by Lynn Sanders | Dec 30, 2018 | DMM Blog
Creating video has gotten easier than ever.
But a big challenge still remains…
With over one BILLION videos posted on YouTube daily, the — how do you get found?
Here are story marketing tips so YOU stand out from your competition.
- SOLVE A PROBLEM – The trend nowadays is creating a challenge. But a challenge is useless unless you’res solving a problem for someone. So, instead of encouraging people to simply post any video, think to yourself — what solution can I offer my prospect?
- CREATE A CATCHY TITLE — Can you make it emotional? Does it appeal to a specific audience? Come up with several titles for your video or webinar, and do a brief survey with your trusted colleagues to get their feedback. What’s most appealing? Consider using a keyword that ties in with your topic.
- MODEL A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY/PERSON – Who is outstanding in your field? Check out their work and see how you might create a similar video or program.
- MAKE YOURSELF A HABIT – Build trust among your followers by providing value at every step. As you fulfill needs or exceed expectations, your prospects will WANT to tune in to whatever you have to say.
- GET DIRECTION – Distraction can be easy without accountability. Without guidance, the hard way is inevitable. Consider having a coach to move your business forward. Empowerment coaching helps you be accountable.
On the horizon, I plan to create a new Difference Makers Connections Cafe. It will be a chance to learn directly from business leaders from around the country and beyond. What questions would you like answers to? Please let me know.
Now, for more tips on boosting your business through video marketing, check out the article below.
Happy 2019!
Warmly,
Lynn
by Lynn Sanders | Jun 4, 2018 | DMM Blog
Do our stories define us or do WE define our stories?
Each day, we’re given a gift — “the present.” So, how do we choose to use those 24 hours? Most of the time, we’re making judgements, aren’t we? Each day, our inner voice is talking to us, a mile a minute, saying positive or negative words that actually subconsciously affect our body.
“That was great!”
“I’m BAD!”
“Why did I DO that?”
“I’m so proud of myself!”
How does that inner voice make you feel?
Your thoughts become feelings, which then affect your actions. I ask you to contemplate your feelings. They are your guide to your inner state. While challenges happen to all of us — WE get to decide our attitude.
How are you affected by the opinions of others? Does someone else’s comments make your day or depress you? There’s a saying, “Your attitude affects your altitude.” It’s so true. You can go farther in life if your attitude is positive. So what do YOU choose to believe about yourself?
Ultimately, the most important story is what YOU say about YOU!
That inner storyteller dialogue is more powerful than you realize. However, once you’re conscious of that inner voice, you can monitor what it says. I’d like to offer some tips in helping you create the inner stories that can change your life. (Everything starts from the inside out!)
No matter what happens — You can change your story!
Imagine your brain is like a giant computer. You’re about to reprogram your brain for success.
First step: Be aware of what you tell yourself.
Second step: Decide what you want to believe about yourself.
Third step: Tell yourself great things about YOU! (You can write down positive affirmations, speak the words aloud, and read something positive every day!)
Here are more actions you can take…
REPROGRAMMING YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS
1. Check out NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming), which involves repeating positive affirmations and tapping specific energy points around your head, face, neck and wrist. (One of my favorite online NLP practitioners is Brad Yates. You can check out his YouTube video for free that has over 559,000 hits on how to get rid of worry and fear!)
2. Create a dream board with pictures and statements of your dreams. Study this board every day, and envision your dreams coming true.
3. Practice meditation and writing gratitude statements in a journal.
4. Learn about Strategic Attraction and how you can attract what you want into your life energetically! (Contact Lynn at: lynn@DifferenceMakersMedia.com)
The key is – FOCUS on what you want… and speak it into the present. Avoid the negatives…
RIGHT WAY: “I am a best-selling author.”
WRONG WAY: “I will be a best-selling author.” (In the future)
RIGHT WAY: “I’m having a very productive day today.”
WRONG WAY: “I want to be productive today.”
5. Share your story and engage with potential followers by getting interviewed on a live streaming video program!
(Yes, I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. Once you do it once, it gets easier. You have greatness within you… great stories to share… and now they need to be heard!)
What’s live streaming? It’s a LIVE, interactive interview, done from the comfort of your own computer. It’s fun, easy, and inexpensive. Best of all, you can IMMEDIATELY engage live with an audience from anywhere in the WORLD!
Here’s my brand new interview as a guest on my friend Roland’s show, “The Saturday Morning Marketing Smarties.” You can watch, listen to my stories, and see how viewers from around the world commented back.
The world needs to hear YOUR stories of inspiration.
Believe in yourself and share them!
You never know whose life you will touch…
To learn more, visit: https://differencemakersmedia.com. For those who join our list, I’ll send my 7-Step Story Guide to help you become an expert storyteller to grow your business. Contact me about a free story marketing assessment and session at: Lynn@DifferenceMakersMedia.com.
P.S. I’m sharing a special photo from my past… one of our healthcare visits to Ecuador, where I entertained the children in 90+ heat, while they waited for their first-ever dental exam. What an exhilarating experience to be around so many loving people!
by Lynn Sanders | Jun 4, 2018 | DMM Blog
Did you ever wonder how you got to be the way you are?
Why do many of us share similar values? Why do others operate on a totally different wavelength? My friends share common traits: having faith, belief and perseverance. Living with a high degree of integrity. Doing what they promise. They’re loving, kind and generous.
So – what makes us who we are?
In a recent conversation with my friend, Carolyn Owens, I mentioned my belief that “children learn what they live.” That’s how we become who are as adults.
“You’ve GOT to write that in an article,” Carolyn said excitedly.
“Really?” (I didn’t think it was so profound. After all, I had read and re-read this poem in our family’s kitchen for years. My mom had posted it till the paper got yellowed.)
“You REALLY think people want to read that?” I asked again.
“Yes – YES!” Carolyn urged me on. I can’t resist Carolyn, so here we are… I never imagined I’d be writing on this topic, but sometimes I think we’re guided to move forward in a new way.
Since many decades have passed since I read the whole poem, I did a little research.
“Children Learn What They Live” was written by Dorothy Nolte and printed in a column for the Torrance Herald in 1954. The poem was distributed to MILLIONS of new parents in BABY FORMULA! (How about that? No wonder mom found this poem!) Nolte’s poem was eventually copyrighted in 1972, and expanded into a book in 1998. At the time of Nolte’s death, this book had more than 3 MILLION copies in print worldwide, and translated into 18 languages!
Now, I suddenly realized the significance of this poem. It has been teaching generations how to raise their children!
Please take a minute to learn from a master teacher. Keep in mind: whatever we do affects our youth. It’s up to us to shape the next generation…
CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
By: Dorothy Nolte, PhD. (January 12, 1924 – November 6, 2005)
If children live with criticism,
They learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility,
They learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
They learn to be shy.
If children live with shame,
They learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement,
They learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance,
They learn to be patient.
If children live with praise,
They learn to appreciate.
If children live with acceptance,
They learn to love.
If children live with approval,
They learn to like themselves.
If children live with honesty,
They learn truthfulness.
If children live with security,
They learn to have faith in themselves and others.
If children live with friendliness,
They learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Copyright © 1972/1975 by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D
by Lynn Sanders | Jun 4, 2018 | DMM Blog
Please – take a time out! We all need it more than you know.
From past conditioning, the words, “Time Out” always represented something bad to me. I still remember a gradeschool classmate who was given a “time out.” The teacher put him in the corner with a dunce hat, and his chair had to face the wall. How humiliating! (He had committed the grave error of pulling up his shirt to get a laugh by exposing his stomach.)
As parents, we’re taught to give children a “time out” when their negative behavior requires a punishment. But why is “time out” supposed to be terrible? Have you considered that we need a time out regularly from this world?
My husband Joel and I just returned from a wonderful “time out” vacation in Santa Barbara, California. We had been feeling frazzled and needed rest badly! I booked overnight stays in three different Airbnb homes, and the last one was truly a heavenly gift.
We discovered an amazing getaway, at the end of a hidden street with no traffic. Our wonderful host, Janet, showed us to our private apartment, connected to her ranch home. We walked on paths, shaded by towering trees, through a “Garden of Eden” that was situated on at least an acre of property. Surrounding us were lemon, lime, orange and plum trees. Even stately bamboo trees! A profusion of red, yellow, and white roses swept across this magical scene, framed by the Santa Ynez mountains.
A side path led to a meditation circle with a carved Buddha statue. At a corner, the Tibetan flag fluttered in the breeze. The aura of peace was palpable. Our large space included a sleeping area, living room, kitchen space, private bathroom and patio. Each morning, we’d open our doors to the patio and backyard with its vegetable plots, hearing the birds singing joyfully. The stillness of this retreat was incredibly uplifting! I have to admit – it was hard to leave!
Indeed, the stresses of life get to all of us. We’re bombarded daily by negative news. Our energy fields are affected by words, by people, by even noises. Every sound carries a vibration. When we’re around too many negative vibrations – whatever they may be – I believe our souls need a “time out!”
Without hopping on a plane and booking yourself on a remote, tropical island, I’d like to share a few easy ways for you to care for your inner self. Being healthy starts from the inside out!
Tips for an inner renewal
1. Start With Conscious Breathing
Breathe in deeply and feel your lower abdomen fill with air. Hold your breath for a count of three. Exhale slo-o-o-wly through your mouth. Now, do that deep breathing at least three times. (Here are a few instructions from the book, A Year To Live, by Stephen Levine.)
“Feel the body expanding and contracting with each breath…
“Focus on the rising and falling of the abdomen…
“Note the constantly changing flow of sensation in each inhalation, in each exhalation…
“Let thoughts come and go, floating like bubbles… Let the healing in, let the pain go…”
Do you feel any different?
2. Quiet Time Every Day – Set aside at least 15-20 minutes. Learn to meditate, read a spiritual book, walk your dog around the black. Even sitting quietly, closing your eyes, and listening to the birds will give you a positive feeling.
3. Connect With Nature – Did you know that trees have feelings and communicate with each other? (See: The Hidden Life Of Trees by Peter Wohlleben). Take time to walk among these wise beings, touch their bark, and offer your gratitude. Recognize the loving energy you receive.
4. Explore Something New – It’s rejuvenating to do something different. How about taking some time on your weekend for just fun? Perhaps it’s taking your dog to a new park. Or driving to a beach and squishing sand between your toes. Even moving your computer and working at a library or coffee shop can give you a boost from staying at your desk, day after day.
5. Spend Time With A Good Friend – Being around a good friend will naturally lift your spirits. That’s because your energies are vibrating together in a high frequency. Feel the joy of hanging out with someone you care about. You’ll both get an inner glow that can last all day.
6. Share Your Love – “All you need is love,” are profound lyrics. We’re all hungry for loving kindness. A smile, a hug, a pat on the back. Take a moment to let someone know you love them. Make a call. Write a note. Hold a door open. Say, “thank you.”
“When we stop protecting ourselves from life, each moment takes on new significance. We come to treasure our being even more than our becoming.” A Year To Live, by Stephen Levine
Thank YOU for taking this “time out” with me!
If you’ve enjoyed my article, please feel free to comment and share it with others. I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Looking forward to hearing from you!
by Lynn Sanders | Jun 4, 2018 | DMM Blog
“We are what we repeatedly do.” Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher and scientist
Welcome back to our adventure in discovering the proven ways we can build trust.
As I’ve shared earlier, trust is a natural outgrowth of countless actions, words, thoughts and intentions. We have to be willing to take action on a daily basis to earn trust. Over the past three articles, I’ve touched on six of the Eight Pillars of Trust, from David Horsager’s book, “The Trust Edge.” The last two pillars provide a great deal for all of us to contemplate.
PILLAR #7: CONTRIBUTION
To put it simply, you’ve got to DO something to build trust! Taking action leads to results.
Contribution involves taking action. If you’re like me, you may worry over making an action “perfect.” But then what happens? We can get stopped in our tracks. How can we ever make something perfect?
As small-business expert, Mark LeBlanc says, “Done is better than perfect.” For a business to deliver results, they need to motivate their people, create policies that promote completing tasks, and reward results by recognizing employees. Here are a few tips…
Key Strategies To Become A Daily Contributor
- Plan tomorrow today!
- Deliver with DMA’s (Difference-Making Actions – more on that!)
- Keep a clear desk – Leads to a clear mind – which results in high productivity.
- Email efficiency – Limit your email checking to specific times during the day.
- Practice a power hour – Take a quiet hour each morning – no interruptions. Focus on the activities you’ve identified for your greatest impact.
Horsager recommends taking the last fifteen minutes of a workday to plan and prioritize activities for the next day. Then, you not only remember the most important tasks, but you’re ready for success.
DMA’s (Difference-Making Actions) provide even more focus to our day. It’s a strategy of choosing the five most important items on our “to-do” list each day. Check out how DMA works…
The DMA Strategy (Difference-Making Actions)
- At the start of your morning, take out a sticky note.
- Write your most important goal.
- Then write the numbers 1-5 down the paper.
- Next to the 1, write the most important thing you could do today to reach that goal.
- Then write the next most important things under 2,3, 4, and 5.
“Every minute you spend planning saves you an average of approximately 10 minutes in execution.” Brian Tracy.
PILLAR #8: CONSISTENCY
Without consistency, none of the other pillars will matter.
“The fastest way to build a brand is consistency of message and product,” says Horsager. “When we can count on people to deliver what they say, every single time, they become indispensable.”
Consistency is like a savings account. You put a small amount in each day, and over time, it pays you back in safety and security. But if you spend it all in one week, you’re starting at the beginning. Like your savings account, trust is built over time.
Being consistent also means staying true to your word. Don’t agree to something that can’t be delivered. (A great example of a most trustworthy company is FedEx – with their promise of “Overnight delivery – guaranteed!” Their consistency helped them grow into a global empire, spanning 220 countries and territories, and handling more than 3 million packages each day!)
Imagine that trust is like oxygen in our air. We don’t think about it constantly, but it plays a vital role. With every interaction we take, trust increases or decreases. Ultimately, people are judging us not by our words, but by our actions. To build trust, we often rely on references and reviews. What people say about us matters.
We are each the total of our collective actions and decisions. Horsager emphasizes: “it’s the little things done consistently that sharpen the trust edge.”
Indeed, I think the time has never been more urgent than for us to be as trustworthy as possible. In our world, the foundation of trust seems to be at an all-time low. The public is uncertain who to believe anymore. As we lead by example in being trustworthy, I believe we can inspire others to follow the same actions.
My advice?
Follow the Eight Pillars of Trust. You’ll gain a competitive edge. Acquire a mass following. And live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Trust is THE currency of business and life today!
