Just because you don’t have to doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

I will be in Chicago later this week working with a client and Phoenix at the end of the month working with another client. Why? Because it makes sense to do so based on the scope of the projects.

Sometimes clients need a day of total and focus on their business. Sometimes clients need your full focus and attention on their business for a long stretch of time.  All the time your biggest fans are the clients that you really build a relationship with – and working in person often helps with that process.

Price your road trip consulting packages accordingly and then hit-the-road when it makes perfect sense to do so!

While a lofty standard, I love it. It’s a win/win because…

• If client grosses 10x more than they invested with you they will undoubtedly be very pleased.
• If you can produce 10x results for clients through your product or service, you will create a reputation for yourself that will undoubtedly bring really exciting opportunities your way.

I discovered this morning that I achieved 10x results for a client recently…

The client launched 3 programs recently in tandem with implementing Infusionsoft to market the programs to the list. Just one of the 3 events has grossed about 12x my consulting fee for the project.

Client is delighted. Jessica is delighted. Win/win.

Can you think of ways you can provide 10x results for your customers? I encourage you to try – it’s really a lot of fun!

However, there is a large segment of Infusionsoft customers that are either not using the software to it’s fullest potential or…

…not using the software at all.

There are two main reasons I find customers don’t use their app to it fullest potential or not at all:

• No time
• No clue what to

If this describes you, it’s time to “get back on the horse” and start rocking your Infusionsoft app. To help you make this happen, we have created a special consulting package just for you…

If you:

• Have been an Infusionsoft customer for at least 60 days

• You are willing to commit 30 days to letting us help you get your Infusionsoft app up and running

• You are not using your app to it’s fullest potential because you don’t have time to figure out what to do

OR

• You are not using your app at all because you don’t have time to figure out what to do

Then you are likely a perfect fit for our new “Get Back On The Horse” package.

Interested in learning more? Click this link to fill out a form requesting more information. It’s confidential and this is a 1 on 1 package. Don’t worry, no one will know that you have been letting your Infusionsoft app collect dust for months.

Our team is committed to helping you get moving with your Infusionsoft app once and for all. Can’t wait to hear from you!

This past week I spoke with my colleague, Kerry Cassone. We were talking about Infusionsoft and the importance of quality copy writing. Kerry shared with me an exercise she does with clients to help them figure out who their ideal client is. She said it’s best to get as detailed as possible – come up with 50 characteristics. My response: Did you say 5-0? Yep, she said 5-0…

So i sat down and did the exercise. I have to admit, I struggled to come up with 50 things. But I did it, and by business is better for it – try it!

When you get clear about who your ideal client is:

• You can better describe what you do and who you serve
• You will save money on marketing because you will no longer market in places where you have no chance of connecting with your ideal client.
• Your ROI will increase because you’re finally fishing in the right pond for potential clients.
• Your business becomes more enjoyable.

Clearly, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain…

So who is YOUR ideal client?

What are you teaching your customers about your business?

Think about any difficult client/customer you have worked with. If you really think mindfully about it, I can bet that the moment your client became difficult was the moment you lost control of your relationship with them.

Set high standards for your yourself and your business and more importantly: adhere to them.

It was going pretty good – I too explain things by sharing examples and this woman was sharing that she does this, then she does this and then she…you get the picture.

Things took a turn when the leader of the pack pulled out the presentation that she uses at her parties with her clients and potential clients…

It was a 3 ring binder with sheet protectors and color copies in it.

I’m going to jump right to the chase here: People have to get it together if they plan to make it as a business owner in 2012.

At a minimum, a PowerPoint presentation has to take the place of the ring binder presentation – period. Ideally, you need to get that presentation rolling on an iPad. While I love the idea of passing the book around for everyone to page through, this is not savvy marketing in 2012.

Next, how the heck are you going to lead capture efficiently and effectively if you are not tapped into some technology with your marketing? If you are a Mary Kay Consultant, I can pretty much guarantee you that every person at your party knows how to text. Stop passing around a laminated piece of paper telling them about a promo – tell them to text you at ###### and tell them all about the promo for weeks to come.

This is not to pick on the MK world. Back in 2001 when I was a practicing Realtor I did my marketing presentation with a 3 ring binder. But I will tell you what, I can guarantee some of my Realtor colleagues STILL use that 3 ring binder to try and wow prospects. You’re wowing them alright – like, wow, can you believe they have a marketing presentation that looks like that?

Here is where we are in 2012: It’s not the customer that’s behind in the times, it’s the business owner much of the time.

Stop thinking that it’s too expensive to spruce up your marketing – upgrade SOMETHING and observe the results. Chances are really, really good that it will bring you some positive results and as my friend Suzanne says: results are a great motivator to keep going.

After some customers received the updates during the first week of April, the official roll out began a couple of weeks later – and has been going on every couple of days for the last couple of weeks. Just a day or two ago, all apps were updated with the latest and greatest version of the Infusionsoft software – hooray!

So it’s safe to say that the Spring Release is here. Really-really here because we all have access to it now. Stay tuned for posts that talk about what’s new and exciting (and how to keep the traditional stuff that you love about your app rolling along).

I have a little statement that I usually begin or end these conversations with:

“Consider me a resource!”

Here’s the thing, Infusionsoft takes time and effort to understand and utilize. It’s not difficult to accomplish this, but it’s important to understand that Infusionsoft is not a “done for you and your industry software”.

With this in mind, many (many!) Infusionsoft applications are wildly under utilized. Now with Infusionsoft Certified Consultants available and a spring software release that makes the software more intuitive than ever, Infusionsoft users world wide need to seize the opportunity to begin using their app to its max potential. I have created an online resource to help accomplish this…

My new online community called “An Online Resource For Infusiosnsoft Users” is a place where you can stay up to date on what’s new in the world of Infusionsoft, find tips and tricks, find local User Groups, and more.

Click this link for details and to join the community!

I’m on my way home (literally flying over Colorado as I type) from Infusioncon 2012 (#ICON12) and can’t wait to share my highlight reel with you. Primarily because there was so much great content (which included a little thing called a major software release) and also so you can mark your calendar for #ICON13 NOW!

Here are my top 7 highlights from #ICON12…

• The Ultimate Marketer contest. Every year 4 finalists are chosen from tons of entries to take the stage for about 30 minutes and explain why they are the best of the best. They bring the audience up to speed on their business and using their data in their Infusionsoft app they share numbers – list growth, revenue growth, conversions, clever ways they are using Infusionsoft… The audience votes and the winner is announced later in the event.

The reason that I love this contest is that you can pick up some really cool marketing ideas when you listen to these presentations. The 4 finalists are really, really rocking their Infusionsoft app o it’s an Infusionsoft enthusiast’s dream to listen to these great ideas that are yielding successful results.

• Industry Innovator awards. This was a new addition to the Ultimate Marketer contest. In addition to the 4 UM finalists, 25 customers received a shout out for their great work with their Infusionsoft app. I’m proud to report that my client Ruby Newell-Legner was one of the recipients this year!
• Keynote speakers. This year, Infusionsoft hit it out of the part with their keynote speaker line up. Examples included Ali Brown, Pam Slim, Chris Brogan and Gary Vaynerchuk. All are great keynote speakers, and all are successful Infusionsoft users which is equally inspiring when you are sitting at the user conference!
• Breakout Sessions. The content was overflowing this year with FOUR sessions running concurrently (and during one block I saw FIVE concurrent sessions on the schedule). It was really tough to pick sessions because they are were relevant and of the highest quality. Thank goodness all sessions were recorded and the videos will be available for purchase soon!
• Ask The Experts room. I walked in this room and was blown away by what I saw. Table after table of Infusionsoft employees, sitting one on one with customers, working out “their stuff”. On the spot coaching and tech support – the undivided attention of an expert at a conference with 1500 attendees. Wow.
• Infusionsoft Certified Consultants. Full disclosure: I AM an ICC, but I am also a business owner and an Infusionsoft customer. The idea that Infusionsoft was forward thinking and created a certification program so that dozens of Infusionsoft experts would be on hand at the event this year to talk to and help customers was phenomenal.
• The Spring Release! The crown jewel of the event, for me, was the announcement and demo of the latest software updates. I will devote an entire post to the spring release, but for now, know that  it was a session FILLED with OOOOOOs and AHHHHHHHs. I have told people for a long time that Infusionsoft is apples to the competition’s oranges, however, the spring update now puts Infusionsoft in a category that I call: THE marketing automation solution for small businesses – the end. More on this soon, but for now, here are some videos for you!

This was my second Infusioncon and I still feel the way that I did after last year’s conference: this is a not-to-be-missed conference for business owners that are serious about marketing automation. If you missed this year’s conference, or even if you were at the conference, be sure to order your videos so you can watch/rewatch every session! Click here to reserve your copy!

The dates for Infusioncon 2013 are already set: March 27-29, 2013 in Scottsdale, AZ. You know I will let you know when tickets are available. For write now, MARK YOUR CALENDAR and I’ll look forward to seeing you there!

 Businesses that are committed to being the leader in their industry invest time and resources into using Infusionsoft for their marketing automation needs. Jessica Maes works personally with her clients to craft strategy and implementation plans that meet the needs and goals of her clients. Contact Jessica to start fully utilizing your Infusionsoft application.

One common thing I encounter over and over with business owners during this process goes something like this:

We plan to roll out ___________ by ____________.

So far, so good.

I still have to figure out how it’s all going to work, but I really want to make sure I make this much money, sign up this many people, and then I think the thing I will create and roll out after that…

Slow down, partner!

While revenue and overhead and vision and future plans are very important, you can’t move on to the “what’s next” until you figure out the “what’s now”. I still have to figure out how it’s all going to work, is where you STOP and figure it out a bit before moving on to the rest of the to-do’s.

Here is how you avoid this common rabbit hole:

Write out your plan. As soon as you see holes in the plan, stop and figure out what needs to happen in that space.

Share your plan. Pick someone your know and trust AND who has a clue about business and share your plan with them. Any holes you missed they will see and let you know about.

Work with someone that can help you look at this with only business eyes. You and your friends naturally bring an element of emotion to the creative process. Your business is your baby, after all. A good coach or consultant tells you what works about your plan and shares what they see as a potential shortcoming. You are held accountable and you receive unbiased advice from someone who succeeds when you succeed.