Debbie LaChusa

Tonight was the first tele-coaching call for my Spring Extreme Marketing Makeover Program. We've got 7 very ambitious people in the program and I can tell we're going to accomplish a lot! It's going to be a great group to work with. We're going to work hard, but I can tell they're all going to be very involved and supportive of each other. That excites me because it makes the group even more productive and exciting to be a part of ... for me and them.

Over the next 6 weeks, I'll be tracking the progress of John, the winner of my Free Marketing Makeover. I'll be sharing his journey through the program and the steps we're taking to help him and everyone else turn their marketing program into one that helps them easily attract more clients. I invite you to check this blog for weekly updates on John's progress as he creates a marketing program for his new business, Occumax.

This week's Extreme Marketing Makeover coaching call was a fun one. Everyone is working hard to craft their Elevator Pitches and really get to the core of what's special about the product or service they offer. This is week three of the six-week program and they've already completed a series of exercises to help them uncover a powerful positioning they can each own.

While a few people have been struggling to really get to their core marketing message, at one point on Wednesday night's call, one participant, Becky, interrupted and about jumped through the phone with a "Can I say something?!" She went on to share, "As you were all talking, and I was listening, I suddenly got it! I now know exactly how to clearly express myself in my marketing. I'm so excited!"

Becky emailed me today with her revised Elevator Pitch. And I am ecstatic to report SHE'S GOT IT! This is why I love doing this program so much. It is so exciting when the light suddenly comes on for someone who has been struggling with their marketing. When they feel confident that they finally know exactly what to say to market their services. Especially when it's someone who was pretty lost in the whole marketing process before. It just warms me all over when that happens. :-)

We're wrapping up Week #5 in my Spring Extreme Marketing Makeover Program and everyone is making great progress. And some interesting stories are starting to emerge. John, the winner of my Free Marketing Makeover, shared an interesting story about how he is using his new marketing skills. His son is in a punk rock band - in fact he had to put himself on mute during our last call because the band was practicing in his garage! - and John shared that he had just rewritten the band's marketing materials. His son's response? "That's exactly what we've been wanting to say, we just couldn't come up with the words!"

John by the way has also done a great job rewriting his website home page, coming up with a very unique and valuable offer to help him start building an email list, and he's put together a great direct mail letter to start sending out to prospects. He's currently working on turning that one letter into a campaign.

It's so awesome to see someone jump on all the information he's learning and not being afraid to go out and start using it. Because as I explained to John and everyone else in the makeover program, the best way to get started on improving your marketing is to get out there and start testing it. Learn the basic skills and start putting them into practice. Because you can learn something from everything you do. Even after 21 years, I still learn from every marketing activity I undertake, and I use that learning to make my future marketing even stronger.

So in the words of legendary marketer Nike: Just Do It!

Well, we finished up the Spring Extreme Marketing Makeover Program on Wednesday. Boy those 6 weeks just seem to fly by. And this past session I had a very active bunch of makeover candidates participating. They were eager and determined and I just love that. By the last tele-coaching call on Wednesday, they had their marketing plans in hand and were so excited about putting them into action. And I'm excited for them. Some of these folks came into the first call rather timid about their marketing. I absolutely LOVE to see them grow like that!

But what I really want to share is a very funny story that came up in Wednesday's call. Becky shared that the following phrase kept going through her mind: WWDD. You may have seen "WWJD" before - it stands for "What Would Jesus Do" and many Christians wear bracelets with this sentiment. Well Becky reported that she is now finding herself, when evaluating business and marketing decisions, asking herself the question, "What Would Debbie Do?"

I busted up laughing when she shared this, as did everyone else on the call. But at the same time I was thrilled. Because I know she is now thinking about her marketing decisons and proactively deciding what to do in each and every situation, to get the best results. And, in fact, those results are already starting to happen. She also reported that the week prior, a potential partner had approached her and proposed what could be a very big, lucrative business arrangement. She was so excited. And I was very proud of her for the steps she's taken. She's putting what she's learning into action. She's stepping out, even if she's sometimes fearful. But she's not letting that fear stop her. And amazing things are starting to happen as a result. It's very inspiring! I feel like a proud mother! :-)

I'm issuing a "last call" for entries to win a Free Marketing Makeover. My Fall Extreme Marketing Makeover Program (the program that was selected by Entrepreneur Magazine as a "Quick Pick") begins on September 27th and I'll be drawing the name of one lucky small business owner on September 18th to participate in the 6-week program for free.

As they say, if you don't play you can't win, so if you haven't yet submitted your entry I encourage you to do so today, Simply tell me why your business needs a marketing makeover and you could win the complete program, a $500 value, absolutely free. You can enter right here on my blog.

You'll get 6 weeks of coaching from me, the chance to submit all of your current marketing materials to me for review and critique, a printed copy of my 10stepmarketing System Step-by-Step Guidebook, my 12-CD Audio Training Program, email support for one full year, Lifetime membership to my Small Business Marketing Resource Center, and free follow-up teleconference calls to help keep you on track. Everything you need to rev-up your marketing so it starts generating Extreme Results!

Marketing Success Podcast: How to Win a Free Marketing Makeover

(length 2:41 minutes)

I've had quite a few people complete my Extreme Marketing Makeover Program. Not all of them keep in touch after completing the program, but a handful keep me updated on how things are going. And I love hearing about what they're doing and how the program has changed how they market.

Case in point, my client Becky. Becky is a wellness coach. She took the program last spring. When she started the 6-week program, Becky wasn't very confident when it came to marketing. I think it's safe to say she was almost afraid of it. There just seemed to be a huge disconnect between offering her coaching services and marketing them. As the program progressed, Becky slowly started coming out of her shell. It was very rewarding to watch, but nothing like what's been happening recently.

You see, Becky is one of those people who stays in touch and continues to ask for my advice and support, something I offer to all my Extreme Marketing Makeover clients. So every couple of weeks I get an email from Becky, with an update on what she's doing to market her business or asking for my advice.

Over the past few months, Becky has written to tell me she was able to get a feature article written about her business in her local newspaper, she's also now writing a weekly column for another publication, she's publishing a newsletter and she's getting her website up and running - in fact I just saw the home page last week and it looked great. I continue to be blown away by all that Becky is doing.

But it really all boils down to one thing: Becky is taking action. She's using what she learned in the marketing makeover program and she's using it to market her business. She knows she doesn't have it all figured out but she's still not afraid to go out and try things. Because she knows every time she does, she gets feedback and that helps her market smarter the next time.

How about you? Are you out there marketing and testing and fine-tuning? Or are you waiting until you get all your ducks in a row ... until everything is just right, before you start marketing?

Marketing Success Podcast: An Example of Marketing "Just Do It!"

(length 3:56 minutes)

We're wrapping up the Winter Extreme Marketing Makeover Program this week. It's been exciting to see some of the marketing transformations. One participant has already completely made over her brochure into a marketing flyer with a whole lot more punch!

I'm still debating about whether I will be offering a Spring Marketing Makeover Program. I have so much going on right now, I'm not sure I can fit it into my schedule!

So, I am developing an interest list to help me decide. If you are interested in taking my Makeover Program this Spring, please add your name to the interest list. When you do, you'll also qualify for a special offer that will only be given to those who pre-register on the interest list.

If enough people are interested, I'll offer the program again in May.