Real You: 8 Tips to Turn your Passion into Profit

Writing is one of my passions. Since you’re already familiar with Real You Incorporated, I’m excited to get another book into your hands. Be the first to get my new eBook, Turn your Passion into Profit: How to Create the Business of Your Dreams! It’s a 40-page, step-by-step guide to creating the business and lifestyle you’ve always wanted. It’s the perfect complement to Real You Incorporated—and it’s only $9.95!  

Here are 8 tips from the eBook to get you in motion.

1. Know your Vision. Being able to envision your business service or product, and how it is differentiated in your chosen industry, is crucial to your long-term success.
2. Be Ready to Work—and Get Help. Are you willing to do a little bit of everything, yet ask for help when you need it? Don’t go it alone. You must have a strong enough personality to know where you excel and where you need help.
3. Define your Brand. Try to define yourself in one word. This is the basis of your personal brand. Need help? Ask your friends, relatives, book club members, co-workers—anyone who knows the real you.
4. Create a Brand Board Today. Creating your own brand board is a great YOU brainstorm session. Transform a poster board into a montage of pictures with things you love to do, places that make you happy, colors that brighten your day and aspirations—images that exemplify your personal brand.
5. Name your Company. Naming your company matters. It’s part of your real brand; it’s your essence. Start by writing your company’s story—even if you don’t have one yet.
6. Create an Online Presence. This is crucial. At the very least, you’ll want to create a website where people can find your contact information. Then take it to the next level by using social media, a blog and e-newsletter to stay in touch with your customers.
7. Build Trust & Recognition through Social Media. Social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, allow businesses to build great relationships with present and future customers. A little bit of human interaction can go a long way.
8. Stay Focused. As your business gets off the ground, it’s important to stay focused and keep working. Most businesses don’t take off overnight. Even if you don’t see immediate results, continue working to add value for your clients.

Are you ready to learn more great tips? Click here to purchase Turn your Passion into Profit: How to Create the Business of Your Dreams.

The eBook is ready for immediate download. You can start using these tips immediately!

Should You Network Via Email?

I received a question from a woman asking: “Is it okay to network via email?” 

I wish I could start every relationship face-to-face, but it’s just not possible. In this day and age, it’s not uncommon to correspond with individuals who live on the other side of the country—or even in another part of the world—without ever meeting them in person. Thank you, Twitter! Relationships grow and people conduct business this way every single day—and it works. That being said, when you have the opportunity to meet someone in person, do it. This is your opportunity to put your best foot forward. 

After the relationship has been established, corresponding via e-mail, and even social networks, is perfectly acceptable. Always ask, what’s the best way to communicate? According to the Meta Group Survey, 80 percent of people prefer typing to talking. Think about the number of people you can reach through your computer—through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Ning and other communities. You’ll be able to maintain and build relationships with ease. So, yes, networking via e-mail is not only acceptable, it makes sense.

Time to enter the family business?

The question of whether or not to join a family business is a tough one. You have been given an opportunity, that’s for sure, but it is smart to carefully evaluate the situation before you jump in. I recommend asking yourself the following:

• Are you personally passionate about this business? If you’re not, it may not be right for you.

• Do you have experience in the field? If not, are you willing to learn, and do you think you have what it takes to be successful?

• What does the future hold? Will you be an equal decision-maker, and will you be able to grow with the company?

• And perhaps most important, will joining the family business be at all awkward? You may feel like you have to justify your existence to outsiders down the road. Some folks deal with that better than others.

As you contemplate these points, consider who it is that will be teaching you the business. The answers to your questions will help you decide if joining the family business is the right decision. Good luck!

Benefit from Networking Events

With limitless networking opportunities, it is important to understand how to benefit from them. Whether it’s online, at a volunteer meeting or at a formal networking event, here are a few important tips to remember.

• It is critical to network with different people— people who you don’t work with, who are at different experience levels and have different backgrounds. This will help give you diverse perspectives.
• You have to approach them; don’t expect anyone to come to you. If approaching someone you don’t know is difficult, try practicing. Write it out, talk to a mirror, video tape yourself—whatever works for you. Remember, people respond best to authentic conversation. Have your elevator pitch ready, but genuinely mention your business in conversation.
• Follow the basic rule of conversation: Give and take. Ask open-ended questions and truly listen. People will remember those who take the time to care. You should be focused on building relationships, not the number of hands you shake.

A simple, genuine conversation between you and a stranger could open many opportunities. Just look at it as building a relationship, not building your business.

For more tips, check out this article on ways to maximize networking opportunities.