Bridge the Copywriting Gap Between Hardsell Sales Techniques and Esoteric Language

Our minds are powerful. And the ability to influence others with strategic copy is something to take seriously. It's also a great responsibility.

As a conscious or spirit-based business owner, the impact on you of using manipulative language in your marketing copy can run the full spectrum from mildly uncomfortable to physically nauseating.

One of my clients recently shared a story: in an effort to write more effective marketing content, she immersed herself in the tips, tactics and techniques of the most acclaimed copywriters alive today. She said some of it literally upset her stomach. The recommended tactics for increasing sales didn't resonate with her and she knew they wouldn't resonate with her audience either.

She's wise; she recognizes there's something that won't work for her readers, but what does she do about it?

It's a very real circumstance; something to be reconciled. You cannot escape it. You must somehow bridge the gap between hardsell sales copy and light, fluffy, esoteric language. But what?

Ask any mainstream copywriter and they can tell you the 3 steps to writing copy that kills (aka converts to dramatic sales numbers and dollars), or the single-most read aspect of any sales letter, or how to inject subliminal messages into copy so readers do one thing: take action.

Ask them about esoteric sales language and they would probably say it has no place in the arsenal of strategies of the greatest online marketers or copywriters; that it is an embarrassment and worse, it is not even effective.

After years of exploration, making sweeping changes, trial testing, experimentation, starting from scratch on several occasions, and fine-tuning the techniques taught by my copywriting mentors,

the most powerful way
to write content that has maximum impact
is to infuse and energize words
with your genuine intent to be of service

The truth is: you can no longer manipulate the thinking or behavior of others. People are changing and our world is changing. Although it may not be the mainstream method yet, conscious businesses are now implementing energetic imprints; the sentiments cradling the words of your copy.

The vibration of the planet is rising exponentially. Consumers are becoming aware of even the most subtle sales influences. They can now discern the energetic difference of a marketing message meant solely to sell and one intended to serve. Guess which one gets their business?

With the sentiment of manipulation as a basis for your marketing content, I promise, your words simply won't resonate. No action will be taken by the reader and worse, you will have made your imprint on them, leaving them with something unsettling; something intangible and yet very real.

In the copywriting world, it's termed word exploitation; the use of words to control, dominate, or manipulate for a specific outcome. It's an outdated model that has no place in our future.

Fortunately, you are no longer limited to:

• hard-sell techniques
• underlying, hidden or mixed messages
• attempts to address lack, loss, heartache, damage or woundedness
• scheming subliminal messages, or
• "proven" formulas based on a crumbling marketing paradigm based in patriarchy

You have new, energetic options to powerfully portray your business.

Breathing vibrance into your words of a pure intent to serve, maintains the integrity of you, your inspired work, and your readers. The power behind words is actually more impactful than the specific words you choose. Of course the words matter to some degree--and they must be based on the fullness of life, instead of deficit, lack, frustration, etc.--but be assured: the sentiment of words carries a positive influence uniquely its own, based on your genuine desire to use your products and services to enrich the world.

With the shifting business paradigm to a collaborative, cooperative, everyone-wins approach, real-world results prove there's something tangible and applicable to the business world on the other side of this "woo-woo" stuff.

Get Paid What You’re Worth… With Creative Payment Methods and Terms

There are many ways to be compensated for your time and expertise. If you are a service provider, you may meet a new colleague, have a strong mutual desire to work together, but need to be creative in terms of being paid.

The possibilities are limitless. Combinations are myriad. Here are a few options to get you started:

1. 15% discount for prepayment in full
2. Purchase 3, pay for 2 (1 free)
3. 50% deposit, balance paid in products or services
4. 50% deposit, balance paid in marketing efforts to promote your business
5. 50% deposit, balance due in two payments instead of the usual full balance due at project completion
6. 50% deposit, 50% of all sales until the balance due is paid in full
7. 50% deposit, balance paid in products or services by someone they know
   (e.g. I provide you services, you provide your products/services to someone you know who offers massages. I receive a massage! Yay! It’s a beneficial triangle of services.)

You’ll notice a theme: 50% deposit in cash. Because money is the culturally-agreed upon method of exchange, that is a solid foundation for your business relationship. The 50% deposit represents your commitment to start projects with a universally-understood practice. The rest is negotiable.

Keep in mind that your intent is to create a win-win scenario. Each party must contribute to the workability of the exchange. If you find you’re the only one giving or compromising during the negotiations, it is not an energetically balanced interaction. If you proceed, you will unnecessarily set other dynamics in motion–even if they are subtle–regarding unclear or unspecified boundaries.

The last place you want to find yourself is feeling compromised. Your services have value. Treat them that way by continuing to massage the details until you both have what you need to make it a dynamic, workable arrangement.

When both parties give, both parties benefit.

Article Marketing: Keyword QuickTip

Strategic placement of your keywords is an important component in your successful article marketing campaign. Keywords should be placed in the:

1. title
2. first sentence
3. last paragraph of the article
4. resource box whenever possible

Keyword phrases shouldn't be overused. This is called "keyword stuffing" and you can be penalized by search engines.

Saturation percentages (the number of times your keyword(s) show up in your article] recommended by industry experts range from 3% to 10%, although the higher the inclusion percentage, the harder it is to retain the interest of the reader. The reason is: keywords become repetitive and sound like advertising. The way around this is to maintain a 3-5% inclusion rate while focusing on writing interesting content.

The most effective articles are a delicate balance between:

• strategic keyword placement
• keyword repetition
• engaging, creative copy

Based on my personal experience, this is an art. It isn't easy; especially at first. Keyword article writing requires a switch-in-thinking. As with anything though, your efforts and skills improve with practice. Happy article writing!

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Female Entrepreneurs: Stop Negotiating Your True Value

As conscious entrepreneurs, we artistically combine our expertise with a focus on service to humankind. In an attempt to "help" our clients, we can find ourselves in the position of negotiating our prices.

Let me ask you: How many $10K business events can you afford to attend right now? If you say, "None," you'd be joining with the majority of entrepreneurs in the same position.

Do you think the speaker at one of these events is concerned that you cannot afford it? Nope. Enough can, and will pay the admittance fee because the content promised is worth every penny... and probably more.

Is your financial situation the concern of the speaker? Nope.

Should s/he even care that you perceive you're being excluded? Nope.

There are tons of experiences you may not be able to afford. That's simply not anyone else's concern. And it shouldn't be.

Let's look at this from another angle: It's very likely your products or services are not accessible to a portion of the worldwide population. Should you make special accommodations so they are accessible to everyone? Nope. Why not? Because that's probably not the reason you started your business.

The bottom line is: You're in business to make money.

When we provide a cost quote and our client says, "I just cannot afford it," the natural thing to do - especially as female entrepreneurs - is respond by making accommodations. We reduce our prices, throw in additional hours or products, or offer payment options.

If we are willing to sell off and negotiate rates, we're essentially saying,

"My (products or) services are worth the value
YOU place on them."

Yikes and holy, moly. You will be back into corporate chaos in no time if that's how you truly approach business.

I heard it said recently that negotiating does two things:

1. It reinforces my lack consciousness
2. It reinforces my clients' lack consciousness

Whew! That's harsh. Take a deep breath and read it again. If you see yourself in this discussion, it's never too late to begin honoring your value.

Let's explore each of these points.

How does negotiating reinforce my lack consciousness?

Entering into negotiations is an activity that places you in a disempowered position. It leaves you explaining your rates. It forces you to invest precious time for which you will not be able to bill. It dishonors the thousands of hours you've invested in becoming a professional who has a valuable service to offer.

When it comes to your value and your business, the last place you want to find yourself is tied up in the trunk! That's where negotiating leaves you. Instead you need to be in the driver's seat.

Lack consciousness is the perpetual lie you tell yourself with your words, thoughts and actions. It is you telling you - in the most subtle and damaging way - somehow you don't deserve the rates you charge because you're just not worth it.

Who determines our worth?

We do.

Before you sigh in resignation and think we have to delve into your childhood to find the answers of why you're where you are in life and think the way you do, relax. We don't have to dredge up anything. We are going to start right here, right now.

I'm going to share something with you that contains the secret to unlocking a completely new approach... one that leaves you newly empowered and clear on the FACT that you are worth every bit of your fee. As soon as you encompass this, I want you to expand this concept and double your rates!

Bold?

Yes, that's why we're here... to continually push the edge of self-comfort and familiarity to explore what lies beyond.

The secret? It's so simple. Every time you find yourself hesitating when someone asks you your rates, wanting to make special accommodations because your client "cannot afford it," or beginning to think of ways to make it work for your client, say aloud:

"I destroy and uncreate everything
I believe I was and am.
I destroy and uncreate myself today."

How does this set you on a new path of declaring your worth?

Tell me yourself after you've said this AT LEAST twice daily (upon waking and upon retiring, and as circumstances arise during the day) for a mere 30 days.

You will not be the same person. You will sit up straighter. Your voice will not falter when you speak truth to your value in the form of your rates. You will be deeply empathetic when fellow entrepreneurs express their woes in not being able to afford you, but still, your rates stand as-is. Doesn't that sound profoundly freeing and powerful? Isn't it worth a try?

(A natural question surfaces: "When I destroy and uncreate, with what do I full the vacuum?" Answer: Nothing. Spiritually speaking, you cannot destroy or uncreate the truest essence of you, so you don't have to worry about undoing and end up as nothing. This exercise can only deliver a more aligned version of you; a version that knows innately you're worth even more than you're currently charging! And when you're ready, you''ll increase your rates yet again to match the ever-growing confidence to be compensated based on a value YOU assign.)

How does negotiating reinforce my clients' lack consciousness?

As business owners, we are (hopefully) modeling good business practices. With our words, thoughts and actions, we must convey resolute confidence in our talents.. and service rates.

If I negotiate my rates, I enable, or reinforce, my clients' false beliefs (that they cannot manifest adequate funds to hire me, as an example)... beliefs I don't even hold to be true. I become the last link in a very long chain of life experiences that reinforces their "truths" - beliefs founded in limitation (the inability to manifest funds to pay for professional services).

I do them no favors by engaging or entertaining this notion. It is the essence of a co-dependent collaboration and in the words of one friend, "You will only see asses and elbows!" (Interpretation: I will run away as fast as I can from this scenario.)

There are plenty of writers who will negotiate rates. I'm not one of them. I know my value and it is my intent to show you yours.

Our clients need to know we are 100% confident in the value of our contribution to their success.

You see,

our confidence and silent resolve
instills a level of confidence in our clients
Perceived value is everything. If you are sure about your rates, it makes clients think, "Wow, Charlon must be really good if she charges $495 for an hour-long consultation. One way or another, I must find a way to work with her!"

Now, no single negotiation is inherently catastrophic to our businesses. But, over time these actions serve to erode our sense of self-value. Don't even set this pattern in motion!

As appropriate and inspired, we can occasionally barter, negotiate or even donate our time, but these practices cannot be the foundation of our business.

How do you maintain a sense of service to others AND a commitment to maintaining the value of your time?

Begin today. If this is an issue with which you struggle, it's simply an unexercised muscle. The Marines have a saying, "Pain is weakness leaving the body." There's no need to be pained any longer by the subtle and ever-eroding impact of negotiating. You will never grow a solid business on a weak foundation of changing the rules every time a client cannot afford you.

If you're willing to trade your vast and precious life knowledge as if it has no value, it won't... for you or anyone else. Remember: We teach people how to treat us.

How do you respond when clients cannot afford your rates or want to negotiate?

The answer is obvious and simple. Without saying, "No," you plant seeds of thought and leave the future client (I'm being highly optimistic here!) with several options. Here are sample responses to give you some ideas:

1. "My clients benefit from expert copywriting in too many ways to count. I know when you have the funds, you'll make this a priority. Based on the experience of former clients, professional copywriting dramatically increases exposure and sales. In the mean time, here are some referrals to learn more about copywriting so when we begin working together, you'll already have insider knowledge of the process."


2. "I completely understand the challenges of delegating funds for copywriting. When I started my first company, I did everything myself. I thought I had to learn and know how to do it all and that left me frustrated and exhausted. It was such a key to learn to delegate tasks to professionals. When I did that, I noticed a huge energy boost and increased profits! I see so much potential in your vision and would love to help you with expert copywriting when the time is right. Until then, feel free to download my free report, Exclusively For Entrepreneurs: Expert Copywriter Reveals Easy 9-Facet Formula to Proof-Perfect Copy... Every Time"


3. "When you hire me, my efforts are laser-focused on achieving measurable results. If I negotiate rates, I would be doing a disservice to myself and those entrepreneurs who know the value of a wise business investment... like professional copywriting. I would love to work with you based on the original proposal amount emailed to you."

As you can see, the details of this topic are manageable 100 different ways. The bottom line is: Stop negotiating. Your personal and professional values are at stake! Treat them as the treasures they are.

Pumps or Bunny Slippers? Home Office Attire Matters More Than You Think!

One of the many benefits of home-based entrepreneurship is the ability to dress as if it's casual Friday every day of the week. As business owners, we thrive on that kind of freedom.

It is easy, though, to slip into a zone of comfort. To the extreme, this is known as "frumpy and dumpy." You might think it doesn't matter what you wear to the office. IT DOES MATTER and may even effect how well you function.

There's no doubt what we wear impacts how we feel. And how we feel translates to everything else.

Purposeful intent has a huge impact on how prepared we are to meet the demands of each day. The term "getting ready" says it all. It is the process by which we mentally prep. Our actions say to the universe, "I'm ready. Bring it on!"

What is your morning routine before sitting down at your computer to start the day? Do you intentionally prepare for the day or roll out of bed, stagger to your home office and start reviewing emails and returning telephone calls? Is it Noon - or even 5 PM - before you realize you didn't actually "start" your day?

When you do dress, do you:

• put on comfortable, yet clean clothes in good condition (no holes or stains)?
• mix/match colors that particularly inspire you?
• choose clothing that fits properly... neither too big or too small?
• choose consciously based on what feels right for that day?
• make selections from a range of quality clothing, so no matter what you choose, you feel great?

Another aspect of being ready for the day is hygiene. This may sound elementary, but being clean and feeling refreshed do much to let your body know it's time to end nighttime and begin the day. Let me ask:

• Do you bath or shower every day?
• Do you brush your teeth?
• Do you put on make-up and do your hair?
• Do you spritz a little perfume on your wrists?
• Do you do whatever else helps you transition from private time to work time?

You put on your best to achieve the best results. How you prepare, what you wear, how you take care of your basic hygiene all preps you for the success of each day.

I don't necessarily advocate clicking around your office in pumps unless it makes you feel like a mighty powerhouse of productivity. If it does, definitely put them on and click to your heart's content!

Or wear your bunny slippers.

Perfume? No perfume? Make-up? No make-up?

Your specific choices don't matter. (However, I do encourage you to brush your teeth!)

What does matter is how you feel when you make those choices. If you feel less than the very best version of yourself, this vibe translates to every telephone call, meeting, plan, project and email. It's a subtle influence, but it definitely makes an impact in the life of your business and the maximum productivity of every day.

If you still think it doesn't matter, try a new dressing and hygiene regimen for just one week. You'll feel different and act different as a result. Who knows? Feeling and acting different may even translate to increased income! You'll have to let me know.