I'm not a football fan (though my 8 month old daughter is strangely enough), but I was excited to watch this year's Super Bowl because it was going to be pretty epic.  The 50th Super Bowl, two amazing teams and of course, Beyoncé at halftime!  After watching the halftime show, I realized that there were three key things that it taught me about blogging and business, and I'm excited to share them with you today!

1.  You can sell physical products and still offer a lead magnet- On Saturday night I was on twitter reading my feed and came across a tweet stating that Beyoncé released a new video and single.  I went to the site, watched the video and downloaded the song.  The download was free, therefore it could be considered a Lead Magnet.  A Lead Magnet is something that you offer for free in exchange for an e-mail address, so it may be a free e-book, free worksheet, etc.  In this sense, the single was Beyoncé's lead magnet because she knew that it would "lead" customers into making purchases such as her album that will be releasing any minute, her concert tickets and the new merchandise in her shop.  This is also considered a sales funnel, and she's apparently a pro at it!  You do not have to be an "infopreneur" to offer something of value complimentary to your audience.  For example, if you knit you can offer a free pattern for a scarf or you can host a giveaway and offer high-end fabric as the prize.  Get creative!  All Lead Magnets don't have to only involve something that was typed on paper.

2. #CollaborationOverCompetition- I first heard this phrase a few weeks ago from my friend Katrina (www.ChicLittleHouse.com).  This is actually a hashtag on social media, and it speaks so much truth!  Collaborating with those that have the same audience as you but different types of businesses is key!  This is the case for the halftime show as well.  Beyoncé has her audience, Bruno Mars has his audience and Coldplay has their audience, but generally speaking they essentially have the same audience (pop music lovers).  What makes them different is the style in which they deliver their music.  Instead of looking at someone as a competitor and trying to destroy them, think of ways that you can work together, make your individual traits shine through and build a better tribe together.  There's enough of the pie for all of us to get a piece, and you might even make a new blog/biz buddy in the process!

3. Be yourself, don't hold back- some may have considered Beyoncé's performance controversial but she was just being herself and performing what/how she wanted to.  This is something that bloggers and biz owners should be doing...being themselves!  Don't be concerned about what people may think about you if you decide to create products that may be out of the norm or if your services are of a nature that people might not understand.  You have an audience and it's not everyone...and that's okay!  We have too many clones walking around doing the same things and saying the same things only because it's popular;  it's time for us to be our true selves.  If you don't like reality TV but watch it because everyone else does, stop watching it!  Instead find a show that you truly love, learn something from it, and bring a different perspective to a conversation.  On the other hand, if you LOVE reality TV but act like you don't..why?  We have free will and can watch what we want and DESERVE to do it.  Everyone has a guilty pleasure, and that's okay, too!

I never would have thought that I would have been so inspired just by watching the halftime show.  I do believe, however, that inspiration is everywhere but you just have to be open to receive it.  This means your mind, ears and eyes at all times!

Here's to a great week ahead!  I've already claimed it for us :)