Social media is a wonderful tool for women entrepreneurs. Studies show that more women have opened small businesses, and more successfully, since the rise of social media. It’s one of the most cost-effective, time-effective ways to promote your business – even while raising families and managing households! And what busy woman entrepreneur doesn’t love that?

But social media can also be intimidating. Between ‘putting yourself out there’ and the overwhelm of trying to understand the ever-changing world of social media, a lot of women entrepreneurs stay away.

If this sounds like you, take heart. By just following a few general guidelines, you can have some mad social media skills – safely, sanely and without any stress. True story.

1. Listen to your gut. No really. That little voice that is saying ‘Yo, Sister! This is way too much information to be posting all over the place!’ LISTEN to it. Every single mistake I’ve ever made in social media always had that voice.

2. Start slow, and allow your comfort level to gradually increase along the way. Not everyone out there in social media is an expert, even though it may feel like it. Learn one or two simple things a day, and before you know it, you’ll be up to speed.

3. Start with one social media platform at a time. You can add the others later.

4. Once you have your base of social media outlets (say, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest) you can manage them all through a social media dashboard like HootSuite or SproutSocial. This will lighten your load tremendously, and help you cover more ground than ever before.

5. Posts and tweets do not get Pulitzer Prizes. Seriously, they don’t. Good enough is good enough. Ditch the perfectionism, say what you want to say, and let it go.

6. Only learn what you need to learn for right now. You don’t need to know everything about social media in order to promote your business.

7. Find two or three really reliable social media experts to follow. Sign up for their blogs or follow them on Facebook. You’ll quickly pick up tips, notices on upcoming changes, as well as other important information.

8. Do understand your social media platform’s privacy settings, and be safe. Be smart about what you share and when you share. One tip: don’t announce that you are going out of town or are out of town (unless you have someone staying at your place). Share with your audience after you’ve been to the event, trip, etc.

Happy posting, Ladies!

Social media is an incredible way to make connections both professionally and personally. It can be a bonus in our businesses and our lives. It can also be a massive time drain, a breeding ground for comparison, and a throwback to the cliques of high school.

As an entrepreneur, keeping up with it can feel like another to-do on the hamster wheel of should’s.  If we’re tapped into the social media world, we’re inundated with information on how to use Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest/Google+ to fast track us to a six-figure income. If we’re just dipping our toes in, it’s overwhelming and hard to know where to start.

What works for one person, one business leader, or one social media superstar, may not work for you. It’s important to tune into your feelings and intuition about what you’re doing. Yes, learn from the best and make a plan (a flexible one) but then sit with yourself and feel what’s happening in your heart and your body. If you feel great about everything you’re doing, proceed with a light heart and a smile. But if there’s any hesitation or yuck to it, ask yourself these questions:

5 things to think about as you sit down to tweet, post, pin or circle up.

1. Am I doing this because I want to or because I feel I should? Either answer is okay, it’s just helpful to know what the motivation is.

2. Is what I’m about to do in complete integrity with who I am and with my greatest vision for my life and business? If not, why not? What, if anything, do I want to change about that?

3. What thoughts are associated with this hesitation? Are these thoughts my negative self-talk (in which case they’re trying to keep me small and I can lovingly thank them and move forward with my plan), or is there a seed of real doubt or concern that needs to be listened to?

4. Where is the yuck living in my body? If I take a few moments to breathe into it and/or shake it up and/or dance it out, do I get any new information or does the feeling change?

5. If I woke up and what I’m about to write was a headline in tomorrow’s Huffington Post or New York Times, would I be okay with it? (And if the answer to this one is a “Holy moly, I’m terrified but YES!” then do it NOW!)

Remember there is an energetic imprint to everything we put out into the world and that energy will return, multiplied many times over. Make sure whatever your social media strategy is, you’re using it as a force for good.  And stop comparing yourself to anyone else out there. Somebody wise once said, it is unfair to compare our insides to someone else’s outside. We’re all in this human game together, so let’s play it with love.

How did you get started in business?

I got a lucky when a tiny role that was originally meant to be just an extra got amped up into a recurring guest star on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” I was totally fresh off the bus so being exposed to so many wonderful people from the outset was a real blessing. Plus it made me look at what I really wanted. Did I just want to be a piece of the puzzle, as an actress, or did I want to go for the big (and a lot harder) dream of creating my own material and the develop basis of a whole world one day. Since then I’ve tried avidly to always create my own stuff and at some point at some time it’s all going to hit. Every year has just been about progressing from the last year and even when things go up and down, my vision stays firm.

What have been some of your biggest challenges and how have you overcome them?

The instability of life out here sometimes. The different side jobs you do and I’ve definitely had to set boundaries regarding who I hang out with and who I don’t. I was a little naive at first and didn’t really believe that whole “swimming with sharks” thing would happen to me. But I did experience a lot of false promises or backstabbing- people who you think are on your side but actually aren’t. It’s all a great life experience though because it teaches you to be more cautious about who you trust and also to appreciate those who have been good to you and loyal even more than you already do. really appreciate great friends because those are the ones that keep you strong in this insane business.

What is your big vision right now?

My more immediate one is to SELL A SCRIPT. And me and my manager are working on a “gem” of an Action Comedy Feature for that. That is my priority. My other scripts and my acting career are (for the moment) secondary to that specific goal. But I still work on them, especially to vary it up and be prepared for the time when the other skills and material is needed.

Tell us a little about your WHY and what it means to you?

My why is just that I LOVE seeing people happy. It’s just that little, kiddy entertainer in me. I believe I can (a the very least) take my audience to a different world, give them an escape from reality, and in that also provide them with some very real -life universal moments that will recognize and say with smile…”ah, yes, that’s life.”

What would be a perfect referral for you?

Ummm, I’m a little confused about this question- someone that I can be referred to or someone referred to me. (Haha, sorry, I’m just confused.)

What is your favorite book that has helped you in life/business?

SO many. I read ALL THE TIME. Seriously my bookcase is an array of classic fiction and modern self-help manuals. I think different books are right for different times.

• Sometimes reading David Mamet’s “True & False” is just good to get me pumped up and regain perspective about the industry.
• Other times I need more spiritual and gentle self-healing books like Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life.”

The books come out according to my mood. And then of course it might be just something new that interests me. My curiosity always needs to be fed, otherwise I don’t grow or progress in my knowledge or as an artist.

What are three tips you would give to your fellow business owners out there

1. EVERYONE’S path is different. It just is. Ask anyone.
2. Also, I’d say the bigger the dream the more sh*t you need to go through to get to it. But that’s fine.
3. If you really want it you will get there. My biggest idols worked their asses off before anything came to fruition…but when it did…it was BIG!!

How has being a Momentum PRO Member helped you and what do you get out of your membership and any programs like the Strong Start or workshops like Her Story, Women’s Success Circle, Website 102 etc?

1ST- you are amazing!!! That is all. My words are not proof of this, my actions are. I did more and had more success when I was (and now am again) more consistently involved with you and programs. As determined as I can be I have to be honest with myself and admit I DO need help with clarity and self-motivation. Your programs always give me focus and for a “multiple personality” woman like me (haha) that is essential!! Seriously, all your programs are engines to my progress and success. I feel really blessed to have you in my life and although I can’t recommend just one program cause they’re all so good, I would say the answer is to always do some consistently. Like at least once a month…to keep you on track!! It’s called “momentum” for a reason!

• WHY you are in business a simple one sentence compelling statement we craft with our clients
• Guiding Principles for your business – your main messages and an extension of HOW you deliver your WHY
• A BIG Hairy Audacious Vision – that excites other people and connects with your desire for change in the world
• Your WHO – five facts about your ideal client that we come up with using our signature ideal client process
• Your Brand Promise – what makes you stand out from your competition
• 90 Day Action Plan including

o   Five priorities
o   Targets
o   Reward
o   Theme
o   Critical Numbers
o   Key Strategies to focus on
o   Three visibility tools to strengthen
o   Next Action Steps
o   SWOT analysis

We believe that our approach to marketing from the inside out and starting with WHY builds a strong and powerful foundation for our clients and their businesses.  The beauty of working with a WBMC Strong Start Coach is that we bring fun, simplicity and strategy together in a way that supports you in building relationships and sharing your story to naturally attract clients rather than hard selling.

To  learn more about creating a one page plan click play below to listen to a 30 minute audio that outline a 28 day plan, a comprehensive marketing plan and a one page strategic plan.

If you are interested in Strong Start Coaching with a certified WBMC coach then click here to schedule a complimentary 20 minute Business Strategy Session.

Planning is great. It’s necessary. You wouldn’t get very far in life, or in your business, if you didn’t take the time or make the effort to plan. Without a good plan, you’d end up with a lot of frustration and unfulfilled dreams. And no one wants that.

But too much planning can, literally, be too much of a good thing. This is where the ‘Zen of Un-Planning’ comes to play. Sometimes the smartest and most productive thing you can do is to consciously step away from your business (and your busy life!), take a deep breath, and look at things from a fresh perspective. You need to un-plan and let things flow.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

You know you need a little un-planning when:

The same challenge keeps showing up

You feel uninspired

You’ve hit a financial plateau

You sense there is more you could do to serve your base

You’ve lost your sense of vitality, play, imagination, joy 

Un-planning looks like this:

Play more. Take time away from your business and simply be you.

Not fixing anything. Learn to be ok with things not being perfect, right now

Not ‘Keeping up with the Jones’ but rather ‘Sharing from the Jones’. Collaboration is big!

Play the ‘What if’ game. ‘What if … I did xyz?’ or ‘What if …. xyz happened?’ ‘What if … I could have things be exactly how I wanted them? What would that look like?’

Move your body

Do art

Study your competitors and see what they are doing that you absolutely love

Sleep more

Meditate

Visualize

Turn off the TV, phones and computer (yikes! Seriously, though…) 

The irony is, as a busy woman, you’ll no doubt have to plan your un-planning. But if you can shift your perspective from one-more-thing-to-plan, and instead see it as a delicious treat you give yourself every week, you will truly feel the ‘Zen of un-planning’. Regularly scheduled time to rest, recuperate and unwind will fill up your creative tank, give you more energy and help keep burn out and resentment at bay. And, when you are consciously scheduling in your un-planning time, you are also telling the Universe that you value yourself, and your dreams are a priority. And that’s very powerful stuff that can help any woman succeed.

We plan our days, our weeks, and what to eat for dinner. We plan weddings and birthday parties, vacations and what to do on Friday nights. We are such planners in our culture, desperately wanting to gain some sense of control over what is essentially uncontrollable.

Life, as they say, is what happens between – or in spite of – our plans.

In the world of the entrepreneur, it’s difficult to get much done without forethought. As humans we do our best to peer into the future and as business owners, we want to set ourselves up for success. This is as it should be.

And yet…

We can bog ourselves down in to-do lists and forget about living our lives. It’s easy to focus on what’s to come and forget about the moment we’re actually in. The risk is that we become so married to a plan, we don’t see beauty and opportunity right under our noses.

I would suggest that knowing how we want to feel in our lives and businesses might be more important than deciding on how much we want to earn, or how many clients we want to have, or exactly what our dream home looks like. Being connected to the feeling allows us to stay flexible, to remain open to surprises and  spontaneous moments of joy. It helps us make decisions that are in alignment with our values. It puts us squarely in our hearts and takes us out of our minds.

Clearly we need our minds to be in business, but most of us spend far too much time there, obsessing over the details.  Planning for our lives and businesses is a safety net as we walk the tightrope of entrepreneurship. We don’t want to go without it but it’s not what we want to focus on.

The next time you sit down to do any planning, I invite you to spend some time getting curious about how you want to feel, every day, living and working as your best, most confident, most successful, and happiest self. Get in touch with those feelings.  Build your safety net from that place, then get back up on your tightrope and enjoy the view.

I was a realtor and a real estate company recruited me to become a productivity coach within their organization. My job was to help the agents sell more houses, plain and simple. I did that for a few years and during that time of being a productivity coach began reading books on coaching, which opened me up to the world and industry of coaching. As I devoured coaching books, practices, and philosophies I began to develop my own beliefs, systems, and practices. I came across CTI and felt like I had found “home.” I decided to get certified as a coach and basically, two and a half years into the productivity coaching role, it was clear to me that I must branch out and launch my company, so that I could build it how I wanted and coach who I wanted. I’ve never looked back. It’s been an amazing journey and I am just getting started in many ways. I have a huge vision for the impact I want Human Volition to make in my community and in the world.

What have been some of your biggest challenges and how have you overcome them?

My biggest challenges have been:

• Wearing all the hats of a small business owner
• Creating a plan and sticking to it
• Spending money in areas of my business that feel exciting, rather than the areas that are priorities

Do you see focus as a theme challenge, for me?
The way I overcome those challenges is by hiring a coach who, not only understands my vision, but understand me and provokes me to grow as a person, so that I can lead my company well.

What is your big vision right now?

My big vision is to open Human Volition stores in every mall, making coaching accessible and available to all people. I want to have a variety of coaching services available to the public- a drop in coaching bar, monthly 1:1 and family memberships, group workshops, products and self guided materials, audio, video and more. I want to empower people to understand and work with all things human…our human nature- thoughts, emotions, behavior. There is a science behind all that we do and I believe every person on the planet deserves an education on that science. It is just as vital as literacy.

Tell us a little about your WHY and what it means to you?

My big why is to empower individuals, teams and organizations who are overworked and out of balance. We compel them to get real, work less and live more. I believe that we are so busy that we have little to no connection with what we want and need as individuals. I believe that being overworked and out of balance is like being drunk. Living a balanced life, is living a sober life. We must be awake, alert and engaged if we are to be in power, able to choose and create what we want. My big why is ultimately to empower individuals to have personal leadership, shifting the cultural mindset out of victim and into empowerment.

What would be a perfect referral for you?

A perfect referral for me is a man or woman in a position of leadership that is overworked and out of balance, wanting to not only create more work/life balance, but also increase impact at the same time.
Someone who wants to cut their workweek in half and double their results.
A perfect referral for me is someone who has a family and a thriving career, but wants to create more impact in BOTH areas. Someone who doesn’t want to have to give up one area for the other. You can have your cake and eat it too. I want you to enjoy the frosting!

What is your favorite book that has helped you in life/business?

My favorite book is the book of Proverbs. I read at least a chapter a day- so many nuggets of wisdom that I meditate on throughout the day.
I also love Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott.

What are three tips you would give to your fellow business owners out there?

1. Know thyself. That is the most important part about owning a business.
2. Hire the RIGHT coach for you.
3. Hire a really good CPA to do your book keeping, so that you know where every penny is coming from and going to. Awareness-personal accountability. Respect your money and you will keep letting more in.

How has being a Momentum PRO Member helped you and what do you get out of your membership?

Knowing Marianne and getting exposed to a community with so much diversity has given me insight and perspective. Her Story was huge for me. Listening to other women and experiencing so much love and compassion helped me to have more love and compassion with myself. I love to watch what Marianne is doing. She inspires me because she is focused, purposeful and making a HUGE impact on so many woman’s lives in such an important area, in their businesses.

Corry Ann March Bio

As founder of Human Volition, Corry Ann March is a highly sought after speaker, coach, and author, influencing and inspiring professionals in corporate environments and large-scale organizations to get real, work less, and live more balanced lives in an uncompromising and authentic expression of who they are. She coaches with her signature style that honors the principle that not all minutes are created equal. This allows her to cut typical work weeks in half, while doubling results.

After nearly a decade and a rewarding career in the real estate industry, Corry Ann March decided to shift her focus. She left her corporate career and founded Corry Inspires Business and Mindset Coaching with the intention of providing coaching for business professionals and leaders. Along the way she became the founder of Human Volition- the corporate division of her coaching business.

With the creation of Human Volition, Corry has begun a new chapter in her already impressive story, a chapter that intertwines making her personal life a priority, motherhood, being a wife, founding 2 businesses, and her successes as an author.

She is certified in group and one-on-one coaching by the Coaches Training Institute and the International Coaching Federation. Along with her coaching business she launched the influential companion book calledMonday Motivations: 52 Weeks to a More Purposeful You- a series of weekly empowerment anecdotes.

She provokes her clients to put action to ideas while investing into their professional careers and personal lifestyles. Corry uses her wide range of corporate experience to teach the fundamentals of time management. She helps leverage your natural abilities, and firmly believes the proverb “A man’s gift will make room for him.”

 Human Volition

www.humanvolition.com

corry@humanvolition.com

In all of life, good communication is the key to success. Whether its business or personal, the way you communicate not only has a profound impact on the outcome of the conversation, but also the quality of your life. One of my go-to books on this subject is Susan Scott’s Fierce Conversations (you can also follow her online Fierceinc.com).

I have to admit that when I first picked up Fierce Conversations, I was skeptical. To me ‘fierce’ meant something menacing, cruel, and threatening. I hardly wanted to have conversations like that! What I found was that by ‘fierce’, the author intended something very different. She means strong, powerful, robust, unbridled.  The message of Fierce Conversations is to be strong enough to have your most authentic, most real and most honest conversations. When those are the kinds of conversations you take part in regularly, everything in your life will flow much better.

Scott follows seven principles to help readers engage more fully in their conversations:

Principle 1: Master the courage to interrogate reality.
Principle 2: Come out from behind yourself into the conversation and make it real.
Principle 3: Be here, prepared to be nowhere else.
Principle 4: Tackle your toughest challenge today.
Principle 5: Obey your instincts
Principle 6: Take responsibility for your emotional wake.
Principle 7: Let silence do the heavy lifting.

If there is any area of your life that isn’t 100% how you want it to be, consider your communication. It’s been my experience that even the smallest shifts will deliver powerful results. Read Susan Scott’s Fierce Conversations and you will naturally improve your communication style.

Jeanie Rule knows first-hand the value of a Strong Start.  Jeanie has extensive experience as a business woman and trained coach.  Jeanie graduated from Coach U, the world’s foremost coach training school in 2001, and launched her own coaching company in 2006.  Jeanie also privately coaches CEOs and executives and was the Los Angeles Regional Director for WorkingwithPower.com.