As you know, I am a big fan of live events. That is where the magic happens. People make major decisions at live events. People connect at a deep level at live events. And you as the host can make big money at live events.

So naturally, one of my strategies is to attend live events as a guest whenever I can. I go to be of service to the host, meet more people in my tribe, and connect with people in way so that they get to know me and what I offer.

I come home with new energy, new ideas, and lots of new contacts.

So now what? What to do with those new contacts?

Here are the first three things I do to reinforce our connection:

1. I forward the latest issue of my ezine with a personal note and an invitation to subscribe. (That is why I have the link at the very top of my ezine: “Sign Up For This Ezine”).
2. I find them on Social Media, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are the ones that I use. Most entrepreneurs are on one, two or all three of those. After they accept my friend request, I post a message on their FB wall. You want to “tag” them in the post. This way your friends will see their profile or page in your feed, and they will notice the post. If you took any pictures at the event with your new friend, post them on your wall tagging you both and tagging the event host .I also go to the event host’s page. I post a comment with positive feedback about the event. Most likely your new friend is already a friend or fan of the host, so you can tag your new contacts in your comments. Make sure to also tag the host in your comment. This is great way to thank the host for connecting you with your new friends.
3. I follow up with another email to my new friend that is either helpful information, or a connection with a mutual friend, or a link to another event I have coming up that they might be interested in. Introducing your new friend to a contact of yours is a great way to reinforce your new relationship.

I try to do these three things as soon as possible after the event while your face is still fresh in their minds. Having your photo on your business card is a must in my opinion if you want to be memorable. I don’t like glossy finish on both sides of cards; I love to write notes about our connection so I can remind them in my correspondence what we talked about.

Coming from a true place of how we can support each other, is the best way to make real connections and lasting relationships.

Your “tribe” is out there waiting for you to show up…Make it easy for them to find you!

Do you know you have a difference to make in the world and that you want to get your work out there in a big way?

Does the idea of leading your own workshops, seminars and retreats make you cringe with doubt?

Have you put your heart and soul into events in the past with little or no results?

I hear you!  I can help!

Join me on Saturday, October 15th at 10AM PT, 1PM ET  for an ENCORE Call:

5 Backstage Secrets to Lead Events That Knock Their Socks Off and Have Them Jumping Up to Buy!
Register here: http://karenlkeeney.com/5-backstage-secrets-call/#

This is for you if you:
 Are a passionate leader with a message to share
 You want to make a big impact
 You are ready to step on stage to make an impact
 You are scared to the bone to step on stage to lead

“I have conducted many events over the years and they have all gone well. Once Karen stepped on to our event production team the bar was raised several rungs. Making the decision to have Karen consult with my company on how we can have our Sought After Speaker and Business Breakthrough Summit be even better is one of the best decisions I have ever done. Our participants had a richer experience, our team worked seamlessly and our sales were literally ten times what they have been previously. I cannot wait to work with Karen again.”Caterina Rando, Thriving Business Strategist, Author and Publisher

I will share my insights after years of attending, leading and designing events that make an impact on the audience and get your desired results (like sales). 
I know one of the biggest questions I get, is “How do I fill the seats?” I will share my belief on this call as to why too many entreprenuers are not filling their events and what you can do differently.  How excited and pumped up about your next event if it sold out? 
Won’t you join me?
Saturday, October 15th at 10AM PT, 1PM ET for an ENCORE Free call:

5 Backstage Secrets to Lead Events That Knock Their Socks Off and Have Them Jumping Up to Buy!
Register here: http://karenlkeeney.com/5-backstage-secrets-call/#

And yes, the call will be recorded if you can’t be on LIVE.  However, I love to give stuff away, so I will be doing that for those who are on the call LIVE.  You won’t want to miss it!

Quote of the Week:

“People are lying awake at night worrying about something that you could help them with. You owe it to them to get out there in a big way, so they can find you.” Karen Keeney

Success With Purpose Feature Article:
“They Are Looking For You!” Your ideal clients are looking for you, how will they find you? You want to be foremost in their mind when it is time for them to make a decision to say yes to your offer. You want to be their hope to get through the challenge they are having that you have expertise in. When you have done your best at getting out there, you will be in the right place at just the right time to offer that hope to your ideal clients. Here’s where I recommend you start:

1. Get clear! Remember, your “mess” can become your message. All passionate leaders have gone through challenges in life; they now choose to help others get passed the same challenges and they have found a way to make money doing it. Speak directly to those that will benefit the most from your help. Share the pain you had in common, and let them know you can support them in getting through it. Make an offer so they can say yes to your help.

2. Shout it! Be loud and proud of who you are and what you have to offer. There may be other people in your same area of expertise, but they will never do it exactly the same way you do. Be yourself in all of your marketing; from your website, your brochures, and your business card and especially in person. Get out there in as many places as you can to be seen and heard. There are lots of on-line ways to connect, but you know I am a big proponent of in- person live events with your ideal clients whenever possible.

3. Stay the Course! Your audience needs to hear from you often. In this world of instant this, and on-line that, your message can get lost. Keep sharing your gifts and offering your service. In their moment of pain, when they need you the most, you want them to find you right away. That is the moment of your biggest impact.

In my mastermind group, we subscribe to the mantra of taking inspired, imperfect action and then correct as you go. Like in Maxwell Matlz’s quote, we support each other in not standing still. Too many entrepreneurs are so concerned about getting things just right, they get stuck and don’t do anything at all. I used to be one of them.

Today, while taking my lunch break, I reread a chapter in the “Overcomers Inc.” book that I was honored to be part of. The author of that chapter told a very personal story of a family tragedy that took over her life. She now teaches seminars and workshops to help others get through similar challenges. I was compelled to reach out to her to see if and how I might support her seminar business so she can do what she loves to do in a much bigger way.

Here is the truth: My website is still not exactly the way I envisioned it. I don’t have a brochure to send her. I am almost out of business cards. My blog doesn’t have all the plug-ins and apps that I am being advised to implement. I am clearly not “ready”.

But I reached out to my fellow author anyway. I contacted her and asked her if she needed support with her seminars. I know that many passionate leaders like her are out holding workshops and seminars because they want to make a difference. If more people were healed by her work, the world would be better for it. I know if I help her design amazing, excitingly effective events, she can focus on filling them. I believe that you must step aside and let experts help you so you can truly be in the space to deliver your best self. I took imperfect action, I will speak with her and we will both learn from the process.

Many entrepreneurs are struggling to fill their events. I believe if they were so over-the-top excited about their future event knocking-the-socks off the audience, the seats will naturally fill up because that enthusiasm will come through in their marketing, in their speaking and in their writing as they promote the event. They won’t be able to help themselves!

Holding events, even before you are “ready” is the surest way to get “ready”. What if you had someone to hold your hand through designing an engaging flow that will give your event a life-force of it’s own that compels the audience to work with you? What if you had someone who worked together with you to design a flow that is engaging and informative? What if you had a partner to ensure you design a well-structured event that is purposeful for you and for the audience? And most of all, what if you had cheerleader through the entire process, believing in the best for you before you believe it yourself?

I have a few spots open this week for strategy sessions. Take some inspired, imperfect action toward the business of your dreams and let’s talk!

www.karenlkeeney.com/strategy-session

“Leave a Legacy” by Karen L. Keeney

My dad turned 78 this week; and is working on the sequel to his novel, “The Rightful Heirs” which he wrote at age 76. Wow! What an example is setting for his children and grandchildren to follow. A shamless plug, if you love history, mystery, airplanes, and adventure, you will love the book. You can order it at www.therightfulheirs.com. Make sure you watch the book trailer on the site.
I envision the novel being made into a movie…I will keep you posted.

What will you leave behind? What examples are you setting for your kids? What will be your family legacy?

As a work-from-home mom for the last 20 years, I can assure you; my kids were learning and watching. I saw evidence of that when my 8-year old daughter sold raffle tickets in the neighborhood to earn money. She also produced, directed and choregraphed a neighborhood talent show when she was 10 years old. As I went through my days working on the phone, meeting with prospects and finalizing orders she was watching and learning. Now as a hairstylist and make-up artist, that schooling will serve her well. (She did my styling for new photos this week; can’t wait to show you!)

One of my favorite quotes is from Marianne Williamson,
“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.”

Marianne wrote that in a letter to Oprah years ago when there were people criticizing Oprah and she was considering leaving television. What if Oprah had listened to the naysayers? What if her gifts were never brought to the world? She is such a beacon of successful influence. Oprah showed us how using your natural- born gifts brings success.

Is it time for you to step up to the front of the room? Is it time for you to lead? Maybe you think you are not ready. Maybe you are waiting until you have more money, fame or achievements. I can tell you, the best way I know to grow both personally, professionally and financially is to step up and take your place at the podium leading your own workshops, seminars or retreats. A colleague of mine was sharing with me that she almost cancelled her first two-day event. Luckily for her and her guests, she did not. She shared with me the best part of that experience was it changed her. “I am a different person. And, now potential clients are calling me.” Wow! What a legacy she is leaving; move forward, whether ready or not, and become the next version of you!

Quote of the week: “I don’t know much about being a millionaire, but I bet I’d be darling at it.” Dorothy Parker

“Are you still playing small?” A super short article by Karen Keeney

You can lead from anywhere. You can lead from the back of the room or you can lead from the middle of the room. But those that lead from the front of the room, have the most influence, have the biggest following, command the most respect, and make the most money.
I heard a description once (in a seminar, of course) that left a big impression on me. When you do work with your hands, you can expert to earn a certain income. When you do work with your hands and your head, you can expert to earn more. When you do work with your hands, your head and your heart, the income goes up again. But, the highest paid people do their work with their hands, their head, their heart and their name. When you achieve any level of fame, that is where the money is.

I am keeping this article short on purpose this week. Take some time with it to just think of the possibilites. I want to inspire you to ask yourself where in your life are you still playing small?
Is it time for you to step into your greatness, offer your gifts in a big way from the front of the room?