and position yourself to be the one they find.

Talk to you soon!

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The Power of Belief For Your Brand Growth and Profitable Business Success

February 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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The Power of Belief For Your Brand Growth and Profitable Business Success

by Frederika Angus

What do you believe?

“If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad.” Denis Waitley

Businesses are built and grow based on your belief. Oftentimes people tell me that they would love to be a business owner. Being able to do work that you love and have a passion for, determining your schedule for greater freedom and flexibility, and having the ability to create a legacy and wealth for your future is appealing. Unfortunately, the next thing they say starts with a big BUT.

“But I just don’t think I am cut out to be an entrepreneur.” “But I don’t have the time.” “But I don’t think that this idea will work.”

Today I want to encourage you to Change Your BUT! I am not just talking about reciting some affirmations over and over again. I am talking about changing your mindset about what you believe is possible for you and your business.

Credible personal and expert branding is supported with your belief. If you know that you are an expert in your industry as a fashion stylist, chef, makeup artist, software developer, business strategist, whatever you have skill in, you will be treated and compensated as such.

As William James said “Belief creates the actual fact.” What facts are you creating in the marketplace for your brand based on your belief?

You see branding is more than design element or a necessary part of your overall marketing strategy. The power of branding lies in the mind. It is rooted in the perception that people have about you and your business. As the face of your company, you have the opportunity to shape that belief for your clients and customers by what it is you believe for yourself and the value your business has.

Start this process by asking and answering these 3 questions.

    1. What does your ideal client currently believe about you and your business? All brand strategies should begin with a clear idea of how you are being seen in the marketplace. Your client’s perception of you produces their reality and it is important in the development of a brand message.
    2. What do you believe about you/your business? If what you believe and what your customers believe to be true about you are not in agreement, your branding efforts have a huge disconnect. This is usually the point a brand strategy experts should be brought in to create or transform the brand message.
    3. What do you want people to believe about you and your company? Brainstorm the ideas that you want to leave people with. Every word that people read about you, every visual element they see, the voice and tone of every message, should reflect who you are and what you stand for.

How you and your clients perceive your business will make an impact in the expansion, growth and overall success of your branding efforts. “Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy.” Tony Robbins. Be mindful of your thoughts and the power they have on your brand.

Talk to you soon!

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Building Your Small Business, Networking and Having Enough Time to Spend With Your Family. Is It Possible?

January 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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Building Your Small Business, Networking and Having Enough Time to Spend With Your Family. Is It Possible?

by Frederika Angus

When you decided to go into business, your goal was probably to generate an income, a substantial income. Now it wasn’t all about the money, but the lifestyle that the additional money could provide for you. This business was supposed to be a bridge between the life you currently have and the one you dream about. You know, the life where you live comfortably without the stress of bills, are free to dictate how you spend your time instead of being told, and enjoy doing fulfilling work and serving your clients.

I wholeheartedly believe that entrepreneurship is a great vehicle to make all of those things happen. As an entrepreneur, I can also tell you that all of those things don’t happen if you don’t make enough money in your business to eliminate the need for a full or part-time job. One of the best ways to put money in the bank is to have a large enough funnel of prospective ideal clients.

Networking to expand your brand and reach of influence is a very smart way to to gain new customers. Unfortunately, the way networking is typically done does not produce a very good ROI, or return on your (time) investment.

I received a great question from a client requesting tips on how to add networking to an already full plate. What is a busy entrepreneur that loves time with their family, has an additional job and is even going to school to better their skills for their clients to do?

Really there are only two options (since we know not networking means no new work coming in). Either you decide to network live or online. Let me explain.

If you decide you will do in-person networking events, be selective. I value spending time with my family and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Every event that presents itself for networking is not necessarily the event for me. Select events where you know that the people in attendance are of high quality. These are the people that are not at events because they want to be seen or they have nothing else to do. Be mindful to associate and network with people who may know your ideal client or even potentially be your ideal client.

Also understand that at networking events you are the representative for the brand. Yes, especially at live networking events, you are branding via your business cards and your overall appearance and attitude. Because of the corporate clients that I attract, I understood the importance of being memorable in a very cookie cutter industry. My cards are intentionally not like most. It has a flair and quality that reflects me and allows me to standout days and even weeks after meeting someone. Just this past week I happened to run into a person from a past business function and he identified me first by my business card which reminded him I was unique in the marketplace and that we should talk further.

Learn how to network online from your couch and even while you sleep!  You have enough going on in your life that you don’t need “one more thing to do.” Networking usually takes time away from the things or the people that you would prefer to spend your time with. If you are not already making good use of the technology that is available, start today. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to help expand your online network. Developing relationships on these platforms is a good way to also expand your brand where your ideal clients hang out without being intrusive.

If your networking purpose is to generate new leads and prospective customers, there are strategic methods, systems and tools that you can use that will work for you even while you aren’t working your business. Weigh your return on investment. Would you rather spend 2 hours talking to a person in hopes that you will be able to schedule a meeting that might one day lead to a customer? Or would your 2 hours be better spent with friends, family, or even doing what you love and taking care of yourself while your lead generation is handled for you?

Over the next few weeks, we will further discuss how to build your brand online in such a strategic way that you are actively adding new prospects to your network because they are already looking for you. I’m looking forward to sharing these innovative strategies and techniques that will take your business to the next level.

In the meantime, be sure to post any comments or questions you have below.

Talk to you soon!

Filed Under: Branding, Entrepreneurship, Social Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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