Dear Reader,

Are you keeping track of your New Year's progress? It is often easier for us to focus on what we aren't getting done instead of what we are. This leaves us with that unpleasant sense that we are perpetually behind! STOP. Take time at the close of each day to list 5 things you got accomplished. And, at the close of each week, complete the success form found here (PDF).

My greatest satisfaction and joy is from empowering you! So I decided to share a tool that I use in my mentoring practice. Usually I reserve this strictly for mentee clients but I don't think they'll mind if I share it. I've had too many tell me that this alone makes an enormous difference in how they feel about their accomplishments and determining their priorities.

Making Progress and Keeping Track (PDF)

Mentoring is not a mystery! And it isn't coaching either. It is a cross between having your very own business consultant and your very own coach. Typically a consultant tells you what to do and a coach asks you questions that lead you to the answer and supports you in the process. In mentoring you get the best of both. You get the shortcuts, tools and strategies to drive your design business and the how-to-support along the way. Answers, methods, and encouragement on the road to success! Are you ready to explore mentoring to take your design business to the next level? Go to www.yourdesignsuccess.com and schedule your complimentary strategy session. You'll get immediate tips, tools and more for growing your business.

Together we'll all go farther! Prospering by Design, Will You?

Melissa Galt
The Six Figure Design Professional
Your Interior Design Business Systems Specialist
Devoted to Your Design Business Success

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and all science."

~ Albert Einstein

Teleseminar! How to Take Your Design Business Online

Remember, January 27, Tuesday 8pm EST join me as I interview Jennifer Haubein of www.bestbizwebsitesolutions.com and we show you How to Take Your Design Business Online.

Click here to register for F.R.E.E. http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2790204

I've had a website since 1994 and garnered by biggest projects from clients surfing the web. The beauty is the web is available 24/7/365 and you can create a presence as large or small as you desire both cost effectively and in less than 45 days. If you want the shortcuts for getting your content ready, check out last week's tips here!

5 Inspired Ideas for Guaranteed Success in Business

Business is all about relationships, and particularly the business of design. As design professionals we often have unprecedented access to our clients private lives and idiosyncrasies (whether we want to or not!) The stronger the relationship you craft, the deeper the success you will experience leading to a lifetime of demand. Here are five easy, proven steps for jumping into making relationships of lasting value.

Farm Familiar Faces

Yes, this is the technique we've all been taught since the dawn of time when we start any new venture, few actually do this. Make a list of all the people you come into regular contact with, from your pharmacist to your dry cleaner, your gym trainer to the head of PTA (if you have kids), include family and friends. Once you have a clear concept of your design business and the audience you serve (it isn't everyone!) then you can share that succinctly (two sentences maximum) with everyone repeatedly and ask for specific referrals (I work with healthcare professionals, or I work with attorneys and physicians, or I work with solopreneurs, or I work with busy Moms, whomever.)

Pick Points of Connection

Before you get started, write out, in bullet points, some things about yourself. Be sure to include all the cities and states you've lived in, schools you've attended, trips you have taken, church you go to (if relevant) and fun facts, your favorite food, hobbies, information about your family (kids and spouse too.) Keep this information top of your mind, as you meet prospects you want to discover your points of connection. In this age of high tech, the design business is all about high touch and you must form a connection that is unique in order to create a relationship that will breed success. Perhaps you've lived in the same city previous to where you are now, perhaps you went to the same school, perhaps you share a favorite vacation spot, whatever it is, find it and tap it.

Read the Rest of the Article Here!

How to Make Connections that Stick

One of the keys to social media success is not just making connections, but making connections that stick. It is fine if you just want idle chit chat, but you'll go much farther if you actually get to know the connections you are making. That means taking the time to explore their websites, ask relevant questions, and find out what a good lead is for them. Touch base regularly with a warm greeting and genuine care about their progress. You'll find that when you make connections that stick they'll be there for you when you need them most.

This is all about frequent contact with the groups you belong to, getting active in discussion groups, and posting both personal and relevant information. I say personal because these networks came up as a way to be friends first business second. So exercise that ever popular 80/20 rule and be social 80 percent of the time and business 20 percent of the time. Social doesn't mean you divulge intimate details. This is the web so be sure that what you do share you would be comfortable with your grandmother or your boss (if you have one) reading!

Have fun with the networks and make connections that stick!

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Want to use this article? You can, just include the text here: For more great social media tips be sure to check out www.todaybydesign.com and if you want to go farther faster check out www.yourdesignsuccess.com and let Melissa know you want social media success. Melissa Galt is The Six Figure Designer, mentoring the design trade to six figure success online and offline.

Get Validated (and I don't mean Your Parking!)

This is an amazing video that is worth every moment of your time. It is like a contemporary shortcut to It's a Wonderful Life and not to be missed. I do hope you'll share it with friends, family and colleagues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao

Save Time with Online Deals

Instead of getting 25 emails a week from 25 different web shopping sites telling you their specials, what if you just got one, targeted to exactly which stores you wanted? Once a week, telling you which stores you like are having what kind of sales? Wouldn't that simplify your life?

Check out www.saleawaywithme.com - Smart, smart, smart idea. Check off as many stores as you want, enter your email, and boom - one email, every Wednesday, listing all the sales in your online stores. Simple, easy, useful, and free.

Melissa Galt, The Six Figure Interior Design Professional, specializes in interior design business systems for success. As a successful independent interior designer for over 15 years, Melissa knows the design business inside out. Now, she presents unique workshops providing design professionals, at every level of their career growth, with simple, proven systems for achievement.

Melissa shows designers, decorators, and home fashion experts how they can boost their business, put more profit in their pocket, and enjoy the life they design. Find total freedom in your business to embrace the lifestyle you want most. Get the tools and techniques, not just the strategies, for winning lead generation, masterful marketing, priceless PR, sales secrets to optimize every project, and fruitful follow up for a lifetime of raving fans.