Indra's Blog for Coaches

Search Engine Optimization: What the Pros Don't Want You to Know: FREE

2008-07-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

Sign-up for the next "Helping Hands for Coaches" class at: http://helpinghandsforcoaches.com/live-teleclasses/

Our next class will be “Search Engine Optimization: What the Pros Don’t Want You To Know”: Friday, July 18th at 10am PST (That’s 11am Mountain Time, 12pm Central, and 1pm Eastern Time)!

Perhaps you have a website up, but you’re not sure how to get people to it.

You’ve been interviewing “SEO Professionals”, and you’re thinking there must be an easier or cheaper way to optimize your website for Search Engines.

I’m very excited to offer this class again - plus, I’m not just offering this one class - but a series of classes on Search Engine Optimization! If you missed it in April, please be sure to sign-up for it today: Search Engine Optimization (and what web designers wont tell you - but you can do yourself!) If you haven’t already done so, PLEASE be sure to register now by signing up below:

Learn:

-Free tools that can help you develop keywords
-See how you rank compared to your competitors
-Find out what SEO tricks are out-of-date
-Find out what New SEO tricks help you the most
-How you can help your website Google, MSN and Yahoo ranking without touching your Website code!

Sign-up today as this class is limited and popular!

Plus: I’ll send you a document with all the notes you need to follow the class!

Sign-up for the next "Helping Hands for Coaches" class at: http://helpinghandsforcoaches.com/live-teleclasses/

Here’s to Your Learning Adventures,
Rachel Pradhan
President of Indra Successful Coach Marketing!
Creating Online Possibilities for Coaches!

Need to Niche = Life and Business Coaches: Find your Target Market

2008-03-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

Read my article on Niching and Target Marketing for Life and Business coaches:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977286894

Should Life and Business Coaches join BNI?

2008-03-06T14:39:00.000-08:00

Article: Should You Join BNI?
Written by: Michelle Schubnel

A client recently asked, "Do you think I should join BNI?"

BNI, short for Business Networking International, is a lead-sharing networking group.

I was a member of a San Francisco BNI Chapter during my first year in business as a full time coach. It was a great experience and I definitely benefited from my involvement in BNI. Specifically:

5 fellow chapter members became clients

8 referrals became clients

3 strategic alliances were formed (with an accountant, graphic designer and biz attorney)

several speaking engagements were generated

Back then I was coaching by phone from my studio apartment in the Marina District of San Francisco. Having a weekly in-person meeting where I built friendships, gained business knowledge, improved my speaking, developed a great pitch and dressed to impress at least one day a week was definitely key to my success.

Joining BNI, or another lead-sharing organization, such as Le Tip (USA/Canada) Elite Leads (SF Bay Area), can be an excellent tool and marketing strategy to grow your coaching business.

But is it right for you?

5 Key Criteria for Deciding about Joining a Lead-Sharing Networking Group

You need to be specific about who you coach and what you coach on. Think about it. In order for the other members to give you qualified referrals, they need to easily understand what you do. And you don't have to be a business coach. There was a career coach in our group who was constantly getting leads.

You must enjoy it. Do you like the idea of attending a weekly meeting with other small business owners in your area? Are you excited to build business and personal relationships and become an active member of a group? If so, great. You'll like this type of networking.

Join a large, healthy and dynamic chapter. The coaches who generate the best results by joining lead sharing groups are members of a great chapter. Shop around and choose wisely. The size and quality of your fellow members impact your results.

You need to give leads to other members. It's the law of reciprocity. Givers gain. You need to refer people you know to your fellow members, and this can sometimes be challenging. For example, a chiropractor who sees hundreds of clients per month has a much easier time generating referrals than a coach who works from home and coaches clients across the country.

You need to be committed. You can't just show up when you feel like it. To get good results you need to make it a weekly priority.

Go for a Test Drive
Research organizations in your area and visit their meetings. Many chapters will allow you to attend a few times so you can get a feel for the group.

Weigh the Pros and Cons
In addition to potentially gaining new clients, be sure to consider the intangible benefits that address the loneliness and isolation that that is so common in the profession.

Trust Your Gut
If it feels right, go for it. If not, say no thank you and move on to the next thing!

Working Hard - Feel Connected to My Coaches

2008-02-20T20:50:00.000-08:00

When I watched this video on Yahoo! this evening I thought - Yes! This is how I often feel in the evenings - and I know that there are many of you coaches out there working on your Internet Marketing to better your business too, so we're all really connected when it comes to 'sleepy puppy syndrome' :)
The evening is a great time to catch-up on emails and our other Indra projects that we've started to help with life and business coaches. One is Helping Hands for Coaches. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that we've been having a regular Friday class on Internet Marketing for coaches - and it's been going very well. However, I also wanted to complement the live class with how-to videos to the students. But, when I taped the live calls it didn't feel right - and there was so much content that I thought it might do better broken-up into smaller more 'bite-size' how-to videos on Internet Marketing. So, we've started a new blog: www.HelpingHandsForCoaches.com! It will be a video blog of how-to videos on Internet Marketing for coaches. I'll still hold the Friday classes, but perhaps more periodically since the Video Blog will take some time too. So please visit! www.HelpingHandsforCoaches.com and let your fellow coaches know too!
Right - now where's the coffee?
Love - Rachel

Life Coach in Sunday Comics

2008-02-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

CLICK THE IMAGE TO READ! When I read this in the Sunday comic's today, I just loved it! I hope all you life coaches love it too! With love - Rachel

No Helping Hands Class this week

2008-02-07T09:57:00.001-08:00

Thank you for all of you who have participated in our on-going internet marketing classes for life coaches and business coaches! We've learned so much! This week (Friday, February 8th) I will be volunteering with the ICF-Orange County board at Chapman University for their 2nd annual ICF-OC International Coaching Week 2008 program! For more information, please see my post. They are currently at 300 participants - 200 more than they were expecting!! What a fabulous turn-out.

If you are a coach, or thought of being a coach, or want to be coached, and are in the Orange County, Southern California area be sure to stop by between 9 and 4. If you aren't in the area, why not take this opportunity to practice some of what we've been learning - blog, podcast, use paypal for payment, or create a slide show! Have fun - and happy International Coaching Week 2008!

Love - Rachel

New Designs for Stuff for Coaches

2008-02-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

www.StuffForCoaches.com has some great new designs! These designs are available on affordable promotional products for life coaches, business coaches, law of attraction professionals. Coaches often want some sort of 'thank you' gift to give to their coaching clients, as well as give-aways at expos and networking events. The www.StuffForCoaches.com store allows that! Go see for yourself: www.StuffForCoaches.com!

ICF-OC Coaching Week

2008-01-24T21:08:00.001-08:00

Are you considering going into the coaching industry? Do you know about 'International Coaching Week'? It's this February 4th through 8th, 2008 - and if you are in the Orange County area - then you're in for a treat! The ICF - OC chapter is hosting it's second full all-day coaching event at Chapman University in Irvine. There are over 15 presentations - all for FREE! But, be sure to register as space is limited: http://www.icforangecounty.com/coaching-week.shtml

Special Offer by Exploded Business Cards

2008-01-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

STOP!

Are you considering a Brochure as part of your marketing in ‘08? Consider an Exploded Business Card Instead. http://explodedbusinesscards.com/

Is your postcard, brochure or business card laying down on the job? You spend a lot of time, effort and money selling your goods and services. Wouldn’t you like your company to “stand up” and get noticed while your competition “lies down?”

Because of their unique, tent-fold design, Exploded Business Cards stick around longer than postcards, brochures or business card alone. They literally “stand up” while the competition “lies down.” In a sea of flat marketing materials, who do you think gets noticed first?

Want to learn more about this amazing offer? Click the document to learn more! I use these for my own business, Indra Successful Coach Marketing, and find her work beautiful and is very beneficial for service type industries - Like Life and Business Coaching! Offer ends at the end of January! http://explodedbusinesscards.com/

ExplodedBusinessCards.doc

Helping Hands for Coaches :: Easily making your Blog into your Money Maker

2008-01-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

We have better video quality! To view the video please click this link:
http://www.indramarketing.com/tutorials_video_blogger02.php.

This class covered:

Blogger Account. Go to www.Blogger.com and sign-up for a Free blog account. You will need this to follow along with the exercises.

Amazon.com Account. You need to sign-up as an affiliate: Click HERE to get started.

Familiar with Blogs. If you weren't on last week's call, please familiarize yourself with your Blogger account by watching last week's class: look at the post "Helping Hands for Coaches :: Basic Blogger"

These Links. http://www.feedburner.com is your friend. No need to start an account - we'll go over that in class. But, DO start an account with co-activenetwork.com
Blog Directories: www.Technorati.com, www.blogskinny.com

Have a question or an idea for a class? Send me an email: rachel@indramarketing.com

I will be taking a week off for "Helping Hands for Coaches" in order to re-do the video tutorials so that they are all of the better quality displayed at http://www.indramarketing.com/tutorials_video_blogger02.php.

If you have not signed-up for the classes, please do so by adding your email above - and we hope to 'see' you there!

Goal setting for 2008?

2008-01-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

Are you a Coach, and need a Plan for 2008? Joan can help! Read below:

Plan for Success in 2008. Please share this with people you know
who may have a hard time with planning, and come to the class
yourself if you like. Here’s what they’ll get:

Identify top 10 business and personal goals for 2008.
Learn how to map goals onto quarterly objectives
and actions.
Receive guidance about how to measure and adjust
plans to stay on target throughout the year.

You can send them to
http://www.lifeworkpartners.com/programs/dare_to_plan.htm
for more information.

When I started working with Joan we used the Simple
Yearly Planning Tool to help me plan for an important
transition in my business. When I first saw it I actually
thought it was a little too simple. But the exercise helped
me get clear on my plans and intentions. Rather than
thinking I had to do everything now, I could build on
my actions, quarter by quarter.

~ Laurie Marrelli, MarketHabit.com

Thank you!
Joan
Joan Friedlander
Call: (949) 496-1577
Lifework Business Partners
Home of The Master Calendar Solution™ and Dare to Delegate™
Simple Strategic Solutions for the Next Phase of Growth
http://www.lifeworkpartners.com

Helping Hands for Coaches :: Basic Blogger

2008-01-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

This class will cover the basics of Blogger.com.
You will need:
An account with www.blogger.com
3 digital photos for www.slide.com
Video: HERE
URL Photo: HERE

SpaceTime.com - the New Browser

2008-01-15T08:04:00.000-08:00

First, quick explanation of what a web browser is (thanks Wikipedia):

"A web browser is a software that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music and other information typically located on a Web page at a webpage on the World Wide Web...Some of the Web browsers available for personal computers include Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Netscape in order of descending popularity (in November 2007)."

Next, the New Web Browser: SpaceTime. You can view a demo on www.SpaceTime.com. The image above gives a snap-shot at what searching on the SpaceTime browser will be like: you click the browser's drop down menu, type in what you're looking for, and then the page with search results will show, along with the websites from the first page of search results - in chronological order - as shown in the photo.

What does this mean for the life or business coach? Well, your website better look good. As humans the first thing we notice is color, then images, then text. Your website may be judged more on appeal by the browser user, then the actual content. Now, although the SpaceTime browser has launched and is available for free download - it may not be widely used for a while: it's very taxing on your computer. But, do be aware of it - and think about when it is widely used, will your website have the 'eye-candy' appeal that your competition has. If not, it's time for a revamp! Call Rachel to discuss the possibilities: 714.566.4669 or email: rachel@indramarketing.com.

Psychology and Coaching

2008-01-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Many Psychologists are now considering offering Coaching Services to help grow their practice. One such coach is Dr. Rivera, with www.BetterLifeByDesign.com. One of the unique aspects of her new website, developed by www.IndraMarketing.com, is that it offers free assessments online. These assessments allows Dr. Rivera to know before-hand if the prospective client is ready for Therapy or Coaching. We recommend if you are a Psychologist or Therapist considering adding Coaching to your services, that you review Dr. Rivera's website: www.BetterLifeByDesign.com

Helping Hands for Coaches :: Audio Acrobat

2008-01-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

Rachel is here again to help life and business coaches 'DeGeek Internet Marketing'! This time, I am teaching how to add a Welcome Message, Start a Podcast, and adding a Guest Line for collecting Testimonials. If you wish to be on the call during the live class, simply sign-up for our eNewsletter above.
Links you will need for this class:
Download an Audio HERE
Sign-up for Free 30 day trial of Audio Acrobat here: http://rachelindra.audioacrobat.com/
Check-out other Podcasts here: odeo.com
BNI Podcast: bnipodcast.com

Family of Entrepreneurs

2008-01-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

A new blog's in town! www.FamilyofEntrepreneurs.com is the website for those of you who own a business and have a family! People I network with have often ask How:
How can you work together and be happily married?
How do you have your children respect your time working?
How do you have a home cooked sit-down dinner every night?
How do you still have time for your children?
How can you not work 80 hour weekends?
How, How, How!
So, that’s why we developed this blog: to answer “How“.
We hope you find it useful in your adventures in entrepreneurship and family life!

Wishing You an Adventurous Life!
Rachel Pradhan

DeGeeking Internet Marketing :: Skype for Coaches

2008-01-02T23:42:00.000-08:00

Learn How to Use Skype, through Helping Hands for Coaches! This class will teach you some of the basics that is necessary for the "Skyping" coach. Learn how to change your profile, add a photo, chat or make a call, use the "Mood" bubble for Marketing, and SkypeCast. The new weekly class will be posted here, but for live attendance you can sign-up for the eNewsletter above.

So Cal Fire Victims: 2007

2007-10-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

While being a neighbor to many of the victims of the So Cal wildfires, we felt helpless and useless. We wanted to help! So we used our web design talents to develop a website where evacuees and the general public can interact: www.HelpSoCalFireVictims.com

Feel free to sign up and post to the website any information, advice, or help you can offer: www.HelpSoCalFireVictims.com. To post, simply register (enter the forum, scroll down to the bottom, and then click 'register'), then click on the link you wish to post to and click 'New Post'.

Thank you for your generosity during this difficult time!
Stay safe!
Warmly,
Rachel

Squash Your Gremlin: An Apology

2007-10-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Coaching Community:

It has been brought to our attention that some of our contestants didn't follow the guidelines and 'rules' as strictly as others, and yet they are still able to participate. This was an oversight on our part, and we apologize to the participants that did follow the rules to a 'T'. Rather than disqualify the participants that didn't follow the rules, we would like to offer ALL our essay submission participants the choice of two of the following after the winner has been announced:

1. A Custom Blog to match your marketing materials: total value $800

2. A Custom eZine design (can be used with iContact email database): total value $250

3. A recorded and edited interview podcast (which you can post on a website, and/or have on CDs): total value $250

Please also keep in mind that voting has not concluded, so there is still time for you to be our winner of over $4,000 worth of prizes! (Voting ends Friday, October 26th. www.IndraMarketing.com/gremlin ) If you are trying to vote several times through the same computer, say your spouse or friend is trying to vote on your computer after you have voted, it will not work. Due to the voting software, there is only one vote per computer allowed. A way to get around this is to vote at the library, at work, or on a friend's computer.

Thank you, participants, for all your hard work!

Warmly,

Rachel Pradhan

'Squash Your Gremlin Essay Competition' Coordinator

Opportunity for Coaches - Now Extended

2007-09-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

The 1st Annual 'Squash Your Gremlin Essay Competition' has now been extended! Last day for submission is September 28th, this Friday!

Why are we extending the deadline? We have several new sponsors:
-Choice Magazine
-Minute Man Press
-and several more that have asked to hop on board! Check it out, and submit today: www.IndraMarketing.com/gremlin

Why are we doing this? We believe in the power of coaching, and we believe that marketing and good pr is the way to help coaches to become more widely accepted and used in personal life and business. You are well aware of the tremendous benefit this kind of exposure can have on the coaching industry as a whole!

So, be a part of this amazing event!

The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Custom Website for $12

2007-09-04T12:57:00.001-07:00

Do you know of a Business or Life Coach that needs a website? Do they have $12 and a little bit of time? Have them view this video! With over $4,000 worth of prizes, including: custom website, blog, eNewsletter, business cards, brochures and entrepreneur coaching! The 1st Annual Squash Your Gremlin Essay Competition: click HERE to learn more!

Squash Your Gremlin!

2007-08-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Contact: Rachel Pradhan
714.566.4669
rachel@blazeinteractive.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Squash Your Gremlin Competition!

Laguna Niguel, CA – August 27, 2007 – Business and life coaches have the opportunity to show their passion and get rid of their ‘Gremlins’ during the 1^st annual ‘Squash Your Gremlin Essay Competition’ through submitting their essays to http://indramarketing.com/gremlin. Indra Successful Coach Marketing is sponsoring the competition with the opportunity for other sponsors to join.

If you haven’t heard of coaching, well it is a growing field, and in the Southland we see this trend growing everyday. Six ICF Certified Coaching Schools are located in Southern California alone, and now there is the 1^st Annual ‘Squash Your Gremlin Essay Competition’ to support all coaching school graduates. For those of you who have not had the benefit of working with a coach, coaches use the word ‘Gremlin’ to describe the inner voice that squelches confidence and self-esteem. So, for only $12, new and student coaches are being given the opportunity to write their enthusiasm for becoming a coach, and squash their Gremlin! Their essays will then be voted on via the website http://indramarketing.com/gremlin by peers, visitors, family and friends. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced October 31, 2007 and will win over $3,000 worth of prizes.

So, sharpen your pencils new and student business and life coaches, your Competition is here! To learn more about submitting your essay or becoming a sponsor for the ‘Squash Your Gremlin Essay Competition’ please go to http://indramarketing.com/gremlin.

For more information, please contact Rachel Pradhan at 714.566.4669, or via email rachel@indrasvoice.com.

About Indra Successful Coach Marketing

Rachel Pradhan is President of Blaze Interactive, an award winning Web Design and Internet Marketing firm in Laguna Niguel, California. Indra Successful Coach Marketing is a subsidiary of Blaze Interactive. She has spoken for women business organizations and The Orange County Small Business Expo on “Internet Marketing Made Easy to Make You Money”. She is a part of NAFE, BNI, SDPCA, ASLA and local chambers. To learn more, contact her through the website: www.BlazeInteractive.com.

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ICF Cert. Coaching Schools!

2007-08-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

On August 9th, Nirzhar and I attended the fabulous ICF-Orange County annual event 'Meet the Coaching Schools'. This was an opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a coach to find out what ICF certified coaching schools were out there and their unique coaching style. The coaching schools each took a turn in coaching a volunteer from the ICF-Orange County Organization. Nirzhar took photos and I helped with the speaker system. It was really educational and fun, and I highly recommend you going if you are debating what school to go to!

Big Fish :: Community Website for Entrepreneurs

2007-08-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Do you value: success, health, fun, relationships, as well as a spiritual approach to living? Do you know, without a doubt, that your business is your purpose? Are you ready to have fun in the process? Are you ready to step into your full potential? Then you are ready to be a Big Fish! We just launched the new Big Fish Nation coaching community website today, and what an amazing difference! You really should check it out: www.bigfishnation.com. For graduates of the program there is a password protected community area where members can communicate through a forum, search for members through their searchable and updatable database, and communicate via live text messaging. You should also see all their amazing Testimonials and Resource Library!

Spotted Zebras: Live Outside Your Stripes

2007-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

www.SpottedZebrasCoaching.com : Through BarBara's individual coaching, group coaching and speaking she shares the choices to creating the Effortless, Energized and Exciting Life of a Spotted Zebra! Click the link above to visit her coaching website.