I’m not very good at keeping track of objects. Part of this is because I’ve moved a lot in my life (maybe 20 times? I’ve lost count). Part of this is because I’m often daydreaming and talking to trees. But because of my tendency to lose things – keys, pants, notebooks, phones, wallets, chapstick, water bottles, earbuds – I’ve come up with systems to know where my stuff is. So now, our house is outfitted with a series of bowls, …
I was in Minnesota this weekend, for my grandma’s funeral. She was 94, and died with my cousins, aunt, and uncle with her, loving her on her way out. And although she had a good run, I am still brought low with grief. So you know what I’ve been doing? I’ve been writing my buns … Read More >
Well hello, over there! If you’ve been following along, you’ve noticed that these Tuesday Letters have been changing and morphing. That’s because I – like many of you – have been in metamorphosis, too. So I wanted to update you on where we are going here, and what you can expect from me going forward. … Read More >
Most experts will tell you to ‘touch the pain’ of your core customer in your marketing. But my take is that pain is a terrible place to connect with clients. Instead, I teach my students to look for the challenge, desire, or ripeness in their customers’ lives. If you are a parenting coach who speaks … Read More >
Most people operate under the idea that life should be easy. That’s great, when we’re talking about cooking or fixing your car. It’s not so useful when we are talking about how to connect with other people, so you can help them change their lives for the better, in deep, powerful, and permanent ways. So … Read More >
First off, big thanks to the surly crew that showed up for the conversation about the new way of marketing and building your business yesterday. Y’all are the wind beneath my wings! (Missed this? We’ll send out a recording soon – to get on that delivery list, sign up here.) Second, many of us around these parts are seeing that the marketplace is changing. We’ve been talking about this for awhile here, but I need to put on my …
What a long, strange trip it’s been. Just when you think you are getting the hang of the dance, the music changes. And there you are on the dance floor, shaking your chewy salsa hips, your feet moving as if possessed by some demon, sweat dripping down your flesh like the holiest of holies… to Mozart. You’ve given up trying to match the elevator muzak of mainstream culture long ago. And you’ve grown attuned to listening for the music that …
Have you noticed that the way you used to do something isn’t working like it used to? Maybe it’s the way you reach out for new clients. Maybe it’s the words and language you use to connect with people who want what you do. Or maybe your sales have taken a dip. Good news! You … Read More >
Come up and sit with me here on this hill, would you? The time has come to talk of many things. Of shoes, and ships, and sealing wax. Of cabbages and white supremacists. Whoopsie! That’s not how that poem goes! Well, come up here with me on this hill anyway, and – over there – … Read More >
In my time off last month, I got the chance for a good think. And one of the things I thought about is how I don’t really trust or feel comfortable around the mainstream. As in, mainstream society. Mainstream art. Mainstream symbols of success. Case in point: when a book sells really well, I assume … Read More >
For coaches, healers and consultants, the best way to create great clients continues to be through word-of-mouth, relationships, and referrals. But there are three situations when this time-tested approach to growing a business doesn’t supply you with as many great clients as you’d like. In these moments, it pays to stop and reevaluate your marketing … Read More >
