Slay Your Success

Organization beats overwhelm any day.  

At the end of every month, you'll hear at least one person say "I can't believe how fast this month flew by."

We all know that the speed of time doesn't change. What happens is we usually don't get everything done that we planned on. We throw around the dreaded B word.

Before every month, or realistically, by the 10th of each month I map out my monthly goals. Yearly goals, quarterly goals, and monthly goals determine your success level. So obviously if you haven't set your yearly and quarterly goals, the monthly goals won't be so easy.

No worries, you can always start over. You can ALWAYS revamp your goals because this biz life is full of moving parts.

So each month you want to break down your bigger goals [yearly + quarterly]. Without breaking them down into actionable tasks and reminding yourself of the reason these tasks are imperative...you're just going through the motions. Reviewing these goals monthly also helps determine if the strategy you have in place is working.

If every day at 11 am you post on Instagram and your follower count, engagement percentage, and clientele haven't increased. Next month you need to do something different.

Goals 101:
You want to map out your goal. [Be very clear + concise]
The steps/process that you need to do in order to complete the goal.
Why is this goal important to you and your business?
How will you measure that the goal has been completed/achieved?

Every month I review 10 areas in my life, that help me to plan what I need to be working on.

Financial
Health + Fitness
Philanthropic
Family
Social
Biz
Self-Care
Spiritual
Romantic/Love Life
Recreation

1. Financial - #moneygoals I determine how much money I want to make each month and assign a purpose for those funds. I also map out money to save and pinpoint what I'm saving for. Every cent should have a purpose. I even note if there's a big purchase I may need to make personal or business wise, so it won't be a surprise the budget.

2. Health + Fitness - review where you can improve your health + fitness. It could simply be drinking more water and keeping up with doctor appointments.

3. Philanthropic- I truly believe in giving back and helping others. Find a cause that's bigger than you and contribute to it. This doesn't just have to be monetary donations. You can volunteer your time or money, build awareness for causes that are important to you. Positively influencing the world and the inhabitants will always be a great thing to do.

4. Family- create goals for your immediate family. If an overall goal for you is to have good relationships with your family, then monthly a goal can be to communicate weekly with certain members you don't regularly speak to. Family is very important to me. Each month we have a family night and a family meeting. So when planning, these goals/tasks need to be acknowledged. In addition to the tasks that may come up for my children's activities.

5. Social-planning socially or making social goals does not apply to social media. With social media, it makes us think we are being social and engaging with people. But to truly thrive, get out of the house and go enjoy your faves and friends. Make dinner plans and actually keep them. Go to the hot new spot you saw on Yelp. Live a lot and enjoy the life that you are steady creating. So whose birthday is this month? Any social events that you previously RSVP'ed for that you need to be aware of when you are scheduling your project's for the month.

6. Biz- map out the 1-3 goals/projects that you have for your biz each month.

7. Self-care- to create balance in your life, you need to take time out to establish monthly self-care practices. This area is the main area that most women fail at in life...truly caring for ourselves. Develop a plan that you will be able to integrate into your life so you are able to manage the daily stressors. Self-care is replenishing yourself weekly. Create routines that allow you to refresh daily, so a morning and night routine to ensure you get enough rest or quiet time, if that is something you notice that you need.

8. Spiritual- some refer to spiritual as organized religion, others view it as finding the meaning to life, and some define spiritual as a connection to something bigger than ourselves.

9. Romantic/Love life- relationships are hard. Even the good ones with no major "problems" are hard. And as with anything else that's hard, you need to put in work. Monthly you should plan to go on regular dates [without discussion of the babes, finances], plan to learn/do something new together, and discuss your sex life weekly to ensure you keep that fire burning.

10. Recreation- recreation is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for fun. This category can integrate with many of the other categories. Finding an activity that is fun and brings you pleasure can be part of your fitness plan to lose weight, or you may find a Groupon for pole dancing and decide to go with your bestie to fulfill the social need that month. Or you may take up a recreational hobby that satisfies your self-care needs. Have fun...it's not a hard concept to grasp. Just make time for it monthly.

Now that you know the ten goals to focus on for each month, you should be able to slay every part of your life. Living holistically and focusing on yourself, social circle and business are the only ways to truly SLAY SUCCESS.

Because I believe you are dope as hell. I created a workbook SLAY your SUCCESS to help you map out these goals.


 

The concept is simple but can lead to exponential growth when put to use month after month.

Success is in the details.
The 30-page workbook is only $10. It is interactive and you're able to fill in the PDF's from your computer and print or just print and fill them out by hand.

Stay Amazing,

How to beat the Instagram Curve

You're scrolling Ig and then you see this: 

Or even worse, you start seeing posts from 5 days ago, all on the same scroll. Your clients and potential consumers are seeing the same things. Even worse, they might not be seeing you at all.

Instagram makes big changes almost quarterly. And I'm not talking pseudo-Snapchat filters or swipe to the left for even more selfies of your fave ig baddie.

Seriously, some of these ig baddies are baaaaaad! #Girlcrush

Just like Facebook, Instagram has an algorithm that makes absolutely no sense to the common eye. 

Algorithm: a formula that determines how posts will be seen and filtered on timelines. 
Facebook’s algorithm is the most complicated. 

After a big update, your engagement will decrease and your likes will be nonexistent in comparison to before the update. 

Ride the wave baby. 

I've managed several Facebook pages and Instagram pages and these tips have worked time after time. 

On average, people miss 70% of content on their Instagram feed. You don't want to fall within that percentage.

Here’s what you can do: 

1. Post multiple times a week. It doesn’t have to be three to six times a day, in order to get optimal results. 

Quality content beats quantity day after day. Post content that your followers will adore + feel like it’s talking just to them. The algorithm was created to filter through the boring and irrelevant content, so the amazing high-quality content could shine and be shown the masses. Take the time to be creative. Everyone can share the same meme + throw their branding on it. 

2. Create captions that makes the reader want to engage with you.
Write mini blog posts (microblog) as your captions. 
Give a call to action: “double tap if you feel me” “tag your biz bestie”

3. Login in daily and commit to commenting on 10 accounts that you don’t typical interact with. Genuine comments...there are enough bots out here leaving comments under posts that are totally unrelated. 

If you already have an actively engaged audience, look at those that recently followed you or liked your latest image and interact with these peeps. If your audience isn’t interactive yet, and you don’t know who to start talking to...go to your competitor and look who is talking to them. Interact with these individuals. You know they aren’t shy and they may be interested in your content as well. No spammy-ness, just true interaction. 

4. Pods. 

Pods are groups of people that commit to raising engagement on each others Instagram posts. There are rules to these “secret societies.” For example: ‘Comments must be at least three words long, cannot just be emojis, and must happen very quickly after the post goes up on their profile.’ 

Instagram measures how quickly users engage with your content to determine if they should continue showing it to others. 

There are formal pods with a total of 15 people, typically bloggers who are matched by a pod company (there’s a niche for everyone). You don’t have to seek anything like this, create your own version of a pod with a few of your biz besties on Ig. It doesn’t have to be immediately commenting as soon as they post. Because I really hope you are working and not playing on Instagram all day or responding to every notification on your phone. But showing love and increasing their ranks. 

5. Use hashtags. I know hashtags can be lame, but I’m telling you the right hashtags can take your brand places. Take time to research 30 hashtags [that’s the maximum # of hashtags allowed on a post by the creator]. Copying + pasting and influencers hashtags won’t do you any good. Your audiences aren’t the same. 

I keep my hashtags stored in ‘Notebook’ app on my phone and just simply copy and paste as the first comment on the post. I alternate hashtags depending on what the post is about. 

6. Post during peek times. Stop posting at 8am-9am with EVERYBODY and their mama. Look at Insights in Ig + actually review your stats for the peek times for your audience. 

7. Use Ig Stories. Post on ig stories at least twice a day, no more than five times, unless you’re actually telling a story. Get on snapchat if you’re randomly posting more than five times. Post in the morning and at night, so you pop up at the beginning of Ig Stories. No one is going to go through their entire story, so if you post in the am + pm, you’re vetting that you’ll be right at the beginning for everyone to see you. Here is where you can post behind the scenes, little bits of motivation, and fun things that you want to share with your crew. 

Create themes and fun things, so your audience is looking forward to your story and keeps coming to your profile checking for an update. [When people are constantly searching/checking for you this boosts your ranking.] 

8. Go Live. Sooo this is definitely one of those “do as I say, not as I do” moments. I have yet to go live on my biz account. Post an image [either in stories or on your feed] and let your peeps know what time you’ll be going live or ask them what they want you to talk about. Full Disclosure: I usually have on gym clothes and look homeless M-F. So going live, just doesn’t fit into my schedule. I did commit that on the days I get cute for my masterclasses, I would follow my own lead and go live. Especially now that they can be saved. 

I have a client that goes lives every weekday at the same time, and the engagement is phenomenal. It becomes an event and soo fun. Another client that goes live every Monday at the same time, and again...remarkable results. 

9. Have an Instagram Contest. First, ensure that you read the rules. Contests are huuuuuge engagement drivers. The prize doesn’t have to be a brand new Macbook or a VIP trip to your summer retreat, it could be a free copy of your book, your product, or a gift card.  I usually have mixed feelings about contests, because once the contest is over, the engagement and new followers disappear. So this leaves you with the task of keeping them. 

10. Pay to play. You knew it was coming. Hit that boost button and boost your post to your own audience. $2 can do you wonders when Instagram [Facebook too] isn't sharing your content to the masses. 

Social media is a way to bring people in closer. Give them sprinkles of your personality. Let go of status quo and boring tactics that you see everyone using. Algorithms and updates will come and go, but your creativity is with you forever. Make use of it and keep your peeps engaged. 

10 tips to beat Instagram and increase engagement. | Biz Bestie 

Stay Amazing,

The Bold + Beautiful Business Planning

 The new 2018 Erin Condren Life Planner is bold + beautiful. Your business planning should be bold + beautiful also. It’s no secret that I am an Erin Condren gal. Didn’t know? Well the cat is definitely out of the bag. My name is Kimber and I am a planner addict. *sigh*

One day some goddess introduced me to Erin Condren...thank you who ever you may be. I do know you offered me $10 off my first purchase and for that I say thank you. No worries, I have that same code for your first purchase...just click here and create an account. Check your email that you used then boom...$10 savings. 

Last year was the first year I used an 18 month calendar. You know a calendar that begins in July and lasts until the following December. Just didn’t see the need, but I have since seen the light. 

I received the new Erin Condren 18 month Life Planner with a ‘Painted Petals’ cover and rose gold coil. The colors are bold + vibrant + beautiful. [There's a video showcasing the colors at the end of this post]

The watercolors are so rich, that it feels as if it’s a true piece of artwork. No exaggeration. Aaaand I’m not even artsy. The paper used this year is thick. Thicker than a snickers. 

Girl, I’m all for quality paper. It feels like a smooth card stock, but it turns easily on the coils.

2017/2018 note is on left + 2016/2017 on right

The page before the month begins has been updated and I absolutely love this change. There are four circles. Use these circles to pinpoint your goals for the upcoming month. Whether it be money goals, weight goals, health goals, or home goals. Set your goals, so that you can slay your year.

Underneath these circles or our newly appointed “goal area,” you can map out how you will reach these goals in this coming month. Then there is a long rectangular shape, where you can write out affirmations or personal quotes for the upcoming month. Being a woman + an adult is hard sometimes, and you should always motivate + inspire yourself.

And as always the beginning of every month the Life Planner has quotes to help you get into action. The quote page takes on the deep watercolors and color theme for that month.

The layout that I have is vertical with the three boxes per day.

Vertical layout design

This layout is perfect for scheduling a combination of things. I have seen people dedicate the boxes to:

• home, work, and personal things
• morning, afternoon, night
• work, home, dinner/workout
• To do list, appointments, gratitude statement/word

The opportunities for the use is endless. We have so many things to track of. I currently use a vertical Life Planner for social media planning.

First box: What I plan on posting that day

Second box: Any social to do’s [commenting on other posts, contacting someone I found on social, checking out a new social tool, etc.]

Third box: Anything cool I saw and want to remember to check out another day.

Underneath the daily boxes are four short lines. I’ve seen these used for:

• meals that are eaten throughout the day
• workouts
• gratitude
• daily summaries/memory keeping

I write down my money goal on the top line, the money earned from the day before on the second line, and on the third line I’ll write down the actual earned for the day. Tracking your profits is super important.

The box in the right corner on the left page, I use to write my social stats for the week. You can use this box to notate:

• a theme for the week
• gratitude
• A quote you found or love
• The most important task/appointment that you have this week

Underneath the box are lines. Typically this is where weekly to do’s are placed before I delegate what day, they will get done. For instance: whom to email, call, DM [since I use this for social], appointments to schedule.

Other details:

Cute vellum overlay when you open the Lifeplanner

The inside covers are dry erase boards. Braindump and then wipe it away

.Notes section in the back of the planner has four lined pages, four dot grid pages, and four coloring pages.

The second lined page is extra thick as it has the tab ‘Notes.’ Due to the thickness on this page, you could use a marker with I’m sure minimal if not no shadowing from the marker. The other pages have hardly any shadowing using gel pens

There’s a planner page for the WHOLE year of 2019 with four lines underneath each month for pre-planning your greatness.

Stickers are included as every year, but these new stickers are gorgeous. Very pretty and shiny. They aren’t too glam that you feel like you won’t want to use them and will hoard them. [Yes, beautiful + smart + successful women hoard stickers. And I may or may not be one of them]

You will want to plan with these to help you stay focused on your goals, dreams, and action plan toward the best life...and even the daunting task of cleaning the bathrooms each week.

The keep it together folder is in the back holding the matching Perpetual Calendar. The Perpetual Calendar is like a bonus mini calendar you can use year after year. You can use it to:

Remember birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations that always occur on the same date every year.

A mini launch calendar to map out what you have going on each month as a mini reference.

To manage your budget based on bills that you have each month that come on the same day.

The accessories this year are so cute with the ongoing Painted Petals theme. I originally thought they were colorful raindrops.

I guess I’m still mourning the death of Prince. *hums Purple Reign*

Two weeks ago my friend told me she got a running fanny pack and I laughed loudly out loud. Then Erin Condren comes out with this planny pack.

Attach it over your planner and it serves as a closure band to keep your secrets safe and papers in tact. Fill the pouch with your fave pens and planner accessories. There's a slot that you can slide in your phone also. Perfect for on the go meetings. 

The new long sticky notepad is perfect for adding on to to do lists. It is long enough that it covers the note side in the monthly view as well as the boxes in the vertical planners and hourly planners. The sticky is sticky for half of the paper, so you can still write underneath what you stick it on. 

First thought, if you have an appointment on a certain day and don't want to forget things you want to ask or mention, use this as a brilliant reminder. 

 The insertable sticky note dashboard have remained my fave. I write quick notes to myself and ideas. Usually it's incredibly easy to forget a million dollar idea...not with these babies. 

Business tips learned from getting a Brazilian

Warning: this post may offend those sensitive to conversations about girl parts and those without girl parts. No girl parts were harmed in the creation of this post.

Had to make that disclosure just in case someone wants to tell me they are offended. 🙄

By nature people seek referrals and recommendations for almost everything. I live in a big military town (multiple Naval bases, the Air Force and the Army) and my wax lady (esthetician) moved away. She was referred to me by my cousin, who was referred to her by her college roommate. We'll end this referral cycle here. My wax lady was good. I didn't know great yet, so I couldn't complain. I had experienced bad and she was far from bad. For 9 years, each summer, I was loyal and had a standing appointment. Winter time my loyalty faded with the warm weather.

So last summer I was left without my wax lady. I didn't even realize she had moved, because of my faded loyalty. My cousin had moved away + her college roommate [4 local Universities- yes college + military town - people come and go often] so I couldn't ask them either. My friends either shaved like it was 1999 or were inhaling Nair in the comfort of their own bathrooms.  🙄

As uncomfortable as you are reading this post, yet wondering what my girl parts have to do with business, but are still reading because you really want to know...that's how I was with trying to find one friend that could refer me. One friend told me to just go on Groupon. No ma’am, I was not entrusting my girl parts to whoever had a sale on Groupon.

What type of lady did she think I was?

My good girlfriend referred me to her wax lady. She even invited me to her next appointment.  yeah I passed on that

Went online and scheduled my appointment. Time for my appointment came and I was blown away. New wax lady was nice and very gentle. She even told me about a Groupon [go figure] that she had now so I could save money and every appointment afterwards I would receive a special rate. We talked about skin care and how to treat the area in between waxes.

This was ALL new to me and I had been getting waxed forever.

Fast forward a few months. My lady had been preparing me for when she was going out on maternity leave. She told me that the other lady that works in her spa would be available while she's gone. She told me that she trained her and taught her EVERYTHING that she knows.

Time came for me to schedule with the new lady and I was skeptical but figured I was in good hands. She was nice and funny. I love a good joke.

So she tells me that K (my wax lady) trained her.

I forgot that there was pain involved in waxing. New lady was "quick + efficient" but gentle is NOT a word I would use to describe her technique. There was even one point where she had attached the wax paper to a piece of jewelry and I almost died.

She apologized profusely but the damage was already done. Despite my lady teaching her the technique, she hasn’t mastered the art, as my lady has.

You can't simply copy and paste someone else's strategy to your business.

Even with the same type of business and similar audiences. It will not work out for you the same exact way.

My assistants know my businesses in and out. They know the secrets + the strategies, but they don't possess the same mastery that I have. You can learn techniques and strategy, but you have to desire mastery and seek it on your own.

This is why when I see someone copying my efforts or even a friendly competitor, I don't get in my feelings. There's no way that they can match this hustle that I have. They could never serve my clients in the same way that I do.

I'm 100% sure you are not the only person who does what you do. That means your consumers have options, more than they probably even know.

You have to MASTER one aspect of your business. Yup, just one. A baker needs to MASTER the tastes of her delicacies. Each cake should be moist and delicious. No burnt edges along the cupcakes.

Her decorating style could be decent, but her baking techniques need to be MASTERED.

In time she can master decor. Hell she can even hire an art student to work on the decor or take a class at a local AC Moore or Michaels for cake decorating. But that baking skill must be mastered to ensure her success.

We all see pretty cakes and cupcakes, but the moment you bite into an unforgettable cupcake, you will tell everyone you know. Anytime someone is looking for a cake or cupcakes, you will refer them to the MASTER baker.

Your business should be set up for your current clients + consumers to readily refer you to others. If anyone they know needs anything remotely similar to what you sell and offer...You should be the one they refer to.

What does your referral system look like? [Please tell me you have one]

What's the one thing you want to be known and referred for?

Most business owners don't take the time to MASTER their craft. They just get good enough in their field. Times are gone where you can survive off just being good enough or average.

Chic Biz Tips:

1. Invest in your business with time + development weekly.
   1. Work ON your business and organize the boring back end needs.
   2. Schedule time in to learn as much as you can about your craft + running a biz.
2. Enjoy life. Step away from your phone, tablet, and computer. Come back refreshed with a new perspective.
3. Shake up your industry by being so far from the status quo that you too have people coming to get Brazilians who usually rough it out during the winter.

Don't be the stand-in replacement that knows just enough but was only picked because the superstar was either booked or unavailable.

Asana Boards [Kanban Workflow]

Boards boards boards...boards...I do adore!

Asana now offers BOARDS.

What is Asana you ask?

Asana is one of the most popular project management tools around.  Asana helps you to plan, organize + manage your biz + your life. It’s $free.99 for up to 15 team members and has options to upgrade.

Typically in Asana, you create a project with lists and tasks and subtasks to dominate the world!  

And now Asana has introduced boards. I immediately thought...Daaaaaaamb Daniel.

Boards are essentially an extension of the Japanese Kanban productivity system. In Japanese Kan" means "visual" and "ban" means "card," so Kanban describes visual cards. Did that go over your head?

To make it simple: think virtual whiteboard and sticky notes.

“Kanban is a method for managing work with an emphasis on just-in-time delivery while not overloading the team members. This approach presents all participants with a full view of the process from task definition to delivery to a customer. Team members pull work from a queue.”

— Wikipedia

With Kanban the workflow goes from right [To Do] to left [Done]. The work flooows through an assembly line. Most people are visual and just seeing the stages of work complete and incomplete increases productivity.

Kanban's are perfect for when you are working with others, so you can gauge where you are with various projects without having to personally check in. [By all means check in, but quick visuals that inform you that things are going as planned are great.]

Still need convincing on the amazingness of boards? 

Watch this video below showing you how to use Asana boards to set your business goals: 

3 Reasons to get started with Boards in Asana today:

1. There's no need to switch between multiple programs to access the Kanban board productivity style. 

2. Your workflows are visual. 
3. Teams can work together seamlessly by logging into Asana to see the progress of a project instantly. 

Want to learn more tips on Mastering Asana? 

Click here to get more productivity tips

Manage ALL the things with Asana

Working for yourself can be a gift and a curse. There's no one telling you what to do and the deadlines are self-imposed.

You have all day to do what you want. ALL day can drastically vary from being very productive on Monday to watching YouTube and scrolling on ig after posting on Tuesday.

Oh it happens to the best of us. No need to feel shameful.

In order to manage ALL the things, you need Asana.

What is Asana you ask?

Asana is one of the most popular project management tools around.  Asana helps you to plan, organize + manage your biz + your life. It’s $free.99 for up to 15 team members and has options to upgrade. [aaaaand more than likely you won’t need to upgrade...so back to zero]

Typically in Asana, you create a project with lists and tasks and subtasks to dominate the world!  

Project's with lists and boards sounds like 234,897,676,898 other project managers. However, Asana is more than JUST an online to-do list.

Asana was created with teams in mind, so it makes collaborating with others a breeze. You can track progress on projects, have attachments all in one place [uploaded from Google Drive, Dropbox, or your computer].

Hate email? Then Asana is a dream, you can manage conversations regarding projects and just daily “hey girl hey’s” in Asana.

You can even reduce your email clutter by forwarding emails straight to Asana + create tasks.

Don’t have a team? It’s all good, you can use Asana with your biz bestie to brainstorm projects or use it to onboard clients.

Asana has the capability to link/sync to your calendar...there’s no reason to fall behind on your work when you assign due dates to your tasks. The founder says,

“If it’s not in Asana, it’s not going to happen.”

There’s an option to even follow up on tasks...just in case that brilliant mind of yours forgets.

Asana’s mobile app is perfect for the #girlboss on the go. It’s fully functional and has all of your projects and teams in one place. You can easily create tasks in between binging on Netflix on those not so productive days. Just as you can create tasks, you’re able to check them off as done.

Asana is how I manage my workflows, goals, and overall businesses.

 Want to learn more tips on Mastering Asana? I have a webinar on Monday February 20th...Join in on the fun!

Client gifts for the holidays

The U.S. IRS will allow you to deduct up to $25 per gift for a client per year.

I’m a gift giver. I love gifts. I usually have a 0.05% budget per service when buying gifts.  

In Asana, I keep a list of cool shops that I can shop from.

In the ‘get to know you’ section in my pre-work questionnaire I request a few of my client’s likes, dislikes, & most importantly ALLERGIES!  

Sending chocolates to someone who is allergic or vegan, just sucks. Birthdays + Christmas I send handwritten cards.

Postable is a great resource for sending out cards. However, I just like the extra personal touch of writing the cards out myself. 

Erin Condren added this beautiful clutch to her accessory line. It's so chic + inspiring. The color is on brand + cute. It appears much more expensive. Girl boss win!

When thinking of gifts for others, I always want it to be something they will utilize + appreciate. Some days you're so busy building your empire, that you forget to go get that mani pedi. Quick fix? Wear thick socks and get stylish nail wraps. 

Some other gift ideas are:

Beauty box memberships for 3 or 6 months

Gourmet CupCakes  

Lush Skin Products  

A local spa gift certificate

Weekly or Monthly Planner

There’s always flowers and jewelry too, or even lunch for a virtual full day session.

So many ideas.

xo, 

Kimber

The Best Planners for Women for 2017

It’s that time of year again...planning time!!! There's something magical about pen and paper. Despite all the electronic calendars and planning tools, I love to pull out my notebook and brain dump then enter everything into my planner. After it's in my planner, I add it to google calendar/fantastical.

This is the time of year where you start preparing for the holidays and planning your profits for next year. This is also the time when you go out and get/order the planner that is going to help you manage your goals and make profits.

Here are the ten best planners for women for 2017! Despite numbering, these are in no order of how amazing they are:

1. Erin Condren Life Planner [$50 - $65] The Erin Condren Life Planner are the Beyonce of the #planneradict world. Let me warn you there is a cult like following with Erin Condren. They take glam planning (stickers and all things pretty) to a new level. You can either go with the 18-month option or the 12 month option. The 2017 versions have a choice of a horizontal, hourly, or vertical weekly layout with choices of a neutral black and white muted palette or bring on the colors palette. 

The inspirational quotes throughout the planner are motivating. I love the options for customizing the covers, with the option of changing them out as often as you want. Erin Condren introduced Deluxe planners that are beyond gorgeous with thick motivating covers and two different monthly planners.

You didn’t hear this from me, but the new monthly planners are GAME CHANGERS! You can go minimalist or deluxe, either way, you are going to be able to plan and track efficiently. Click here to save $10

2. Inkwell Press Livewell Planner [$54]:  THE planner for women, well at least that’s what the tagline says. The Inkwell Livewell Press Planner has a focus on goal setting and execution. There is a section in the front for planning out your yearly goals and a place for you to reflect on the month you just completed, as well as plan for the next month. *jaw drop* yes girl yes. There are motivational quotes on the mission (planning) boards. It’s very functional in addition to beautiful. The paper quality is unlike any planner on the market, very thick and luxurious. The Inkwell Press Livewell Planner has two options for the weekly layout, depending on your preference. So many amazing features.They offer inserts [$30] for ring bound A5 planners and quarterly planner books [current price not listed - goes on sale 11/10]. Click here to save $10 on Inkwell Press.

3. Daily Greatness Business Planner [$44.95]: 

The Daily Greatness Business Planner was designed with today’s #girlboss in mind. It was created by a small business woman, which explains how she knew to include ALL the things you will need to develop and streamline your business goals. There are weekly check-ins, 90 day check-ins, and a yearly check-in to hold you accountable and committed. The Daily Greatness Business Planner is full of inspirational sayings and the pre-face is very encouraging in addition to helping you learn how to develop strategy and goals. It’s undated and includes a social media tracker, finance tracker and budget worksheets.  Click here to save 10%

4. Get to Workbook [$55]:The Get to Workbook is a daily planner + goal setting workbook designed to help you make progress on your big goals by taking things one day at a time. Each month has a goal and reflection page. One thing I really love about the Get to Workbook planner is the project planning pages [breaking down big projects to reduce overwhelm] for each month.

5. Simplified Planner [$58]: The Simplified Planner was created to “help women focus on what matters most by building simplicity and joy intentionally into their lives.” The Simplified Planner includes motivational quotes throughouts, an hourly view of your day from 7 am - 7 pm. In addition to you to-do’s for the day.

6. Michaels Recollections Planner [$19.99-$29.99]: 

Do you see that cute unicorn? These babies have broken the internets. Why, might you ask? One word...

dupe.

These are a duplicate of the Erin Condren Life Planner. Recollection also created personal ring bound planners which are dupes to Kikki- K and Filofax. [Word on the street is they will be releasing A5 size in December 2016] But you didn't hear that from me.

Now back to these spiral planners, they come in a variety of removable/interchangeable covers, there are two formats: vertical or horizon. Very similar to the Queen B of planners. In addition to 12-month planners, there are fitness, goal setting, pregnancy, wedding and meal planners.  The planners can be purchased online or at your local Michaels stores. Download their mobile app for coupons to save a few coins. 

7. Happy Planner [$24.99-$34.99]: I see so many rave reviews about the Happy Planner that I had to include it in this years round up. There are soooooo many covers to choose from. It features an arc bound system and is very customizable. You can purchase a full kit or buy individual inserts based on how you like to plan. The best thing that I have seen is that this is sold in local craft stores, so I would recommend waiting for that good ole 50% off coupon from Michaels, JoAnnes or Hobby Lobby. There are two layout options: horizontal and vertical. Additionally, there are three sizes to choose from: mini, classic and big.

8.Start Planner [$60-$68]: The Start Planner AKA Hustle Planner is the planner that has EVERYTHING you would think you need to get organized plus more.

You are able to develop mini goals and big picture goals; while checking in on your health planning, fitness plan, water consumption, and caloric intake. There’s a section for meal planning, grocery lists, food budgets, financial planning and budgeting. In addition to your day to day to do’s. There is also a business edition of this planner which has social media, branding and mileage sections in addition to the awesome features in the other Hustle Planners.

9. Happiness Planner [$59]: The Happiness Planner focuses on happiness and gratitude instead of productivity like most planners. It teaches you to focus on positive thinking, affirmations, mindfulness and self-development. The psychologist in me couldn’t leave this one off the list. The covers are beautiful, yet simple.

There are guided thoughts daily, monthly and yearly reflections, inspirational quotes throughout. The Happiness Planner features a happiness roadmap for you to integrate in your life and create the changes you want to see and pinpoint your focus for each month and day. There’s two 12 month options [June-July. January-December] and a 100 day undated option. The Happiness Planner is journal + Iyanla fix my life + planner goodness. While waiting on The Happiness Planner, download these printables to start 2017 off prosperous. 

10.Visionary Journal [$55]: The Visionary Journal is a combination of a vision board, task manager and day planner. There is a system that it takes you through to set up your goals and strategize to achieve them throughout the year with monthly breakdowns. I really love the areas for brainstorming, mind mapping, and prompts on why these goals are important for you. Of course, the Visionary Journal has a section for you to create your vision board within the planner. The calendar is not pre-dated, so you are able to begin at any time.

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Share these wonderful planners for 2017 with your fave biz besties:

1. Erin Condren Life Planner

2. Inkwell Press Live Well Planner

3. Daily Greatness Business Planner

4. Get to Workbook

5. Simplified Planner

6. Michaels Recollection Spiral Planner

7. Happy Planner

8.Start Planner

9. The Happiness Planner

10. Visionary Journal

May your year be profitable and productive!

XO,

Kimber

P.S. - Here are the best planners for 2016, with a few different planners, check it out! 

Planning for Profits

62 days left in 2016. Seems surreal. Something about the last quarter of the year gives me a boost of creative energy.

Pumpkin spice may have something to do with it too...maybe a little.

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I typically plan for the next quarter, a quarter ahead.

Quarter 1 is planned in Q4

Quarter 2 is planned in Q1

Quarter 3 is planned in Q2

Quarter 4 is planned in Q3

Quarter 1: January, February, March

Quarter 2: April, May, June

Quarter 3: July, August, September

Quarter 4: October, November, December

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Yet when a new year approaches, I bring out the  big guns, and I go ALL in.

I summarize what I'll do the next year in FULL. Seems a bit narotic and full on type A, no worries I’m far from type A (no offense A). 

Planning for profits takes a bit of precision.

You want to think about any important dates that pop up:

weddings, school breaks for the babes, vacations, holidays, conferences/speaking engagements and out of town trips. Anything that will keep you from giving 200% to your biz and profit goals that week or month.

Grab your new Erin Condren monthly planner to start planning for profits. On the year at a glance page, you will add a sticky flag to the months in which you have important dates. This helps you to decipher when are the best times to create, launch and promote. 

In the Biz Bestie Breakthrough Program, a big part of what we do is planning for profits.

Questions to ask yourself:

What's my money goal for next year?

How much money do I want to bring home AFTER everything is paid for?

Example of planning for profits:

I have a client Justice who runs a consulting firm, true #girlboss. Her monthly biz expenses are $3200, not including estimated taxes or her salary. Basic math lesson, Justice needs to make over $3200 per month in order to consider it a profit.

[MAJOR KEY: You want to determine if you want to include your salary in your expenses or not.]

Justice’s money goal for 2017 is $250K.

Below is a breakdown of what Justice needs to make monthly to profit within her money goal. 

Justice and I mapped out a plan to ensure she would make $22,842 a month. That plan includes leeway for the months that she will be traveling leisurely and months where she knows she will need a breather.

Her programs and products are inserted in months where she will have time beforehand to market and promote full force. Then when she is away or full in consulting with clients, she is still making the daily amount of $751. This isn’t static, because she may want to add in another product or course, and she can. This can increase her profits.

While planning for profits, knowing what you want will push you to find a way to MAKE it happen. There are no excuses. Writing it all out, forces you to see the errors and holes in the plan.

Check out the new Erin Condren monthly planner and deluxe monthly planner's to start planning for profits and keeping up with your monthly business goals. 

XO.

Kimber 

The Tale of Two Memes

I have two clients by the name of Mimi. For the purpose of this Post, I'll spell their names differently. Mimi and Meme (and not meme like the images that give us kicks and giggles but Me-Me)

Follow me?

Great...let's proceed.

Mimi owns a day spa and hired me to get her business online and streamlined.

Meme runs an online fashion boutique. She hired my team to eliminate the chaos and create structured processes.

A tale of two memes is a marketing story. Read up on how your business strategy should integrate client experience. 

Both Mimi and Meme have profited over $50k in this quarter alone.

SN: You can make money without systems, but the real profits roll in when your systems are flawless.

Meme was marketing through Facebook (paid and unpaid), Instagram (unpaid) and through email marketing. I actually was surprised that she was using content marketing beyond sales.

Meme sends out monthly newsletters that feel like an invitation to get a glimpse of the rich and fabulous. Meme is working with Instagram sensations and celebrities monthly and she's sharing these experiences with her fans. The stories and the pictures are beautiful...just one issue....it's all about Meme.

That's right it's ALL me me me me me!

Who the hell cares? Am I being harsh, no ma'am. Anyone reading an email that's just me me me is thinking that...IF they even continue to read.

Meme hired us for automation. She told me she had marketing under wraps. We automated her sales flow and initiated a flawless client experience.

Despite initial thoughts...marketing is a major part of client experience.

Meme changed her copy to highlight her products and her clients. No more long novel like emails detailing her experience but she began to highlight her customers desire for this fabulous lifestyle. Styling tips from Instagram sensations and success mantras from the celebrities. She invited fashion bloggers to share styling tips, how to pack for the weekend to month long trips, and makeup hacks. Instead of sharing her lifestyle and experience through email she moved those stories to snapchat. The strategy behind this was genius...if I say so myself.

Now the other Mimi wasn't online officially. She had a website, but it was just a placeholder for the day spa on the web. Nothing memorable, to make you want to go into her spa.

And what a disservice that was, because Mimi’s salon is gorgeous. The essence makes you feel amazing as soon as you walk thru the door. It smells like jasmine and lavender mixed with sweet scents of women with good taste in perfume. All of her staff is remarkably stunning.

It's as though she hired models just for a photoshoot. Nope, they work there every week.

Mimi's Facebook surprisingly was poppin! Mimi has been operating off of word of mouth and Facebook. And the Facebook love was by chance, whenever someone would leave they immediately went to the page and raved about it.

Mimi didn't have anyone managing this page to even ‘like the comments that were being left. There was no one checking in on the clients once they left. Mimi’s client experience was solely focused on those that entered the day spa.

Ignoring client experience is leaving money on the table.

Mimi previously had photo stock photography on her site. Which is fine, but considering how remarkable her salon and staff are, that was an instant do-over.

Mimi had a photo shoot and had her website redone. Mimi added a scheduling app for her clients to book online which would save them a few coins in addition to capturing their email and phone number.

This way her receptionist only needed to call those who have not verified that they want to receive text or email reminders. With this extra time saved she was able to tackle social media and comment on that abandoned Facebook page.

Mimi started utilizing those emails she was capturing online (from clients and potentials). Monthly Mimi sent an email telling her peeps about the most purchased service and included a discount code/coupon for those who were on the email to utilize within the next 7 days.

Mimi started using Facebook live and having a Facebook live party once a week. Mimosas and manicures with Mimi every Monday. This was genius considering her clients were naturally attracted to Facebook.

We got ads running on Facebook. Created an Instagram account because image is everything and ran ads over there too.   

You want to be like Mimi and not Meme when it comes to your business strategy, marketing and client experience. You want to create an exclusive experience that builds rapport and relationships with your customers based on their needs.

Major key: understand the necessary wants and needs of your clients is the first step to designing what an amazing experience would look like for them.  

Mimi understood client experience, yet she just did not extend this same experience online. It’s a digital world we live in and we’re all connected, like it or not.

85% of consumers use the Internet to find local businesses.

The experience of your brand should be amazing in person, online through ALL mobile devices and desktops or MacBooks [laptops], social media, email, sales process and support process. This is where Mimi was slacking.

Your target market may be a business (B2B) or a consumer (B2C), and behind every interaction is a person. And it’s up to you to make the experience worthwhile for this person.

Remember Meme was only showing her consumers what she was doing...this was not meeting any needs of her consumers. Meme thought their need was cute and trendy clothes and she was focusing on showing them a fabulous life. Although the cute and trendy clothing brought them to Meme’s site and social media, their need was greater than clothes and drooling over someone else’s online life. They wanted fashion and beauty tips, confidence boosters, and inspiration. When she transitioned to meeting those needs, there was a transition in her business.

Focus on your consumer from the beginning to the end. And the end isn’t at the end of the day or the end of the session. Building a successful business means you are thinking about longevity and not just this quarter or this year. Create a client experience that will yield lifelong relationships. [Even if that relationship is just them raving about how amazing your business is when they utilized your services and/or products.

Live. Love. Action

1.Evaluate your current client experience.

2.Determine your client’s needs

3.Brainstorm a client experience strategy with steps to delight your clients for the lifetime of your business.