Subscriber Deborah, a “struggling new business owner,” writes:
I started my business several times in the last two years thinking that I need something more to get it off the ground. I struggle with developing the “things” that make me “look” like I am a viable, serious business and not a hobby. One of those “things” is a website and a blog. What are your thoughts? What do you need REALLY to look like a viable business these days?
I’d say to look like a viable business you need clients.
Believing that you “need something more” keeps you stuck in waiting mode, and a lot of businesses die in that place.
Stop struggling with things that make you look serious, and get in front of potential clients right now. If they hire you, you’re obviously viable and serious in their eyes.
If, however, you can’t get clients during in-person interaction, you have one of three problems:
- You’re not clear about what you’re doing (a common issue – not as obvious as it seems)
- Your message is confusing
- The market you’re reaching doesn’t want it.
If you’re not clear about what you’re doing, spend some time thinking about how you’ve helped people in the past. What were things like for them before you started, and what results did you get for them? Talk to those you helped and ask how they benefited. If this is a new business, imagine the answers to those same questions.
If a confusing message is your problem, it’s time to take what’s inside you and form it into a concise and compelling audio logo, whose ingredients are:
- Who do you help?
- Which of their problems do you solve?
- What solution or outcome do you provide?
If your services and message are crystal-clear, yet you still aren’t getting clients, you may NOT have a viable business. You can look at changing audiences or pricing and delivering your services differently. Not every business IS viable, and you certainly want to know it before you invest a bunch of money into it.
But what about a website and a blog?
I want you to erase any excuse for going out and attracting clients now! You don’t need a website or blog to talk to your friends and colleagues, get out to networking events and go speak in front of audiences. Your audio logo is your main tool. Yes, a website is incredibly important and can catapult your business long-term. And later, when you have enough funds to invest comfortably, you can build a “real” website.
Agree? Disagree? Have an awesome website but no clients? Let me know in the comments below.
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Samantha,
I would whole heartedly agree with your comments. I worried endlessly about whether I should be building a website & finding the right niche for my coaching/consulting practice. What I have learned which I should known from my days in pharmaceutical sales is that what sells is relationships. If I am out there talking to people, meeting and forming new relationships, this goes much further than a website or blog. Coaching is a very personal service and I get very little business from my postings on coaching websites as potential clients get very little sense of who I am as an individual and professional. So I believe the first thing I need to focus on is building my network, getting my name out there and establishing strategic alliances to get referrals and joint business.
Lisa, you really have it going on! You’re doing all the things I recommend, and you’ll build a firm foundation in your local market. By the time you do start to hone your brand and build a website, you’ll be very clear on who’s responding to your message and what exactly gets their attention.
I’m so glad you made the point about relationships. You’re obviously seeing the benefits of them! :)
I agree with you Samantha, as usual. I would ad that one might consider joining your local chamber of commerce and then use their opportunities to network. It will get you in front of new people. Good old going from business to business might also work. When you have good funds, then get a quality website.
Todd, you’re right that local networking opportunities are the low-hanging fruit. You might even meet someone at a Chamber event who could help you build a nice new website – like you!
I appreciate your visiting and commenting, Todd!