As an overachiever and avid helper I’d always felt that if I put in as much effort to my own business as I did for other peoples’, I would be hugely successful.
I’d had businesses in the past, but as an introvert, marketing and ‘showing up’ had always been a challenge for me, so I returned to the corporate world as a global HR Director, as well as consulting at the same time.
I dreamt of having my own coaching business, but knew from experience that there wasn’t enough demand on a small island with a population of 100k to make it a profitable business.
In 2017 I quit my job after completing a 90 hour working week and seeing so little of my son
I signed up to an online course to launch a product. There was just one problem – I didn’t have an online product.
Two weeks before the end, I started to feel overwhelmed, still no further forward in taking action and impending unemployment.
That’s when Marisa’s email about EPM landed in my inbox. I watched the video and it pulled on my heart strings – perhaps this was the course that would help me create and market my product? I signed up and didn’t know it at the time, but it was the best decision I even made.
From the very first interaction on the website, I was hooked, excited and motivated. I knew that if I followed each step of the process, I would succeed.
It took me three attempts to nail my niche and product. My coach was fantastic – she helped me to see through the eyes of a prospective client. The penny finally dropped and I felt confident in my product. It was what I have been doing for the past 20 years – I just didn’t know how to define the value and package my offering.
I kept on top of the programme, although had a few set backs, mostly around the technology. During those times, Don’s Friday sessions were invaluable and I replayed many of them.
The Monday calls with Marisa were hugely valuable and inspiring. Whilst I chose not to speak live on the calls, I received plenty of side door coaching – turns out that there were commonalities in the challenges people were experiencing.
The real challenge came when I reached the marketing module. This was the module I was most excited but apprehensive about. There were many choices and I knew that the Fast Results and Perfect Email campaign would be a challenge for me for three reasons 1) I had no list and had never used social media - not even Facebook! 2) I don’t enjoy writing and 3) I'm not comfortable showing up.
I decided to go for them anyway as I thought they would stretch me the most and hopefully deliver the biggest results.
During Christmas I felt like giving up, but remember Marisa saying, “when you’re about to give up, you still have 40% left to give’. I took the course specifically to develop an online business as my local market is so limited - there was no way I was giving up.
I launched my Fast Results campaign with an opt in page and free PDF. I knew I was targeting an online audience that didn’t know me but without a list, the only people I could email were my existing local contacts.
Whilst writing my launch email, I struggled with the positioning – I knew it didn’t feel right, but couldn’t pin point why. Instead of waiting to perfect the email, which is what I would usually do, I took Marisa’s advice and decided to get it out there and iterate based on feedback. Within 24 hours I had the feedback and knew exactly where I had gone wrong…
I had emailed my existing contacts and my online group contacts and had 21 subscribers in the first 24 hours. The split between online and local was about 50/50. Feedback from my online community was that I had given too much information in the initial email – they just wanted the content (the free PDF)! Feedback from my local contacts was that the customer journey wasn’t complete – they wanted a website, contact details and what next.
I knew straight away that I had two completely difference audiences and had blended my messaging. I contacted my coach, who recommended ‘give them what they want’. I set about creating a one page website in Heroic, which meant I also had to go through the legalities of setting up my business. This derailed me from the Fast Results campaign, but I knew I had to give my local market what they wanted. I also didn’t have enough people on my list to sell to, based on the conversion rates.
To ensure I didn’t lose momentum with my online audience (as small as it was), I reverted to a weekly news item, to keep them warm.
I set up my business, launched my website and continued chatter boxing as well as sending weekly emails to the people on my list.
Within days of launching my website, I sold one of my VIP products at £997 to one of my local contacts and have just launched campaigns on Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Whilst I didn’t hit mission accomplished, my action took me down a path I hadn’t intended and as a result I now have a business, website, very small warm list (with no unsubscribes) and a marketing campaign. I even created a video for my website, which has been posted on LinkedIn and Facebook. Showing up has by far been the biggest personal development for me!
EPM has been the most intensive self development programme I have ever completed but it has given me greater results that I could ever have imagined or wished for. It has also been incredible value for money, although I see that as a bonus, in comparison to impact it has had on me and my business.
EPM guided me step by step and showed me the actions to take. It gave me the motivation to get started and the support and accountability to see it through to the end.
It has also given me the confidence to finally be comfortable with who I am. Whilst I may be unique in the tiny island I live it, I’m ok with that. There are lots of like minded people in the world who also want to make a difference and earn at the same time - I just need to find the right people who want what I have to offer.
Thank you so much to Marisa, Samara and the whole EPM team for a truly inspiring and action, fun filled experience. I look forward to meeting you all at Message to Money Live.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
My biggest takeaway from EPM was how to create a product, test it and market it.
How did EPM help you become successful?
EPM guided me step by step and showed me the actions to take. It gave me the motivation to get started and accountability to see it through to the end.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
EPM has given me the confidence to be who I really am. I have realised that whilst I may be unique in the tiny island I live it, that's ok. There are lots of like minded people in the world who also want to make a difference and earn at the same time - I just need to find the right people who want what I have to offer.
What has been the biggest change in your business?
The biggest difference EPM has made to my business is actually getting started. I had quit my job just before joining EPM and was unclear how to set up my coaching business and market it. I was not earning anything. I have now set up my business, am actively marketing it and sold 1 product @ £997. Now that I have the tools and know how, I will continue to iterate my marketing and products!
What are you most excited about moving forward with your Experience Product?
I'm excited about iterating my marketing to sign up premium paying clients, so that I can give women all over the world the confidence and motivation to step up in their own businesses or careers, whilst having the flexibility to work when and where I choose, spend more time with my family and make money.