AmazinglyVirtual

Alana Roberts

Gratitude – Are We Grateful?

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Are we grateful? Are we grateful for all things?

It’s that time of the year when we start seeing posts and messages about gratitude. Thankfully we live in a time when gratitude happens more than just around Thanksgiving! However, around this coming holiday it seems we see the word used more than just casually here and there.
I always love when going to networking meetings or seeing posts in social media communities asking, “What are you grateful for?” and sure enough there is ALWAYS at least one post and or person saying, “I am grateful for EVERYTHING.” Do not get me wrong – I do think it’s possible to be 100% grateful for all things but I also believe to get to that point there needs to be a reworking of our brains.
Let me share.
Closed a client and got the sale! - Grateful.
So far easy right??
Worked with a potential client for weeks and they went and bought from someone else! - Grateful?? Here is the brain reworking needed – Practice makes perfect. This potential client provided the opportunity to practice the pitch and calls to action needed to close business. Why didn’t it close? Talk about powerful if you can reach out and gather that data. Grateful.
Had a client refuse to pay! - Grateful?? Here is the brain reworking needed – oh the lesson here of having to put everything in writing and have a contract with all expectations laid out to protect oneself. Grateful for the lesson.
No one is engaging or showing interest on my social media whatsoever! – Grateful?? Here is the brain reworking needed – I am grateful I have a community I can reach out to and ask them to like my posts and engage on them. I can ask my fellow business owners for some help and in turn see and feel the community surrounding me. Grateful.
Is it possible to be grateful for everything? I truly believe it is. For me it does not come naturally or organically in some situations but if I pause long enough, I can find a reason to be grateful.
I hope you always find a reason as well.
Written by Cheryl Clark – Clark Strategies | A Strategic Partner of Amazingly Virtual

How Are You Using Your Opportunities

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How Are you Using Your Opportunities?

Opportunity.  That word standing alone is pretty useless, isn’t it?

The following words often are placed in front of the word Opportunity – looking for, free.

The following words often are placed behind the word Opportunity – needed, wanted.

Those words are pretty useless as well, in my opinion.

We can look for opportunities, we can find opportunities, we can want them and need them.  Opportunities may even present themselves and say, “hey, here we are”!   Yet what does any of that do for us as business owners?  Yes, I found one!  Yes, I see one!  Yes, I need them!  Yes, I absolutely want them!   Zero impact on my business is found in all those words and sentences.  Zero!  Zilch!  DeNada!

Many will tell you the power lies in the grab and take!   Think about it for a minute.  The action words!  Grab the Opportunity!  Take the Opportunity!   Reach for the Opportunity!  Seize the Opportunity!  If you were nodding your head while reading that affirming yes – I believe we are still wrong.

The power lies in the word ‘use’.  Grabbing, taking, reaching for – absolutely needed but holding on to them, staring at them, adding them to a storage closet – still has zero impact on me, my business, and my business growth.  I absolutely have to “USE” them.

Now that word USE is where the true power lies!   We must use what we find and what is given to us.  This is where I think many of us, me included, have dropped the ball on Opportunities and the power they can have.  They are powerless unless we use them!

I think of things that I see every single day like zoom meetings for networking, blog writing opportunities and so many free blog spots.  Let’s even add email addresses I see every single day of people I don’t know and yet I don’t make the connection happen either.  All of these sitting there going un-USED.

I think of things that I see every single day like friends and social media connections needing some help, a referral, a hand, encouragement.  These are amazing opportunities and yet they sit there going un-USED.

I think of things that I see every single day like friends tagging me, engaging on my posts, sending me a message or email.  These are opportunities for connection, engagement, adding depth to a relationship and yet they sit going un-USED and often undervalued for what they can truly do for us if we but label them OPPORTUNITY.

Don’t merely look for opportunities.

Don’t merely ask for them.

Don’t even just take them.

Use them – that is where the power lies!  Use them!  That is the verb we need to make opportunities count for us.

Written by Cheryl Clark - Clark Strategies | A Strategic Partner of Amazingly Virtual

You are the Solution

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Whatever the Problem, You are the Solution

I found myself this morning wanting to belt out the Taylor Swift song “Anti-Hero” and more specifically just this line:  It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me (I'm the problem, it's me).

Now what in the world would ever cause an entrepreneur to sing this song at the top of their lungs?  I won’t pause here for the dramatic affect because I am sure most of us can list reason after reason for the want and need of singing this song to ourselves every now and then.

Client interactions not flowing as we had hoped – “it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”

Inbox full and not being handled quick enough – “it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”

Texts and Direct Messages sitting on read – “it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”

Newsletter not created and sent – “it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”

Papers all over the desk and not sorted – “it’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me.”

“To every problem there is already a solution whether you know it or not.”  Grenville Kleiser
“For every problem, there exists a solution...and at the very least...an opportunity.”  Michael McMillian

The question becomes do we stay in ‘self-blame’ mode, or do we shift into ‘self-empowerment’ mode?

How do we get it all done? Simply put – we don’t.

If we ever get caught up with nothing to do – we are in fact out of business.  There should always be something to do and or something we can do as entrepreneurs.  That moment of “I have nothing to do” should be so terrifying!  Yes, more terrifying than a full inbox, messages sitting on read, marketing not done and papers all over the place! It’s me!  Hi!

When we rise and claim accountability, when we rise and just say yes this is ALL mine to own and deal with, when we rise and say IT IS ME – it is so powerful!

Self – empowerment!

Now it’s yours and yours alone – so let’s prioritize, let’s get a grasp on our time management, let’s find trusted resources to outsource some of our tasks too, let’s find collaborative partnerships, let’s find accountability partners, let’s FIND SOLUTIONS!

Too often as a business owner with my business owner hat on I find I do what I ‘feel’ like doing rather than what I should do.  (Prioritization and Time Management woes) We have been taught to do what ‘feels’ right – where I agree with this 100%, I also know some days my ‘feelings’ are not accurate and misguided, and logic needs to click in!   Let’s face it my feelings say sit on a beach with my toes in the warm sand more often than I care to admit!

Too often as a business owner with my business owner hat on I think I must do it ALL by myself and for myself after all it is MY business right?  Frankly when I hire someone to do tasks and outsource some of my business needs – that makes me feel so good and empowered!  Look at me – I have ‘staff’, I hired another company!   Huge!   I have found those moments I do not outsource it is not from lack of self-empowerment it is from a feeling of self-shame.  Why can’t I get it all done, what a mess this is and now someone else will see it!

Truth is – NONE of us will get there alone.

It's me – HI!  It’s me!   Be proud it’s you – if you are the problem, you are the solution!
Written by Cheryl Clark - Clark Strategies | A Strategic Partner of Amazingly Virtual

Over-Flo Missions is Making a Difference

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With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we wanted to share a great local, (Mesa, Arizona) organization that is making a difference!

We are very fortunate – aren’t we? If you have room to give and make a difference – We recommend this organization! The donation link is below:

Who are we?

Over-Flo Missions is a faith based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We are built on Biblical principles: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Over-Flo Missions’ purpose is to be a community organization supporting individuals and families re-establish their lives. We provide meals, water, personal hygiene packages, and other resources that help individuals and families during their temporary situation. 

We also support other organizations by assisting and helping them prepare and serve meals. Working TOGETHER we can eliminate out homelessness one person at a time.

Purpose

Our purpose is to bring awareness to hunger and homelessness and help to resolve it. This is our way of advocating and being a voice for those in need. Awareness + Advocating = Action. Hunger can take your voice: Be a voice of power and help!

Make a Donation: CLICK HERE

Clark Strategies

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Whether you are flying the entrepreneurial journey solo or with a team Clark Strategies is your go to for all things related to relationship marketing!    Let’s face it – you need connections!   You need clients, referral partners, collaborators, peers to learn and grow from.  Clark Strategies is all about building connections and relationships to move your business forward!   We do not get there alone.  Newsletters, Social Media Marketing, Connection Classes, and Trainings are all part of the services Clark Strategies offers.  With over 15 years in the relationship marketing business – this company can help you build your database, build your connections, and most importantly build relationships!  It’s not about who you know – it is about who knows you. 

Constant Contact

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Why Constant Contact?

Running a small business is tough, particularly when you have to do all the tasks. They have the tools you need to make your marketing go much smoother, which means you can relax just a little bit more. And if you ever run into trouble, the support staff is on hand to help and even will walk you through setting up or adjusting a campaign.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re opening your newest location, Constant Contact has the tools to help you attract new customers and grow your business — from email to social to text messages and more.

CREATE & EDIT

  • Email Marketing: Create, send, and track
  • Email Templates:  Browse hundreds of designs
  • Marketing Automation:  Send timely emails
  • Landing Pages:  Capture new leads
  • Event Marketing:  Create and promote events

GROW & TRACK

  • List-Building Tools:  Build and grow your email list
  • A/B Testing:  Increase your open rate
  • Integrations: Connect your tech
  • Reporting:  Track your campaigns

CRM

Sync your marketing and sales

  • Ecommerce:  Market and sell your products

SOCIAL & MOBILE

  • SMS Marketing:  Expand your reach with text marketing
  • Social Media Marketing:  Find new customers
  • Mobile Apps:  Manage your account on the go

To learn more, contact us today and we will recommend a package that is right for you!

CASA of Maricopa County

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Being a CASA volunteer is not your typical volunteer experience. But that’s okay… the Maricopa County Juvenile Court is not looking for typical volunteers.   

The CASA of Maricopa County program mobilizes court appointed volunteers to provide critical advocacy for child victims of life-threatening abuse, neglect or abandonment. This best-interest advocacy opportunity within Maricopa County’s juvenile court is a shining example of how ordinary individuals can make an extraordinary impact in the lives of children living in foster care. 

Each volunteer is appointed by a judge to guide one child or one set of siblings through the system to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. CASA volunteers research records and monitor the progress of the child and family throughout a dependency case and advocate for the child’s current and future needs in court, in school, and in agency meetings. A CASA volunteer’s independent evaluation allows the court to make better informed decisions. Because CASA volunteers serve on one case at a time, they truly get to know each child and can give each case the sustained, personal attention it deserves. 

We invite you to join our family of volunteers and make a difference in a child’s life – and your own.

Managing Your YouTube Channel with TubeBuddy

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Managing Your YouTube Channel with TubeBuddy

Creating, managing, and promoting a YouTube channel is no small feat. There are thumbnails to create, SEO keywords to consider, and an endless need for fresh, compelling content. This is why I want to call out a game-changing tool that will help streamline this whole process: TubeBuddy.

Why TubeBuddy?

  • SEO Optimization: Stop guessing which tags and keywords will rank your video higher. TubeBuddy provides accurate, real-time data to get your videos seen by a wider audience.
  • Time-Saving Templates: TubeBuddy offers card and end screen templates that you can use to encourage viewer engagement without reinventing the wheel for every video.
  • Analytics at a Glance: Gain a deeper understanding of your audience’s preferences and trends with TubeBuddy's powerful analytics tools.
  • Monetization Features: From setting up sponsorships to selling your own merchandise, TubeBuddy offers various monetization options to help you earn more from your content.

Install TubeBuddy Today