I recently was the opening keynote at BLP Connect in Los Angeles. One hundred and twenty five entrepreneurial woman gathered for a day of learning about “connection.” Over the years I have realized that my work with my clients is more about their voice, and how they energetically connect online to grow and profit (and feel good about it at the same time)! My psychology degree really makes what I do powerful! Speaking that day I wanted these women to see the power of letting go of their fears about connecting online, and truly allowing their power and energy to shine through what they sell, product or service. For the first time I would release what I have developed as The Influence Factor.
Does your brand energetically resonate with your fans, referrals sources, partners and press opportunities online? Over the years working with countless women to transfer their Brand online, I observe so many where there is a disconnect with their Influence Factor. So many people shift their energy when they get online to do their marketing. They become what I shared as the “Marketing Robot” at the BP Event! (Yes I did the robot from the 80’s on stage!). See a bit here:
Don’t become what you are not! Being the best YOU you can be is what creates The Influence Factor. Don’t forget it, don’t leave it behind. I have recently developed a series of over 40 questions that help me to assess the power of your voice, the five core areas you might disconnect, and how to channel them to your Influence factor. They will be a part of my book!
The Influence Factor is first about who you are. It’s your values, your belief systems, the way you view the world, it’s your energy. It’s how you think and feel. I often meet clients who say, “I want to be able to sell my business. I want to be able to have an exit strategy and if I put my energy into the business. It won’t be sell-able.” that is so far from the truth! Every SELL-ABLE, VIABLE, THRIVING business has this. Your energy will make your business come alive, your energy will make your business grow, your energy will make your business have values that another company would want to buy. And it will create customer connection.
When you find your voice, and dynamically connect it to what you do, everything changes. See, social media is a dynamic energetic space. Watch connection happen when you do!
Want a SNEAK PEEK of some of the questions from Ann’s upcoming book? Get the passcode today!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
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OK, we’re obviously contemporaries because I totally remember doing the robot! Ah, the ’80s! You’re so right, Ann and thanks for this. I know as a consumer that if I speak to someone who is low energy and doesn’t seem really excited about what they do, then most likely I won’t make that purchase. Energy and enthusiasm are infectious! And no, you don’t have to shove it down my throat, but if I sense that you really believe in and love what you’re doing, I’m more apt to become a fan/customer/friend, etc.
Fabulous Ann! Once again you hit the nail on the head and are leading the pac in this. Thanks for your constant and consistent support of finding and sharing our voice in the world! You are my mentor in this.
Great blog and video, Ann. Sometimes I worry about being too much of myself, too opinionated in my blogs because I don’t want to alienate anyone. Often the written word translates different than the spoken word and you don’t have as much chance to explain yourself. With the last blog I wrote, I had an opinion and was mindful about how I expressed it. My husband said maybe I should tone it down, but I told him that as a writer, I want to express myself. Those people who I resonate with will like me and those who I don’t, won’t, But it’s important for me to be who I am and express what I believe in. Thanks for the reminder.
This message resonates so strongly for me, Ann, as your work so often does. Apart from SoMe, I did realize several years ago that people were drawn to me not just because what/ how I teach is powerful and very useful, but even more because they were drawn to me, Vicki. I find this so relaxing because I can let go of some need to create some kind of artificial persona. After all, it doesn’t take extra work to be me, jus need to get push aside self consciousness and fear. Thanks for yet another dose of
Ann-spiration!
Yes, Ann, this is what you teach and what you do. I understand why people find it easier to be themselves in person that “in print.” They see SoMe as print – one way communication when it is, in fact, a conversation. So many people spew – that is, they just post, post, post and there is no invite to respond. And in fact, some people I’ve responded to have never replied back even when I’ve asked a question. I find that very interesting! So, of course, I stop communicating with them because they are not interested in a relationship. If I look at this as building a relationship online, then I want people to know who I am so they can build one with ME. That means I have to be genuine and true to myself. And always tell the truth!
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://susan-berland.com
Ann, I love this message. It was the hardest part of the training, but definitely the most rewarding. I am able to clear out the “ugh, should I really say THAT?” and just put who I am and my way of “talking” out there. It has released a lot of second guessing, re-writing and writer’s block in the first place.
I am looking forward to reading your book!
Jillian
Jillian Todd Portrait Couture
http://www.jilliantodd.com
http://www.jilliantoddblog.com
Dynamic presentation and I love the clothes! So true, it is about putting yourself out there. It was difficult for me to enter the social media marketing space because for much of my early life, staying under the radar was the more prudent choice. It has been a trans-formative experience for me to find my public voice and become fearless in sharing what I know. I do it all the time in my office setting, when working one-on-one. Now, the SNCC program has given me great tools to use in this brave new world of marketing! Thanks Ann!
Maureena Bivins, PhD
Acupuncture and Somatic Therapy
http://www.maureenabivinsphd.com
Curious, committed, and compassionate.
lol- My first impression when I saw the picture of you on the blog post was that you were wearing a head dress of feathers… just the plant but I thought how appropriate for Ann! In any case, I love watching you on stage. You are the prime example of what you just talked about. You are your own brand and people connect to you. If people can see you and understand that, then they ‘get’ what you are talking about.
Nicely done Ann.
Candace Davenport
http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message
I am just starting to find my own voice, in large part due to SNCC. I love how you embody what you are teaching and bringing to the world. The idea of energetically connecting with what I do is so in tune with what I actually do in my business – I teach the Alexander Technique. If I don’t own that, and live and practice it every day in my own life, then I can’t teach it. As usual, thanks for your clarity and insight.
Very nice, Ann! I remember when I was starting out, I resisted the idea of branding. I found myself pushing back against being a product, service or object that needed to be sold – yet, hello! I want people to get the essence of who I am, like it, and hire me so I can share my tools, skills, experience with them. So, I had to get over that. I appreciate the reminder that social media can be as much about building your presence as it is about selling, marketing. Thanks!
You live what you preach, which makes it so powerful. I really like the “BrandConnection” brand! I’ve always thought the way you talk about connecting “energetically” very powerful and it resonates for me. I want to be myself, and I have to constantly go through the part about how we don’t become someone different on-line. Can’t wait to learn what those 40 questions are.
I am thrilled to be connected with you. I feel pretty confident that I speak with authenticity on line and off, my brand is really starting to come into realness for me and I am seeing how its all coming together. Cant wait to read your book. I think my energy is pretty strong and comes through in my posts, the time is coming to put it all together.
Hey, I wanted more! I was all hunkering down and getting into what you were saying, and it stopped – 🙂 I do my best to connect online – putting me into what I do, but sometimes, I know I miss. I’m a work in progress. (Can’t wait for the book.)
I was noticing this in another area: Painting. I was noticing how another artist will have this incredibly well painted canvas. It’s beautiful looking. But I don’t get any energy from it. There is a disconnect there. I get it. It’s really not hard to be yourself online if you can be yourself with you and everyone else in person.
Julieanne Case
Always from the heart!
Reconnecting you to your essence, joy, vitality, youth.| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | AgeLoc Skin Care | Pharmanex Supplements
http://thereconnectivehighway.com
Absolutely! An awareness I discovered in my own journey. Just be yourself! Follow, learn from, admire others, but “Be Youniquely You”
While I’m making progress, I still fight turning into a marketing robot. It’s just as you said…”The scariest thing for women is to share the things that energetically draw people to you.” For me, it’s as if how I show up in person – and attract people – is not the “right” thing for marketing online even in social media. Knowing that I am not the only one with this challenge is a huge help. It is so easy to think that others don’t have that same robot disconnect – and then get caught up in comparing vs. being myself.
Yes, Ann, this is what you teach and what you do. I understand why people find it easier to be themselves in person that “in print.” They see SoMe as print – one way communication when it is, in fact, a conversation. So many people spew – that is, they just post, post, post and there is no invite to respond. And in fact, some people I’ve responded to have never replied back even when I’ve asked a question. I find that very interesting! So, of course, I stop communicating with them because they are not interested in a relationship. If I look at this as building a relationship online, then I want people to know who I am so they can build one with ME. That means I have to be genuine and true to myself. And always tell the truth!
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://susan-berland.com
Finding my voice has been one of the most difficult objectives for me and I am still not sure what it is exactly in terms of the business…I think I made some progress with the latest video I made, but am looking forward to learning more about how to really hone in on what my voice is, what the voice of our business is and how people respond to it.I have had a disconnect between who I am and what I think the business energy should be. So, I am excited about the questions you have to assess voice, and it will be interesting to see what happens!
Yes, Ann, this is what you teach and what you do. I understand why people find it easier to be themselves in person that “in print.” They see SoMe as print – one way communication when it is, in fact, a conversation. So many people spew – that is, they just post, post, post and there is no invite to respond. And in fact, some people I’ve responded to have never replied back even when I’ve asked a question. I find that very interesting! So, of course, I stop communicating with them because they are not interested in a relationship. If I look at this as building a relationship online, then I want people to know who I am so they can build one with ME. That means I have to be genuine and true to myself. And always tell the truth!
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://susan-berland.com
Yes, Ann, this is what you teach and what you do. I understand why people find it easier to be themselves in person that “in print.” They see SoMe as print – one way communication when it is, in fact, a conversation. So many people spew – that is, they just post, post, post and there is no invite to respond. And in fact, some people I’ve responded to have never replied back even when I’ve asked a question. I find that very interesting! So, of course, I stop communicating with them because they are not interested in a relationship. If I look at this as building a relationship online, then I want people to know who I am so they can build one with ME. That means I have to be genuine and true to myself. And always tell the truth!
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://susan-berland.com
OK. I get it better now. Will review that section of the training. I have overlooked who I am to serve up others that I thought of as ‘better’.