I remember when I got a gig writing a column for PC Week. A wonderful mentor of mine introduced me to the top brass there, and I offered to help de-mystify new technologies for their corporate audience. I wrote up 5 sample columns for free to show them how I might be of service to their readers. I brought benefits, not demands, to the table – and I got the job!

Because of my articles, I started getting hundreds of letters each month. I’d read every word and respond to them as a show of thanks to the editor for hiring me to write those columns. So what’s my point?

While it’s easy to get carried away by the heady feeling of a magazine profile, a favorable mention of your company, or a microphone stuck under your nose, remember that the media isn’t there to serve you. You’re there to serve them.

Think of the media as an extension of your network. In fact, they will be one of your best resources if you treat the relationship wisely. Find ways to serve them and they may become some of your best friends. So this week, ask yourself these questions:

–How can I be a connector?
–Can I put journalists in touch with helpful sources?
–Can I put business people in touch with one another?
–Is there an information gap that I can plug?

And remember–the key here is not to have a Rolodex you can “work”. After all, do you really want to be one of those insincere types who pull up their Outlook contact notes to ask how somebody’s spouse (fill-in-the-name) is doing when you don’t really care? That’s not what you want. You want REAL relationships formed over GREAT experiences.

(Now my plug! If you’re building a 7 Figure Business, the BEST place to find those like-minded people is my 7 Figure Business Building Summit. The early bird special price ends in less than two weeks, so click through now – and don’t forget, you can still bring a friend for half price! That’s TWO of you for $1,497 – unbelievable.) http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com  

To your success and your winning relationships!

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: This is the ONE event you must be at this year (if you’re REALLY ready to rock your business and rock your life:
http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com

What is the one thing that holds you back from achieving your dreams?

Is it money? Time? Lack of resources? I don’t think so.

I’ll bet anything that it’s the fear of failure. But you’re in good company, because this is the single biggest hurdle to success that people have. Truth be told, you’re going to have some so called “failures” in life, sometimes one right after another. But if you want to be a successful entrepreneur or intrapreneur, you have to embrace risk instead of running from it.

Take a stab at opportunity whenever it presents itself. You won’t always measure up (I sure haven’t) but that doesn’t mean you have to walk away from the game. Remember–you’re playing to WIN, not to avoid losing. So how exactly do you bounce back from any failure without as much as a scratch? By learning to “fail forward”.

When things don’t go your way, just take a breath, regroup, and bounce back higher and harder. It’s okay to fall down seven times…just as long as you get back up at least eight times. And every time you get up, you’ll be stronger, wiser, and better suited to take on the next challenge.

Here’s an easy way to get started right away: write the words “Fail Forward” with a big Sharpie on a blank sheet of paper and tape it somewhere where you can see it. That way, when those inevitable failures happen (and they will), you’ll always be reminded that you’re not taking a step backwards…but a step forward, towards your goal.

Trust me–it’ll help tremendously to Make Your Venture Mighty!

Until next time, Christine

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Do not miss my FREE CD on building a 7 Figure Business, there are only a couple hundred left, and they’re VITAL to building your 7 Figure Success Story. http://www.bit.ly/iBmuI

The Number One Rule of Sales:  The Inner Game of Sales = Perseverance

Step Six:  Last but not least, HANG WITH THE WINNERS, people.  You will be MUCH more likely to find mentors, inspiring friends and yes, even clients when you’re with the BEST of the best.  If you’re seriously on the road to your 7 Figure Success and ready to FIND those winners (and learn from ME, in person), then you MUST be at my 7 Figure Business Summit is in April.  Seats are going fast http://www.bit.ly/5dHdCp and the early bird pricing ends in just a few DAYS.  AND, if you hurry, you can still bring a friend for half price.  (Yes, that’s two of you for $1,499.)

PS:  Here’s the link again to the 7 Figure Business Summit:  http://www.bit.ly/5dHdCp

Way too often, we’ll go rushing in to sell our product or service BEFORE we’ve done our three-step check.  BEFORE You Ask for the Deal:#1 Be SURE you have identified your prospect’s needs. If you’re NOT sure, ASK them. Sometimes the simple approach is the best approach.

#2 Be SURE you have presented a solution to your potential client’s needs.

#3 Feel confident!  You have earned the right to ask them to buy your recommended solution or service … So ASK for the deal! This is where a lot of companies and service providers blow it.  They wait for the prospect to ask THEM. People, we’re not in a bar waiting for an invite to dinner. You’re the one who does the asking here.

A PERFECT example of this three-step check is my 7 Figure Business System CD.

Number one, I identified the PAIN (um, can we say agony) that business builders go through (often, it’s systemization and almost ALWAYS it’s no mentor – or worse, the WRONG mentor).

Number two, I gathered up the 45 “must have” business documents, procedures, templates tutorials and worksheets that I insist my OWN mentees use AND I put them into a free CD for you guys (you pay only the shipping).  THEN, I put together a killer video mentoring project – and with the free CD, you get 2 weeks for FREE to try this mentoring program. Finally I made the program REALLY affordable – no kidding – solving the mentoring CRISIS that many of you go through. (After your two-week trial, unless you notify us, you will be automatically enrolled |in this $97 a month Exclusive Training Program.)

Number three, I put the offer out there!  (You can grab your copy now and ROCK the two-week trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV)  Be sure to get YOUR offers out there in a way that your clients see them.  Whether it be one-on-one in a killer sales meeting, or over the web to your friends, fans and followers.

ROCK your business people!  It’s TIME. 

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Grab your copy now and ROCK the two-week trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV

#1. Networking = Sometimes, fewer leads of higher quality.  The most important thing you need to focus on here is “palm up networking.” Remembber, palm up networking is the spirit of giving first, getting later. It’s one of the best ways to form a connection with others. Find out what they care about, and help them get it. You’ll get yours in time. 

#2. Higher quality leads = Pre-qualified leads. If your sales leads are introduced to you from a current client, or from a sales prospect, you immediately have gained the lead’s trust (at least initially) due to your association with the person who introduced you (translated: referrals, referrals, referrals).

#3. Get your networking “tools” together: Plaxo.com, LinkedIn.com, Meetup.com, BNI.com, etc.

#4. Build emotional equity! Energy = Equity, Equity = Access, Access = Influence

If you want these things for yourself too, then I have a gift for you. This is a gift that is going to rock your world, it is a gesture solely with YOUR success in mind.

 ==> http://bit.ly/97KnyV

For only the cost of shipping and handling ($4.95) I’d love to give you my 7 Figure Business Systems (which includes over 45 “must have” business documents, procedures, templates tutorials and worksheets). AND you’ll get 2 weeks FREE trial to my 7 Figure Business Formula Video Mentoring Program. After your FREE trial, unless you notify us, you will be automatically enrolled |in this $97 a month Exclusive Training Program. 

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
 

PS: Grab your copy now and ROCK the two-week trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV

In order to rock your life and your business, it’s essential to assess where you ARE in your life; otherwise, one or both of the following will happen. First, you could wake up years later miles downstream from where you planned. Second, you won’t get the hang of letting go, which is essential in order to avoid burnout. Here’s how to do it: Twice a year, take yourself away from it all. If you can afford it, go away by yourself. If you can’t, lock the bathroom door. Then ask yourself these questions: 

Is my personal life working?

*  Am I progressing in my self-discovery/spirituality? 
*  Am I feeling close to God, or am I getting too swept up in stuff?
*  Am I my best friend; do I love myself? 
*  Am I being honest with myself and others – not fake or defensive? 
*  Am I stretching enough outside of my comfort zone?
*  What am I still afraid of? 
*  Where can I go and what can I do to get to the next level? 
*  Are my relationships deeply fulfilling?

Is my career working?

*   Am I learning, stretching, challenging myself? 
*   Am I building my network of fascinating people by 5 people per month?
*   Am I being honest with myself and others—authentic and not defensive?
*   What am I still afraid of? 
*   Where can I go and what can I do to get to the next level? 
*   Are my relationships deeply fulfilling?  
*   Am I becoming a more integrated human being, bringing my spirituality into the way I interact with others, being okay with who I am, taking care of myself? 

Am I copping to the fact that I’m the only problem I’ll ever have and the solution too?

Am I accepting people as they are, not expecting them to change? 

Am I being patient with the changes that take time? Am I appreciating all I have? Am I tolerant of those with different struggles?

Am I achieving my goals in all these seven areas: financial and wealth, career, free time/fun, health and appearance, relationships, personal development, community and charity?

Am I connected to all the important sides of my life (personal, family, intellectual, spiritual, recreational)?

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Get your seat at my 7 Figure Business Summit before they’re gone. (Early bird pricing only available for a few more weeks.)  http://bit.ly/5dHdCp  

My accountability partner shares often that success is SELF-defined, or it is nothing. As my BAI mentoring event approaches, I wonder, “Have these CEOs defined their success?”  I only take 20 entrepreneurs for BAI, and I need to know that the CEOs who come are ready for BIG success. (Let’s face it, not everyone is.) Those who aren’t need a different kind of mentor. They need someone to hold their hand and help them past detours. MORE power to them to figure that out, but it isn’t me. I’m not that mentor. I’m the one to take those with SELF-defined success to a way bigger place, to show those entrepreneurs how to create a foundation for results NOW. I feel like I’m sharing my soul today – I usually share tools on biz building, but right now it’s all about the WHY we want success. Because if it isn’t SELF-defined, it isn’t anything. If you’re chasing someone else’s dream, believe me, you’ll lose momentum before you get halfway there. If you’re unlucky enough to ACHIEVE that success, it’s quite likely you’ll be miserable.

Right now, 18 CEO’s are wrapping up ‘09. They’re giving gifts, going to parties and making plans to meet me (and one another) on January 29-31 in San Francisco. Why? Because MY self-defined success is helping to build theirs. MY success is moving them from results later to results NOW. To build a level of CEO freedom that leads to success on every level – business, family, health, communities. You see, success is contagious. I have room for 2 more CEOs at BAI. If you are 100% ready for that kind of business acceleration and CEO freedom — if you’re ready to ROCK your business – go to http://www.mightyventures.com/bai and grab one of those spots right now. Because for real self-defined success seekers, later simply won’t do. 

Christine Comaford, CEO Freedom Fighter
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
http://www.mightyventures.com/bai

PS: No matter where you’re at on your path, grab your copy of my free CD on the “6 SECRETS to Creating More Time, Money, Freedom & FUN In Your Business” http://www.bit.ly/iBmuI.

No matter how long an entrepreneurial service provider has been in business, having a strong and inspiring financial plan is a cornerstone to the future that should not be overlooked. As business owners, sometimes we focus so much on our Marketing Plan, that our Financial Plan is easy to leave on a shelf, gathering dust. Ask yourself: Am I at a point where my business makes a profit month after month? If not, it is important to ask some basic questions when updating your financial goals:

* Are your rates too low?
* Are you successfully managing your expenses?
* Is your work flowing in a steady stream – or is it a flood at some times and barely a trickle at others?

If your business is at a profit level, it may be time to dust off the Financial Plan and set some new goals. Remember that your business is not only your career, it is your future. Make sure to be adequately planning for your retirement, even if it seems far off, and if you are a solopreneur, speak to your insurance agent to determine if your disability insurance is robust enough to get you (and your business) through life’s unexpected rough spots.

Finally, ask yourself the Million Dollar Question: Are you building a business you could sell for a profit one day?

Does your Financial Plan plan for a future beyond your wildest dreams? If not, make one that does.

To get great tools on how to create a strong foundation for your business’ future, feel free to join my Facebook Group, Business Renegades: http://tinyurl.com/6xos94

Christine Comaford, CEO Freedom Fighter
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc. |
NY Times Best Selling Author 
http://tinyurl.com/6xos94