A lot of coaches, practitioners, leaders, and teachers are experiencing business as a little harder right now: A little harder than before to activate leads, a little harder than before to make sales. I want to normalize it all because it’s happening quite a bit in the transformation industry right now and it’s not being talked about enough. And when it’s not talked about by leaders, then folks in our communities who are experiencing these business/marketing challenges end up thinking that it’s only happening to them, that they haven’t figured out the holy grail of business, that there is something very wrong with them or what they’re doing. Basically, you end up feeling deflated, bummed, ashamed, etc., because they don’t think it’s happening for anyone else. If things are easy for you right now & business is effortlessly flowing in, YAY! But… if things aren’t quite flowing, or it feels like you need to do a little more right now than you did a year ago…please you are not alone. (I’m definitely doing a bit more right now!) Please know there is nothing wrong with you. Please know that you can still make progress and reach marketing goals. Here are some things to know and think about so that you don’t fall into the “woe is me” trap or think it’s time to give up:
- Remember that EVERYTHING in life – including business & marketing – goes in cycles.
Nothing ever stays static. There are times that are meant to be more easeful and times that are meant to be more challenging. There sometimes needs to be some contraction – it’s making way for the next expansion. And, sometimes we need to do less and sometimes we need to do more. Cycles aren’t bad at all – cycles ARE the process of growth!
- I am doing a little more in my business right now, and I have made peace with that.
There are certain moments – and this is one of them right now – that require doing a little more in order to create the results that you want. I point this out because there is a BIG difference between “It can’t happen!” and “It requires a little bit more to make it happen!” But…so many people get upset, disappointed, or disempowered when it doesn’t happen like it did before, or right away, or as quickly as they expected. (I have been known to fall into this trap!) I have found that a MUCH better outlook is to instead say: “Business is a marathon and not a sprint. This moment requires more, and I am willing to show up for more because I am committed to my business for the long haul. Doing more is simply what it takes right now to create what I want.” (And of course, it might be a moment when you’re not willing to do more…and that is OK too! Make peace with that!)
- Tweak, Experiment, & Get More Precise in your Marketing
A marketing strategy or message that worked last year isn’t necessarily going to work this year. To achieve our business goals, we need to do some things differently in our marketing than we were doing before. And this is exciting! Because…when there is a need to do things differently, there is also an opportunity for big growth and finding more effective ways of drawing in and engaging potential clients. So please, please: experiment, be bold, try new things, and… Work on getting EVEN MORE PRECISE on speaking to your ideal clients’ needs and heart. Really show them that YOU are their person.
- Don’t be Afraid to Continue to Outreach and Be Visible
When you’re not getting the response you want, it is way too easy to talk yourself into stopping outreach altogether. (Ah, the things we tell ourselves! “They don’t like me. They don’t want me. They will never pay attention to me.”). Instead, continue to show up. Continue to outreach. Continue to share your truth and your wisdom and work. Double down on your mission and bring it to the world.
- Deepen your coaching & transformational skills so that your clients do more marketing for you
If you know me, you know I always say that the EASIEST way to attract business – no matter what the market is like – is through clients who are so happy with the work you do together that they renew with you AND refer everyone they know to you. The only way for your clients to be thrilled with you is for you to get better and better and better at your coaching skills and techniques! (This is why I am such a nerd about transformation and training you!) We WILL get through this time period. By remembering everything I shared above and by being courageous and by speaking these truths in community so that we’re not so alone. If your heart needed to hear this today, I’m so glad you caught this article!….so that you can feel less frustration and maybe even more hope and inspiration!
