Guerrilla Marketing Boot Camp Starts July 11th

We Want You!

FOR GUERRILLA MARKETING BOOTCAMP

ActionCOACH Reggie Shropshire and Sgt. Major

Charlene “The Bon Bon Queen” Dupray want you to join

their ranks for their powerful 3-month, 6-session Guerrilla

Marketing Boot Camp. This brief, yet intense program

has been specifically designed to strengthen your

marketing muscles and equip you to take on the challenges of

creatively marketing your business on a budget.

Each two hour training session will be conducted on the 2nd and 4th Fridays, July-September from 9 am – 11 am

with a focus on one (or two) specific guerrilla marketing weapons. Here’s a sampling of what’s included:

July 9th: Boosting Website and Marketing Materials

We’ll identify the 7 crucial elements that no website should be without and show you how to

transform your website from a glorified business card into a sales-generating powerhouse.

Time will be devoted to analyzing websites and marketing materials of willing class participants

and giving concrete suggestions on how to maximize your online real estate.

July 23rd: Creating Effective Newsletters and

Communications

We’ll break down all of the components of creating effective newsletters and c

ommunications pieces that work as powerful selling tools for your company. We’ll spend time

strategizing on specific ideas for your business and ensure that everyone leaves with strong

material for their next newsletter or direct mail piece to clients.

This powerful session alone is worth your boot camp investment!

August 13th: Making Social Media and Networking Work

for Your Business

We’ll teach you specific how-to shortcuts to save time on social media; we’ll reveal where you

should invest your energy and what social media and networking groups are not worth your

time; we’ll show you how to use networking to create meaningful (and original) strategic alliances;

and we’ll provide the details of real case studies of small business who have success in

this area, so you can model after them.

August 27th: Developing Incredible Events and

Promotions

How can you drive customers to your door and generate buzz about your business?

How can you get the media to cover special events related to your business? How can you build

and sustain priceless word of mouth advertising? We’ll answer all of these questions and more

in this boot camp session, plus we’ll devote time to a creative

brainstorming session that leaves you with a list of exciting ideas for your next event

and/or promotion.

September 10th: Maximizing Customer Relationships

We all know that we should treat our customers well, but what does it take to turn them into

loyal, raving fans? How can your business create a ‘cult’ following like Apple, Harley-Davidson,

or Starbucks? In this session we’ll explore powerful strategies that will get you thinking out of

the box and have your customers eating out of the palm of your hand!

September 24th: Building Your Customized Battle Plan

Every business worrior knows the importance of having a strategic battle plan.

We’ll spend our last session together working on your own plan of action to take everything

you’ve learned and incorporate it into your business. You’ll leave with a

step-by-step guide on how to win the marketing war in your industry.

Tuition Options...

• 3 monthly payments of $200
• Pay in advance $550 (save $50)
• Early Bird Special: Pay in full by July 1st and save $50! ($500 for complete program)

If you are interested in enrolling the Boot Camp Contact Coach Reggie at 910-471-2725

There are two ways to market your business:

1. Dedicate a large budget to advertising, spend lots of $$$, and hope for results

The reality is that 80% of traditional marketing campaigns FAIL. I am sure you have experienced it before. You need more customers, so you write a check for some form of advertising, hoping for a ‘silver bullet’ that will bring people in the door. A few weeks later, you learn that your check was just tuition paid to the school of hard knocks. It taught you what doesn’t work for your business.

2. Dedicate time and imagination, spend very little $$$, and get results

Which would you rather do?

If you choose Option 2, then don't miss this incredible primer on guerrilla marketing!

Guerrilla Marketing is an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Guerilla marketing campaigns are unexpected, interactive and highly targeted to ideal consumers. They generate buzz, intrigue, word of mouth, and publicity--all of which are often FREE!

Join our ranks and become a guerrilla marketer.

On Friday June 11^th from 0900 – 1200 join us for a FREE ActionCOACH seminar “From The Trenches: 101 Guerrilla Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business” at the North East Cape Fear Library at Landfall.

The seminar will feature the owner of South 'n France, Sgt. Major Charlene “The Bon Bon Queen” Dupray, who is a battle-tested guerrilla marketer. She will share more than one hundred guerrilla marketing ideas plus her own success stories from the trenches where she used these very techniques to gain national recognition and publicity without spending a dime.

At this seminar you will learn…

· How to use your small size as an advantage over the ‘big box’ competitors

· How to employ unconventional marketing strategies that use minimal resources, but yield maximum results

· Which marketing weapons you should have in your arsenal to be an effective guerrilla marketer

· 101 real world examples of guerrilla marketing strategies that work

This seminar will open your mind to powerful ideas that will bring you more customers at a much lower cost than traditional advertising mediums....

Are You a Pro? Part 3

In October's GrowthCLUB 90 Day Planning Session ActionCOACH Bill Gililand facilitated a great discussion,"What's a professional?" The context of the conversation was focused on how professional athletes get to the top and stay there. Fron there we transitions to what we can do in our businesses to make sure that we reaching our full potential. Here is part 3 of our discussion...

1. Consistent- Consistency is key in a service or product. McDonald's is not successful because they have the best product. When you go to McDonald's do you expect the best burger? No. But you know what your going to get. Give your customer the same satisfaction everytime.
2. Passionate- Be passionate in what you do. When you get up in the morning, you should be excited about getting to work. When asked about your business, when working on your business, take pride in what you are doing. Your passion for your business will rub off on others, creating a passionate environment others will wish to be apart of.
3. Evaluate/ Adjust- A professional evaluates every situation, and adjusts its structure to succeed. They know their business inside and out and measure their methods to determine which works best.
4. Accountable- A professional is a victor and not a victim. They are accountable for their actions and do not blame it on the recession, your employees, or others. They do not believe in excuses.
5. Discipline- A professional knows when, how, what and where to put their time. They do not waste away in front of their television programs. A professional is dedicated in what they are doing. They are disciplined in their work as well as their life. They are healthy and eager to learn.
6. Focus- A professional is focused on where they are and not daydreaming about what they will do. If they are at work, they keep their mind on their workd. If they are with their family, they focus on their family.

So, how many of these 6 do you need to make improvements. Take action NOW and make the changes you need to make. Next week we will have 6 more!

Make it a great day!!!

Coach Reggie

Are You a Pro? Part 2

In October's GrowthCLUB 90 Day Planning Session ActionCOACH Bill Gililand facilitated a great discussion,"What's a professional?" The context of the conversation was focused on how professional athletes get to the top and stay there. Fron there we transitions to what we can do in our businesses to make sure that we reaching our full potential. Here is part 2 of our discussion...

1. Purposeful- What goals do you hope to accomplish at your business. Are you there to pass the time or do you have a purpose?
2. Like Thinkers- Surround yourself with people who are on the same path as you. The more successful thinkers you surround yourself with, the more likely you will succeed.
3. Look Easy/ All Together (Appearance)- Make your work appear easy, even if it is not. Be prepared for anything.
4. Push Through Fear- If a professional comes along a "wall", where it seems difficult or scary to surpass, they keep their composure and push through the fear.
5. Adapt- Change/ adapt to your surroundings. A business owner today will not be able to succed without efficient technology. Your business should reflect on your environment, in which you must adapt to.
6. Self Promote- A professional must be proud of themselves. Now, they should not be cocky but confident, not be modest and preserving, but let people know, "Hey, I have a great business".
7. Reliable- A professional is on top of their work. If something needs to be done, they make sure they finish it ASAP. If someone is relying on them, whether their employees or another organization, they can be counted on and not have the other organizations worried about having their needs met.

So, how many of these 7 do you need to make improvements. Take action NOW and make the changes you need to make. Next week we will have 6 more!

Make it a great day!!!

Coach Reggie

ActionCOACH Testimonial - Just Perfect! Home Staging + More - Jessica Pirone

I first met ActionCOACH Reggie Shropshire at a Chamber of Commerce event, shortly after moving to the Wilmington area and launching my own business, Just Perfect! Home Staging + More. Reggie invited me to attend on of his free seminars, and I subsequently took several of his great classes.

As a solo entrepreneur, when I needed hands-on help or wanted to talk through a business challenge out loud, I turned to my family and friends for assistance. Before long, I noticed that I was relying heavily on them for support. For me (and I’m sure for them too!), the situation felt less than perfect. After all, they hadn’t signed on for this. I missed our normal interactions and felt that my business was putting stress on my personal relationships. I didn’t want to create a long-term dynamic that centered around my business; with family and friends, I prefer to just be “Jessica”.

I felt strongly that one-on-one coaching with Reggie would give me the benefit of having an interested party who could brainstorm on business ideas and hold me accountable to meet my goals. Moreover, with a strong business advisor in place, I could rely less on my friends and family.

About a year ago, I began coaching with Reggie. One of the first things I noticed was that things started getting done faster. As a business owner, you always have an infinite “to do” list that pulls you in many different directions. Although you might be able to mentally prioritize that list, it can still be difficult to get the important stuff done. Reggie helped me create a weekly ‘short list’--each week we identify just four important tasks that I must complete, no matter what. Those four tasks are usually things that are easy to put off, but that once done will help to drive my business forward by leaps and bounds. Because Reggie helps me focus on the best items to add to that short list and because he holds me accountable (and I’m paying him to do so), I’m far more effective at getting those tasks done!

Another benefit from my coaching has been a shift in my thinking. Reggie has helped me to analyze my business from a big-picture perspective. Also, by encouraging me to take the time to celebrate my strengths and successes, he has increased my confidence. Since working with Reggie, I have landed a big staging contract and hired a great team using the unique ActionCOACH hiring process.

Best of all, I’ve reclaimed my life! I recently went to Italy on a vacation with my family and the business kept running smoothly thanks to my newly hired staff. Even better, once the plane touched down in Italy, I never discussed my business with my family even once! Finding both success and balance between my business life and my personal life has been, well, just perfect!

--Jessica Pirone, Just Perfect! Home Staging + More

Wilmington's ActionCOACH Business Community Builds a Business

A couple of weeks ago I attended a launch party for my client Gretchen Rivas of Relax! Massage Therapy. Gretchen launched a new segment to her business Relax! Productions which over time will produce several films that will teach you the proper ways to offer massage to your partner at home.

As a husband with a wife that likes to receive a massage on a regular basis I can appreciate the concept of a 'how to massage at home guide.' Quite honestly because my wife makes it quite clear that I'm not doing it right. I have the tendency to apply too much pressure or just 'rub her the wrong way.' Try as I may, my lack of home masseuse skills can be racked up to my ignorance on how to provide a proper massage. I love that Gretchen has a vision to produce a product that will help me 'rub her the right way' by teaching me every thing I wanted to know about giving my wife a rub down but was afraid to ask.

Her first Video is one that I wish I had then but I hope not to need in the future, "How to Massage Your Pregnant Partner." Not only am I proud of Gretchen because I am her coach but also because most of the businesses that were part of the creation, production, and marketing of this business are members of the Wilmington ActionCOACH Business Community. Gretchen has met most most of these resources at local ActionCOACH Seminars, Workshops, ProfitCLUB, GrowthCLUB, and similar events.

I have always taken great enjoyment from being a connector and linking people together. I had a vision several years ago when I started my ActionCOACH practice to build a community of local business owners that create synergy amongst themselves. This would create added value to their ActionCOACH involvement. I was so gratified to watch my vision demonstrated that evening when Gretchen recognized her 'team'...

• Life Stage Films - Matt & Melissa Davis - For creating the concept and filming it. I think Melissa deserves credit by saying, "I wish you could teach Matt..."
• NeoNexus Corp - Kent Milholland - For creating a great looking and well functioning web site that is the store front & cash register for this web based business.
• Steven Dryer Design - Steven Dryer - For creating a top shelf company identity package. Steve has a gift in this area and he never disappoints.
• Bon's Eye Marketing - Steve & Sarah Bon - For building and executing the marketing plan to cast a wide but targeted net on a shoestring budget.
• Fussbudgetpromo - Sarah Barbee - For her role as social media advisor
• International Minute Press - Todd Bailey - For printing first class marketing materials on a tight time line
• The River Room - Brian & Tina Marie McArtan & Ray Baca - For providing a great place to have a launch party.
• Thyme Savor Catering - Danielle & Jeff Cousler - For catering the launch party.
• ActionCOACH ProfitCLUB - A peer to peer advisory board for providing tons of great ideas and resource recommendations during the incubation period of the business.

As you can see it "Takes a Community" to build a business. If you are in the market to launch a business the businesses above are great resources to get the done right the first time. If you have a business and you didn't get it done the right the first time they would be glad to help you get on the right track.

While it was rewarding to watch this vision come to life, I have tons more to bring to reality for me and the clients that I coach. If I can help you achieve your business vision, it is a big part of fulfilling mine. Let me know if you want to move journey into the fast line.

Make it a great day!!!

Coach Reggie

Are you a Pro? Part 1

In October's GrowthCLUB 90 Day Planning Session ActionCOACH Bill Gililand facilitated a great discussion,"What's a professional?" The context of the conversation was focused on how professional athletes get to the top and stay there. Fron there we transitions to what we can do in our businesses to make sure that we reaching our full potential. Here is part 1 of our discussion...

1. Practice- Ever hear "practice makes perfect"? Well it's true. Where would a professional be without practice. Without practice, you are no where close to being where you ought to be with your business. By starting your business you are already practicing and learning from your mistakes. The best way to learn is by doing.


2. 100%- A professional gives 100% in whatever they are doing. If they are working "on", not in, their business and they are completely devoted to it. When you are with your family, stay 100% devoted to it. If you are doing 50% of one and the other, they are both only receiving 50% of what you can give them at the time.


3. Visualize- Without knowing where you want to go or where you want to be, how can you get there? Visualize youreslf in 1 month, 1 year, 5 years, or even 10 years and what you want your life to be like and what you would like to accomplish. By visualizing, you are setting a pathway that will guide you to success.


4. Have a Coach- Even Tiger Woods still has a coach (actually he has several). Without a coach, you only have yourself to tell you what your doing right and wrong in your business. Sometimes you need someone to check up on you and see your work from another point of view, making sure you are doing the correct work to help you grow. Most importantly, we are often to easy on ourselves. A coach will help you push forward once you own self-discipline would have let you call it quits.


5. Equipment- Having the right equipment at your job is essential. Without the best equipment "needed" (you don't have to buy the most expensive with extras you do not need) how are you able to deliver the best service or product?


6. Get Paid- Make sure you pay yourself. What is the purpose of owning your business if you do not make money? If you believe in your product or service, do not be afraid to raise your prices. If you have loyal customers, they will be alright with paying a little more for your services.


7. Look Good- If you appear sloppy, people are going to believe your work is sloppy. To be taken serious, you will have to take yourself serious, as well as your business.

So, how many of these 7 do you need to make improvements. Take action NOW and make the changes you need to make. Next week we will have 7 more!

Make it a great day!!!

Coach Reggie