If we’ve worked together at all it’s likely that I’ve talked to you about the value of building your email list and using it as an integral way of staying in touch with your clients and your greater audience. And, many of you have also heard me say “do as I say, not as I do”, since I have not been using email in the way that I always encourage my clients to. In fact the last email campaign I sent out was in early 2020 (at the start of Covid), and before that it had been several years! (slap on the wrist).

Why, you may be asking yourself, did I not take my own advice? Well, the reasons are many (and none of them are particularly good). I figure I’ll share those with you here,  in the hopes of encouraging you to get over some of the myths and misconceptions that have held me back.

Here are a few thoughts that have come to mind as I’ve justified my lack of action:

• I’m way too far behind in keeping my email list updated to ever get caught up.

• I don’t have time to write lengthy articles every month.

• I don’t have anything to say anyway.

• What if people don’t like it and unsubscribe from my list?

• What if I start and then am unable to keep it up? I don’t want to fail at this, in front of all my clients.

• I don’t want to be annoying or pushy or to sound like I’m trying to sell them something.

• I’m too busy, and don’t need any more clients right now. Better not do any outreach, for fear that the phone might ring.

Any of this sound familiar? 

I thought so.

That being said, I’ve also had these thoughts: 

• I wish I had an easy way to send all my clients a message at once when I have important info to share.

• I wish I had a way of automating messages that I end up sending over and over again.

• I wish I could guide new clients through my on-boarding process in an automated, but  helpful, not-overhelming way.

• I wonder if our past clients and colleagues have any idea we’re still around or know what we’re up to now.

Any of that happen to strike a chord? 

Yup.

All that to say, I’ve decided to start walking the walk! I’ve updated my email list, cleaned up my graphics and forms, created a rough plan and am currently writing the first email (that you are now reading) in what I hope to be an ongoing stream of information created to inspire, inform and entertain you. You might even hear from some of the other creative minds on our team from time to time. We’ll share news from the studio, recent projects, insights we’ve learned and advice to keep you and your business growing creatively.

I’ll also be using this format to guide new clients into our systems, stay in touch with current clients and keep you all in the loop on what’s going on in our (virtual) studio from time to time.

We hope you enjoy what we have to offer! And we’d love to hear from you with any feedback or suggestions for topics!

Ok, I’m off to do some of that other “walk the walk” stuff, like create a social media post for my business social profiles.

Or maybe I’ll go walk the dog instead.

Either way, until next time, stay creative my friends

Thanks,

 

 

 

 

 

“Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.”  ~William Plomer

One of my words for 2019 is Connection. I recently took inventory of all the local people with whom I’m connected that offer a service. I included anyone I feel 100% confident in what hey bring to the table, and that I’d happily refer to friends and family.  Some are obvious connections related to people close to me and my family or that I work with in business. Others are seemingly unconnected, but I know and trust them and have vetted them myself in one way or another. I don’t know about you, but I make most of my service purchasing decisions based on whether someone I know and trust has worked with them and gives me their seal of approval. There are so many options out there, and everyone claims to be the best at what they do. How are you to know? Often I find myself “asking the Facebook” for recommendations or calling on my closest friends and family for who they know, like and trust. Well, for what it’s worth…if you, or someone you know has a need, I’d be more than happy to connect you with someone I know, like and trust and feel confident will take good care of you and your needs. Here’s a list of who I know. Let me know if I can make an introduction. Health and Wellness – Massage – Acupuncture – Chiropractic – DoTerra (Essential Oils) – CBD Oils – Energy Healing – Homeopathy – Naturopathic Medicine – Movement Therapy – Physical Therapy – Fitness Trainer/Coach – Nutritional Consultant – Vision Therapy – Yoga Therapy – Herbal Wellness – Primary Care and Pediatrics – Insurance (Health, LIfe and Supplemental) Home Services – Real Estate Broker (Residential and Commercial) – Mortgage Broker – Home Inspector – Electrician – Builder – Landscape Maintenance – Landscape Architect – Landscape Design – House Painter – Interior Designer – Lighting Design – Tree Service – Pest Elimination – Heating and Air – Insurance (personal, home, auto, etc) Personal Services – Personal Chef/Prepared Meals – Hair Stylist – Makeup Artist – Aesthetician and Hair Removal – Photographer – Artist – Auto Body Repair – Auto Mechanic – Attorney (Personal, Immigration) – Parenting Coach – Grief Counselor – Life Coach – Relocation/Moving – Fertility Nutrition – Child and Family Therapy Business Services – Insurance – Bookkeeper – Accountant – Business Coach – Financial Advisor – Prosperity Coach – Business Attorney – Printer – Website Developer – Copywriter – SEO Marketing – Online Paid Marketing – Social Media Management – Photographer – Videographer – Public Relations – Fleet Vehicle Maintenance – Event Coordinator If you’d like to be added to this list or feel you’ve been missed…lets set up a time to connect so I can be reminded of how awesome you are! Or, if you are connected to anyone that offers a service not on this list and you know, like and trust them, I’d love to meet them too and would appreciate an introduction! Until then, stay creative my friends!   ~Sabrah

Hooray! We came up with a name for our blog! And someday soon, we’ll have a blog to go with it. Promise.

It will be a fabulous resource filled with important digital resources and stories of success that will remind you of all the things you *should* be doing to grow your business.

For now, know that we are working hard in other ways to make sure your business gets the online and print exposure it needs to succeed. Therefore the blog must wait. We won’t judge you for neglecting your blog either. Promise.