Meet Michelle Cox, CEO of Smoke Signal Marketing
Tell us about your business.
Smoke Signal Marketing assists solo-entrepreneurs build an income generating website by using the latest online marketing techniques.
My service includes: opt-in pages, sales pages, article writing, press release statements, and e-mail campaigns.
I work best with solo professionals who are in need of great copywritten material for their tele-seminar, webinar, product launch, or press release.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I am in business for myself because I do not like the idea of working for another person so they can afford a “high quality” lifestyle while I work for minimum wage.
I am also a stay at home mom and need the freedom to be available for my family for sick days, doctor visits, teacher conferences, and the rearing of my children.
Plus, it’s a challenge to generate income for my family – I like it.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
First, my partner has been the greatest influence in pursing my own business. He needed help writing some his websites and suggested that I help him do so. I was then introduced to sales pages and copywriting. I instantly fell in love because writing sales pages allows me to write in a conversational tone (which comes easy for me). I’ve been writing since 2007 and follow great internet marketers like Armand Morin, Jim Edwards, Frank Kern, and Ali Brown.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
There are several things that come to mind.
1. Helping my partner generate an online income that helps to support our family
2. The courage to start my own company especially when I didn’t have the greatest confidence in my ability to write
3. Working with The Fearless PR Coach – Carey Powell and helping her to accomplish her vision by writing her websites
4. Learning how to use Dreamweaver to create sites. It was a huge learning curve, but the greatest challenge.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Give yourself permission to succeed. Before I put myself “out there,” I was completely hung up on the thought of “what if I’m not good enough?”
When I was told that I had to give myself permission . . . I totally took that to heart and ran with it. That’s not to say that I don’t have “bad” days or doubt in my ability, but I know that I’m on the right path because my passion for writing is my purpose – I wake up happy and ready to work. I’m giving myself permission to succeed.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
To date, the best marketing method I’ve used is writing articles and writing a free report for those interested in my services. Not only do I want to garner new customers, but I also want to share easy-to-use copywriting tips for any person writing their own copy.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Prioritize and organize. Not everything needs your immediate attention and organization is key to getting everything done.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
www.the30minutepublicist.com
yahoo groups
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
I spend time with my family and read!
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
Growth.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
It doesn’t take brains nor braun to own your own company. I honestly believe it takes desire, passion and purpose to succeed. Any person can be the cause of something and it takes courage to see it through to the end.
