The Marketing Alchemist

Happy July 4! (Photo by Jill Wellington.)

Nothing happens until somebody moves

Nothing happens until somebody moves - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog We might suffer from "analysis paralysis" -- we're so busy studying an idea that we don't get around to putting it into action.

The Power of “No”

The Power of "No" - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog You can't do and shouldn't try to do EVERYTHING!

Dominant Thought and a Summer Vacation

Dominant Thought and a Summer Vacation - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog This experience is an example of the power of a Dominant Thought. When we have a goal that we really desire, we devote a lot of thought and energy into making it happen, and it often does.

Happy Father's Day!

Business survival through evolution

Business survival through evolution - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog Whatever business you are in, plan on radical change happening soon. Your business will look much different after just a few years, possibly just a few months!

Contingency Planning

Contingency Planning - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog The planning process should also consider Murphy's Law, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."

Planning how to overcome obstacles is essential

Planning how to overcome obstacles is essential - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog At least as much thought and energy should be devoted to identifying and planning to overcome obstacles as to identifying and defining the goal.

What DON’T you want for your business?

What DON'T you want for your business? - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog Entrepreneurs have the privilege of designing their own business, including defining its values and its rules of engagement. As an entrepreneur, this includes defining what is NOT acceptable to you.

Got goals?

Got goals? - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog When we clearly define and ardently desire goals, the subconscious mind goes to work to achieve them.

The value of making connections

The value of making connections - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog Some our most valuable "assets" are our relationships with others. We should be "collectors" of people, know how they help others, and organize that information so that we can find it when needed.

How to REALLY know your audience

How to REALLY know your audience - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog In order to sell effectively, you have to understand the problems, fears, desires, objections and conversations of your customers.

Words that Sell

Words that Sell - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog The communication must from the writer's head and heart to the ideal reader's/viewer's head and heart to establish an emotional, "That's for me!" connection.

Speak to win

Speak to win - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog Imagine giving a presentation to a live audience in rapt attention to what you have to say, laughing at your jokes, giving you a standing ovation and congratulating you afterwards.

Me? A celebrity?

Me? A celebrity? - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog It seems crazy, but people confuse celebrity with authority.

Happy Easter!

Who decides if you’re “qualified”?

Who decides if you're "qualified"? - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog Beyond those areas, your qualifications depend more on your experience and education, including self-study, than any certification, so you can simply declare or "self-anoint" yourself as qualified.

Too shy to promote yourself?

Too shy to promote yourself? - Michael Gray's Business Building Blog Contributing to our fear of self-promotion is the feeling that we aren't really "good enough." This is called "imposter syndrome" or self-doubt. We're afraid of being discovered to be a fraud.