From Scarecrow To Artist-Saved-By-Systems: Step Up Your Business With Systems + Speaking!

“How was I, Ma?” I am still wearing her floppy felt cowboy hat, baggy jeans and flannel shirt, stuffed with straw. I am the Scarecrow in my 6th grade show “Wizard of Oz.” I sang “If I Only Had A Brain” and walked awkwardly across the creaky wooden stage. I couldn’t stop grinning. What a kick. From a kid fighting for dignity through brutally competitive jacks games on the playground, to the shiny stage.

“You were okay. Your voice is thin,” my mother says.

Did I imagine this? I don’t know. I do know despite the lackluster response from my mother, the crush of her words, I kept — occasionally — getting on stage. As a speaker. As a spelling bee contestant. As a class president. As an actress. All in middle school, junior high and high school.

Never in college. In college, I joined SAC — Social Activities Committee. My freshman year, in a bid to create gender parity — I insisted we stage a male strip show. It was, of course, a smash hit.

After college, I swore fealty to writing. So in time, after learning my craft and spinning tales for the printed page, I returned to the stage — as a literary panel moderator. An interviewer. A reader. I performed my own words. I loved it.

Now I am in transition. An entrepreneur. Who am I on this stage?

Who am I in this stage of life?

This past week, my first ever entrepreneurial mentor, Ali Brown, invited me onto her stage at the annual Elevate Live! event. I was a case study. The idea was that systems tamed this artistic wildness.

Here’s what my gargantuan slide said:

“Rachel Resnick
Topanga, CA

By adding systems and InfusionSoft, she:

Attracted 8 affiliates
Had 300 opt-ins for her first webinar
Sold 21 in her first money making story bootcamp
Increased her list by 30% since this summer”

This was my first ever time on the stage — as an entrepreneur. I am celebrating that with you. Because each new step — even if you’ve been on the stage, even if you’ve written for the page — is new. Is fresh. Is — challenging. In the most deliciously scary way.

I’m not sure exactly what I said on that stage. I do know the first thing I said was, “Can I swear?” Which, of course, dovetails with our powerful and entertaining Real Results (for those of you getting the Raw + Real newsletter) from Kelly Fisher, who was attracted initially to my work because I talk a blue streak in alignment with her naval background.

I also know that the lovely interviewer, James Roche, the Euro-centric, Integral soul-savvy, brilliant business coach and opera-loving bon vivant, occasionally blushed and/or flinched when I spoke.

My motto is to arrive at a talking or teaching opportunity both Prepared — and ready to Improvise.

It is the in the balance, and PLAY, that the memorable happens.

It may be rough around the edges. Unpredictable. It may also be — indelible.

Is that not marketing?

What I can say is, one person came up to me after the Case Study and signed up to do a VIP Book BlastOff Day with me — based on this:

“Rachel is a perfect example of personality infusing systems.”

She said to me — “I want my personality on the page. And the stage. I know you can help me.”

For years, I’ve worked at accessing and sharing my authentic voice, my true self. It’s not ever going to be for everyone. As one of my best ever friends says, “Rach. You’re uni! Your’e not for everyone.”

Always, it’s a tightrope. A balancing act. A risk.

If you are you, you will polarize.

It can’t be avoided.

Express.

And embrace.

Now I must return to preparing for my rock ‘n’ roll groovy Writers On Fire client tomorrow, who is flying in from Texas to meet me at the Fairmont/Miramar hotel to dive deep into her Book Proposal-To-Be in a no-holds-barred Intensive Day.

My challenge to you? Speak somewhere in public. I don’t care if it’s a local meet up, a Chamber, an entrepreneurial event — and tell your story. Speak your mind. Be you. AND knit it to your offer. Then let us know — how it worked. How it unfolded.

And how it feels.

I guarantee you — regardless of the outcome — you will make memories. You will make an impact. People will remember.

What’s that worth?

Priceless.

Next, I challenge you to add one new system to your business. The one I spoke about was InfusionSoft. It took me a long while before I was ready for that system. I started with Constant Contact for newsletter and list. FreshBooks for invoices. TimeTrade for scheduling.

Let’s step into our power — use the container of systems, and rein in your gifts so you can reach a bigger audience.

Then, let us know about your results!

Yrs in truth,
Rachel