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Choice is an amazing thing, we can order twenty different types of coffee when we go out, we can have pay as you go mobiles, or monthly contracts, we can have Webinar Jam or Google Hangout, or Fuze and Zoom to run our businesses online, but sometimes it’s just all too overwhelming.
When it comes to being visible, choices can give us yet another reason to take no action.
Do we need this camera or that camera for our video? Should we focus on Twitter or Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn? What about local networking meetings? Aaargh – so much to do, so little time and we’re just making it harder on ourselves by wanting to do everything and ending up doing nothing.
So what do you do? There IS amazing stuff out there, but as a business owner, we have SO many hats – marketing person, branding person, sales person, blog post writer, newsletter writer and soooo much more.
Well with regards to where to hang out on social media to attract your ideal clients, that’s quite simple. Go where your ideal clients are. I know that sounds super easy, but seriously if you don’t know who they are and where they hang out make it your goal to find out.
Focus on one place at a time too, that way you can test if your strategy is working. If it’s not you can try something different. It’s much easier to limit your choices when you have some kind of way to measure the outcomes. Test, test and test some more.
If you’re finding it difficult to limit yourself to just one thing then choose a list of 2-3 choices, and then you can pick from that list.
It’s the same with our clients. We can offer way too many choices of packages and ways to work with us that it becomes overwhelming. I know I’m super guilty of this one and have to keep checking in with myself on it. I’m always looking at ways to streamline what I offer so that it doesn’t become confusing. (I’m a work in progress on that one).
When working with a client, instead of offering four ways to work with them offer 2 ways, 3 max. That way you aren’t creating overwhelm for them in the decision-making process and they then end up not working with you because they are confused as to what it is you actually do.
Figure out how you can measure the choices that you have in front of you. Perhaps one has a direct or indirect cost element to it in terms of time, energy or money for example.
The thing that I’ve learned recently is that having just ONE single thing to focus on at any one time is so much easier to manage than having twenty things. It makes sense, but we have to take the steps to get there, to eliminate so much choice and make a decision.
One thing that we work on in my Rock Your Visibility Bootcamp is figuring out what your business model is. If you’ve not done any work on business models then basically it covers 9 specific areas of business – including things like who your customers are, what you’re going to offer, what your key activities in your business will be etc. etc.
It’s much easier to make a decision when you are clear on the direction your business is going in. Some opportunities that come your way will take you nearer to where you want to be, and some will take you further away, down an unknown path or worse a rabbit hole! When you know your business model, it’s really easy to make informed decisions. You simply check in and ask yourself whether this particular piece of content/work/opportunity fits your business model. If it doesn’t, move on. If it does, go for it!
I used to be a terrible decision maker. I can still have my moments of indecision but with my business model in place, it’s much easier to keep my focus now. That and I have a fantastic group of business friends who help me figure things out.
One strategy I love that I learnt in my Coaching diploma was the IDA Formula – you can use it to help you whenever the self-doubt or uncertainty creeps in.
INTENTION – DECISION – ACTION
So let’s break it down,INTENTION
What do you intend to happen? What do you want to happen? Here’s an example;
- ‘I want to get new clients’
DECISION
Once you’ve written down your answer decide how you will change your behaviour
- Should I keep these current clients or is it time to work with a different group of people? ‘I know I keep telling myself to stay where I am but I’m not happy and just keep moaning about it, so I will stop telling myself that it’s paying the bills and go out and start to build my business that suits me’ (Great strategy by the way as there may be someone that is desperate for your current clients – give someone the opportunity to try it and you move on!)
ACTION
Now change your behaviour by acting differently
- ‘I will sit down with pen and paper and think about what I do want to do and then start a marketing plan for attracting new clients
What happens if you make the wrong decision? So what?!! As some of my clients will tell you one of my sayings is ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ Keep asking yourself that question and you will realise that sometimes the hardest part is making the decision to make a decision!!
The more you make decisions, whether it’s just a choice of coffee when you’re out, or what webinar software to buy, the more you will kick your indecision into touch!
Call to action this week: Check your to do list for one thing you need to make a decision on and make that decision! Job done!
I’d love you to share what decisions you’re faced with / making.
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