Where’s my dedication? It used to be that I posted a new piece without fail every two or three days. However, as of late, you may have noticed that I’ve slipped a little. It isn’t because I don’t care or that I’ve run out of things to say after more than 130 original posts. It’s just … well, I’ve been busy with some new business that will provide some excellent value for you.


In addition to growing my ghostwriting business and reviewing business plans for some soon-to-be solopreneurs, I’ve been in process of co-launching a new Internet Marketing training site (I’ll give you the scoop next week).


The big news this week has to do with La ComunidadOnline.com.


If you recall in a previous post from last October, I made mention of a new joint venture with the friendly and able partners, Eddie Galdamez and Maria Smith-Alvira, of LaComunidadOnline.com. Back then, we kicked off a PR program of articles, interviews and press releases to compliment the banner ads they were offering.


Just this last lunes (that’s Monday for los rubios), we launched additional bilingual services, including:

1. translation of current marketing and sale materials
2. web sites creation and hosting
3. social media campaigns
4. ghostwriting services
5. bundle packages

 
If you offer a consumer based product or service and don’t dialogue with the US Hispanic market, you should seriously reconsider.


And, no, I’m not just a believer because I chose to offer services in this space. Let me give you some facts and figures to help you figure it out for yourself.

• The US Hispanic market is the fastest growing demographic in the US
• This community representing over 15% of the US population (approximately 50M people)
• They have a big bank account – approximately $1,000,000,000,000 in buying power
• They are the fastest growing demographic on the Internet and with social medial
• Many English speaking businesses only market in English while this bilingual community prefers that you convey your message in Spanish

 
To me, this adds up to a large, underserviced market – and I believe in claiming a stake before the gold is gone.


Why did I choose to connect with LaComunidadOnline?


First, Eddie and Maria are great people. They truly care about people (customers and consumers) and have a passion for connecting the US Hispanic community with US based businesses, medical and social services, and charitable organizations.


Second, being Latino entrepreneurs, Eddie and Maria understand the nuances of bridging the bilingual gap between English only enterprises and the bilingual US Hispanic base.


Third, US Hispanic consumers have voted with their visits making LaComunidadOnline one of the most frequented online bilingual sites. On average, they receive 800,000 hits a month from 80,000 unique visitors. Just last month, they received over 1,000,000 hits.


I’m excited and honored to be a part of this growing community and working with such talented, caring partners.


To get a better understanding of these new services, you can email me at thesologuide@gmail.com, leave a comment below or check out the LaComunidadOnline site by clicking on this program link.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

Business is a competitive sport. It requires talent, passion, dedication, planning, perseverance … and practice. Yes, you can get plenty of practice working on the job, however, most workloads have some leeway for scheduling time to hone your skills.


How many hours of layups and free throws did Michael Jordan commit to before arriving at an arena full of screaming fans? How many shots on goal did Gretzky take before skating out to the national anthem? Would Drew Brees have been able to win the Super Bowl without experimenting various plays at practice first?


Why should your work be any different? Paying customers demand and deserve your best abilities.


So how does a solopreneur practice? Here are three examples for you to apply to your own scenario:


I try tying in my practice to some beneficial form of marketing. As a copywriter, I commit to writing 3000 words a day. If I only have customers paying for half those words, I still hit the keys to come up with the remaining 1,500 focused on information for the consulting portion of my business or, say, email templates for marketing to prospects.


What if your business is online beauty supplies? Are there classes you can take to learn more about your craft? Can you set up a scenario where you can apply some of your products doing makeovers on the local ladies in return for their feedback – and hopefully testimonials?


Let’s say you make your living as a personal chef. When was the last time you cooked up a new combination of flavors? Family and friends are forgiving, but your customers may not want to pay to be a guinea pig.


Business requires action, but it doesn’t require the same action. The same action produces the same results. Unless you are truly maximizing your potential or you are satisfied with the status quo, take the time to test out new tactics and exercise your stamina.


Practice gives you the freedom to learn something new (and if you fail, you won’t lose a client). It enhances the level of you service. It improves your work efficiency.


If you can provide a higher level of service or offer a service your completion doesn’t, would you charge more money?


If you can get the same tasks done in two-thirds the amount of time, would you book more business?


Don’t keep your business down by assuming practice is a time drain. Put in the time every week to raise the level of your game – and your profit margins.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

The #1 form of marketing remains word of mouth (WOM). With the ever-changing range of vehicles available for delivering your message to your target masses, from ads to social networking, what other people say about you is far more important and effective than what you say about yourself. With today’s post, we’ll chat about the two different types of “mouths” and how to get them vocal about your products and services.


The Big Mouth

The big mouths are universally recognized people of importance. Big mouths are household names (think Oprah and Donald Trump) or people of great influence within a specific market (such as Seth Godin or Frank Kern). These mega-mouths can instantly alter the recognition and success of products and services with a few positively placed words.


But how do you get these people of prominence speaking favorably about you and your business?


First, you need to have a product or service that provides a unique, beneficial value. Big mouths are equally rich in influence as they are in income. They can focus the attention of their following because their audience trusts them. This leverage wouldn’t last if they pitched products as freely as your friend trying to make money through 10 different MLM programs.


Second, find a big mouth that has a passion for what you offer. Pitching your latest in hair care products to Seth Godin won’t likely produce much in the way of an endorsement (you would probably have a better chance with The Donald). If the mop top-free Godin hocked hair care products, who would care? However, what would happen if Tabatha Coffey touted the same products?


Third, determine how you can reciprocate. While some famous yaps may require compensation, this isn’t always the case. Start with samples. Where you write an ebook or have an innovative health care product, you will need to get samples into the celebs hands to review. Some may ask for a percentage of the sales they generate with their audience, while others may be willing to help you out because your personal story interests them. When possible, find a way you can give back to their goals – through charity assistance or affiliate programs.


Fourth, you need to get their attention. You can reach some influencers by contacting them direct. Others may find you because you leave frequent, relevant comments on their blogs and refer often to them on your own site. Still others may require you network through the friend of a friend or contact “their people”. You can find the appropriate people either online through sites like LinkedIn for networking or through sites like Build-A-Buzz for management contacts. The PR person behind Build-A-Buzz often provides high profile handlers in her daily emails.


The Wide Mouth

While the Big Mouth is a one-to-many relationship, the wide mouth is a many-to-many make up. Those in the Wide Mouth gene pool are often satisfied customers, but can include sample testers and paid reviewers, too.


How do you get this chorus to sing your praises?


First, ask for testimonials from your current customer base. The best time to ask is soon after they experience the benefits from your business. You should be following up with them anyway to make sure they are satisfied. While you’re at it, inquire whether they would be willing to give you a write-up. A satisfied client is likely to give you a glowing endorsement during the emotional phase of their experience in the beginning. Over time, they become less connected if you don’t keep in continual contact and may lessons some of the impactful language in their recommendation.


Second, just as with the Big Mouth, give the gift of samples. Instead of giving samples to Jessica Simpson, you may gift your products and services to 20 top bloggers who communicate regularly with your target audience or you can buy into a secret shopper program. Pending all goes well, you will receive various write-ups helping your online SEO rankings and offline marketing materials.


Third, you can pay to play. While some may consider this form of flattery less than impartial, it can still carry an impact. You can sign up with online services like SponsoredReviews.com. Through this service structure, you can pay bloggers to do reviews of your offerings.


So instead of simply taking a passive role in hopes that satisfied customers will become engaged evangelists spreading the good word, get active in pursuing these word of mouth marketing opportunities.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

AM:       The inspiration for Positive Parenting Solutions was based partly on my own needs and from talking with so many parents who didn’t feel successful in their most important job.  While they loved their kids more than anything in the world, many didn’t feel adequately prepared to handle the challenges of parenting and disciplining. 

Parenting books have been around forever, but in my experience, most are long on theory and short on the details – “what do I do first…then what’s next”, etc.  My goal was to provide parents with a training curriculum that would teach them a step-by-step process for implementing “tools” (strategies) which would correct misbehavior and empower kids to be capable, responsible and respectful. 


TSG:       What exactly is a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator? What did you need to do to earn this certification?

AM:       I spent the early part of my career developing and delivering training programs for Fortune 500 companies.  Following the birth of my second child, I studied the principles of Adlerian Psychology in various classes and settings as well as mentoring with a child therapist.  I combined my experience developing training programs, my Adlerian Psychology knowledge, the practical experience from my mentor and what I applied with my own family and developed The Breakthrough Course. After experiencing the life changing results for me personally, I was on a mission to share this information with as many families as possible!

Becoming a trained Positive Discipline instructor was one component in the process of developing the course.  The content in Positive Parenting Solutions Online is based on the principles of Adlerian Psychology and Positive Discipline and years of working with families and seeing the results in action.


TSG:       I grew up third of seven in an era when “shut up and do as I tell you” was the norm. Fortunately, my parents did a better job than that. What positive changes have you seen in parenting in the last twenty years? Have there been any negative parenting trends during this time?

AM:       Parenting has changed in so many ways over the past couple of generations – with positive and negative outcomes.  One of the more significant changes is that the “do it because I said so” approach just doesn’t cut it anymore and this and can be very frustrating for parents. “What’s with today’s kids?”  “Why don’t they listen?” 

It’s not that kids are any different today – they have the same genetic make up.  The reason the “do it because I said so” approach doesn’t work with today’s kids is a reflection of an overall shift in society from an authoritarian, do-as-I-say model to one of personal empowerment.  We see it in the workplace.  The have-the-report-on-my-desk-by-5:00-or-else style of management is long gone. Instead strong leaders encourage and empower their employees to have input into decision-making. The same is true in personal relationships.  Today, wives don’t blindly “obey” the rules set forth by their husbands; instead most couples view marriage and parenting as a partnership.  Mom won’t submit to a “because I said so” request from Dad, so why should children feel good about blindly obeying a “because I said so” directive from parents?

In the big scheme of things – this is a positive change.  Who can argue with treating each other with more respect and greater empowerment?  But, parents are frustrated.  Giving “the look” or saying “because I said so” doesn’t work and they’re at a complete loss for what to do instead.   Should they use Time Out?  Counting 1-2-3?  Most parents have already tried those strategies and realize that they do more to invite power struggles than tame them. Unfortunately, in the absence of effective discipline strategies, parents resort to the “repeat, remind, repeat, remind, EXPLODE, feel guilty and start the same thing over again tomorrow” cycle.

The good news is that most parents understand that children deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  The bad news is most parents haven’t been trained in how to hold kids accountable for behavior without resorting to nagging, reminding or yelling.  Positive Parenting Solutions empowers parents with the skills to do just that.


TSG:       Do you believe that it is not only appropriate, but necessary and beneficial for work-at-home parents to set up boundaries with their children during work hours?

AM:       Yes, work-at-home parents have to establish boundaries, but they also need to understand what is developmentally appropriate for a child.  I’ve worked with parents who expect their toddlers to entertain themselves while the parents work at home. This isn’t realistic and leads to frustration for everyone.  Work-at-home parents need to schedule dedicated “work time” during their day and arrange appropriate childcare during that time.

Establishing well-defined routines helps the child know what to expect.  Example:  “I spend a 10-15 minutes playing with mom/dad before the sitter arrives.  I have lunch with mom/dad.  I spend 10-15 minutes playing with mom/dad at the end of the work day before dinner.” 

“Controlling the Environment” can help alleviate confusion for the child – if possible, locate your home office away from the main family space, put a stop sign on the door to indicate that the “office is closed now ” 

Give your child opportunities to “communicate with you during the day” – other than coming into your office.  She can draw a picture and quietly slip it under the door.  With the sitter’s help, she can create a list of the Top 3 things she wants to do with mom/dad during the after-work playtime.


TSG:       As you mentioned earlier, often out of frustration, a parent can quickly transition from speaking to screaming when a child just doesn’t seem to respect the importance of a home work space. What are some basics a solopreneur can consider to keep the conversation calm and constructive?

AM:       After defining the “work day routine” – practice it!  This is especially important for young children.  Role play “work time” and the designated “play/interact” times during the day. 

Let your child know that if she comes to your office during your work time (and it’s not a true emergency!) then, you will IGNORE her request.  That may sound harsh at first – but every time you stop what you’re doing and say, “Please honey – daddy’s working now.  I’ll play with you later” – it gives her a “hit” of attention and guarantees the behavior will continue.

Instead, ignore the request.  By ignoring the behavior, you are removing the PAYOFF and as a result,  it’s less likely to happen again. (Depending on the child’s age, it’s important to practice this part in the role play so she knows what to expect.)


TSG:       We all have the same 24 hours in a day to set priorities for our time. When I work with solopreneurs, I often find they only talk in terms of allocating time to specific work tasks and goals. I work with them to include time for personal goals in their list instead of leaving them up to whatever time is leftover. Having a healthy relationship with your children can help or hinder your success. What is an appropriate amount of time to prioritize for your kids? How does that time allotment transition from tots to teens?

AM:       Kids have a hard-wired need for POSITIVE attention – plain and simple.  If parents don’t PROACTIVELY fill the attention basket with POSITIVE attention, the child will get his attention one way or another –and it will usually be with negative attention seeking behaviors like whining, clinging, acting helpless and constant interruptions.  Eventually, the attention-seeking behaviors shift to power-seeking behaviors like tantrums, not listening, backtalk, etc

The best strategy to avoid the negative attention and power seeking behaviors is to commit to spending 10 – 15 minutes 2X per day with each child.  That is 10 minutes of uninterrupted time with ONE parent and ONE child in which he has your complete and undivided attention and doing something the child likes to do. If he likes to play with Legos – you build Legos for 10 minutes.  If she likes to play UNO or backgammon – that’s what you do.  It’s 10 minutes of undivided time when they don’t have to compete with anyone (siblings, your spouse) or anything (your Blackberry, work, etc.) for your attention.

By INVESTING time in proactively filling their attention baskets – you get that time back 10-fold in good behavior.  When their “baskets” are full, they don’t have to demand your attention.  Parents have a choice – we can put the time in on the front end with Mind, Body & Soul Time or we can spend a lot more time than that battling whining, tantrums, and constant interruptions during the day. 


TSG:       Are there “universal truths” in positive parenting or do you alter your approach to account for the cultural diversity we have here in the US?

AM:       There are certain universal truths that apply to all people in all cultures.  All humans have a hard-wired need for positive attention and positive power.  If the need for attention and power is not met, kids will resort to negative behaviors to get it.  If parents proactively fill the attention basket in positive ways and give kids opportunities to exercise power in positive ways – kids don’t have the “need” to misbehave.

Beliefs about appropriate discipline strategies certainly differ based on culture, religious beliefs and personal experience.  Positive Parenting Solutions does not advocate spanking or other punishments that are emotionally or physically hurtful to a child.  However, perspectives can differ on that based on cultural diversity.  Our goal is to give parents 25 other tools they can use FIRST before resorting to physical or hurtful punishment. 


TSG:       I love the fact that you provide parents with a “Tool Box” of strategies. Each child and every home environment creates a unique formula for frustration. By providing a variety of tools, you give parents the option to deal with each situation appropriately. What are some of the tools that a parent gets from your online courses?

AM:       Just as young children learn to walk one step at time, parents need to learn new solutions one step at a time. The Positive Parenting Solutions program is laid out in “take action” steps called “Tools”. Parents start by learning and implementing Tool #1. And make no mistake — they’ll see concrete results after implementing Tool #1. Then, when they’re ready, move forward to implement Tool #2. Each tool in Positive Parenting Solutions builds on the previous one, with visible results every step of the way.

Mind, Body & Soul Time and the “how to’s” of implementing it are covered in the first session.  (Which parents can access for free!)  In Session 3, parents discover the 5 R’s of fair and effective consequences.  They experience why “When-Then” is consistently described as a “magic bullet” for diffusing power struggles.  Session 5 is all about sibling rivalry, fighting and competition and parents learn the tools to empower kids to work out their own fights without parents getting involved.  With over 25 tools in The Tool Box, we empower parents with concrete strategies to correct misbehavior without nagging, reminding and yelling! 


Amy, thank you again for your time today and important insight.


Success in business takes investment – investment in time, equipment, marketing. How much time do you invest in your ability to create a healthy relationship with your children and setting healthy boundaries for your home based business?


Invest in helpful “tools” today. Positive Parenting Solutions gifts you a 14-day free pass to check out Session 1’s seven online videos, interactive learning modules and more. For more information and to get started today, click on the link below.


Positive Parenting Solutions
Amy McCready, Founder
http://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/
Free 14-Day Course Access
Free Live Webinars 
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All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

Almost a year ago to the day, I made mention of one of my favorite TV shows, Dragon’s Den , a UK predecessor to ABC’s Shark Tank. If you’re not familiar with the format, cash-strapped, struggling contestants pitch their business ideas to successful, multi-millionaire, serial entrepreneurs in hopes of securing funding in exchange for an ownership stake in their venture.
 
 
I use the term contestants because it is the only appropriate catch-all catch phrase to encompass the spectrum of participants from the truly entrepreneurial to the self-delusional bush leaguers.


I recently caught this episode from last season on YouTube and wanted to share it with you. This segment documents Sharon Wright not only secure the funding she required, but actually received more. Why did she do so well?


Before you read my quick list, watch the video linked above followed by this second half of the segment which you can view by clicking on the link here.


OK, so my quick list:

• Sharon knew her business and the market she served
• She created an excellent barrier for entry (with patents)
• She provided detailed answers about all past revenues and future orders and designs
• She had future orders secured
• She knew exactly what she would do with any and all investment money
• She dedicated herself to making the business a success through personal sacrifice
• She was humble yet resolute

Congratulations, Sharon, you deserve it.


I recommend you take a view of this dismal pitch to get a pronounced sense of the difference between Sharon Wright’s professional image, her knowledge of her business and where she wanted to grow as compared to a couple that have a passion for a non-scalable, dead in the water idea. It starts roughly at the three and a half minute mark. Look for the big bloke in a skirt and a bright red mohawk.


Even if you aren’t seeking an injection of funds from investors, Sharon’s successful traits still apply. How can you slay your dragons daily to bring in the business if you don’t have a firm grasp of the bullet points above?


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide