Dear Friends,

I've decided to take a big leap.

I was interviewing one of my dear friends Colleen Newlin, who is an NLP Therapist, for the new CD I'm working on about how to make $150,000-$500,000 a year as a consultant and coach--and live a happy life. I asked her how she would describe her business to potential clients. She said, "Each of us has some place in our lives where there is a gap between what we want and what we have. I bridge that gap." I had already been thinking about the "gaps" in my professional and personal life and how I want my to live, in this moment and in the future.

One thing that I had been mulling over was working with clients in a more intense and long-term way. I, too, like to bridge the gap between what people want and what they have. I just do it through publicity. I love developing an intimate relationship, seeing professional results fast, and then having those results bring about major shifts in other areas that then produce big changes in peoples lives--both in the way they think about themselves, their business and the world.

So starting in January I'm going to be choosing 4-6 clients to work with me on an annual retainer. I will begin interviewing people right away. While you don't need to have a year of goals mapped out, it's optimal to have some sense of what you'd like to accomplish--the possible and impossible. My criteria for selection is 3-fold. I must be able to:

1. Learn from you. (Most of my clients are more accomplished than I am in many areas. I look for those areas of mutual interest.)
2. Believe in you, your product, book, service or cause. (I need to care about what you're doing.)
3. Have lots of fun. (Life is too short not to live it up.)

You must be:

1. Focused and committed to doing whatever it takes to reach your goals and dreams--trust your gut.
2. Trustworthy. Do what promise. Say what you mean.
3. Be able to work quickly and intensely when necessary and be passionate and fun-loving.

If you're interested please go here. Monthly retainers start at $3000 per month for 1 year ($36,000).

I'm setting my schedule for next year in December. For those of you who think you would like to work with me for shorter amounts of time please let me know. I will work with you when I'm available and have open times in my schedule. I also have a team of talented people on the Harrow Communications roster that I've been developing this year whose work ethic and integrity are on a par with mine, so if I'm not available personally we can still serve your needs. And I oversee all projects.

I encourage you to ponder the gaps in your life and how you want to work and live. Winter is the time for reflection, consideration and gathering of your spirit.

Warmly,

Susan

P.S. Some people may be intimidated by me saying I must be able to learn from them. What I find is that people are innately fascinating and that ones that are complementary find me and we know right away if we're meant to work together. Also, I encourage you to always go after for what you want--no matter how unlikely or impossible.

Double or Triple Your Income as a Consultant or Coach

When I asked you to send in your questions about what you most wanted to know about consulting many of you asked, "How do I begin." And "How do I get clients." One way to begin is to speak at The Learning Annex or other Adult Learning Centers. These centers offer classes in everything from buying real estate to becoming a screenwriter and everything in-between. They can be a lucrative place to start a consulting practice--if you know how to work the system.

1. Know the marketplace.

In any industry you need to know what your competitors offer and where you fill the gaps between your products and services and theirs. Pick up a Learning Annex catalog in your area and see what's "hot". In San Francisco, for example, the flavor of the moment is real-estate and live porn. I doubt that porn plays in Minnesota.

2. Pitch your class.

Once you know the marketplace and your place in it you pitch an idea for a class that your catalog doesn't have. Do a search on the Internet. See how people language what they do. Search also for articles that pertain to your industry. Find a twist on an idea that's proven successful and send it on to the program director. One of my client's class was rejected at The Learning Annex, but once we changed the title and created bullet points in the format of the catalog it got accepted at all the Learning Annex's nationwide--the very next day. It was the same information, just packaged differently to suit the marketplace.

3. Teach your class.

Once you've secured your class make sure it's information that's fascinating and fresh. Create interactive activities and encourage participation as people learn best when they're actually doing or speaking. Use examples from your own experience, readings, insights, professional and family life. The specifics are what make your subject pop. For example, in the first Learning Annex Class I taught called, "Get on the Fast-Track to Fame" about how to ramp up your publicity campaign quickly, I discussed the 4 Ps--Plan, Prepare, Practice, and Promote which are the foundation of a good publicity plan. For each P I gave an example of how I helped clients develop and implement a marketing plan, then get media placements (get interviewed in print and broadcast) that resulted in a dramatic increase in their business--including doubling and tripling book and product sales.

4. Promote your products and services seamlessly.

Just like when I media coach people I recommend that you have success stories that pertain to your topic and help you make a point interwoven with your facts and information. Lots of times people don't really understand what it is you do--or that you're available for consulting or coaching. By giving examples of how you've helped your clients and customers people automatically "get it". At the end of the class if no one asks about your services say, "One of the questions people frequently ask is, how can they work with me one on one or with their team?" Then answer it so people know exactly how they can hire you and what their next steps are.

5. Secure testimonials.

Have participants fill out evaluations so you'll know what worked and what didn't. You'll quickly be able to improve your class and understand what matters most to your prospective clients. You'll also be able to see where you can assist them better through your consulting and coaching. You can also use those testimonials on your website and on the phone to get new clients. Happy customers and referrals are the best way to get business.

This information was adapted from Secrets to Skyrocketing Your Speaking & Writing Career and Speak at The Learning Annex® and Adult Learning Centers to Skyrocket Your Consulting, Coaching and Product Sales

Speak at The Learning Annex® and Adult Learning Centers to Skyrocket Your Consulting, Coaching and Product Sales

Do you:

• Hate to sell, but love to speak?
• Find yourself constantly trying to fill in your consulting or coaching schedule and wish you could spend more time with clients and less time trying to find them?
• Yearn to make your book a bestseller?
• Long for more high quality clients who can pay substantial consulting fees, or use your coaching expertise on a consistent basis?
• Wish that you could make more money selling your products in quantity or bundled?

My clients, rock star wives to reality TV stars and CEOs to soccer moms, have doubled or tripled their income by speaking at Adult Learning Centers. You can earn thousands of dollars selling your consulting, coaching, products, programs and books-even if your audience is small. Find out how!

Want Vitality for Your Job or Publicity Campaign?

I drink Xango and recommend it to all my clients with demanding schedules, high pressure business situations and media appearances so they can have the energy and health it takes to be and stay well. Xango Mangosteen, made from the mangosteen fruit from Southeast Asia which has been used for its healing properties for centuries, contains over 40 xanthones, potent antioxidants (5 times as many as vitamin C & E) with many health benefits ranging from immune system defense to positive mental support. It's helped me meet deadlines and fight fatigue from my 3 car accidents--and reduced the pain and inflammation in my leg from injuries from my past as a tennis pro and jock.

Write a Book Worthy of Oprah's Book Club

The #1 problem all writers face is creating a plot for their stories. During a plot phone consultation, my delightful client and colleague, Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple, develops a Plot Planner for your individual project. She really helped me with the fiction book I'm working on in my writer's group that meets once a week.

Writing is challenging enough. Martha's personalized Plot Planner keeps you on track and motivated. To find out more about the Plot Phone Consultations with Martha, or the books and CDs click here

Q&A to Get on Oprah Audio Download

The audio download of the teleclass "Q&A to Get on Oprah & Other TV Talk Shows" that I gave on November 10th is available to download and listen to now at no cost.

Go here now to hear it and learn about how to create a pitch to get on the show.

Know Your Industry

Free Trade Magazines is a simple way to receive free magazines for busy trade professionals. Subscriptions are available to professionals in the trade marketplace who reside in the United States. You can subscribe to magazines to obtain the industry news, trends, tips, techniques and information you need to get the job done. Using just one form you can subscribe to a selection of industry magazines.

Come Meet Me

Anywhere in the World
Q&A to Get on Oprah & Other TV Talk Shows Teleclass
1 hour
Download it at no charge

Anywhere in the World
Get a 6 Figure Book Advance Teleclass
Anywhere in the World
1 hour
Download it at no charge

Anywhere in the World
Become a 60 Second Sound Bite Genius
(For Pitching, Producer calls, Networking or Presentations)
1 hour
Download it at no charge

San Francisco California
Get a 6 Figure Book Advance
January 24, 2006
The Learning Annex
6:30-9:30pm pst
415.788.5500
$44.99 (Take $5.00 off this course for enrolling on the web!)

For further schedule information and course descriptions please visit us.

NOTE: Some new classes do not yet have descriptions. Your patience is appreciated.

Quote

Don't be afraid to take a big step. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.

~ David Lloyd George