It's been a couple weeks since the election.

In that time, I've heard all kinds of people saying all kinds of things, but the one that really threw me was this:

"How dare you sell <<anything>> at a time like this?"

I mean, I get it.

There are lots of people feeling lots of things right now, and the folks who were hit hard by the news have been trying to grapple with what this new reality could mean for them.

But that's kinda like saying "How dare you go to work at a time like this?"

That's a luxury not everyone can afford.

I get that you may need some tenderness right now.

Some time to breathe.

Time away from a "sales cycle".

I COMPLETELY understand.

In fact, I was there for a few days... I couldn't bring myself to care about ANYTHING except "securing my bag" for my family?

I'm not pretending I'm over it. Not by a long shot.

But I made a commitment to my workshop partner and we're counting on each other to do our part.

I made a commitment to my family, and they're counting on me to do my part.

Plus, I am is more convinced than ever that NOT showing up is a losing proposition.

I lose. My family loses. My clients lose. My audience doesn't get the help they need and THEY lose.

Um, no thanks. I don't like the way that feels.

In my last book, I talked about what I call the I-Matter paradigm:

I Matter.

You Matter.

We Matter.

In that order. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

I know it might sound selfish, and if you only ever stay in the "I Matter" energy, then you're right, it IS selfish.

But the point of this paradigm is to help you realize that you've got to "put your own oxygen mask on first" so to speak. Once you've got your own needs tended, then you can turn to help those around you... and from there, we make a bigger impact on the world - TOGETHER.

"I Matter" means:

• Showing up for yourself and doing what you can as you are able
• Continuing to open the doors to your store to sell your wares (because there are folks who need you!)
• Being able to feed your family and nourish your spirit
• Continuing to be a light in the world
• and resting when it makes sense.

If you're in a rest and recovery phase, that's a great thing... even if it feels tender. Thank you for taking care of yourself.

And if the best thing you can do right now is keep showing up and shining your light, then consider ​joining us for our upcoming workshop​.

I'm more committed than ever to helping a rainbow coalition of deeply experienced and brilliantly gifted folks to become a sought-out authority in their niche. A strong brand identity is a big part of making that happen. This workshop can help.

Until next time,

- Lisa

P.S. Know someone else that could benefit? Send them here: ​https://digivisualdesign.com/brand-bible-workshop/

It's a honest question.

What is it about you and your Great Work that makes people fall in love with your business?

Maybe you have an immediate knowing. Maybe you can't WAIT to tell people why your "milkshake brings all the boys to the yard"...

Maybe that's not the best analogy, but you get the idea.

There's a certain something about who you are, what you do, and the way you do it, that keeps your Raving Fans coming back for more.

When you have this figured out, it becomes a helluvalot easier to market your business.

Why?

Because you can show up and speak directly into their hearts and minds in a way that creates harmonious resonance.

If you don’t know how to express what you’re really about & what makes you different from the other people who do your thing, then your marketing probably feels like a slog or a long, slow, death that you just wish would end already!

If that's how you feel, then this could be exactly what you've been looking for!

I've been blessed, for YEARS, to have the talent, skill, and brain of my designer and brand guardian, Tracy, on speed dial. there have been several times in the past where we've collaborated on a group call or a webinar about what makes for good design, but I've always wanted to do something more. Something that...

• gives you an immediate result to improve your business
• helps you elevate your brand (like she's helped to elevate mine!)
• doesn't take weeks or months to do!

And we've finally got it!

One of the big things that's helped me create a cohesive brand is my Brand Bible. Tracy built my first ever Brand Guide almost 10 years ago. Over the years, I've put a lot of work into refining it, building it out, and making it even more comprehensive. From a guide to a full-blown, "do this, not that" bible for everything about my brand.

And I want to help you do the same!

Together, Tracy and I are leading a one-time-only workshop where we'll walk you through all the decisions you need to make about what to put in your very own brand bible. Space is limited, because we're teaching it live and answering all your branding questions.

Look, Tracy has more than 25 years of design experience for ALL kinds of design - from print to web to promotional products. She KNOWS her shizz! And I trust her to keep my own brand en pointe and looking sharp (and I'm MARRIED to a designer, so that should tell you something!).

If you’ve been in business for a while, but your brand doesn't look like it, if you’re worried your brand looks unprofessional... or (almost worse!) boring, if every time you sit down to work on your marketing, it’s a giant time-sucking slog because you’re making all these decisions from scratch, then join us on Small Business Saturday and make your life easier!

There. I said it.

I'm not the only one who's said this over the decades, but it seriously bears repeating.

I've been talking a bit in my recent emails about the power of a strong brand.

Strong brands have the power to influence, excite, disrupt, and move the masses.

Millions of people can be swayed by the power of a strong brand.

But a logo, in and of itself, is not a brand. It's a visual element of a much bigger story.

My own designer, Tracy, wrote a great post years back about why so many logo designs are a waste of time and money - and what to do instead.

And to create a really great logo, you've got to do some deep thinking about your brand as a whole.

It's important work, and when you're elevating your brand in the eyes of your customer, you can't half-ass it. I'd even argue that you've reached a point where you can't DIY your brand anymore.

Instead of trying to create something that won't do what you want it to do anyway, focus on the decisions that go into making a strong brand.

That's the BEST ROI for a micro business owner because it's something that only you can do!

A logo is meant to encapsulate what a brand is about. So, what is YOUR brand all about? I asked you the other day to remember who you are. What you stand for, what really matters. There was a reason for that.

Because those are two important decisions that go into the creation of a strong brand.

Tracy and I have been noodling on a workshop at the end of the month to help you make those key decisions about your brand. I'll share more details soon!

I've been looking for reminders lately.

Things that remind me who I really am... who I really WANT to be in the world.

That happens sometimes when you start questioning everything. When everything starts to feel unsteady, uncertain, unsure.

Two things from my annual Creative Freedom retreat this year keep coming back to me.

​The SWOT Analysis​ - where several folks listed the outcome of this year's election as a potential threat to their business - and the reminder I shared with everyone on repeat:

Remember who you are.

When the world is off-kilter, dangerous, and hard to take...

Remember who you are.

Stand moored. Resolute in what it is that you stand for, what you believe in, and what you're about in this world.

Remember who you are.

Don't let the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" take you out of the race.

Remember who you are.

Gird your loins, light your torch.

Remember who you are.

Mount your horse, draw your bow, raise your shield.

Remember who you are.

Sing your song. Create your art. Dance your dance. Speak your mind.

Remember who you are.

Protect your peace. Honor your boundaries. Rest. Then RISE.

Remember who you are.

Don't let the bastards get you down.

Remember who you are.

I wasn't trying to wax poetic when I started this. I was actually trying to get you to think more about who you are. What YOU stand for. What you WON'T stand for. Where do you draw those lines in the sand?

Believe it or not, those are important questions for your business, too. I'll share more tomorrow, but for now...

Remember who you are.

It took me a LONG time to stop DIY-ing my brand.

I mean, a REALLY long time. More than 20 years.

It wasn't because I thought I was the bee's knees at branding or anything - I'm clearly NOT.

I just didn't think it was the best use of my resources.

I mean... take a trip in the Wayback Machine with me and look at these oh-so-sexy early brand images.

I actually got smart and hired someone - on a site called "50dollarlogo.com" - to design something for the second edition of my book:

Around the same time, I launched The Renaissance Mom. If you've been around a while, you might remember that old brand. Again, I hired out the design to someone who was REALLY good at giving me what I asked for, but I DIY'd everything else - including the website. Talk about a discombobulated brand! I went through a number of tag lines in the course of a few months and none of it stuck. I even tried hosting a 3-day event that totally BOMBED. Here's a screenshot from 2010:

Those giant, clickable social buttons on the top of the page? Yeah, they TOTALLY blend!

Good times!

I stumbled through another year of trying to DIY my website and then, because I was tired of trying to keep up with all the wordpress theme updates, I hired someone to do a whole refresh. I realized it was time for me to do SOMETHING unique to make a unique mark in the industry. Everything I'd done up to that point was built off someone else's template (except for those early logos, and well, you saw how good THEY were!).

I didn't have a ton of cash to lay out, but it was clean, original, and I finally had a tag line that felt genuine. I don't know why that was so important to me, but it was. Still is, to be honest. I think it helps people know what I'm about and what I stand for.

And that was the first time my name became my brand. GULP!

I had fonts! I had a logo! I had brand colors! I had ARRIVED!

I started making worksheets in Open Office (before Google Docs was hot, my friend!) and all my stuff started to look like it belonged together.

Then I published my first book.

The Secret Watch came out in 2012 and I was finally a *published author* gosh darn it - and I wanted a website and branding to reflect this new version of me. Something totally custom.

Behold the Stepford website of 2014:

But I was still doing a lot of DIY. I mean, check out this monstrosity:

I called it my Stepford website because, like every wife in that book, it was beautiful...and it didn't work.

That leopard print was slapped on everything for many years. I'm still a big animal print fan, but it took the tough love of a seasoned pro to help me get over myself.

By 2015, I was ready to release another album. It had been a while, and I had a clear vision for the project, so I booked my very first *official* photoshoot. I think I dropped a few hundred dollars on it. Which, for me, was HUGE at that time. From those photos, I reached out to Tracy Lay, who I'd known for a few years. She took those images and developed my very first Brand Guide. Here's a peek:

I felt SO professional! Tracy went on to create a bunch of branded templates for me - for YouTube, workbooks (still in Open Office!), and really felt like I had my shit together. Except that it didn't really match the website. Well, except for the leopard print. Like Sriracha, I put that on ev'rythang!

Then Canva came on the scene, and I lost my ever-loving mind.

It was 2016. I had just moved to Nashville. Hot on the heels of my album release, I had just completed work on my Creative Entrepreneur Type Quiz. I jumped into Canva to create THIS carbuncle:

New book, who dis?

Thankfully, I did the right thing and hired Tracy to design the book layout when it was ready to launch. THAT turned out pretty darn good! So much so, that I also hired her to take the pictures from my second photo shoot in 2017 and fix my Stepford website - that I'd been running with for more than four years at that point. ZOINKS!

Together, we developed my second-ever mood board:

You'll notice some of the same elements, but a more sophisticated look and feel. I was "growing up" my little brand - and starting to embrace my sparkle! That was 2017. The plan was to create a "phase one" website that would start my transition from that old "Stepford" look and feel to a more grown-up brand. By the end of 2019, we were finally able to roll it out:

Yes, that leopard print's still kickin'! But we also pulled SO much of the book branding into the website. Fonts, colors, logo, tag line. The whole nine. And it was everywhere - social templates, Youtube thumbnails, email, worksheets (now in Canva, my friend!)...all the bells and whistles!

FINALLY, a cohesive brand... just a measly 25 years after I started this entrepreneurial journey!

Just in time for a pandemic. womp womp!

You may have noticed, I put the word "bad" in quotation marks.

The truth is that none of it was actually bad in the moment - for where I was at and what I was trying to do. It served a purpose. It gave me a starting point. And to a degree, I was right - plunking down (tens of) thousands of dollars for branding would NOT have been a good use of my resources then. I was a mompreneur with young kids... then a divorced, single mompreneur who had to rebuild her life after a failed marriage.

But once I got established in Nashville, things started to change for me. I recognized that my DIY branding wasn't doing the heavy lifting I needed it to do. It looked half-assed, and my results for my clients are NOT half-assed. I put my whole ass into it, every time!

Working with a professional like Tracy, I've learned how to make better design decisions. But I also realized that having her as my brand guardian meant that I could TRUST someone else to make sure I looked good. What a relief! She's done all my branding since then, and most of my design work. And she made it easy for me because we put all the templates into canva.

So when I started working on my next book, and realizing that my brand wasn't reflecting the direction I needed to go next, I called Tracy, and we started working on the "phase two" website and branding of my dreams.

I mean, can we just celebrate how GOOD this all looks for a minute? And how it all goes together?!

DIY can take you pretty far. I don't knock it, because I know how important it is to do what you can, as you are able, with what you have... whatever that might be.

AND... I also know that sometimes you need to go further than what your DIY skills can provide. That's the benefit of hiring a pro.

Where are you ready to level up?

Is it branding? Honoring your boundaries? Expanding your capacity? Something else? Not sure? I can help you suss that out. Book a next steps session and we can figure it out together.

I just returned from a week in St. Louis for our annual Creative Freedom Retreat. I stayed an extra night after everyone left to do some of my own planning. One of the things I got very clear on is that doing more live events is part of my plans for 2025. Stay tuned for updates on Creative Freedom Live - a new event that will deep dive into the elements of my book!

I LOVE being in the room where the action happens... where the light bulbs come on for folks. Plus, there's a different kind of connection between folks who meet in person versus coming together on a virtual platform.

Believe me. I've experienced the differences personally - both as a host and an attendee.

While I get that not everyone can travel, and that not everyone is excited about doing live events, I still feel strongly that there's a lot more value in doing live, in-person events - including industry-specific markets and pop-up shops. These types of events give you the chance to build deeper connections and increase sales.

If you’ve been considering hosting or exhibiting at in-person events, here's my take on making it worth your while.

Pexels - CC0 Licence

It’s Good Marketing (And Sales!)

Many businesses put their focus into trying to market to online customers. That makes sense, because it's "easier" and can be more cost effective if you're blasting emails and social media messages out all day. But there’s value in marketing in the real world, too. There are plenty of uber-successful companies and creatives NOT using Instagram or TikTok to grow their businesses - and making bank to boot!

Beyond money, exposure at in-person events can be valuable, too - if the event is one where your best audience attends (if it's not, then why are you there?). If you're sponsoring a booth or stage time, you'll get the undivided attention of the folks in the room, which often leads to sales at industry events. It can also lead to new networking connections. I've walked away from events with sales, new leads, and new friends and colleagues.

And if it's YOUR event? You can curate an experience that can't be found anywhere else. You have control of the environment, any speakers or sponsors that you want to have, and a deeper intimacy with the folks who get to engage with your brand! That kind of brand experience has led several of my clients to become regulars at my annual event. It's not that they don't know how to do annual planning for themselves, but that being in community with other folks helps them get more clarity, make more confident decisions, and be ready to take more courageous actions for their future.

It’ll Bring You Face-to-Face With Customers

If you run an online business, then you might have an idea of the type of people who like your products, but you may only have a small sample size, based on folks who've found you and bought from you online. At an in-person event, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your customers face to face. Aside from getting to know your audience a bit better, this can also be a major boost for your confidence as a business owner. There’s nothing better than hearing people gush about how much they love your products! Plus, you'll have time to do a lot more recon when you can talk to them face-to-face. Learn about why they buy, why they don't, why they're willing to travel to see you, and what makes them choose you over the competition.

Get The Tools You Need

Unless you only offer a handful of things, you probably won’t be able to bring all of your inventory to an event, so select your best-selling items, or ones that best represent your brand. Think "wow factor" if you're in a vendor booth or presenting from the stage. Once people have that "wow" experience with your brand, they're more ready to make a purchase. Obviously, you’ll need a way to accept payments. Tap to Pay on iPhone is available here, which will make it easy for your new customers to pay for their goods. Finally, some branded materials (say, banners including your business name) can help to make your stand more visually appealing.

If you're hosting the event, you'll need to think about how to incorporate sales into your experience. I don't offer anything for sale during my annual planning retreat, but I do make offers when I speak from the stage or during other in-person events like book tours, concerts, or other live trainings. I almost always have books and CDs available at a merch table of some sort. If you've got event sponsors or vendors, you'll want to consider how they'll be able to make the most of their time. If they're not seeing a positive return on their investment, they'll probably skip your event next time.

Find (Or Create) The Right Event

Making sure the right people are at the right event is crucial for maximizing success. Get it right, and you’ll have a whole audience of people interested in your types of products. Get it wrong, and it’ll be a waste of your time.

If you're sponsoring or exhibiting, do some research to understand the target audience of the event you’re thinking of attending. For example, rather than just selling your clothes at a clothes market, try to learn the demographic that the event is for. If it’s for people who fall under your ideal customer profile, then go for it. Otherwise, take a pass.

If you're hosting the event, the same thing applies. Know your audience - and be able to communicate that to any sponsors or vendors you're trying to attract. Again, if they can't see an ROI from participating, they'll look elsewhere.

If you're looking for more insights into live events, check out these episodes of the Creative Freedom Show:

• No more crappy events! How to know which events to attend and which ones you can skip
• 8 Lessons I've Learned Hosting Live Events

Not sure if events are the best marketing tool for you? Book a Next Steps Session and let's talk!

When you’re developing your brand, it takes a lot more than just creating a fabulous and memorable logo or coming up with a catchy tagline. A great brand makes a lasting, memorable impact in the mind of your customer. It's built on a combination of things, like strategic planning, consistency, and your brand stories - they "mythology" of your company, your found (YOU), and your offers. It doesn't happen by accident. You have to choose - and keep choosing - to have a great brand.

Photo by Leeloo The First

Show Your Vision

Most brands have a clear vision. Your vision basically outlines the long-term plans and aspirations for your business, so it’s a great way not just to explain to your customers, investors, partners, and others that you’ve got a plan and you know what you’re doing, but it’s also a wonderful reminder to you of what you’re aiming for in the end - sometimes it’s easy to forget. Part of that vision is private. Internal to the company stake holders (employees, team members, you). But the public facing part of your vision is often found in the form of a vision statement. It's one way (but not the only way) to communicate that vision to your Raving Fans.

Consistent Brand Voice

When you’re building a brand, you need to have a consistent brand voice - that way, whether you use your branding on your website or you hire a sticker maker for some giveaway swag, you’ll be able to make sure everything looks the same and, crucially tells the same story with the same message. 

That means you're not speaking informally on your website and then showing up ultra-professional in person. That creates a disconnect. It you say "y'all" on your website, say it in person, too!

One of the best things to do to keep your brand voice consistent is to be genuinie - especially as a personal brand. The worst thing you can do is create a persona for your brand that doesn't feel authentic to who you are. You'll feel imprisoned after a while - chained to a brand identity that doesn't fit you. If your brand is an authentic reflection of who you are and what matters to you, then you won’t have to keep remembering what you said or did or how things sounded; it’s easy to remember - because it's YOU... or at least the version of you that you want the world to know.

This is important: you don't have to air all your dirty laundry. You can keep some things to yourself. No one has a right to see every part of you (except you). YOU get to decide how to "shape" your public brand by deciding what you want the world to know.

That said, you never have full control of your brand because it's ultimately up to your audience. It's how THEY see you and the stories they tell about you that ultimately define your brand. As I often say, you can't control the outcome, all you can do is influence it based on how you show up in the world. That's actually a GOOD thing because if you're being genuine, you're attracting people who like what you're about and repelling the folks that don't. 

Exceptional Customer Service

A great brand understands how important it is to treat your customers well. Understand your market, do appropriate market research, get customer feedback, and engage with your customers to get a broader view of who they are and what matters to them.

When you know what your customers want, you’ll be able to tailor your products, services, and marketing efforts to meet their expectations - in ways that also work for you - and you can use your brand to tell them you know what they’re looking for.  

Staying Relevant

Staying on top of trends, attending industry events, going to conferences, and so on - the more you can learn and implement, the better. That doesn't mean running yourself ragged, but it does mean having an idea of what's actually going on inside your market beyond your doors.

Of course, to stay relevant means you might have to make changes in your business, so if you’re really serious about making your brand great, being comfortable with the idea of change is a must. The only constant is change, right? Make calculated, strategic changes when it matters. It will help you stay relevant to the people that matter most to your business.

And it's okay to NOT be mainstream. In fact, most creatives aren't. They've found their own path forward and that's half the reason their audience loves them. Let your audience love you and your brand, too!

Image credit

Being in business is honestly one of the most challenging things a person can ever do; it’s not easy stuff in the slightest! One day, you’re on top of the world, sketching out big plans like your marketing strategy, and the next, you might find yourself drowning in to-do lists. That initial rush of excitement can quickly give way to the grind and that's exactly when many new business ideas begin to lose steam. 

Running a business in the early stages (or launching a new initiative in an established one) can be particularly tough. Staying motivated is crucial—not just for ticking off tasks, but for keeping your spirit alive through all the ups and downs. AND THERE ARE A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS!

The truth is, you can't expect to always be "on" and have the best attitude - sometimes, when things go off the rails, it's demotivating and really sucks! But when the temptation to just say “screw it” and stop might be tempting, having ways to stay inspired and motivated can help you re-focus and get back on track to turn your dreams into reality.

You Need to Stay Connected to Your “Why”

Remind yourself why you started on this journey. Whether it is the desire for financial independence, a passion for your product, or the drive to solve a problem, keeping your core motivation at the forefront can reignite your enthusiasm during tough times. Lizzo slept in her car in order to stay in the place where she could make her musical dreams a reality. I'm not saying you need to do that, but it's important to place your dreams and realities into perspective and be honest about why you're doing what you're doing and what you're REALLY willing to do to see success.

Create a “TaDahh!” List

Instead of a traditional to-do list, keep a 'done list' - I call it a "Ta dahh!" list. It's a place to document everything you've accomplished at the end of the day. It’s about feeling accomplished at the end of the day, not focusing on what else you need to do today and for the rest of the week. It doesn’t really matter if it’s big or small. Did you launch a new program today? Ta Dahh! Set up your website? Ta Dahh!" Complete your EIN registration with a federal employee identification number filing service? Ta Dahh! It's DONE! Celebrate!

Practice "Do Nothing" Days

A day of doing nothing? How exactly could this even help? While this might sound counterintuitive, occasionally allowing yourself a guilt-free pass to relax and recharge without any pressure can prevent burnout. Basically, it’s just a break, and you deserve to give yourself a break.

In my first marriage, I had a "leave me the eff alone day" every quarter. I'd leave in the morning and come back whenever I felt like it. Don't call me. Don't try to find me, because even I didn't know what was going to happen that day. Sometimes I just went to the park for a few hours and came back home. Other times I left town completely. It just depended on where my head was at and what I needed to refill my bucket.

Now, I have structured "uncontaminated time" in my calendar. That's a term I learned from Breanne Dyck that I've shared with my own clients. If your calendar is so full that you don't have time for NOTHING, it's no wonder you're struggling with motivation.

Schedule Some Time to Just Think

It can be a nice way to decompress and really let go while staying motivated. So, ideally, it’s a good idea to set aside regular time slots each week just to think. You’ll want to use this time to step back and look at the bigger picture, brainstorm new ideas, or reflect on what is and isn’t working. This can prevent you from getting bogged down in day-to-day tasks and help you stay focused on strategic goals. It’s also a good idea to gain more mental clarity.

Believe me, I understand that there are times when it feels like you just can't pull away or the house of cards will collapse. That's the MOST important time to step back. because you're building something that's not sustainable. Sure, there are times to hustle, but those times need to be the exception, not the rule. If you need support figuring out how to have a business that works for how you're wired to work and gives you a sustainable path forward - with time off for doing NOTHING - book a next steps session and let's talk!

When you’ve been running your business day in, day out for years on end, it’s easy to let things slide and become a little uninspired. Think back to when you first thought of your business idea: all you were thinking about was how to get things going. You also thought about the money, the lifestyle, and all of the other perks that come hand in hand with owning your own business.

But, when it actually comes to it and you’ve built this business model, you realise how much there actually is to think about, and your whole life becomes centred on making sure that what you’ve already built stays where it is. The problem with that is that while your business might still be making money, it’s simply not going anywhere. And, you might be feeling too afraid to take that next step to make things exciting again; not just for you, but for your customers as well.

If you really want a business that stands out from the crowd and excites people, you have to be brave enough to take those steps!

Not sure where to start? Here are a few thoughts on how you can breathe a new life into your business.

Rebrand

Rebranding is a big step, and it’s something that many small businesses steer away from because it can become confusing to your customers. If you’re already struggling to keep up with the brand you have in place at the moment, you might be wondering how rebranding might benefit your business.

When I approached Tracy at Digivisual Design to work on my gorgeous new website rebrand, I knew it was time for an upgrade. The old red an blue with animal prints was fun, but it didn't reflect the more sophisticated (dare I say elegant?) appearance and approach I was taking in my business. It didn't accurately attract the kind of clients I wanted to attract, either, which was a BIG clue. We'd already done some preliminary work around my mood board for what I wanted the new website to be like, and that laid the foundation for a solid rebrand.

So, if you know that your branding isn’t working for you - or you don't even HAVE a brand, but you're swimming in a sea of Canva templates and changing out colors - then this is something to consider. Think about it this way: if you re-emerge as a business that’s bright and beautiful with new ideas and products to bring to the table, then you’re bound to attract more attention. If you’re bland, rebranding is a good choice to consider.

Rebranding isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t have the mind for design and creation. If hiring a pro isn't in your budget yet, talk to Tracy. She has a DIY course that can help you create something inspiring pretty quickly.

Be innovative

If your branding is strong, it could be your client experience - either with your offers, or with your company. Sit back and think, what kind of experience would you like to have if you were looking for the same things your customers are. There’s a good chance that doing this alone will give you plenty of ideas on how you can switch things up to be more enticing for your customers.

For example, if you run a local pharmacy that simply doesn’t seem to be getting the customers that you used to, then what is it that you’re missing out on? You could consider adding in a consultation room for patients that need privacy, or you might implement patient adherence solutions so they can keep on top of their medication. There are ideas galore out there to improve your customer experience. Maybe it's time to explore some new options!

You might also benefit from looking at what your competitors are doing - but with a caveat.

This isn't about making yourself feel bad about what you're NOT doing or how they are somehow so much better or farther along than you are. Instead, use this as an opportunity to see what you can do that they can't or a way to do something even better. You might even spot a gap in the market and bring something new to the table that nobody else is doing in your industry. When I launched the Incubator years ago, there was no one else in the coaching world offering it. Now you see "incubators" popping up all over the place for creative entrepreneurs (still none with our pay-for-results model!). When you can offer something new and exciting, customers that need that difference will choose you.

Also, if the fear of rejection has stopped you from releasing a product or idea into your business, then now is the time to take that leap. It might just be the one thing separating you from your competitors and it could take you from zero to hero in your industry.

Relocate

When the going gets tough, sometimes the best thing to do is get out of the space you’re in and start fresh. In fact, there’s a good chance that if you’ve ever struggled with a situation in your life, all you could think about was escaping from the space you’re in and never looking back. And, the same goes for your business.

Like with your personal life, the thing that’s holding you back might simply be your location; the benefits you’ll get will be the same! If relocating your business is something you want to consider, you need to start thinking about being in business central, where your brand is more likely to get the business it needs. You need to think about larger cities and the benefits that will come hand in hand with this.

Of course, moving to the city might mean uprooting your life, but if there’s nothing holding you back in your personal life, then what’s stopping you? It might take a lot of guts to do this, but if you do, the benefits will be worth it, especially if you’re currently situated in a small town that doesn’t get much tourism at the moment.

All you’d need to do is find a place that suits your business, in an area that would likely suit your industry too. Using the pharmacy example again, you could find a space where there are lots of other medical establishments nearby so that you become the new “go-to” pharmacy. Of course, this might not apply to your business, but the premise is still the same.

You’ll also need to consider the needs of your staff too; you don’t want to end up moving somewhere that nobody can get to. Some staff might be willing to relocate with you, whereas others may prefer to commute or work more of a hybrid role if possible.

Relocation doesn't just mean physical... although it can. I've moved 5 times in the past few years and, while it's been a lot, it's also put me in the place where I am today. Relocation can also mean your online assets. We consolidated our community and learning areas into one place. We've migrated to a new mailing list service provider. Those moves weren't easy, took some work, AND were totally worth the effort.

Change how you communicate with customers

One of the best things you can do for your business is making sure that you’re communicating with your customers in the right way. But ask yourself; are you already doing that? If the answer is no, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s often an area where businesses fall short, which is why so many companies around the world have a really bad reputation when it comes to customer service.

You already know how important great customer service is and that it should always be in practice with you and your staff, but actually doing it is easier said than done, especially if you have rude or difficult customers. However, making sure that you’re polite, helpful, and take prompt action on customer complaints will help you stay on top of things.

Sometimes though, it’s not just about customer service, it’s actually about what you can do on a deeper level to make sure that you’re targeting the right people for your business. For example, you could take the time to use a testing platform to encourage the right customers to come forward to your business and introduce you to the right kinds of people you should be aiming your marketing efforts at.

In fact, user testing is something that many large businesses use, and taking the results of it could have a seriously positive effect on your company, so it’s definitely something to take into consideration.

Be loyal to your customers

Finally, if there’s one thing you want when it comes to gaining and keeping customers, it’s to be a loved brand. And to do that, you’ve got to be loyal. This means you have to be consistent in everything that you do all while being the best at what you do. There’s not a single customer out there that will say that they don’t like consistency when it comes to businesses they’re dealing with, and they love it when a company goes the extra mile to help them.

If you can master that side of things, you’ll have a brand that’s lovable, a brand that people immediately think of when they need your products and services, and you’ll have a brand that’s as successful as you’ve always dreamed of.

Remember, the sky's the limit, and while big business decisions can be scary, the simple fact is that your business isn’t going to go anywhere if you don’t make those decisions and act on them. Bring your business back to life with these 5 amazing tips!

Whether you are established and looking to grow your business, or you are just starting to think about the future of your company, your market matters.

Regardless of your industry, your market needs to be big enough to support the health and wellbeing of your company. The larger your company, the larger your market needs to be (because you'll need more money to pay those bills!). Sometimes that means you'll need to broaden your audience and serve a different "slice of a slice" in order to get that market coverage. Apple started as a computer company and has diversified over the years into music and media to serve a larger market. You may not be the next Apple, but it might be time to broaden your market reach. If so, read on!

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If you are keen to find a broader market for your business, here are a few ways to reach more people:

Widen Your Niche

I know. Business coaches like me tell you to "niche down" and focus on one thing (or one collection of things). That's to help you gain momentum and traction in a market. When you're clear on who you serve, it's easier to create marketing that resonates. But once you're established, or if you truly do have a wider market potential, it makes sense to open things up a bit and serve more people.

Here's a pretty basic example: I taught direct sellers for years. That was my niche. But folks that weren't direct sellers kept showing up to my training and, eventually, I had a throng of non-direct sales business owners that made up an entirely new market for me. Over time, I shifted almost completely away from direct sales-specific training, and had a wider focus on entrepreneurship for creative entrepreneurs. And even now, I'm shifting my focus again to micro business owners who know they want to be the celebrity in their niche. It's a wider audience than just creative entrepreneurs, even though it's a much more focused area of support.

Start to explore the sub-realms within or alongside your niche. Leverage the audience you already have, if possible. If you're a photographer, for example, maybe instead of doing just weddings, you'll also do boudoir. You're widening your offerings to attract a slightly different audience, but an audience that probably overlaps at least a little with the folks you already serve.

Bring In More (Web) Traffic

Whether you've got a brick and mortar location or you're solely online, having more of the right people coming through your "doors" means the potential for increased sales and repeat buyers.

Physical locations make a difference (location, location, location!), but so do the ways you invite people to those locations. What kind of attraction marketing are you doing? Are you partnering with nearby shops to capitalize on traffic already in the area? There are a variety of ways to bring more bodies into your establishment. What are you currently doing and what needs to change? Hiring a marketing agency or a business coach can help (ahem. hint hint, nudge, nudge!).

In the online world, you may want to use a professional SEO agency like Big Surf Digital to help you to bring in more web traffic. You can also do your own bit towards increasing traffic - including creating compelling content that is going to draw people in.

With more web traffic comes a broader audience and greater opportunities for sales, so this is something that you will certainly find useful to focus on.

Partner Up

Sometimes, a very effective way for a business to broaden its market share is to actually partner up with another company. It goes without saying that this other company won’t be a direct competitor, but one that is working in a similar kind of area of work, and in such a way that you should be able to work together towards similar goals. Think: a tax accountant who has a referral relationship with a financial advisor. With the best partnerships, you end up in a situation where you are going to both benefit much more compared to being alone.

Be choosy about your partners and who they are, but it’s the kind of thing that can help grow a business more quickly because you're leveraging the power of the networks of TWO businesses, instead of one!

Sell A New Product

Like the Apple example above, sometimes it’s as simple as just trying to sell a new product and seeing how that fares. Don't spread yourself too thin - that's the issue that often happens when someone tries to sell a bunch of different offers right out of the gate in a new business! Instead, think of another offer you might sell that's a logical "next step" for your existing audience and start putting it out there. You might find that this is enough to start things growing again.