Answer this for me: What do you do and why should I choose YOU instead of the others who provide the same product or service that you do?
Got a great answer on the tip of your tongue for that one? Share it in the comments–I’d love to hear (read) it!
Since you read my blog and know a bit about me, would you answer that question with a very clear “Yes, you should choose me and here’s why…” or “No, we wouldn’t be a great fit to work together, but here’s who I recommend for you and why…” or maybe after you ask me a few questions you’d reply with, “Nope, you don’t need what I offer right now…”
If those types of conversations frustrate you, or if you find yourself unsure of where to market and promote your business… chances are good that your problem might NOT be lack of networking or sales skills, or need for more marketing training… because your biggest problem may not be what you think it is!
I’ve invited Cindy of Attract Your Niche to my blog today to share with you what it might REALLY be and how to fix it.
10 Signs Your Niche is the Root Cause of Your Problems
Guest Post By Cindy Schulson, Attract Your Niche
You’ve heard me (and lots of other people) talk about the importance of a niche.
Having a clear niche brings many benefits, including:
- It’s easier to become an expert, which allows you to gain more visibility and command higher fees
- You can focus your marketing to where your target market hangs out, which makes your marketing more effective
- You can speak directly to what your target market is looking for, which means more sales
- It’s so much easier to get referrals because people know who you help and what you help them with
- You can build a targeted list of your raving fans
- You’ll attract more joint venture partners – people who serve the same target market but offer a complementary solution
- If you want to earn more leveraged income (one of my favorite things to help clients do:) you absolutely must have a clear niche. If you help everyone with everything, you don’t stand a chance of filling your programs or selling many products.
If you’re struggling to do these things then I’m willing to bet that the lack of a clear niche is part of the problem.
So let’s do this. Let’s have a quick reality check to see if your niche (or lack thereof) is the root cause of your problems.
Reality Check Quiz
1. You don’t know what separates you from everyone else who does the same kind of thing.
2. When you describe who you help you can only describe them in broad demographic terms, (e.g. boomer women, parents) or broad descriptions (e.g. people who are going through a transition, people who want to reduce their stress).
3. You don’t get referrals because people don’t know who you help or what you help them with.
4. You want to earn leveraged income through programs (e.g. group coaching, membership program, home study programs) but because you help everyone with everything you don’t have enough people to sell them to.
5. You take on clients who aren’t your favorite and don’t allow you to do your best work.
6. You don’t know where your ideal clients hang out and how to reach them.
7. Your list is small, not targeted and non-responsive. They don’t buy your programs or even sign up for your free stuff, like webinars and strategy sessions.
8. You struggle to write content for your website and blog.
9. You can’t clearly and easily explain what you do.
10. You’re investing a lot of time, energy and money but have nothing to show for it – no clients, no sales and no fun!
If you answered “yes” to 7 or more of these questions, then chances are your niche is the root cause of your problems. So now the question is, what are you going to do about it?
Don’t let your niche problems stop you from building the business of your dreams. You deserve to do what you love and get well rewarded for it!
Cindy Schulson is the Founder of Attract Your Niche. She helps coaches and other solopreneurs discover their ideal niche, create a powerful message, and package what they do to create multiple streams of income. Her free Niche Success Kit, including her special report, “Discover Your Ideal Niche”, has helped guide thousands of solopreneurs on the road to finding their own niche. Grab your free copy at http://www.AttractYourNiche.
I help free-spoken, open-minded and creative women stop being such nice girls all the time and unlock their passions, so they can craft a magical life of purpose, power and passion, without taking shit from anyone.
You should choose me because I do my coaching with edge, attitude, humor, and a touch of magic. I’m 100% me, and I want my clients to be too.
I’m calling this Magical Life Crafting, just in case you were wondering ;)
That’s a fun way to phrase it, Linda. Craft the life you want. :)
Thanks Michelle :) I had to add some magic to it, leaving the witch in me out of it didn’t work :D
Hi Cindy and Michelle,
Getting uber clear on your target market makes your job so much easier. I rehauled both of my blogs recently to underscore this point. By nailing my market I work less and play more….well I play most of the day, anyway ;)
The challenge? Finding clarity. Let go who you no longer need to target in order to target your true market effectively.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
It sure does — and having more time to play at what I love is one of the reasons I became an entrepreneur! :)
Nice post Cindy. These are thought provoking questions which will help anyone to drill down some of the challenges that they face. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks Linda, Ryan, and Neil. And thank you Michelle for the opportunity to share with your audience.
I remember when I first started online and spent a year and half spinning my wheels. When I finally took a step back, I realized that my lack of a clear niche was the root of my problems. I wasn’t sure WHO I helped, WHAT solution I provided or WHY people should work with me.
I call these 3 W’s, solving the Niche Puzzle. It’s a much more holistic approach than just choosing a target market and figuring out what they want. In fact, when I help my clients discover their ideal niche, we start the journey from within.
Thanks again and warm wishes,
Cindy
Hi Cindy and Michelle,
Like the reality check quiz. :). Online business is harder than you could imagine, but it doesn’t mean you can’t. Make your approach to selling stand out from the rest by doing something no one else does. A new angle or perspective, one that no one else has tried. Something that will make your audience stand up and pay attention.
Understanding where you stand is the first step towards providing better quality or quantity. If one wants to beat the competition in that niche he or she has to really offer something that only he or she can provide. Infact I remember one quote that one of my older friend told me sometime ago. It was that always teach your children that they are one of a kind and they are unique. Don’t lose that uniqueness. Capitalizing on your uniqueness is the key.
You’re looking in from the outside, and it’s hard to know for sure what profits exist in the business. But you can be fairly certain that if you find a lot of competition on your topic, the niche you’re looking at is a profitable one.