Tag: All Access Group

From Seinfeld to Bieber: How to Engage the Right Celebrity for Your Business?

Celebrity involvement with Celebrities (1)brands and commercial enterprises has become so commonplace that there’s even a buzzword for it: “star-ups.”

From Jay Z and Tidal to Jessica Alba and The Honest Company (not to mention Ashton Kutcher and, well, just about everything!), celebrities love working with companies they resonate with.

But that doesn’t mean getting a celebrity on board is easy. Struggling startups, for example, may not be ready. Even well-funded, established companies should have a meaningful reason to partner with celebrities and be able to offer sufficient cash, equity, or something else that’s meaningful and incentivizes them to want to participate. …

How to Pay Attention to the Whispers When Vetting a Connection?

You know that feeling deep in your gut; the one that tells you not to trust the person you’re talking to? Trust it–it almost always has critical information to share with you if you listen.

I’ve had several occasions in my career where my gut told me not to work with someone. But, because I was in need of the work at the time, I ignored it to my peril. It was always a mistake.

 

I once worked with a startup that had just secured investors–a startup’s dream, of course. Without warning, the CEO completely disappeared; he left the country. He never responded to anyone, and he didn’t pay the consultants or principals what he owed them. He just left and cut off all communication without explanation to anyone involved. …

Wearable Technology – Where Fashion & Fitness Converge

Screen Shot 2015-08-06 at 12.14.11 PMWe’ve been watching “wearable tech” come on like a force of nature over the last couple of years. It’s the convergence of ever shrinking technology that shows up in everyday lives everywhere  –  on our bodies, in our hands, in our cars  –  and information  –  and fashion. Yes, fashion.

Think of the obvious first, like fashion electronics. Whether it’s FitBit or the Apple Watch that just hit the scene, or Jawbone, or any of these things that are now considered fashion accessories – but they are primarily fitness accessories that give you information in real time about what’s happening with your body and your activity level. …

Why Advisors Are Worth Your Equity (and How to Find a Good One)

ID-10046002In today’s landscape–where startups are sexy–founders can sometimes become hoarders. They might hoard capital because they don’t want to spend it unwisely or give it away foolishly (which makes sense). Or they may tend to hoard equity to keep control of their company.

This can be a big mistake. Handing out equity early to qualified advisors might be one of the smartest things you do. Strategic advisors can provide a wealth of value right from the start. They exist to provide the expertise that your startup needs but doesn’t have the money to acquire.

Think of these advisors as business sherpas: people more experienced than you who help you navigate and climb the startup mountain. …

5 Secrets to Building High-Yield Partnerships

5 Secrets to Building High-Yield PartnershipsEvery entrepreneur and business leader needs something — money, information, technology, relationships or whatever. Unless that something is the elixir of life itself, chances are someone else can provide it for you. And when you’re connected to a trusted and tight-knit network, the resources you need are typically only an email or phone call away.

Forming strategic partnerships not only creates a powerful reciprocal network, but also propels you toward your goals, exposes you to new insights and optimizes the time and energy you invest in relationships. And these advantages work both ways.

Showing up at networking events is a good start, but it isn’t enough to develop and strengthen strategic alliances that will connect you with the right resources. To build smarter partnerships, consider these time-tested tips: …

4 Expensive Mistakes Your Startup Could Make — and How to Avoid Them

ID-10098760As a startup owner, chances are that you have little time to yourself. You’re constantly running from task to task trying to do everything you can to keep your head above water and get your startup off the ground. But it’s during busy times like these that crucial mistakes–some that could be highly detrimental to the fate of your business–are most often made.

In business and in life, there are certain dos and don’ts. Here are four common (and costly) don’ts I often see first-time entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them: …

Video Marketing Lessons Small Businesses Can Learn From Big Brands

Video marketing is one of the best tools that businesses have at their disposal today. For starters, a high-quality or clever video has the potential to go viral, which can get your brand in front of the eyes of millions of people in a single afternoon. Video also can be inexpensive and therefore cost effective, provided you know what you’re doing. If your company is ready to start making videos, learn these marketing lessons from the big brands that you can apply to your campaign:

Apple

Apple may be one of the most successful companies now, but it wasn’t always that way. Much of this company’s recent success can be attributed to the high-quality products it makes and to the unique video campaigns it conducts. Apple’s TV spots are brilliant in their simplicity — many of them feature simple music, stark white backgrounds and little more than the product on display. Apple isn’t attempting to distract the viewer with loud music or flashy graphics — instead, it lets the products speak for themselves.

Video camera operatorLay’s Potato Chips

Lay’s has been experimenting with hugely successful videos in the last several years. The company launched a video campaign called “Do Us a Flavor,” which urged people to visit a specific URL to submit ideas for new potato chip flavors. This campaign was successful because it leveraged the power of the Internet and social media to the company’s advantage. By inviting the audience to participate in the campaign, Lay’s was essentially putting the viewers on display.

While the chance to win $1 million dollars certainly didn’t hurt, Lay’s campaign was successful because it embraced emerging technology in a simple yet effective way by letting those who viewed its videos get in on the fun. It also went a long way towards showing customers that their opinions really did matter.

LifeLock

LifeLock is an example of a big brand that knows how to use successful video marketing for the good of its organization. LifeLock, which offers a full line of identity theft protection services, has won numerous Editor’s Choice awards with leading publications, such as PC Magazine, NetNanny and Geeky Reviews.

LifeLock’s video marketing campaigns have succeeded largely because they stick to a few tried-and-true rules. Each TV spot is packed with information, but still manages to only be around two minutes long. Each spot doesn’t try to cover too much, either. They all pick a single buyer persona and focus on the individual needs of that person. For example, one video focuses on the worries of the online shopper and a separate video focuses on someone who may be using public Wi-Fi in a cafe. This is a successful tactic because the company isn’t trying to tell the whole story in any one video, but rather is creating a series of videos that all work together to sell the same product.

When creating your own video campaign, remember these three examples. Making it simple, engaging your audience and keeping it short are easy ways to help your videos find success.

To your best success,

 

Stephen, Guest Blogger for the All Access Group

PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter

PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)

Stephen earned his Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video Production at the University Of Toledo College Of Performing Arts in Toledo, Ohio. In addition, he also worked for a big box electronic retailer for three years specializing in high definition audio and video equipment as well as computers and software. He has created almost ten thousand pieces of SEO-driven content for various online clients on topics ranging from the entertainment industry, electronics, computer operating systems and general technology.

 

 

 

 

 

Is It Time to Spring Clean Your Business? Here’s 4 Ways on How to Do It!

It’s spring! As signs of life begin to reappear outside, you might feel the urge to swing open the windows and tackle that growing pile of clutter that you ignored all winter.

That’s the same feeling that motivates so many people to do some spring cleaning every year. By applying this mindset to your business, you can gain a fresh perspective on your company.

documents-moving-one-folder-100251816Every year, I try to do some in-depth spring cleaning, and I use the same process each time. Although your needs might vary from year to year, this time-tested approach is sure to return your business to a healthier, livelier, and more profitable state in no time:

  1. Take inventory of your mindset. The year is 25 percent over. Are you where you want to be with your business goals?

To get your business back on track, take inventory of your mindset and beliefs. Are you operating from a clearheaded, peaceful state of mind and making progress toward your day-to-day goals? Or are you falling into negative habits in your comfort zone that could be impeding your progress?

Chances are you know this stuff intuitively. But taking the time to think through these answers mindfully and proactively will help you steer yourself back on course.

  1.  Get in touch with the right resources. After your personal leadership assessment, consider the business as a whole. Do you need additional resources to help you make necessary changes?

One of my recent goals was to revamp and relaunch my website. I don’t have the skills to accomplish this myself, and it wouldn’t be the best use of my time. So I hired experts to do it for me.

Similarly, be mindful of the fact that your staff might need help attaining their goals or decluttering (and staying decluttered). Consider bringing in outside professionals to get the job done quickly–and correctly–the first time. Make sure to create systems and structures that you can use to stay organized and streamlined.

  1. Rid your team of physical and mental clutter. It’s amazing what working in a clean, uncluttered workspace can do for your creativity and productivity. Are there external distractions keeping you and your team from working at peak capacity?

If you’re removing physical clutter, knock out one section at a time so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Ask whether an item serves you or is just taking up unnecessary space, and part with it if it doesn’t have a clear utility. You can also create filing systems to contain and conceal items that you don’t need on a daily basis. This way, you can easily retrieve them without taking up valuable real estate. Consider scanning as much paper as possible to conserve even more space.

  1. Make it a team effort. If you’re making more substantive changes to operations, solicit input and ideas from the team members who stand to benefit. Explain why the process will help them do their jobs better, collaborate more effectively, and be more productive.

Team members who take an active role in the process and feel valued will be more likely to adopt the solution after the cleaning bug passes. To incentivize employees even further, establish a system that rewards them for maintaining the new approach or making suggestions for ongoing improvement.

Spring cleaning is about starting fresh. But you don’t have to wait for spring to sweep your company clean; applying this process any time during the year will yield the same benefits.

Don’t let your efforts to spring clean wither away come fall. Make a conscious effort to rid your company of clutter, negative thoughts, and inefficiency for good so everyone can remain organized and stay focused on the business objectives that really matter.

This article was previously published in Inc.com magazine

 

To your best success,

Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter

PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)

 

 

 

How to Make Money By Talking to Cool People

You’re always looking for ways to bolster your digital marketing strategy and stand out as an expert in your field, so why not consider hosting a podcast series?

Sure, it’s not exactly bleeding edge, but the practice is expanding. In fact, podcasting grew 105 percent between 2006 and 2012, and the number of customers listening jumped 163%.

ID-100295932According to a survey KnowledgeStorm and Universal McCann conducted, 65% of business and IT professionals listen to podcasts for personal and business purposes, and 60 percent interviewees said whitepapers and analyst reports would be more attractive in podcast form.

That is a huge potential for a strong revenue stream–plus a brand and credibility boost.

Think about it this way: You’ve spent years gathering knowledge, and now you have tools to share it with the world. How empowering is that?

Learn From the Best

Podcasting is a portable way to communicate a message, which fits seamlessly into an entrepreneur’s busy lifestyle. It doesn’t need to be live–it’s on-demand. And you can forgo the screen because it plugs into your smartphone or car. It’s a brand extension that demonstrates your expertise and credibility to your target audience and sets you apart from competitors.

Celebrities and entrepreneurs alike have begun to capitalize on these incredible benefits.

For example, Internet marketer Brendon Burchard led the charge in building audiences, teaching them techniques in certain verticals, and selling them products or events that dive deep into the topic. For Burchard, this has netted millions and launched several New York Times best sellers.

Television mogul Kathie Lee Gifford also runs a successful podcast. She promotes her brand affiliates, such as Walmart, and hosts a long line of celebrity guests each week. An especially entertaining moment was hearing Gifford try to explain podcasts to an incredulous Regis Philbin.

“You mean they can hear this anywhere in the country?” Philbin asked. “No Reg, they can hear this anywhere in the world,” Gifford retorted. “It’s a radio show that goes out in cyberspace.”

5 Keys to Podcasting Success

These entrepreneurs didn’t create successful podcasts overnight, though. They planned and prepared carefully. Here are five tricks to cut down time and achieve rapid success:

  1. Plan ahead. If you’re doing a solo show, you might want to script it. For some, this means writing down every word you plan to say. For others, it’s making a cheat sheet of topics you want to cover in case you lose your place.
  2. Consult your knowledge bank. If you can’t decide where to start, sift through old blog posts or articles you’ve written, and use them as a guide or script. Choose a post that’s a few months old so the content isn’t too new but is still relevant.
  3. Find the right platform. Podcast success stories aren’t limited to massive spaces such as PodcastOne and iTunes. Other venues–including Libsyn and BlogTalkRadio–have built huge followings of do-it-yourselfers on social media. Keep your options open.
  4. Let your guests do the talking. If you’re doing an interview-based show, coach your guest with premade questions beforehand. Hosting a guest is also another promotional outlet, so make sure to ask interviewees to promote shows by linking to them on their website, blog, social media sites, email, etc.
  5. Get it on paper. Invest a few dollars to get the interview transcribed and sent to your guests soon after. You can also post it on your website’s blog or newsletter. I recycle the audios for an audiobook and have also created a series of audio “snacks” from my series I call “Coffee & Connections.” It’s another way for listeners to engage, and with a modest annual subscription fee attached, it provides a passive revenue stream. For entrepreneurs who teach, you can repurpose these into workbooks or audio portions of subscription-based training products, such as Kajabi.

The benefits podcasting has produced for my brand has far outweighed the risks–and the solid brand recognition that accompanies interviewing intriguing people is a fantastic asset and differentiator for any entrepreneur. So next time you’re searching for a new digital marketing tactic, consider a podcast. The personal and professional impact it’ll have might surprise you.

 

This article was previously published in Inc.com magazine

 

To your best success,

Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter

PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)

 

 

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Mentor-Mentee Relationship

Whether you’ve never had one before or you’ve heard horror stories from friends, it’s natural to be a little skeptical of the whole mentor-mentee thing, especially if you’re familiar with the competitive business world.

Somehow–by fate or circumstance–you’re supposed to meet a successful, experienced entrepreneur who just happens to want to chitchat about your ideas for hours each week and has the time and inclination to do so?

mentorIn a climate where there’s no free lunch, it’s easy to assume there’s a hidden catch. But if you feel this way, it’s because you don’t understand how mentorship helps your mentor. Did you know that training and advising mentees is a powerful way for your mentor to gain leadership skills and team-building experience? And that mentees often help their mentors understand things in new ways through feedback, communication, and interpersonal skills?

The most satisfied mentees are the ones who recognize that every meeting has the potential to help their mentors advance their own careers, too. There are a few simple things you can do to make sure that reciprocal value gets created, including the following:

  1. Build a Reciprocal Relationship Research shows that people put more into relationships when they share common values and personalities. If you suspect your mentor isn’t getting anything out of your relationship, it might be because you’re asking her to chat up a brick wall or it’s simply not a good fit. Work toward making your relationship reciprocal by asking insightful, personal questions, sharing personal stories of your own, and offering to help whenever possible. At the very least, spring for lunch every once in a while. Do everything you can to make sure your relationship is a two-way street, and you’ll uncover a much more animated, energetic mentor.
  1. Know Your Role Understanding each person’s expectations is a key ingredient in relationship building, and the mentor-mentee relationship is no exception. Each party needs to understand her role in the relationship and approach the conversation with that attitude. For example, if your mentor prefers to offer straightforward coaching, it’s up to you to adjust your expectations and be flexible and responsive to her advice. This give and take allows both individuals to contribute to (and benefit from) the relationship.
  1. Don’t Shy Away From Your Expertise Your mentor knows that you have expertise outside of her wheelhouse. Don’t shy away from this fact in an effort to protect her feelings. Playing dumb will only make you a bad mentee. For example, if you’re a Millennial mentee partnered with a baby boomer mentor, you might be able to provide insight into up-and-coming tech trends that could prove valuable to her. It’s that give and take (more emphasis on the give) that will make the relationship between the two of you stand out.
  1. Take Advice and Offer Feedback When your mentor invests time in your relationship and offers you advice, it’s wise to consider taking it if it makes sense to do so. There’s nothing worse than a mentee who listens, ignores, and doesn’t even follow up on practical advice that’s offered to her. If you’re on the receiving end of advice, it’s up to you to implement it and keep your mentor updated on how those strategies are working out. If you don’t plan to take the advice, stand up for yourself and explain your thinking. This deeper discussion might help your mentor understand your position, or it might expose a misunderstanding that was preventing you from embracing the idea. Who knows? It might even reveal a better idea.

If you’re skeptical about why a mentor would want to partner with a mentee, it may be because you don’t have a plan in place to make it worth her while. Figure out what you have to offer your mentor, and do everything you can to provide that value. It’s how you’ll build a reciprocal, mutual relationship that benefits you both in the long term.

This article was previously published in Inc.com magazine

To your best success,

Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter

PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)

 

 

 

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