CommunitySoul Business

How to Make a Difference and a Profit

Neil Fellowes — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:31:00 +0100

How do you feel about making a difference and making a profit?

For some people that means you'll be taking your great ideas and maybe doubling your income. And that means your great ideas, your passions, the things you really care about are going to be reaching more people and having a bigger impact in the world.

If you're going to double your business income, you might be forgiven for thinking, “U-oh does that means I'm going to be working 2-3 times harder or longer?”

I hope not! If that was true that would mean you might be working 22-23 hours a day. Now, funnily enough, that's not what you want to be doing.

So, what is the way to create a business that doubles in profit on a regular basis, reduces the time you spend in it, and contributes to making a better world?

That's a big question, but it's a great question because it drives at the kind of lifestyle most of us got into business to have – one that makes money, gives us freedom and creates a contribution or a legacy.

So how do we do that?

I was listening to a former Olympic medallist speak the other day and he was saying, that no medallist wins because they work 2 or 3 times harder than the rest. No one wins a race by 2 or 3 times as much as anyone else. It's fractions of an inch and 100ths of a second that make a difference.

So it's the little things they do in training, day after day, that make the difference when it counts. And it's these little things that will win you medals. It's these little things that save you time, energy and money. And it's these little things, subtle things I want to show you, so you can make a big difference, without selling your soul.

So, how does this translate into business?

In your marketing it may be one subtle thing that makes the difference between no sales and a bucket load - this is your fraction of an inch and your 100th of a second.

And it's the person who claims gold that goes down in the record books and who hits the headlines and the guys who end up second, third and fourth who get forgotten.

The frustration is to have a product or service that is fantastic, but to end up being forgotten, just because of a 100^th of a second or a fraction of an inch... especially when your service or product makes the world a better place and the person who gets gold doesn't.

So you have your vision. You have your ideas and your ideals and you want to go out there and make a difference. That's wonderful. And you may just need the fine tuning to your business techniques or mindset to make your business rock and for you to profit from your heart-felt passions and ideals.

We know that some people have glorious visions for what they'd like to achieve, but often they're not striking gold. This can be solved. You just need to find a place where you can get the resources and the inspiration of resourcefulness.

Neil Fellowes is the owner of CommunitySoul, a business focussed on challenging the traditional way of going about business – including shorter working weeks and caring for the environment and doing business ethically.

www.communitysoulbusiness.com is one place conscious business owners can find resources for their business and learn the tools, techniques, strategies and mindset that will help double profits, cut the working hours and make a difference in the world.

Jo's Premier Performance on Camera...

Neil Fellowes — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:57:00 +0100

We got married 10 weeks ago and today Jo lost her virginity today... on video...

What I mean is... Jo generally doesn't enjoy being in front of a camera or doing any kind of public presentation - though she does love all the geeky technical stuff - but today she agreed to join me on video.

See Jo's debut now as she talks about Business Building Tools

Neil

Being Happy Right Now

Neil Fellowes — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:09:00 +0100

After 3 weeks of having our home decorated, and being away on conferences and having visitors, we finally sat down and got to have a few hours really appreciating all the hard work that had been put into having the inside of our home reflect the beauty we have in the landscape that surrounds us here in Somerset.

For me my favourite part is the new shelves I have in my office. Why? Because DIY isn't a strong point of mine and I managed to fit two level shelves!

I'm easily pleased like that! And I believe being easily pleased makes life easier to enjoy.

What makes you easily pleased?

What Makes a Compelling Offer

Neil Fellowes — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:35:00 +0100

Yesterday our business group masterminded on what makes a compelling offer.

One of the themes that emerged was the need to niche and have a targetted audience. I know from mentoring people how tricky this can be for some people, but I can quote an example of the difference it makes when you do niche and when you do talk to the right audience.

Last summer we ran a campaign with the same web pages and sent it out to two groups:

Group 1 -a group that was not targetted at all

Group 2 - a very targetted audience

The take up from group one amounted to 20% take up on the offer, meanwhile group two - the targetted group - converted 77% of the visitors. So I think this clearly proves the need to make sure you know who you're making your offer to before you make it.

Another element that came out was the need to have attractive benefits. One of the challenges for many people is separating the tools and techniques from the results. For example, a 21-day intensive programme is not what the client or customer wants. What the customer wants is the end result.

One area often neglected in an offer is the offer title. The really is no substitute for getting this right. On a recent project I returned to the title more times than I care to remember. But there is a real need to get it right and make it strong. If the title isn't strong enough the rest of your offer - which may be brilliant won't get read.

Credibility was mentioned too. Testimonials are one of the ways to create this, but a bold statement showing the kind of results you have produced can be equally compelling, especially when you show measurement, how many years, or how much money, or the difference you made.

Another area neglected, and sadly often forgotten, is the call to action. By this I mean what action do you want people to take once they've read your marketing copy. Do you want them to call you, buy something on your web site or sign up for a free gift. Think through what you want people to do and invite them to do it.

A discussion that erupted from the debate on offers was the offer of free sessions. This is a fascinating debate and I'm glad it came about yesterday, because this is the subject I'll be covering in November on Insiders Secrets -

How to Turn Free Sessions into Paying Clients

Here's an outline of what I'll be covering:

The number one reason why most free sessions fail and how to transform them into sessions that leave your prospects begging for more
How to pre-qualify your prospects so you avoid giving your time to people who just want you for free, so you can spend time with the people who actually want and value service
The simple 3 step rule that will turn 50% of your conversations (or more) into paying clients

Join me on Insiders Secrets and get Insiders Secrets from .COM Millionaires, Marketing Professionals, Business Experts, plus the tools, techniques, systems and strategies.

Join here

Neil

Historic event...

Neil Fellowes — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:14:00 +0100

At least it's historic for CommunitySoul

Over a 1000 people have registered for the seminar happening on Monday evening. It's called "Make a Difference and Double your Profits in 90 days."

TV personalities, best-selling authors, coaches, marketing gurus, magazine and book publishers have all been promoting this call in Australia, New Zealand, USA and UK. This the next instalment of our drive to reach 6000 businesses and help them make a difference to over a quarter of a million by 2010.

If you haven't registered for this seminar already, we'd LOVE you to be part of this.

All the details are on the web site www.communitysoulbusiness.com

Neil

It's all New... New... New

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:29:00 +0100

It's been a full on week.

We're in a promotion window for a new teleseminar for conscious business owners who want to make a difference and double the profits. And it's exciting because there are 33 partners around the globe working on this for us. It's also nail-bitingly scary...

It's like that because you have absolutely no idea how it will turn out. I mean, you spend all day and the occasional night really getting stuck in to the project and then the promotion window opens and...

and...

And well, nothing for the first 6 hours! Then suddenly the trickle starts, then more... then more. And gradually you relax. Then it drys up. Then it starts again.But big plans for next week, 3 big US partners start promoting and one UK!

Meanwhile back in the South-West of the UK

Liz Cox and Jane Loader kicked off a very successful new business development group in Frome.

I love the mix of people they brought together: a heath and safety consultant, a coach, HR consultancy, owner of Laurel Farm a splendid venue for hire, well-being practitioners, an author and lots of others I didn't meet.

And now... I'm glancing at the next new project... but only for an hour!

Neil

Big Ideas, Big Ideals and Doubling Profits

Neil Fellowes — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:26:00 +0100

It's exciting...

We've been working flat out for 6 weeks, engaging partners in Australia, New Zealand, and across America and the UK.

Several of the partners are well known, authors, magazines, publishers, marketeers and coaches and they're all promoting one thing...

And it's a big thing. It's something I guess no-one in their right mind really should run away from.

So we're looking at a big issues and we're doing in a teleseminar, where we're looking at how small businesses that take a conscious approach can make a bigger difference and a bigger profit and spend less hours doing it.

Now that's big.

And then today, the day the marketing campaign went live guess what happened...

The unexpected that's what happened...

But in a good way. Several extra partners sent us emails asking if they could get involved.

We've also had people put us in touch with people they know too and lots of lovely emails saying, "Sounds like a great project and very worthwhile."

Oh and we've had the first burst of people signing up for the call.

Awesome!

Are you registered to find out how to make a bigger difference and double your income

Neil

Results of a survey CommunitySoul members contributed to

Neil Fellowes — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:52:00 +0100

Results of a survey CommunitySoul members contributed to Thanks if you got involved in the recent report that looked at how the economic climate is effecting your business. The report is now published. Here's the link: http://www.freeagentcentral.com/freelancer-report-2009

Vibrant Evening In Bristol

Neil Fellowes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:51:00 +0100

A vibrant, pulsing energy, that's what Gilly Montgomery created last night, at the launch of her CommunitySoul Business Group, sponsored by Goldbrick House.

When I find myself in an energy like this ideas start flowing and it's because of this Jo often says I shouldn't be let out after 6pm - especially when it keeps me wide eyed all night!

Some of the ideas were inspired by Dr. Sue Barley with her presentation on Creating Wealth through Entrepreneurial Flow - her talks always spark something.

And it was great to see such a lovely bunch of people out mingling. Catelynn from the Skipton Building Society was our second financial institution of the week to network with us - Julie Urch from HSBC (the best in her region at what she does) was the first in Bath - that's the first bank in two years to join us! I had put money on it (albeit 50p)that Triodos would be first to join us, simply because our values line up, but it just shows how wrong I can be (come on Triodos, catch up).

At our meetings I love finding how people niche themselves. If there was a prize it would have to go to Bella and Fifi last night - though I might be bias!

As you probably know, Jo and I are getting married next month and our Bristol hosts, Gilly and Sandra McKenna who runs our Easton Business Group joined forces on a gift of the most beautiful flowers, via Bell and Fifi.

Bella and Fifi's flowers are the local, ethical, organic and seasonal variety and you can see the girls clearly pour heart, soul and care into their work. Before they left last night they even took the flowers from a vase and wrapped them for my journey home - so they didn't get damaged - now that's what I call after sales service!

Looking forward to many more great groups and getting to know everyone better. Next up Frome. Until then...

Enjoy the rain - it is Glastonbury Music Festival weekend!

Neil

More chances to meet, make a difference and profit

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:22:00 +0100

Our latest business networking group in the south west, Bristol, kicks off tonight.

This group is run by Gilly Montgomery, who helps people take the trauma out of dressing and packing. Joining Gilly tonight is Dr. Sue Barley who will be talking about Entrepreneurial Flow - a fascinating talk on how we can best create wealth, by looking at our personality and how that lines us to our work.

Find out more here - http://www.communitysoulhbg.co.uk/BristolGoldbrick.htm

Easy way to create a logo

Neil Fellowes — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:40:00 +0100

We're often experimenting with new services and ideas and a couple of weeks ago we were tipped off about a company called 99 designs - a quick and easy way to get a logo designed.

I'd be interested to hear what you think to the designs numbered: 49, 50 and 97. I like to hear what you think the logo would say about us if we used them.

To take a look click here

Maybe 99 designs can help you with your logo - or if you're a designer maybe you can use 99 designs for extra income.

best
Neil

What will help you find those new clients?

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100

The five keys to successful marketing

One of the biggest challenges for people running a businesses is finding a steady steam of clients. One of the reasons this can happen is because so much time gets spent on what's going to be said to people on a website or in a flyer or an advert or article and not enough time is spent on the five keys elements that come before that.

The five key elements to finding clients:

1. Be clear on who you want to work with
2. Understand what they really want
3. Decide how you'll help them
4. Work out how to package your solution
5. Find the people

When I ask a client to tell me who their customer is the answer - more often than not - is: 'Anyone who wants to buy my service.' The problem with this that, 'anyone can be my customer' doesn't speak to 'anyone'. It doesn't touch or move 'anyone' and it doesn't stop 'anyone' and make them take note. The result is, little or no interest.

When you know who you know what

When you know who you're going to be working with you can build up a picture of what they really want. You get to know their pressing problems and this gives you critical information from which to build your service.

When you know what you'll know how

Knowing what a new client needs to solve their issues really helps you know what solution you can provide to that need. If you fail to work out who, you fail to know what, so you working out how you'll help is impossible. You could say, 'I'm a marketing consultant or I'm a massage therapist that's how I help people.' No. Wrong. That's what you do. That's not a solution.

When you know how you know the way to package

Knowing how to package the solution you offer comes from knowing how you can help to resolve the pressing needs of your clients. Let's go back to massage. Say you've worked out your market is busy executives. Let's say you service involves 90 minute sessions. But with travel etc it takes let's say another 30-60 mins to get to you.

As a busy person, I can't write off almost a half day each week to come and relax with you. So what package can you offer that will solve the dilemma? What if my workplace say no to you working with me in the office? What then? Be creative. What's your solution?

When you know how to package you're now ready to find the people

This is where most people start their marketing, having skipped the previous four steps and this is why so many people struggle. Yet when you do work your way through the other four steps, finding people becomes so much easier, simply because you know so much more about their needs and so much more about how you can help.

These principles work no matter what line of business you're in. When you combine them with your will to do business in a way that is sustainable, holistic and ethical, you're doing business in a way that makes for a better world.

Keep up the good work

Neil

Come and join our linkedin group. It's where heart-work replaces hard-work and where we can discuss our ideals and our ideas for making business more fun, profitable and better on the environment and care for our well-being and the well-being of others. Join now

Double Profits. Half the time

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:42:00 +0100

"Would you like to know how to DOUBLE your INCOME and CUT OUT the HARD WORK?"

Of course you would?

Let me share the ESSENTIALS for your BUSINESS BREAKTHROUGH that show you how to DOUBLE YOUR INCOME and CUT OUT the HARD WORK in a tele-seminar I have coming up soon.

Find out how to double your income and half the time.

Neil

Are you making the best use of your time

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:02:00 +0100

Earlier this week I had some time on my hands due to a diary mix-up, which left me with a chunk of time.

I could have reviewed the website, written another article, or even gone for a walk, but I decided that I wanted to engage with people on my mailing list... people who share the same passions as me... people I'm hear to serve, so this is what I did...

I sent out an email to them, inviting them to call me and discuss their biggest challenge.

Wow... what a response... I spent just over two hours with calls coming in - and some people couldn't get through because the lines were jammed!

Everyone I spoke to that day moved on. It's amazing, that a 20 minute conversation can blow away the stuckness (stuckness that's sometimes been lingering for months).

But this is what happens...

Sometimes we get caught up in difficulties and then we start foucussing on all the things that are wrong and why we don't want them. Other times we get caught up when we're faced with doing a task (like selling) that we don't want to do and we can't find a way around it.

Sometimes we have a dream... we've set a goal to maybe earn a set amount by a certain date, yet when we think about it, we realise we need help.

As well as speaking with lots of people, we had a flood of emails, saying thanks for our generosity and that they were blown away by the fact we'd spend a half day, giving away our time.

To be honest, I loved it and it didn't feel like work. But the payback was around a £1000 in unexpected income!

Proof that when you give you receive!

love and best wishes
Neil

Where ambition meets ideals Business Mentoring
Business Networking Somerset

If criticism makes you wobble

Neil Fellowes — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:39:00 +0100

A year ago I had a week where I found myself under fire. When I look back I realised that it happened for a reason.

The previous few months had been spent planning and making tweaks in direction.

When we were happy testing things we scaled up what we'd been doing and that was when I was hit by both the critics and the grateful.

All that had happened was we'd stepped up and when we stepped up it asked the people around us to do the same.

Some people were ready for the change and welcomed it and made thankful signals. Others didn't like it and became critical.

To be fair, I'm happy whatever the outcome. We're in the business of helping people. Some of those people grow with us, others grow because of us highlighting something useful... if they want to see it.

But I don't want to be arrogant here. Criticism is valuable. It's worth looking at to see if it's justified - and it's worth putting your ego away for that and making sure you feel no resentment to the critics.

Back in my customer service management days I used to thank customers who complained. They gave us opportunities to learn and spoke their truth. The customers who left and didn't say a word, taught us little.

It's also worth understand the people who criticise you may be expressing their personal pain too - perhaps your product or service has changed and they can no longer get what they used to get from you and that may upset them.

The main question for you to consider is if the changes are beneficial to a significant amount of people.

Neil

Reduce time, up your profit

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:15:00 +0100

Yeseterday afternoon a group of CommunitySoul people spent an hour with one of my mentors, Tony Mckenna.

It was an enlightening hour as he shared time saving secrets and tactics for business people, which means they have more time to focus on the things that matter.

Tony went through a process with everyone, making it practical.

If you're not achieving your goals, through lack of time or another reason, have a look at www.insiderssecrets.co.uk

Hope it helps

Neil

What's your number one business challenge?

Neil Fellowes — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:40:00 +0100

Recently CommunitySoul Business asked it's members one question, "What's your current number one challenge in business?"

Interestingly, just 1% of the people polled mentioned the current climate as being their number one challenge. It may help you with your marketing to know what challenged the other 99%...

CommunitySoul Business is a UK based company running programmes where they help small business owners double their income and remove 80% of their constraints.

In a recent article published in the UK, several CommunitySoul Business members said they were experiencing their best months ever. Others said they had noticed no significant change in their business either up or down.

CommunitySoul MD, Neil Fellowes says, "There are some interesting things to note in the psychographics of the people who we help at CommunitySoul Business.

"They are, in the main, positive people with an abundant mentality and who are prepared to invest in their personal growth and business development. They are also enthusiastic, take an ethical approach to their business and put relationships with people before money."

21% of the businesses responding to the question about the number one challenge said they were building on success and struggling with too many clients and projects and not enough time. They were also challenged by finding balance between work and family and wanting to find new partnerships so they could continue to expand their businesses.

78% of the businesses said they were challenged by getting their business ideas started and report issues such as finance, cash flow, finding enough clients and charging the right prices.

"These are fairly typical challenges," said Neil Fellowes. "The question these business owners need to ask is: what could you do to overcome the obstacle?

"Sometimes the answer is simple. For example, if your problem is about establishing good business ideas and getting the business to the next level, key areas to look at are: pricing, how often people buy, and how you offer greater value and create more repeat business.

"In March, 77% of CommunitySoul Business customers had brought before. So we have 23% growth and 77% continuity occurring.

For the business owner who is expanding and struggling with time, the issue is how do you get yourself our of the loop. This could mean adapting the product or service, or adapting the process by which you deliver it."

For example I used to mentor 10 clients, but by adapting the process I now have the capability to help more than a 1000.

CommunitySoul's Insiders Secrets programme explores the answers to the challenges small business owners face, helping them double their income and remove 80% of the constraints.

Sign up for the FREE preview call coming up later this month Click here

How to Reach Two Million

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:32:00 +0100

Linkedin shows how networking works nicely.

It shows how we all know a number of people and links you to other resources you might not be able to reach on your own. Here's how it can work...

A few weeks ago I had about 10 contacts, which linked me to about 5,000 people which linked me to around 50,000 people.

Today I have 41 contacts, that links me to 17000 which links me to 1,978,300.

As with all networking, social networking is about building relationships, getting to know people. Here's a recent article on networking - click here

Double and triple your income in 20% of the time

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:14:00 +0000

Not so long ago I had decided to take a day off when I realised I was reading something work related and finding my family were disturbing my train of thought. That was when I realised I was ill..

My illness was not uncommon amongst the self-employed. It came about because I adore what I do and have trouble turning off. For example one night I got home at 11pm and as I put my head on the pillow, I kept thinking of things I needed to action. Within 15 minutes I'd sat up 5 times to jot down 7 things I needed to do and didn't want to forget.

I'm calling this illness "Entrepreneurs sickness."

When you started your business did you have a dream about having a bit more time flexibility? Having more time for family? Did you discover then that you think about work more than ever?

To change this I put in some buffer time, where I can transition between the work I love and the people I love. For me buffer time is an hour of clearing the office, going for a walk or meditating - allowing myself to thinking time to note things I might forget, make a list of things I want to achieve the next day and congratulating myself on the great things I did.

This helps me unwind, note the things I need to note and close down from the day, so my mind doesn't continue to work on work.

More on doubling your income in 20% of the time on my free tele-seminar - a preview call for the Insiders Secrets Series.

Click the link to find out how to Double or triple your income in 20% of the time.

1400 more web hits, 50% sales increase, 60% more profit

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:56:00 +0000

I was chatting with one of our members the other day, Nicky Marshall.

Nicky networks with us and she's part of the Insider Secrets programme.

She said,"When I came to CommunitySoul I had huge plans, but was struggling to do everything myself.

"As a result of networking I've made more than 20 worthwhile contacts.

"Through CommunitySoul mentoring I increased web traffic by 1400 hits a month and increased ticket sales at one event by 50%. I'm also on target for my best year yet - a 60% increase in profits!"

Nicky really is on vision now. She's pulling top speakers in to her events.

At her last event she had best-selling author, former TV presenter and newspaper columnist, Barefoot Doctor.

This time around she's got Lucinda Drayton, Stand Up Philosopher Tim Freke, Money Shaman Davide De Angelis, me, Laughter Guru Joe Hoare, Nicky and medium Deb Hawken and astro-disco John Wadsworth have in common?

Check out my next event: http://www.holisticinsights.co.uk/events_love_life_roadshow.htm

Best

Neil

New mentoring package launched

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Insiders Secrets launched yesterday.

This package gives small businesses access mentoring, creates a library of information and includes access to a dedicated forum where experts can be accessed.

It kicked off yesterday with a tele-seminar on increasing income and looked at one strategy that forms a solid foundation to the marketing of any business, no matter how large or small and no matter what industry.

It's just one more way we're making ourselves useful - acting as the 2nd pair of hands in a business!

Find out more>>>

Best
Neil

How to increase readers from one bit of PR by say 5,000

Neil Fellowes — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Let me be honest...

When I open a newspaper and see my own face smiling back at me from the print, (as I just have) I have to smile back at the newspaper (I'm easily pleased like that).

But there's something I get more of a buzz from...

And that's seeing our members in the paper as a result of our marketing activities. The aim is that as we become better known, so do our members.

Point in case...

According to Mid-Somerset newspapers they have a readership of 48,000. In this weeks edition you'll find 6 of our members (Mark Pogson, Tony McKenna, Helen Bardle, Andrew Stinchcomb, Gilly Montgomery and Sally Lever).

The article shows nicely how not everyone is being Credit Crunched.

How to create multi media from one media

It's great to be in print, but the article is PR-able in other ways.

Let me demonstrate how it can be used to boost the the exposure by say 4,000-5,000, and benefit all our members...

First, your reading about it now. Approximately 2000 others will visit this blog by the end of February. They'll be able to find out more about you and our other members because we show your expertise and your good looks here

Second, we'll be sending out a link to our blog in the CommunitySoul newsletter next week, so another couple of thousand will be pointed this way.

Third, I've posted details on the forum - the pages about successes tend to be looked at about 500 times.

Fourth, it will be on display at the business groups next week with another 3 bits of PR. Find out more about our other PR here

Good wishes
Neil

Remember to incorporate CommunitySoul into part of your working life - we're here to help.

Getting 2009 off to a flying start despite the Credit Crunch

Neil Fellowes — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:03:00 +0000

We hit January 2009 running - though it felt like sprinting!

In a second I'll cover what we did, but here are the results.

Here's the results

We've already widened our scope of business groups with our first licensee, Sandra McKenna taking up the new Bristol Group.

January also saw the the launch of a new package specifically designed to ensure the small business owner can get mentoring that will help them develop quickly and do it on a budget. Find out more on Insider Secrets...

What we did to get the results

Jo and I sat down for two whole days, mapping out exactly who our customers are and what they've told us they need to help them achieve their goals.

We created an outline of that and then wrote a detailed to-do plan with what needed to happen by when... for the whole of 2009. Then we began to deliver the results against that plan.

If you don't have a vision, a plan, excellent daily habits and sound systems business can feel like a struggle.

If you want to end the struggle, have a look at the Insider Secrets package, it'll give you all you need to know.

Neil