As a savvy forward thinking entrepreneur, you are always looking for ways to uplevel their business, right?
Here are eight tips that will help you to focus on the basics of creating a profitable business.
- Use social media to leverage your business- Tapping into the social media market is the best way to reach more people in real time. Social media doesn’t restrict you to geographical areas, and it allows you to connect with your ideal clients on your terms. If you are looking to build a location independent business and slacking on in-person networking skills, then social media is the way to go. Pick two social media platforms that complement your personality, master them and watch your business take off. (Instagram and Facebook are my favs, but Periscope is a contender. Are you following me yet? @iamwendynicole)
- Seek to understand your target market’s buying psychology- Learn what triggers your ideal client to want to make changes in their life. This information can be collected when you opt to do informal or formal market research studies. Market research is critical to your business being relevant in the marketplace.
- Tailor your marketing messages- If you are marketing message is talking to everyone then you are talking to NO ONE. When you are marketing, make sure that you are speaking about one product or service at a time. Be clear and concise on what you are offering, the client outcomes and who the product or service is for. Always close with a call to action. People respond better when they are given directives.
- Charge what you are worth and be firm on your pricing-People know a good deal when they see one, and they also know when you are undercharging. Not charging what you are worth sends out the message that you are not confident or competent to deliver what you promise. It sets you up to work with clients who will most likely give you grief and have you boxed into a corner of under-earning and over delivering. Set your prices and be proud to share them with your prospective clients. If someone says no or wants to haggle you, then let them go. Don’t lower your standards just to make a dollar. Attract and convert clients who understand your value and don’t accept anything less.
- Be flexible, inviting and of service- Learn to celebrate your efforts not the results. Success responds to activity and as humans, we are not designed to be 100% accurate so expect hiccups. Make sure that you are warm and open to meeting new people and discussing new ideas. When you first meet a new prospective client take the time to get to know them and see if there is a mutual business relationship worth pursuing. Take your sales hat off for just a moment, but be observant, and allow yourself connect with people. Learn to identify when your services and products are not a good fit, but still linger to nurture the relationship. Who knows the person you encounter might not be your ideal client, but perhaps their friends and family are. So be willing to show your best hand at all times. Be willing to give something of value to your prospective clients before asking for their business. People are more likely to buy from you when they have had the opportunity to experience a glimpse of your greatness.
- Be clear on what you are offering especially when it comes to your client’s outcomes. Clarity allows success to be practical. Customers buy what they understand. Entrepreneurs reach their revenue goals with ease when they are confident in what they are selling. Overwhelm, second guessing yourself and stagnation usually happens when you are unsure of what you are doing in your business. Take the time to really understand who you are and what your brand represents in the marketplace. Be prepared to answer prospective clients questions without hesitation.
- Take risks- Be willing to fail. But most importantly understand that trial and error are the only way to authentically grow and sustain your business and discover solutions that are viable in the marketplace. Taking risks means that you are embracing the fact that your ideas are worthy.
- Have fun– If the thought of managing and growing your business stresses you out then it is time for you to evaluate what exactly is not working and take a hard look at why you decided to pursue entrepreneurship in the first place. If you are not having fun then most likely you will miss opportunities that are right under your nose because you are too focused on the stressors in your life. When you have fun in your business, it opens you up to creativity and possibility. You can make objective decisions that impact your bottom line. Outsource tasks that do not bring you joy and prioritize all others.
Post in the comments this tip that you inspired you the most.
Your Business Systems Strategist
Wendy Nicole Anderson