Smart Solo Business

I help solo professionals acquire their ideal clients

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Your Sales and Marketing Strategy: The Power of No

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I was recently invited to join an author whom I admire on his new podcast to discuss my work. Ultimately, I said no.

Why? There’s not enough overlap between his target market, sales professionals and companies with sales teams, and mine, solo professional services providers.
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Sounds like a logical decision, right? But saying no felt pretty uncomfortable. It’s not fun turning down an offer from someone I respect.

With that said, if I’m honestly committed to achieving my goals, then sticking to my sales and marketing strategy is a must. Saying yes to this interview would mean spending hours preparing for, recording and promoting it — while realizing very little benefit. By saying no I’m now freed up to focus that time on activities that support the health of my business.

If you’re a fellow solo professional, then I have an important question for you. What distractions are costing you valuable time that could otherwise be invested in improving your business results? It’s important to ask ourselves that question on a regular basis.

Consciously, we all understand that if we keep thinking and acting in ways that don’t support our sales and marketing strategy, then we can expect mediocre results. But here’s the real danger — unproductive behaviors can become habits. Once that happens, making changes on our own becomes a lot tougher.

Do you feel like you’re being pulled in too many different directions? Perhaps you’d appreciate some assistance creating a more focused and effective sales and marketing strategy for your solo business. If so, send me an email and let’s set up a time to talk about your situation and potential solutions (this 20-minute phone consultation will be free). I look forward to meeting you!



Why That Marketing Blueprint Won’t Work

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Are you tired of gurus pitching you their marketing blueprint miracle programs? This type of marketing program is sold in a generic format that makes adapting it to your unique needs difficult, at best.

My advice? Forget about that “marketing blueprint” nonsense. A one-size-fits-all program won’t work. Attracting and acquiring more of the right clients for you is possible, but you’ll need to create a strategy that is laser-focused on your ideal clients and tailored to your signature talents.

To succeed, you must develop a deep understanding of your ideal client and the value you can deliver to them. Only then can you create a value proposition and a sales and marketing strategy that helps you generate the right business on a consistent basis.

As a solo professional, you are your business. You need to operate from a position of strength and resiliency in order to thrive long-term. It’s time to run your business in a way that works with — not against — who you really are as a professional.

You need an understanding of how your values, your personality and work style naturally compliment and support the needs of your ideal clients. By looking beyond the current limits of how you see yourself and your business, you can begin to uncover the specific ways you can find and serve your ideal clients.

Combine that kind of clarity with a strategy that fits your unique business and goals – and you’ll find that attracting and acquiring the right clients isn’t so hard. Believe it or not, it can actually be fun and exciting!

If you want both more and better clients, then I’d like to help. We can start to uncover the personalized solutions you’re seeking in a complimentary 20-minute consultation (by phone or Skype). I’ll listen carefully to understand your current situation, discuss how my personalized approach relates to your business challenges, and answer any questions you have along the way.

Ready for some fresh ideas for your business? Click the green button below and schedule your FREE 20-minute consultation with me. I look forward to speaking with you!

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Powerful Client Survey Question — The Answer Will Surprise You

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Experienced solo professionals know that seeing themselves through the eyes of their clients is difficult. They also realize that it’s important to try. After all is said and done – it’s how each client experiences working with us that defines our brand.

Not long ago, I decided to explore this idea with a brief, anonymous client survey. I sent an email to about half of my clients. It said, in part: “I want to better understand your experience as my client. Would you be willing to take a minute or two now and answer one question for me?”

When recipients clicked the client survey link (Survey Monkey), a single question appeared with a blank field below it: “When you think of me and our working relationship, what are the five adjectives that first come to mind?”

The feedback I received was consistent and encouraging. But it wasn’t exactly what I expected and it challenged my assumptions. Valuable? Yes, indeed.

I’ve now incorporated what those clients told me they experience when working with me into my sales and marketing communications. For example, my new website is focused on the benefits of highly personalized business mentoring based on many years of direct experience as a self-employed solo.

My point? If you want to understand the reality of your brand, then don’t assume anything. Ask your clients for their feedback. I think you’ll find it’s an eye opening experience.