ProfitMeister Founder completes the Ultimate Blog Challenge
October 31, 2010 by Mary Ellen · Leave a Comment
Never, since starting the ProfitMeister blog in 1996, have I blogged for 30 straight days.
The Ultimate Blog Challenge proved itself motivator enough for that to happen. I finished. I graduated a better person. Let me explain.
In summary:
I found discipline. In spite of the commentary in my head about my posts, I continued, posting through doubt and questions each of which stopped me previously.
I found momentum. The exercise of a daily write with the #blogboost tweet forced production. I couldn’t let myself down. I chose to complete my personal challenge.
I found a way. The editorial calendar of my 45-day plan opened my mind; it was no longer a question of what I would write. Instead, it was when. Many of my posts were written early in the day. A couple of times, however, I forced myself to finish a post as my final exercise of the day.
I found feedback. Responses from other members of the challenge caused me to delve deeper, think more clearly and in the end, write more. I appreciate input even more, thanks to the comments I received. Thanks to those comments, I made and will continue to make specific changes on my blog.
I found inspiration. Because of UBC I read new posts, discovered new topics, met new friends. I moved outside my comfort zone, even if for just a bit.
I found results. I discovered, thanks to looking at Google analytics, which posts got more readership and when.
I found celebration. I’m proud to say I finished.
Bottom line: I made it! Thanks to Michelle and Michele for putting the idea out there and encouraging all of us to get it done. Woooo Hooooo!
Today’s topic is not connected with my 45-day step-by-step marketing master plan, except that finishing any plan is a necessary component. For those who are following this series, I’ll complete it in a slightly less intense mode. I’ll blog three times per week beginning tomorrow.
Staying Power Comes in Small Increments
May 3, 2010 by Mary Ellen · Leave a Comment
Why do some commitments work and others fail miserably? Mindset makes a difference. But the real key for me comes from the reframing of the project to a small and repetitive task.
Fifteen minutes applied consecutively makes a significant difference over time.
I first understood this concept when I applied the 15-minute rule to a needlepoint project I detested. I set a timer and resolved to stitch for 15 minutes. Every day I could see the boring blue basketweave expand. In a matter of weeks, the piece was complete.
“Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I thought. That worked well.”
I expanded my “daily” notion to another impossible task: losing ten pounds. In a now-familiar ritual, I took 15 minutes to set my menus, plan my exercise and visualize my success for the day. I made a dramatic change within a 13-week time frame, meeting my goal and proving once again the power of small daily time increments.
When I read The Artist’s Way, I discovered a different version of my approach to success. Author Julia Cameron walks the reader through essays, offers tasks each week and suggests writing a minimum of three pages a day. The three pages consciousness stream of writing took longer than 15 minutes, but the effort forced me through a creative block and highlighted success through the daily application of self to task.
You’d think by now that I’d have the lesson down. In spite of previous successes, I too have to be reminded:
“Never underestimate a quarter hour increment.”
Just this week I agreed with my mastermind group to apply the power of 15 to a new challenge. Our discussion revealed difficult or stopped projects for each of us. We’re now on a 30-day quest. We committed to each other and put in a penalty for failure to meet the goal. So, is it working? Yes. I can report four pieces of progress for each of the four days to-date.
In a world with too little time one simple fact remains: daily work adds up. The power of compounding small increments is often underestimated.
Grab fifteen minutes almost anywhere: arrive slightly early for an appointment and take 15 while you wait on a luncheon partner; close your email program and take 15; get up 15 minutes earlier and take 15 for your project.
Do one small thing each day and you will move forward.
NOTE: Last November, I challenged myself with a 60-minute increment. The result was the Six Week Marketing Master Plan. The ebook, designed for small business owners without a marketing department, walks you through every step of a marketing plan in just a few minutes a day. Ready to try for yourself the power of 15?
What can marketers learn from the Olympics?
February 27, 2010 by Mary Ellen · Leave a Comment
As Vancouver 2010 draws to a close, here are seven lessons for marketers to consider:
The value of practice. Olympic athletes train all their lives for a moment in the spotlight. They practice daily, drilling the basics of execution. In contrast, many in marketing expect to win instantly, sometimes never even repeating a campaign, let alone practicing it.
The importance of the game. Regardless of adversities, disappointments, or less-than-favorable conditions, the game goes on. Sports performance is not a given: favorites fail, miracles happen, unusual circumstances change outcomes. Yet, in marketing, performance is expected and many times the marketer is experimenting rather than executing a plan.
The advantage of focus. Rather than competing in every sport, athletes specialize. The more narrow the focus, the greater the chance of success. Many marketers feel they can do everything, thus hampering themselves with experimentation, and a lack of consistency and planning.
The lesson of competition. Consider Evan Lysacek of Team USA who won gold in men’s skating. Russia’s Yevgeny Plushenko sputtered, moaned and displayed every sign of a sore loser. Lysacek continued to take the high ground, saying favorable things about his competitor even when goaded to do otherwise by news commentators. As a marketer, how do you react to the competition?
How competitive pressures change performance. Some competitors do well under pressure. Snowboarder Shaun White bested his own performance to win gold in the men’s halfpipe finals just because. Men’s aeriel skier, Jeret Speedy Peterson performed the difficult hurricane trick to even though it did not earn him a higher score. Dozens of other performers in similar situations had disappointing results.
How crowd favoritism affects perfection. Curling or Nordic skiing doesn’t generate the excitement or public awareness as hockey or figure skating. Yet, these sports have a place as part of the Olympic whole. Similarly, the behind-the-scenes efforts of a customer follow-up plan may not draw raucous approval in the boardroom, while a series of Tweets could do that. The moral? Judge your marketing on its true worth, not its general popularity.
The advantage of support. Look at any event and see the coach, the parent, the spouse, the supporters behind the athlete. In the Olympics, as in marketing, your success is determined by those who surround you. From coaches with the wisdom of their own wins to family who believe in you, support makes a significant contribution to success. To market your business effectively, find your support.
What “Olympic moment” will you put into your marketing?
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