September is here! Did you meet your goals in August? We blew past our goals and are excited about setting new challenges to meet this fall.

We have been extremely busy working with business owners on their marketing. It's so exciting to see business owners who are determined to take the next step to grow their business.

I've been reflecting on the last 20 years of being in business. You know what worked? Working really super hard. Never giving up. When others played, I worked. When others gave up, I kept going. When I didn't know what to do next, I researched, asked questions, and figured it out. That's what works. There are NO shortcuts to success. Just hard work.

We know you are working hard. We get to rub shoulders with AMAZING business owners every single day and I am so grateful. It is the biggest privilege of my life to be able to serve you and help you grow your company.

Now that fall is here, it's time to think about your next project. Do you need print materials to mirror your website and mail to your prospects? Is your website updated and responsive on all devices? Are you on page 1 of Google for your service area and for the services you offer?

The first step is simple. Just schedule a call with us. We'll listen to what's going on and give you a diagnosis of what your next step should be.

Here's what clients had to say this week after speaking with us:

"My call was great!  I feel like I'm on track now!  I know who to call and what actions to take.  It was super awesome that, although my website does need work, Jen understood that we were in a place of transition and I really needed to hear advice on the next steps to take before overhauling my SEO services. 
Thank you so much!  What a blessing!!!"

"Thanks for checking. Jen is always helpful and such a good listener. I was very encouraged."

Ready to jump into your next project? Need monthly SEO or website support? Let's talk.
https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/new-project-call.html

After all, the only way to meet your goals is to move forward. The only way to success is to work harder (and smarter). We're here to support you. You don't have to do this alone!

All over the nation, kids are getting ready to head back to school. Teachers are preparing, moms are getting organized, and kids are squeezing out the very last drops of summer (unless you are in the southern states that have already started!)

As I've been on the phone with all my consulting clients this last week, my question has been, "What are you doing for fall marketing?"

Now is the time to put yourself in the mindset of your prospective clients. What are they worried about? What do they need? What are they thinking about? Use those words and thoughts in your marketing!

We all have to step away from ourselves for a minute and really feel what our clients and prospective clients are feeling and thinking. This makes all the difference in your marketing. When you connect with your reader or listener, and show that you understand, they will listen and respond!

When you're planning your fall marketing, don't forget the basics, like email! Make sure your email lists are up-to-date and then send an email, inviting them to book an appointment with you or request more information. If funds are tight for you right now, email is free! Your words are what matters. Don't be salesy and pushy--show that you really care and that you understand your reader. THAT makes all the difference in the world!

P.S. Right now I'm in San Diego, soaking up the last of summer. But I'll admit--I'm ready for the routine of fall! Whether or not you hate fall, it's coming! Make sure you're ready!

July is almost over and you are either looking forward to school starting OR you are in full-blown denial and enjoying your summer to the fullest. Whichever camp you are in, the truth is, fall is around the corner. This is GOOD news! Fall brings a fresh start, new clients to your business, and a little more structure (and in my opinion, that's a GOOD thing)!

I know your website is a very personal extension of what you do, who you are, and what your company stands for. One of the hardest decisions you will ever make is to do a website makeover. And who do you trust? Your nephew, friend, or a guy on Upwork? Maybe you've been burned before with a site that took over a year to complete. Or by marketers that promised big returns that never happened.

Here's what makes Never Alone Business Services different:

1. We work very quickly. We have 15 websites in production right now and none will take longer than 1-2 months to complete. 
2. We build websites with marketing in mind. What good is your website if you aren't consistently getting new clients from it every single week? We aren't graphic designers-- we are business owners and marketers. That's why you'll see a return on your investment very, very quickly. We build websites that grow YOUR company.
3. We look at the big picture. When you build a new website with us, we'll look at your entire marketing plan. No one else does this.  You'll get a review of your social media presence, online rankings, and your ads online. This means more traffic to your site and more sales. (We will even help you with your phone script so the sale isn't getting lost at the most crucial point!)

We pride ourselves on getting results. We are NOT a marketing company that believes in brand awareness. (eye roll) Brand awareness does NOT pay the bills. Real clients and actual sales is what matters. 

This is what our clients are saying:
"Working with Never Alone Business Services was a breeze. I knew from the very first consolation call that Chris and Jen were people I could trust to do an excellent job on my project. They were clear, concise, organized, and energized. They built a site for me that was professional, yet affordable, and the site was up and live in just a couple of weeks.
I appreciated the communication with Sierra who updated me regarding the project status. I was very pleased that the site is easily customizable on the back end--even for a novice like myself. Most importantly, I appreciated working with people who share my vision and values. Overall, it was a perfect experience." Eric N

"Never Alone provides a vital service in the process of assisting others to develop a marketing plan for their businesses. They are easy to work with and responsive in a timely manner. I am very new to marketing and anything computer. Working with Never Alone will allow me the time to learn and develop these skills while at the time growing my business."
​Kathryn C

"Never Alone Business built me a fantastic website and I saw immediate results. Best money I ever spent!" Denise T

"Never Alone Business Services is simply the best choice you can make for your business! From web site design, to business marketing they are the best." George P

You can see more reviews here. 

Today I added some appointments so we can talk this week. With fall right around the corner, I really want to get your project started before the big fall rush. Let's do this. I can promise you a pain-free experience and over-the-top customer service. That's how we roll. We won't do business with less than 100% excellence and integrity.

Here's the link to talk about your website, SEO, or marketing plan:
https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/new-project-call.html 

Can't wait to talk!
​
Book a call HERE.

Just don't have time for advertising on Facebook??
Still haven't unlocked the secrets to get new clients from the MOST used media platform available in 2017??

I get it! You are super busy with a million things on your plate. I totally understand. 

I'm offering a NEW program where I will train YOUR desk staff or manager on how to use Facebook to get new clients! If you would like them to write and manage your ads, then *I* will teach them how to do it and review their work!

Many of you have told me: "Jen, I don't get Facebook and I don't want to learn it. But I know it's important. Can you help??"

So here's how I can help:
Your desk staff will be given a one-hour training specifically for them, where I explain the mindset of using Facebook to grow your business. (Let's face it--they may know how to use Facebook, but they might not know ANYTHING about writing ads or marketing. Don't worry. I'll reveal only what they need to know, as your manager or admin person. I'll teach them how to respond to questions and comments on your FB business page and how to get the clients to COME IN and SIGN UP! They should be managing your page, just like they manage your email!)

I'll teach them how to best support YOU, the owner of the company, so you actually get new clients from Facebook! (We need results, not their creative ideas about how Facebook should be used for business.)

Next, they will receive the 1 hour how-to Facebook training video that has been SO successful for so many local, service-based businesses! 

After your staff has completed the 2 hours of video training, which they can do on their own time and when it's convenient for both of you, they will get an opportunity to jump on a LIVE Q and A session on Zoom, where I will answer all their questions! I'll offer several sessions every month, so you they can choose the time that works best for them! If they can't make the live call, they can submit their questions and they will receive the recording!

It's win-win. YOUR business will benefit from Facebook advertising but YOU don't have to do it! And *I* (the Facebook expert) will monitor their work and make sure they are writing ads that will actually WORK and grow your business!

Who is this for?
If you have a service-based or appointment-based, local business, this Facebook training is for you. I have found that all the available Facebook training out there is for people who want to create or grow an online businesses or just a "presence" on Facebook. But what about the busiensses who are doing business off-line?? Who is training them to get more clients from Facebook?? I couldn't find it. So I created it.

Here's what to do next:
Simply email me (info@neveraloneservices.com) say "YES! Train my staff to use Facebook to grow my business!"
If you've already purchased my Facebook Marketing video, the additional training is only $197.
If you haven't purchased the video training yet, the total cost is $547 and you can purchase it here: https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/store/p15/Facebook_Training.html

$547 includes 3 hours of impactful training (I've taken hours and hours of training about Facebook and boiled it down into easy-to-watch training, specifically for businesses like YOURS), PLUS LIVE Q and A time, to answer your questions, and keep your staff on track with writing ads that actually convert! I'll look at YOUR ads and your copywriting and let you know how you can improve and convert more clicks into clients.

If Facebook is still frustrating you, let me train your staff! Let's do this. Together.

Don't have staff but YOU would like more training with Facebook? No problem. Just let me know and you can come to our live trainings!

I'm dedicated to help YOU grow your business. You don't have to be confused or frustrated and you don't have to do this all alone. That's what I'm here for. This is my mission and this is my passion--to help YOU.

Let's do this!

Jen Hickle
Business Coach
Less Stress. More Sanity.
Never Alone Business Services
https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com

P.S. Need to schedule a call to talk about SEO or your website? Here's the link. Can't wait to talk.
https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/new-project-call.html

Do you have a service-based, appointment-based, local company?
We started a new closed Facebook community for people just like you! We'll be sharing strategies, tips, and tools for marketing your business in an easier, more streamlined way. We really think marketing should be simple and NOT so expensive!

We have proven strategies that really work. Come hand out with us!

Every Tuesday, we'll go LIVE and answer your most pressing questions. You can join us live or watch the recording. Just ask your questions in the group and we are happy to help.

Go HERE to join the group!

I was thinking about cookies this week. Mmmmm. Fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. The ones where the chocolate is melted and they are so warm and soft and yummy that they practically fall apart in your hands.

Our businesses are like these delicious, amazing freshly baked cookies.  So what happens if we put our cookies on a plate and don't alert anyone that they are ready to be eaten?

If we eat a few cookies ourselves, maybe share one with our spouse, but then just let them sit? If no one knows the cookies are there to be eaten, they won't come running from upstairs, downstairs, or outside to say, "Thank you! These are amazing!"

Similarly, if we have guests in our house and we offer a plate of cookies while mumbling, "Here. I have cookies" the guests may reply politely, "Oh, no thank you. I don't need one today."

But if we enthusiastically say, "Please take a cookie! I made them fresh just for you! They are made with gluten-free ingredients" OR "This is my grandmother's recipe! It's to die for! You have to try one!" then we will get a completely different response, won't we?

If we compare marketing to cookies, we can learn a lot:

1. Be clear on what you are offering.
2. Tell the consumer WHY they should try your amazing cookies.
3. Tell the consumer HOW to get a cookie.

It's pretty awkward when you're at a friend's house and there are cookies on the counter. You're thinking: "Are those for now? Later? Will they offer me some? Should I go get one? No, that's not polite. . . I'll keep listening to what they are saying. . . I really hope they offer me a cookie!!"

You have to offer your business services to your prospects, community, town, city, etc, and tell them WHAT you have and HOW to get it! "Just call. Stop by. Text me. Fill out this form. Request more info."

All of us (myself included) do a pretty poor job of being clear on social media. Maybe our website messaging is clear, but on Facebook, we hold our cookies and mumble, "I have some cookies." We think if we stand there long enough, someone will ask, "Can I have one?" But we need to be VERY CLEAR and shout above all the noise, "Come get a cookie! Just take one! I made them for YOU!"

Being available isn't enough. Opening your doors or buying a sign isn't enough. Having a beautiful website isn't enough.

Look through your prospect's eyes. What would make them excited to reach out their hand and say, "Thank you! I'd love a cookie!"

How can you apply this to your business today?

Dear friend,
You are amazing. Do you know that? You’ve taken some pretty big risk because you had a vision for your life. You had a conviction that you could do this better or you could make a difference in the lives of others. That’s pretty stunning.

It can be absolutely amazing to be a risk-taker. And then it can also be devastating. When the crowd wants you safe, they tell you, “Get down from there! You could get hurt!” or loving family members chide you, “I think you’re working too much. I’m worried about you.” It’s tempting to get down from your high-wire where you so beautifully walk the tightrope of risk. You climb down the ladder to make everyone else breathe easier. But you weren’t created for the ground. You were created for tricks and flips and taking risk and flying above the crowd.

Do you know that feeling of being “in the flow?” Where your work feels almost effortless? It’s almost magical because everything you touch turns to gold.  That’s your sweet spot. That’s the moment when you KNOW you’re doing what you were created to do. Ride that flow as long as possible. Put in ear plugs and don’t listen to the well-meaning critics that long to keep you safe. Do your thing. Be who you are.

But after you’ve used up your risky juice, you’ll feel the need for safety and security (we all do). Take some time to hide under your covers and binge-watch Netflix. Stay away from the comparison-game on social media. Connect with a best friend or spouse. Curl up with a really fuzzy blanket. We all need self care and you are no different.

Humans all have a need for both variety and certainty, so you, my dear, are doing such good work in the world and probably have all kinds of variety around you! So don’t forget to lean into certainty once in a while. It will fill up your love tank in a different way.

If you’re hating your life, and feel like you’re stuck on the “ground,” take a risk. Climb that ladder. You were made to do more. You conquered great adversity to get where you are today, but it’s not enough. It’s time for the next level. Allow yourself to dream what that could look like. If no one got hurt, if money didn’t matter, if no one could judge you—what would you do? Go ahead. Close your eyes. Imagine.

God has put big dreams in your heart. HE gave you those visions. Frankly, it’s not your right to squash them. Who knows the people who could be impacted if you would step out in faith and have that hard conversation? Make that connection? Ask the hard questions? Dare to dream bigger?

I’m dreaming big right now, my friends. It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the exact same time. I imagine that I’m a gymnast on the balance beam. Focused. Zoning out the crowd. I’ve trained for this. I can do this. Turns and splits and flips and cartwheels on a four-inch beam. This is who I’m meant to be. Daring and focused and calculated. Doing what others cannot do. This is what I was made for.

Dream big. Then dream bigger. Allow your creative juices to flow. Who knows what you could accomplish?
​
You were made for this.

We started a new Facebook page for our business! Please give us the thumbs up and share with your business-owning friends!

If you know anyone who needs a money-generating website for their small business, we'd love to chat. We love working with business owners from all over the country (and secretly, the non-techy ones are my favorite!)

Like our page! We promise to share lots of humor and easy-to-use techy tools! =)
If you've worked with us, we would love if you wrote a FB Review! Thank you!

If you are going through a hard time, keep going. 
If your back's against the wall and you're not sure how you're going to get out of this mess, hold strong.
At any moment, things could change. An answer could appear. Help could be on its way right now.

Don't you dare give up hope. Not now. Not after everything you've been through.

This is just a test. Your character will be refined. You will come out stronger on the other side.

Oh, I know it doesn't feel like it. Not now. It sucks. It hurts. It seems unfair.

But you are strong. You are amazing. You can do this.

If you feel all alone, reach out to a friend or mentor. Don't stay locked in your room, wallowing in your sadness and frustration. Yes, Netflix is a great comfort, but isn't it time you reach out to someone who has proved their love and loyalty? Don't try to keep pushing forward all alone. Yes, I know you are strong! But life is hard and along this journey we need friends and relationship. We need that person who will hold up a mirror and say, "See? You're awesome. You're going to make it through this."

And I know you will. You always do. You may feel like quitting, but you won't. You won't quit because you've got too much grit and drive inside of you. This may be hard, but quitting is harder. You will keep going. You will pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going. And maybe no one will see what you went through. Maybe no one will understand what you had to do to get to the other side. They'll applaud your results and your success, but they will have no clue about all the failures. But that's okay. Because you'll know. You'll know what you pushed through to get to the other side. And you'll keep going. I know you will. And I will, too. We'll keep pressing on. Because that's what we do.

Chin up, friend.
​You'll make it. I know you will.