CX Fanatics Podcast

Lessons Learned From 48 Episodes and 48 Years (the birthday episode)

This week it's my 48th birthday and it's my 48th episode
So I thought I would share the top 8 lessons I've learned in 48 years and in recording and putting out 48 episodes of this podcast.  Join me for laughs, antics and a few business tips learned the hard way, so you can learn from me and either avoid them or get things done easier.
Also, if you're catching this episode when it's released . . .
First, thank you because you are a true fan and you rock!  I appreciate you tuning in.  Second, I have a birthday giveaway going on right now, so be sure to head over to my Facebook Group and join the fun for all the giveaway scoop.  There are some awesome things happening, including delicious birthday treats (yep, wait to you see how I pull that off) and a killer business growth builder too.  Now let's hop into those 8 lessons:
1. Done is better than perfect.  Action is better than no action. 
Whether you are a closet perfectionist (raising hand) or are just making decisions out of fear, this tip is for you.  I come clean about my closet perfectinism and also about how I was hiding from the reality of being entrepreneur.  I also share with you why it's not only a disservice to you to not put your stuff out there, but also that the people are waiting - so git to it!  If you have some brilliant idea, business saver or something burning in your soul to share - JUST DO IT!  Leave perfection to someone else who has more time and less to do.
2. You can't do it alone.
The reality is entrepreneurship can be lonely.  Most of your previous friends, acquaintances, family (anyone who is not an entrepreneur) can't relate.  They imagine you sitting around eating bon bons and watching Days of Our Lives.  (That show is totally still on btw, I happened to see it at the car dealer the other day.)  I digress, the reality is - it can make you feel isolated, alone and sometimes just plain crazy.  So . . . you need to get out there and connect.  Which brings me to point two, sometimes you have to meet a LOT of coal miners before you find that diamond.  Also, sometimes you meet the exact person you are supposed to meet to push you to the next level of your business.  Breathe and keep on chugging.  Third, networking is NOT always a place to find business.  Phew, this one was a doozie for me to get.  In fact, most times it is a place to find your people, connect and find someone else who can relate to your everyday solo business owner existence.  Lastly, the five people you spend the most time with is who you will become.  So if you want to level up in business, in your health, in your life, or in anything - look at who you are spending time with and see if you need to make some changes or level up the playing field.
3. Change is the only constant, so get used to it.
Everything in life changes, seasons, days, even your body.  The human body sheds it's entire skin every 7 years (totally gross huh?). The lesson here, change is here to stay, so you might as well embrace it and get used to it.  Keep this in mind as you grow your business.  It will change as well.  There will be many iterations and it's ALL OK.  In fact, it's more than ok, it means your continuing to grow and learn and you are doing it right, simply because, you are doing it.  Think about all those people who gave up by now, you are still trucking - so keep it up!
4. Everything in life offers a lesson, it's up to you to receive it.
There really is no such thing as failure, just the opportunity for you to learn from what went wrong, tweak it and then do it again and again until you get the results you desire.  It's all mindset, and the only person who can control your mind, is you. You are the only one who can control your perspective, if you don't like the way your life looks, it's up to you to make a change.  I haven't run into a magic "change fairy" yet, but if you do, don't give her my number, she probably is SUPER pricey.  Lastly, all those do-overs are polishing you into the diamond you are meant to be.  Sometimes it can hurt and can be rough and tumbly, other times you just need a good friend to help you find your shine.  Those people are the keepers.
5. Always keep learning from people smarter than you.
I don't know about you all, but there are still a WHOLE lot of people who know more and have experienced more than I have.  I make it a priority to learn something new everyday. More specifically I learn something new from someone who is ahead of me on this journey. Keep in mind, if you are the smartest person in the room (and yeah it happens) than you ARE IN THE WRONG ROOM.  So move it, get to a new room - PRONTO!  Your brain is a muscle, and you MUST keep feeding it.  Every. Single. Day.  If you stop, it won't grow, if it doesn't grow, neither do you and then you really are stuck. TV rots your brain, your mom, grandma, any elder that said this - they were right.  67% of rich people watch less than an hour of tv a day (Warren Buffet).  If you want to be a millionaire, pick up a book and shut the tv off. In addition, Warren Buffet reads 500 pages a day.  (A DAY!) You don't have to start there, just start somewhere.  Last but not least, if you have people you admire, look at their daily habits and then mimic them.  Adapting their habits does a miraculous thing, it turns them into your habits and those habits lead to success.
6. Meditate and move your body, EVERYDAY!
I found meditation about 6 years ago - for real.  I would half-a$$ my meditation but I started to meditate for real (and do yoga) about six years ago.  I liken it really finding God for the first time.  Now I grew up Catholic, so it's not like God was an anomaly to me, it's just that we had never communicated.  I'm not saying you have to converse with God to meditate, what I am saying, is that spiritual piece of you needs peace and quiet every single day so that you can hear what it has to say. Call it your subconscious, call it your inner wisdom, call it whatever you need to call it, but in the end shut your pie hole at least 10 minutes a day and really listen to what it has to say.  I promise you, it will change your life.  And, the last part of this lesson - move it - every. single. day.  Your body was meant to be in motion.  Go for a walk, run, play hopscotch, dance with the dog, do whatever you want - just get out into the world and move because when you don't you lose wisdom, ideas and you get stuck - literally.
7. Be kind, to everyone.
This is a tough one, I'm not going to lie.  But I've learned the hard way - that sometimes those bridges you burn, burn you in the end.  I'm not saying you have to like everyone, or agree with everyone, but just be as kind as you possibly can.  You never know what someone else is going through, you aren't in their shoes, and that little bit of kindness you share today, may be the only kindness they receive.  Leave people better than when you found them and you will never be at a loss.
8. Let go of grudges, especially against yourself.
This last really is for you. Because when you hold onto anger and grudges, the other person isn't affected.  The only person still feeling the anger, hurt, resentment or negativity from that encounter, is you.  How many times have you had an argument with someone or "broke up" only to realize the other person remembers things completely differently and neither one of you can remember what you are upset about to begin with? I'm not saying hide your emotions. For the love of Pete, feel them.  Every single one, because that's what makes us human.  Feel them and then just let them go. Everyone is doing the best they can in any given moment, and if you look at every interaction as a lesson, you can walk away knowing you did the best you could too.
 
What lessons did you learn from this episode? 
Come and tell me in the Facebook Group.
Who likes ice cream?  Join me in my Facebook Group to get your free ice cream treat this week.
Share your photo of you enjoying your treat on Instagram and tag me @alisamconner.
Download the transcript here
 

Aligning Passion & Profits with Kerry Borcherding

Do you remember why you started your business?
If you're like most entrepreneurs, it's because you loved some aspect of what you do and you want to help people.  However, many of us once pulled into our day to day tasks, lose track of what drove us to begin to start with.  We are worried about which social channel to be on, what content to create, how to get more customers, which events to attend, and the list goes on and on.  Somedays it takes everything in us to just get up and start over again, because we are feeling tired, frustrated and overwhelmed.
You are not alone!
Whish is why, this week I bring to the Feed U Podcast Kerry Borcherding.  Kerry is passionate about helping entrepreneurs leave the chaos behind and instead, reconnect with our internal passion meter and the reason we hopped on this entrepreneur rollercoaster in the first place.
A little bit about Kerry:
First, she's an awesome human.  I was lucky enough to meet her about 9 months ago.  She not only works with female entreprenuers to connect with their innate purpose so that they can change the world, she also runs an amazing non-profit for cancer patients called Hope Held By A Horse.  Learn more about that here.  Kerry is passionate about helping entrepreneurs get off the hobby horse of what "should" I be doing and reconnecting with what truly is why I am here and what will make my life full and happy.
Kerry walks us through two different alignment techniques.
To get us started, Kerry shows us the goods on how to connect with our divine purpose, recognize opportunities for the universe to deliver inspiration and information to us and also know when to follow our intuition and ignore our brains (which are typically spinning us in circles) to achieve success.
Before you start using the meditations in this episode:
Find a quiet space where you feel safe and have a few minutes to center.
It's helpful to be able to close your eyes.
Once you have found your inherit center, you can use these techniques whenever you are unsure, feel flustered or just need an answer that is right for you.
Kerry also generously provided some additional video trainings and meditations to help you keep moving forward with your passion and worry less about the "how's" and more on the "why's".  This is after all why you started your business in the first place, isn't it?  You can find those here.
Connect With Kerry:
Website
Facebook
What did you think about this episode?  Do you want more like this? Let me know over on Instagram via Direct Message.
 

Nurture, Nurture, Nurture - Convert. (my Gary V analogy)

This week I'm giving Gary V's Jab, Jab, Jab -Right Hook a makeover
If you don't know who Gary Vaynerchuk is, I fill you in on this episode as well as share when I heard first heard is "getting started" story and how he became a multi-millionaire entrepreneur.  One of his most famous marketing books Jab, Jab, Jab - Right Hook is how I started to learn about his infinite marketing wisdom.  But I thought the title needed a makeover, so I did it Alisa style.
So, I changed it up a bit to Nurture, Nurture, Nurture - Convert.
I've seen a trend since growing my and my client's businesses.  The more we love on our prospects, the more likely they are to buy.  (I know what a simple concept). Unfortunately, as simple as it is, it often gets overlooked.  Which is why, I've laid out a simple 3 step process for you in this episode to grow your audience and get more customers.  In addition,  4 ways to implement the nurture step.  Here's that quick 3 step process:
1. Create kick a$$ content consistently. 
People want answers and they want them quickly.  The best way to get known and grow a following is to create Kick A$$ content.  I see people fail in this area in 2 ways. First, they put crappy content out there that no one wants. Second, they are not consistently creating content.  There is a cure for both. Quit putting crap out there and instead create stuff that people need and want, that solves their problems.  We live in a CRAZY competitive online world and your poopy content isn't doing you or anyone else ANY good.  So as the old adage says, if you're going to do it - do it right.  This means put some time into it, figure out a new take on the old and for gosh sakes, put your personality and spin on it.  Next, do it regularly and tell people what to expect.  If you're going to create content (and I KNOW it takes time) then tell people when they can next expect your next article, video, etc. and keep your word.
2. Tell people about it and attract your audience
This is another area where business owners make fail.  They painstakingly create content.  Pour hours into it and then they put it on their website and the finger tapping begins.  Why isn't anyone coming? Why hasn't anyone read it? Why are there no comments? Well, my friend - because NO ONE IS SEEING IT!  You have to be your own best advocate.  Building a following and an audience is hard work, which means you have to get REALLY good at tooting your own horn again, and again, and again - until people start to see you.  It takes time.  You can cheat a bit with ads, but that's another conversation. Create a plan, tell people about your great stuff and keep on telling them.
3. Love on em, a WHOLE lot! (nurture, nurture, nurture)
Once people show up and regularly love on your content, love on them back.  Create conversations. Respond to their comments. Say thank you - nurture, nurture, nurture. Treat them like they are the best thing that's ever happened to you and your business (because they are) and I guarantee that you will stand out from all the other noise out there and get more people paying attention and turning to you to fix their biggest business problems.  
Try out one of these 4 nurturing tips:
Create a welcome email series that brings them on board with your organization.
Personalize every possible experience for your audience
Share older content that they may have missed that is relevant to them to build rapport
Start more conversations by asking more questions
Once you have created this rapport and started to build that relationship, conversion is a walk in the park.  Which of these 3 steps are you using in your business? Which do you need to improve?
Let me know over on Instagram via Direct Message.
 

Enhancing Customer Service With Chatbots

I know it sometimes feels like sleep is optional as a small business owner.  What if you could be available 24 hours a day?
You can! With the power of a messenger chatbot. This week on the Feed U Podcast I give you the scoop on how to stand out and excel in customer service when most of the rest of the planet is truly SUCKING at it.  Here are the top ways to stand out from your competitors in the arena of customer service.
You may be thinking, chatbots Alisa, that sounds complicated and overwhelming and impersonal. Let's cover each of those hiccups one at a time.
It's easier than you think! 
Setting up a messenger bot may seem overwhelming.  But there are some great tools and teachers in the market.  In this episode I tell you about both my favorite bot star, Kelly Noble Mirabella and my favorite tool ManyChat to get you started with Messenger marketing.  Spending a little time to either set up your own chatbot (highly recommend) or work with an expert can help you grow your email list, start beginning conversations and help you be available 24 hours a day even when you can't be.  Last but not least, a Facebook Messenger bot can alert you when someone needs help on your Facebook page.
Use Facebook Messenger Marketing to remind people. 
Facebook messenger messages are opened over 90% of the time.  Personally I think it's because the red dot reminder is ANNOYING.  But, regardless - it works.  With the news feed being oversaturated and your audience likely not aware of you or your posts, messenger is a great way to communicate and remind.  For example, if you are hosting a Facebook live or giving a webinar, you can set up reminders for your enrollees and audience to let them know when you are going live, again right before you go live, and lastly you can remind them of a replay.
Get more traction on your Facebook page or in your Facebook group.
If you haven't taken note of the drop of Facebook engagement yet (read algorith) then let me fill you in.  Facebook wants to bring back people's trust and ensure privacy.  To do that, they have adjusted their algorithm (again) to show you as a user more of what you want to see.  They judge this interest by how you engage with people (like, share, comment).  If your Facebook Business Page or Facebook Group are not seeing engagement, you are not being seen (unless you are running ads - another episode).  Using a messenger bot you can increase your engagement and increase how much traction you are getting.
Targeted ads. 
If you are running Facebook ads for your business, you can use your messenger bot to target your subscribers (chatbot subscribers) to decrease how much money you spend on ads and also increase how many people purchase from you.  Because they are HOT HOT HOT leads.  I don't want to go too much down a rabbit hole - but this is HUGE because you have already started a conversation with these folks, you know they are interested, the next step is to target them and introduce them to working with you.  Messenger makes this easier and less expensive.
Last but not least, here are some ways you can use chatbots for your business:
To welcome visitors
To increase your email opt-in with comments and build your email list
To deliver quizzes (read learn more about your ideal client)
Ask questions and fun ways to answer, i.e. via gif
Ask complete this statement question
Distribute Surveys and Polls
Get opinions on industry topics
Increase engagement on popular content you've created
Boost popular posts that have opt-ins to again, grow you email list
Have I given you enough reason to check out messenger bots for your business?
Let me know how you are going to impelement chatbots in the future over on Instagram via Direct Message.
Resources Mentioned:
ManyChatEpisode With Kelly Noble Mirabella
 
Download Episode Transcript
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Customer Service Your Secret Weapon

In a world where customer service is a commodity, it can be your secret weapon!
This week on the Feed U Podcast I give you the scoop on how to stand out and excel in customer service when most of the rest of the planet is truly SUCKING at it.  Here are the top ways to stand out from your competitors in the arena of customer service.
Personalize everything!  There is no better way to let your audience, prospects and customers know that you care than to personalize how you communicate with them. This includes emails, video, sales letters and advertising.  Are you personalizing your messaging to your ideal clients so they feel like you are in their head?
Create and send videos.  Tools like Loom and BombBomb make it easy to record and send a quick video to clients, prospects and new email subscribers.  It may take a little time, but you will definitely get stuck in their heads as memorable.  You can also send quick education tips, simplify complicated processes and ask questions.  How will you use video? Tell me on Instagram.
Make yourself available. In our very digital world, answering a phone call, hosting a live video chat or using messenger to call or video with someone is rare.  The more you can personalize your interactions with the people you want to work with, the higher conversion you will have - G-U-A-R-A-N-T-E-E-D!
Add chat to your website. You can't be available all the time, but using a chatbot or messenger marketing to answer Frequently Asked Questions and give your prospects next steps is a great way to engage and follow up with leads.  "44% of customers say having their questions answered at the time of an online purchase is one of the most important features a website can offer." (Forrester Research) Easily get started with Facebook Messenger and Manychat.  I did a whole episode with chatbot expert Kelly Noble Mirabella, you can listen to that here. If you want to get fancier check out Live Chat for WP, Olark and Zendesk for fancier chatbot experiences.  I'll have more on chatbots next week.
Create a Siri Search friendly website. By 2020 it is predicted that over 50% of online searches will be by voice search.  Here are some simple tips to help you ensure that Siri is able to find answers on your website.  First, make sure you test your page speed load with GT Metrix or Google Page Speed.  Second, use a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) to keep google happy and secure visitors information. Third, use clear language and short sentences in your website copy.  Last, answer well known search queries on your website in blog posts or page content. For more website tips, check out Episode 29 - Why Your Website Isn't Making You Money.
Use screensharing tools with clients and prospects.  Tools like Zoom and Skype make it easy for you to have conversations and personalize relationships with your clients and prospects - giving them extra time with you and also showing you care enough to show up in person. 
Use a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) tool. Having a tool that enables you to store information about your customers is invaluable.  You can keep it as simple or make it as complicated as you would like.  But sending a birthday card or a personalized gift when they least expect it, is a sure fire way to get people singing your praises.  I recommend Dubsado, Insightly and Sales Force
 
How are you raising the customer service bar?  Let me know over on Instagram via Direct Message.
 
Download the transcript here.
 
 
 

Creating Consumable Content

Let's be real, creating consistent content takes a LOT of time . . .
and if no one is consuming it, it can make you feel hopeless, burnt out and you may be asking "what the heck is the point, already?"  But, regular content on your website is a MUST to drive traffic, build your email list and keep on Google's radar.  Which is why this week on the Feed U Podcast I'm teaching you 8 tips to create content your audience will consume, share and engage with.
Know who you are creating content for.  Knowing your audience makes it easier to reach them and even better, makes it a breeze for you to create awesome content.
Use tools to identify content that's missing.  Using tools like Google Predictive Search, Answer the Public, Pinterest and Facebook Search help you see what content has been created and even better what is missing that you can create. Bonus tip - you can reach out to those other creators and tell them about how your content compliments theirs and would they care to link to yours in their article.
Survey your audience.  If you really don't know what to create or where to create your content, save yourself some time and headache and just ask them. Tools like survey monkey are a dream and can easily help you collect data from your target market.
Analyze your content.  See what you have already created that is popular.  Can you expand on that content, create a new updated version or create something that aligns with that content?  It's sure to be a winner.
Promote, promote, promote. You may have the BEST content in the world, but if no one knows about it, it will never be seen.  Don't be afraid to toot your own horn a bit.
Keep a running document with your content ideas. You never know when an idea will come to you, so create a Google Doc, Evernote doc or your favorite notebook to write down those ideas when they come to you so you aren't panicked when it's time to create your content.
Become a great listener. Most people don't listen at all, they are just waiting for a break in the conversation to relay what they are thinking.  When you actually listen and ask great questions, you will see that most people are struggling with the same things.  No go talk about them with your content.
Research your competitors.  DO NOT COPY, research.  Knowing what your competitors are up to is just good business sense.  Look at what is working for them when it comes to content, what are they getting traction on?  How can you put a different spin on it or your perspective?  What are they missing that you can cover?
Research conferences and speakers that your target market attends. You can get some great content ideas from topics covered at recent conferences and also by researching recent speakers and their topics.
 
Which of these ideas will you try out?  Let me know over on Instagram via DM.
 
 

Using StoryBrand to Increase Your Sales

The point of marketing is to create more sales, but most marketing is a waste of time and money!
Which is why this week on the Feed U Podcast I round out my series on using story in your branding and marketing.  I tell you the 11 places to use story to increase your brand recognition and market awareness and convert more leads to sales.
I also give you the reasons that story will work better than any other marketing for each place.  Without further ado, here is the big list of where you can use the power of story to increase your sales.
On your website: when you are clear you sell more, convert more visitors and attract higher end customers who are ready to pay you.
In your emails: you have higher open rates, more people click on your links and even better they share your email info with their friends.
In your free downloads: story helps you quickly grab the attention of a lead and gets them to take the next action you want them to take in your sales funnel, like downloading your freebie.  Don't have a freebie yet? Sign up for my free training here.
In your social media posts: gain traction in a saturated market because you are telling your customers story through your social posts.
In your stories (Facebook, Instagram and soon LinkedIn): hello! story is in the name for pete's sake.  Obviously use the framework here to again gain traction, get more followers and grow your list.
In your messenger marketing and chatbots: when you can't be there for your customers 24 hours a day a chatbot or messenger marketing work great.  They work even better when you use the power of story to have a conversation.
In your sales pitches: selling with story becomes so easy, because your prospects brain is pulled into their story (the one you are telling them about themselves) and of course their brain wants to close the loop (learn more about that here). Closing the loop means doing business with the loop closer - YOU!
In your keynote and speaking presentations: sell more from the stage without selling.  Your words will be so clear that people will meet you at the back of the room to learn more even if you don't sell anything but a free download while you are standing up there.  Give it a try and report back.
During networking events: so often people stumble over what they do or trying to describe their business, story busts that scenario like Thor with his magic hammer and you become the most memorable person in the room.
In your marketing collateral: for those of you who still use marketing collateral, stand out in a crowded conference, become memorable and a brand to be reckoned with.
In your created content (think blogs, podcasts, video shows, etc.): story is best used when telling a story or teaching something.  The best place to do that is with your weekly content.
Using the StoryBrand framework makes creating content for each of these marketing avenues a breeze. 
You will stand out from your competitors, become the go to person for your industry and be seen as an authority in your market.  So what are you waiting for?  Get your story straight! :D
Find out about more ways to learn the StoryBrand framework here.
 

What is StoryBrand and Why It Will Supercharge Your Business

Clear communication differentiates you from your competitor immediately!
Let's face it, the internet is a noisy and busy place.  If you aren't able to quickly and clearly communicate to your prospects (think 6 seconds - faster than the attention of a goldfish) they are gone and off to the next thing on their agenda.
The StoryBrand framework is so powerful -
I have seen clients businesses literally quadruple in less than a quarter.  It enables you to tell your clients how you help them solve their biggest problem and gives them a path to reach that success. It also helps you clearly communicate what you do, especially in times of pressure like when your riding down an elevator with "the" client you would love to add to your portfolio.
Which is why,
I've dedicated another entire episode talking about how using story in your business is a game changer. Once you use these 7 simple steps in all of your messaging (more on that next week) people will flock to you.  It isn't about what you sell, it really isn't, it's about how clearly you communicate to your potential clients how you help them.  People are busy, they need easy to follow steps to work with you.  If you aren't telling them how clearly and simply - your leads are off to your competitors.
Tune in this week on the Feed U Podcast to see how StoryBrand can propel your business and leave your competitors wondering what's your secret.
Find out about more ways to learn the StoryBrand framework here.