Selling Coaching, Courses and Training with Melissa Bolton -
What role does branding play to help creators sell more effectively and with more success? After many years of running successful companies and consulting with hundreds of other people, Melissa Bolton had a hunch: To sell successfully the first step is to understand who you are and who your customer is. Then it's simply to align the message and the. The results show she was right with her large client base of successful clients attest to. She explains what creators should learn about branding, as well as how she helped her coach and training to the next level.
At the age of 23, you were generating 7-figure revenue. At 27, you achieved Vice President status in a Fortune 500 financial company. You're now a sought-after Brand Therapist - a specialty that you've registered and created your unique. Tell us how this amazing experience began, and then what your biggest takeaways have been so far.
I've never treated a customer as a potential customer or considered them as a potential possibility. They are real people who have genuine needs, desires and desires. The opportunity lies in what you do to help them. The answer you give could be longer but in reality, this is it Treat people the way you'd like to be treated, listen, and then help.
Could you tell us an explanation of the role of a brand therapy and the archetypal approach?
I've always had an interest in psychological and behavioral sciences, but I never wanted to become a traditional therapist. When I had time off, I would read up on psychology principles and behavior patterns particularly in the area of decision-making. I started applying these concepts in my branding and the outcome was nothing short of magical. Being a person who is a believer in the individualism of each person, I am big on creating 'titles' to represent your professional identity. "Brand Therapist" seemed like a perfect title.
I created the brand archetype course back in the year 2010. At the time, there was nothing like it in the marketplace. The use of archetypes was commonplace to promote brands, but the course wasn't yet out there. The concept is to use the proven scientific principles and apply them to buying behavior. There is no way to prove that behaviors are true however patterns are difficult to deny. Archetypes illustrate patterns of behavior , and help you to adapt your language, style, and your products to those who need these most.
In your research, you realized that most businesses and entrepreneurs failed because they ignored branding and were focusing on advertising. What are some easy steps creators can take to develop an authentic brand image?
It's not possible to well market something if you don't know who your customers are, what products you offer or who your best customers are, or even what it is you're actually selling. What I mean is that we're not really selling anything or any service. We're selling solutions. selling people a better version of themselves. Understanding and being able to define the essence of your brand's message and transmit it throughout all you do is vital to the longevity of any brand.
You provide a range of helpful, no-cost instruments to your potential clients including your free brand archetype quiz and report. How have these sources have had on your company and what should creatives do to incorporate the freebies in their marketing strategies?
The test for free has made an enormous influence. It took me a long time to learn not only what to ask and how to get the most appropriate answers. Over a million people have completed the quiz over the years. It's still awe-inspiring to me. It's extremely insightful and goes deep, so I get the attraction. I'm glad it's been so beneficial to many. It has helped me expand my list of mailing addresses and broaden options to meet the needs of my clients as well.
It is suggested to create freebies that align with your personal style. Being the Luminary (archetype) teacher I love learning and sharing that information, therefore for me, a game makes sense. The quiz might be some other thing. It may be a template, a white paper, an ebook, or some graphics or other downloadable material. Be sure to get some kind of reward, with one of the most sought-after is their email address. It is possible to unsubscribe anytime the content doesn't suit them.
With a few years of experience in consulting, what advice would you offer to creators who consider offering coaching services?
Oh I have lots of advice on this one:
- Don't give your time away for free. It's fine to have a free consultation to find out if you're the right suitable candidate, but be sure you don't offer too much. It's better to prepare some questions you want to ask before the appointment. Be sure to adhere to the scheduled time. Leave them intrigued and wanting to know more.
- Make boundaries, and stick to these boundaries and stick to. Everyone will try to get more. If someone wants or needs more then they will be willing to pay for your time. If they do not, they aren't a good steward of your time and you should go on with your life. It's that simple.
- I'm focused on working with clients you would like to work with. Use your intuition. If you think a client does not seem to be a suitable fit for you when you first speak to them, then you're probably not. Do not ever attempt to defend your pricing or convince them to join your team. The right people are happy to collaborate with you , and eager to trade their cash in exchange for their time.
With regards to branding, what part should social media play and which kind of content has been the most effective for you as a creator?
Social media to me is more a part of marketing more than branding. Personally, I prefer Pinterest in comparison to other platforms. There's less chatter and more focused. People take the time to organize and curate. It's highly intentional. I like that. Plus, I can see what else people save. Those are unique features when compared to Facebook as well as Instagram. I would suggest logging onto a platform where you have the largest following, looking at your website visitor statistics to see the source of your traffic from, then focusing your time and energy in these places.
What tools have proven to be the most beneficial in creating and promoting your service?
One of the most helpful sources is actually a function, not a tool.
Review reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to selling. Social proof is extremely valuable for buyers who want to understand exactly what they're getting before investing their money into the purchase of something. Hearing honest feedback from someone other than you (the vendor) can be quite powerful.
Additionally, I utilize coupons frequently due to various reasons. The ability to customize codes has been fantastic. People love it that I can create them a personalized code using their names or business name. It's fun, plus it has an air of professionalism to it.
I could not love the "Courses" feature even more. It's my favorite online tool and it makes it simple to develop and design courses. It's not even taking advantage of the many features including quizzes, video or quizzes, and I can't wait. My courses were launched in the past month, and have already had a lot of happy students.
What have you done to help promote and sell your services on the internet?
I sold digital downloads frequently through my site until GDPR took effect. As a company based in the United States, I felt it was frustrating and confusing and time consuming to try to understand the newly implemented tax situation which is why I stopped selling downloads altogether. After I discovered they took care of all aspects VAT tax for myself. I was immediately enthralled. It has enabled me to sell tens of thousands of dollars of digital products without losing rest over VAT concerns.
Additionally, the brand has been growing in recognition and the amount of attention it receives. Since their name inspires confidencein buyers, they know they can purchase without worry.