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Marjorie Geiser is President of MEG Enterprises, Inc., which provides wellness and service professionals with tools, techniques and determination to build the businesses of their dreams. She started with a small, sports nutrition and personal training business in 1996, and today runs a 6-figure virtual business from her home office, working 3 days a week.

Margie has an MBA in Entrepreneurship, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a Board Certified Coach, and is the author of “Just Jump: The No-Fear Business Start-up Guide for Health and Fitness Professionals.”

Q: Tell us a little about your book and information product. And the inspiration behind them.

My book, “Just Jump: The No-Fear Business Start-up Guide for Health and Wellness Professionals” takes the reader through a journey of self-discovery. Most health and wellness professionals are experts in their area of specialty, but know nothing about business. Through a series of introspective exercises, I feel this is “the” missing link. Many people tell me they have read tons of business books, but because they are written in business terms, they glaze over while reading them. “Just Jump” is different: It’s my coaching process on paper, and I believe that the questions the reader must answer help him/her address areas essential to address long before they start the planning.

I wrote “Just Jump” because I realized that many people just starting a business couldn’t afford to work with me privately. The book was written to help a greater number of people realize their dream of starting a business that would bring them fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment in their lives.

“Make Great Money Without Selling Your Soul” was the culmination of a mastermind program I offered for several years. “Make Great Money” is the next step after “Just Jump,” because it gets deeper into helping the reader and listener, again through series of exercises, develop their niche, their brand, move away from dollars for hours, and develop a marketing approach that helps them feel good after a ‘sales’ conversation with a potential client, AND increase how many clients they get. It also addresses an issue often ignored in business building products; Money mindset and what role it plays in success… or not.

“Make Great Money” is a series of 7 CDs and a workbook including all the exercises. Customers are also invited to join a private support community, where they are encouraged to share their work, in order to receive feedback from me and their peers. I developed “Make Great Money” again to help a greater number of people realize their dreams, taking the next step after “Just Jump” and gain a deeper understanding of what marketing is and how they can embrace it.

Q: How have these products affected your business?

Having books and products helps me better serve my audience, because I can better determine exactly what it is that they most need, based on our initial conversation. As a consequence, someone who cannot afford my private coaching, or isn’t ready for it, can still get help by buying my book or any of my products.

But having products also helps the bottom line of the company, because they are always available, providing a source of passive income. Because I often offer sales, my followers eagerly keep an eye on what I share, which results in a better open rate in my communications.

But I do have to say, creating products is FUN, too!

Q:  Anything you would have done differently?

If I were starting out today, I would produce more products much sooner. It’s so easy, with so many different options. If you want to offer electronic products, you can literally have them up and for sale within a matter of days, if not hours. Companies such as Vervante make the production of physical products a breeze, and with print on demand, even offering something like “Make Great Money” an affordable proposition.

Q: Besides your books, you also do a lot of writing for your blog and business as well. Do you ever deal with writer’s block?

I remember discussing how to handle writer’s block with my coach once. Since then, whenever a concept/thought comes to me, I make sure to make a note of it. It might sometimes be just a title idea. But because I write 3 blogs a week, and am currently working on multiple small ebooks, I HAD to come up with a solution to this challenge.

Q:  Any wisdom you would share with entrepreneurs who are thinking about adding books or multimedia products to their business?

As Nike says: “Just do it!” You can always edit/tweak/update products. But by getting your ideas out there, you have the opportunity to make a greater impact on the world. Holding back on an idea just makes no sense, today, because so much of it is really ‘risk-free.’

Using print-on-demand products practically makes creating products and books risk-free. In fact, as one example, just a few months ago, we updated the cover of my book “Just Jump,” and, including the cost of the designer, it was less than $100. No more do authors/publishers have to order thousands of books from the printer.

I used Vervante to create the physical version of my product “Make Great Money Without Selling Your Soul,” and it was a fabulous experience! The staff was very patient and supportive through the entire process of setting up the product. I had a lot of questions about creating a product that had multiple CDs and a workbook. Customers who have purchased the product have been pleased with the quality and timely receipt of the product.

Because all of my clients are health professionals, many who provide integrative and functional nutrition services, I was excited when I heard Vervante was offering storing and shipping of supplement products. I trust them completely and the next time a client asks my opinion about how best to sell products, I can confidently steer them to Vervante.

Q: You’ve enjoyed great sales with “Just Jump.” What’s your technique for igniting sales and increasing interest? 

I am a member of the International Coach Federation, the National Speakers Association and the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics., so I am often on the stage, presenting live, or even featured on radio shows or webinars online to a wide variety of audiences. During presentations, my book is always mentioned in the introduction and I make it a point to reference my book at appropriate time throughout. Nothing too salesy, just occasional short stories or anecdotes that complement what I’m speaking about, while subtly mentioning that they are from the book in case anyone in the audience might want to follow up. I also make sure to negotiate the ability to sell my books while at events, most of the time event organizers are OK with it.

Sometimes events are exactly about the subject your book is about. If not, they are usually complementary to your topic and it’s good to give your audience the choice to follow up with you about your book if it appeals to them.

I also offer a companion ebook with my book sales to sweeten the deal. It gives me an opportunity to offer more value to my audience. It is a great way to fit in all the stuff that didn’t fit into the physical book and a way to print out pages and have a place to take notes for those who don’t like to mark up their books.

Q:  With more and more products and services being offered by self-publishing companies, how do you see your offerings evolving in the future (and your clients?)

With a primary audience composed of dieticians and people who work in integrated health industry, a lot of them offer or are expanding into offering nutritional supplements and similar products. A common question with new clients these days is “how do I do this?” It’s complicated when you have to use multiple vendors. Finding someone like Vervante that offers printing, distribution, bundling of products, warehousing and strategic partnerships is priceless. This makes it easier, more efficient for people to have a main vendor they can trust for quality and professionalism.

5 Fun Facts about Margie

1. Favorite books / authors

There are SO MANY favorite books, and in both fiction and non-fiction! My favorite business books lately have been Guy Kawasaki's "APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur," Jay Baer's "Youtility," and Carmine Gallo's "Talk Like TED." Also, my favorite novels are historical novels. I LOVE the Hangman's Daughter historical novel books.

2. Personal words you live by

With vision and planning, ANYTHING is possible!

3. Fun times and relaxation favorites

LOTS of hiking. We've hiked the Grand Canyon several times. We live in a national forest and are just minutes from tons of trails. We moved to a new home last year and I am having a great time playing in our garden. 

4. One thing about you that would surprise people

I'm a home body. Other than hiking, I prefer to stay home. Probably why I'm so suited to working out of my home office. I could go all day without talking, too.

5. What makes you happy?

Grin; I'm a pretty happy person. I LOVE witnessing the success of those I work with. Makes my work have meaning. Of course, our 18-month-old grandson is pretty cool, too!

You can learn more about Marjorie and her business at www.meg-enterprises.com.