Hi Jill,

Thanks for your kind words.... :)

I think one of the more difficult things to do is to be different, however, often those who are most successful are those who dare to stand out from the crowd.... This is part of stepping out of your comfort zone, daring to be different and to be noticed!

For example, many people have remarked how Sowpub has quite a different "feel" from other marketing forums.... If everyone zigs, you zag, and it's one way to stand out from the crowd. Although we're a little marketing "community" here, we're quite different from the rest of the marketing crowd.... :)

I think another thing which may be good is to take things a little step at a time. You don't have to make drastic changes to begin with, but try one little thing, see how it works, and keep going....

If you try stepping out of your comfort zone step by step, I think it's much easier....

You don't have to leap out all at once, just one step at a time.

As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!

So for example if you have trouble following up, Jill, maybe you could try it with something little. I don't know precisely what you're marketing, but maybe a little note in the mail (or email if that's relevant), something small, and build from there.... :)

I think the most truly successful people are those who find what they do to be a joy.... I think that's partly what helps them to do so well, when they enjoy what they do, relish what they do, when they LOVE what they do, then they "work" at it much more (since to them, it's no longer "work"!).

So somehow, find the joy in what you're doing in connecting with people and in providing them with a good product or service (I think it's important to believe in what you're promoting)....

Jill, I hope that helps in some way.... I know that you're on your way to success! :)

- Dien