Content Marketing 101: Your Complete Guide

The digital landscape has gone through drastic changes over the last decade. Traditional strategies for marketing and advertising are quickly becoming a thing of the past as cell phones and social media platforms command more of our attention. These changes have affected the way we make our buying decisions; people want a consumer experience that feels engaging and personalized.

In the fast-moving world of marketing, standing out as a business is no easy task. It’s more essential than ever for businesses to have a strong social media presence in order to connect with their potential and existing customers. For your business to thrive, it needs to adapt.

Welcome to content marketing.

Whether you’re familiar with this term or not, your ability to master this skill matters to your business. Fortunately, you’re in the right place. Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to create fun and compelling content that will catch– and keep– the attention of your ideal clients.

Content marketing is a key tool that you should implement in your client acquisition and retention process right away– let’s break down why, and how to get started!

What Is Content Marketing?

According to the Oxford dictionary, the definition of content marketing is: “a type of marketing that involves the creation and sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) that does not explicitly promote a brand but is intended to stimulate interest in its products or services.”

For many business owners, the best way to connect to their audience is through teaching, giving value, and creating a trust bridge towards a purchase. This can be done through valuable content. That way, when you release a product or a new service, they know you are a trusted source of information and solutions.

Why Is Content Marketing So Important?

Content marketing helps your customer feel supported through their buying decision, rather than simply being the target of a sale. No one wants to feel like they’re getting bombarded with pressure to “buy, buy, buy,” as it pushes them away. It’s actually a brain function that moves people into safety-and-retreat mode, and can kill a sale almost immediately! Providing valuable and compelling content creates a bond between your customer and your brand that disarms the “escape mode” and establishes trust.

There’s a fine line between content and advertising, and it can sometimes confuse people. Content delivers value! Plain and simple. It could be informational value or even entertainment value. This is why Instagram reels and TikTok are so popular right now. Many companies combine the information and entertainment to teach– while building that trust factor!

An excellent rule of thumb is to give away content that people would pay for. The more you give, the more perceived value you get. This is how you build a brand that your potential clients like AND trust.

Types of Content

There are several types of content you may want to create, depending on your business and target audience.

Website: Your website should connect with your audience and provide opportunities to learn, understand, and connect. Remember, marketing is your chance to solve a problem that addresses a pain point– to which you are the solution. Making your website into a content hub where your audience is heard and seen (rather than a ton of facts) can be a perfect way to establish a better relationship. Also, when you’re focused on content, you improve your SEO ratings!

YouTube: The world’s second leading search engine is a perfect place to show off what you know! Consistently creating valuable content on YouTube is effective because people go there to find videos that will help them learn. Video creation is time-consuming, so make sure it’s something you want to start (and continue!) doing. I teach people about content repurposing all the time, and usually I have them start with long form content (a longer video) that can be reused, chopped up, and shared.

Social Media: Having a solid social media strategy can help a brand stand out. The top social media platforms right now are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Pinterest. Having a plan to share your content on these platforms can be a powerful way to grow your visibility. Remember, most people consume hours of social media daily!

Infographics: These are long form graphics that contain valuable information. They might be carousels on an Instagram feed, a blog post on your website, or even a graphic on a YouTube video. These infographics can include statistics, how-tos, guides, or a combination of these elements.

Podcasts: According to The Infinite Dial 2021, US weekly podcast listeners averaged eight podcasts in the last week. Only 11% of US podcast listeners older than 12 listened to only one podcast in the last week. Most (21%) listened to about five, while 19% listened to anything from six to ten podcasts per week. This is a great platform to get right into the ears of a receptive audience.

How to Start Content Marketing

Gary Vaynerchuk once said something so valuable, and it shifted how I create content: “Don’t Create Content, Document Your Process!”

Creating new content all the time is exhausting and not really time-effective. One solution is to document your process as you work through projects, or show behind the scenes– or even just explain the “why” behind what you do. Most importantly, content marketing helps you be seen and understood.

People want to connect with a person as opposed to a brand, which is why brands such as Nike use spokespeople to showcase their products. Human connection also primes your potential customers for an easier purchase, practically crushing their objections before they get to the buy. It makes the runway shorter, and it’s why many companies see a huge return on their marketing.

It might not feel natural to start making videos or showing up consistently on social media. Once you create a strategy, get some coaching, and start implementing it, a consistent online presence will feel easier.

Essential Tools

Technology is advancing so fast, and it’s easier than ever to create right at your fingertips! But, which apps are the best? Which ones are easy to use if you’re not tech-savvy, and which really meet your needs? When it comes to creating content, you’ll want apps and software that either save you time, money, or a headache!

There are many tools and forms of software to help you stand out as a brand. Your content is what shows you off as the expert who will help your potential clients get the results they desire. These are my top suggestions for essential tools that you need in order to create great content.

Tool #1- The Voice Memo App

You don’t have to be sitting in front of your computer if you have a great idea– you can whip out your phone! It’s free, it’s easy to use, and it helps you capture moments when you’re not at the computer.

Any time you have thoughts that you haven’t had the chance to write down, grab the voice memo app and record it.

The second way you can use your voice memo app is to get professional audio while you’re recording a video. This is a little-known hack that can improve your audio quality, and even help you repurpose your content into a podcast! You can even record your next book as a dictation and then transcribe it.

The voice memo is a resource most people underestimate!

Tool #2- The InShot App

InShot has made editing videos for different platforms extremely easy. From cutting clips, trimming, editing sound, adding music, including text and stickers, and even making your own videos, this app is very handy and user-friendly.

There’s many video editing apps out there; I’ve personally tried several, and InShot is still my favorite. It’s $14.99 per year, making it an inexpensive app that’s easy to use. It doesn’t include advanced editing techniques like splitting the screen or adding custom graphics, but you’ll be able to edit a video in minutes.

Tool #3- Later

This app for scheduling on social media can save you hours!

Later is an industry leader for scheduling, as they have been one of the initial softwares to do this type of work. It saves you a ton of time by pre-scheduling your feed posts and stories. It also has an informational blog to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media.

This app frees you from the constant hustle and bustle of social media, and you can feel at ease about your content for the week. That way, you can be more focused on engaging with people on social media platforms.

Tool #4- Canva

This is hands-down the best tool for creating your graphics for social media, branding materials, client materials, freebies, video editing, and so much more. Canva has the ability to make anyone a graphic designer.

With pre-made templates for just about anything, Canva helps you stand out as a brand in minutes. It has grown extensively as a graphic editing platform where you can even edit videos and create presentations, websites, and printed materials. One of my favorite tools is the background remover– with one click, it allows you to position a photo anywhere on a canvas and create really dynamic graphics!

As a business owner, Canva can be one of the most useful tools in your deck. At a low price that ranges from $10-$14 a month, it really can’t be beat. Check out my video on how to use Canva.

Tool #5- CRM

A customer relationship management (CRM) software that brings it all together will let you focus on sales!

Once you have the tools to generate content, you can’t forget that you also need to find a provider for your landing page creation, email sending, and customer relationship management.

While there are several options for this type of software, my tool of choice is HighLevel. With this system, you can build landing pages, send emails, SMS messages, and even create pipelines for your potential leads– all in one place! This tool will help you with everything from email marketing to building funnels, as well as having a snapshot of client acquisition and your potential monthly revenue.

It’s one of the most robust tools out there, allowing you to organize your business and create stunning landing pages to help you sell your programs and services.

All in all, the tools you are using for your business mean nothing if you don’t have a thoughtful strategy in place. Make sure you have daily accountability so you can achieve meaningful goals for yourself and your business.

Once you begin applying strategic content marketing, bringing clients will be more fun than ever before! There is nothing more rewarding than the feeling of giving in order to receive. Get started with your content marketing plan today!

Grab Content Pro: https://grow.arianneom.com/content-pro-now

Why Content Marketing Works to Grow Your Business

Why Content Marketing Works to Grow Your Business

Welcome to the fast moving world of content marketing that maybe seems a bit out of your grasp sometimes. You might be wondering what this term is and why it matters to you? You’re in the right place with this article as I’ll break down why content marketing is one key tool that should be implemented in your client acquisition and retention process pretty much immediately.

Let’s go over why content is essential nowadays for business owners. First of all, the landscape of marketing and advertising has changed drastically over the last decade where more eyes are on cell phones vs TV’s and where social media apps sway our buying decisions. So it’s essential that businesses have a strong social media presence in order to connect to their potential and existing customers.

Technology is moving so fast and making it so easy to create right at your fingertips! But, which apps are the best? Which ones are easy to use if you’re not techy and which really do what you need at that moment? Especially if you’re creating content you’ll want apps and software that either save you time, money or a headache! 

What is Content Marketing?

For many business owners, the best way to connect to their audience is through teaching, giving value and creating a trust bridge towards a purchase. This can be done through valuable content, whether it’s a longer video or a shorter reel, it helps create an affinity with your audience so when you release a product or a new service, they know you are a trusted source of information and problem solution.

By the Oxford dictionary the definition of content marketing is “a type of marketing that involves the creation and sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) that does not explicitly promote a brand but is intended to stimulate interest in its products or services.”

 

Why Is Content Marketing So Important?

If you want your company to thrive in today’s landscape and have a leading edge, you want to start some sort of content marketing strategies right away. 

You can:

  • Increase your sales
  • Loyal customer base
  • Cost savings
  • Increased lifetime customer value

Content marketing helps your customer not feel like they’re being sold to, but instead be supported through their buying decision. No one wants to feel like they’re getting bombarded with “buy buy buy” as it pushes them away. It’s actually a brain function that moves people into safety and retreat mode and can kill a sale right away!

So what providing useful, valuable, interesting and compelling content does is helps to create a bond between your customer and your brand that helps disarm the run away mode and establish trust.

There’s a fine line between content and advertising that can confuse people. Content delivers value! Plain and simple. It could be informational value or even entertainment value. This is why Instagram reels and TikTok are the hits right now. Many companies combine the information and entertainment to teach while building that trust factor!

Basically one rule of thumb you can count on is to give away content that people would pay for, and the more you give, the more perceived value you get and the more like and trust factors you build.

Types of Content

Website: Your website can be a hub for where you can write blogs that are chock full of value. Your website should connect with the reader and provide opportunities to learn, understand and also connect. Remember, marketing is your chance to solve a problem that addresses a pain point to which you are the solution. Making your website be a content hub where your audience is heard and seen vs a ton of facts can be a perfect way to establish a better relationship. Also, when you’re focused on content you improve your SEO ratings!

YouTube: The world’s #2 search engine is a perfect place to show off what you know! Creating valuable content on YouTube consistently is a strategy as people go there to look for things they need to learn. It is also time consuming so make sure it’s something you want to start and continue doing.  I teach people about content repurposing all the time, and usually I have them start with long form content (a longer video) which can be reused, chopped up and shared. 

Social Media: Having a solid social media strategy can help a brand stand out in today’s landscape. The top social media platforms right now are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Pinterest. Having a solid plan to share your content on all of these platforms to reach a wider audience can help your visibility grow. Remember most people consume hours of social media daily!

Infographics: These are long form graphics that have valuable information. These can be carousels on an Instagram feed, a blog post on your website, or even a graphic on a YouTube video. These can include statistics, step by step, guides and a combination of all.

Podcasts: Did you know that According to The Infinite Dial 2021, US weekly podcast listeners averaged eight podcasts in the last week. Only 11% of US podcast listeners older than 12 listened to only one podcast in the last week. Most (21%) listened to about five, while 19% listened to anything from six to 10 podcasts per week. This is a great platform to get right into the ears of a receptive audience.

How to Start Content Marketing

Gary Vaynerchuk said something so valuable once that shifted how I create content “Don’t Create Content, Document Your Process!”

Creating new content all the time is exhausting and not really most time effective, so what you want to do is document your process as you work through projects, or do behind the scenes or even just explain the why behind what you do. Most importantly, content marketing helps you be seen and understood.

People want to connect with a person vs a brand and thus why brands such as Nike use spokespeople to showcase their products.

It might not feel natural to start making videos or showing up consistently on social media, but trust me once you create a strategy, get some coaching and start implementing, it will feel easier.

It’s also priming your potential customers to an easier purchase and almost crushing their objections before they get to the buy. It makes the runway shorter and why companies see a huge return on their marketing.

Essential Tools

In today’s landscape there are so many softwares and tools to help you stand out as a brand. These are my daily suggested essential tools that you need in order to create great content that can show you off as the expert, so you can help your potential clients get the results they’re in need of. 

In this blog, you’re going to learn exactly what these tools are, how to use them, and why they help maximize your time so you don’t get sucked into tech land.

Tool #1: The Voice Memo App

You don’t have to be sitting in front of your computer if you have a great idea – you can whip out your phone! It’s free, it’s easy to use and it helps you capture moments when you’re not at the computer.

Any time you have thoughts that you haven’t had the chance to write down, grab the voice memo app and record exactly what it is.

If you received a download during meditation, or if you had a meaningful conversation that sparked an idea – don’t forget the value of this resource in your pocket. 

The second way you can use your voice memo app is to get professional audio while you’re recording a video.

This is a little-known hack that can improve the audio quality of your videos and even help you to repurpose your content into a podcast! You can even record your next book as a dictation and then transcribe it. 

The voice memo is a resource most people underestimate!

Tool #2: The InShot App

Use this app to edit your videos in a super easy way and on the go.

InShot has made editing videos for different platforms extremely easy. From cutting clips, trimming, editing sound, adding music, text and stickers and even making your own videos, this app is very handy and user friendly.

There’s many video editing apps out there, and I’ve tried several and InShot is still my favorite. It’s $14.99 per year, making it a low priced app that’s easy to use immediately.

 It doesn’t do advanced editing techniques like splitting the screen or adding custom graphics, but you’ll edit a video in minutes.

Tool #3: Later

This is the app I use for scheduling on social media that saves me hours.

This helps you to not feel like you’re constantly in the hustle and bustle of social media, and you can feel at ease about your content for the week so you can focus on engaging with people on social media more. 

 Later is a leader in the industry for scheduling as they have been one of the initial softwares to do this type of work. It saves you a ton of time by pre scheduling your feed posts and stories. It also has an information full blog to help you navigate the ever changing landscape of social media. 

Tool #4: Canva

This is hands-down the best tool for creating the graphics you need for your social media, branding materials, client materials, freebies, video editing, and so much more. Canva has the ability to make anyone a graphic designer. 

With pre-made templates for just about anything, Canva helps you stand out as a brand in minutes. It has grown extensively as a graphic editing platform where you can even edit videos, create presentations, websites and printed materials. One of my favorite tools is the background remover which with one click allows you to position a photo anywhere on a canvas and create really dynamic graphics!

As a business owner, Canva can be one of the most useful tools in your deck and at a low price that ranges from $10-$14 a month, it really can’t be beat. 

Tool #5: A CRM that brings it all together and helps you focus on sales! 

Now that you know how to use tools to generate content, you can’t forget that you also need to find a provider for your landing page creation, email sending, and customer relationship management.

My tool of choice is HighLevel. With this system, I can build my landing pages, send emails, SMS messages, and even create pipelines for my potential leads all in one place from email marketing to building funnels and having a snapshot of client acquisition and your potential monthly revenue. 

It’s one of the most robust tools out there that helps you organize your business, have stunning landing pages to help you sell your programs and services. 

Click here to start your free trial to the best software out there!

All in all, the tools you are using for your business mean nothing if you don’t have a strategy in place for executing on them in a thoughtful way. Make sure you have daily accountability towards your execution of your strategy so you can achieve meaningful goals for yourself and your business.

I’ve been marketing for years and once I began applying a strategic content marketing bringing clients in has never been more fun and makes me feel like I give in order to receive! Get started with your authentic marketing systems today!

xox,

Arianne

Why You and Your Biz Are Like Happy Eggs

happy eggs

Why are you and your biz like happy eggs?

This might sound like a strange title I know.

Well, I’m an egg snob and if my eggs don’t have bright orange yolks, I’m not eating them. It actually reminds me of an episode of Portlandia where they went out to eat and asked the waiter if the chicken they ordered was organic. If it was free range. If it had lots of sunlight. What it’s name was and if it had friends. (Pretty funny episode if you ask me).

Well, I’m the same with my products and things I invest it. I only want top notch food for my family and myself and rather spend a couple extra dollars on that knowing I’m also supporting small farmers in the process.

I do the same with my water, my clothes and anything else I spend my money on. Quality always beats quantity and knowing there’s good energy behind it is even more important!

Why is this blog then about Happy Eggs when I’m a business coach?

VALUE. Plain and simple. Your value and how you price yourself to be more exact.

Did you know most holistic entrepreneurs have a tendency to underprice themselves by 10-15%?

In this (our) industry there is a stigma around money and asking for your worth. In my book, The Abundant Yogi I talk about this exact thing in more detail, but to get an idea we have been used to providing discounts and lowering our rates due to covid almost instantly.

happy eggs

Why lowering your rates is a bad idea

First of all let’s talk about perceived value and what it means in the world of commerce. When something FEELS more expensive and is presented that way, you automatically get the essence that it’s more valuable.

Think Happy Eggs vs plain old eggs. Simply the packaging and the promise was good enough to charge $1 more than regular eggs, and if you’ve ever heard my presentation about pricing then you know $1 based on a volume based business can turn into $$$$$$!!!

Now do some quick math for yourself – if you lower your rates or on the flip side don’t raise your prices (ever!), you’re basically digging a hole for yourself that will be harder to dig out of. For example, it’s easier to give someone a discount vs raising your price right?

Let’s say I’m an acupuncturist and my rates have been $100 a session for the last 3 years and then because of covid I dropped them by $10, it’s going to be harder to raise my price back to $100 since now people think my rates are $90. Instead what I could’ve done, is given a 10% off and kept my prices the same.

On another note I’ve seen plenty of businesses raise their prices in the last 6 months or add a covid tax of 99 cents!

So STOP lowering your value and your prices.

What does this all mean for you as a Happy Egg?

You want to create a value 3 ways.

  1. Your experience, wisdom and time. You want to make sure you show that you’re the best at what you do and price according to all the trainings and experience you have under your belt.
  2. The perceived value of your brand and message. Yup.
    You want to show up as a professional and deliver that initial VA VA VOOM feeling when someone opens your website, your social media or anything outward facing.
  3. Making sure your offerings have that added value that goes beyond time. For example, my client Chloe did a 3 week breath course and charged more because she created an irresistible value stack that really (not pretend like many people do) gave over $150 worth of products and services.

Can I side note for a second? This is why ALL my clients create some sort of an online product that can be sold as a stand alone OR can be added as a BONUS on their programs!!!

 

Why should you apply this info right now?

2021 is your year to create and radiate. It’s vital the offerings you create and put out there show off your bad-assery. You deserve to make back all the money you’ve spent in growing your knowledge and wisdom and your diligent service to help others heal and feel better.

Go over your pricing and get it out there with pride and knowing fully you will deliver 110% of what people pay for. And if you haven’t gotten a chance to get your business planning 15 minute discover call – let’s do it!! 2021 waits for no one.

www.calendly.com/ariom/discover

Hugs + Love,

Arianne

Increased Income – Yes Please!

Yay For Increased Income!

It wasn’t too long ago when I believed payroll was only for “successful people”. For those who were making “real money”.

Side note: Can you see where none of the above statements even make sense?

These were all illusions I had set up because of comparisons to others who I assumed made so much more money than I, who were living more grandiose and who obviously could afford to pay themselves a salary.

I thought, keep all the money in my business account and pay myself as little as possible JUST IN CASE.

Just in case what? What was I setting myself up for? Failure?

So here let’s all say “Yes Please!” to increased income.

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The Reality

Here’s the deal. Now that you and I are professional adults as I like to call it, this is why and how I tripled my salary in just a few short months.

  1. I wanted to settle down and buy a house
  2. I wanted to start investing my money into other things
  3. I asked the “successful people” what they did

Big realization was that I was limiting myself massively on item 1 because no one would lend me money since I earned “so little”. I was also telling the universe that I didn’t need to earn a lot of money because I lived simply. I also wasn’t building up my credit or giving myself cushion to start an IRA, invest or do anything else with my money. It is all about increased income and opening the doors for it to flow in from clients into your business and from your business into your life.

I created an abundance mantra for you:

abundance mantra

The Result

I decided to triple my payroll salary and see what happened. Let me tell you – magic. I realized I was scared in the beginning but once I started the 3x everything fell into place. The fear left because I welcomed more clients into my life and saw more abundance via income to support the pay increase. Also I was able to get a better loan for my home which SAVED me money in the long run and started a chunkier savings account that made money FOR me as well as an IRA for my retirement.

I also felt PROUD of myself for not thinking small and limiting myself. Once I committed to saying – money generates more money I was able to feel really abundant and help my clients from a place of growth vs limits.

The Challenge

Here’s my ask of you- notice how much you pay yourself monthly – is it worth your value? Is is just enough or is it party time in your bank? Do you leave all your money in your business account just in case you need to cover expenses or can you trust yourself and the universe to be bigger and more affluent? Can you commit to 2x your salary or even more? And with this extra income, can you commit to sharing it via a donation (whether big or small) or even crazier, treat yourself to something nice?

Let’s all increase our worth and increase our salaries to show 2020 who’s in charge – the ever expansive universe who wants us to be ever expansive and abundant!

Also this is an invite to jump on a strategy session with me if you want to invite growth in life and biz – SCHEDULE YOUR CALL HERE (usually $297) for $97.

 

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What Does It Mean To Be Independent

To be independent. This word INDEPENDENT I feel gets used often and thrown around a bit. What does it really mean?

I write from this from England on the day the United States celebrates it’s independence from England which made me think quite a bit.

As humans we love independence. We love freedom. We long for making our own decisions and not be dependent on others for our livelihood.

Not only that, but as creative and holistic entrepreneurs we are drawn to be completely on our own, leading our businesses, creating our schedule and having the life we want because being independent is a top value we hold dearly.

What happens when you loose freedom and independence? How do you feel?

This word and feeling is something hundreds and thousands of people have lost their lives for. Who have given everything to be free.

What does this mean in your life and business? As you know to me as an entrepreneur they go hand in hand.

Freedom To Create

Having freedom to create is a gift that makes us human and those of us with ideas that want to be seen and heard are constantly on the search of how to get those ideas out and express.

This is why many of us turn to be instructors, coaches, creative entrepreneurs. Because of this calling to be independent to express and share.

What happens sometimes is that we are stuck not knowing what to do or how to do it so that our essence of freedom, liberty and independence is stifled under how to make this lifestyle and underlying value work. By the way, this is when most people call me asking for help and advice.

Dependently Independent

So knowing we are on this lifelong search for freedom and being independent, do you feel like you’re dependent on others to achieve your independence.

Let’s name some ways we are independent:

  • Financially independent – This is a dream come true for many of us yet we are dependent on clients (unless you’re a trust fund baby) to pay us to achieve this.
  • Relationship independent – If we’re married or single we’re dependent on others affection to fill this area of our lives.
  • Religious independent – This is a trickier one because many people do not have this freedom. But many are dependent on religion to serve as a backbone for their lives.

As the Huff Post states there are 2 types of independence and one is being free with rules. They used this quote “Any yachtsman knows,” he replied, “that in order to enjoy the freedom of the high seas, one must become a slave to the compass.”

So in order to have freedom and independence we are subject to being connected and tied to other circumstances to achieve the ultimate freedom.

Why This Matters

At the end of it all, your independence should make you feel happy, satisfied, proud and fulfilled. Whether it’s attached to others (like clients, income, spouses, and then some).

If you are not vibing where you are right now, if you feel stifled, over dependent or not connected to your highest self ideals, I invite you to do something.

First take time to make a call with me then check out my last post about the 9 Environments and do the wheel and the exercise.

Lastly, create a vision board of what it means to be independent to you, regardless of your external situations.

I leave you with a quote from Cicero: “What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes.”

Always big hugs and thank you!!!

Arianne xoxo

5 Tips To Keep You Motivated

Stay motivated. keep moving. inspire
Stay motivated. keep moving. inspire

Want to keep motivated?

This is exactly what we will cover today because it sometimes feels daunting to always be moving in a direction… motivation sometimes just isn’t there right? And when shit hits the fan, how do you stay motivated?

I am excited and motivated about getting back to my blogging.

So many shifts in my life that kept me from stepping back into my zone of magic and one of those was actually not finding motivation.

This is all about motivation today. The 5 tips to keep yourself going.

How to keep moving forward when you just feel like you can’t

Well what if I told you one of the easiest ways is to actually stop sometimes.

I have an awesome chat group with some fellow master minders and today’s chat was all about being lazy.

Why is being lazy so important to keep you motivated?

  1. You become an efficient and effective producer. These are 2 very different concepts by the way. Being efficient isn’t always being effective, so put the 2 together and you are an accomplishment machine!

  2. Procrastinate! In my online course I teach all about using tools to be an effective procrastinator. Now this doesn’t mean waiting until the last minute and getting all stressed out about it. It means using the essence of it and setting a deadline!

  3. Community. Being motivated when you are alone sometimes is so hard. This morning I even woke up with sadness and frustration and 1st thing I did (after letting myself wallow for a few minutes) was call a friend. And the result is we are setting some time apart to work together and get some shit done.

  4. Set boundaries on what you invest in. I should also say who. By creating a NO answer you curate time for yourself to focus on what makes you happy. You stop moving your energy horizontally and move in deeper into your self and your goals.

  5. Be the clever self you are. Give yourself a pat on the back and say thank you for being clever and discerning. In Sanskrit buddhi, which means intellect, holds discernment as a quality that refers to the higher mind This is the observer that watches how our inner world works and makes decisions of what’s important (or not important.

Let me tell you a story of how my client chose to motivate vs give up.

I’m sitting helping my client create her training manual and sales page for her training she’s putting out. I suddenly see the smile disappear from her face.

She looks up and says I can’t do this.

I see the frustration in her eyes.

I know this feeling because I have been there many times.

What happens I say if you don’t do this training? What happens if you actually launch it and it’s successful?

Sometimes being an entrepreneur and a self starter gets really really hard. It’s not always easy.

But you know what her answer was… “If I don’t do this then the people who would take my training wouldn’t get this new modality to teach”

And then what if they don’t?

“Then students won’t get to take my awesome classes all over the city… AND I’ve disappointed myself with ALL the hard work I’ve already put in”.

Close your eyes and picture 1 thing that motivates you!

Let that be your one thing. Your one reason for not stopping. It can be completely self-less or maybe a bit self-fish. And that’s OK!

Paying off your credit card debt is what motivates you… perfect.

Going on a vacation for the 1st time in 3 years is your motivation… perfect.

Donating to save the elephants is your driver… perfect.

And always don’t forget to meditate as whether it’s anger, frustration, fear or all the other things, meditation will keep you grounded. 🙂

Just put your best foot forward and go.

The world is waiting for you.

Yogi Q&A: Prana & Yoga Practice Technique

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEkATN0_Lmk” el_width=”80″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hi, Yogi Lovers

I wanted to answer two questions that came from my viewers.

One is, how do we detach prana from the body?

Well, prana is energy, and energy cannot be created or destroyed, unless we hit death, when the energy leaves the body. I would say that to make this question a little bit more tangible, maybe how do we manipulate prana, and that comes through:

  • Breathing exercises
  • Yoga
  • Being in nature
  • Eating the right foods
  • Being with the right people

Yeah… That’s it!

Then, another of you awesome yoga lovers asked a common question.

“My feet get numb sometimes in my yoga practice.”

yoga; yoga practice; yoga teacher; yoga teachers; yoga help; yogis; yoga lovers; yogi; yogipreneurs; yogipreneur; yogapreneur; yogapreneurs; #yoga #yogalovers #yogateachers #yogapractice #yogi #yogis #yogapreneur #yogapreneurs #yogipreneur #yogipreneurs #yogicpractice #feetgonumb

Well, I would say it’s either a circulation or a compression issue. Maybe the ankle’s dropping in. I would need to look at it, but maybe try to put a block in between your thighs that way there’s engagement somewhere else, which could alleviate some of that pressure being created.

I hope that helps.

Please keep following me. Keep asking questions.

Thank you!

 

Check out my last Yogi Q&A with Ari on “How to become a better Yoga teacher without having teaching opportunities.”

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][wufoo username=”socialbizflow” formhash=”q1u59hhp0lfv2x4″ autoresize=”true” height=”446″ header=”show” ssl=”true”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Yogi Q&A: How To Become A Better Yoga Teacher Without Studio Opportunities

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZNa8_Gnluc&t=27s” el_width=”80″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Namaste!

 

As part of Bizzy Yogi, I want to offer time to answer any questions my peers or fellow yogis have. It’s part of my serving.

So today’s question comes from Pat.

She asks, “How do we become better teachers if we don’t have opportunities?” One of her classes was recently let go from the studio, so Pat, this is for you.

First of all, that is something that happens to all of us. It’s happened to me a million times, where maybe your class was going okay, but for some strange reason, they decided to shift the teacher or change the time slot.

First thing is ask the studio what you could’ve done better, and maybe what was some of the feedback from the students?

Number two is open up your possibilities. You have a very niche practice. You have chair yoga, slow flow, and family yoga, so not everybody can teach that. Maybe reach out to YMCAs, to different centers, maybe community centers.

Where there’s older people that might need the chair yoga, or people that can’t do yoga on a yoga mat, maybe disabled, maybe vets. There’s always opportunities to offer your teachings, your practice, and you have to open up the possibilities of not just teaching at a studio.

I hope that answers your question, and for you who are watching, please ask away. Send questions. Join my Facebook group, Yogi Hearts, Business Minds, where I go on there live, and we’ll be able to create some of these answers once a week, live on the group.

We’ll be posting that very soon. Then you can ask literally right then on the spot.

I’m super excited to share this with you, so please leave comments, answer questions below, and I’ll see you in the next one.

Thank you.

 

If you’re currently a Yoga teacher, check out my blog on “Why I Quit Being A Yoga Teacher”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][wufoo username=”socialbizflow” formhash=”q1u59hhp0lfv2x4″ autoresize=”true” height=”446″ header=”show” ssl=”true”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Inside Scoop On Yoga Retreats

I spend a lot of time on retreats. Whether I’m hosting one of my own or I’m helping other Yogis plan their retreats, it is something that takes up a good amount of space in my brain.

I’ve spent over 10 years perfecting the formula for creating an amazing retreat that will not only benefit the one who’s hosting it, but also the Yogis that are going to attend it.

This blog isn’t about me today. I’m sharing an objective article from a writer that I don’t personally know that’s giving you the inside scoop on Yoga retreats.

Check it out:

The following is an unbiased article by Lisa Sands

I never thought I would be the “type of person” who would go on a yoga retreat. I thought that sort of thing was for people with way too much time on their hands, people with lots of money to spare, or lots of problems to run from.

But, there I was in the tropical heat of Bali with 20 other women, getting up at 6 a.m. for sunrise yoga, tapping into my goddess nature, wearing sarongs, going without makeup. Thinking. Not thinking. Praying. Listening. Questioning. Thanking. Hating myself. Loving myself. Loving myself some more like it was my job.

How I arrived at the decision to go is not nearly as interesting or important as the experience itself, or the way it changed me afterward. What I did not realize when I put down my deposit, almost a full year before, is how much I would need it when the time came, and how it would fill a void in my life I could not have predicted.

Twenty people, mostly strangers, meeting halfway around the world to practice yoga…is fantastic and special and, yeah, a little uncertain and uncomfortable. And you are the perfect person to go, just as you are, complete with your baggage, sadness, questions and fears.

Everyone is there for a different reason—most come for spiritual growth, reflection, or healing.  Some come to deepen their physical practice. Me? I was there for the adventure—I craved a life shake up.

I was feeling aimless and unsettled. I wanted to be somewhere that looked and felt so different than home. I wanted to see if I missed my life and the people I loved. I wanted to get to know me again.  For reasons I can’t really explain, I sensed that I needed to be far away from the familiar so that I could stake a claim for my future self.

I came back home with eyes wide open to the beauty of other another culture. I was more confident, at ease, and tolerant of myself and of others. I looked fear in the eye and left it in the dust.  I bonded with other strong, capable women and learned that they, like me, had their own unique, painful, and beautiful journeys and things to confront and reconcile.

I learned from them and they are part of me.

So if a little voice is whispering to you and you have an unexplained stirring for something you can’t name, you may be wondering what it is you really need.

If you need to break free from expectations, to shout out and wildly proclaim your truth, or if you need to get really quiet and inside yourself, and let a big ugly cry happen, then yeah, a yoga retreat is for you.

Don’t wait. Do it. You’re worth it.

 

Original Article here

What did you think of this? Feel free to reach out to me at hello@bizzyyogi.com and let me know.

 

Want to learn how I completely doubled my income without teaching more Yoga classes, having a large following on Social Media, or needing to know anything about marketing? Meet me at www.BizzyYogi.com/YogiMasterclass for the Masterclass that teaches you exactly how I did it and how you can do it, too.

Is Yoga Business Different? Integrity and Ethics

Integrity and Business

I’m jumping on here to talk and ask- what’s the deal with business and yoga? In light of recent articles in Elephant Journal (check it out here) regarding Kino, Cody, Alo and all one word named businesses I want to have a dialogue about WHY when it comes to yoga business tends to shift into irregular practices.

15 years. I’ve been in this business first of all as a student, then a teacher and now a mentor and leader. I own a HUGE yoga festival called The Yoga Expo, run an international business consulting company and well delve into all things yoga industry related. In the past weeks, I have seen the beautiful and ugly head of yoga and business rear its head.

“I think you trying to make money off a sacred science is appalling and if you truly understood the teachings the last thing you would be doing is sending out a dumb ass email commercializing a sacred science that was meant to be passed down teacher to students…you need Togo back to school”
I posted this as a copy paste to also highlight his grammar… you all know I am a stickler for spelling. Anyways, that got in my inbox a few days ago. But also this:

“I was on a journey of spirit to unearth those of authentic purpose whose actions spark the divine when I discovered your meaningful Essence. You are doing work you should be very proud of. You are having a profoundly positive effect on people.”

Yoga business is the same as all other businesses by the way, the only difference is who’s behind the business that makes the world of difference.

What’s going on?

Opinions will always create a ripple effect. The opinions in the article referenced above are really interesting because I am a businesswoman. Cody and Alo are businesses. Kino is also a savvy businesswoman. When values and integrity are so deeply ingrained in how you operate your business it’s an interesting play on how kind you are and how much of a stickler for contracts and rules as well. Why do I say this… because I have seen it first hand.

Several times when I operated my business from a place of generosity and kindness, whether it was offering discounts, extra flexible payment plans, I have gotten burnt. People never paid, didn’t show up or decided that it wasn’t in their best interest to continue paying.

What happens here is the ripple effect. And the same thing Cody’s co-founder speaks of. For a customer it is very easy to say I no longer wish to pay. What about the people on the other side? The employees of Cody are affected by 1 decision. My family is affected by 1 decision. Yoga business practices are truly the BEST in the world. As long as us, the leaders continue to make an effort to hold highest levels of integrity – on both sides of the coin.

The Yoga business isn’t different than other businesses. If you develop and establish your value, your non-negotiables from the beginning, guess what… you don’t get burned. I take every client that stops paying, that wants to change agreements to what works for them as a lesson. It makes me more organized, it makes my contracts tighter and payment plans also more on point.

The main point behind this post.

I want to shed light on many sides of the coin. Our society is so easy to point a finger. We take the moral high ground on issues that we really don’t even know anything about. When I read Kino’s first article I was totally like “WTF!” how dare these large companies do whatever they want! Shortly after I caught myself and said, wait, my business is growing and I would like to avoid these types of situations. And then today I read the reply and I also attest to several things he mentioned.

How do I prepare my business so from the beginning there are non-negotiable value systems in place of trust, honor, commitment, fun, exceptional quality and passion?

Is yoga business the anti-business?

Learn about foundations of your business. Set yourself up to always see things as a learning experience will help avoid massive issues in the future. It’s how you operate, how you treat others that will always leave a good mark on your side. I wrote this article on analysis paralysis a few months ago that reminded me of how it was like setting up my business – but guess what – nothing is perfect and things will always come up that make you re-work and re-do and re-word. Nothing is perfect and as long as you are open to the flow, your business will improve daily.

Leave me a note as I’m interested to hear your side and how you operate your yoga business.