Your Signature Program, Step by Step

4 August 2019 by Almira Ross

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There's an art and a science to crafting a high end Signature Program. Indeed any program or course you plan to create. Over the course of the next several posts, I plan to highlight some of the key elements you need to have in place, and the order in which to craft them to ensure you have an offer that is irresistible to your ideal clients.

I've created a checklist of each and every step you need to follow to craft that irresistible offer. You can download it here.

There are two aspects you need to get up close and intimate with:

Your client
Your offer

And even before that, let's get a stake in the ground. Knowing what you intend to do with the money you earn from your program launch. Money needs a home. A reason for coming to you rather than someone else. What is that purpose?

Make a list of all the essentials you need to take care of and what they cost, such as:

Your business expenses on a monthly basis
Your cost of sales and delivery
Any other expenses you're likely to incur in promoting, selling and delivering your program

Then go for the extras, the treats you'd love to give yourself for your success. Maybe a massage, or a 2 week holiday. The choice is yours. Be really specific with the numbers. The more specific you are, the more real they will be to your powerful unconscious mind. Remember, that's your powerhouse. When your unconscious mind is on board, you can easily get into flow and achieve whatever you choose.

Your unconscious mind doesn't like anything vague. It simply doesn't know what to do with it.

£10k? No, definitely not! That's not real. £10,231.33 is. Be that specific.

Then, add them all up and you'll come up with a figure -- a sum of money you intend to generate from the launch and sale of your Signature Program.

This takes the guesswork out of it for your unconscious mind. And it sets the bar for exactly what you plan to achieve. And exactly what every penny of that money is going to be used for.

Download your Irresistible Offer Checklist Here

How to Get Inside Your Ideal Client’s Head

1 July 2019 by Almira Ross

One of the biggest challenges my clients face is knowing their Ideal Client. REALLY knowing their client. This is not an easy task, and definitely requires some trial and error to get right. Here's how I suggest you approach it...

Ask your existing clients what their greatest challenge is, what they want to achieve, and what it's costing them. These are the standard questions. Pretty much every business coach or mentor would give you this advice. Essential though this is, it does not take you anywhere deep enough.

Going Deep...

We need to get beneath the surface problem to what's really going on. So step into your ideal client's shoes for a moment and...

Feel what they feel
Hear what they hear when they talk to themselves
Look around and see what impact this particular problem or situation is having on their lives right now.

When you are in the midst of their problem, how do you feel? What emotions are coming up for you, as you imagine yourself in your ideal client's shoes? Write it down.

What do they say to themselves? In their position, what do you say to yourself? That self talk is emotional; it's critical; it's disparaging; it's incessant. Write it down.

How is this problem impacting their lives? How would it impact your life? Are they so stressed out or exhausted they're miserable or bitchy with those they love? Are their kids playing up? Are they on the verge of burnout? What are the real consequences of this problem?

That's what you want to know. The juicy bits. Those thoughts, feelings and personal circumstances that they are really struggling with and want to change.

Use these words, emotions and refer to their circumstances in your marketing, and your clients will resonate with them. They'll feel -- no they'll know -- you understand them and can help them.

Clients on my Breakthrough to Business Miracles program do this physically -- it's a hugely powerful exercise that gets them set up for crafting a sell out High End Offer to their clients.

For a taste of what crafting that high end program involves, download this definitive checklist I go through before I create any new program. And join me behind the scenes of a successful launch.

Download your Definitive Checklist Now

Sell Out your High End Offer

22 May 2019 by Almira Ross

If you want to sell out a high end offer, you first need to understand why you can't sell your high end offer now, no matter how hard you try.

You don't have a high end offer. Or if you do, it's not irresistible to your ideal clients...
You dislike sales. There's something 'kinda icky' about putting yourself out there and asking people for money. Especially when...
You really don't believe your potential customers will actually pay that much for what you have to offer. Whatever 'that much' is, it's too much.
And somehow, all the training you've bought to teach you how to launch and sell your services online just doesn't work for you.

"Other people seem to be able to do this. So why can't I?"

Exactly my question a few years ago, until I realised I was approaching this from the wrong direction. Dealing with the method without mastering my mind. I knew I wanted to sell high end programs but...

Are you doing the same? Telling yourself what you want, then following it with a Big Fat BUT?

Whatever followed that 'Big Fat But...' was keeping me stuck and it's keeping you stuck too. When you're 'in two minds about it', you can't possibly move forward. While that wonderful vision or goal pulls you forward. the Big Fat But drags you back.

I knew if I wanted to sell out a high end package, I had to get my act together and clear out those 'buts..', or the best methods from the best trainers in the world would not help me achieve my goals.

I discovered three areas I needed to master -- and when I did, I could sell out high end offers -- anywhere from 2k to 20k -- with ease.

The first step is undoubtedly the most important. Mind Mastery. Sounds simple; it is simple. But it's not easy.
The second step is also critically important. Clear those Money blocks and any resistance that are holding you back from selling with confidence and ease
Finally, master a simple Method for launching and selling out your program.

There's an art and a science to each of these three areas that I'd love to share with you in more detail in my latest training program:

"Sell Out Your High End Offer"

This FREE training takes you behind the scenes of a successful High Ticket program launch. If you're ready for a breakthrough or two in yourself and your business, then book your place now. You'll discover a few simple tools you can put into practice right away to get your mind -- and your business -- set up for the breakthrough in sales that you know you need.

BOOK SELL OUT YOUR HIGH END OFFER TODAY

Why Your Customers Buy… A Few Interesting Buyer Biases

3 July 2018 by Almira Ross

I've just finished reading the Choice Factory by Richard Shotton and wanted to share with you just a few of the useful gems I picked up from this book.

It sets out 25 behavioural biases that influence why people buy (or not). You may know of some of these already. May well be using a few of these in drawing a person through their buyer's journey with you.

Here are the ones I found most interesting:

The Fundamental Attribution Error

The Fundamental Attribution Error is pretty common. Do you make assumptions about a person -- attributing what they do to their personality, rather than to their situation? Several studies have shown that someone who is rushed, is likely to behave differently to someone who is relaxed and in no hurry.

Your Takeaway

Make sure you've taken the context into account. As far as possible meet your potential customers at a time and place where they are not rushed or distracted. They'll be far more open to your message.

Social Proof and Negative Social Proof

I'm sure you're all familiar with this one. People buy what other people are buying. We tend to use this a lot in business. Case studies, testimonials are all really great ways to foster social proof. However, not all social proof works.

Some backfires brilliantly and ruins a campaign. By pointing out negative behaviour, for example, you give your audience permission to behave badly too.

Your Takeaway

When you want to shift behaviour, make sure that you cite a positive rather than a negative one or you'll get more of what you don't want. Point to how they ought to behave instead.

Distinctiveness

Standing out from the crowd. We're hardwired to notice what's out of the ordinary, so where you can, be unusual.

Your Takeaway

Make your copy and your approach distinctive; take a stand and you'll be remembered.

The Pratfall Effect

Where your flaws are appealing. They make you look human -- honest and authentic and that's very appealing.

As long as you are seen as trustworthy and competent, then this can work really well. However, if you really are a prat, then showing your flaws only makes you more so in the eyes of others.

Your Takeaway

Be honest and authentic. Admitting to your mistakes or keeping the odd negative comment about your work will only serve to make you more approachable and likeable.

The Veblen Effect

And one that bears mentioning here -- the Veblen Effect -- or how a high price can boost demand. Price conveys quality.

Your Takeaway

Have a portfolio of products or services, and promote the top end ones. That will ensure you are seen as a quality provider, even if someone chooses a lower priced product from you.

Are you using any of these? Or others I haven't mentioned to improve your sales?

Why Mastering Technology is SO Important

24 June 2018 by Almira Ross

It’s my belief that business and technology are two of the most powerful forces for change in the world. In the past 20 years alone, digital technologies in particular, have transformed the way we work, play, shop, entertain ourselves and communicate with one another. Rapid and radical transformation. Harnessing these powerful forces for change and directing them can speed up and magnify the impact we know we are here to make. Because…

The third most powerful force for change resides within us.

As heart-centred entrepreneurs, we’re running purpose-led businesses. Encouraging creativity and connection, using our expertise to make a difference by sharing our know-how with those most in need of our life’s work.

And yet, digital technology is anathema to many heart-centred entrepreneurs. You may feel that somehow:

Making money is at odds with making your difference or that
You’ve got to change personality — become that distasteful Internet entrepreneur — in order to succeed online.

And that inner conflict, coupled with the vast array of digital technologies at your fingertips today, can be altogether too much. It’s confusing and downright overwhelming!

And why would you invest time and precious energy in something that made you feel you weren't being true to who you are and what you value?

Yet not embracing these technologies may be stopping you from being all you can be, serving those who most need your work and making the difference only you can make.

Here's my take on this...

First off, it's possible to be authentic, to express yourself fully and be comfortable -- even masterful -- with digital technologies. They are hugely powerful, and very feminine forces for change. And so are we.

They make it easy for us to connect, communicate, collaborate and co-operate with people all around the world. Powerful feminine qualities. We extend our reach, develop relationships, make a good living making the difference each of us is here to make.

And that's the important bit. You see, I have a vision -- a crazy vision -- that came to me in a rare moment of clarity. I'm here, with a handful of enlightened people, to stop the madness that is the way of the world.

When this realisation first came to me, I was floored.

Who am I to take this on?
What does Stop the Madness mean anyway?

In time, I realised that my genius lies in making technology accessible to those purpose-led entrepreneurs who know they are here to make a difference.

Using business and technology as powerful drivers for the kind of change we want to see in the world.

And that's my mission. The reason why I'm in business -- to make it easy for you to embrace technology and grow the kind of thriving, sustainable business that changes lives, makes a difference. With the right strategy, and a few tools you can master. I'll show you how. So..

What if we, collectively, could usher in a new world order?

A world that works for everyone, not just a privileged few.

A new business paradigm. Where everyone enjoys a liveable wage and meaningful work. Work that treats them like human beings, cares about their wellbeing rather than exploits their labour?

Such businesses are already starting to emerge -- they're known as Teal organisations and they work. Purpose-led, not profit-driven. Touching hearts and minds, caring for one another and for the earth that gives us live.

Why not join me?

Embrace business
Embrace technology. I'll show you how to do that AND stay true to who you are.
Grow a thriving, sustainable expert business online
Fulfil on your big vision, and
Lead the change you want to see in the world.

Who knows? Maybe together we can truly Stop the Madness.

Sales Funnels Explained

3 June 2018 by Almira Ross

Let's begin with the basics: What is a sales funnel? And how does it fit into and support your online expert business?

In marketing and selling your products or services online, you need to take your customer on a journey -- one that begins with their first awareness of you, and continues through to the point where they have not just bought from you, but continue to do so as a loyal customer.

There are 6 basic stages a buyer goes through. This is the model devised by Dr Philip Kotler and used really effectively by Bryony Thomas in her WaterTight Marketing book and programme.

Awareness -- through a social post or ad -- of you, your offerings, and how you may be able to help them.

Interest -- where they begin to show interest in what you do, perhaps by reading a blog post

Evaluation -- where they begin to suss you out and see if you really can deliver what you say you can.

Trial -- where they try out your products or services on a trial basis, via a training webinar, etc

Adoption -- when they actually buy that first product

Loyalty -- when you treat them so well, they keep coming back for more.

Your sales funnel maps the Evaluation, Trial and Adoption stages of the buyers journey.

And because your customer comes on a journey with you, it's important to meet them where they're at -- with an offering that matches the stage of their journey.

I call this FLIRT.

Free content at the awareness and interest stages.

Your Lead Magnet as interest grows and your potential customer begins to evaluate your offers

An Impulse Buy when they're ready to try your products or services to see what it's like to be your customer

Revenue products for the adoption phase and your Top End services for those loyal customers who love what you do.

Your Sales Funnels

Yes, you'll have more than one.

There are many different kinds of sales funnels, each one suited to a different type of product or service offering.

Here's my take on them.

Free Plus Shipping for a physical product you're using as a Lead Magnet. A book, CD, DVD that offers great value. Either the postage covers your costs, or you offer an additional product to do so.
Self-Liquidating Offer as the name implies, is one where you cover all your costs, not from the sale of your offer, but from an 'upsell' to a related, higher priced offering.
Continuity a special funnel where you offer the first month's subscription to your members' club or continuity programme at low or no cost, then immediately offer the full subscription. Enough people will take up this second offer to make this profitable.

These three funnels are ones you will use for low priced, high perceived value items -- your Impulse Buys.

When it comes to higher priced products and services, you'll need a different approach:

Sales Webinar where you conduct a live (or evergreen) webinar to sell a higher priced Revenue product or service.
Product Launch a special series of free live trainings which work really well to launch a Revenue product or service.
High Ticket Application for your Top End services. This begins online with a funnel that culminates in an online application. Thereafter, you take the sales conversation off line.

Is your Market Saturated?

7 May 2018 by Almira Ross

It's a very noisy world online. So how do rise above the noise and get your message out to your community? To others you know you are here to server?

One key element of this is recognising that we've reached a tipping point online on two fronts:

Research estimates that the average adult in the western world consumes 10 hours of content a day!
And, experts estimate at least a 500% increase in the amount of content produced in the next 5 years. Some as high as 1,000%.

On the one hand, you have an audience full to the brim and unable to engage with any more. On the other, a huge increase in the content available for them.

This is what Mark Schaefer refers to as 'Content Shock'.

How do you deal with this challenge?

You can't compete in a market that's already saturated. This is the bloodied ocean that Kim snd Mauborgne refer to in their excellent book Blue Ocean Strategy.

You must find a niche -- a special place where you have few if any competitors and then own that niche. This is your blue ocean. Swim in it. Create great content, grow your community there, and rise to the top, above the din and the noise.

Finding that Blue Ocean

Here's a cheap and cheerful way to know whether your market is saturated.

Type your keyword into Google in this way:

"Your Keyword" AND blog

This search will return all the blogs that are optimised for this keyword. Note at the top of the page the number of search results.

(Do this on a computer; a mobile device does not give you this critically important number).

What your results mean...

If there are:

Less than 10,000, you've found yourself a blue ocean, a special niche you can own. Get in there and create great content that engages your audience.
Between 10,000 and 100,000, your market is getting challenging. At the lower end, you could still make an impact. But it will be more difficult.
Between 100,000 and 1 million. This market is saturated. You'll need deep pockets to make any impact here, so my advice here -- and for the next category:
More than 1 million

DON'T BOTHER!

What if your search returned a million or more results?

Refine your keyword. Make it longer, add a demographic element to it, and keep playing. You'll soon find that Blue Ocean you're looking for.

How to Find the Influencers in your Target Market

22 April 2018 by Almira Ross

Finding and connecting with the key influencers and authorities in your field online should be an important part of your online marketing strategy.

But how do you do that easily?

A simple approach I learned from Pat Flynn in his book Will It Fly? A few of the right searches on social media platforms will give you a great list of the key players in your field.

Begin with Twitter. It's an excellent resource for finding the top people. The key here is to use their advanced search which you'll find at:

https://twitter.com/search-advanced

Of all the many fields you can stipulate here, only two are really relevant at this stage in your research:

"All of these words" for your keywords or target market and

Dates at the bottom of the form. Choose the last 3 months, to get the most up-to-date information on active influencers in your field.

Twitter ranks the results by the size of the following and also how active the account is. So check out their twitter feed and select those are both active and have a large following and add them to the People list on your Market Research Template.

Discover More About It Here

Use similar search facilities on other social networks like FaceBook, LinkedIn and Instagram, as appropriate to your target market.

iTunes -- Not Just for Music..

Another great place to look for those key persons of influence in your field is on iTunes. These are the podcasters, many of who have large and dedicated followings online. It's also a great place to find those experts who are interviewed on podcasts.

Go to iTunes, and in the search field key in your keyword. Select 'podcasts' and All to get a full display of all the podcasts related to your keyword. Generally speaking, the ones with the most authority are at the top.

Add as many of these to your Market Research Template as are relevant to your field.

Discover More About It Here

Plan your Marketing Messages

15 April 2018 by Almira Ross

For your messages to resonate with your audience, you need to plan them first. Use CLANS as a guide. This is an acronym for:

Understanding their Complaints
Using their LAnguage
Knowing their Needs -- or more importantly their wants
Finding the true Stories of transformation and change that will engage them

And then, giving them the right message at the right time in their journey with you. I'll consider that in a separate blog post.

Complaints

What is the biggest Complaint or Challenge your ideal customer experiences with respect to your topic or area of expertise?

One way to find these is through a forum search or Amazon reviews of the products you've identified.

An even better way is to ASK.

Best done 121. Next best by survey. Here are a few good questions to ask:

What frustrates you most about [your topic]?
How long have you had it?
What's that costing you now? Not just in terms of money, but time, effort, emotional or physical wellbeing
What have you done about it?

Then, importantly, explore their aspirations with a question like:

If you had a magic wand and could change anything [related to your topic and their pain/problem], what would it be?

Language

Make a careful note of the language they are using. Their complaints, their dreams, their words.

What questions are they asking? What exactly are they looking for? You can find those questions in the forums and the FAQs on those influencer sites you've identified.

You already know their complaints.

And finally, keywords. A great place for this, apart from the forums you've identified, is the free site answerthepublic.com. Here, you'll get a full list of all the long keywords people are actually using to find what they want and need.

Needs

From your research thus far, you will have identified both needs and wants. In the stories, in their complaints, they are looking for a solution.

What is it?

Find it and then sell them what they want, and give them what they need.

Stories

Those short, interesting stories that can have a massive impact on your audience. Find true stories.

The best place is in person. Capture these stories as accurately as you can. They are pure gold.

The next best place is to throw the net wider and do yet another forum search. Or listen to podcast interviews. They often contain amazing stories.

How to Sell Big Ticket Items Online

25 March 2018 by Almira Ross

There are several different types of sales funnel you can use to sell information products online.

But if you want to attract your dream client into your top end product -- or any high ticket programme -- you need a different strategy. This is what I've been developing lately, to sell my 6 month Courses that Sell Mastery mentoring programme.

It's a three step process. The first two occur online. For the third step, you change the selling environment to make sure your prospect has information they need to make an informed choice.

It's also your opportunity to screen candidates, so that you know -- as do they -- that this is the right programme for them right now.

Step #1

Begin with an enticing free or very low cost offer. Something that draws the right people to you. I'm going to be using a Free webinar to introduce my audience to Courses that Sell Mastery.

Let them know that this programme is by Application Only.

Step #2

Invite those who are interested to fill in the online application form. This serves two purposes:

It helps you understand about your prospect's business -- where they are now, and what they want to achieve.
More importantly, it pre-frames the prospect by getting them to sell you on why you should take them as a coaching client

This process weeds out those who are not ready for your programme, so you only call those who are a good fit.

Step 3

Once they complete the application, take them to a page that engages them with you and the programme, and explains what happens next...

A 121 call, where you deep dive into where they are now, what they want to achieve in the programme, and whether they are ready, with the resources they need, to be a part of it. Ask them why they think they are right for your programme.

And if they are right for it right now, take them through the sale.

If not, offer a different programme, or put them into your follow process, for when they are ready.