Why More Moms Are Becoming Entrepreneurs

In this month’s issue of Powerline, I had the chance to write about some surprising statistics regarding motherhood and entrepreneurship. Just in case you missed this article in print, check it out here on the ma Blog! Don’t forget to discover more informative articles in the digital version of the Powerline Magazine.

 

The face of the working mother is changing. In the 1970s, only 38 percent of mothers were a part of the work force. Now, 74 percent of moms have joined the working world. Where many women in this demographic once turned to office jobs to earn an income, these days more and more mothers are discovering the advantages of starting their own home-based businesses.

The U.S. Census has estimated that there are more than 15 million female business owners in this country alone. Over 44 percent of self-employed women have children under the age of 18. Women are now starting up small businesses at nearly twice the rate of men. Many of these businesses are home based, and allow for a more flexible schedule that can be molded around the often-hectic lifestyle of a busy mom.

Entrepreneurism is proving to be an outstanding opportunity for mothers to make their own schedules and meet their financial goals. It’s one of the most effective ways for a woman – mother or not – to improve her financial state.

Working moms are already on-the-go experts. They are one of the highest demographics for cell phone spending in the U.S. They are already using mobile shopping applications to cut down on time away from their families and businesses. With their social networks – both online and in person – the working mother demographic is a combination of a powerful shopping network and an incredible business opportunity.

The traditional work-life balance that requires standardized time in an office, away from family, doesn’t have the same appeal as it used to. Not only does running a business from home increase time spent with family members, it also cuts costs for child care. Many mothers have found that it’s easier to arrange for in-home care for their children, whether it’s through a spouse, family member, or childcare professional, during afternoon or evening hours — times that are perfect for holding business meetings or networking with individuals who work daytime jobs.

Entrepreneurism is allowing moms across the U.S. to combine the advantages of being stay-at-home mothers with the income and growth potential of being a business owner. It is an opportunity that allows mothers to maximize their earning potential without limiting their ability to spend time with their families. With the growth of mobile technology and online shopping, there are more opportunities for moms to make their own schedules and grow their own businesses than ever before.

Sources:
Census.gov, mibn.org, Center for Women’s
Business Research, MarketResearch.com, Womma.com,
Bpn.com, Blue Suit Mom, and Citibank.

The Power of Listening

As an UnFranchise® Owner, having the ability to listen is essential to the business. I don’t mean selective listening—like tuning out your spouse when they ask you to take the trash out or pick up the dry cleaning. I’m talking about the kind of listening that can take your business to the next level.

 

In the UnFranchise Business, there are two things you should listen to that will grow your business more than anything else—audios and your Preferred Customers (PCs) and prospects’ needs.

Audios are a great way to gain insight and inspiration from Market America’s leaders. From business building to motivation, there is an audio to fit every need. Listening to these useful soundbytes will also build your confidence and knowledge base  for your business. They are a great tool for teambuilding as well: gather your team, select a few audios to listen to as a group, and discuss key points.

If your business partners see you listening and learning, they too will want to put in this small effort that will yield great results for their business.

If you were at the World Conference in Miami this past February, then you heard JR when he said we have two ears and one mouth, so we can listen more than we speak. This absolutely works in your favor as an UnFranchise Owner. The best thing you can do for your prospects and PCs is to listen. If you know someone who needs extra income, is looking for a better job, or wants to start their own business, take the time to listen to them. Little do they know, they’re already a prospect for your UnFranchise Business. By carefully listening to their needs, you have the opportunity to introduce them to the business.

The same is true with your PCs. If they need a certain product or are interested in something in particular, take the time to listen. Then, as their Shop Consultant, find exactly what they’re looking for. When you find it—through ma-branded products or Partner Stores—you will establish credibility and goodwill with them. By establishing this rapport, they will return to you for your advice again and again.

Take the time to listen, and watch your UnFranchise Business grow to the next Pin Level!

Nonstop Growth in Mexico!

MA Mexico is growing with nonstop meetings and trainings! Maria and Roberto are passionate, relentless, and tireless builders and leaders.

 

The last two weeks were action packed with German Paez, Eddy Sarit, and Luzby Hernandez doing UBP’S, NDT’s, Basic 5’s, and ECCT”s. The Mexican people are so thankful for this opportunity, are anxious to learn and are so motivated to grow!

Mexico is a great place to build and grow – congratulations to everyone working hard to build the business in Mexico! Thank you to Eddy, German, and Luzby for your dedication to helping people realize their dreams. Please take a moment to read a quick message from Eddy Sarit, which speak to this point. And be sure to check out the pictures below and see the pride and tremendous ambition of the people.

Join us! See you all at #MAIC2012!!!

Keep growing! Here’s Eddy’s message:

Hi JR,

I am back in NY after a very busy and productive week in Mexico. Now Mexico is ready to start the Journey with the basis & the foundation of the business. I just wanted to share some of the pictures on the B5, NDT, ECCT & WebCenters training with you. I want you to know that we are committed to help you build this country successfully and then move to next one, to next one, to next one………..until we get every Spanish country involved and become the biggest community with social shopping. I will see you soon in convention! 

Have a nice evening,

Eddy Sarit

Learn more about Market America!

Loren’s World gets a Hot New Look!

Even websites love makeovers. Our designers have been hard at work over the last few weeks revamping the hottest place in cyberspace for everything a modern woman needs to know—from stylish looks, beauty tips, celebrity news, trend spotting, and even workplace advice for business prowess! Loren’s World is THE destination for the well-rounded, stylish and savvy femmes of today.

 

Be sure and check out the new look, and drop Loren a line to let her know what you think! You can find her on twitter, or just comment on her blog!

Click HERE to visit Loren’s World and learn how you can be SUCCESSFUL like her!
 

Mother and Daughter Team Up to Find a Healthy Lifestyle with TLS®

The 2012 TLS Find Your Fit Challenge is just one of the many ways that Market America is helping people change their lives for the better. In April’s Leaderline, I had the pleasure of sharing the story of a mother and daughter who have teamed up and committed to living healthy lifestyles. By supporting one another, they’re hoping to improve their lives and win the grand prize of $10,000.

 

Don’t forget – the winner of this Challenge will be announced at the 2012 International Convention!

Margaret and Rebecca Wolf are a mother-daughter team from Chicago, IL. Together, they have teamed up to tackle the TLS^® 2012 Find Your Fit Challenge and compete to win $10,000.

After the Challenge was announced, both women were motivated to get started, despite having vastly different desired results. Margaret has undertaken the Challenge with a goal of losing eight pounds, while Rebecca plans to slim down by 100 pounds.

Both mother and daughter have struggled with weight all their lives. This is Rebecca’s first experience with TLS, but Margaret has been living the TLS lifestyle on and off for close to three years, and knows that the TLS Weight Loss Solution produces results. The Find Your Fit Challenge was just what she needed to get back on track – and to share this opportunity with her daughter.

To reach their goals, mother and daughter are sharing recipes and working out together. This helps them both stay motivated, as they select healthy foods for one another, and provides additional encouragement to get out there and get moving.

Both women are excited about this Challenge. Margaret can’t wait to look at their “After” photos, and Rebecca loves the TLS Slim Mobile App.  “As soon as I do something, I can put it in the app on my phone. I also get text messages telling when to take my supplements.” she shares.

The pair even has plans to share their healthy meal choices. With Mother’s Day approaching, Rebecca plans to cook a delicious, low-glycemic meal for her mother and grandmother to celebrate. Margaret is looking forward to sharing a healthy, happy day with her mother, daughter and grandchildren.

“It’s fun to work together to achieve common goals and having each other’s support will help us reach them,” says Margaret. With the Find Your Fit Challenge already underway, this mother and daughter team is on the right path to achieving new, healthy lifestyles.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  The results described in these testimonials may not be typical.  Individual results may vary.  The persons sharing their stories are Independent Distributors of Market America products.  Consult a physician before starting any new exercise or weight loss program.

Five Tips for Building a Winning Team

When I was in college I rowed on a crew team. Interestingly enough, rowing crew is a sport that not only requires an incredible ability to power through tough times (like 4 a.m. practice), but additionally is the ultimate test of teamwork. If one team member has an off day (or even an off moment), everything is thrown off balance.

 

Sometimes, in my career, I think back to my days of rowing crew and I am reminded of the moments when I rowed on a team that totally jived. Being part of a winning team was an incredible experience, as we’d often reach a state of flow and I would literally feel like I was flying across the water. We were fast, the water was smooth, and in those moments, nothing else mattered. The spirit of teamwork equaled winning results, and the winning results inspired the team. The cyclical process was amazing.

In building a business as an entrepreneur, it seems only fitting to surround yourself with a winning team, figure out how to find that sense of flow and achieve the results you desire.

 

Here are five tips for building the foundation of a winning team:

#1. Surround yourself with motivated people. People are definitely a product of their surroundings, and immersing yourself with motivated energy will duplicate. A sense of spirit, success and drive is just the push that will get everyone on board.

#2. Believe in yourself first. If you don’t believe in your own abilities, it will be too difficult to believe in someone else. By knowing that you have what it takes to be a hopeless success, your energy will spread to those around you. And, go ahead – be your own cheerleader!

#3. Share your experiences with the products to share your belief. When you authentically believe in a product or an idea, and you share this product or idea with those around you, they too will feel your belief. Don’t be afraid to tell the world how a product has enhanced your life. Real life experiences resonate and inspire!

#4. Get to know the people around you – from the checkout clerk at the grocery store to your neighbors. You never know who might be the next great addition to your team, or even to your circle of friends. Once you start talking to people, it’s easy to find commonalities in the most unexpected places.

#5. Set team goals. We all need something to strive for – a finish line of sorts – to know exactly where we are headed and how we’ll get there. By having a set of goals, everyone on the team will have the structure they need to be accountable.

Motivation, goals and belief are certainly the building blocks to a winning team and will set a tone of striving for success and achieving that ultimate win. Have you experienced the power of a winning team? If not, let's get some experience! Follow me!

Starting a Business vs. Building a Business

Anyone who is familiar with the UnFranchise® Businesshas heard the phrase “business building.” So what’s the difference instarting a business and building a business? If you’re an UnFranchise Owner, a whole lot!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most failures of American startups will occur in the first two years of their existence. As a startup company, you’re basically on your own—pinching your hard-earned pennies, managing your own books and stressing over every minute detail. Sounds fun, right? So, let’s say you do start your own business and have some success in the first year or two.  The Small Business Administration suggests that you have a 50 percent chance of success in your business. The option of building a business is probably looking pretty good about now.

Building a business with the UnFranchise System means that the legwork has been done for you. There are a plethora of business-building tools and guides to get you started and help grow your business—Flip Chart, Getting Started Guide, PowerPoint presentations, audios, Powerline magazine and events. What’s more, Market America has more than 20 years of success with helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. And now, with SHOP.COM, UnFranchise Owners have a shopping site with state-of-the-art technology to back their respective businesses. A website like SHOP.COM would be financially out of reach for a startup business.

When you build an UnFranchise Business, you’re never alone. Unlike a startup business where you might be by yourself, the UnFranchise System was built on a foundation of teamwork. If you need help, there is always a mentor to help you guide—not to mention JR and Loren’s respective blogs, which are full of tips and advice, as well as the ma blog.

Being an entrepreneur can mean time and financial freedom, but it can also mean stress and even bankruptcy if you’re not careful. If you’d like to discover the perks of being an entrepreneur—without the headache—consider the UnFranchise Business.

Will Social Security be there for You?

For years we’ve bought into the concept that if we work hard and contribute to Social Security, it will be there to take care of us when we retire. Coupled with a decent savings strategy, many people have retired comfortably with the help of Social Security. But what if it was no longer here?

The truth is - those who plan on using Social Security to help sustain themselves during their retirement are in for a rude awakening. In a new article from CNBC, Social Security’s woes are highlighted by the fact that trustees now anticipate the program will become insolvent by 2033 – that’s three years earlier than previous estimates. The same can be said for Medicare, which is slated to run out of money even earlier - in 2024. That’s just 12 years away!

Do you think the 45-Year Plan will leave you in good enough shape to ride out retirement without Medicare and Social Security? I think not.

While our government feverishly works to find solutions to this epic problem, many entrepreneurs are taking their financial future into their own hands by building an UnFranchise Business. Our one of a kind system offers unparalleled benefits and support – allowing you to build your business at your own pace. We provide you with a detailed plan and the tools to help you manage your business – making it easier than ever to generate ongoing income.

For generations, we’ve been told that by paying into social security we are safeguarding our financial future – but it’s clear we need a new way to do this. You can either sit back and wait on a crumbling government program to swoop in and save you, or you can take your financial future into your own hands by building an UnFranchise Business today! The choice is yours.

Five Essential Tools for Entrepreneurs

I think it was Andrew Carnegie who provided the timeless business advice: Always carry a lighter and a pen, someone will always need either (or both).  As the face of business has changed, so have the essential items that one needs to have on-hand to ensure their personal success. Here are the five most important:

 

1. A smart phone. You may have resisted the pressure to convert to a web-enabled, email-integrated device up to this point. You may feel you don’t need to be constantly tethered to technology (or the people using it). But in a society where decisions, connections and sales are made at lightning speed, being able to interact in real-time could easily be the difference between success and failure. Plus, what’s the beauty of being an entrepreneur if you can’t work on the beach on a Monday every now and then?  And while we’re on the subject, an iPad (or other tablet), while not necessarily essential, is really, really cool. See these 5 iPad apps for entrepreneurs.

2. Your contact information. Second only to the smart phone, a business card is the most important tool you can carry with you. Making sure that your information gets into the right hands, and that it is clear what you do (and easy to read) is paramount. Which leads me to the next essential tool:

3. A business card holder, or special pocket in your bag, or other very accessible place to store your cards, while also protecting them from frayed edges, fingerprint smudges, and creases. Not only do you want to present your clean, unfolded card with confidence (you wouldn’t wear a stained shirt to an interview, would you?) but you also want to avoid fumbling blindly for it. How often have you had the opportunity to give someone your card, and spent time searching for it, while they impatiently tap their foot or even worse, have to dash off to another commitment?

4. A fast, reliable home internet connection. This is a no-brainer. Again, business (and sales) happen at warp-speed. Your time is your most valuable asset, so why would you waste it waiting for files to download, or for emails to send, or for web pages to load? The time it takes you to post a link to an item in your portal could be the difference between someone buying something through your portal, and finding it elsewhere online.

5. A professional-looking outfit. Obviously, more than one would be great, but this is just the “essentials.” Whether you choose a suit, slacks and a blouse or nice shirt, a dress, or dressing up a pair of jeans with a shirt that conveys professionalism, your clothing will be judged and is your first impression. Too stiff and you could communicate that you are trying too hard to impress, and your message might slip through the cracks; while appearing too relaxed could mean your message won’t be taken seriously.  No matter what you wear, wear it with confidence, because the final essential tool for success is:

Your smile. As silly as it sounds, your personality is your biggest sales tool, and if you are personable and friendly, trustworthy and respectful, your message and your pitch will both be well-received. So grab these five (really, six) things, and take your next meeting by storm!

Quote the pros: Share and retweet to establish creditability

Today in the viral world of social media and the Internet, you can share anything on your Facebook and Twitter accounts. On almost every blog you read and every site you visit, there are options to ‘like’ it so that others can see what you’re interested in.

What’s more, you can also ‘share’ and ‘retweet’ content from other Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. This is a great way to establish credability for your business.

For example, if you want to post or tweet something about being an entrepreneur, it would be more beneficial to share or retweet content from a business mogul (i.e. JR Ridinger, President and CEO of SHOP.COM and Market America) than to come up with something on your own.

You can also use the social sharing options on most blogs, like my blog benjamin-pang.blogspot.com, to post or tweet a link to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. By doing this, you don’t have to create content on your own and you can be sure that the content you’re sharing/retweeting is reliable. 

Posting or tweeting something for your fans and followers helps promote your business on social media platforms. However, if you’re just starting out, you might not seem like a reliable source to potential business partners. One great way to establish creditability is to quote the pros!

By sharing and retweeting content from professionals, it shows your fans and followers that you are experienced in your field. Establish credibility by learning from the pros and watch your business grow!

THIS SUNDAY! National Conference Call with Gigi Souritzidis, Wendy Moquin, Lynn Mitschke, and Yardley Wang

National Conference Call with Gigi Souritzidis, Wendy Moquin, Lynn Mitschke, and Yardley Wang

 

Sunday, July 15 at 8:30 p.m. EDT

Listen ‘LIVE’ to this powerful nationwide conference call with an all-star line-up that includes Gigi Souritzidis, Wendy Moquin, Lynn Mitschke and Yardley Wang — all Million Dollar Club* achievers.

Hear them share their incredible success stories and how the UnFranchise^® Business System has generated amazing income from the thousands of products available through Market America and SHOP.COM. You will learn how simple and easy it is to earn Cashback and receive weekly checks from the Management Performance Compensation Plan (MPCP).

Have all your qualified prospects join this ‘LIVE’ conference call so that they can evaluate Market America while learning about all the outstanding benefits of starting a part-time business right from home. Discover the Two-to Three-Year Plan that can generate ongoing, weekly income and how to create your own economic financial success with Market America just like these successful individuals have done.

Also, hear the newest update on the 20th Anniversary International Convention in Greensboro, N.C. that is just a few weeks away.

Sunday night, July 15, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. EDT
646.519.5815 pin 1314 #

*The examples of income shown for each of the Independent Distributors featured in this message are not intended to be representative of the earnings of any specific class of Market America Independent Distributors, nor are they intended to represent that any given Independent Distributor will earn income in that amount. Rather, the income figures testify to the results which have been accomplished by Independent Distributors who have devoted time, talent, hard work, and a willingness to follow the UnFranchise proven business plan in building their Market America Businesses. The success of any Market America Independent Distributor will depend upon the amount of hard work, talent and dedication which he or she devotes to the building of his or her Market America business.

Are You Prepared for a Financial Emergency?

We’ve been told from practically the beginning of our working lives (once we were independently responsible for our own finances) that we should always have six months of living expenses in our savings. But in an economy where many of us are working lower-paying jobs (or have no jobs at all), that kind of saving is unrealistic.

 

A recent article says that most Americans don’t have enough savings for a financial emergency.

The article, which appeared in Forbes, says that out of 1000 Americans surveyed, 66% have no more than five months of expenses in savings, and a shocking 28% have no savings at all.

The economic environment right now is such that only those taking greater risks or seeking non-traditional ways of earning income will succeed or rise above their financial circumstances. The banks will not bail us out, and it is unlikely that we will see any great turnaround, increase in availability of domestic (U.S.-based) jobs, or pay increases to complement increased living expenses.

The stakes may be higher, but the opportunity for reward is greater than in earlier economic conditions. Now is the time to take your finances into your own hands, and stop spending your valuable hours working to fulfill someone else’s vision.

‘Live the Dream’

Full Speed Ahead, as Fast as You Can – Try, Learn, and Try Again

Below is an excerpt from the book ‘Innovate the Pixar Way: Business Lessons from the World’s Most Creative Corporate Playground’ that serves as a reminder to not let anyone or anything stand in the way of your success.  If you haven’t failed, you haven’t lived.

 

From Innovate the Pixar Way:

Remember, when we were very young, we would naturally try, learn, and try again.  Sadly, our natural ability to do this – to trip and fall without fear of criticism – is over in a flash.  Fear of failure can stop success right in its tracks.

While in school, we are often educated into believing that we must succeed – that mistakes should be avoided, But to be successful, we need to learn how to fail and how to respond to failure.

What we call failure is really a learning process.  Randy Nelson, dean of Pixar University “You have to honor failure, because failure is just the negative space around success.”

Successful people think of failure as a learning method to propel themselves toward success.

Failures?

• The fax machine was a failed invention in the 1840s
• The copy machine was rejected by GE and IBM in 1937, finally being produced in 1947
• John Grisham’s first novel was rejected by twelve publishers
• Henry Ford was bankrupt five times
• Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime
• Orville Wright was expelled from elementary school
• Michael Jordan once failed to make his high school varsity basketball team
• Oprah Winfrey failed as a news reporter
• Winston Churchill finished last in his class
• J.K. Rowling, the first billion-dollar author, was a jobless, single mom on welfare when she wrote her first Harry Potter book.

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you lived so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case you failed by default.  Failing forward is about learning from our mistakes – examining failures and moving beyond them to achieve success.

Full speed ahead, as fast as you can – try, learn, and try again.

*Excerpts from: Innovate the Pixar Way: business lessons from the world’s most creative corporate playground / by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson.

The UnFranchise® Way of Life

Market America’s UnFranchise® Business System affords one of the best luxuries a business can offer—flexibility. If you are a parent, this is a huge convenience. Whether your children are daycare age or in school, any parent can benefit from the flexibility that is found in the UnFranchise® system.

Working from Home

Most parents want to stay home and raise their children, but often the downfall can be that they also need a steady income. Working from home allows time to spend with your children,

while also earning an income. If your children are in daycare, working from home can save a lot of money. If your children are in school, working from home allows flexibility to volunteer at school functions or time to run errands during the day.

Furthermore, a flexible schedule enables you to organize your work around your life, instead of organizing your life around your work. Your schedule is dominated by you—not the other way around. Things like exercising, volunteering and spending valuable time with your children have enough space in your schedule, prioritized to meet your needs.

Additional reasons to work from home include decreasing or eliminating commuting and increasing the desire to succeed. With access to the Internet, working from home can decrease commuting time. This also saves money on transportation cost. Working from home, building your own business, motivates success. Since you are not working for the success of someone else—and instead working for yourself—you are much more likely to work hard to grow your business.

Why the UnFranchise® Way

While there are several different types of home-based businesses, the UnFranchise® business provides several tools to ensure your success. As an UnFranchise® Owner with Market America, you have access to products that are competitive in their respective industries. Brands like Motives® and Isotonix™ continue to be high sellers and are growing in all markets—United Kingdom, Taiwan, Australia and Hong Kong.

Market America also provides a network of support for your UnFranchise® Business so that you are not on your own. With tools—such as Distributor Services, events and unfranchise.com—you can be assured that there will always be someone to answer your questions.

In addition, the UnFranchise® Business promotes team building, so you will always have a mentor and team members to look to for support and guidance.

As a Market America UnFranchise® Owner, you and your customers also have the advantage of receiving Cashback from Partner Stores. Another incentive is IBV and Cashback on Market America-branded products. This is a great perk—getting paid to shop.

As you can see, there are several advantages of a home-based business, especially the UnFranchise® System. For parents, this system allows flexibility, time freedom and an ongoing income. It also offers great tools to ensure your success in the business.

Seven Minutes in Heaven: Quick and Effective Ways to Relax When Your Time is Limited

Time is money, and whether it’s yours or someone else’s, it’s valuable. That being said, you’re not at your most effective when you’re constantly focusing on tasks without stepping away. It used to be that when we left our jobs, we were done working, but that’s just not the case anymore.

You may not have the time to unplug, unwind, take a week’s walk through the Pyrenees or even a two-hour candlelit bath, but if you have seven minutes, you have enough of a break to make a difference.

-Mini-meditation: sit comfortably, and breathe in slowly. Hold it for four counts, release it for four counts, and breathe in again for four counts. As you continue to do this, visualize each vertebrae and muscle from your tailbone where you sit up through the crown of your head, unhinging, relaxing, loosening. Seven minutes of this should have you feeling nice and relaxed.

-Fantasy trip: Spend seven minutes googling (and oogling) your dream vacation spots. Studies have shown that test subjects that viewed pleasing images of travel destinations showed lower pulse and blood pressure. Bonus points for actually planning the trip [For a list of apps to help you plan that trip in less than 7 minutes, click here!]

-List-making: some people find this relaxing. You might see it as an additional task that keeps you tethered to working, rather than a break. Seeing everything laid out in front of you might make it easier to prioritize, and take some of the anxiety away. Try this approach: if you’re overwhelmed, write down everything that needs to get done. Then write down everything you’d like to do (that you’d ENJOY doing). I guarantee that within about seven minutes, you can cross one item off of each side, and that overwhelming sense of accomplishment just might be relaxing too.

-Get physical: in seven minutes, you could do all but the last sixty seconds of that perennial favorite Eight Minute Abs, you could take your dog for a walk, you could run up and down the stairs a few times and really get that heart-rate going, or any number of brief yet demanding physical activities. Research suggests that any physical activity that raises the heart rate for minutes at a time can improve mood, relieve depression, and increase feelings of well-being. No need to train for a triathlon, just get moving!

It’s daunting to think of walking away from your work, especially if you’re on your own clock as an entrepreneur, but by taking a step back and returning refreshed to the task at hand, you’ll be doing yourself (or your employer!) a favor.

Five tips to make sure you get the most out of your social media accounts.

As the level of participation in social media skyrockets, the lines between “business” and “personal” have become blurred.  While this sounds negative and scary, for the most part, it’s a good thing. Market research is showing that consumers enjoy interacting with a brand on a personal level, and often posts of a more personal level (behind-the-scenes pictures, pictures or posts of what the business leader or celebrity is up to that isn’t necessarily stuffy or business-related) tend to resound better with an audience. For example, a post by Martha Stewart plugging one of her new kitchen products might get a few retweets or comments, but a picture of her AKC Champion Chow Chow rolling in the grass might get thousands of likes. Humanizing yourself, even as a business owner, is not a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with giving people a little peek into the real you while still maintaining a level of professionalism.

As a UFO, YOU ARE YOUR BRAND. You are the face of Market America, and you represent the company to the rest of the world. But this should not prevent you from enjoying yourself on social media sites. Here are a few tips to keep your profile and presence working for you.

1. YOUR PROFILE PICTURE. Your first impression on Twitter, Facebook, Instragram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, 4Square, et al. is your profile picture or avatar. Keeping the default image (the little egg on twitter, for example) makes most people assume you are a SPAM user. And while a formal headshot is nice and shows people you mean business, an informal headshot, taken by your spouse or friend, of you in your element (sailing, reading, cooking, walking your dog—any activity that represents you!) provides an opportunity for people to relate to you, and makes you more approachable. AVOID: pictures of unsavory activities, pictures that are not you, and maybe even rethink  that typical profile photo pose, taken by your phone elevated over your head, while you make pouty lips into the mirror. You know the one.

2. YOUR BIO. Most social media sites allow you a few quick words to help people get to know you. Here’s your chance to sum yourself up in a nutshell! Think of it your introduction if you were being called onstage to accept an award: “Beth Anderson: Mother, fitness expert, and entrepreneur,” rather than “Beth Anderson: just lovin life and livin it” or “Beth Anderson: the Beatles, red wine, travel.” You can even include a link to your portal if you so choose.

3. YOUR ACTIVITY. If you’re going to jump in, jump in. Create a presence for yourself. People that dabble every 45 days or so are missing opportunities to interact, to be involved, and to gather information. I’m not encouraging you to pounce on your friends every time they complain of a sniffle or ache (“HAVE YOU TRIED OPC-3 YET MSG ME FOR DETAILS”),  however: the people in your social networks are your potential consumers, so being aware and keeping up with people is an extremely valuable tool to build your business. Think of it as free consumer research.  You have the opportunity to be aware of your customers’ needs before they are.

4. YOUR POSTS. Post things that are important to you, that illustrate the kind of person you are, and that you think people will be interested in. Cooked an elaborate dinner? Snap a picture with Instagram; have it post to Twitter and Facebook. And don’t forget to interact with people who respond. Baby take its first steps? DEFINITELY tell the world. Heard an inspirational quote today? Share it! Avoid useless posts, complaints, and “vaguebooking”: the slang term for vague facebook posts like “So over it,” “YEAH!” or “Well this is bad,” meant to prompt questions asking for further explanation.  You can also use your posts to demonstrate the UFO lifestyle (ex. “Spending the day with the kids at the park: priceless.” “I’m down 3 dress sizes!” “Giving a presentation to a new group of potential clients, wish me luck!”) while avoiding overly blatant self-promotion or advertising (ex. “Be your own boss! Let’s talk.” “I’m losing weight with TLS and you can too, message me for details!” “I know the secret to success, do you?”)

5. EDUCATE YOURSELF. Make sure you are using each social network properly. It never hurts to ask someone how things work; when my mom first joined Facebook she was posting messages on her own wall to other people; so that my mom’s status update was “Dana, how are things going?” or “Hi sweetie when are you going to be coming home?” rather than a post on my wall, or my sister’s. You want to appear savvy and confident, so make sure that your social media presence makes you look your best!

Who do you think you are? (VS Who are you, really?)

We all have an image of ourselves; a vision of who we think we are, or who we would like to be. We like to think that the world sees us the way we want them to see us. But how close are these impressions to the reality of who we actually are? Are you the person you think you are?

The following article, which appeared earlier this week in the Huffington Post, examines this self-image vs. actual image dichotomy. Especially with the constant desire to project ourselves a certain way on social media sites, we find we are constantly defining ourselves, explaining ourselves, and telling people what we are rather than showing them. If you have “Yoga” as one of your hobbies, how often do you actually practice? Same with “Travel,” when was the last time you took a trip? By re-examining what you say you are, you may suddenly find yourself on a mission to actually make yourself the person you think you should be. Read Russel Bishop’s piece below, and see if your priorities could use a little re-positioning.
Soul-Talk: Are You Shortchanging Who You Truly Are?

Want to know me more?

MAIC 2012: An Insider Look From an Outsider’s Point of View

The social media team begins the planning process for #MAIC2012.

As the newest member of the social media bunch over here at Market America, I’m still pretty green. I haven’t been to a conference or convention yet; I’ve only just heard The Plan, and I actually haven’t even met Loren or JR yet (see you in August?). Since this whole International Convention business is completely new to me, the social media team thought I would offer the most interesting perspective as we launch full-on into #MAIC2012!

From now through the end of the convention, I’ll be offering my observations and general take on things, as seen through the eyes of someone behind the scenes for the first time.
Today, the social media team met to start our “plan of attack” for the convention. It was interesting to hear their take on what worked (and what didn’t work) last year from a social media aspect. We talked about what kinds of breakout sessions our UFOs might be interested in attending (more on that later!). It’s going to be very exciting to live-blog and tweet throughout the events, and interact with all of our distributors in real-time via social media AND in person!

From what I’ve been hearing, International Conference is a pretty big deal. In fact, it seems almost every person here is telling me “You just have to experience it firsthand, it really can’t be explained.” Well, I’m still having trouble picturing it, but I’m really looking forward to being there, seeing our distributors, seeing Loren and JR in action, and really feeling the vibe of what the company is all about.
Look for more Insider Looks from an Outsider coming up on the blog, and keep up with me as events unfold!

Getting the Results You Want From Twitter

By now, you’ve read both the intro to twitter, as well as learned why you SHOULD be using it, and how it is an effective (and free!) business tool for you.

But getting started on Twitter isn’t just creating a username and typing a few updates. I’m going to give you a few twitter “buzzwords” that you can throw around with your kids (or maybe even grandkids?) to have you sailing through Twitter like a pro, and using it to build your business.
Retweeting. Tweet and Retweet were on a bridge. Tweet fell off, who was left? (Sorry, bad joke. I blame my father.) One of the most rewarding feelings is to have something you’ve tweeted, retweeted! And if someone tweets something you like, share the sentiment.  You can click “Retweet,” which posts the person’s original tweet, using their profile image, and at the bottom in small print says “retweeted by Dana Dillehunt” or whatever your account name is.
This can be a bit confusing to your twitter followers, or they might quickly skim their feed and not realize that the tweet was posted by you. If you’d rather retain YOUR profile image and just share the original tweet’s content, you would compose your tweet like this: ”RT @MarketAmerica” (without the quotes) and then paste the content of their tweet, so it looks like this:
@ Mentions. This is how you join the conversation, tag people to include them in posts, or even mention your favorite brands or celebrities. For example, “Hey @Ben, nice haircut!” “Found the best pair of shoes at @shop.com tonight!” “I just saw @CelineDion in the street in NYC! #MyHeartWillGoOn” or even “Can’t believe the horrible customer service I’m getting from @JoesAirline right now. #NeverAgain”. Companies staff people (just like me!) to monitor their twitter accounts and respond to communication (positive and negative). And take it from me, we love when you interact with us, especially when you respond to something we’ve tweeted. Try it: tweet at a celebrity or brand today and see if you can get a response! It’s always a very rewarding feeling to know someone is listening (even though it’s my job, I still get totally giddy when the person doing MY job at another company @ mentions me in a tweet.)

We learned something today, right? Keep following me @BenjaminPang !

Have You Used Google Translate to Expand Your Reach?

I remember my first Market America Convention quite vividly – and I think about it often. I felt so inspired and energized – I would be hard pressed to forget what an awesome experience it was! I think about that first convention frequently – mostly because that’s when the spirit of Market America family really clicked for me. I was truly struck by the incredible amount of diversity amongst our Independent Shop Consultants and UnFranchise® Owners – on all levels – age, interests, ethnicity, geographically and more. To me, it’s a true testament to an organization when folks from all walks of life can come together to build a team and work together to find success.

When I read the article Google Translate Draws More Than 200 Million Users Each Month on Mashable last week, I immediately thought back to my first convention, the high level of diversity and wondered: “How many of our UnFranchise Owners and Independent Shop Consultants utilize a tool like Google Translate to expand their reach?” In social media, I use Google Translate on a regular basis. People from around the globe join our online conversations and it is key to have an effective and comprehensive translation tool at our fingertips.
If you haven’t utilized Google Translate, it’s growing by leaps and bounds. And, if you think about it – this may be one of the most powerful internet-based tools we have, allowing people from nearly anywhere to communicate and share information.
Click HERE for the full article.
If you have used Google Translate, TELL US how it’s helped you expand your networking reach.