I thought I was a marketing expert until I met my SEO Expert Darren Hughes.  After all, I spent over 20 years in marketing and advertising working for world class companies.  Plus I graduated from UT, Austin with a degree in marketing.  That was then and this is now…when the need to learn 21st century online branding strategy is what will define continued success.

In the spirit of full transparency and paying it forward…I am sharing Darren’s branding advice.  Now you know why I’m blogging and you should too!

Being #1 Texas Style

“The reason why I speak a lot about the importance of blogging and social media presence is because we really need to improve your brand image.

In order to do business online (generate awareness among potential clients), you don’t just need traffic, but you also need to be able to convince your target audience that you are the number 1 option.

A really effective way of doing this is by showing you as a thought-leader worth investing time and money in. If we’re able to do this, you will find that it’s much easier not only to generate web traffic, but also to convert it into paying customers. Things like writing great content on your blog, and on social media platforms is a cost-effective way of achieving this.” Darren Hughes ~ SEO Expert

I hope Darren’s advice helps your branding efforts and isn’t too overwhelming.  Just know that if you do feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone.  Here’s what my very talented Health Coach and friend Nancy Weiser has to say:

“…it’s a lot: not only do we have to be great at what we do at work and at home but you have to be “the number 1 option” and “a thought leader…write great content on your blog and on social media platforms…Sounds like super-Superwoman!”

Please let me know if your interested in joining me for What’s Next for Your Business – a group coaching experience to learn best practices from experts like Daren and fellow participants so you can become the Superwoman~Business man you’re meant to be!

Are you at a crossroads in your professional life? Say yes and feel confident knowing that you’re not alone! Do you have a process for getting to what’s next for you? If so, please share.

If not or you’re willing to hear another path then tune in to learn from my friend Bill who really knows how to jump start a job search. This weekend I spent a few hours with my friend who sent me a cryptic message asking for advice. The net net was he appreciated my ability to see things about his experience that wasn’t clear to him and make a stronger sell for his dream job. I learned some valuable tips on how to organize your job search process that I’m passing along to you now:

1. Get real on your current Situation. Separate your fears of what may happen from what’s actually happening. Stop worrying about whether you are going to get that promotion or lose your job. Instead, start planning your next career move by considering all your options from changing jobs, securing a promotion, getting re-energized where you are OR lining up consulting work to bridge the $ gap between permanent positions.

2. Be Prepared! Knowing that I’m a career development coach, Bill (name changed to protect identity) asked me to prepare him for a job interview. He “wanted to make sure he was doing the best job possible telling his story in a compelling fashion and addressing the soft spots in a solid way”. We spent a few hours strategizing how to present his experience and career goals to his advantage. You can do this too.

3. Get Organized! I was so impressed with his process that I’m sharing it so you can move forward effectively with your job search. Here’s what Bill did and does:

• Created and maintains a comprehensive spread sheet that lists each person he has met or plans to contact.
• List key information such as appointments, contact information, notes, next steps, etc.
• Make a DAC for Every Important Meeting! Steal this idea – use an outline to prep for important meetings both in-person and especially phone conversations. His DAC (Discuss~Ask~Communicate) outline will help you organize your thoughts before contacting a prospective employer for each component:

– Discuss – List topics you want to cover
– Ask – Note questions you want answered
– Communicate – List your discussion points in priority order.

Now you can relax while you interact with key contacts confident that you won’t forget what you want to ask or tell them. What an awesome process! Please let me know how this advice worked for you and share your job search process tips here by emailing me at roseanne@whatsnextclub.com.

I was so inspired last weekend at a workshop I participated in called The Bigger Game®.  Co founder, Rick Tamlyn’s bigger game inspires people to be their best and he’s amazing at it.  Being in a room of 18 people dedicated to finding their compelling purpose inspired me to dig deeper and ask “What am I about?” Yes, really…what nourishes and sustains me as I get through the daily grind of work, community, home, raising teenagers, friends, loving my husband unconditionally, time for me and our dog George?

How rewarding to play The Bigger Game® for two days and win by defining my hunger for a fulfilling life – a life filled with meaning and purpose – JUST for me…NOT my husband or kids.  A seemingly obvious personal mission statement but not for this mom who spends too much time worrying about where her son is and whether he’s SAFE…whatever that means.

So this guided conversation/blog post/declaration is the beginning of something big for me…birthing my own curriculum.  Announcing The Your Ordinary Self is Enough™ Platform.

My bold action is to help thousands of people like you believe that you have talent to realize because you’re amazing just the way you are.  So I leave you with this question to get your quest to love your ordinary self started…What’s your pssst (passion~skills~talent)?

Please let me know by emailing  roseanne@whatsnextclub.com.  Join the conversation and let me know how you plan to celebrate what’s easy for you.