Solo Pro CEO: The Kayak Business Model

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

The Solo Pro EconomyMake it work for you

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

…can lift boats.

The Rising Tide…

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Catch the Wave……and go with the

flow

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Understanding

…makes it easier to move.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Global Reality Has Changed

What does that mean for you?

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Drastic Changes

You feel like a fish out of water.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Train Wreck

The goal was “stay on track”.

The corporate system derailed. The “track” is gone.

Entire industries - the careers they represented - swept away in a tidal wave of change.

Now what?

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Get Off the Track!

Wasting energy & resources on things that don’t workcauses stress.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Kayak!

Get a Kayak Mindset: – Small and nimble– Go with the flow– Roll– Easy course changes– Low overhead– You’re in control– Fun & exhilarating

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Tips to Paddle Your Kayak

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Tip #1: Don’t swallow the whole river

There’s too much information. Trying to absorb everything will overwhelm you and cause frustration and stress. Limit what you spend your time on and focus on the highest return on investment. Filter.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Tip #2: Swim with your ‘school’

Connect to your tribe to help you find the way. Be aware of who you’re spending time with. Make sure they’re moving forward. Avoid negative energy and people that will drain your resources. Don’t anchor yourself to someone swimming against the current!

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Tip #3: Make friends with technology

There are so many possibilities, but you need to be able to take advantage of them. Technology is the key. Jump in and try new things.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

How to Stay Afloat

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Know Your Package

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Knowledge & Experience.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

A Consultant

(noun: a person who provides expert advise or services professionally)

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Chris Borgan said:“There are thousands of great minds all

plugged into the same conversation who

could help each other. You’ve got sources

of information, and you have the tools to

connect it all.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Marketing vs Connecting

Old-school marketing is over

Public is saturated, distracted, inpatient

High cost, low ROI

Public has lost trust and confidence

One size does not fit all

Not personal, annoying

Difficult to maintain

Old-School (Push) Marketing: Advertising, yellow pages, direct mail,...Marketing “at” people

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Connecting is now

Authentic, Integrity

Very targeted / Customized

No to low cost; High ROI

Easy to maintain

Community / Leadership

More fun!

Relationship Building (Pull Marketing): Email,blogs, social media. Sharing “with” people.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Connecting is a Journey

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Where Are You Going?

Simple questions• What is success to me?• Where’s my comfort zone?• Who exactly am I trying to reach?• Where are they looking?• What do they want?

Create the solution and let them know.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Follow a Leader

Don’t try to do it alone.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Make a Plan | Work the Plan

Consistency is key.

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Be Unique | Be the Expert

Show your true colors…

International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals | Solo Pro Academy • www.IASECP.com

Explore Other Channels

Grow your reach.