This eZine has two levels of learning in it, just for fun. Predictably, I’ll start with the first, which I think is incredibly useful, then get to the second, which is the really powerful one.
First learning: I’ve been rethinking an idea I’ve held for awhile, that giving it away for free doesn’t work.
There were plenty of good reasons I had for believing in that idea: That many of us in business can be doormats for the customer, that giving it away means you are attracting people who won’t ever want to pay for it, that you aren’t valuing your work. All valid reasons, and all true to some extent.
However, one of my clients described a video he saw of how someone built a successful massage business very quickly, and did it by three simple rules:
1) Give it away
2) Ask for help (referrals)
3) Reward help you receive. (discounts, gifts, etc.)
(I will find out the name of the video, and hopefully where you can get it and include it in my next email).
My own experience in giving it away proves to me they work- and here’s why.
1) Giving as a policy:
However, he didn’t just give it away, he contained how he gave it away. Meaning, he created a policy in his business of giving away a certain number of massages a week- more in the beginning, less later on when he was busier, but never abandoning it. He made the giving away work for him, and when he reached his limit- his policy was satisfied that week, he stopped.
You do your business because you are passionate about what you offer, and about helping people with what you offer, at least I hope you are. If not, let’s talk and get you into your passion. Never abandon that caring focus, and never get stingy with your business, or your business will get stingy with you.
2) Asking is helping:
Asking for help is the big key that makes the giving away work. People are most satisfied, most fulfilled when they are able to help- this is a deep spiritual truth about our beings. We want to help. You’re in business, if you don’t ask for help, for referrals, people will assume you are doing fine. Let yourself be in your heart so you can let go of any “front” you have up about needing to “look successful,” or be other than exactly who you are and how you are doing.
On the other hand, if you do ask for help, people will not only feel good to be able to help, and know that there is a specific way they can help, they won’t feel like a charity case from receiving whatever you gave away to them. Because people feel most fulfilled when helping, the other side of that is feeling horrible and disempowered when you make a charity case of them.
3) Rewarding completes the circle:
Finally, rewarding any help you get- discounts for referrals, etc. This helps your helper feel fully seen and appreciated, it makes them feel good, that they did something of real value, gave real help. Which they did.
This is a natural extension of the teaching I have given on marketing as a gift, so run with it!
Second learning, the big one: The real lesson here is not just a framework for your marketing.
The real lesson is: Don’t become attached to ideas.
What has enabled my heart to grow, and my business with it, is that I don’t let myself get stuck in ideas. When the horse you are on is tired out, change horses. It’s better for you and the horse.
How do you let go? Saying “No,” to something can be scary, and requires a strength and fortitude to let everything turn upside down as the change happens. More on the “No” in a future email.
Your heart is the judge- your heart knows when something is wrong, or is just finished. Abandon allegiances to ideas. Only keep an allegiance to your heart, the heart of your business, and the Heart of the Divine.
I have created a department in my business. It’s called the Department of Gardening. It’s function is to evaluate the efficacy of all of my business systems and ideas, gathering the truths and facts in my business, and creativity and innovation. It’s where I do the weeding, so the true flowers can bloom, and bear fruit. Give this to yourself, to your business.
