Metromom. connecting women, creating change

Most of us know that social networking is the place to be for online marketing. As entrepreneurial moms, we have to balance how much time we spend on this with our family obligations. So, the question becomes, “Are you using it effectively as a lead generation tool?”

At my recent Metromom Online Success Telesummit, I spoke with Nancy Marmolejo, a mom entrepreneur and a Social Networking Strategist. She has some magic secrets for turning social networking followers into fans and those fans into leads and I want to share them with you.

Nancy calls it the social media impact cycle. Here’s how it works for your target audience:

First, she starts off as an observer. She sees all kinds of people online. Maybe she belongs to a group, or is just looking randomly at Twitter or Facebook and seeing the whole stream. Nothing in particular is popping out at her – she’s just an observer.

Then, something happens that piques her interest and she goes from an observer to a follower. Something makes her say, “That person is a really interesting individual. I’m always getting these incredibly helpful hints from her. I think I’ll get a little bit closer and become a friend or follower.”

Next, a follower becomes a fan because she loves the way your personality shines as you communicate with people in an authentic way. She begins to tell other people about you. She retweets your stuff, shares your posts on Facebook, and makes a recommendation for you on LinkedIn. You’ve earned her trust by showing yourself to be credible.

Finally, that fan can easily transition to becoming a lead. She might sign-up for a call that you’re doing or for your free ezine or subscribe to your blog.

And ultimately, once a fan becomes a lead, she easily turns into a client. She has developed a trust in you. She already feels as if she knows you because you have been putting yourself out there in such an authentic way. She knows she wants to work with you.

How does the whole process really work? It’s based on value, credibility and trust. These are the three primary triggers that will move somebody to become a lead and ultimately your client. Just remember that it will take time because it takes a lot for people to develop trust – this is not an overnight strategy.

There are so many more tips on what to do and what not to do. If you would like to listen to my entire interview with Nancy Marmolejo, “How to Turn Followers Into Fans (and Fans into Leads!) With Social Networking”, click here. It will help you to avoid some of the common mistakes that could cost you fans, followers, and ultimately sales.

It can be overwhelming trying to figure out who to connect with on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Should you friend and/or follow everyone? How can you really use the social networking platform in a truly authentic way?

I gained some valuable insight into this process when I spoke with my friend Amy Miyamoto,  at the Metromom Online Success Telesummit. Amy, who has thousands of friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter, and has developed them into authentic sharing relationship, provided many great tips on how to make meaningful connections.

The first step is to really be clear on who you are. How would you define yourself in one word?

Personally, I’ve always thought of myself as a “connector” but after reading the book “The Go-Giver,” I’ve decided those two words feels much better to me. A “Go-Giver” is someone who’s more concerned with “how can I give” than “what can I get.”  The beauty of choosing your own “word” is that once you sit in the space of your  word, it dictates how you put yourself out there and therefore how you come across to others.

Next, at the heart of authentically showing up in all that you do is recognizing the importance of being known, liked and trusted. People want to see who you really are, which then allows you to attract the right people, whether its mentors, potential joint venture partners or potential clients.

Amy also shared three different kinds of friends and follower to have in the social media landscape:

1. The “Influencers.” These are usually the first ones you look for—the experts in your industry. Ask yourself: Who do you want to learn from? Who are the mentors you want to get involved with? You’ll want to start friending and following those people.
2. “Colleagues.” These are people both in your industry as well as connected with people who are working with your same target market. They are a wonderful source of potential joint venture partnerships.
3. “Potential Clients.” This would include people who might be connected to potential clients. For example, my clients are entrepreneurial moms, so I would also want to look for people who know these moms.

By creating these types of connections you’re building a foundation that opens up many doors of opportunities. Each one is like making a deposit of social capital in your social bank account. If you spend time creating a quality base in the beginning, versus just focusing on numbers for numbers’ sake, you can appreciate that the exponential growth will be quality related.

This is only the beginning when it comes to social networking, To listen to my entire interview with Amy Miyamoto, “How to Leverage the Power of Social Media to Create a Community of Raving Fans and Still Have Time for Your Family and Yourself”, click here. FYI – She shares the one essential component for maximizing your Social Media success that most people are missing.

I want to share a little bit about what’s transpired over this last year since I launched Metromom. It’s just one year ago that I put 1,000 letters into the mailbox setting them free for the world to hear about my exciting new launch.

I remember that it was one year ago because it’s the day that we were leaving for Martha’s Vineyard., and we always leave the week before July 4^th. At 4:30 in the morning, my daughter and I stood before a mailbox and said a beautiful prayer as we set these 1,000 letters out into the universe. I was letting my friends and family know my vision, and I was beginning a thrilling journey..

It’s interesting to reflect on the words I used to describe a Metromom – a “driven, evolving woman” – because I see how my business has been evolving from the very beginning. There have been a few major shifts (or maybe leap is the better word) along the way I’d like to share with you…

Leap #1 – Opening my doors to a wider community

In that letter I sent out a year ago I explained how I’d created an online community – The Metromom Direct Sales Association – for all women in direct sales businesses to receive training, promote themselves, and connect with other like-minded women. But within a month, I was receiving queries from women who were not in direct sales. They were approaching me saying, “I’m a graphic designer.” “I’m a realtor.” “I’m a coach.” “I’m not in a direct sales business, but I really love what you’re doing. I’d love to be a part of what you’re doing. Would that be possible?”

Another thing happened at this same time. I received a letter from the Direct Selling Association of Washington, DC. They were not happy with the association name I’d chosen – The Metromom Direct Sales Association. They thought I was infringing on their name. I spoke with my lawyer who said, “Kim, we probably could fight it, but is it worth it?” that was an eye-opening moment for me. I thought, “You know what? I really would love to serve entrepreneurial women in general.”

I happily gave up the name of The Metromom Direct Sales Association and swapped it for The Metromom Entrepreneur’s Association. The time had come to open my doors to a wider community of women.

Leap #2 – Acknowledging my voice as a mom

When I first launched Metromom, I had a male coach who said, “Kim, I don’t really get it. Every time you talk about your company called Metromom, you talk about women, but you never use the word ‘mom’ in the description. Why are you not using the word ‘mom’? Your company is MetroMOM.” I had excuses but no good answer at the time.

I soon realized that I can’t look at the world any other way than as an entrepreneurial mom. I have three kids and everything that I do is based on how I want it to work for me as a woman juggling my business and my children. My experiences are now colored through the eyes of a mother’s lenses. I don’t know how to do it any differently and more importantly I realized that I don’t want to do it any differently.

The truth is I don’t exclude women who are not moms from joining Metromom, but the voice with which I speak is going to be that of one who is a true Metromom, a driven mother looking to balance her work and family on her own terms. Once I stepped into that place, all of a sudden my writing was more fun and more authentic. In fact I was creating A LOT of content which leads to another shift…

Leap #3 – Time to become THE resource for mom entrepreneurs

About six months after going live my web designer approached me and said, “Kim, you know what? I know we just designed this great site, but I think it needs to change again. You’ve got so much content and so much available to these women, but it’s kind of hard to find. It’s buried within the site. I’d really love to see you feature more people in your role as a connector and get all your great resource material out in front.”

I had honestly never envisioned that. Who would’ve thought of me as the content queen especially when writing isn’t easy for me? With the help of my collaborative copywriter, I really had become a huge resource for content on marketing, mindset and motherhood. We set about to re-launch the site creating a much different, interactive, content-rich site than it was back in July of 2008.

Leap #4 – The “Get It Done Girl” emerges

When I initially launched Metromom, part of the vision for me was to reflect how much I enjoy connecting with other women. I felt really comfortable in my role as a great “connector”. Through some pretty great coaching I experienced back in February, I was also able to acknowledge that I’m also an incredible “implementer”. I really do get things done quickly.

I emerged from that coaching session as the “Get It Done Girl”. I stepped into that and owned it. All of a sudden I realized my language started to shift. A good friend of mine said, “Kim, I feel like your DNA has shifted, your whole posture has changed.”

With this renewed sense of confidence I was able to tackle some monumental tasks. The first one was implementing my site redesign. I didn’t know how to execute it but I had great clarity about the experience I wanted my visitors to have and I pulled together brilliant people who knew how to implement my ideas.

I was simultaneously putting together the Metromom Online Success Telesummit that went live in May. That event was a great combination for me as connector plus implementer. I gathered together amazing experts to provide the content I’d learned that my community of Metromoms really wanted and needed to support them in their business growth.

With these huge leaps you’d think that I’d settle into a groove. Not a chance! I have some great new programs I’m rolling out shortly because of a whole other shift I’ve recently taken. I’ll share more in an upcoming blog…

I’ve been able to move my company authentically in the right direction and serve that entrepreneurial mom because she is me. She is so many other women that I know and love. It’s easy to think of her and make sure I’m doing my best to provide her with content, resources and programs that serves her in a way that works for her.

As I relax this week with my family on Martha’s Vineyard I can look forward to another great year! A big thank you to all of you that have supported me along the way!

I just finished recording my Wrap-Up call for the Metromom Online Success Telesummit where I shared my highlights. It’s been a fascinating two weeks as I interviewed 18 different internet marketing experts who shared tips on how to maximize your online presence.

I think what I found the most interesting was how the expertise of the different speakers weaved together. In the end I discovered consistent references to what it takes to be successful in today’s economy.

Let me share some of my highlights of the four online success principle I discovered:

1. You Need to be Authentic

One theme that kept coming up from was the importance of being authentic in your marketing. I heard it from Nancy Marmolejo as she talked about social networking, Michele PW as she shared copywriting tips, and Wendy Maynard as she discussed blogging. They all said basically the same thing – the key to being successful online is to be authentic and create relationships that are mutually beneficial. Laura West then really pulled this authenticity theme together when she spoke about “Attraction Marketing.”

2. Make Sure You Use Every Avenue to Connect

Jennifer Odear and Caleb Scoville really helped clarify how you can maximize your expertise by using all the different ways of communicating. Jennifer spoke about recycling your content and using it in your blog, articles, press releases, newsletters and more. Then Caleb shared how to take that very same content and use it in podcasts and YouTube videos.

What’s great is that once you have some content there are so many ways to get it out there. Alicia Forest gave great tips on using content to build your list. Amy Miyamoto showed how to tie your content into your social networking, Shannon Cherry shared publicity tips and Ty Downing shared easy-to-implement SEO ideas.

3. Moms Especially Need Foolproof Systems

Busy women juggling a business and a family need more then great ideas. They need help implementing proven systems that will get the money pouring in. Beth Schneider and Erin Blaskie gave fantastic tips on how to build a solid team and then create systems to keep things running smoothly. Jennifer Haubein shared how technology can help you set-up a website that helps you build relationships effortlessly. Debbye Cannon shared tips specific to moms on how to keep their family thriving as they build their business.

4. Get Your Mindset Prepared for Success

No amount of internet marketing strategies will help you achieve your goals if you’re stuck with a negative attitude or mindset. Victoria Colligan and Traci Long, from Ladies Who Launch, were truly inspirational as they shared how to take the next step in your business. Gina Bell shared how to identify and eliminate resistance to self-promotion and success.

The Metromom Online Success Telesummit is live (and free) for 2 days – May 1^st and 2^nd you can listen to any or all of the experts for free. Click here to learn more! Once you listen I’d love to hear your feedback so come back and post your comments. What were some of the highlights for you?

When I started planning my Metromom Online Success Telesummit I was torn on whether to focus exclusively on marketing techniques or to expand it to include mindset tips as well. Then I realized that no amount of learning will help you achieve your goals if you’re stuck with a negative attitude or mindset. That’s why I created the final track of the Telesummit to be about – How to Put It All Together With the Right Mindset.

I’m really excited to have two fantastic speakers from Ladies Who Launch join me for this track of the Telesummit: Victoria Colligan, the Founder of Ladies Who Launch, is one of my personal heroines. If you’re hesitating about taking the next step in your business make sure you listen to this call on, 7 Steps to Realizing Any Dream.

Traci Long the Chief Revenue Officer of Ladies Who Launch specializes in competitive marketing positioning. She’ll get you motivated and then show you how to execute your plan during her talk on Building the Foundation of your Brand to be a Lucrative Business. Traci will show us how building your brand isn’t just about your logo and your tagline.

I’m also really happy to have two of my “business” girlfriends sharing mindset tips at the Telesummit:

Laura West, the founder of Center for Joyful Business, specializes in supporting women entrepreneurs in creating a business that is meaningful AND that makes money! She makes marketing simple and takes the confusion and fear out of promoting your business with integrity and grace. I’m really looking forward to her talk on, Attracting Clients and Building Strong Relationships: 5 Easy Attraction Marketing Tools

According to my friend, Gina Bell, “Belief is the bridge between your dreams and your dreams come true!” Gina is the co-Founder of TheNetworkingMasters.com and creator of JVmavens.com. Hers passion is to work with motivated entrepreneurs who are ready to identify and eliminate their resistance to self-promotion and success. If you feel stuck, you’ll love her talk, Not Sure You Can Succeed? Get a Believability Makeover!

I honestly believe that the right mindset is the number one determining factor of success in business and in life. Which why I can’t express how grateful I am that these four wonderful women have agreed to share their “mindset gems” at the Telesummit. Especially now, it can be challenging to stay positive. It’s easy to become negative when faced with negative influences in our life – be it a skeptical friend or family member or the never-ending media cycle of more and more bad news.

If you feel like you could benefit from some positive (and practical) encouragement please join me and listen in on these calls May 1^st and 2^nd – there is no charge to participate in the Metromom Online Success Telesummit.

I’m a big believer in showing my kids what I do professionally, and use any opportunity I can come up with to include them, whether that’s helping me type up blog entries (which my 9-year old son loves to do) or using my postage meter to send out CD mailings.

Fortunately, my local news station in New Haven CT, keeps inviting me back. The timing’s worked well for each of my three children to participate separately and see what it’s like for mommy to get all wired up, and have the commotion of the cameras, buttons and different stage sets. This morning I brought my 6-year old son Dane with me while I was interviewed by Chris Velardi about how women can best utilize the web to grow their businesses. While I don’t think Dane focused on the content of the interview as much as where we were going for breakfast afterwards, I know that these messages are seeping in.

For two days (48 hours total) on Friday May 1st and Saturday May 2nd, 18 speakers will share their wisdom about taking your online business to the next level. Not only is the content incredibly “how-to” focused but it’s F^REE. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from speakers such as Nancy Marmolejo, Michele PW, Victoria Colligan, Shannon Cherry, Alicia Forest, Laura West, Gina Bell & more. Enjoy the video and learn more by visiting this page.

Learn more by visiting: http://MetromomTelesummit.com

With our current economy, you’ve probably been hearing a lot of bad news lately. Well, I want to share some good news with you. Women entrepreneurs, especially moms, are harnessing the power and flexibility of internet marketing to design businesses and lifestyles on their own terms. They’re making millions of dollars working-at-home on their own schedule.

Take a look at a recent article in Time magazine about our changing times, “At no other time in recent history has it been easier or cheaper to start a new kind of company.” The article goes on to discuss the advantages of Web-based businesses that cost almost nothing to get off the ground and can turn into great moneymakers.

Whether you want to get a new business off the ground or just want to use the Internet to expand your current business income, you need more than great ideas. Basically, there are the three things you must know in order to grow your business and maximize your time and energy.

• You need to know which internet marketing strategies will work best for your business.
• You need to be building your team because you can’t go it alone.
• You need to start implementing proven systems that will get the money pouring in.

If you’re serious about taking your business to the next level I hope you’ll join me for on May 1st & 2nd for the F^REE Metromom Online Success Telesummit. It really is F^REE to listen to 18 online marketing experts (like Nancy Marmolejo, Shannon Cherry, Beth Schneider, Michele PW, Alicia Forest) share the latest techniques and creative ways to build your business and thrive in this new economy.  During the Summit you can listen to what you want, when you want (completely around your schedule) so there isn’t a single reason why you shouldn’t check it out.  #mtmm09

In preparation for the Metromom Online Success Telesummit on May 1^st and 2^nd, I’ve been very busy interviewing 18 internet marketing experts, and quite honestly I’m amazed by the quality of content they’re providing. What really struck me yesterday was the constant underlying theme that kept coming up from all of the experts – the importance of being authentic in your marketing.

I heard it from Nancy Marmolejo as she talked about social networking, Michele PW as she shared copywriting tips, and Wendy Maynard as she discussed blogging. They all said basically the same thing – the key to being successful online is to be authentic and create relationships that are mutually beneficial.

A mom entrepreneur that I find especially inspirational – because of her authenticity – is Amy Miyamoto. As a mother of 3-year old twins, Amy is (in my mind) the ultimate Metromom! She will also be speaking at the Telesummit on How to Leverage the Power of Social Media to Create a Community of Raving Fans and Still Have Time for Your Family and Yourself.

I love the way Amy is promoting her talk. She created the YouTube segment above to explain what she’ll be sharing.  What really appeals to me about video messages is that I find it to be a great medium to let your personality shine through. (FYI – Amy will share how she created this message really quickly.)

If doing business authentically and on your own terms is important to you, you don’t want to miss hearing from these experts. Visit this page to learn more about what they’ll be sharing. #mtmm09

Men make up 82% of the recession’s job losses, which means countless women are out there looking for work to make up for the lost paycheck. The problem is it’s almost impossible to find a job right now, so for many women their only hope is to get a home-based business up and running as quickly as possible. The internet provides these women with endless options and increased flexibility.

I strongly believe that having a website is now a necessity for every entrepreneur – even for the mom working part-time in her basement. I’m in the same situation as many women, since my husband lost his job five months ago. I understand the challenges facing work-at-home moms. “Most women I speak with are overwhelmed with the internet – they’ve heard about great tools like blogs, Twitter, Facebook, podcasts, and YouTube but don’t know where to start. They don’t want to waste time on things that won’t have a direct impact on their bottom line.” Due to the monumentally increased financial pressure on moms, these women need help figuring out how to use the internet to generate an income quickly.

With so many struggling, I’ve decided to host a virtual Telesummit to help as many women as possible learn how to use the internet to prosper and profit. I chose a Telesummit as the ideal way for women to learn without travel costs and time away from their family. On May 1st and 2nd women worldwide can access trainings from eighteen highly-respected, nationally-recognized online experts who’ve agreed to share their best internet marketing strategies for absolutely no charge. (Speakers include: Nancy Marmolejo, Michele PW, Alicia Forest, Victoria Colligan and Beth Schneider)

Women (and men) will be able to access free training seminars by calling from their phone or by listening via the Internet. Learn more about the Metromom Online Success Telesummit taking place May 1st and 2nd.  #mtmm09