How to Expand Your Business Model and Blast Off the Ground
Social media is here to stay. In 2009, a US Department of Education study revealed that on average, online students out performed those receiving face-to-face instruction (www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8 ) So, what better way to sell an e-book than through social media?
With the above statistic in mind, I created a show on Ustream TV to compliment my e-book, How to Expand Your Business Model and Blast Off the Ground. I am a business model analyst, coach, author and host of Biz Court: Is it a Business or a Hobby, where I discuss the business models of start-up companies to determine if it’s a business with “legs” or is just a well-developed hobby. My ebook, How to Expand your Business Model & Blast Off the Ground is for entrepreneurs looking to jump-start their business with a proven successful business model. I detail six business models that are easily adaptable to start-ups, and existing businesses ready to expand their cash flow potential.
The strongest model I exemplify in my book is the collaborative business model, where a product and a service work together. Therefore, I created my Ustream TV show as the service aspect to her product, the book. I am definitely taking my own advice when it comes to promoting it.
Another facet of the collaborative business model that I employ is cross promotion. Each business that I promote on my show is required to cross promote the show to their audience. One such business had the following to say about the advice I gave on the show:
Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions. I just watched your answer and took notes. I was really affected by the comment, “If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backwards.” So true. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but so true. Also, I like your idea of just selling the metal pieces in a kit. I will put some thought into that. Coincidentally, a retail distributor called me today. She saw my bracelets and wants to get them off the ground in retail. Of course I was a little hesitant, but what the heck, who wants to move backwards!! :)
Again, thank you for your time and insight.
Jan Thomas
Loved Unconditionally - Bracelets to embrace.
How to Expand your Business Model & Blast Off the Ground ($1.99) is now available for immediate EPUB download. 
Memory Collage
Now that the days are shorter and colder, the life we had in the summer has changed significantly. It is a time when longing and depression attempt to fill the void of bike rides and blue pools. For an art therapist, it’s a great time to initiate a memory collage.
A child I work with misses the turtles from the pond he visited daily over the summer. This is a subject matter we’ve been using frequently because it allows him to spend time thinking about his turtles in a pro-active way, and through art he is able to show care and attention. This brings back the sense of purpose he felt.
I’ve always thought clothing magazines (Land’s End, LL Bean, etc.) were a great source for collage work, and his piece validates this. Clothing has blocks of textured color and gradation that helps define a 3-D shape. For his turtle he found the perfect green, puffy vest to use as the turtle shell. Visually the vest depicts the segmentation of a turtle shell. But from a tactile perspective, we all know a quilted vest is the opposite of a hard shell. Could it be that he takes comfort in stroking the shell as if it were something to be cuddled? Or is it more of a metaphor? The shell is a turtles protection from the elements as is a warm, down vest for a human.
He was so proud of his collage. The process and result were satisfying and comforting.
Here is a new, art therapy book on the market that shares tactical methods for coping with depression through art therapy. The author doesn’t hold back her transparency and truly shows she wants to help. This book is honest and not shrouded in technical terms and aloofness. You will read purposeful quotes from famous artists all the way from Oliver Wendell Holmes to Dave Chappelle.
Also, this book is not just about sculpture. It gives props to poetry, photography, watercolor and drawing, too.
If your kids love to pick paint chips off the shed, they’ll love peeling their own hard boiled eggs!
Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
It seems that every time my sons sit down to their homework or need to get in the car, they want a snack. They need something substantial, but not loaded with fat and salt like Hot Pockets. So my solution was to put scrambled eggs in a waffle cone and sprinkle them with Cheez-Its.
My kids loved the scrambled egg snack so much that I took the idea from breakfast to lunch and dessert.
Breakfast = scrambled eggs in waffle cone sprinkled with Cheez-Its
Lunch = egg salad in waffle cone sprinkled with Cheez-Its
Dessert = meringue in waffle cone sprinkled with cinnamon and mini chocolate chips
To make the meringue:
Supplies
Double boiler
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 warm water
Mix water, sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. In a double boiler, beat only egg whites with an electric mixer. The heat from the boiling water will cook the egg whites, but maintain the consistency of meringue. Gradually stir in water, sugar and cornstarch mixture.
Scoop into waffle cones, sprinkle with your choice of topping.
My boys loved this dessert without realizing it was healthy and light. I’d substitute this for ice cream any day!
Okay, I have to say, when I was photographing my son at the bus stop eating the scrambled egg version, he said, “Mom I don’t want to stop eating. It’s so good!”
10 Headline Templates from the Pros
Headlines are the gatekeeper to getting abundant clicks and there is a fine line and a quick instant that triggers the decision for further investigation - or not.
Below are ten headline templates sure to get clicks - just fill in the blanks, Mad Libs style - you can even practice on a long car trip.
1. MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN (doing something - anything that takes a smig of skill)
2. NEW (product or service) WON’T BE (debunk some favorable expectation)
3. (Something) TRUMPS (Something else) AT (some event)
4. WHY (a respected group or individual {not specific, i.e. organic bison burgers}) DON’T GET (something crappy that happens to its average counterpart)
5. THINGS (an authority figure) WON’T TELL YOU
6. TRICK YOURSELF INTO (doing something seemingly difficult)
7. SURPRISING CANDIDATES FOR (something otherwise predictable)
8. WHEN TO (do something potentially risky)
9. (Something new, unexpected or uncontrollable) THREATENS (something local or relatable)
10. (#) WAYS TO MAKE YOU (Something desirable)
To add to this list, keep a log of action words used in high traffic headlines and use them to bolster your article headers.
3 Surprising Consumer Comforts
The obvious go-tos for consumer comforts are food and “toys.” We know who has that down to science! When I think of my own creature comforts I think of fleece blankets, whip cream and my iPod. But in this age of awareness, clever entrepreneurs are responding to consumer needs in a not-so-conventional way - they’re thinking longer term.
1. A Change of Space co-owners have coined the saying, “Decorating is Cheaper than Therapy!” So true. Just like Sheryl Crow said, “A change will do you good.” The platform of change seem to be a slam-dunk so why not present an adventure you can introduce to your customers environment.
2. Have you ever forgotten that you bought something until you find it at the bottom of our closet? I bet you wouldn’t forget it if there was an interesting story behind it. By offering an experience along with a purchase, your product will be talked-up and more likely have repeat customers. How can you make your customer’s purchasing experience memorable?
3. It’s nice to know you’re getting a deal without having to compare prices around town like a paranoid freak. To include cost comfort to customers, businesses commonly honor their competitor’s coupons or display competitive prices. Are there amicable ways that you can be assuring your customers that they’re getting a fair deal?
To learn more about business models, download a FREE copy of The Instant Business Model at www.cristinfrank.com. I assure you, free is the best price ; )
