Summer Biz Tip: Reconnecting to Your Email List

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Part 3 in a series of inspiring food-for-thought posts for when you’re focused on enjoying summer AND having a successful practice.

Ever let a few missed issues turn into months of no contact to your newsletter list?

And then the next thing you know, you’re feeling embarrassed about writing.
And the time just keeps going by??
I’ve been there.
Before you can expect your readership to invest in your services, they’ll need to feel connected with you.
No one likes to receive email with only offers and promotion.
People sign up for your ezine because they want to hear from you.
They want to relate with you, learn from you and be supported by you.
Getting in touch and staying in touch is the first step to reactivating your list.
(And essential to having a successful autumn!)
However, here is one thing you should NEVER do when you’ve missed a few issues:
Never start off with an apology.
“Hi, Sorry I haven’t written in awhile…”
UGH. Who wants to open an email and feel that kind of low-energy?
It’s the equivalent of meeting someone at a party and they start off telling you what’s wrong with their life. Bummer.
Instead of apologizing, share something new and good in your life.
Anything! Even if it’s the weather in your hometown or something you enjoyed in the past week relevant to your ezine’s theme.
This is the equivalent of meeting someone fun and cool at a party.
It’s a pleasure to be around them.
What’s the antidote for being out of touch with your list?
Like any relationship, just start connecting.
And, like any relationship that’s been a little “cool” – start slowly and give a lot of value.
Then figure out a way to keep in touch twice per month that works for you.
Here are a few examples for getting back in touch with your list that you can borrow or adapt to your modality…
Nutrition Pro
- It’s hot and sticky in New York so I thought to share my favorite breakfast smoothie. It’s cooling, naturally low-fat and takes 2-minutes flat! Then share the recipe in your “tip section”. End with your contact info and an invitation.
Relationship Coach
- I just watched last Wednesday’s Oprah episode about two women who can’t find love no matter what they do. Get my take on why these women keep making the same mistakes with men. And then add your 2 cents as if you were invited to comment on the Oprah show. You could even have fun with it and make it look like a magazine interview between you and Oprah. End with your contact info and an invitation.
Herbalist
- It’s hot and humid here in Southern Vermont and I thought to share my favorite DIY herbal elixir for staying cool all summer for less than $5. Then share how to purchase mint, plant it and watch it grow wild and how to make homemade iced mint tea that tastes better than any store bought version. End with your contact info and an invitation.
See what I mean?
Make it short and sweet.
Start adding value to your reader’s life and they’ll love you for it.
And that’s the first step to getting them to consider working with you.
To your success,
Karin

About the Author and WellProNet.org: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners.

She is the founder of Wellness Professional Network, the go-to place for practitioners to learn the real-life business skills they didn’t teach in wellness school.

Karin is the author of The Fast Start to Clients Program and Karin lives in Upstate New York and enjoys working from home with her husband and son.

One Way to Inspire Consistent Referrals

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Do you know what kind of clients you most enjoy working with? Don’t say, “But, I can help everyone!” That may be true, but it doesn’t make it easy for the people you know to send you business if you don't articulate who you work with a bit more concretely.

 Here's a simple solution to help the people you know send you referrals.
 
Write a ONE PAGE guide on how to send you referrals. Call it "How to Refer YOUR NAME." In it write the following things:
 
 Start the document with someone like this (I lifted this off my own referral guide sheet - feel free to use it or adapt it to your liking):
I treasure your referrals. If they are anything like you, I would love to work with them, and are most likely the people I would work well with.
 
I have found that a prospective client who is referred to me is more prepared to appreciate the value that I can offer and is very satisfied with the results I provide. Because of that, I will happily offer you a special thank you gift (You can describe your referral gift here if you prefer, such as two movie tickets, dinner for two, etc…. I don't because I customize my gift for each person) for every qualified referral you send my way.
 
Please use this hand out as a guide when you refer me to your colleagues and friends.
  • Then describe three easy-to-remember types of CLIENT SITUATIONS (problems and challenges) which you can solve and that your referral partners can easily identify.
  • Tell them the most effective way to refer you clients: IE - send them to your website, call you directly, sign up for your monthly class or whatever works best for you and your business.
  • Include how you’ll follow-up with their referrals so they can rest assured that you will take good care of their friends and colleagues.
  • Also consider adding that you're available for speaking engagments as an alternative way to refer you and your services and list one or two of your favorite topics to speak on, if this is appropriate to your business model, as another way to introduce you to their network.
  • And don't forget to include your contact information

Give this to people who have expressed interest in supporting your business growth - past clients, current clients, friends and colleagues. Don't send them out in a mass mailing. Hand them out as you go along when the time is right. I give them to clients as we wrap up our work together, when a friend or colleague asks me what's new in my business or when meeting with a potential networking partner. 

This is a very simple, low-tech marketing material piece but it really works to make it easier for others to help you grow your business. When people like your work they want you to succeed and will be grateful for a step-by-step guideline for how they can best do this.

To your success,

Karin

About the Author and WellProNet.org: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners using the power of authentic marketing strategies. In 2009, she expanded her private practice and launched The Wellness Professional Network as the go-to place for practitioners to learn about making more money doing what they love.  Karin lives in Upstate New York and works from home with her husband and baby boy.

Send Out Cards and Show Your Clients You Care

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One way to look at marketing is that it shows your clients (and potential clients) that you care about their needs, challenges, dreams and desires. Consider that by not marketing consistently, it quietly demonstrates to your clients that you don't really care - about their well being, your business and being a professional. While that may not be the truth, it's what people think.

So consider how you might show up differently in your business by seeing your marketing efforts as a way to express your loving care toward those you serve.

Here is a simple way to show your clients (and potential clients) you care: Send Out Cards

Cards are perfect for those in transformational work. There are lots of ups and downs, self-doubts, celebrations and most of us work with people over a period of time so there is lots of life stuff that happens. Sending out cards helps you AND YOUR WORK stay present in your clients' (and potential client's) lives and essentially creates connection.

It's so simple. So thoughtful. Yet few professionals do this. Why? No systems in place to make this an easy, consistent part of your business. To show you care and do so regularly, you'll need to make this systematic (read: organized process that doesn't require too much energy).

Example 1: Low tech version: Next time you go to Target or your local card shop, stock up. Buy $50 worth of cards - select a variety of birthday, sympathy, congratulations, and whatever inspiring cards are appropriate for your business model.

Now you've got your own little card shop at the ready for all the events of a client's, friends and associates life. Keep it handy in your office with a roll of stamps, favorite pen, and return address stickers all in one area.

Repeat this process when your supply dwindles. If you wait until you need to get a card, it's a waste of time (I live in the country so running to the store is a big deal) and usually doesn't get sent (or shows up weeks late).

Example 2:  Get Cards that BRAND YOU: Again, next time at Target or Papyrus, purchase several pacs of blank cards that match the color of your business and marketing materials. Alternatively, pick up a neutral, high quality card stock with the first initial of your name or business name. The idea is that it's speaks to tone, feel and look of your business brand.

I have very simple, elegant, blank orange cards that I can personalize to any business situation - a referral thank you, a note to a client,  follow-up, etc… My little packet of orange blank cards and thank you cards are at the ready next to my desk, with pen, stamps and return address labels, all in a beautiful little basket.

They are near my desk because connecting with people I work with and those I could potentially work with is very important to me. (I'm an old fashioned girl in that way. I love receiving cards in the mail so I love to give them too.)

Alternatively, you can have branded cards designed for you by a graphic designer and then print them locally or via a website like VistaPrint.com.

Example 3: High tech version: Sign up for Send Out Cards.com. I have heard great reviews. It's an online membership site that automates all of the above for you.

One of these examples, implemented consistently, is a super simple way to show you care while promoting your services.

To your continued success,

Karin

About the Author and WellProNet.org: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners using the power of authentic marketing strategies. In 2009, she expanded her private practice and launched The Wellness Professional Network as the go-to place for practitioners to learn about making more money doing what they love.  Karin lives in Upstate New York and works from home with her husband and baby boy.

Template for Post-Seminar Follow-up

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When you give a seminar or tele-class, you already know it's good to follow-up with those who attended. In my work with clients, I notice that wellness professionals unconsciously go into the off-putting "follow-up mode".  

It goes something like this:

Example 1

Email subject: Follow-up from last night's seminar

Hi Jane,

Thank you for participating in the seminar last night.

I wanted to personally follow-up with you and see if you have any questions or if you'd like to schedule a free consultation.

A few sentences about the wellness pro here, their experience/credentials/etc…

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Wellness Pro Name and Title

 

When you slip into "follow-up mode" you sound like you're trying to get the sale.

The verbage "follow-up" is not what your potential clients use, but what sales professsionals use.

And naturally, you don't want to connect your transformational work with pushy selling.  

A closer look at the above example also shows that this email is all about the wellness pro's needs and desires. This means your email does not create any real connection in the reader's life.

So here's a more effective and authentic way to follow-up after a seminar or tele-class. I'll use a nutrition counselor example.

Example 2

Email subject line: taking control of your family's health

Hi Jane,

Just wanted to drop you a personal note to thank you for coming to Monday's seminar on easy ways to get your kids to eat vegetables.

If you're like many of my clients, these are the 3 core challenges you may be facing right now in your family's health:

1.  Stressful meal times that force you to "give-in" to family junk-food cravings which lead to sick-days and less than stellar school performance

2.  Lack of time and organization that makes healthy eating for your family simple, fast and a no-fuss zone

3.  Limited understanding of what healthy foods to buy and how to cook them in a way that your family will love

Are these or other similar issues on your plate that you're looking to solve?

If you're open to some different ideas around how to solve these issues, drop me a quick note and maybe we can chat a bit.

Warmest regards,

Your Name, Title, Contact info

 

Did you notice the difference between example 1 and example 2?

The latter demonstrates how you can help your potential client in the issues they are facing right now and keeps the tone warm, inviting and full of connection. It makes your work relevant to their life. And invites them to take action without the fear of being pressured to buy something.

Obviously you can adapt this formula to your modality, your personality and seminar topic.  

Try it after your next seminar or tele-class.

Hope this helps!

Karin

About the Author and WellProNet.org: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners using the power of authentic marketing strategies. In 2009, she expanded her private practice and launched The Wellness Professional Network as the go-to place for practitioners to learn about making more money doing what they love.  Karin lives in Upstate New York and works from home with her husband and baby boy.

Let's Get These People Some Wellness Pros!

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Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH reached out to WellProNet this week requesting a referral for a position in their health promotions department. This is a newly created position-- someone to design, deliver and rock out some wellness programs for the campus.

Do you know someone who might be perfect for this full-time gig in a beautiful New Hampshire college town?

Could it be perfect for you?

If so, here's the man you need to contact right away. Ahmed S. Mohammed, Employment Recruiter at Dartmouth (ahmed.s.mohammed@dartmouth.edu)

Here are the details for the Health Promotions and Wellness Program Director Position.

I believe there are two other positions in the health services department- one in delivering programs on substance abuse and another as special assistant to the President of Health Services. Contact Ahmed for details. (ahmed.s.mohammed@dartmouth.edu)

So, what do you say we help these people get an awesome wellness pro on staff??

Share this blog post below by clicking on your favorite Social Media icon.  

And don't forget to tell them the Wellness Professional Network sent you.

Karin

About the Author and WellProNet.org: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners using the power of authentic marketing strategies. In 2009, she expanded her private practice and launched The Wellness Professional Network as the go-to place for practitioners to learn about making more money doing what they love.  Karin lives in Upstate New York and works from home with her husband and baby boy.

WellProNet Tele-Training: Avoiding Networking Turnoffs, Jul 8

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As wellness pros, we all have to network.  Some people attend a weekly networking meeting and others prefer a more intimate, one-on-one setting meeting with potential referral partners for tea. Knowing how to do this right can bring momentum to your practice. And when you do things the wrong way, you'll get very little results. Who has time for that?

In July's WellProNet tele-training I'll be sharing my best practical tips and mindset insights for making your networking profitable, enjoyable and completely authentic.

We'll cover:

- What are the turn offs you want to avoid when networking in groups or one-on-one (I've been on the receiving end of some bad networking, and been in some seriously awkward situations and I'll share the behind the scenes of what works and what doesn't)

- The secrets to inspiring someone to help your business grow (No, it's not asking people "can I pick your brain?" HINT: That's a turn off.)

- What to do when you're at a networking function that doesn't involve shaking everyone's hands and forcing your business card upon others (whether you're a networking natural or really nervous about it)

- Some very practical strategies that cost practically nothing and make you look like a total pro

- And some bonus resources for those of you who really want to super charge your networking an essential part of your practice success 

This class is like giving you my Cliff Notes to 10 years of networking experience ,  and all the books I read and trainings I took ( I even won an "notable networker" award once). And believe me, I'm NOT one of the natural types who loves to chit chat with anyone and everyone. If I can do this, so can you.

This tele-training is for current members of WellPronet.org only.

Not a member yet? Click on the following link to find out if membership is right for you: http://wellpronet.org/whyjoin

We’d love to have you join us!

Can’t make the live call? No problem. WellProNet members receive a word-for-word transcript and audio recording of the monthly tele-trainings. So you can listen to the training on your own time. In fact, 75% of members access the membership resources on their own time, so you’re in good company.

Hope you decide to join us!

Karin

About the Author and WellProNet.org: Karin Witzig Rozell has been teaching health and wellness professionals how to grow their business since 2003. She started as a nutrition counselor who knew a lot about nutrition, but not a whole lot about business and marketing. After learning some tough lessons she cracked the code and now her passion is transforming practitioners into profitable business owners using the power of branding with archetypes.

In 2009, she expanded her private practice and launched The Wellness Professional Network http://wellpronet.org as the go-to place for practitioners to learn about making more money doing what they love. Karin lives in Upstate New York and works from home with her husband, Drew Rozell, who also runs a successful coaching business.