Kim Avery Coaching

Marketing: Live Inspired or Die

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My name is Kim Avery, and I am an addict. Without shame or hesitation, I confess, I am addicted to air.

In and out, every five seconds, without thought or intention I suck in a fresh gulp of air and release the old one.

For the first 20 years of my life, I lived this way without giving it a second thought, until…

Until my first asthma attack. Huddled in the corner of a moldy hotel room, I suddenly found myself wrestling each breath of air from the hands of the greedy elephant sitting on my chest.

I tried to push through it. Work harder. Give it everything I had.

But it didn’t help.

What began as a vacation on the beach turned into a nightmare I barely survived.

Breath of Life

I needed someone or something to “inspire” (from the Latin root meaning, breathe air into) me.

While asthma can be deadly, the cure wasn’t hard. Two puffs from a doctor prescribed rescue inhaler miraculously provided the relief I couldn’t find on my own.

I learned something that day. Inspiration is critical for breathing.

Years later, I discovered it’s essential for successful marketing as well.

Marketing Is Hard

When I first began my coaching business, I was on fire. Excited about my mission and calling from God, my enthusiasm bubbled over on everyone I met.

But… after seeing endless eyes glaze over and countless people turn away, my enthusiasm began to wane. Other activities (easier activities) began to vie for my time and my dreams of a thriving coaching business began fading away.

So, I talked tough to myself. Set clear business hours. Typed my fingers to the bone. I became the martyr of marketing, forcing myself to do what needed to be done.

But it didn’t help.

And I hated it. Every minute of it. So, I dreaded it, avoided it – and worse than that, potential clients avoided me.

Inspiration Changes Everything

Then it hit me. Sharing the wonders of coaching when my heart was on fire was as natural as breathing. Marketing without inspiration was like slogging through a marathon with lead boots on my feet.

Inspiration changes everything.

Antoine De Saint Exupery put it this way, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”

I needed to reignite the fire in my heart and touch base with my bigger dream. And just like breathing, I need to do it again and again and again.

When inspired, I don’t have to force myself to work at business-building activities that I hate. Instead, telling others about coaching is a joy and delight.

Do You Need Inspiration?

How about you?

Are you just gutting it out? Forcing yourself to do tasks you dread day after endless day? Do you avoid marketing but then wonder where they clients are?

It doesn’t have to be that way. When you make inspiration the daily air you breathe, everything changes.

Not sure where to begin? I would love to help.

Knowing the importance of loving what you do, I’ve built numerous opportunities for motivation and inspiration into the 6-month Marketing Momentum Program.

In addition to all the information and tools it provides, those who enroll in the Marketing Momentum Program get…

  • 3 one-on-one coaching sessions to provide inspiration and help when you need it
  • 6 Marketing Momentum group sessions, one per month, to keep your momentum and motivation alive
  • 6 weeks of participation in a Get Clients Now Group for those who want the jump start that quick results can provide
  • Unlimited email access so you’ll never get stuck and derailed again
  • 24/7 access to your peers through the Marketing Momentum Online Group for daily doses of wisdom, inspiration and prayer

And there’s so much more…

Space is limited, so head on over and check out the Marketing Momentum Program today. I would love to have you join us.

Either way, every day this week the Christian Coaches Blog will equip you in this critical area of inspiration. You’ll be able to take the How Inspired Am I? quiz, watch an amazing video and jump start your motivation with 30 Ways to Get Inspired.

It’s Your Turn

How are you different when you are inspired?

34 Comments

  1. Kim Avery

    Congratulations on your participation in the 15 Day Challenge. Reading your posts yesterday truly inspired me.

    I wish I could comment on each and every on them, but I can’t :(. Please know that I read them all and am praying that you persevere throughout this 15 days and the year ahead.

    Keep up the great work.

    • Bev

      I look at the origin of the word “inspire” and see “spirit.” I find the origin of the word “enthusiasm” and see “theos” and both together remind me that without the presence of God’s Holy Spirit within me to breathe into me new life, my actions are worthless. When God inspires me and I know that I am uniquely following His plan for my life, then I am inspired!

    • Marcia Albrecht

      Although I am starting late, I find this challenge I bite sized chunks very helpful in getting through an overwhelming, daunting task.
      Thank you for streamlining and making it a more clear path.
      blessings
      Marcia

  2. Mary Lou Caskey

    When I am inspired, I am able to focus and able to get much more accomplished and it’s so much more fun.

  3. PollyAnne

    ” you don’t need to see the entire staircase, you just need to see the first step.” Martin Luther
    King
    I’m inspired when I begin to see the emergence of the next step on the staircase. When I can see how God is bringing me along on my journey and that where I’m heading is where he is leading me. I am reassured that if I just keep my end of the bargain ( have faith, perseverance and keep up the good work) I will be living into my purpose as a coach, a mother and wife. This is the work he has called me to do. 🙂

  4. Pam Taylor

    When I am inspired, I am focused and I stay on track with my goals. And when I am inspired, I think less about me and more about others that I can inspire and encourage.

    Just this morning a friend inspired me. I was frustrated that yesterday I spent too long catching up on the news of friends and looking at amazing websites, etc. She reminded me of the “timer” method when on the computer. But I normally just shut it off. And keep doing what I was doing. SIGH. She then said this inspiration: When the timer goes off, it is opportunity to make another decision. That takes it from the realm of “failure” to “opportunity”. Thanks Tereasa Jones for your wise words!!! It “inspired” me!!! Breathed new life into me. And thanks Kim for this post…so I can see the “breathing new life” connection!!! How lovely that we all can work together to help each other toward greater “completeness” in the Lord! Onward!!! 🙂

    • kinseyrae@gmail.com

      Pam Taylor, I appreciate your comment! I had to drag myself away from YouTube where I got engaged watching videos of how to make solar panels from tin cans. Seriously? I love that kind of stuff! But, it’s a huge distraction and I need to focus! Thanks.

      • Renee

        Oh dean, there are videos on YouTube about how to make solar panels from tin cans? WILL NOT DO IT TODAY and I’d sure like to watch them!

  5. Kinsey Oglesby

    I’m inspired by your honesty and transparency about your start up as a coach. Since you have traveled this path, I’m walking where you point. Who says we can’t learn from others mistakes (and successes)? Today I have an appointment with a voice coach to see if I can make my coaching phone voice more “alive.”

  6. Ruth Sanders

    When I am inspired, the words in my newsletter or articles just seem to flow.
    When I start second guessing myself or wondering if what I am saying is good enough, I get really stuck. I have my mission statement in front of me and when the timer goes off I read it to remind me of the reason I am doing this work.
    It’s about helping others. When I think of how even one person’s health and life could improve by what I do, I get back on track.

  7. Renee

    Strongly recommend Marketing Momentum!

    Today I have initiated (as well as accepted) FB friends. I don’t often initiate — and remember freaking out when my FB friend list reached 30 because I didn’t want to be so public. SO… I am slowly growing in that area. Will add more

  8. Terri Schrews

    Today I shared on my personal facebook page that my goal this week was to double the “likes” on my coaching page and asked friends if they could help me by sharing.

  9. Nicole Kirksey

    When I am inspired–when I feel that new life has been breathed into me–I am more of myself. I am more centered: sometimes calm, sometimes enthusiastic, but I have focus. There is always joy. It’s wonderful!

    The challenge related to business is that my own experience is always more positive, but the outcome or the goal may not be. For example, just because I am more inspired doesn’t mean I get a new client or sell a new program. It just means that I have joy in what it is that I do; that, too, is important.

  10. Deborah Haddix

    It is always so much more fun to do anything when inspired. As far as coaching and marketing go, I find I am more eager to sit down and do the work when I am inspired. I do find, however, one down side to being inspired when I work. I often find my head swimming with all the great ideas and tasks that I would like to accomplish. Yes, I make lists and set goals but while I am in the middle of working it seems that so many ideas flash into my head that I can’t even keep track of them.

    Anyway small steady steps, today I am working on social media, particularly Facebook and Pinterest.

  11. Janet Hamilton

    Yesterday I did give an earnest attempt to complete my 3 hours of work on getting my website finished and published. After about 1 1/2 hours, my frustration–then my good sense said, “STOP”! This morning after contacting 3 different web designers, I will choose one to PROFESSIONALLY to do what I admitted to myself yesterday I can’t do. (Oh we coaches can give out the good advice… no more need to be said there…) NOW, I am not just unstuck, but INSPIRED and am back to excitement instead of dread. You get the credit, Kim!

  12. R.J. Scherba

    Yesterday I completed a contest to name my coaching business. The winner, who is considering starting a new graphic design business, designed a great logo for me!

  13. Betty

    Inspiration is very important in helping us move forward. Inspiration can be internal or external. The new year is a new beginning for me to make plans and to work toward achieving them. This 15 day Business Building Challenge is a good source of inspiration and it motivates me to work daily on achieving my coaching business and ministry. It is an action plan for me.

  14. R.J. Scherba

    Today I send follow-up mails to all of the people that I had invited to participate in my business-naming contest. I included the winning logo in the email, and I thanked everyone for their encouragement and interest.

  15. Betty

    I am creating a card to give out at my monthly women meeting. I am planning to do a newsletter.

  16. Tracy

    Inspiration=Energized, focused and at peace with where I am going.

  17. Cheryl

    When I’m inspired I’m more productive- creative ideas almost seem to flow effortlessly…
    Today I revised my contact list for potential corporate services.

  18. Shushanna

    When I’m inspired working on my business feels easier. It’s a joy.

  19. Barbara Solsaa

    Spent the day (a gift to myself as well as my business) with a friend who has an LLC and a relative who designs websites. Did some wonderful brainstorming and planning.

  20. Leigh Ann

    Inspiration translates into Passion with Action! Let’s go!!

  21. Shelly S. Cantrell

    You know, I never thought about it before; but I do breathe easier when I’m inspired. Colors are brighter. Optimism is easier to come by. Food tastes better, and I celebrate more often when I’m simply inspired.

    Thanks Kim Avery!

    Today: I spent a lot more time on my niche and did 4 more informational interviews with people who I’d consider my ideal client.

  22. Carolon Donnally

    I have tremendous focus and am not easily distracted. I could work for hours on a topic and not need very many breaks. There is just a joy that wells up in my heart. I am more grateful and thankful soul. Even on the coldest day my heart beams with sunshine. That is what it is like when I am inspired.

  23. John Loppnow

    Inspire!

    Great blog entry. I remember Bill Hybels talking about the need for us to find a way for the leader to have a system to keep themselves inspired. This is a great application to Life Coaching.

    Blessings!

    • Wesley Wiley

      That’s great advice John. I remember reading that Zig Ziglar would spend three hours a day reading to stay motivated and inspired.

  24. Nanxy Bouwens

    inspiration passion and a fire to build a thriving coaching practice … this is the cry of my heart. My heart tells me YES.. my mind squashes the passion like a buzzing mosquito on a hot summer day.

  25. Traylor Lovvorn

    Loving the challenge! Today I am reaching out to 4 men who have expressed interest in a 4 week coaching group as well as promoting marriage conference my wife and I are doing this weekend…an event which should lead to more clients!

  26. Kerry

    Although I’m a day late with this response, I am feeling inspired to respond! I am so greatly inspired by that which I am passionate about–my family, my God, my coaching, enjoying life. It is these things together that has helped me create my new niche: encouraging parents of children with special needs to find, create and appreciate the positives in the midst of their daily struggles. As I share about this, my heart is filled to overflowing and I am truly inspired. It is that I remind myself of when I don’t see results in the time frame I’d like to and continue to market. Thanks Kim! I so appreciate your transparency in your posts. It has spoken to me so very much.

  27. Grant Porteous

    Timing for the challenge remains perfect, though I’ve forgotten to get on the last couple of days and log activity. The last few days I’ve purchased two years of domain hosting, registered my domain name, finished blog spot two, and set two appointments – one this week, one in two weeks.

    Thanks, Kim!

  28. Wesley Wiley

    How am I different when I’m inspired? Wow…so different. I’m confident, optimistic, positive, powerful, and surprisingly happy. There’s a joy that comes with inspiration. You feel like you can’t fail. It’s wonderful feeling, that needs to be turned into action. That’s where I need the growth – turning inspiration into sustained action.