Branding from the Heart: Authentic Marketing Starts Here

by Julia D. Stege, MFA
The Magical Marketer

As an entrepreneur, you understand that "what you seek is seeking you," means that your perfect customers are seeking you now. If you are marketing actively, your perfect customers will find you.

The question is, how will they recognize you when they find you?

The answer is they'll recognize you when your marketing is authentic and comes from the heart. If your marketing is superficial in any way, your perfect customers will not recognize you as the person they are seeking. If you are coming from the heart, your perfect customers will get a strong intuitive hit when they see your marketing. They will be compelled to contact you.

So how to begin a heart-felt marketing campaign?

Our journey into the heart begins with that strange little question, "What makes you and your perfect customers tick?" The Law of Attraction says "like attracts like." Therefore your perfect customers and you share a passion and purpose in life. Sharing this in your marketing will help your perfect customers to recognize you.

To begin crafting your Branding from the Heart, write from the heart.

Get a pad of paper and a pen because you'll be writing stream of consciousness for this excercise. Ask yourself what makes you tick and write down whatever comes to mind. When you write stream of consciousness, you are not thinking about an end result. Rather you are focused in the moment, inside, and paying attention to what comes forward.

Write down what you are passionate about, what you love about life, what makes you get out of bed in the morning, what is your strongest desire? If something unexpected comes to mind, don't judge it. Just write it down. Don't worry about making complete sentences either, because nobody will be looking at this. Write it all down until you have about 2 pages of writing.

Now pause and look at all the words you just wrote down.

Notice if certain words or themes come up more than once... for instance, you may notice repetition of words like Freedom, Contribution, Creativity, Love, Inspiring and themes like Helping Others, Teaching and Learning, Creating New Systems, etc. Circle those words and phrases that resonate most deeply with you. These are your "Tick Words."

Make a list of your favorite "Tick Words."

Use these words in your business identity (ie your company name), in your marketing pieces, blog titles, product and services names, and sprinkle them throughout your sales copy. These words will help your perfect customers to identify you as the one they are seeking.

Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, Wildly Attractive WebsitesTM, Branding from the HeartTM, and smart Social Networking strategies. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com . WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include the entire article including this bio at the end.

Authentic Tweets Attract Perfect Peeps

by Julia D. Stege, MFA

Have you forgotten all about Twitter?

Life can become really hectic and I must admit Twitter has recently taken a back burner place in my Facebook dominated world.

Thankfully my good colleague Elinor Stutz (author of Nice Girls Do Get the Sale) reminded me of the beauty and wonder of Twitter the other day when I was interviewing her for my upcoming book "Client Attraction Breakthrough."

Elinor (@smoothsale) has built a following of over 4,800 on Twitter by giving away great information every day. Go check out her Twitter and you will see what I mean.

Here are some examples of her authentic Tweets that are helpful and attractive for her peeps seeking "Smooth Sale" tips:

"Plan your day the night before to eliminate wasted time"

"When interviewing, listen to underlying problems with industry, company and/or department."

"To be successful in business, you must believe in what you sell!"

"Turn cold calls into warm calls - before announcing UR name, say something relevant about their website."

Notice that she doesn't include links to her stuff in every Tweet. She will include her links about 20 - 30% of the time, and the rest are pure informational gifts.

Elinor sends a new Tweet every hour so that her peeps are sure to benefit from her nuggets. She does this by using one of the many Twitter tools that help us to plan our Tweets for the day. Taking about 15 minutes in the morning, Elinor can plan her Tweets in advance.

I am totally inspired to follow Elinor's lead and get back on Twitter to offer tips and inspiration to my 6300 + followers. To schedule my Tweets in advance, I use http://www.futuretweets.com . Another popular one is http://www.tweetlater.com that also includes some other cool features for free.

What to Tweet?

Think about the questions your Perfect Customers ask you, the advice you find yourself giving often, and bits of inspiration that are uplifting and meaningful. When you give real content, your followers will Re-Tweet you to their peeps and your following will grow.

Go forth and Tweet and Attract Perfect Peeps!

Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, Wildly Attractive WebsitesTM, Branding from the HeartTM, and smart Social Networking strategies. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com . WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include the entire article including this bio at the end.

Transforming "Don't Wants" into "Do Wants"

by Julia D. Stege, MFA
The Magical Marketer

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to get what you want when you're trying to fix what's wrong? The thing we sometimes forget is that along with personal choice come a myriad of options we don't want. That doesn't mean we need to spend our lives fixing or changing the things we disdain.

Those things we don't want are there to help us choose what we DO want. It's only through contrast that we can even begin to define what is perfect for us.

So the next time you're faced with someone doing or being some way you don't like, notice it and how it makes you feel. Notice the reaction in your body, for instance a contraction or queasy feeling, or hot flush in the face, etc. Give it a little space, but not too much. The point is to become conscious of what we don't want, but not to wallow in self-pity!

As soon as you feel ready, write down the aspect that you didn't like. Then next to it write the opposite.

For Example: Someone tells you they think your rates are too high. This makes you feel insecure, insulted, and scared about the future.

Write down the negative aspect:

"People don't want to pay me what I'm worth."

Then write the opposite quality you would prefer next to it.

"I consistently attract customers who have plenty of money and happily pay me my best rates."

For extra umph, you could include "They tell me I'm worth every penny!"

Transforming your "dis-likes" this way will help you to line up with what you want and allow it to come to you more quickly. Write down your new affirmation on a sticky note and post it where you can see it.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, Wildly Attractive WebsitesTM, Branding from the HeartTM, and smart Social Networking strategies. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

What's Love Got to Do With Business and Marketing? (Psssst: It's the Opposite of Fear)*

by Julia D. Stege, MFA

Have you ever woken up on a chilly morning and wondered how you were going to make it in this weird economy? Have you worried about your cash flow or how you would attract more customers?

Despite how well I'm doing in my business, that old worry habit sometimes creeps up and takes me over. It tells me lies about how bad things are and how I'll probably not do very well this month, even though I've been hitting record profits lately. That old fear is just trying to get me down.

Love to the rescue!

Love is the opposite of fear. We know that. But do you always remember that when you feel that old familiar clenching in the gut and hide under the covers? I'm here to remind you (and me) to remember. Love is definitely the cure. Here are some why's and how's to bring love back into your business and your marketing.

1) You love what you do. That's why you started your business. You just love it. When you feel that old fear, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine all your favorite aspects of your business. Feel into how you get all energized and alive when you are immersed in the process of your work.

2) You love your peeps. Those who have already hired you or purchased from you in the past did so because they love you and your offerings. Think about the ways you've helped them, and how grateful they were. Remember how they paid you and were happy to do so. Feel into that experience and know you are appreciated.

3) You love your future customers: You love what you do and who you serve so much that you are willing to do it year in and year out. There are people out there who have not yet experienced the wonder of working with you, and they are seeking you now. When you put yourself out in your marketing in an authentic and loving way, they will find you and recognize you as the one they are seeking.

Go forth and be loving. Opening yourself up to the power of love will push away that old lying fear and fill you up with courage, warmth and light.

Please share how focusing on love has transformed your business in the comment field below.
*See Julia's heart-felt contributions in the new book BEE-ing Attraction: What Love Has to Do With Business & Marketing by Jan Stringer and Alan Hickman.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, Wildly Attractive WebsitesTM, Branding from the HeartTM, and smart Social Networking strategies. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

I'm Your Biggest Fan: Why I Finally Launched a Facebook Fan Page

The phone rings. You answer and the person on the line greets you like this: "I'm your biggest fan. I've been following you for a long time and I really love what you do. I'm ready to work with you now."

That feels so good, doesn't it?

"Yeah, but can little old me get fans?" you wonder. "After all, I'm not Oprah or anything."

Well, I'm saying you don't have to be Oprah to attract a lot of fans. You can create a Facebook Fan Page.

In the past two weeks I've attracted over 250 fans to my new Facebook Fan Page just by posting it to my Wall a few times and sending one invite out to my friends.

"Facebook Fan Page? I thought those were for ego maniacs and really famous people!" That's what I said about 3 weeks ago. But then all the big Facebook gurus started sending out articles on the importance of using Fan Pages and why every business needs at least one.

The main points that drove me to finally publish a Fan Page were:

1) Sending too many business-oriented posts on your Personal Wall is like spamming your best friends (gulp!)

2) You can post three to five times daily on a Fan Page to people who want to see your stuff.

3) You can create a Fan Page for a result rather than just a person, and that way avoid being seen as an ego-maniac (even if you are one ; )

4) Facebook has updaded Fan Pages to be as fun and interactive as a Personal Wall. By the way, Groups have also been updated and inspire a lot more interactivity than they did just last week. Come play!

5) Fan Pages rank well on Google and can attract people from outside of Facebook (Are there actually people outside of Facebook which boasts 300 million members and counting!)

6) Having fans feels really good. And after all, feeling good is the most important thing!

To create your Facebook Fan Page, visit mine at http://tinyurl.com/fbfp-ab , and after you agree to be my fan ; ) you can click on the link "Create a Page for My Business" at the bottom of the left column of that page, right above the "Share" button. Just follow the easy wizard to create your page! It's fun, simple, and a great way to connect with your true fans!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, Wildly Attractive WebsitesTM, Branding from the HeartTM, and smart Social Networking strategies. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

How Did You Attract THAT Person?

by Julia D. Stege, MFA
@magicalmarketer

You know it happens to all of us. It's just a part of life. You think you are doing very well at attraction, and then suddenly someone appears in your life who is just NOT a match. You ask yourself (perhaps in a whiny tone) "How did I attract THAT?"

The answer is simple as long as you believe you are the one who is attracting everything that comes into your life. I mean, you are the only one you have any control over, right? So if you look at it that way, the answer is you brought this person into your life to show you what is not perfect for you, so you can adjust yourself appropriately to attract what you DO want.

So let's say you attracted a client who followed you around while you work, checking on everything you do. I once attracted a client who insisted on hanging over my shoulder while I created her logo design. That was the last time I let anyone do that, and if you look at it a certain way, you can see how she saved me a lot of frustration over the years since then. I was really clear on what I didn't want, someone checking me at every turn. So the question became, what do I really want? I wanted clients who really respect my work and leave me to do it in peace. That is who I have attracted since then, and I thank her now for helping me to know what I want.

But what if they're not just persnickety? What if they are really in your face?

OK, so you attracted a bi-polar neighbor who shouts at you whenever you leave your front door. What's that about? You think, "I'm a nice person, why is he shouting at me?" But that question will not lead you to a solution. It will only perplex your mind and cause you to focus more upon it and attract more of it.

Your only real power is focusing on what you'd prefer, and letting it go to the universe.

Stop resisting it! In fact, see if you can find the up-side of it.

A friend of mine was once faced with his second custody battle in 2 years. He was not much of a fighter, and we spoke about how he could look at this as a positive thing. "It will give me a chance to defend myself in public," he offered. So that's how he held it in his mind. He stopped resisting.

Guess what happened? His ex-wife didn't even show up at court. That is the power of letting go.

When faced with someone in your space who is making you miserable, write down the elements that are bugging you, and then write down the opposite element, that which you would like to attract. And for extra credit, see if you can write a statement about the positive aspects of this situation, hold that in your heart, and tell me what happens!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, Wildly Attractive WebsitesTM, Branding from the HeartTM, and smart Social Networking strategies. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

How to Have a Vibration Raising Long Weekend!

I hope you're planning to take Monday (Columbus Day) off to raise your vibration. You're not fooling me. I know you have been very busy, working hard to get your business really rolling. And I bet you started thinking about fitting some work in on Monday when the phones won't be ringing as much and you'll have some space to catch up.

Just don't do it! You deserve the break and the rest. And in fact, if you spend the day focusing on what feels good to you, and follow your intuition, you will be much closer to receiving what you've been wanting. Feeling good is that important to your success.

So if you need something to do on Monday that will lure you away from your work and yet be practical for your business, here are some Vibration Raising Activities for you. And you can tell your gremlins that I gave you permission to play hookie and do this instead of that work project you were trying to finish.

Vibration Raising Activities:

1) Take yourself on an "Artists Date": Julia Cameron who wrote "The Artists Way" came up with this idea, to take yourself on a date and do whatever fuels your creative juices and makes you feel good. It's just about having fun with yourself and doing whatever your intuition tells you would be fun for you. I like going alone to movies I'd love but my husband would hate, going to art shows or galleries and soaking in the brilliance of the artist, or just window shopping at beautiful boutiques along Main Street.

2) Give yourself a Spa Day: Start the day with a hot bubble bath with essential oils and candles. Relax to your favorite music and allow your mind to get still. Guide your thoughts to whatever pleases you. Enroll someone in giving you a massage (if it pleases them). Wander mindfully through a garden or path in nature. Breathe in the fresh air. Consider what would be most relaxing for you and do that. If it looks like watching cartoons in your PJ's and slippers, sipping hot tea, then so be it. Whatever rolls your socks up and down, as my friend says. (Thanks for that one Mary)

3) Do a Fun Project Around the House: If you really love to be productive and that's what gets you in the right vibration, do a project around the house. Lately I've been creating a stone patio in my new back yard (where the pool used to be that we demolished this summer). It gets me out of my regular work mind and into a playful creative mind when I work on that project. And the results are really rewarding. As long as it's not related to your money making job, I say it's OK to do on a holiday.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, wildly attractive logos and websites, and smart Internet marketing techniques. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com .