Greetings ,

Has your mind ever gone blank when a prospect said, "So, tell me some of your success stories"?

Sometimes I wonder if this "blank mind syndrome" is thanks to a mother who said not to brag. (See guest blog post from speech coach, Jezra Kaye writing about when this happened to her recently in a radio interview.)

 

When someone asks you for success stories, what do they really want to know?

 

I think they want you to tell them a story -- with a happy ending -- about how you helped someone just like them. They want to know that what you offer can work (and has, in real life). They want to be reassured that there's hope for them. That's why it's important to have a couple of those stories ready to tell.

 

In our latest book, The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing (not for designers only!), there is a worksheet called, "Mining Your Own Stories" -- on page 78, if you have the book. (Click here for a copy of the worksheet.)

 

But if, next time you are asked for "success stories," even with your stories ready to tell, your mind goes blank, you can always offer references instead.

 

That's it for today. Scroll down for details on a half day workshop I'm teaching in Toronto as part of DesignThinkers next Thursday (October 30th), the latest from the MarketingMixBlog.com and more goodies.

 

'Til next time.

 

Ilise Benun

Marketing-Mentor.com

Mentoring slots open for November

I have 2 mentoring slots open for November. Just reply to this message and we'll talk details.

 

Learn in a marketing mentor group

We have mentoring mini-groups (3-4 people in each) starting soon. Our most popular groups are the 3-month, Bi-Weekly Marketing Plan Group and the Feet to the Fire Group. Details here.

 

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Check out the latest posts on the MarketingMixBlog.com: 

• Excellent ideas from my market
• How business-like is your business portrait?
• Free ebook about the value of triiibes

Listen to our free podcast series! 

We now have all 13 episodes posted here and on iTunes from the new book, The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing. Here's what one "non-designer" listener wrote to us, "I am a consultant, not a designer, yet your book and exercises remain OUTSTANDING, top-shelf presentation.  It is helping me think and re-think my behavior and realities. And I bought it for a friend. He is thriving from your words." 

 

BTW: You don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. I don't have one myself but I'm listening on the computer.

 

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It's 4th quarter. Is your marketing plan on track? What? You don't have a marketing plan? Well, it's not too late to start with our Start Anytime Grow Your Business Marketing Plan + Calendar. All the marketing tools are laid out for you in the calendar. You can customize it for your business. Start Up and Veteran's versions available as downloads. More details here.

 

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Do you have a burning marketing question? Are you curious about what it's like to work with a mentor? I urge you to take advantage of the free half hour consultation we offer (click here). Or, if we've already done the consultation, I am available on an hourly, as-needed basis to discuss any marketing or pricing questions that come up or brainstorm new opportunities. Just reply to this message and we'll discuss details. 

 

Come see us

October 28-29: Design Thinkers for RGD Ontario
www.designthinkers.com