KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Use Speaking to Grow Their Business

Guest Columnist: Joy Chudacoff

A few weeks ago, I took some time to evaluate where most of my clients come from and the two areas where I consistently receive highly qualified clients are referrals from happy clients and public speaking. It’s essential that you spend your valuable time doing the things that consistently bring you the clients that you love to work with. This week, I’m going to focus on public speaking as I get many questions from Smart Women on this topic.

Speaking to your target market is a wonderful way to reach more people in a short period of time and get your message out about how your product or service can help them. It works well because your target audience can get to know you on a more personal level and get a feel for your style and personality.

You may be reading this and thinking, “I’ve never done any public speaking and I’m not feeling very confident about it.” I understand completely. I started speaking 15 years ago because I had a mentor at the time who insisted this was a great way for me to grow my business. It was not by choice and I tried (unsuccessfully) numerous times to avoid the process. I remember my first speaking engagement. I had purchased a $300 silk suit to wear for the occasion. I was so nervous that I was sweating the entire time. By the end of the presentation, I was soaked! The suit was ruined. I sent it to the dry cleaners but it could not be saved. After that first presentation, little by little, I became a better speaker and more confident in my ability.

If you’ve been thinking that speaking is a tool that could help you grow your business and get your message out, you should take the leap and go for it. Here are some tips and solutions that will help make the process a lot easier:

1. Choose a Topic – Pick a topic where you have expert knowledge. Think about a problem or challenge that you solve for your clients. Create a presentation around this and include 3-5 main points that will be benefit your audience.

2. Use the KISS Principle – Divide your talk into 3 main areas. The beginning is your introduction where you create a desire for the audience to listen to you by sharing your level of expertise. Don’t forget to share your vulnerability as well. People love hearing that you’re not perfect and you’ve made mistakes too! The middle is the 3-5 main points you want to share on your topic. The ending is where you let them know how they can get more information and how they can work with you.

3. Offer a Free Gift – Ask everyone to fill out a form with their name and email address. Put the forms into a basket and have the host pull out some lucky winners for a free gift. For example, it could be a free session with you, a free book or e-book. People love free gifts! Let the audience know that they will hear from you in the future about special offers or new products and services. This is an excellent list building tool. (I see many speakers forgetting this step and it’s one of the most important!)

4. Give Them Something to Buy – If you have a table at the event (many events offer a table to speakers at little or no extra charge) have your products and brochures, with descriptions about your service, available. After you finish speaking, get back to your table as quickly as possible so that people who are interested in asking questions or interacting with you can approach you easily.

5. Follow-Up After the Event – After the event is over, make sure you follow-up with the event host and find out how they felt about your presentation. This is an excellent way to learn what went well and if there are some areas for improvement. Be sure to ask the host for a testimonial about your speaking. This is an invaluable tool to have on your web site media page and marketing materials.

You can start with a small group (5-10 people) and move on to larger audiences along the way. Over the last 15 years, I’ve spoken to groups of people that had an audience of 5 people as well as groups of up to 750 people. The number isn’t what’s important. The key is to inspire a few people who identify with you and want to work with you to help solve their problem or challenge. Speaking has made a tremendous difference in my business. It can make a difference in your business too.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.

She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.

If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com

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KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Use Speaking to Grow Their Business

KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Deal With Their “Stuff”

Guest Columnist Joy Chudacoff

Today, I received an email from a very smart woman who is just beginning her journey as an entrepreneur. In her email, she shared with me that lately she’s been noticing that a lot of “stuff” is coming up for her. When I read this, I smiled. I knew that my smart, courageous friend is getting out of her “comfort zone.” Smart Women know that when they enter unfamiliar territory in life and business, “stuff” always shows up and can get in the way.

Making a decision to do something new or different in your life can get really uncomfortable. It triggers all of your “stuff” down deep inside. You may start to question everything you do and sometimes you wonder if you should continue with your new Big Idea, Dream, or Goal. After all, you may not be overjoyed with your current life situation, job, or business but at least it’s familiar—right? I remember a time in my life when I felt out of sorts, stuck and trapped, but at the same time I wasn’t sure if I had the courage to make the changes that were needed in order to feel whole, passionate and purposeful.

For example, when I decided to give birth to Smart Women Smart Solutions, there were many reasons why it wasn’t the most “ideal” time to begin something new. For example, I had my son who was a toddler and was pregnant with my daughter. My “stuff” seemed to pop up everywhere and follow me around with all of the reasons why now might not be the “right” time to start a new business. “Who will take care of my son?” “Now isn’t the right time” “What if it doesn’t work?” “What if I fail?” Sound familiar?

I have fears just like everyone else. Confronting your “stuff” is not much fun. It means you have to take a look at what is and decide if you have the courage to change and do what it takes to breakthrough to the next level in your life.

Over the last 2 decades, I’ve had times where I was surviving and times where I was thriving, and I will share with you that in order to “thrive”, sometimes you have to go through that “survive” period. It’s essential that you learn about yourself and see what changes or shifts you need to make in order to realize your Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals. My grandfather used to say, “Joy, no matter where you go, there you are.” Well said Pops. Sometimes, we get in our own way and practice the art of self-sabotage without really even realizing it.

Here are a few solutions that have helped me with my “stuff” and I believe it can help you too:

1. Look for a “Thinking” Partner – Have someone on your side. Someone who can support you in a positive way when your “stuff” comes up. Having a “thinking” partner will help you to see how to move past your “stuff” and stay on the right course to accomplish your goals.

2. Find Successful Role Models – It’s essential to find people who’ve been successful and continue to be growth-oriented. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make as entrepreneurs is they stay in a vacuum. They try to figure out how to accomplish their dreams on their own. Let successful people show you the way. They have paved a road that will be much easier for you to follow. Attend conferences, join Mastermind groups, or hire a Coach to help you stay the course.

3. Make sure your Desire is Heartfelt – When the desire is there, the how-to will come. No matter how much “stuff” you are dealing with around this change you are making in your life, desire will always win, if it’s authentic and truly what you want in life. Get really clear and focused on what you want to happen.

Living a life that allows you to achieve and have what you want and deserve is not always easy but it’s certainly worth the effort. Facing your “stuff” along the way not only helps you, but it helps all of the people who come in contact with you now and in the future. You will become a beacon of light that they can look to for guidance when they confront their “stuff.” Remember, it’s not trespassing if you cross your own boundaries.


Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com

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The National Networker Companies™ and TNNWC Group, LLC

“Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

Membership in TNNWC’s Global Interactive Cooperative Business Community is free of charge and entitles you to receive both The National Networker Newsletter and The BLUE TUESDAY Report, as well as access to our unparalleled Suite of Business Services.

Join Us! Simply click on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC

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KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Deal With Their “Stuff”

KALÖN WOMEN: Life is an Occasion

Guest Columnist: Joy Chudacoff

A few nights ago, we watched “Mr. Magorium’s Magical Emporium” with Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman. It’s a fun and light family movie with a wonderful message. I won’t give away the plot or ending, however at one point in the movie, Dustin Hoffman (Mr. Magorium) smiled and said to Natalie (who at the time was going through a big life transition) “Your life is an occasion; rise to it.” This got me thinking about how Smart Women know this well.

If you think about the word “occasion”, what comes up for you? For me, an “occasion” means a special or important time, a celebration or ceremony. When I wake up on the day of an important occasion, I feel a quiet excitement inside—anticipation about how this special time in my life will unfold. Don’t get me wrong. If I’m in charge of the occasion like planning a family member’s birthday party or some other big event, there’s some anxiety that goes along with the “occasion.”

Do you ever wake up in the morning thinking of your life as a celebration or a day that’s special? I typically need a strong cup of black coffee before I can think about anything in the morning and with a busy family in tow and a vision for my business that seems to never stop, some days can be more of a challenge than a celebration! However, I’m working on adjusting my attitude to reflect more of a celebration in my life and making each day feel special.

How am I going to do that? I’ve been spending some quiet peaceful time over the last few days asking myself a few questions on how I can make my life more of an "occasion" each day. I want to live my life fully and with no regrets. I want to (hopefully!) teach my children and the people around me to do the same. Here are a few questions I’ve been asking myself lately:

1. What do I want? That’s a big question isn’t it? So simple and yet so enormous. It’s a great question to ask yourself if you’re curious about your life, your future and your legacy. Your life is defined by the choices you make along the way. I invite you to get some paper, a favorite pen and the beverage of your choice and sit in a spot that’s peaceful and quiet where you can really get in touch with your internal voice—your soul. Take a deep breath, ask the question and then write whatever pops into your mind. A word of caution; don’t censor your answers. Try and avoid judgments.

After you finish this, you can go on with the next question which is:

2. Is what I’m currently doing in alignment with what I want in my life? We can say we want something but if we don’t actually take the right action steps to make it happen, it will most likely never materialize or come to fruition. If I want to get in better physical shape or take my business to the next level, I have to ask myself if the current daily, weekly and monthly action steps will eventually get me to the place I want to be.

Take a look at your current life. Does it match up to what you want? If so, bravo! You are on your way. If not, then you need to ask yourself the next question:

3. What are the changes I need to make to get what I want? This can sometimes be the most challenging part of the process. Why? If you’re willing to acknowledge that change needs to take place in order for you to have more of what you want in your life, then you must contemplate taking the next step which is actually making the desired changes to get you on course and moving in the right direction. A wise mentor once shared with me that “change does not always mean success, but success always means change.”

In the movie, Natalie Portman struggled a bit with this process but in the end, it was accessing her own internal voice and her belief that helped her to begin a new life journey toward achieving what she wanted in her life. I invite you to get in touch with your internal voice. Allow her to come out and into your life. It will surely be a special “occasion.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com

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The National Networker Companies™ and TNNWC Group, LLC

“Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

Membership in TNNWC’s Global Interactive Cooperative Business Community is free of charge and entitles you to receive both The National Networker Newsletter and The BLUE TUESDAY Report, as well as access to our unparalleled Suite of Business Services.

Join Us! Simply click on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC

Visit our website at http://www.TheNationalNetworker.com

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KALÖN WOMEN: Life is an Occasion

KALÖN WOMEN: The Six Feminine Energies

Guest Columnist: Joy Chudacoff


Are you a woman who wants to have it all? Do you have a desire to experience your life and business on your own terms? I've certainly felt that way in the past; however I've come to realize that I have to choose what's most important to me right now in my life. I know that over time, my "energy" for different interests will change and grow into new areas. It's essential for Smart Women to recognize and embrace new passions that may develop over time.

Having to choose what’s most important to women at different stages of their lives can be a challenge. After all, we’ve been taught that we are multi-taskers. We want to do it all and we can do it all--- but at what cost? In the past, this “I can do it all” attitude has cost me my health, money, presence and awareness with my family. I eventually!) learned from this and today I’ve taken on the idea that I can have it all, just not all at once.

Over the last 5-1/2 years working with hundreds of women, I’ve discovered that there are Six Feminine Energies™ women share. These “energies” fuel women at different stages of their lives. In my Women’s Success Circles, we spend focused time to explore each feminine energy and discover which ones feel like a good fit for each of the women where they are at this time in their lives.

Why is this important? What we focus on becomes our reality. We manifest what we think about. Finding where your attention and energy is focused will often reveal where your passion and purpose reside. One thing I’ve learned is that if you are living a life that is full of passion and purpose, you will have an unlimited energy supply for life. Without this, you can get “stuck” in the middle of the road of your life. You can also fall prey to exhaustion and feel overwhelmed trying to do it all.

When I discovered which of the Six Feminine Energies™ were fueling me, I felt alive with new ideas. I had a compass to guide me each day in making the right decisions to move my life in the direction toward my passion, my purpose and my values.

I’m going to share these Six Feminine Energies™ with you. In my Success Circles, I invite women to choose two to three out of the six. Why? Because it’s a real challenge to embrace all six at once effectively. You will spread yourself too thin and not be able to enjoy and savor the moments in each one.

1. Making Things Happen – Achieving goals, business success, being ambitious, going for it, recognition, driven by earning income, doing important work.

2. Nurturing Relationships – Loving, sharing yourself, bonding, parenting, being intimate, being a “nutritious” friend, caring sibling, caring daughter.

3. Personal Mastery – Self-esteem, confidence, personal clarity, courage, loving yourself, embracing who you are, self-acceptance.

4. Fun and Expression – Being playful, creative, childlike, and spontaneous.

5. Spiritual Awareness – Inner peace, the process of “being”, trusting in the universe, quiet and reflective, inner wisdom.

6. Leaving Your Legacy – Contribution, mentoring, leaving the world a better place, environmental caring, community service, volunteering, helping others.

Which ones “call” out to you? I invite you to pick two to three that hold the highest “energy” value for you. Mine are very clear right now; Making Things Happen, Nurturing Relationships and Spiritual Awareness. Remember, these energies will shift and change over time. When I first discovered the Six Feminine Energies™, my top three were completely different. I’ve changed and grown and so my energies have shifted as well.

Now that you’ve determined your own two to three feminine energies, ask yourself a question: Is my life reflecting these values? Am I practicing and living these values which are so vitally important to me each day? If not, it’s time to take an inventory of your life. Clear some space in your life for your two to three feminine energies. It will make a big difference in the quality of your life and the quality of the people you care about.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.


Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com

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The National Networker Companies™ and TNNWC Group, LLC

“Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

Membership in TNNWC’s Global Interactive Cooperative Business Community is free of charge and entitles you to receive both The National Networker Newsletter and The BLUE TUESDAY Report, as well as access to our unparalleled Suite of Business Services.

Join Us! Simply click on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC

Visit our website at http://www.TheNationalNetworker.com
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KALÖN WOMEN: The Six Feminine Energies

KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Have a Marketing Mantra

Guest Columnist: Joy Chudacoff



I recently attended a conference for women business owners and ran into a woman I had not seen for some time. She looked a little unhappy when I approached her. I asked her if everything was going well and she shared with me that she had just lost a big client. In fact, this big client was more than 50% of her business. Wow! I’d be upset too. She was in the process of figuring out what to do next to rebuild her business back to a successful place. As we talked, I started thinking about the “golden” rule in business for Smart Women: Always have a marketing “mantra.”

Marketing “mantra?” What the heck is that? Let me share a quick scenario that will bring it home for you. You know that the only way to grow your business is to get your message about what you do out to your ideal clients-- right? The “message” is the “mantra” that you want to communicate over and over again about the benefits your product or service provides to the customer. You may do this in several ways (I highly recommend more than one!). You can have a website, use social media, attend conferences, speaking, etc. Once your “mantra” reaches your idea client (and if your “mantra” is effective), you will then be rewarded with new business. What’s the first thing you typically stop doing when you get a few great clients and get involved with providing great service? You stop your marketing “mantra.”

I’ve seen this so many times and I’ve been guilty of allowing this to happen in my own business. You get so excited about the new clients and doing the work that you love with them, you forget all about keeping the marketing “mantra” going to attract new ideal clients. This common mistake will prevent your business from going to the next level of success.

I invite you to set up a system in your business to have a continuous, regularly scheduled marketing “mantra.” The key is to create a plan and make it happen. This is where having a team of support for help and delegation is essential. I will share with you that when I got clear and focused on this part of my business, real growth began to happen. I set up a system that allowed me to communicate with my ideal client and provide excellent service to my existing clients at the same time.

Here are a few tips and solutions to help you get your marketing “mantra” up and running smoothly:

1. Reach Out and Touch Consistently – It’s important to reach out to your ideal client on a regular basis with information that they need and will enjoy receiving. Decide how often you’d like to “touch” your ideal client with your “mantra.” I recommend weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Any of these will work, so choose what works best for you and do it consistently.

2. Focus your “Mantra” – This is where it’s really key to know who your ideal client is. Focus your message and your useful information in a way that solves problems for your client. Show how you can add value through your knowledge and expertise.

3. Get some help – Don’t try to do this alone! It’s nearly impossible to work with your clients effectively and have a consistent flow of communication if you are attempting to do this all by yourself. There are plenty of skilled people who would love to help you get your “mantra” out to the right people.

Having a consistent, clear, regularly scheduled marketing “mantra” can make the difference between having a business that is doing well with a few clients and one that is super successful serving scores of clients effectively. I know which one I want. How about you?

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.


Copyright 2010 Joy Chudacoff

Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions™, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com.

ABOUT KALÖN WOMEN: The mission of Kalön Women is to provide answers and raise awareness of issues and causes that affect women 40+, so that they will be stronger from knowledge gained, and the generation of women who follow in their path will hopefully find it less rocky. The articles, stories, poetry and other written expressions in Kalön Women are created by real women 40+. Written to inspire, help and perhaps provide a few laughs to all “women of a certain age”.

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KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Have a Marketing Mantra