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I'm thinking up ways to help you work less. I got lots of emails asking for more information after I sent my article on creating sources of passive income (see below). So I'm creating a program to help you design your own passive income product. But I need your help! If you are interested in creating an e-book or doing teleseminars from home, would you take a moment to answer a few questions for me? Your answers will help me design a program that meets your needs.
Take the survey here.
(Create Passive Income)
Once again, I'm actually writing this article from my bath. You have to try this! It's so much fun to get work done while soaking in the tub.
This is a perfect example of what you can do if you learn how to leverage your time and create passive sources of income for yourself (I explain all this in the article below).
How Designers Can Make More Money in Less Time
How did I turn my struggling 7-day workweek into a thriving, successful design business (where I work only 4 days a week, make lots more money, and enjoy my life more than ever)?
Well, of course it wasn't from applying one single technique. But I want to share one of the best things I did to create more income AND more free time.
I created a source of passive income.
What is passive income? Basically it is something that brings in money even after you are done doing the work. The traditional business model for interior designers is working with clients one-on-one. Well, even if you had a completely full practice, you still have a ceiling on how much you can make. You can't work more hours than there are in a day (although many designers often try!).
But what if you finished doing work for a client, and then other people kept paying you for the job you did? Sound like a fantasy? Well, when I created my first e-book and saw sales come in while I was sleeping (literally!), it did feel like a fantasy.
Yes, an e-book is a source of passive income (and designers and decorators are finally joining in on this incredible source of profit). Here are some other ideas for generating income when you are not actively working:
- Customer Care Membership Programs
Be creative and offer a service that your clients pay for monthly or annually - Recorded Seminars
These can be delivered digitally or on CDs - Live Seminars or Teleseminars
Not exactly "passive," but a great way to leverage your time, by presenting to many people at once - Rentals
If you have an office or showroom, you can rent a part of your space to a complementary (but not competitive) business - Advertising
Yes, YOU can make money on other people advertising - on your website, your newsletter, etc.
I'm not saying that it doesn't take work to create these passive income sources. Good products take a lot of care, energy, and commitment (and sometimes quite a bit of time) to create. But once the work is done, it's done. Yet the money keeps coming in!
Instead of the traditional model of:
Work for a client, get paid.... Work for a client, get paid.... Work for a client, get paid
You can transform your business into:
Work... get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid...
So come join me (there's room in my bathtub for everyone)!
Since moving into my new house just a few weeks ago, I have received dozens of postcards, brochures, and flyers from all kinds of decorating professionals. I actually AM in the market for some services, including landscaping, house cleaning, entertainment systems, etc. But I haven't been inspired to call any of the companies who sent their promotions.
Until today.
I got a personal note in my mailbox from a man who is in the landscaping business. Instead of trying to impress me with anonymous photos and generic headlines, he talked about himself. He talked about the economy. He said that he understood that a lot of people are cutting back on home design, and that is why he works individually with each homeowner to design something that they can afford and feel good about.
I'm not positive that this guy is the right landscaper for me, but I certainly want to call him and give him a chance.
Also, this afternoon, my doorbell rang. It was a woman who does house cleaning for several of my neighbors. She welcomed me to the neighborhood and told me about what she does. We chatted about our families, local stores, decorating. She is now my cleaning woman!
My point is... anonymous mailings and print ads are becoming less and less effective.
Am I saying to give this up completely? Absolutely not! Advertising is an important part of a complete marketing campaign, and there are easy ways to make yours as successful as possible (see articles on this topic in this blog). But there is nothing more powerful and effective as creating a relationship. This can be done in person OR even in a flyer - if you write it from your heart.
Be personal, be authentic, and create relationships... and watch your business soar.
Last Wednesday, at my weekly Mastermind Meeting, I was suddenly motivated to demand that everyone set a "Stretch Goal" for the week. While we always talk about our goals and what we need to get done, I felt that we all needed to make a really noticeable jump to another level. No more being satisfied with coasting along, getting enough done, or just doing fine.
Of course, when it was my turn to state a Stretch Goal, I realized that I would actually have to step out of my own comfort zone. Eeek! So I stated that I really want to hire another assistant, so I can free up a few more hours each week. I love when my "busy work" is handled by others, but setting up the systems and getting started with someone new is the part I dread. Plus, giving up complete control over every detail is a little tough for me. Can anyone relate??
How terrific will I feel once this is all taken care of? Pretty darn good. But although I've been wanting to do this for quite a while, I haven't taken steps to get it done because getting started felt uncomfortable. I needed to take a stretch and step out of my comfortable status quo.
What is a Stretch Goal? It is a goal that requires you to step out of your comfort zone - do something a little uncomfortable or difficult for you. Achieving your Stretch Goal will move you closer to success - in any area. For example, hiring someone new is always nerve-racking for me, but I know that having another assistant will make my working time even more efficient. I will be able to enjoy more free time and make more money.
By the way, hiring people might come easy to you. But it's a stretch for me. Your Stretch Goal has to be a stretch for you.
Would you like to commit to a Stretch Goal this week? First, think about what you'd really like to achieve by next week. Then, write it down. Those who write down their goals are 50% more likely to achieve them.
If you'd like to further increase your chances of achievement, post your goal here (CLICK HERE TO POST). Hold yourself accountable by announcing your goal to the world.
See you next week - one step closer to outrageous success!
I want to start this article with a quote from my favorite Law of Attraction teacher - Esther Hicks.
"You could sit for 15 minutes and conjure an image of youself (with your ideal clients, in your ideal business). And if you could imagine it to the point that you bring yourself to some level of enthusiasm, you will have accomplished more in that 15 minutes of visualization than you could in 10 years of action."
Would you like to see how this works in attracting the type of clients that you really want? This is a simple exercise that will take you just a few minutes each day.
Remember:
"What you focus on... expands."
What you need to do first is visualize your ideal client. Don't try to be "realistic." Dream about who you would really like to work with. What is this person like? What do they think about? How do they spend their time? Where do they hang out?
Then, each day for 7 days, come here and write a little about your ideal client. Each day, you can add some more details, and each day you should get clearer about this target. The clearer you get, the more you will attract these clients. Really! This works! It is easier AND more effective than working very hard, spending loads of time pouring through business books, or wasting lots of money on advertising to try to draw clients to you.
Simply relax into this visualization, write down what you are seeing and feeling, and watch these people walk into your life.
Are you game? GET STARTED BY CLICKING HERE TO POST.
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