Do you ever have days when you feel like you just won’t make it? I can remember waking up some mornings, thinking – wondering – pondering – WHEN will IT ever happen? Success, that is.

As a woman in business, do you ever feel overwhelmed, with the sense you’ve got to do it all yourself? Well, then you are just one of many. Seriously. You are not alone.

The thing is that you have got to start doing things differently to achieve different results. I want to share a few basic tips on how to grow your business so you, too, can be a wealthy woman leader. Here are some of my favorites – looking back.

1. GET PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO – AND TELL YOUR FACE!

I have met so many women entrepreneurs who have been so caught up in the details of ‘trying’ to make their business succeed, that they have lost sight of the ‘why’. They have lost their passion and their energy and are dragging their tired, sorry butts around town doing what they’ve always done – anticipating a different outcome. News flash! That’s not going to work. Get back to basics – take some time to reflect – WHY are you in business? Get back to the passion of what you are doing – and look forward with excitement knowing that the world is waiting for you and what you have to offer.

2. GET INVOLVED IN SOCIAL MEDIA

Listen – I can remember, just a few years ago, when my younger sister got me involved in Facebook and I was thinking to myself: “Why in the world do I need just one more thing that sucks my time and energy in a day?” It wasn’t that long ago – really! Things have changed, ladies. Social media is a critical tool in your marketing strategy. You need to have a presence. It’s important to make connections, to be connected, to develop long-term relationships, to market, to learn about what’s going on and so many more reasons. YOU don’t need to learn the nitty-gritty of how all of this works – but you do need to have an understanding of the power of social media. Get a VA who specializes in this area to help you. I did!

3. ASK FORMER CLIENTS FOR TESTIMONIALS AND USE THEM IN YOUR MARKETING.

This is such an under-utilized ‘tool’ in your marketing kit. As woman, don’t we always love to share and to spread the word when we catch on to something fabulous? Well, your clients are no different – you just haven’t asked them yet. Get those testimonials and use them in your e-zines, your website, your warm letters, your presentations and so much more.

4. HAVE A BUSINESS LINE ON YOUR PHONE AND A PROPER MESSAGE

Does your current voicemail message say something like: “Hi, this is the home and the business for Sally. The family and I cannot come to the phone right now but please leave a message and one of us will get back to you.” NOOOOOOOOO! Have a separate business line and ensure your voicemail message ‘works’ for you. It should say something like: “Hi, you’ve reached the confidential voicemail for Pat Mussieux, Founder of Wealthy Women Leaders.com – please visit my website to get your FREE CD: “The 7 Steps to Growing Your Business By Getting Out of Your Own Way” – we work with women entrepreneurs to help them grow their business and make money. Please leave a message and I’ll be right back to you – thanks!” Time it – that’s no longer than a one-minute message – but a powerful one!

5. ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS.

Many of you are still really running a hobby, rather than a business. You are accepting payment by cash or cheque. Well, that’s ok – however, it does not always make it easy for the client to pay. And that’s what you want – easy payment. Ensure your website is set up with a merchant account and be sure to make it easy for clients to pay by credit card. That is just one more thing out of your (administrative) way – so you can go and grow your business and get more clients.

6. WRITE PERSONAL NOTES TO PEOPLE

This is such a lost art! Make the time to write at least 5 personal notes to people each week – just to let them know what you are up to – and ask for referrals. Be sure to include 2 business cards in with your notes – one for that person to keep, and one for them to give away. Never assume that people know what you do and know what you are up to – they don’t. They have their own busy lives. Let people know how they can help you grow your business.

7. WORK WITH A COACH

Growing a business takes time, money, energy and resources. No one has all the answers. It can be lonely – challenging – frightening – overwhelming – confusing – and so much more. Work with a business coach who has paved the way. Choose someone with whom you have rapport because you not only want to work hard, achieve success and make money – but you want to have fun along the journey.

Women entrepreneurs are one of the largest growing demographic. We have so many things going for us – and it is my mission to help women achieve financial freedom. When you make money and your business makes a profit, your life changes. That positions you to make a huge difference in your world – perhaps in your family, your neighborhood, or beyond. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have the power. Where are you getting in your own way?