A retrospective (and lessons learned)
February 15, 2008: I leave a
brief stint in magazine publishing after having a disastrous
relationship with my boss. I’ve never tried so hard to get along with
someone and failed so thoroughly.
February 16: Started yoga teacher training after many years of teaching without formal qualifications. Heart opens. I start to wonder ‘what if?’ Speak with John Ogilvie of Byron Yoga Centre who expresses that he’s looking for a writer. Could this be my first client?
February 18 – 22: Involves me musing out loud to my partner on whether there’s a market for yoga teachers and natural therapists who want to present themselves more professionally in order to attract more clients. He's encouraging. I become increasingly confident and register the Yoga Reach business name and domain.
March: first project and invoice for Byron Yoga. I’m in business.
February 16: Started yoga teacher training after many years of teaching without formal qualifications. Heart opens. I start to wonder ‘what if?’ Speak with John Ogilvie of Byron Yoga Centre who expresses that he’s looking for a writer. Could this be my first client?
February 18 – 22: Involves me musing out loud to my partner on whether there’s a market for yoga teachers and natural therapists who want to present themselves more professionally in order to attract more clients. He's encouraging. I become increasingly confident and register the Yoga Reach business name and domain.
March: first project and invoice for Byron Yoga. I’m in business.
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April:
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July '08: first web design job.
May '09: first bubba girl born (Charlie).
May '09: first bubba girl born (Charlie).
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June '09:
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November '09: We start to get an increasing number of requests for Facebook pages and training on Facebook.
January '10: After writing, designing and sending out countless E-news for clients, we finally decide it’s time to make time for our own monthly E-news. Ta da!
May '10: First major website (with content management system) for Qi Yoga and Natural Therapies goes live.
January '10: After writing, designing and sending out countless E-news for clients, we finally decide it’s time to make time for our own monthly E-news. Ta da!
May '10: First major website (with content management system) for Qi Yoga and Natural Therapies goes live.
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May '10:
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June '10: After creating countless Facebook pages for clients, we get around to creating our own.
September '10: Give Mark Breadner's Yogacoaches the 'Business and Marketing of Yoga' workshop (200 hr and 500hr teacher trainees).
February '11: Second bubba girl born (Indi).
August '11: Give my first big presentation on online marketing at Australian Day Hospitals national conference. I shake in my boots until I get there, check out the room, relax, and have a ball.
September '10: Give Mark Breadner's Yogacoaches the 'Business and Marketing of Yoga' workshop (200 hr and 500hr teacher trainees).
February '11: Second bubba girl born (Indi).
August '11: Give my first big presentation on online marketing at Australian Day Hospitals national conference. I shake in my boots until I get there, check out the room, relax, and have a ball.
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February '12: Online marketing workshop offered to the public for the first time.
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We turn:
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What I learned:
- Say Yes to everything.
- Then start saying No.
- Regular, month-in, month-out clients make the world go around.
- All the business you are likely to need is within your circle already. Ask for referrals and keep in touch with people.
- Twitter is great for meeting people that might become clients, referrers of clients, and friends.
- It’s not about you, it’s about your clients.
- I love teaching and training.
- The best time to market your own business is when you’re busy.
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