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Creating Rapid Response To Your Opt-In For Your Email List

Sandi Krakowski — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:27:54 +0000

Creating Rapid Response To Your Opt-In

By: Sandi Krakowski

When building your website there is one component that should be in the upper right hand corner of your online real estate that you don't want to be without it. This one critical component increases credibility, helps build rapport and determines more than 50% of your long term results It is your Opt-In box.

Just putting up an Opt-In form and adding words like, "Sign up for our latest news!" isn't going to cut it. No one wakes up in the morning with a strong desire to sign up for anything, let alone another newsletter.

The only reason that someone would give you their private information, their email address, is if you in turn give them something of value at no cost.

The law of reciprocity says that when you give me something of value and it doesn't cost me anything I feel obligated to now give you something of value. Signing up for another newsletter is not really perceived as something valuable unless you are a household name. Signing up for a newsletter that Lady Gaga publishes might seem logical but if you haven't reached that level of notoriety yet, here are some tips and strategies to increase your Opt-In results.

1. Offer a 5 page report that exposes a problem. What problem exists in your business, in your industry, in the field you are in. For example, are you an accountant? Why do people tend to lose money with an accountant rather than save it? Are there things people should know about accountants that could save them money and time? Give a report that solves a problem or exposes one. This will build credibility and help to build rapport.

2. Give away a free video or a series of videos. Offer a training that others are charging money for. Make the recording process easy for yourself but of high value for your client.

3. Publishing a book? Give me a sneak peak at a chapter. Pull out a few chapters and paragraphs, add some graphics and 'tease' me with it.

4. Got a meal planning, cooking, kitchen related business? Give me an exclusive cookbook with recipes I'd never find anywhere else. Show me your speciality and give me reason to buy from you.

Sadly, far too many people assume that they just need an Opt In form to get people to join their list. That is not true. If it was, let me ask you this- WHY do so many people struggle to build a list?

The only way you'll get people to Opt-In to your 'form' is if they aren't even thinking about the Opt-In process, they want the free content, video, MP3, report, eBook or whatever it is you are giving them.

This is why you as the business owner must operate with the utmost of integrity and excellence. You will make or break your future with these clients by what they receive when you give these things away. It will determine if they'll buy something from you.

When you offer something for free please make it valuable. Please don't whip something up and just assume no one reads it anyways. Trust me, they read it. If they liked you, trusted you and you send them crap- they will never read another thing you offer. Period. You'll need plastic surgery and a name change. But be honest, give something of great value and they'll be loyal to you and trust you for a long time. WHAT a fun way to build a list!

Let's recap:

Your list Opt In form should be in the upper right hand corner preferably.

It should be ready for your prospect to fill out above the fold of the page. Don't make them scroll down.

Give away something of huge value. Be sincere, serve and they will be so glad you did. (you'll sleep better at night as well)

Your next step is your confirmation email and preferably an autoresponder series. This confirmation email should be short, bright and done. Confirm they are getting what you said you were giving them, give them the link to receive their valuable information and get out of there. Serve, be bright, brief and gone. Let them devour what you sent.

The autoresponder series should then build rapport. It should be 3-4 letters in length. Keep these brief and bright as well. Enjoy your customers and they will enjoy you.

Email #1 after the original confirmation should arrive the very next day. Invite them to meet you on Facebook. Don't invite them on both Twitter and Facebook, just one or the other. If you give too many options people won't do anything. Invite them to Facebook. Tell them that you want to see their faces, get to know them and build a community. Close with, "I'll see you there!" Be energetic and make your emails a pleasure to read. It will keep your Opt-Outs low.

Email #2 the next day after the Social Media invite. Ask them how it's going. Direct them to something on your website to assist in their learning. Point out something that others have found hugely valuable. Ask if you can help with anything. Be bright, be brief and be gone.

Email #3 two days after email #2 show up again but this time ask if they finished going through the report, the video or whatever it is you gave them. Point out one specific part that you know if they really did go through it they'll remember. Ask them to reply to that email or come onto your Facebook page and tell you what they thought. Give them a direction, keep the rapport going. But remember, be brief, be bright and be …. gone. That's right. Keep it short and pleasant.

Email #4 shows up two days later. This is the email that you give them another step. If the free product gave step by step information than what is your clients next step. Should they listen to another audio, read an article, sign up for a class? What is the most common route your clients take to success? Tell them. Keep it brief, make the email 1-2 paragraphs and let the sales page you direct them to do the rest. End of series.

No more harassing, no more selling, nadda. Let your eZine or Newsletter or Blog do the rest of the relationship building.

Be known as one who gives enormous value and you'll create so many evangelists for your products that you'll be looking to hire help.

This is one of the secrets that I'm going into with much more specific detail on my upcoming List Building class. I look forward to serving you there!

Sandi Krakowski spent 6 years in the Direct Sales industry building a $ 4 million dollar company that was run 100% online through eCommerce, building large sales forces in network marketing and home business industries. After earning $ 1.8 million dollars in a home based business market in 31 months, she went onto build a 7-figure marketing and copywriting firm in just 20 months. Currently she runs one of the fastest growing training venues teaching beginners to experts how to really use the internet to it's fullest capacity.

Sandi Krakowski’s Story On Tony Robbin’s New Breakthrough Website

Sandi Krakowski — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:22:06 +0000

Sandi Krakowski's Story On Tony Robbin's Breakthrough Website

Did you see Tony Robbin's new TV Show, "Breakthrough"?

They asked that people submit their stories here

I submitted my story tonight around 5:00 pm ET and it's already #1!

I need your help. I can't do this by myself.

Here's the deal- I need YOUR HELP to impact millions of lives!!

This story about how God healed me of disease, helped us pay off debt & rescued me from suicidal depression is currently #1!

Will you help me?

I want to reach millions but I CAN'T DO IT without you!! Can you help me to encourage others, give them courage and fulfill this strong passion raging in my heart to see lives changed?

Vote here:

http://ow.ly/1qLqsI

Scroll down & find my picture and just vote!

Bless you- thank you- OMG!! I'm so excited & honored… but I can't do this without all of you!

Much love,

Sandi Krakowski

ps……

Vote here:

http://ow.ly/1qLqsI

For those who haven't ever heard before…. it's my honor to share- miracles do happen!

1) What was your life right before the challenge or crisis hit?
Massively in debt, 80 lbs overweight, diagnosed with multiple health problems & wanting to die. I had suffered horrific trauma as a child & the pain culminated with a gang rape at 19.

2. What was the crisis you faced? What happened, and when it did, what did you feel and experience? We were losing our home, my marriage was in shambles, the doctors didn't know if I'd survive & I was screaming at God riding down a road telling Him I would help Him end my life if he made me continue to suffer like this. My thoughts were ALL negative, defeat & death.

3. What pulled you through this difficult, unjust or impossible time? I was sick & confused and suffering the internet one night. Ended up on the website of DaniJohnson.com. She spoke life, faith, hope & had experienced some of the very same trauma that I had. Something in me broke, I cried for 8 hours straight. Wept out 18 years of pain and made a decision to live. Made a decision to forgive. Made a choice to allow God to love me and to love myself. It radically changed my life! I was diagnosed as disease free just 6 weeks later. My brain changed, my spirit came alive, my aching bones and bleeding stomach stopped! It was like someone else woke UP INSIDE OF MY BODY!

4. Once you turned the corner mentally or emotionally, what did you do to turn your life around? I got some one on one mentoring with Dani, made a commitment to myself to do whatever it took to LIVE & not die. Did counseling with a spiritual counselor as well. And this is when I made a huge turn around in my business life at the exact same time.

5. How is your life better today because you lived through the crisis? How have you transformed? How are you stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually? What gifts do you have to give because of this?
Today, just 6 years later I AM STILL DISEASE free, we are DEBT free, and I run a large 7-figure company teaching others how to use the internet to build a business. I use this platform to speak life and hope into the heart and mind of others. My mission has become to impact others with hope and happiness. My company has grown so much that we now have the honor and privilege of serving others who many times are just as broken as I was. I am stronger than ever spiritually- felt like I got a LABOTOMY from heaven!! I know that I was created for a purpose, love myself, my husband and my 3 amazing sons.

NEW LIFE? that is an understatement! :

Tony Robbins just said it all "Your story is not where you start it's where you take it to!" Where are YOU taking your life?! The human spirit is invincible! Designed to soar!! It needs others to reach the goal!

Who is helping you fly?!

Amity’s Sneaky Note

Sandi Krakowski — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:10:07 +0000

Editor's note: She did this! Behind my back! My goodness that girl is sneaky!! Did you see the sneaky note Amity posted to our list? Thought I'd get her BACK by posting this on our blog! heeheee :)

Now we're even!

Sandi Krakowski

==============================

This is the first time I've written to our entire list so I'm a tad nervous. But I had to get this email out right away to you.

Many of you know me as we've spoken by phone, through email and on Sandi's Facebook pages. I'm Amity Hook-Sopko the Marketing Manager and "Happiness" Engineer here at A Real Change.com.

You know, every now and then as you go through life, there are people who take you by surprise. They sometimes come out of nowhere. And yet the moment you meet them, you feel as though you've known them forever.

About 10 months ago I ran into another copywriter and marketer who caught me by surprise. Our first conversation on Twitter was like two old friends. And I was blown away by the sincerity and encouragement she showed me ! She was always happy, had a kind word for everyone, and had an unlimited view of what's possible. Where other marketers might talk about making millions in business… she had done it several times over!

The more I watched her; I knew I wanted to be a part of what she was creating. This person I'm talking about is none other than our own Sandi Krakowski.

As I watched her, communicated with her and even coached with her our relationship grew in both business and personally. I was so excited!

Then out of nowhere she offered me a position to be her Marketing Manager! You can only imagine my surprise. It goes without saying that I took the job, and still work in this capacity today. Because of this job I'm able to be with my boys, take vacations when we want and do allot of things that might not be possible. Most bosses aren't that flexible.

But this is why I've written to you today. Things have been heating up around here at A Real Change.com. Sandi has several private projects with EarlyToRise. She's been offered some national and international columns to be featured in online and offline. She's also had some JV partners that I almost wanted to ask for an autograph from!

From my front row seat, I've seen this challenge-driven business woman singlehandedly build a customer base of over 45,000 clients since I've been working with her. While at the same time she completed MaryEllen Tribby's intensive 90 day mentor program.

I thought Sandi was crazy when she put this page up- but then again, she's known for her out of the box crazy style! This could have easily been a live event where she could have capitalized on it in a huge way.

This woman is always thinking of you guys. She is beyond customer centric, she's customer driven! Look at what she has on our plate now:

http://www.arealchange.com/blog/list-building-teleclass

This won't be online for more than another week. Don't let this one get by.

Amity Hook-Sopko
Marketing Manager and "Happiness" Engineer
A Real Change Int'l, LLC

PS….. even if you think you already know what this is about, please take a peek anyways. I'd hate to be getting YOUR emails a few days from now because you didn't check this out.

http://www.arealchange.com/blog/list-building-teleclass

Who Should You Listen To When It Comes To Marketing, Branding & USP?

Sandi Krakowski — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:40:31 +0000

Who Should You Listen To When It Comes To Marketing, Branding & USP?

By: Sandi Krakowski

A heated discussion started this past week when I referred to an article published by Michael Masterson on Clayton Makepeace's website. Here's the article. Opinions began to soar, people began to interject long paragraphs on my Facebook page about why they thought (respectfully) that Michael was wrong and while they do many times love Clayton, but they thought he wasn't on target either. My first response was, "Who the heck are you?"… but I took the better approach in writing and asked for proof on their opinions. Few gave any.

Now before I go any further please know that I respect and follow Michael Masterson and Clayton Makepeace very carefully. It has never been my position to prove them wrong or to see whether or not what they are teaching is true. Why would I take such a position? Because their track record in business, marketing and copywriting is much better than my own. They are already proven, not on trial and are a braggable asset to so many successful companies that my opinion is to listen to and trust them.

When I mentioned this on Facebook ironically someone had an argument for that as well. They felt I should respect all perspectives and give everyone a chance to voice their opinion. That it didn't matter how much money they made.

My response was that while I respect and honor all people, you are not worth your salt at all if you can't make money with your marketing and copywriting skills. People don't hire and rehire a marketer because they are innovative, fun and a very nice person. These are wonderful added benefits if they come along with the biggest requirement- they can create cash with their skill. If they can't create cash with their marketing and copywriting they will go hungry and have skinny children.

Can you imagine applying this perspective to other industries?

Imagine a automobile mechanic who is innovative, has a unique perspective and is a very kind person…. however….they suggest you should put water, instead of oil, in your car. They believe wholeheartedly and recommend to all of their clients that people should really use purified H20 in their car and quit getting oil changes. Just add more H20 as you need it. Let's go one step further and this person has a website, a big following on Facebook and even on Twitter but the sad fact is, they are completely wrong. Putting H20 into a car instead of oil is not only stupid it is downright dangerous. Does this mean I respect their perspective and give them referrals and continue to bring my car to this business owner?

Sad isn't it? When we lose touch with what creates results in the marketplace. What is a result anyways?

When someone says to me, "Well making money isn't everything in business" I want to ask them what they mean by that.

Do they mean that they are financially independent, have no need to support themselves, have an enormous amount of time on their hands and use business as a hobby? Typically not. They typically mean this, "Even though I haven't made any money in business please pretend like I'm successful because it makes me feel better."

Yes, I just said that. If it irritated you it might be a good idea to stop reading.

I've been building businesses online for 14 years. There was a time period when I wasn't actually building but was offline and sick for about 3 years. During this time however more than 2-3 times per year I was paid for advise regarding business and spent hours still, every single week, staying up to date on what was going on online in regards to business.

Before I came online I had run a profitable cleaning business, residential and commercial, as a single mom. I had also ran 2 health food stores, 1 gym and even did an errand service business at one point in my life. Coaching as a bodybuilder was a job I had as I ran the gym back in the late 80's. In each case people paid me money for my service or product because of it's value. The result was the bottom line. I've never been able to make money simply because people like me and enjoy being with me. Quite frankly the only profession I can think of that does that is immoral… but don't worry I won't go there.

What has happened in our world when calling yourself a 'Business Owner' is as common as anything? What ever happened to credibility, track record and results?

What is a business owner?

Dictionary: Business = Economic system in which goods and services are exchanged for one another or money, on the basis of their perceived worth.

Sandi interpretation: Business Owner= Economic system that has goods or services exchanged for one another or money, not just talking about it.

Just because anyone can put a website up doesn't mean that everyone who has a website is a business owner. Just because there are thousands of home based business opportunities out there doesn't mean that every person who has enrolled as a distributor is a business owner. Furthermore, just because someone has an opinion on USP, Branding, PPC and Marketing doesn't mean they know what they are talking about.

MaryEllen Tribby cuts to the chase with this statement on mislead marketers:

" It is a whole different ballgame when you are actually responsible for growing a business. When you are the one to brainstorm, test, and roll out REAL marketing campaigns. When you are the one to either hire the copywriter or write the copy. When you craft an offer and select the media.

But the real game changer is when your actions and the results you produce are responsible for putting food in your kids' mouths and a roof over your family's heads."

There's no excuse for being misled and misguided when it comes to marketing. There is more information than any time in history to help you do extremely well in business. But be careful. Check for results. Don't be misled by Madison Avenue styles and persuasion. Who cares what shoes a woman wears if she can't produce results in her clients lives! Even if a dude knows all the NLP and LOA and manifestation strategies by heart if he can't create repeated results and results that last in his clients lives (which means that they continue to profit even if they aren't umbilical chord attached), how valuable is that person?

Just as I said on my Facebook wall the other day. I respect and honor all people but if you can't create the moohlah you aren't worth anything when it comes to Marketing.

I'll close with this. Master the basics. Learn how to create a profit in one industry first. Quit trying to stretch yourself thin with ten mini-sites that are supposed to make you rich but have yet to create a dime. Work on one thing, one message, one focus and one business first. Take that to $ 100,000 and then build from there.

Have a good mentor. Look for someone who is currently actively doing what they teach. If they've lost some of their gusto and are still pitching the same ole same ole that made them money in 1999- look for a new mentor.

Pay attention to people like Clayton Makepeace and Michael Masterson. I'd also follow people like MaryEllen Tribby and Bob Bly. Rich Schefren is the person that many refer to but won't give away his identity. (You know, the sales copy that says this "big marketer who you'd know who he was if I told you but I won't") type thing. Rich has a list of clients he's served- check it out. He isn't called the guru to the gurus because it was a cute thing to say and became his brand. It's because many of the gurus online today weren't worth a stinking penny online before they got some coaching from him.

Stay focused, build it hard and reach your goals. This alone will clear away allot of the confusion when it comes to finding out what really works in business- don't be impressed with shiny objects and smiling faces.

Get results. It's the only thing you can take to the bank!

Do YOU Want More ??

The biggest thing we hear almost every single day on our Facebook wall is that people learn something new. Victoria said on 7/25, "There is humor, fun & I learn something new everyday!" Jacqueline said on 7/24, "You are one of my favorites on FB- just love your wisdom, posts and laughs!" JoAnn said that we give away a ton of value on our Facebook wall every single day!

Come say hello and get more of Sandi every single day along with her thousands of friends!

Click here for Sandi's Facebook page!

We do warn you however, if this website is already irritating you- please don't come over to Facebook.

Sandi's Facebook page!

Size Does Matter

Sandi Krakowski — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:54:32 +0000

Don't let ANYONE fool you

Size DOES matter! Watch this video now!

List Building Tele-Class

Secrets, Tools & Methods That Millionaire

Business Owners Use To Grow Their List

How to go from 500-5000 clients in less than 30 days!

(Learn the exact same step by step process I used to grow a list of 40,000 hot & hungry customers!)

List Building Made Easy

Sandi Krakowski — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:01:50 +0000

How To Create A Big House List & Go Beyond Selling One To One

Increasing your profits is easier than you might have thought

By: Sandi Krakowski

If you're a home business owner or a small business looking to break through into the new economy that exists online, one thing is certain- growing your list is your biggest daily task. Sadly, many of the gurus out there are not teaching you step by step methods on how to do this.

When I expanded my business from a freelance service provider to a training company teaching online classes, doing mentoring and coaching I was faced with the enormous task of building my list. I quickly discovered that some of the methods people were teaching didn't work. Or they worked so slowly that it would take me at least 10 years to get to my goal.

Who on earth has 10 years to grow a business? Certainly not me! Certainly not you.

Jay Abraham, the Marketing guru to the gurus who charges $ 25,000 for a consultation teaches the facts when it comes to company growth. These are the strategies that all online companies are using. Increase your list of customers, increase the number of purchases they make or increase the average amount they spend on each purchase.

Let's review these one at a time:

1. Increase your list of customers.

This is called list building. Your house list affects your bottom line directly. Unless you want to charge enormous overpriced fees (which we've all seen!) the bigger your list, the bigger your company growth.

As you build your list the focus is not 'opt ins'. Anyone can create a ton of opt ins. You are seeking customers who are ideal, want what you offer and will enjoy a long term business with you. These are customers who have preferably demonstrated previous purchasing for such products from your competitors. A house list of even 5000 ideal clients will change your business results enormously.

2. Increase the number of purchases your customers make.

To some people this is a 'duh' statement. Who wouldn't want to increase the amount of purchases your current customers make. But being able to market to these people in such a way that you don't violate email marketing laws. You want to serve them so that that they enjoy each and every purchase. Ultimately they will become your top advocates. I'll call this "company evangelists". These are the people who can spread the word about your company faster than even the best direct mail campaign.

As you seek to build your list don't ever underestimate the power of increasing the number of purchases your current customers make. The more happy and satisfied you can make your current customers- the more likely you'll gain referrals. What a beautiful way to create expansion! It's ethical, honest and marries good will and good fortune together.

3. Increase the average amount that each customer spends with your company.

The raising of prices and rates is an important part of building a company. However there is always a bad side to this equation. When I see people charging 6-figures for coaching who have never even made $ 100 million dollars themselves that is NOT what I am implying in the raising of your fees. This is called price jacking and is dishonest.

Properly price raising however comes when your reputation increases, your results soar and you are more valuable to your clients. Underpricing can hurt your business and ruin your companies future as well. If you underprice your services or products people won't take you seriously.

A great way to know what you should charge is to ask someone who has been an expert of creating pricing structure. Get feedback from those who are much farther down the road than you. My greatest feedback has come from MaryEllen Tribby and the staff at EarlyToRise.com. They are trust worthy, have built an enormous track record for long term results. Agora, their parent company and an enormous publishing company with a history of more than $ 400 million in sales is another great resource I trust. Let me say this nicely- if Agora has not charged $ 150,000 per year for coaching why would anyone think it's ethical to charge that who has never even created a $ 20 million dollar company yet.

These are the core principles of growing any company. Your focus should ideally be on all three throughout the year. To increase your list, continue marketing. To gain repeat purchases, serve with excellence. To be worthy of raising your prices, increase your results and your skill.

Are you……..

Trying to sell your products and services one on one?

The most difficult way to build a business is by doing it one on one. Face it- you'll wear out before you get to 5000 customers. One on one marketing also depends on your personality and skill set to increase your bottom line. What if you don't want to talk to people by phone? What if YOU are not available everyday?

Are you tired of working so hard but never quite reaching the 5-figure per month goal you've been dreaming of?

Growing a bigger list is the answer. Your list becomes the place where you communicate with your customers regularly. This is where you build rapport, create a culture and build longevity into your company. It is NOT the place where you just sell, promote, sell and promote. That makes most people disgusted.

Your list is where a relationship is created, maintained and encouraged to grow. Let me be very honest with you. This is the aspect of building a huge company online I enjoy the most! It wakes me up in the morning with a skip in my step and causes me to want to make myself and our company better for our customers!

But what about conversion, referrals and your ROI?

Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by the task of conversion? People stop by your website but no one is opting in?

I know just how you feel.

Before I grew my business to where we are now with 40,000 current customers on our house list I was struggling the exact same way. Oh sure, we were making great money. But that's because I have a specialized skill and can charge high fees for my services. When it came to building a big list that we could market to to everyday- that was another story.

Having built a business in the home based market before generating a large lead list was not a problem. But when it came to selling to them regularly the people who filled out the 'request for more information on a home based business' got mad at me when I tried to market to them regularly. Rightly so!

I've built a huge profit by picking up the phone and calling a ton of online leads. It's a great way to go… but who wants to do that for 3, 5, or 10 years down the road? NOT me! And I bet not you, either.

If you have tried numerous courses or listened to one too many trainers as they tell you about their huge house list but never quite get to the nitty gritty of how to build one yourself- I'm ready to help.

On August 9 and August 16 I'll be hosting a tele-conference that will take you step by step through the process of list building. Ideal client list building, not just a bunch of random opt ins.

Then you'll need to learn how to write to them, keep the relationship strong and hire the best people for your quickly expanding company!

Let's do this together. It's my privilege to help you every step of the way. You are the reason I show up at work everyday. I'd love to see you at my upcoming List Building Tele-Class. The price is ridiculous so the only thing you have to ask yourself is this, "Am I ready to build a big list now for my company or will I build it the long hard way and wait another 10 years?" Click here if you are ready to go NOW!

Falling Panties And Online Success

Sandi Krakowski — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:52:09 +0000

Don't Get Caught With Your Panties Down &

How A Big Typo Made Me Huge Profits

By: Sandi Krakowski

The year was 1999 and our kitchenware business had just passed a record in profits. Things were booming!

Our list had grown to over 20,000 customers, we were publishing a regular newsletter 4x per month, doing regular direct sales campaigns and everyone was tickled pink!

Weekly products were mailed to my house to review for possible sale. Blenders, gadgets, oven inserts and more! Books came on a weekly basis as well!

We had our regular meeting set to roll out our weekly plan. My staff (one other working at home Mom) and I created a newsletter, set sale prices, came up with special promotions and got ready to send out the sales campaign. This became so automatic every week that we could dictate a certain percentage of profits. Add direct mail and things were rolling along smoothly.

At that time in my career I had not taken any copywriting classes yet but wrote all of our copy. Frankly I didn't even know that was what it was called! I just wrote from my heart to my customers and figured everyone did it that way.

Positioning a new book we were introducing and linking a special offer of a mixer, grainmill, breadpans, yeast, dough enhancers and vital gluten we were excited about this week's promotion.

My company was built on two philosophies: Free shipping on every order over $100 and promotions that mirrored the seasons of the year.

In June it was a 'You Can Bake Even In The Heat!" sale with tips on how to make amazing homemade breads and cakes even when it was hot outside. Included were tips for high altitude cooking, special ingredients to add and even exclusive recipes to my favorite custom-created coffee drinks with ice and organic whipped cream!

The campaign went live at 8 am ET and by 8:45 am orders were already trickling in! But something was different. It seemed as though more people were reading this week because the amount of replies that came in were already over our 1/2 point record!

It wasn't a holiday so I began to look for clues of what it could possibly be.

The email was sent to our list the way it typically was.

Pictures were beautiful but nothing out of the ordinary.

Pricing was amazing but it was within the range that we always gave on discounts.

What could it be?

I began reading through some of the personal emails coming in and one man's email caught me by surprise.

"Did you really mean to write that or was that some sales technique I've not seen before?" was the subject line.

"Oh brother," I thought to myself, "Who could this be?" It was most likely one of my more conservative customers who dotted his i's and crossed his t's and always had time in his schedule to give me his opinion, I assumed.

But this time was different. Right in front of my eyes was the mistake. I had really blown it big time!

A brand new book had been released which talked about stocking your pantry for times of emergency. Lists and shopper's guides were given for spices, ingredients, food items, quantities and more making what many times seemed like an enormous task easier to complete. The book was called, "Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down."

But that is NOT what my title of this week's news said. No, not at all.

I had sent out to over 20,000 people who in many cases were faith based, conservative, modest and upright a header that said,

"Don't Get Caught With Your Panty Down". What a typo that was! *snicker*…

I can laugh now but back then I was mortified! Until the results came in that Friday.

We had generated the biggest week of our entire year. $ 85,000 in sales in one week and it was directly related to that typo. Apparently our customers got such a kick out of the typo that they took some extra time to see what it was we were offering. Those who might have typically overlooked the promotion had taken a few extra minutes to read the details and made a purchase!

What I thought might ruin my reputation created a healthy sense of humor, a ton of emails that were from laughing clients telling me they loved me even though I had made a funny mistake and of course, enormous profits!

So… how do you handle the errors you make in business?

Many times people come into my WordPress class and have this eroneous belief that they have to get 'everything just so, all perfect and every duck in a row' BEFORE they can get truly serious about their business.

While I am a stickler for order and will not tolerate a business being run in a less than professional manner there is one thing I've learned through the years. Your customers will love you if you serve them well, be open and transparent and create a culture that is nearly like family.

And… when you make a big mistake they might just buy more than you ever thought of. They'll also be your biggest cheer leaders! Can you understand now why I love what we do? It is such a passion of mine to serve all of you!

So…. move forward, keep working hard and remember that the next typo you make could be the biggest break in your business!

Are You Delivering Happiness To Your Customers?

Sandi Krakowski — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:13:02 +0000

I'm here in my office doing the happy dance again \o/ \o/ , seems I've been doing quite a bit of dancing lately in my office! haahaa

We've had so many amazing things happening here at A Real Change Int'l the excitement just keeps building!

Yesterday we were featured in the Delivering Happiness news of Zappos.com. It's in line with the book of the same title focused around companies that deliver more than just service but happiness to their clients and customers!

Thought I'd share that with you as some of you have not heard my story. Thanks for being a part of our family and for allowing us to serve you everyday.

Have an amazing weekend!

Sandi Krakowski

"Passion Doesn't Die Easily"
Sandi Krakowski launched a high-end kitchenware company in 1997 and grew it to a more than $4 million company in just under four years. Success didn't come easy for Sandi however and eventually, poor management and a string of mistakes led to the demise of her company. By the end of it all, Sandi found herself not only overworked and out of business but also very sick and diagnosed with a terminal condition. "My promise to myself was that I'd never do this again."

Thankfully, Sandi was able to fulfill this promise to herself. A few years later, she received a second-chance at life (and business) when she was diagnosed disease-free. Her entrepreneurial spirit returned in full-force and, following her new calling to "bring JOY to the world", she founded the online training and consultant company, A Real Change International, LLC.

By shifting her focus to customer service and building lasting relationships, Sandi today has earned herself a 100% satisfaction rate in all of her online classes and marketing products. Read Sandi's story »

Delivering Happiness Across the Globe
Fantastic news just in from our publisher: Delivering Happiness – A Path to Profits, Passion and, Purpose will soon be available in five other countries! Dates are still subject to change, but here's what we know so far:

Turkey: Release date – July 7, 2011
Indonesia: Release date – July 7, 2011
Poland: Release date – January 9, 2012
Russia: Release date – January 13, 2012
Thailand: Release date – July 9, 2012

Keep your fingers (and toes) crossed for us, as we're currently in contract negotiations with Romania, Brazil, the Czech Republic and Hungary! You'll be the first to know of any updates on these negotiations as well as book releases in other countries. Thanks to your support, we're one step closer to delivering happiness to the entire world.

Behind-The-Scenes with the Delivering Happiness Team
The Delivering Happiness team is waist deep in planning mode for the Happy Bus Tour hitting the road in August! As of this week, a few cities have recently been added to our tour route and include,Washington D.C., Boston, Orlando, Seattle , San Francisco and Portland to name a few.

Is one of these cities your hometown? Feel free to send recommendations to bus@deliveringhappinessbook.com on what we should see and do while we're in your city! Keep an eye out for updates and news about the Happy Bus Tour on our website. And until then, get to know some of theDelivering Happiness team members (including El Gato) by watching thisbehind-the-scenes video of the whacky and random moments that have happened while planning the Happy Bus Tour. Only 31 days and counting…