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Hi <<First Name>>,
Well, I hope you enjoyed the lovely sunshine we’ve had recently. I certainly did.
I made progress in the vegetable patch, went for a lovely walk and talk with a friend and fellow business owner, and even had lunch in the garden!
This week I’m sharing with you one of the exercises in my book, looking at hackathons in two different ways and explaining how I got on the radio - and how you can too.
A final reminder that 'Get going on Canva’ takes place THIS WEDNESDAY, 10-11.30am. Come and learn how to use Canva to create images for social media, newsletters, flyers, Zoom backgrounds and much more.
In my newsletter this week:
- Hackathon update
- Fancy a can crusher?
- The end of your nose...
- It’s your affair
Please do read on...
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Hackathon update
Last week I told you I was participating in a Hackathon with Kingston Uni students.
On Friday, the students presented their results.
I had three groups - each of which had worked together to come up with my marketing plan.
I wasn’t surprised that they focused mainly on social media, but each group suggested a different primary platform.
One group favoured Instagram, another TikTok (not sure about that!) and the third introduced me to reddit.
I’d heard of reddit, but never ventured there, but after listening to my Hackathon group, I definitely will.
They had even identified what I should do on reddit, and which community I should tap into.
I got other tips too, including ways to get more reviews, new options for using Amazon more effectively and suggestions for follow-up seminars.
All in all, it was a valuable exercise.
Now all I have to do is put those ideas into action...!
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Fancy a can-crusher?
Ever noticed how something gets your attention, and then you see it everywhere?
You buy a new car - and suddenly that's the only car you see on the road.
You or your partner get pregnant, or you get a new grandchild - and suddenly you see babies everywhere.
Last week, for me, it was hackathons!
There I was, participating in the University hackathon described above, when this article from Ticket Tailor popped into my inbox.
It describes their own version of a hackathon.
In the article Ticket Tailor explain how they set aside days for ‘crushing cans’ i.e. for tackling product development tasks.
To be eligible to go on their ‘can crusher’ list, these tasks have to meet all of the following criteria:
- Improves customer experience
- Takes between 1h and 1w to complete
- Well understood with no blockers
- More likely to be individual work
As small businesses, I know that many of us struggle to find time to work ON our business rather than in it.
It occurred to me that we could take a leaf out of Ticket Tailor's book.
Decide on your criteria for your own ‘can crusher’ list.
Mine might be:
- adds value to my clients
- low cost or no cost
- takes less than a day to complete
Then start compiling your list.
Finally, set aside one day a month to work on your list, selecting one item to focus on each time.
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The end of your nose
Last week I gave 3 talks within 24 hours.
Of course, I talked about my book - among other things.
And I shared a few top tips from the exercises in the book.
Including this one, about your strengths. It goes like this:
Touch the end of your nose with your finger.
Can you see it?
No - that’s because it’s too close to you.
And that’s where your strengths sit.
You are so familiar with your strengths that you often don’t recognise them.
If something is easy for you, you assume it’s easy for others too.
But usually it’s not - it’s just that it’s one of your strengths.
The best way to identify your strengths is to ask others.
Ask 5-10 friends, family, colleagues, or clients what they think your top 3 strengths are.
Write them all down, and notice what comes up more than once.
Those are likely to be your top strengths.
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It’s your affair
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I had been interviewed for a radio show.
Brooklands Radio is an internet radio station based in Surrey.
Like every station, there are various presenters, each with their own programme covering different topics.
This week I am one of the guests on Surrey Business Affairs, which is hosted by Jackie Mitchell and goes out on Thursday 4 March at 1pm (and then again on Wednesday 10 March at 7pm).
Radio interviews are a great way to raise your profile and at the same time practise speaking confidently about your business.
A good interviewer will have done their homework, and will draw out comments from you that you might never have thought of on your own.
Fantastic material for future networking pitches!
Find out more about Brooklands Radio here.
And if you’d like to be introduced to them, get in touch.
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My workshop portfolio
Get going on Canva is this Wednesday, 3 March at 10am. Come and learn the basics of using Canva, create your own design and get instant feedback.
Also available on demand are:
Look Smart on LinkedIn - building a credible presence on LinkedIn
Business focus and goals - reconnect to your business purpose and get clear on your business goals
Know your worth – manage your finances, understanding what to charge and learning how to negotiate your price with customers
Developing your Business Strategy - plotting your route to business success
Networking skills - why, where and how to network effectively
Business Blogging with Intent - what blogging is, why and how to do it, and where to place it
Finding your Ideal Client - how to identify your 'ideal client', and then track them down
Managing your business risks - understand what can go wrong, and what to do about it
Managing your Clients - master the art of fabulous customer service and minimise payment issues
Be Desk Smart – gain a more robust business set up, cut your stress and have a healthier workspace
Be Time Smart – use your time better, achieve more and feel more in control
Details of all my regular workshops can always be found on the workshops page of my website.
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“Amanda’s support and coaching has provided me with so much confidence and enabled me to refocus on my business.
Having someone to sound out ideas and plans, and help flesh out pain points and, at the same time, give a rationale alternative explanation has been incredible.
I couldn’t recommend her services more highly! Thank you, Amanda!”
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