News! I'm the new Director of Operations!

In case you didn't know, I am now the Director of Operations for the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce. I'm excited to be a part of the team and I am looking forward to this new opportunity. 


With that said, I am always looking for Businesses to feature in our monthly newsletters. Email me for an appointment. I would love to come to your venue, office, or location to do a review with my photographer. Let's support each other and grow small businesses! 


"Find what you love and sacrifice for it."-Delesa J


Thanking God for all my blessings <3,


~Delesa J 

Check out our new Feature!

Check out my new feature on Single Is: http://singleis.com/blogpost/one-woman-spotlight-jasmine/ thank you to #SingleIs and @ShontayeH for the feature!

We are excited to publish our first article for Single Is, stay tuned for details!

~Delesa J

Seeking Intern

Delesa J Writing Services is seeking an Intern! We need someone who is flexible, creative, coachable, open to learning, and must have excellent writing skills. Internship is credit only (Paid assignments may vary). Serious inquiries only please. Submit resume to be considered.

Thank you,

Delesa J

Check out Delesa J's feature in the For Colored Gurl's May Newsletter!

The May edition of @forcoloredgurls' newsletter was sent today, and @delesaj is featured! Check it out http://conta.cc/kZB3tu! Thank you FCG, we look forward to doing work with you.

"Find what you love and sacrifice for it."-Delesa J

~Delesa J

Raffle Winner!

Thank you to all the participants of the 50/50 Raffle Drawing. We appreciate your continuous support.
The winning number is 554600!!! They will take home the $53 prize.

Remember to subscribe and check Delesaj.blogspot.com daily for next month's raffle drawing, tips on business, resumes, writing, and more!

Love you all!

"Find what you love and sacrifice for it."-DJ

~Delesa J

How to Defeat Your Fear of Public Speaking

Most of us secretly (and publicly) have a fear of public speaking. Rest assured you are not alone, according to various research studies and surveys, public speaking is the number one fear or phobia. 

So how do you defeat your fear (false evidence appearing real) of public speaking? I asked this question to my followers and friends on Twitter and Facebook. 

So here is the Social Media edition of answers by people who use to have the same fear and how they overcame it. Enjoy!

Facebook: 

Danielle F. - Sadly you never really do...u just have to speak publically more often.

Brandy F. - You just have to find a focus point in the audience and just do it....

Twitter: 

@CallmeKellsz_b - you speak....publicly and take a class. Also, if u have a speech to give, have someone record you rehearsing it, and then watch it and see what you're doing wrong. By the time ur ready to give ur speech, it'll flow, and ull be comfortable.

@DCreightonII - Start public speaking.

@eye_understand - #Toastmasters

@HairbyNedjetti - I took an acting class in '98 which gave me the confidence to overcome my shyness...it truly worked & highly recommended #shy

So my advice to you all (and my self) is like Nike's motto: Just Do It!

"Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot."
--D. H. Lawrence

~Delesa J 

How to Narrow Your Target Market by Tim Donnelly (Inc.)

How to Narrow Your Target Market

When you're starting out, trying to be all things to all people is a sure way to fail. Here's how to stay focused.

By Tim Donnelly |  @timdonnelly   

Huge, profitable companies like Walmart and Amazon didn't start as the all-encompassing retailers we know today. Each debuted with a very specific focus that helped them find and nurture a strong customer base. Walmart originally catered to shoppers in rural areas where there was a dearth of options for low-cost goods; Amazon famously limited itself to just books for years before expanding into selling everything from DVDs to motorcycle gear.

The process of finding a target market and narrowing your company's focus to appeal to it directly often trips up new businesses, who find it difficult to turn down business opportunities when they arise. But trying to be all things to all people is a sure way to fail in the marketplace. Business experts offer up these tips to narrowing your target market:

How to Narrow Your Target Market: The Dangers of Being Unfocused

Whatever market you're in, you've likely got a lot of competition and static standing between you and the consumer. Narrowing your focus to one specific demographic or slice of the marketplace gives potential customers a reason to notice you in the rest of the fray.

"If you're not differentiating yourself in the marketplace, what happens is the consumer looks at price as being the motivator," says Susan Friedmann, author of the books Riches in Niches and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Target Marketing. "And they look at the cheapest."

If you don't know specifically which customers you are speaking to, you are actually speaking to no one, says Tammy Lenski, a business mediation expert who has advised clients about successful business through target marketing.

"The big danger is that without a target market, it's like standing in a park shouting in the wind," she says. "When you have a target market, its like standing in a park and talking to a specific group of people."

That means you can't be afraid to exclude certain types of consumer from your marketing or to target your advertising at small groups. Some customers will feel left out, but those are the sacrifices necessary for a successful business, says Greg Head, founder and CEO of New Avenue, a strategic marketing firm.

"Focus requires exclusion," he says. "If you're selling everything, you actually mean nothing in the marketplace. Exclusion is fundamental to target markets."'

How to Narrow Your Target Market: Become an Expert in one Area

One way to hone in on a specific sector is to become an established resource in one area. Starbucks, for example, is able to charge premium prices for its coffee even though it also sells pastries, tea, and accessories, because it has positioned the company as an authority on good coffee.

"If you're an expert in your field, people will pay the price tag on whatever product and service you offer," Friedmann says.

You can build up credibility by offering information for free through your company's website or blog: things like tips, industry information, or niche data that will help consumers think of you as a reliable expert in that area, she says.

"Your credibility comes with giving away information," she says. "If this is the value I'm getting for free, what will I get if I pay for it?"

Entrepreneurs who do this successfully often start by following their passion, Friedmann says. She recalled a massage therapist who loved cycling and found a successful practice traveling with bike tours.

"If you can marry your passion with your profession, that's a really strong niche market," she says.

How to Narrow Your Target Market: Do the Market Research

Experts give several methods for whittling down the vast expanse of the market to find your ideal target.

John Jantsch, creator of the Duct Tape Marketing System and Duct Tape Marketing Consulting Network, which trains and licenses small business marketing consultants, recommends a simple formula to identify who makes an ideal client: he ranks customers by profitability.

"In that step alone, they start identifying work they have taken or would take that they shouldn't be taking," Jantsch says.

Then he looks for clients that are already referring more business your way.

"They're referring business to you because they're having a great experience," he says. "They're happy, they're beyond satisfied and that's why they're referring business."

Friedmann says recommends looking for growth markets to identify burgeoning new areas that may not be claimed by existing businesses.

Lenski says some clients find their niche first by focusing on the areas in which they already have a strong interest, or by looking at markets that already know about you and your services. Then, look for areas of the marketplace where a gaping need exists that you can fill with your company's services.

How to Narrow Your Target Market:  Tweak your Marketing

As simple as it sounds, the name of your company is crucial when narrowing your market.

"I believe your name should say what you do," Friedmann says. "Using your own personal name, unless you're like Madonna, isn't going to cut it. It doesn't mean anything to anybody."

Words such as "branding coach" or "entertainment law" in your official business title help consumers quickly understand what you're all about.

Friedmann even created a new word to describe her focus: "nichepreneur."

You may have to change your branding strategy or marketing efforts to clarify your mission. Once you find your target, you'll definitely want to alter your advertising efforts to go after the places and media you use to generate new business.

"It's not just an advertisement that you do. It actually has to become part of everything you do," Head says.

Your marketing needs to highlight the specialization, which improves credibility, Head says.

"You've got to be perceived as the best at something," he says.

Then, once you've identified that base, use it to improve the business through things like social media and interactive marketing to find out more about what the customers are looking for, Lenski says.

"You've got to essentially engage that market. It's a two-way conversation," she says. "That's really where having a target market pays off."

--End--

No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others.. or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist. – Calvin Coolidge

~Delesa J 

10 Marketing Musts by Marla Tabaka (Inc.)

10 Marketing Musts

by Marla Tabaka (Inc.) @marlatabaka

Are you are spending enough time and money marketing your business? If not,you are ignoring a critical success component. Customize these ideas to work for you and enjoy increased revenue in 2011!

Small business owners and solo-practitioners are notorious for ignoring marketing efforts. It’s easy to do, isn’t it? You are ensconced in your business; serving clients, shipping product and doing what you need to do to keep the money flowing in. But if you are not spending time and money to market your business, then you are ignoring a critical success component.

If you are concerned about making time to market then download my audio and workbook on Increasing Productivity by 40%. Almost anyone can increase the amount of available time in their schedule by eliminating certain mistakes and behavior. This is your first step.

Begin by investing 10 – 20% of your time in marketing. You can split this time into 2 hour segments during each day or set aside a day for marketing. You may feel concerned about losing revenue if you do this, but revenues will increase as you invest more of your time and resources into your plan – it’s a natural cycle.  Here are some guidelines and ideas; customize them to work for you!

1. Create a plan. This does not have to be an intimidating process. You know what efforts have garnered clients in the past. List them and expand on them. A simple marketing plan includes a list of marketing practices and a timeline.

2. Face-to-face networking. On-line businesses benefit most significantly from social networking, search engine optimization and pay per click campaigns, but most solopreneurs will benefit by creating relationships off line- regardless of the type of business you run. To meet like-minded people go to classes, lectures and other events that interest you. Keep your eyes and ears open at the grocery store, coffee house and other local establishments. Look into your local Chamber of Commerce and networking groups to see if those are up your alley as well.

3. Cold Calling. I know, yuck! Here’s how I look at it. I love meeting new people. I call with the intent of having a nice conversation with someone new, and I’ve met the most amazing people! You can buy a list or hire a college student, bring on an intern, or have your virtual assistant compile a list for you. Begin by writing a script and giving intention to your call. Know what you wish to achieve; a face-to-face visit, permission to send information, to close the sale or send a free sample.

4. Telemarketing. If cold calling on your own is not an option, consider hiring a professional telemarketing firm.  A few hours a week can garner one or two solid leads for you. Depending on your business, this is a simple and sure way to increase revenues.

5. Social Media.  A good networker doesn’t walk into a room and hand out 20 business cards, tell everyone about himself and leave. They are there to build relationships. It’s the same in social media. Ask questions, express interest, get to know people. This is a long term investment and you won’t be sorry. Great relationships, business and personal, are built this way.

6. Podcasting. This intimidates and confuses some people, but once you research how to create your own podcast you will be amazed at how easy it is. Having your own podcast puts you in the position of the “expert” and also helps you to expand your horizons. My two shows have contributed to my growth and brought people into my life who are truly important to me. Promote your show via social media, your list,iTunes, in your blog and via your guests’ lists. Create special offers to bring traffic to your site and to build your list.

7. Guest blogging and inviting guest bloggers. If you are not blogging yet, do. This again, is a long term investment – you probably won’t see results right away, but they will come. Comment on other blogs and contact popular bloggers who also target your audience with ideas for their blog, offering to write for them.  You will gain subscribers and expand your audience. After you build your following invite popular bloggers to do a guest post on your blog. They will bring followers, many of whom will stay.

8. Follow up with your list and past clients. This one seems obvious but it’s often neglected. When a new client comes to me with cash flow problems this is the first area we look at. There is much untapped business with existing customers, past clients and prospects. What can you upsell? What special offers can you promote? How can you recreate yourself or your product to spark new interest?

9. Ask for referrals. Many solo-practitioners hesitate to ask for referrals. We tend to assume that if our clients like what we do for them they will spread the word. Not always so.  If you recruit the assistance of your happy clients your practice will grow. Supply them with materials to forward or hand to their friends and family. Make it easy for people to spread the word about you.

10. Be consistent in your message. It may take time for your marketing efforts to have an impact and prompt a significant response. People sometimes say “I’ve been following you for years….” and we wonder what took them so long to act. We all have different “buy” triggers and have to be in the right place emotionally and financially before we buy. Market frequently and be consistent in your key message.

What’s worked for you? What hasn’t worked? How consistent are you in your marketing? What frustrates you the most? What do you enjoy the most about marketing? Share your insights and experiences with us here!

--End--

The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it. – Debbi Fields

~Delesa J 

We Made Front Page!

Check out Delesa J and Delesa J Writing Services on the front page of The Rialto Record Weekly!!!
So thankful and humbled right now. Get use to seeing our name in the media, cause we just got our second wind! Turning up the heat.

Check out the article here: http://rialtorecord.com/current-edition/

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that you'll do things differently."-Warren Buffett

~Delesa J

50/50 Drawing

Time to have a little fun. Starting May 1, Delesa J Writing Services will start the 50/50 ticket drawing. Tickets are 1 for $1, 3 for $2, and 7 for $5. How do you play? Simple. Purchase a ticket, one half of the ticket requires your information and to be returned to DJWS and the other half of the ticket stub is yours. On May 15, check the Blog, Twitter, and/or Facebook to see if your number is chosen. The winner will receive 50 percent of the amount collected from ticket sales.

Rules and Regulations: 

*The winner will have one day to claim the prize. If no one comes forth, another number will be drawn. 

*The winner will also be notified by either email or phone call (or both)

*You must have your ticket stub present to claim prize

Learn How to Do it Yourself: Resume Workshop

Have you ever wanted to learn how to write an eye catching resume? Well you don't want to miss this workshop! Now is a great time to learn, with the economy steadily dwindling a hot resume is a must to survive. 
Please join Delesa J Writing Services for our dynamic business workshops. Be sure to sign up for early registration from now till April 29!

This is an event you don't want to miss!