View your marketing as one of your services

This reframe is something that I am thinking about a lot these days and I hope you might take this with you as you continuously put ourselves out there to get visible with your marketing.

Obviously marketing can feel like a burden to many. Those who are service providers, creatives, people who are more heart centered, many of whom just want to do their services and create. We just want to get on with it, right?

However, to create a sustainable, long-term business , we need consistent marketing otherwise new people won't know that we exist and people who have found us won’t understand what we do. We have to keep sharing our message, sharing what we're doing so that the people who really connect with our work get the opportunity to learn about us and see our integrity . And the more people that we can reach, we can find more people. Not everyone is gonna connect with us or our voice or need necessarily what we're offering in the moment.

I'm not talking about finding just like more, more, more. Not this capitalistic approach without regard for humanity and service, right?

Like this is more about multiple truths- the more people you meet, the more likely you will link up with your ideal clients AND you don’t need tons of people or to convince people to have a successful business .

Again, putting yourself out there so you can meet whatever it may be, a hundred of your right people, 500, a thousand, 5,000 right? This is more than enough most of the time within wise mind goals , for a solo practitioner, small group practice or even a larger business.

So the whole thing is we just need to keep doing this. The number of clients you have is directly related to the efforts you have put in. The other piece is that not only we're reaching people, but it's really, we're reaching people over time. So as we're putting our marketing out, you know, different content like articles or workshops or videos, podcasts, we're creating this bank of information that exists, right? It exists to be seen over time, over and over.

Most future clients you have still yet to meet and will be seeing your content at a time different from now, right? The pressure to instantly have a high success rate to fill your session and practice, comes with real fears like the discomfort of being vulnerable and putting yourself out there, finances, imposter syndrome, need to build skills and others.

Ofcourse, you know where I may be going with this. Corporate media and marketing, technology and social media give this illusion and have systemically taught that customers need to act on instant gratification marketing and prey on the ability to manipulate said customers in any way possible in order to get to the goal, profit.

Higher numbers, more and more people, going viral, nonstop selling of your offers, using aspirational marketing, always tying selling with emotional and personal stories….you know I had fallen into using some of these myself, tho not consistently as it never felt authentic to me and I would find myself never following through with business advice that I learned felt unethical and was not in line with my values.

The dopamine hits and the instant gratification and the intermittent reinforcement that you have grown up with if you live in America for sure (and many other countries as well) all these things lead to feeling more addictive to the dopamine or the excitement or then the fear, right?

The fear of rejection or not getting enough attention, the comparisons, the FOMO, all these things like lend to a nervous system that is, you know, geared towards short-term gratification.

The brain is thinking, oh, we can get what we need exactly from this moment. And the reality is that some of our needs have to be met today, like eating and sleeping and taking care of ourselves in the day, but other ones are built up over time.

And it's the accumulation and compounding of that.

This is something that was always so hard for to do in my business having such a fear of abandonment and rejection from an early age that really could play out for me online.

And it's taken me a lot of time to understand the evolution of marketing and content and that it's not about getting the response at the moment. It's about building your body of work so that it's there and that you have a lot of resources.

And this is a service, right? Even if you're producing a product, like you might think, oh, I'm an artist, I'm producing a product of art.

But to me, and you might think this too that art and art making is a service.

And then the sharing of your art, the sharing of your content is a service as well.

And then there’s your customer service, right?

Every business owner is really in the business of service because you have customer service, right?

And we forget this, and if we could start to think of our marketing as one branch of our service.

You want to have what your service is that you are getting paid for. And then marketing is essentially your free service that you’re giving away. And some people are just gonna get what they need from the free service and then other people are going to want to move further.

And we don't have to force or control that or need to. Because there is enough people. And if you are skilled and ethical at what you do you will connect with loyal people and build real relationships that work for everyone.

You just keep showing up and providing the best content you can come up with today.

And as I've mentioned recently, it is that you’re practicing showing up imperfectly and keeping it simple. You don’t need all of the expensive things.

I always have the habit, like I remember I did this ASMR video with one of my paintings bought these mics, thinking one video with a popular arms artist was going to bring in tons of people. Turns out the artist didn’t even link me in the episode description, which I think was short-sighted. Of course I wanted to do it right, this person had exceptional quality, but it was a $100 I spent and I have never used those mics again.

Now maybe they'll come out again, but I guess what I'm trying to say is sometimes you buy things and it just doesn't work out. But sometimes you’re buying things because you’re trying to make it seem more professional than it needs to be.

Now, if you love this stuff and you want to learn and have the funds, than great. This is really a message for people who are feeling overwhelmed by marketing, putting yourselves out there and are just stalling because doing it perfectly just feels more important (I get it.) .

And I'm just talking about how, you know, you can keep it simple. I'm coming on podcasts and often recording a voice memo or I'm recording myself on a video and I might be pulling this audio from the video so that people can listen. This article started as an audio and I have since edited it so there is new material in here and some of the same. Some of my audios have background noise. All of this stuff I would've not posted years ago.

But what I'm finding is people are still finding value, and that is what's important. And there'll be some people who probably bothered by the noises and stuff. I get it. You know, I have a lot of sensory stuff, but the message will ring true to, to those people.

And the idea is, you know, can we provide the service of marketing and not be so attached to the outcome, the client or the money?

I think it’s really hard when you are depending on the money and when it starts to put pressure on you business building. This is where I think having another job or having some way to feel supported will help you share and sell your services freely without needing that outcome immediately.

It doesn't mean you don't have that general outcome. Obviously we all have to make money, we're thinking about this, but it's, you know, in the moment, right?

Being able to come from that place of purpose and, you know, serving others and being that service provider, providing that customer service, providing that experience, and then those people who really feel connected or want more or need more or can at some point or later want that accountability, then it's just going to naturally move in that direction.

You don't have to force people, you don't have to use fomo, you don't have to use over excitement, These are all things you and I naturally pick up because it is ingrained into us. I would rather people make a decision about working with me from a wise mind place.

Like, if you feel like you connect with me or the work and you know, then cool. Great. You know what I'm saying? So these are my thoughts for today. I hope that you found this helpful. And I hope this helps you create a piece of marketing or content for yourself today. Your creation, your art, whatever it is, however long it is, if takes you a minute or if it takes you an hour or five hours, it's all good and it's okay. Your people want to see it.

Please leave your comments or questions below. I'll talk to you all soon. This is Jen Mele, LCSW, RYT. Have a great day.

Is your business designed for growth?

When you create a business plan with your inner guidance, it will lift you up.

It's an intention that propels you towards the highest possible outcome.

It's a foundation that helps you focus on your heart centered goals and desires, knowing what's a priority and what's a distraction.

A business plan is not an attempt to control outcomes that cannot be controlled.

It is an intentional action oriented plan of what you decide is in your control for the next several months.

It’s flexible, experimental and organic.

It’s intuitive and alive.

Most importantly it must emphasize YOU, YOUR needs & WHAT LEVEL you are currently are at in your business.

In my jam-packed article The Ultimate Business Plan Guide I'm sharing every important facet with you for building a new business (or pivoting your own). I want you to really step out and turn your business vision into a successful reality this time.

Each of the components are important because I think you deserve to know why you are doing what you are doing and how it will benefit you, strategically and spiritually.

I know there is a lot of transition, change and uncertainty right now as well.

So even if you don't know where to begin, have several business ideas floating in your head or you are pivoting, you can always play around with the guide as an exercise in clarity.

Allow your brain and heart to play out your goals. It's good for the soul & creates the space for your inner wisdom to direct you to your next steps toward success.

Of course, if you are ready to start your business or pivot your business' marketing plan/direction, using this business plan will give you the jumpstart you've been waiting for.

Find a copy of the business plan template here which you can use with the guide.

Take it one day at a time and give yourself permission to take a step towards your dreams today :)

xo,

Jen

P.S. Supporting the creative, empathic, intelligent, solopreneur is my passion! I've said it before but you are all some of the best people I know. Comment below and let me know how I can help!Are

Real & Raw: My Biz Journey

I think hearing the real and raw stories instead of the peaches and cream persona that some coaches portray is really important to feeling confident in building your business.

The thing about online or other media is that you can see a snapshot of someone through a post or picture and your mind can run away with the fantasy of it all.

Which does a disservice because the last thing you need is to go down a fantastical rabbit hole.

Great for the movies, not so great in real life because you know where that rabbit hole goes.

Right back to where you started. Womp Womp.

Right back to working for someone else or having to fit your life into a box that you didn't create.

Right back to feeling uninspired or downright miserable because you know deep inside you’ve got major gifts to share and a huge impact to make.

You want real results, clients and a life that aligns with your heart and soul.

Plus, you want something sustainable right?

I know I do!

I want a business that I can give to that also keeps giving back: to me, to itself, to others . . . for years to come.

Nothing with longterm success is ever built on instant gratification and empty promises.

We need each other to keep it real, stay authentic and committed to stay the course.

This is what a heart centered entrepreneur with a spiritual business is all about.

Which means I have to come clean too.

Which is something I never wanted to do.

Hiding protectively behind my expert status felt safer in the past.

i.e. my caretaker and perfectionist parts were still running the show.

It means talking about the things that didn't work out and the real struggles that I've been though in .

It's easier to talk about the things that came easy.

So let me begin with somewhere in the middle . . . .

I started my business back in 2012.

I was working for a mental health agency at the time, feeling stuck because I was burnout. I wasn't able to make my own hours. I couldn't say no if I felt like I had too many clients.

I had no control over the income I was making.

I began to claim my power right then and there.

I started to express my needs. I started to believe that the universe didn't want me to be on this planet and unhappy.

For a time, my environment changed as I did.

I got promotions.

My caseload went down.

I became a director and was doing professional development and wellness trainings for staff.

I was marketing and teaching at schools affiliated with our agency and was getting a tremendous response at my speaking abilities.

However, I still felt stuck.

I wasn't able to make the choices that I wanted.

While I had more flexibility than before I was still on someone else's clock and schedule.

Most importantly, I started to see a lot of experiences from higher management that were completely misaligned with my values.

There was a huge disconnect of integrity, compassion and honesty which were and still are major pillars for me.

Despite a ton of red flags, I kept doing the same thing each day, too comfortable in my reality to find out how to take the next step.

The universe had other plans for me though.

Six months after I got promoted to a director position out of nowhere it was eliminated.

I was shocked and angry how it happened.

At the same time I felt an inner voice telling me this was exactly what I needed.

I knew the Universe had come in to give me a big ol' kick in the bootie.

It knew I wasn't going to make my move on my own so it said:

"Let's go Jen! We've got things to do! It's time to start that business of yours you've been wanting."

Accepting a demotion didn't feel good.

My illusion of a "secure" paycheck was shattered as I became acutely aware that regardless of how much effort I put into the job it wasn't up to me whether I could stay or go.

I checked in with my intuition again which lives in my body.

Despite everyone around me trying to talk me out of it, I knew this was my opportunity and sign.

I dived in to developing my website, creating offers and putting myself out there. I wanted to help clients, teach large groups of women how to heal through workshops, retreats and courses and also be location independent.

Here's the kicker. My private therapy practice filled!!

Within 4-5 months, I was able to support myself with a self-made income working only 15 hours a week.

So what did I do next?

How to Set Yourself Up for Longterm Success in Business

How to Set Yourself Up for Longterm Success in Business

Just like anything in life, building a business takes work of course.

And just like anything, learning and understanding how things work requires patience, experience, trials & tribulations and actual situations to apply each skill in.

However, most likely your introduction and trainings about business creation & development have been one sided.

Or nonexistent.

In my business' first iteration, I wanted a private practice but I chose, without a thought, a graduate program in social work (like most counseling and social work graduate programs) that did not teach a single class about business or marketing or opening up a private practice.

This is all too common in the helping professional field.

Despite having no guidance in the business arena, I knew deep in my heart that solopreneurship was an empowering opportunity for me.

And I believe it even more today.

It creates space for so much choice and power.

This freedom of choice and this newly discovered empowerment can be exciting.

That excitement can get intoxicating too.

So here is a tip to prevent getting hopped up on adrenaline and fantasy.

Oh and then crashing and burning.

Allow yourself to take it in one bit and piece at a time.

It's a layer by layer process. Especially for you deep soul.

This is what people don't usually talk about. It's more fun to talk about being an overnight success and going viral and exceptions to the rule.

Because it's surface.

It's instant gratification.

It requires less of YOU.

But what you need to hear is how to bring more of YOU into this whole game:

how to commit

how to sustain

how to be consistent

how to execute

how to show up

how to rise up

How to intend and execute, i.e. make your purpose tangible for other people to relate to....with your voice, heart and soul at the center of it all!

You aren't going to figure all of that out overnight.

You aren't going to build a sustainable business from a few viral videos or a couple sold out workshops.

Instead, I suggest taking the slow and steady approach.

I call it "the slow and steady wins the race" approach.

Quite frankly, this approach works for everything but basically no one talks about this anywhere in the world.

Ok, most don't ;)

I urge you to keep working on each piece. To keep hanging in there. To keep asking for help.

Eventually, all of it comes together like one big symphony.

Never give up for you are far too valuable. This world needs you helping the clients who need you.

Now make like a turtle and stroll my friends!

Talk soon, xo,

Jen

trouble with overwhelm and progress in your business?

(From November Newsletter)

You know what rocks?

How well this emoji 🤯 describes the overwhelm feeling.

You know what doesn't rock?

Feeling overwhelmed when you've got a business idea to kickoff and that self made solopreneur income feels more like a fantastical unicorn just rainbow pooped on your dreams.

Of course your head is spinning from all of the freebies, strategies and advice available to you as you go on google and social media.

Or you hear comments from others about what you really need to be doing or what worked for them or what they think your next step needs to be, even when said persons never had their own service based business before!

And rainbow poop..it looks cool! I love rainbows!

☝🏼The constant input, voices, distractions, comparisons.

Which has you randomly throwing your energy, time or money toward tasks and tips you think you "should" be doing to grow your business.

But have you really asked yourself if things are working?

And do you wonder why it has to be such a guessing game?

The days turn into weeks and months but none of the following seem to be happening: booked schedules of soulmate clients, filled retreats, courses on evergreen, a growing audience of adoring fans.

I remember how I felt the exact moment I realized I wasn't really building a business.

It was a punch in the gut.

At the same time I was grateful for the wake up call.

What was actually happening?

I was searching for the final happy meal toy to complete the collection and the longer I searched the more I had no clue what I was looking for.

Experts were sharing pieces of the puzzle but without the "key" I didn't know which pieces I was looking for or how to assemble them when I got them.

What I’ve discovered over was inevitably clear:

You deserve the whole picture about business growth up front.

When you take a course, you get to see the syllabus.

When you open up a book, there is a table of contents.

I think it's only fair to let heart centered entrepreneurs see the whole truth first.

You are far too valuable to waste your time. We need you helping the clients who need you right now.

Jen

Nothing is more powerful than a business created first from SOUL

I'm so honored that you have stepped into my world and I wanted to use this opportunity to re-introduce myself in case it's been awhile since we've met, connected or have worked together!

I'm Jen Mele Corvino, business mentor & strategist, creative & coach.

I love helping inspirational women build their dream, service-based businesses, attract soulmate clients that are a forever fans, and create a self made income & lifestyle that is an extension of their greatest gifts.

And you, my lady, are one of these woman.

If you've entered my world I know you are the real deal too: smart, genuine, conscious.

You're a natural born leader. You are meant to support others to rise up too. Your gifts are acts of service of all kinds.

However, when you are downplaying your gifts:

Denying your power

Ignoring your magic

Stifling your voice

The world is dimmer.

This I know for certain.

As a creative, you have a lot of inspirational ideas.

As an intellectual, you love curiosity and answering why.

As a leader, you desire an open heart and a business that is an extension of you and your deepest desires and needs.

Flexibility and foundation. Surrender and structure. Right brain and left brain

This is what ladies like us need.

The whole balance. The whole picture.

Which is why I love teaching the practical stuff and making it fun and I also love vibing on spiritual stuff and making it flow.

I teach how to infuse this energy into your business and lifestyle and make it an extension of you. And I teach the strategy to give your creative, intuitive, intellectual energy a foundation to contain it all.

Thru my work you will hear me talk about business and spirituality, healing and strategy, empowerment, all intertwined.

I don't believe that there is a separation.

I think there are a ton of entrepreneurs out there, maybe you are one of them, that is holding back because you think you aren't cut out for working for yourself or you have misconceptions about what business actually means for a heart centered person.

Or maybe you are someone who has been conditioned by society for centuries to cower and submit.

Well that time is over my friend!

I'm here to keep sharing with you what's in my heart and that is about the immense power I believe business has to change the world.

Conscious Business Ownership puts the power back into YOUR hands.

Now more than ever we need healthy power in the hands of the healing, creative, conscious community of souls who are a beacon of hope for this world.

There is nothing more powerful than a business that is created FIRST from a soul with a mission and I'm here to show you how you can do just that.

So you will be receiving emails from me about business strategy and concrete, legit, tried and true business building practices that will take you to successful, profitable solopreneur.

And there will be the soul work that comes with the business building.

The looking at these practices from a heart-centered way. And then there's the soul expression riffs which I think the best word to describe them is satsang but I don't always call it that. Satsang is when my true self is just expressing and speaking to your true self and heart.

And all these pieces will integrate together over time.

So one tip for this material if a lot of it is intriguing but super new, just allow yourself to take it in one bit and piece at a time.

Just like building a business, learning and understanding processes of how things work requires patience, experience, trials & tribulations and actual situations to apply each skill in.

This is what people don't usually talk about. It's more fun to talk about being an overnight success and going viral and exceptions to the rule.

But what you need to hear is how to commit, how to sustain, how to be consistent and how to execute, how to show up and rise up and how to implement it all and make it tangible for other people to relate to....with your voice, heart and soul at the center of it all!

You aren't going to figure all of that out overnight and you aren't going to build a sustainable business from a few viral videos.

Instead, I take the slow and steady approach and I offer it to you. I urge you to keep working on each piece. To keep hanging in there. To keep asking for help.

Eventually, all of it comes together like one big symphony.

One more thing, I love getting to know you.

Reply and let me know what you love, what you do, where you live, your fave ice cream . . . anything!

I'll go first . . . I'm Jen.

Trained as a mind body psychotherapist for almost 15 years now, I am a passionate Inspirational Speaker, Business Coach + Conscious Business Strategist for women and leaders ready to release self doubt, get visible with confidence and have a lifestyle and business that is inspired by their most authentic Self.

I also love reggae, sunshine, have a passion for creating and live with my westie bestie and my new husband (we just got married this July!)

_________

Your turn, comment + introduce your self!

Talk soon, xo,

Jen

P.S. I think it's only fair to let heart centered entrepreneurs see the whole truth about business first.

You are far too valuable to waste your time. We need you helping the clients who need you right now.

So in good old Jenergy fashion, I've compiled a super effective, simple to use template to let go of unnecessary overwhelm and learn the 7 stage framework to making a self made income as a solopreneur.

The template helps you identify the stage of business growth you are actually in (vs. the fantasy of where you think you are/want to be) which will reduce busy work and distractions by 90%.

**If you haven't started your business yet, using this framework will be of the utmost importance for you!

• You will reduce confusion that arises from viewing other people’s material and offers online- so you can stay grounded in you!

• You will save energy because even if you work on your business "out of order" like us creatives often do (it's not linear, am I right?) you can pinpoint the stage you are working on and know how to fits into the bigger picture to reach your goal of making money-being your own-boss doing what you love!!
  
  

• You will stop wasting time and money because you won't needlessly expand your business before it’s ready. (No, you don't need facebook ads right now to grow your business)
  
  

• You will break free from comparison traps keeping you distracted from making progress (social media doesn't even have to be a part of your plan right now if you don't want it to be.)
  
  

Ready to make money as a service based solopreneur?

Effectively identify your current business phase so you can eliminate distractions, consistently attract soulmate clients and build an income just by being you.

Get started here! 7 stage framework to making a self made income as a solopreneur.

Once you identify the business stage you are in, comment herel and let me know. I absolutely LOVE hearing about your progress.