Wake Up Goddess - Ancient Arts Blog

Why Ads Don't Work and 1 Tweak That Changes Everything by Sharon Desjarlais and Michele McGrew

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:19:47 -0800

We hear this from big-hearted healers all the time: "My business-card ad used to get calls like crazy. But now...nothing."

Sadly, we're not surprised.

Here's what you need to know about advertising: It's designed to take readers through a 4-step psychological buying process known as AIDA, which stands for:

   1.   Attention
   2.   Interest
   3.   Desire
   4.   Action

As you can imagine, those are 4 very different experiences that usually happen over time. So expecting one ad to do all those things simply isn't reasonable.

One solution is to run an ad at least 7 times to create a sense of familiarity. But that gets expensive.

And even if you could invest all that money, when you offer an intimate service like holistic or spiritual healing, it's still too much of a leap to expect readers to go from a magazine to your doorstep.

Here's what to do instead: Do NOT plan your ad to lead to your service. Instead, plan it to lead to a free gift you're offering on your website that's delivered over time.

Let your ad do the work of attracting Attention and Interest and getting people to your website. Then give them a gift in exchange for giving you their name and e-mail address.

When you get them on your contact list and send them the gift of your wisdom over time, they begin to think of you as their trusted guide. And that's when they trust you to take care of them the moment they need your services.

What kind of gift should you share? Here are 3 guidelines:

Guideline #1: Your free gift should be delivered over 21 days without having to send it by hand.

Just like it takes 21 days to create a habit, it also takes time for your message to make an impact on your potential clients.

When you design your free gift to be delivered like love letters, a bit at a time, you can effectively create a relationship with thousands of potential clients as easily as courting just one.

Guideline #2: Your free gift should represent the spirit of your wisdom and your unique brilliance as a practitioner.

You may be a healer, even a hands-on healer, whose greatest gifts are offered in person. Yet you're a healer because you have a distinct viewpoint and beliefs about your work and the world that you feel overjoyed to share.

Allow yourself to claim your space as a teacher, mentor and guide in addition to being a healer.

When you point the way to inner peace and well-being, you perform a memorable service that potential clients appreciate and want more of.

Guideline #3: Your free gift has got to be generous.

Share valuable tips, tools or strategies people can use on their own, whether or not they hire you. That way you're serving at every level. And you're creating a sense of value in your work that goes beyond the modality you practice.

When you share your wisdom as an act of love, people want to express their love right back. And that usually comes in the form of happy clients who gladly pay your healthiest fees.

Not sure what gift to share or how to share it? We'll be helping you create that gift, soup to nuts, in our all-new Client-Rich Academy for Women in the Healing Arts. Check it out at www.ClientRichAcademy.com.

2 Quick Tips for Turning Consults Into Clients By Sharon Desjarlais & Michele McGrew

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:25:48 -0800

To the big-hearted healer, there's nothing sweeter than the sound of the telephone ringing.

That's the gift you get when you've written your website so wisely that potential clients feel compelled to call YOU.

Your job on the phone then is simply to confirm their hunch that you're the right practitioner for them.

But how? By answering all their questions? By giving them as much information about your services as you can?

Surprisingly, no. When you waste precious time telling someone all about YOU, you miss the opportunity to create a heart-to-heart connection that leads them to your door.

That's when they promise to call again soon. Sadly, they never do.

Does that ring a bell? Take heart. Once you master these 2 quick tips, you'll know how to create an instant bond that turns telephone consults into clients.

Tip #1: Listen Closely

It may sound silly but it's true. You want to really listen to what each individual has to say.

Even if you've worked with hundreds of people with the same issue, don't assume you understand what's going on with each one.

Instead, ask them what they're struggling with that inspired them to call you. Then give them space to share their story in their own words.

As you do, take note of exactly what they're saying that motivated them to reach out. And we mean exactly.

Let's say you're a light-touch practitioner who helps women overcome chronic migraines. Since every woman is different, find out why it's important for that individual to solve her pain.

One woman may be desperate because it's affecting her work. While another woman may be missing out on bonding time with her newborn son.

Whatever the pain, the motivation for finding an answer is distinct.

And before your callers will accept your solution, they want to feel fully seen and fully valued by you. That's when they're willing to let their guard down and trust you.

Tip #2: Be A Mirror

To make sure your caller feels fully witnessed, you want to reflect her own words back to her. And this is critical: Don't paraphrase. Use her exact words.

Words are symbols that have a deeply personal meaning for everyone. When you paraphrase, even a little, you think you're saying the same thing. But to your listeners, you're changing the meaning and the personal impact on them.

Here's an example...

Your client says: "Sometimes it's a challenge to get out of bed in the morning."

And you reply: "So even getting out of bed in the morning is challenging."

Those two thoughts may sound the same to you. But if your listener has an emotional attachment to the phrase "It's a challenge," your feedback just missed the mark. And you've missed making the emotional connection that would have led to a new client.

Instead, stay in sync with your listener by mirroring back to her what she said using her exact words.

Here's the simple phrase that turns consults into clients like magic: "So what I hear you saying is..."

When you become a receptive mirror to your caller, she'll hear "Yes, you totally get me," in her mind. And she'll say "Yes!" to a session with you.

3 Magic Questions for Making a Healing Decision By Sharon Desjarlais & Michele McGrew

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:52:51 -0800

Fiona is a talented holistic practitioner who knows her worth in the world.

She's got a big vision and an even bigger purpose - to help men and women struggling with Chronic Fatigue overcome the debilitating effects of their condition to live full, happy and productive lives again. Just like she did.

Yet just a few months ago, Fiona was struggling to choose her niche. Even though she was already serving a handful of Chronic Fatigue clients in her practice (and loving it!) like many big-hearted practitioners, she was hesitant to commit to serving just one type of client.

Then, in a recent coaching session, Fiona reconnected with the energy of her personal transformation, her own "Hero's Journey" to wholeness. Once she recognized the significance of her signature story, she made the bold decision to dedicate her practice to helping people just like her.

With that single commitment, she quickly mapped out a private program she knew would get her clients the results they wanted. Then she put together a simple list-building website designed to put her client attraction process on auto-pilot.

With the power of her decision to support her, Fiona is well on her way to creating a practice that will allow her to enrich more lives while making a very generous income.

Here's the secret Fiona discovered...

Decision is an act of creation. "At the moment of commitment, the universe conspires to assist you." - Goethe

When you decide and take action - even imperfect action - you activate forces seen and unseen that come together on your behalf.

That's why "decide and take action" is the #1 key to growing your practice into the big holistic and spiritual service you crave.

Are you on the fence waffling back and forth on a decision you want to make in your business? To help you move forward with confidence, ask yourself these 3 magic questions:

Magic Question #1: What gets to happen for me and my clients?

Commitment has consequences. When your intention behind a decision is positive, the results will be too.

So imagine that you're following your favorite client around for a day. What kinds of situations are you seeing in that are showing you she's experiencing the positive results of your decision?

When you're clear on what's possible for you and your clients, that's when it becomes easier to make a decision and take the next step.

Magic Question #2: Who do I get to be?

When you make a decision and step forward, you can't help but expand and become a bigger version of you.

So ask yourself, "As someone who has made the decision to _________, who do you get to be?"

Then wait for the answer. Who that person is will be more than you realize today.

Magic Question #3: How does this serve my higher purpose in the world?

As holistic and spiritual practitioners, we know how our commitment to our highest spiritual purpose continues to pull us forward, even when we feel less than confident.

To put the final touch on any decision you make, take a moment to notice how it supports your spiritual purpose in the world.

Then make that decision. Take a step forward. And watch for signs of affirmation.

Like Fiona discovered with her new niche, the affirmation from Universe is always there to support you!

3 Key Ingredients in a Client-Rich Website By Michele McGrew & Sharon Desjarlais

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:08:58 -0800

Candace spent 2 months crafting the perfect website for her healing practice. She chose soothing colors. Serene photos. Inspiring quotes.
Then she spent 6 months wondering why she didn't get any new clients from it.

Have you invested time, energy and money in a website that's not attracting more clients?

Take heart. With a few simple tweaks, you can change your website into a compelling source of hope that attracts new clients who call you.

Ingredient #1: A Transformational Home Page That Clearly Shows the Before and After

As a holistic or spiritual practitioner, you do what you do because you feel a deep inner call to transform lives in a profound way. You get a real sense of fulfillment when you guide your clients out of the pain and frustration they're in, into the beauty, wonder and wholeness of who they really are. That's a compelling vision. And one you need to show your visitors right away. After all, if the promise of your work isn't right there on your home page, your visitors may never click any deeper into the site.

Ingredient #2: A Gift That Gives Visitors Real Value, and Gives You Permission to Stay In Touch

When it comes to creating a relationship with new clients, your website is like a first date. Even if they're intrigued, unless you give them a reason to stick around, most visitors will leave your site and never return. That's why you want to give them a gift in exchange for giving you permission to stay in touch. Try a simple checklist, a guided meditation, a helpful report. Or one of our favorites: A how-to e-mail course delivered over time. As long as your free gift helps your visitors solve one of the pain points that brought them to you, they'll trust you to supply the rest. And they'll willingly wait to hear more.

Ingredient #3: A Personal Peek at the Real You

Your visitors don't want a relationship with your website. Or even your expert credentials. What they want is a relationship with YOU. So if your website lacks passion and soul, the experience will feel cold. And your visitors will turn away.
To form an energetic bond with your visitors, be willing to share something true about you. For instance:

Why do you love what your do?
What makes you so passionate about healing the particular challenges your clients are coming to you for?
In what way have you walked the same path as your clients?

Your open-hearted vulnerability will feel safe to your visitors. And they'll open their hearts to yo

Put Your Referral Process on Autopilot: 4 Ways to Systematically Nurture New Client Referrals By Sharon Desjarlais & Michele McGrew

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:10:25 -0800

Your clients are getting great results, right? They're overcoming their pain and obstacles by leaps and bounds and they're over the moon with the outcomes.

But for some reason they're not sending family, friends or neighbors your way in the form of referrals. So what's the deal?

First of all, don't take it personally. If you're not getting referrals from your happiest clients on a regular basis, you may simply need to put a strategy into place to Systematically Nurture new referrals in your practice.

Why is this so important? Because if you're nurturing referrals in your business you could be missing out on up to 25% of new clients. (Just think... What would you do with 25% more income in your practice this month?)

To help you out, here are our 4 favorite ways to Systematically Nurture clients to send you high-quality referrals on a consistent basis.

Systematic Nurturing Strategy We Love #1: 
Include a Referral Template in Every New-Client Welcome Kit

One of our favorite mentors has a saying we love: "An ounce of pre-framing is worth a pound of re-framing." And when you automatically include a referral template in all your new-client kits, you let your clients know right off the bat that you love getting new referrals.

Hot Tip: Keep these letters super simply by including one paragraph on each of the following:

How referrals work in your practice.
Who you love working with.
What your clients can do when they meet someone who would be perfect for your services.

Systematic Nurturing Strategy We Love #2:
Send Out Client-Appreciation Letters

This is a beautiful way to express your appreciation to those clients you really enjoy working with.

Start each letter with a personalize note telling your client how much you enjoy working with them. When you start your letter with a sincere expression of gratitude, your client feels valued and they want to reciprocate.

In the letter you should explain exactly what type of clients you're looking for (probably people just like them), the problems you help your clients overcome, and the benefits they receive when they work with you.

Then simple ask them if they know of anyone in their circle of family, friends, colleagues, etc. who could benefit from the work you do.

Hot Tip: Don't assume that just because someone is a client that they know how to explain what you do to others. Be proactive and include a short "script" they can use when introducing your services to others.

Systematic Nurturing Strategy We Love #3: 
Use Complementary Colleague Referral Letters

Once you know who you love working with, you can easily find other professionals in your community who serve those same people. When you identify colleague's whose skills complement your own, you can send them a Complementary Colleague Referral Letter.

Like the Client-Appreciation Letter, this letter contains information about the clients you serve, the problems you help them solve and the solutions you offer. But it also holds an invitation create a mutually beneficial referral relationship.

You can say something like: "Our work is so complementary, I'd love to see how we can become helpful resources for each other - and even more valuable resources for our clients."

Hot Tip: Don't just send a letter and hope for the best. Follow up! In the letter always let the recipient know that you will call them in a few days to discuss how you may be able to work together.

Systematic Nurturing Strategy We Love #4:
Create a Resource Guide for Your Clients to Use

When you're in the holistic and spiritual arts, there are other services you love to recommend that will support your clients in ways that you don't. You can do that effectively by creating a Resource Guide of trusted complementary practitioners for your clients to choose from.

When you refer other practitioners who complement your services, you create a network of sharing and a community of support. This is a gesture of good will that is a valuable asset to your clients AND activates the energy of cooperation (instead of competition) with your colleagues.

Hot Tip: If you want referrals, you've got to give them. When you send clients to other practitioners, this opens the door for them to do the same with you. This is the Law of Reciprocity in action. Do this and watch as a community of support forms around the needs of your Divine Right Client ~ creating more opportunities for everyone.

Money Secrets Revealed

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:46:17 -0800

Here are my top 3 take-aways from Kendall SummerHawk's "Secret Energy of Money" conference. Enjoy!

Take Away #1:
How You Do Money Is How You Do Everything

At first glance this may seem like a broad, sweeping statement. But when you pull off your blinders and look closely, you'll see just how true it is.

On one level, money represents what you get to do and have in the world. But in a much deeper way, it represents something about who you are and what you feel capable of receiving.

When you have difficulty receiving and keeping money in your business, chances are this energy pattern is showing up in other areas of your life as well.

If this is the case for you, ask yourself honestly, "What else am I not allowing myself to receive? What other good things am I letting slip through my fingers?" Love... help... relationships... acknowledgement... time...

How you do money is how you do everything. When you heal your relationship with money, that energy of worthiness and receptivity can't help but carry over into other areas of you life as well.

Take Away #2:
Spirituality & Success Are NOT Mutually Exclusive

This is not a new concept, but, sadly, it's one I see so many holistic and spiritual practitioners struggle with time after time.

The simple truth is, success and money do not make you less spiritual. In fact, if you are a kind, generous and giving person, money will give you the capacity to be even more of who you already are.

Making fabulous money allows you to move past your basic survival needs and into the energy spiritual abundance and sharing. Think about this... Have you ever wanted to help out a friend or family member, support a charity or give a beautiful gift for someone you love, only to look at your bank account and feel your energy contract?

When you look at what you truly want money for, you'll also see a hint of what you value in this world. And you'll begin to get an idea of what you can do and who you can BE when you're accepting and circulating abundance through your life.

Take Away #3:
The Power To Decide & Take Action Is Your Most Valuable Business Asset

We all like to have choices... what to wear, what to eat, how to spend our time and our money. Yet far too often we allow our fears and anxieties to strip us of our power to act on those choices. The result is inertia.

Instead of taking positive action, we stay stuck. We feel trapped by our circumstances and we're rendered powerless by our indecision.

No matter how much we say we want change, the ego mind tricks us into believing that we're not ready for it. Instead of making powerful decisions, we sit back and wait for the perfect time to take action ~ that golden moment when the stars align and we have all the time, money and resource we think we need to move forward.

But the truth is, if you do nothing, nothing will change. Conversely, once you make a decision to move toward your goals through inspired action, Universe will bend over backwards to help you make your decision a reality.

So what are you waiting for? Seize the day!

3 Keys to Identifying Your Divine Right Client

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0800

The other day I was chatting with my new business co-creator, Sharon Desjarlais, about what she calls your "Divine Right Client."

  This concept of the Divine Right Clients (DRC) transcends the idea of a "niche," or "target market" by recognizing that you and your DRC aren't just a good business fit, but an energetic match made in heaven!  

From this perspective you can see that you have a karmic agreement with your Divine Right Client to bring them the exact message, healing, counseling or wisdom that they need at the perfect moment in their lives when they are ready to receive it.  

 Wow! Just let that sink in for a minute.

But just knowing that your Divine Right Clients are out there isn't enough. You have to know how to identify your DRC and to align yourself with their needs so that you can unlock the door to their desires with your programs or services.  

Fortunately, we've got the 3 Keys to help you identify your DRC today!

The 1st Key:
Your Divine Right Client Has To Have a Problem & They Have to KNOW They Have a Problem

Don't assume that your potential clients see things the same way you do. What you may perceive as a problem, they may simply accept as an inevitable part of life, business, relationships, culture, etc.  

And if they don't really see the problem, chances are they're not looking for a solution. That puts you in the exhausting position of trying to convince potential clients that they need your help.  

Unfortunately, this often leads to a lot of wasted time, money and energy that you could channel into other areas of your business and your life.

Bottom line: You can't fix what they don't know is broken.

The 2nd Key:
Your Divine Right Client Has to WANT a Solution

Not only must your DRC be aware that they have a problem, but they must be in enough pain as a result of their problem that they would do anything to solve it.   

The more painful the problem, the more dire the need for a solution becomes, and the easier it is to connect people with the value of what you do.

  Your goal is to provide your DRC with a solution that makes them breathe a sigh of relief. If they don't, chances are there's a disconnect between what you're offering and what you're clients really want.   

Bottom line: It's easy to get people to invest in solutions they want.

The 3rd Key:
You Have to WANT to Work with Your Divine Right Client (Otherwise They're Not Really Your DRC, They're Someone Else's)

Believe it or not, a big part of attracting your DRC is to simply decide whom you want to work with.   

Working with clients who drain your energy, push your boundaries or test your limits is a sure fire recipe for disaster. Nothing will lead to burn out and apathy faster than working with people you don't enjoy serving. So don't do it!  

Instead, focus on attracting clients you can't wait to wake up in the morning to work with. When you do this, your practice is filled with joy and purpose ~ for you and your Divine Right Client.

  Bottom Line: Your Divine Right Client is someone you LOVE working with!

Happy Harvest Everyone!

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:50:37 -0800

Today is the Autumn Equinox. In my faith, this day is known as Mabon.

Mabon is a harvest festival. It is a magical and symbolic time of year when the seeds we planted in the Spring reach their full potential.

With the harvest, life is affirmed. The crops we planted in the ground received nourishment from the Earth and will now nourish our bodies in return for having planted them. It is part of an endless cycle that has sustained human life on this planet for centuries.

Likewise, the seeds you planted in the fertile soil of your consciousness are ready for harvest as well. The crops you nourished with your intention and attention are ripe and ready to be enjoyed. And with the harvest comes the celebration.

Celebrate your harvest by making time to laugh and play with friends and family. Take pleasure in the simple things… a cold dog nose on your cheek, the heavy footsteps of a growing child on the stairs, the familiar feel of your partner’s hand in your own.

Take nothing for granted, even your problems. Your problems are also part of your harvest. They teach you valuable lessons about life and about your karmic lessons and contracts. Honor your problems as the gifts they are.

Allow yourself to take in the fullness of the harvest. Let it sustain you and help you grow stronger, wiser and happier than ever. Blessed Mabon!

10 Tips To Get Out of Overwhelm & Activate Your Divine Feminine

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0800

One of the biggest concerns I hear from my spiritual business owners is that they're just stretched too thin.

Trying to juggle business, family and your personal and spiritual needs can be a challenge, especially if you're trying to play therole of Super Woman.
 
Yes ladies, we can HAVE it all, but that doesn't mean we have to DO it all!

  The energy of the Divine Feminine is RECEPTIVE in nature.

When you reach out and ask for help, and allow yourself to
receive it, you free up tons of time, space and energy to
focus on high-payoff activities in your business and your life.
 
Here are 10 areas of your personal life that you can hire someone to help you with today...                         
•    Cleaning Your Home or Office
•    Lawn Maintenance & Yard Work
•    Laundry Service
•    Home Repairs
•    Vehicle Detailing & Maintenance
•    Personal Bill Paying & Bookkeeping
•    Running Basic Errands for You (Post Office, Bank, Grocery Shopping, Etc.)
•    Assisting with Child Care
•    Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
•    Meal Preparation
 
Coach's Request
Take a look at this list and tally up all the time that you spend each month on these tasks. Then, select one activity that you can let go of right away.

  When you do this, it's like depositing money into your time bank. That time can then be spent on the areas of your business or your life that truly need and deserve your attention!

Watch Your Income Soar By Activating These 2 Energetic Principles Today

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Today I am celebrating. Why? Because it's payday here at Wake Up Goddess and I just cut myself a healthy check in recognition of all of the hard work, passion and dedication I've put into my business.

  So... when's the last time you paid yourself?   

Paying yourself is an important key in honoring the divine feminine business leader you're becoming. So don't skip out on this rewarding and affirming act of writing yourself a check each week.  

When You Pay Yourself Regularly 2 Energetic Principles Are Activated:

  Energetic Principle #1   

When you pay yourself regularly you activate the Law of Circulation in your business.   

Energetic Principle #2

  When you pay yourself regularly you activate the Energy of Receiving in your life.

  Your Next Money Move

With this energy in mind, I'm going to boldly ask you to do 2 things in your business, starting right now:  

Step #1 ~ Pay Yourself Every Single Week Without Fail  

Choose one day each week to write yourself a check out of your business account to allow yourself to connect with the energy of receiving on a consistent basis.

  Even if you're only able to write yourself a $100 (or $10) check, the simple act of writing and cashing it activates these two vital energy forces in your business and begins to instantly improve your relationship with money.  

So pay yourself every week and remember to treat your paydays as a sacred part of your energetic business plan.

  Step #2 ~ Add An Energetic "0"

  Every time you write yourself a check, add an energetic "0" to the amount. So if you write yourself a check for $100, imagine receiving $1,000, if the check is for $500, imagine receiving $5,000 and so on.  

Make sure to connect with the FEELING of receiving this larger amount. Let it resonate within the cells of your body and awaken your prosperity gene. Then watch as your check grows and grows over time.   

Remember, your goal as a successful spiritual business owner is to create a business that supports you. By activating the Law of Circulation and the Energy of Receiving you're on your way to powerfully doing just that.