Create a Resilient Business: Market & Operate Online
Sessions begin Sept. 1, 2020. Space is limited.
Going it alone isn't easy, but avoiding business basics is a recipe for disaster.
SOS Business Clinic is a 5-week intensive group consulting program with access to templates, sample copy, marketing tools and strategic guidance on how to describe, market and position your work.
GET UNSTUCK >> Oh paralysis! There's so much to do, you don't know where to begin. If you just follow each step in the program, by the end you will finally have momentum.
GAIN CLARITY >> The hardest part about putting yourself out there is confusing your own values with the work you want to do in the world. Learn to differentiate between you and the product or services you are offering.
SAVE MONEY >> Don't drop thousands on that logo designer or PR person yet. Unless and until you have a super solid foundation for your business, the most common early expenses are usually total wastes that you have to redo anyway (and total distractions).
GET FEEDBACK >> You don't need to do this alone. Join SOS and get realtime business coaching and feedback from me. My clients know that I always cut to the chase and will lovingly challenge you.
This year has been a brutal (but inspiring) reality check for most of us, so I'm handing you the keys to knowledgeably steer your business.
"Working with Erika was a godsend. She helped me organize and collect my creative business ideas in a way that was professional, marketable and scalable."
- Erica S. LCSW, Founder & CEO NEST Harm Reduction
If you can't define it, you can't sell it.
Nobody wants to come off stiff, sales-y and gross.
Actually putting pen to paper to describe your offerings is the hardest thing you'll have to do. You'll want to include too much, hang on to old identities, and let your ego (or a partner) really have its way.
It can be hard to discern between what you want to create and what others say you should do.
That's why core parts of this program are designed to help you to distill your vision into a few simple sentences. You can't move forward if the words you are using to market yourself don't adequately convey your services. And nobody will buy from you if you offer too many options.
Build the business you actually want, instead of one that traps you.
SOS is for you if you...
- Think you're too small, too behind or too inexperienced to hire a business consultant
- Don't think your business is ready to spend money on an agency or private strategist
- Feel lost, distracted, or overwhelmed
- Find yourself doing a lot of work but never really building a profitable or consistent business
- Keep most of your ideas and goals in your head
- Are rethinking everything during the pandemic
- Learn well from other people's experiences and can apply basic concepts and foundational instruction to your own unique needs
Whether you've been in business for a while, you're just getting started or you're still dreaming, SOS Business Clinic is designed to give you access to the most important aspects of creating and managing a sustainable brand online during a critical time when we're all having to adjust our thinking.
I WILL HELP YOU >>
- Get out of your own way
- Define and price your offerings
- Understand how to capture your audience (hint: it's not social media)
- Learn marketing and sales basics
- Decide what tools and platforms to use
- Avoid the most common business and brand pitfalls, including contracts, pricing and communications
PROGRAM DETAILS >>
- 5 weeks of content, templates and resources
- 4 group consulting sessions
- 1 private integration session with me ($500 value)
- Ongoing feedback and pop-up office hours
Apply the program at your own pace, bring questions to the group, and learn how to implement absolutely necessary brand, marketing and sales strategies.
How important is it to you that something changes this year?
This clinic is designed for solopreneurs, independent operators, contractors, and business owners who are working on building a practice, offering a service, a side gig, a start up, or a creative business in any field.
curriculum
In addition to group sessions, you will get a guided program full of actionable content dropped into your inbox every few days.
Naturally, we begin with YOU. The SOS Self Assessment and Personal Manifesto will help you prioritize your next steps and get honest and clear about your strengths, weaknesses, and what you really want to create. They will also help me to help you and the group. You'll be asked to work through this material in preparation for our open-format group consulting and coaching sessions.
DEFINE YOUR OFFERING
Product definition is the core element of any business. If you cannot clearly define exactly what you offer, it's hard for anyone to know how to engage with you.
CREATE YOUR BRAND STORY
Brand development is not a set of colors and designs. It is the story you tell the world about why and how you do what you do. It reflects your core values and makes a clear and compelling case for "why you."
HONE YOUR MESSAGE
If you want to reach anyone, you'd better have a compelling, consistent and clear message. This language comes from understanding what you stand for, who you're serving, what problem you're solving, and how to inspire people to act.
SET UP THE RIGHT ASSETS
Forget social media, there are core assets you need set up as part of marketing operations in order to sell anything. We'll run through websites, email opt-ins, newsletter automations, and best practices for using them.
COMMUNICATE & MARKET
Ongoing consistent communications is the lifeblood of any business. If you don't stay in touch with your market, they will forget about you. It's not personal. We'll discuss how to launch, pivot and deal with PR problems.
CONVERT & SELL
From what to charge to how to make sure you are crafting clear agreements with your customers, this is the ethical and structural root of your operation. We also take a look at what it means to be profitable, not just operational.
Not everything in the program will apply to you, so I encourage you to focus on the parts that do and also have an open mind about learning something new.
"Erika is a true whisperer of branding and product development. Her gifts come from a soulful, integral place and that is reflected in all that she does."
- Khellar C. Founder & CTO in FinTech
Get the support and guidance you need, right now.
Now's the time to get it together & make moves.
I can't wait to work with you! In addition to the group consulting-coaching sessions that begin Sept 1, you're getting the self-guided framework I apply with my private clients and corporations - worth over $20,000. I'm dedicated to making this knowledge more accessible to independent entrepreneurs and creatives, especially now. I see so many people make fatal mistakes early on in their path and all I want is for you to succeed.
Over the five weeks, you will enjoy >>
- Executive and conscious leadership coaching
- Support with blindspots and decision making
- Business, brand and marketing strategy
- Templates, training and guidance on building your brand, marketing yourself, and making money
- Group accountability and connection
- One-on-one integration session ($500 value)
- Five weeks of strategic support ($3500 value)
- Self-guided Program & Bonus Content ($20,000 worth of knowledge, teaching videos, mentoring, assets and templates)
This "pandemic" SOS Business Clinic group will be limited in size so I can ensure everyone gets what they need before I raise rates in the fall. Register ASAP to save your spot and snag the early bird discount.
Group Begins: Sept 1, 2020
Enrollment Opens: August 11, 2020
Enrollment Closes: August 25, 2020
Program Fee: $1000
Pandemic Rate: $455
Special Pandemic Rate Only Available Summer/Fall 2020
KEY DATES, DETAILS & FAQs
GROUP SESSIONS >>
Tuesdays @ 11 a.m. Pacific Time via Zoom
You will receive your self-assessment homework prior to session 1, please come prepared.
- Sept 1 @ 11am - Session 1
- Sept 8 @ 11am - Session 2
- Sept 15 @ 11am - Session 3
- Sept 22 @ 11am - Session 4
- Sept 22 - 29 - Private Session 5
Group sessions are open format. You will bring your questions, your work, and your whole present self to participate. If you have to miss a session, that's okay!
PRIVATE SESSION >>
Week 5 is dedicated to integration and application. Your private integration session must be scheduled between Sept 22 and Oct 2 and is 50 minutes in length.
PROGRAM ACCESS >>
Once you register, you will get access to a membership area of my website where you will begin to work through material as it becomes available. You will have access to the supplemental modules for a total of 10 weeks (unless you purchased at the premium rate) to give you time after we wrap up to continue integration. You can download your worksheets and templates and keep them forever.
What if I have to miss a group session?
No problem! All sessions are recorded and available to the group for 72 hours.
Will there be a Facebook group or similar?
In short, no. I am a firm believer that the less time we all spend on social media the better. I also find people tend seek validation from groups rather than working from that inner voice that just "knows." I recommend limiting distraction and incubating your creativity during the program. There are comment sections below each lesson where you'll find me hanging out.
Is there a payment plan?
Yes! You may pay in full for $455 or spit your payments over 2 months, at $250/month.
Can I get a refund?
If you're not enjoying the program, you can request a 75% refund up to 4 days after the program start date as long as you demonstrate you have completed the coursework in the first module and attended the first session. I want to know you tried it first. Otherwise, there are no refunds.
"She has been instrumental at developing our brand voice and messaging. Erika has a keen ability to focus on the important aspects of a challenge and develop innovative solutions."
- AJ P. Advisor, Investor & CTO
Why Should I Invest in My Brand?
Whether you are building a personal brand or a company identity, your brand is how your audience relates to you. It is literally the doorway to your offerings - whether that's a product, an idea, or a vision for the world.
Branding does not start with visual identity (logos, colors, etc). It starts with your vision and values. It starts with the words you use to define your products and services.
You need to get it out of your head(s) and onto paper.
Customers are not mind readers. And if you fail to use consistent, clear language and positioning, your audience will not trust you. It's that simple.
Your brand is your true north. It is your set of values. It is your company culture. It is your customer service. It is the heart and soul of your business.
Brand building is not about coercion and false advertising. It is about communicating exactly who you are and what you do honestly and compellingly.
That's why it is never too early to get started on brand development. This is the FIRST thing you should do. And unfortunately for many businesses, it is the last investment made - and becomes a costly one.
Don't wait until you're bigger, further along, more established, with more partners. Because a clear brand helps you identify the right partners, the most aligned employees, the perfect website options, the most resonant product packages.
You're ready, now.
BONUSES & EXTRAS
BRAND ID GUIDELINES
At the end of the program, you'll get a template to populate with all your previous work that will summarize your brand and offerings in one place. You'll draw from this anytime you write, create or hire.
NURTURE FUNNEL
Email automation is the key to welcoming your new leads and customers into your world. I'll provide you with a sample welcome series you can just fill in and add to your email platform.
SMARTCUTS
Throughout the program I share smart places to cut corners. I don't believe in hacks, but there are key areas where you can save money and frustration by avoiding the "way you're supposed to do it."
POP UP OFFICE HOURS
To give you extra support, I'll offer live, surprise Q&A sessions from time to time. So keep on top of your emails and stay on top of the self-guided program work.
Get on top of your business, consciously and strategically.
DEADLINE TO ENROLL: AUGUST 25, 2020