Meeting Topic

INTRODUCTION FOR NEXT MEETING TOPIC:

In the lead-up to our first-ever Venus Training Suite ‘Your Vision and Values’ workshop coming up on 16 March, our article (contributed by Jo Robertson, one of the facilitators of the workshop along with Mandy Beverly and Carol Reid) is focused on how we can design a strategy for our lives! In this article, Jo shares the importance of creating a clear vision for our future, because when we are clear on what we want, opportunities become clearer as well. By getting clear on what we want, we also become clearer on what we don’t want – what isn’t serving us. In your 60-second intro, consider addressing ONE of the following thoughts:

1. Have you ever used a vision board to support you to create your strategy for business or life? If so, how did you find it?
2. Has creating your vision provided you with clarity around where to focus your time and energy – what is one of those things that ‘made the cut’?
3. Have you had a time where you needed to ‘clear out’ people who weren’t lifting you on your journey?

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How to Design Your Life with a Crystal Clear Vision By Jo Robertson

Ten years ago I mapped my vision. I was ready for a change of pace and a different lifestyle. I was feeling uncertain about what I wanted, or how to get started and I was ready to set a new direction, so I got to work to create my vision collecting images and words that would help create a big picture of what I wanted my life to look like and feel like. The exercise provided a chance to reflect on my skills, qualities, strengths and experiences, to tap into my dreams and aspirations, and to prioritise what was important.

I still have the large sheets of paper folded up and carefully stored, and every now and then I get them out, reverently unfold them and the content of those pages still resonates with me and gives me purpose today.

It’s worth taking this time to create a vision, to decide what you want to paint upon your canvas of life, so you know:

• where to focus your time
• which opportunities to pursue and seize
• which to decline and
• the sorts of people you want to share your journey with

Creating a vision for life and working intentionally towards it puts you in the driver’s seat, so instead of just letting life happen– living life by default – you intentionally set out to design the life you want to live.

This process is an opportunity for you to also look at what no longer fits or serves you well.  By clearing out, we make space so we can step back and see with more clarity. It can be really freeing and can give us vitality and space to move forward. Sometimes having a coach or support person to help do this clearing out is a good place to start.

Recently when guiding a group of women through the process of mapping their vision, I decided to take the opportunity to work alongside them to create a new vision board and to revisit my “vision”.  It was a magic experience of reflecting and sharing as we put together our “visions” each setting a direction for our future.

It’s important now that we have patience and understand that the miracle of progress can seem invisible. We will need to keep faith, feel gratitude for whatever turns up each day, and surround ourselves with people who will support us and help to bring our emerging vision to reality.

It can take some time to form your vision. Sit quietly with it, and revisit it. Treasure it. Your vision is a very special thing you can do just for yourself.

Forming a vision can bring a wealth of opportunities to your life, whether you are a person who normally sets goals or not. You move forward with a sense of purpose of where you’re at and where you’re going.

I have my own proof that the opportunities people often experience after forming a vision can be simply amazing. You may find that ideas, people and events come into your life to make your vision happen. When opportunities present themselves, check in with the strength you have within yourself to go with them. If it feels right, then run with it. It’s sometimes only afterwards that you see the benefits that come your way as a result of an opportunity. These opportunities can be stepping stones leading to greater things.

I know you want to create your very best life, and you’re on your way to doing just that.  I would love to provide you with a gorgeous tool to help you create your vision and set a new direction for your future. Go ahead and sign up to grab this FREE booklet to help you:  Map My Vision

You can find out more about Jo here:  http://www.jorobertson.co.nz

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Next Meeting Topic

INTRODUCTION FOR NEXT MEETING TOPIC:

To kick off our STRATEGY pillar for this year, we’re starting with a topic that has been on everyone’s lips for the past few months in our business circles – VIDEO! In this week’s article, Carrie Harman walks us through the ‘how-to’ of including video in your business and marketing strategies for 2022/23.

Read the article and in your 60-second introduction, consider sharing YOUR take on the use of video in your business… how do you feel you could BEST utilise it to showcase what makes you and your business special?

In practical terms, what does all this mean?

WANT to create and use videos

Don’t just do video because you’ve been told you should or feel like you have to use videos to compete. To be consistent, sustainable, and effective you have to WANT TO USE VIDEOS. Otherwise, it will turn into one of those business tasks that you always put off, and you’ll start to dread doing it. And that will show. It’s one thing to push yourself slightly out of your comfort zone, but it’s another matter altogether if it fills you with dread. Saying that, if the desire is strong enough, even tasks that scare you can be achieved with help and support, and you don’t have to a) be in all your videos yourself OR b) tackle the task of creating videos for your business alone.

Know WHY you are using videos

Just like any other piece of content, every video you put out there should have a purpose. Think about the key purposes of content marketing – Promote | Educate | Inspire | Entertain.

Each video you create should fulfil one of these purposes. To have an effective video marketing strategy you should cover each of those purposes across your videos.

Here are some examples of what these could look like:

Promote: Attention-grabbing shots set to music of your product/service in use. Talk directly to the camera and personally invite people to an event or sale, or to work with you. Promote a special or limited time offer. Share the value your product or service has.

Educate: Answer FAQs. Discuss industry news or trends. Talk through the process of working with you. Address common misconceptions within your industry. Upskill your audience on a task.

Inspire: Demonstrate the impact your service or product has through case studies, testimonials and reviews. Share ‘user-generated content’ (videos your clients make using or about your product/service). Demonstrate your product in use. Give your audience a peek inside your business with a tour behind the scenes.

Entertain: This is where you can share those funny reels and take the opportunity to show your personality, lighten the mood, resonate and establish connections with your dream customers.

Align your videos with your overall marketing strategy

Look at video as another form of content that you can use to SAY THE SAME THING.

Repetition works, and repetition sells.

You don’t have to have new or different information across your different types of content, in fact, it works far better when you don’t. Be consistent in your messaging, and consistently show up saying the same thing. Potential customers need to “hear” your message at least 7 times before they’ll take action to buy or work with you.

And remember, different people prefer different types of content anyway. Ask around your Venus meeting and I can guarantee that there will be a mix of preferences between reading and watching.

Repurpose, Repurpose, Repurpose!

Published a blog or article? Turn it into a video!

Sharing behind the scenes photos? Take a quick video as well!

Doing an intro post on your social media? Record an intro video as well (your 1 min elevator pitch is a great starting point for this!)

Asking for client reviews? Ask for videos ones as well – or whip out your camera at the end of your next client session and film one on the spot.

Look at your website and turn each section into separate videos!

And all this works vice-versa as well! There’s a tone of info in any video that can be repurposed into other content!

Ensure your videos are on-brand

If you are putting in the effort to make videos, you want to make sure they are aligned with your brand and recognisable as YOUR business. There is so much visual content on social media that you want to ensure people know the video is from YOUR business.

You also want to keep in mind your brand values and tone, and ensure your videos align with these. Be the person on video that you are with your clients or customers in-person.

Prioritise it

Make a plan and schedule a time to get your videos done, just as you would with any other marketing task. Once it’s in your diary, honour that and prioritise it. And a bonus tip – don’t try to plan AND film your videos in the same session. Both tasks take time and energy, so schedule your video planning sessions and video creating sessions separately for best results.

If you’ve ever felt tempted to give video a go, bear these tips in mind and go for it! Video is not a silver bullet, but with time and consistency, it can give you great ROI on the time, energy and investment you put in to doing it.

You can find out more about Carrie Harman and how she helps her clients capture GREAT videos to help execute their business strategy on her website:  https://carrieharmancreative.co.nz/

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