5 Reasons to Love Self-Employment

1. If you need a power nap, you can take one....and you find it actually makes you more productive that afternoon.

2. When you've had an amazingly productive morning, you can reward yourself by taking the rest of the day off.

3. No unnecessary corporate meetings.

4. If a project isn't profitable, you can decide not to it.

5. The sky is the limit! Your success is a direct result of your dedication and effort. No glass ceilings, no waiting on the boss to decide if you deserve a raise, and no one else deciding your worth.

Self-Employment Rocks!

Re-Creation in 2009: Thriving Because of the Changing Economy

Re-Creation. Never before have more people had the opportunity to recreate themselves. I've heard from many people who have been laid off due to the tightening of funds. I've heard from many more who chose to quit their current job and look for something else due to a loss in wages or commissions. I myself had to fold up my marketing company due to several client's lost marketing budgets.

The news would like you to believe that all of this is a downward spiral. But I disagree. We have found ourselves in the unique situation of being able to reinvent ourselves without making any excuses. It's like an entire nation being given the chance to answer differently when asked "what do you want to be when you grow up." A year ago, I never even knew there was such as a job as a Commercial Photography Rep. Yet here I am, selling photography to ad agencies and corporate marketing directors, and LOVING it. Who knew?

I believe that our entire community will benefit from this shift. After all, when you are involved with a particular industry for an extended period of time, you become acclimated. As such, it is easy to find yourself in a rut, out of fresh ideas and adhering to the way "it's always been done." But when a person shifts industries, or even just positions within their previously chosen industry, fresh ideas are bound to happen. Entire companies can be reinvigorated by just one person's new thoughts and enthusiasm.

The same rings true for the many who have decided to supplement their income. Whether by getting a part time job, by taking advantage of a network marketing opportunity, or by providing a service for others, many of us have learned not to rely solely on one stream of income. This is a good thing! For me, Send Out Cards is providing that supplemental income. Without that, I may be having a harder time staying positive.

I'm not trying to ignore the very real hardships that many are facing, myself included. But I am choosing to view the glass as half-full rather than half-empty. Are things tough? You bet. But will it last forever? NO.

It's the law that says "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." The action was greed. It didn't seem like it at the time, but that's what it boiled down to. Money was cheap to borrow and easy to obtain. So we didn't stop to think about our real-life budgets. We lived beyond our means. Things got out of control.

So the natural reaction is what we are now facing. It's not the end of the world, just a necessary correction. It's a wake up call that many of us needed. For the first time in decades, we are forced to learn the lesson of living within our means and taking responsibility for our financial houses. A rough ride? For many of us, it is. But the ride WILL end, and things WILL balance out.

In the meantime, look at the positive side of things. If you are looking for employment, relish the opportunity. If you find yourself without enough money to maintain, find a way to supplement your income. And try not to wait until things are too dire.

If we look at this as a time of opportunity and not a time of defeat, we WILL all be better off. We WILL all win.

Jacki Semerau © Copyright 2008

There's Power in Personalization: Article by Eileen Harris

Here's the last of the winning articles from the "I Can Relate: Business Relationship Tips" newsletter contest. This entry was received from Eileen Harris, a Realtor with Zip Realty. Eileen is a Real Estate Agent in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and other areas within the Valley of the Sun.

In her article, she hits on the importance of personalization in building her client relationships, and just how much it effects her bottom line. I hope you enjoy the article!

Jacki

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"There's Power in Personalization"

by Eileen Harris

As a Realtor, each month, I send out my company newsletter by email to all of the clients in my database. It is a well-written, informative newsletter that I enjoy reading each month and I'm sure my clients enjoy it as well.

Last month, I sent out 750 newsletters by email. My response: 4 clients telling me how nice the newsletter was and thanking me for sending it.

At the same time, I sent out 10 cards from my Send Out Cards account. Response: 1 client wanting to buy a $500,000 home!

Do the math: 4 responses to 750 emails = less than .01%

1 response to 10 personal cards = 10% (+ the potential for a big commission!)

Sending cards is a no brainer; just a couple of minutes and a few clicks can reap big benefits, personally and professionally. There is power in personalization. Send a card NOW and tell a few friends.

Newsletter Article Contest winner Alan Underkofler

Here's another great article that was submitted into my "I Can Relate" Newsletter article contest. This was submitted by a good friend and colleague in SendOutCards, Alan Underkofler.

Alan and I met on the 2008 Eagle's Challenge Bahama's Cruise. We were two of the 80 or so distributors that won the challenge and were on the cruise back in March. We also happened to be on the same plane heading west...there's a picture of us on the plane back from Ft. Lauderdale.

Enjoy his insightful article on how building relationships is like the perfect cup of coffee.

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Savoring the Investment IN a Relationship by Alan Underkofler

This morning I was up very early and decided I wanted a cup of coffee. My first thought was to take a quick shower, grab my laptop, and head over to my local Starbucks. As I was getting out of bed I realized I wanted something different… I really just wanted to enjoy a cup of coffee outside in the cool morning air.

Some of you reading this may know I am a goal oriented, multi tasking, crazy scheduled, always going in multiple directions type of person so getting ready and starting my day running is pretty normal for me.

Something about this morning, at this moment was a bit different… I was looking for a different approach or a different experience this morning. It hit me… where is that French Press that I used to love making coffee with?

As I entered my kitchen in search for my lost press I started to remember why I love it! Boiling the water, grinding the coffee, pouring the hot water over the coffee, letting it sit for a few minutes, finally pressing the plunger down to pour my perfect cup of coffee. Sitting outside I realized why I love this process so much.

So what the heck does this have to do with followup and why would I post my morning coffee experience here? Well as I was sipping my coffee listening to the morning sounds I realized how the process of my morning cup of coffee is very similar to the process of followup. It’s not always about the quick cup of coffee or the quick meeting of a new prospect. It’s about the process! When I take the time to really get to know a person, learning about them and their business, I get to enjoy the result.

Following up and building relationships is just like making the perfect cup of coffee. When we take the time and go through the entire process we can enjoy the result.

Tomorrow is the start to a brand new week. I might just start with another perfect cup of coffee.

SendOutCards Announces Big Changes

If you've been considering Send Out Cards but have yet to join, there's no better time than now!

Click here to learn about all the great changes coming up.

You'll get a quick glance at changes to the website and card editor, lots of new gifts, the SOC Gives program that highlights favorite charities, being the featured company on Success From Home magazine next month, and so much more!

I have to say, Send Out Cards has been the best system I've ever seen in helping build and maintain relationships. I'd love to show you how it works by letting you send out a couple of cards for free...my gift to you!

You can click on my website banner and let the audio walk you through the system, or you can call me at 602-904-3454 and I'll personally get you set up to send your free cards. Either way, there's no obligation to buy...you just HAVE to see how great this system truly is!

Okay, that's about as "sales" as I'll get on this blog....but I'm excited about this, can you tell?!

Until Next Time,

Jacki

Riding a Send Out Cards Convention High!

I just got back from the Send Out Cards convention in Salt Lake City this past week. What an amazing experience! I've been to many conventions with many different organizations, and I always come back inspired. Just this year alone I was at Entrepreneur Magazine's Women In Charge convention, the GMAC convention, and now the SendOutCards convention.

As a speaker, I love to watch the keynote speakers work their magic. I admit, I critque them..and learn from them! I also got alot of product knowledge, which is invaluable. And mainly, I think we all just need to be inspired!

And I admit, it felt GREAT to be recognized for my acheivements in Send Out Cards! Here's a picture of me on stage for earning the promotion to Senior Manager this year. I have to admit...it felt great!

Which is why I just had to write about the benefits of cheering each other on in this week's newsletter: "I Can Relate: Business Relationship Tips from Jacki Semerau." (If you need to subscribe, enter your email address in the box to your right.)

But mainly, I'm just riding a high from all the excitement at the convention, and thought I'd share!

Until next time,

Jacki

Reach Out: Business Relationship Tip of the Week

We all have business relationships that are solid. And very often, we forget to reach out and nurture those solid relationships as time goes by. But these are the most important relationships we have, and so we shouldn't be neglecting them!

I know I am guilty this. In fact, many of you reading this may be thinking, "Ya know, it HAS been a while since I've heard from Jacki!"

The biggest factor is often a simple matter of time slipping by. How many times have we heard, "Wow, can you believe it's already August!?" Time flies by so fast, and even though it feels like it's only been a few days, it may have actually been a few MONTHS since you've last talked to someone important to you.

So stop letting time slip by you. Make a phone call, send a greeting card, or even just a short email. Let the people who are important to you KNOW it.

Jacki Semerau © Copyright 2008

Let them know they matter!

When I know I matter to someone, I make an effort to use their products or services instead of someone I don't know. I can't even remember the last time I pulled out the Yellow Pages to find someone to give my business to, can you? (Okay, wait. I do remember. It was to call a cab. I guess I don't network with very many cab drivers....so if you own a transportation company, get out there and meet people!)

This is why I started on a venture based on just that...letting people know they matter. This IS the law of attraction in action! When you reach out to people for any reason, it lets them know you care. And when they know you care, they WANT to give back to you. And we all know the adage:

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you CARE.

When I joined SendOutCards, I made a commitment to send out one unexpected card every day. I've stayed true to that for the most part, and I've seen what it has done for my relationships, both personal and professional. When I started getting phone calls from my clients, saying "thank you" for thinking of them, I was floored. So it's been a truly valuable layer to building and maintaining relationships.

So what do you do that you find to work in building your business relationships?

Until Next Time,
Jacki

The Value of Rewards and Recognition

In your career as an entrepreneur, one thing that tends to go away is reaching for rewards and recognition. Back when I was in sales for a title company, I was first and foremost driven by the desire for bigger commissions. But sometimes, those monthly sales awards were a big motivator.

In SendOutCards, I am an independent distributor. However, SOC isn't a one-woman show. Quite the opposite. We currently have around 40,000 distributors in US and Canada...of which maybe 5% actually work it as a full time career.

SO...my point is...SOC offers contests that allow rewards and recognition. This is HUGE for me. I need that added motivator at times.

The last contest was for a cruise to the Bahamas. And I'm really happy to say that I was on that boat! I just returned from a fantastic trip where I met some truly wonderful people, gained alot of insight for my business, and had the chance to see a part of the world I never had before.

So my question to you, one entrepreneur to another, is what are you doing to reward yourself? Maybe you are truly a one-woman show, and so there is no one out there offering you a cruise, a sales award, or otherwise. So what additional reward and recognition are you allowing yourself?

Don't get so lost in the daily grind that you forget to give yourself those added motivators. Reward yourself with a day at the spa when you land your top-targeted account. Or send out a newsletter to your sphere of influence when you hit a milestone in your business. I'd love to hear other ideas on this.

We have to hold each other accountable, and lift each other up. Don't get lost out there, adrift at sea all alone. Remember that there is an entire community of others in the same boat. You just have to reach out to them!

Until Next Time,

Jacki