When I want something, I immediately get into action to get what I want. I don’t do a bunch of research. I’m inspired and excited, so I get my rear in gear.
This isn’t always the best way to be when choosing new strategies to build your business. I’ve been burned countless times because I didn’t stop to ask myself how the strategy fit into my bigger vision. I also never took the time to research what it would take to fully utilize the strategy for success.
Over time, I became skeptical of trying new systems, strategies, and technologies in my business. I didn’t want to be that person who jumped on every new thing the experts promised would make me a million dollars… and wind up broke and disappointed.
But not trying new things caused me to miss out on tons of awesome resources that my peers were using to uplevel their businesses. I’d made up a story that I wasn’t smart enough to implement those same strategies in a way that would deliver rock star results.
After many years, I decided I’d had enough of “New Strategy Phobia.”
Now when I hear a peer raving about something new they were using to improve their business, I ask questions. I ask about the cost to implement, statistics, their overall strategy, and what was involved to create a system around it.
Some people try all the latest “whiz bang” strategies and talk about how amazing it is BEFORE they get results. In the past, I listened to those people because it was verrrry easy for me to jump on board based on their enthusiasm.
Other people test their strategies before they brag. Those are the people I listen to now. And then I still do some research, ask how it fits into my plan, and implement with care and attention.
Another important question: Am I willing to do what it takes to keep the strategy or system working well?
Some years back when I was launching a new program, I installed a chat feature on my sales pages. Once installed, we wanted to plan for success. Who would man the chat line? How would I know if someone wanted to chat? Who would teach me how to use it?
My team and I created a system to handle the chat feature. My manager figured out how it worked and gave me a quick tutorial. We decided that I’d man the chat line when I wasn’t busy and she’d do it the rest of the time. I made a post-it note to remind me to turn on the system when I walked in my office each morning.
The chat feature was directly responsible for over $10,000 in sales during that launch. And it was fun chatting with the potential customers! The system to implement this new chat feature was critical for my success.
I also tried another new strategy during that launch that scared the pants off me… Facebook ads! Several of my peers had been bragging about Facebook ads for almost a year.
I immediately discounted it…
– It’ll cost too much money.
– I’ll have to figure out the “perfect” ad.
– How will I track the sales?
– That’s for big-time marketers who have money to burn.
-Seems complicated. Too much to learn.
My friend Justin was getting phenomenal results with Facebook, and he offered to teach me his formula. He does lots of testing before he shares his strategies.
Guess what? I made almost $5,000 of pure profit my first week doing ads! Happy dance!
This is my strong nudge to you to try a new strategy in the next week. Do some research, make sure it’s aligned with your big vision, and have some fun.
May the results surprise and delight you!