Last week I told you how authenticity is the cornerstone of fulfillment and success in these very personal online businesses we run.
Without it, we don’t stand out from the crowd; we’re airbrushed models; we’re someone people don’t want to work with.
With it, we’re unique. We draw people in. We build our following and expand our reach.
Getting clear on what makes me unique is also informing the next evolution of my business, something I plan to focus on a lot this year. I don’t know what it will look like or exactly what’s involved, but I’m excited to find out.
I have some BIG questions I’m asking myself, and I have some BIG questions for you, too. I’d love your help, and of course, I have something special for you in return.
If you want to hear what I’m up to, the questions I’m asking myself, the books I’m reading to help me find my way, and how you play a vital role in this process (plus the free coaching I’m giving you in return), hop on over to the blog.
The Evolution of a Business
Click to TweetAs I tell my clients, your business will evolve as you do.We aren’t running a plumbing business where we keep fixing plumbing. We’re offering heart-centered services that change lives! As we learn and grow and deepen our understanding of our work and our clients, we bring more of that into our businesses.
Many of you know my business journey. Jumping from a successful corporate career, I began as a career coach (and quickly learned that it wasn’t the right business for me!). Then I started working as a VA. Then I offered project management to more experienced business owners.
I moved into coaching business owners to make their ideas happen. Then I helped women implement systems in their chaotic businesses.
The more I learned about business and marketing to grow my own business, the more I realized I had a knack for it. Eventually I began teaching those things to my clients. And well, that’s still what do today!
I’m lucky because I get to bring some of my favorite superpowers to work. Thinks like my love of simplifying complicated concepts into step-by-step, actionable steps detailed to the gnat’s ass and encouraging go-getter women who want to make a difference.
I’ve also found that some of my superpowers aren’t coming to my client work. Things like my big strategic thinking brain and my problem solving skills.
I’m also not fully bringing with me my deep need for efficiency, my masterful minimal work schedule (which I want to make even more minimal), my love of a clean inbox, all of my streamlined systems, and my no-fail to-do tracking system. I’m also not fully sharing my great boundary-setting skills, my management and team leadership experience, and my knack for delegating.
I use all of those superpowers in my own business, but I also want to bring the magic of those things to my client work.
I see all of these pieces I want to bring with me, but I’m not sure how they all fit into the puzzle of my business.
The Big Questions I’m Asking Myself
To figure out the next evolution of my business, I’m reading a lot of books, asking a lot of questions, spending extra time in quiet reflection, and taking more down time than ever.
If you’re wondering where you’re headed or what you want to bring more of to your work and how, here are some of the things I’m considering that might help you, too.
* What do I most LOVE LOVE LOVE to do?
* Which of my past clients have been my absolute favorite and why?
* What do I want my life to look like in 5 years, and how do I need to change my business to fit into that life?
* How do I want to feel each day, and who do I want to be?
More questions are unfolding for me every day.
Transitions also come with a mega desire to read-read-read. My bookshelf is packed more than ever, and here are some of the goodies I have lined up.
My Questions for you!
Now that I’ve shared my questions of myself the books I’m devouring, I’d love to ask some questions of you!
Whether you’ve been reading my blog since I had my career coaching business (thank you for your incredible loyalty!!) or you just found me today (welcome, new friend!), you’re here for a reason. Something caught your eye. Something resonated with you. Something drew you in. And a part of you wants to know more.
The good news is I want to give you more!
To help me make this next leap in evolution and keep giving you more, I’d love your insights. Specifically, I’d love for you to tell me…
1. What’s one thing you’ve learned from me (as a client, a blog reader, free class attendee) that you haven’t learned elsewhere?
2. What’s something about my approach to writing, teaching, or running a business that stands out compared to what you see others offering or doing?
3. What’s something you wish I’d talk (more) about?
If you answer all three questions in the comments below, I will answer one of your business questions for free!
Yes, one for you! And one for you! And for you! (Oprah style, baby!)
Here’s how it will work…
Step 1. By 4/26/15, answer all three questions above in a comment below.
Step 2. Also add in one specific question you have that you’d like me to answer for you.
Step 3. Within a few weeks, I’ll send you a personal reply with the answer to your business question. (Hint: The more succinct and more specific your question, the better and more specific of an answer I can give you.)
It’s as simple as that!
I can’t wait to hear from you in the comments below AND answer your personal business questions!
Hi Jenny,
1. What’s one thing you’ve learned from me (as a client, a blog reader, free class attendee) that you haven’t learned elsewhere?
Everything is doable once you are clear as to what you are doing. Starts with clarity on what you offer the world and then from there clarity on next steps will come.
2. What’s something about my approach to writing, teaching, or running a business that stands out compared to what you see others offering or doing?
You are very relatable in sharing how creating a business is hard work but again once you know what you are doing or what you business is about the actual steps may be many but they are not hard and very doable. I am a creative and it takes a lot for me to be a follower of someone whom I think is a systems person…but you got me again because you are real.
3. What’s something you wish I’d talk (more) about?
Do you feel overwhelm sometimes?
My question would be:
How can I take my coaching skills, my gift for listening, my knowledge of yoga a tapping and turn it into an offering that people will pay for. ugh…that is huge question…sorry. :))
Hi Jenny, I’m relatively new to your blog, but I’m enjoying everything you send my way.
1. What’s one thing you’ve learned from me (as a client, a blog reader, free class attendee) that you haven’t learned elsewhere?
– To sell Bite-sized offerings as products – love that advice!
2. What’s something about my approach to writing, teaching, or running a business that stands out compared to what you see others offering or doing?
– Authority and Authenticity – they both come across loud and clear in your every message
3. What’s something you wish I’d talk (more) about?
– Do you market your products / services, or is it all by list building and word-of-mouth? If you do any marketing, what did you try, the hits and misses?
My business question:
I’m just starting to create an e-Course called “Repair your Karma, Regain your Future”, but I’m not sure if the title is solving a specific problem. It seems vague, but I don’t know how to make it more specific / tighter.
Good Luck with your business as you’re exploring into making it even more “you” – looking forward to seeing how you and your business evolve 🙂
Just a suggestion for reworking the eCourse title…
Claim your Future by Cleaning your Karma
I like that! Thanks Tyleah – I’ll take it (unless Jenny come up with a better one ;))
1) It’s possible, and even desirable for some people, to build a just-their-size one-on-one biz. For me, as a mama of a 3.5 year old and a 5.5 year old, this is music to my ears.
2) You are crystal clear and waste no time getting right down to business, with clear, actionable steps … every time, while still being approachable and fun.
3) As you figure out ways to incorporate your big-picture, strategic superpowers into your work, I want to hear about that. Whether that involves working collaboratively with groups of others who are shaping things in a larger forum than simply their own businesses, or devoting those talents to groups you believe in, or helping to lead your clients through bigger picture visioning (or something else entirely), this is something that I, too, love doing and will be curious to see how you find ways to bring this into your biz and life.
Believe it or not, I don’t actually have a question at this particular moment, as I’m knee deep in BSchool Round 2, actually building my biz, and getting ready to go on a kindergarden field trip to a local farm. Thank you so much for the offer of the free coaching. Consider this a thank you for all the awesome info you’ve shared with me for free, and I know it will help others (and me when I see their answers) so much! Have a beautiful day.
1. Bite-size got me too! Not just the concept, but your examples. It showed me how others transitioned from a long work history into an online platform, something I’m trying to do right now. Also, your incredible example of how you make every free offering serve multiple purposes is inspiring. I get how you get more with working less; you work strategically.
2. Oh, I think I already answered this. You’re incredibly strategic. Also, I listened to one of your audio clips, and your enthusiasm is infectious, your manner approachable and yoour material smart. I feel like I’m learning multiple things all at once.
3. I wish you’d talk more about product creation. Since our businesses are evolving, it makes sense that we’re going to be defining and redefining ourselves with new products, but I’m having a hard time finding very specific information about what’s the best way to bundle information for online consumption, and then step-by-step tutorials on how to do it so it comes out looking/sounding great. Maybe a best tools thing.
My question: Can you point me to any resources that would help me with #3 above? Thanks Jenny. You’re a very inspiring leader, and I’m glad I’ve found you.
1. The experimental mindset. I used it with my weight coaching clients, but didn’t think about it in terms of business and the bite-sized offer when you’re just starting out in business.
2. The clear, concise manner in which you provide so much value.
3. Maybe how to decide what the best method is for putting together an editorial calendar/how to deliver great content and value that leads to sales.
My question is about what I referenced in #3. I want to be consistent, provide great value, but I also want it to have a point, like to eventually have people work with me privately or via a class I’m creating. I’d love insight on how you plan and prepare for that, since you do it so well 🙂
Hi Jenny,
I’ve been subscribed since about Feb 2014, and read your weekly emails. Thank you for all that you share. I’m in the midst of shifting my business, and you have been a valuable touchstone in my process.
1. What’s distinctive: I love that you focus on step by step systems, explain the purpose of those systems (i.e., ground in strategy vs random tactics), and break everything into simple (but not simplistic) bits.
2. I value your no no-nonsense direction on the fundamentals of running a business.
3. I’d love to learn more about the common challenges and opportunities you see business owners face at key phases in business (e.g., launching, growing, evolving), and the kinds of mastery (e.g., mindsets, technical skills, etc.) necessary to navigate those phases.
My question: I’m creating a new business in a category new to me, and I’m feeling blocked on the first step to take to start building a community. I’ve been given advice to email leaders in the new industry, give them something that helps them, and then ask to connect for a 15 minute call. But this doesn’t feel right to me. Maybe because I’m an introvert, it feels awkward and random. Should I just push through and do it anyway, or would you recommend different action?
Thank you, and I wish you great success as you navigate this shift in your business.
Jeni
Hi Jenny I have been reading your stuff for a few months now (when Marie Forleo gave you a shout out in one of this year’s B-School lessons I knew I better keep reading. Your stuff is great.
1. How to get killer reviews! Also, to keep things simple, and you helped have the courage to hit the “unsubscribe” button because I was having total overwhelm with the business advice that was flooding into my inbox each day.
2. Your advice is simple, yet oh so right.
3. Routines, balance, consistency and committing to a regular schedule in your business and personal life.
My Q: Is it possible to be in the beginning stages of your business to still have a weekend? I feel like if I am not working on the weekends and all the in between moments I am missing out on growth. I feel so passionate about what I am doing sometimes I want to burst. I need a routine and sometimes I feel like just because I am busy, doesn’t mean I am productive. I want to be highly productive and have time to enjoy life too. Any tips?
Thank you!
Hi Jenny, you were recommended to me several months ago and I was paying attention 🙂
1. What I’ve gotten the most from so far is your message of the need for consistency over a period of time, and the examples that you provide along those lines.
2. You seem very approachable, you don’t hold back information, and you give very specific action steps which suits my brain wonderfully!
3. How to do market research; how to come up with so much material for blog, FB, guest blogging, & whatever else when you are staring at a blank page and feel like you have nothing to say…
Q. I am starting out and not sure where to find my ideal clients, much less confirm that the words I’m using on my sales page are what they’re actually saying. I haven’t “hung out online” myself so I’m not sure where to look (I just joined FB last year to start my biz presence and participate in a group program) & I live in a rural area so there’s not even a health store to post a flyer in. My ideal client is a mom in her late 30s or 40s who is so tired that it is affecting her day to day life. She is ready to take her life back and thrive, wants to be a role model for her children, and is open to alternative healing in addition to traditional methods. Suggestions for where I should begin?
1. There are many things but mostly I admire your ability to run a business and be completly authentic in it. Seeing this is really the biggest take-away for me. Apart from that I feel like you’re connecting the dots between things that I kind of already know, but it still doesn’t work (like a missing piece in the instructions) – you’re usually able to fill this gap so I can connect the dots.
2. Truth and authenticity in anything you do. It’s not just “hot air”, you have gone through everything yourself and base your advice on your own experience.
3. Info specificly for life coaches (since I’m one): How to create a business around something that’s invisible (in opposite to, say a freelancer selling graphic design or tangible things)
My question: I’m starting out as a Martha Beck Life Coach and have a hard time to sell the sessions with me. I really can’t promise results to my clients. How can I speak about the value of my service without promising an outcome?
Thank you!
I love your question Eva and I’m curious what Jenny has to say!
1. I have learned from you that even small businesses need great systems! And now, a year of business ownership later, I’m not only convinced, I still remember the specific web scheduler you recommend, and am getting serious about improving client flow. 🙂 In other words, you gave me both the “why” and the “how.”
2. You are super encouraging, and your success inspires me that I, too, can be super successful even though I’m not a 65 year-old businessman. 🙂
3. I would love it if you talked more about conquering fear. You say, “kick it to the curb!’ Is this decisiveness all it took for you to blast through self-doubt?
My Q: I have a flute studio of wonderful students, 95% of whom are scheduled for weekly lessons. As my studio grows, it’s clear that I need a cancellation policy. How can I create a policy that honors the loyalty of my clients, most of whom are extremely respectful about scheduling, while setting good boundaries for the growth of my business? So far they nearly all pay me in cash at time of service. It feels awkward to charge for a lesson I haven’t given, but it’s a bummer to rev myself up for a lesson that doesn’t happen.
1. What’s one thing you’ve learned from me (as a client, a blog reader, free class attendee) that you haven’t learned elsewhere?
Everything is possible but first you need to be really clear on what you’re doing and why!
2. What’s something about my approach to writing, teaching, or running a business that stands out compared to what you see others offering or doing?
I love how systematic you make everything. It really speaks to me and works for my style of productivity. I also love how straight-forward and encouraging you are.
3. What’s something you wish I’d talk (more) about?
How to run a business with a chronic illness.
My question: Right now I offer 2 main programs: (1) emotional support + health advocacy for women with high-risk pregnancies and preemie parents and (2) emotional support only. Both programs go from when the clients find me to 1 month after baby is home (no matter how long that is). Payments are monthly. I really like my existing program contents but worry the time length is too open-ended and may be too overwhelming and that could be why I haven’t gotten a client yet. Do you have a suggestion on how to make them less overwhelming while maintaining the contents? Or is it better to have more specific programs with shorter time commitment? For example an 8 week couples relationship stress program, a 4 week reducing stress on bedrest or a 4 week health advocacy program specifically for high-risk moms or preemie parents, etc.
Thank you Jenny!
Hi, Jenny!
1) The one thing I’ve learned from you that I haven’t learned elsewhere is to include “bite size” offerings (especially when you’re just starting out). Also I love your Social Media Strategy, as far as using it but not letting it consume your day. Haven’t heard that anywhere else, either!
2) I love how you make systems both logical and creative at the same time. Makes setting up the inner-workings of a business something that I enjoy doing!
3) I’d love to hear about your strategies for staying focused and being patient when you’re starting something new (and have taken all the appropriate action for the moment).
My Question:
What has been your experience with guest posting, and how do you go about choosing the blogs to approach? Have you primarily approached business and entrepreneurial blogs, or have you ventured outside the industry? If so, what kind of results did you get?
Thanks again for all that you do!
THANK YOU everyone for your inputs! It was such a pleasure to read them.
I’ve sent you each a personalized reply to your question, so watch your email for the answers.
Thank you again, and I hope I was able to help each of you like you’ve helped me!
xo
Jenny