If two equally skilled entrepreneurs start a business, why does one build quickly and the other is thinking about quitting? Maybe because one understands that hope is not a good strategy by itself.
An entrepreneur will always be held accountable for the risks they take and the outcomes. And, this isn’t just in starting a new business; it can be a new career path that you choose.
As a business coach and consultant who works primarily with entrepreneurs, and ministries, revamping their approach to selling and marketing, there is one challenge that I have experienced and often see in others’ endeavors. The problem is defining what is responsible for the marketing, what is a sales funnel, and what to do about advertising.
– Most entrepreneurs, and ministries, have their goals, a vision, and all the right things to be successful – except for sales and marketing systems. These systems may seem unimportant, at first. And, then the challenge becomes more like what areas do we sell in and where to do marketing – oh – and what information is needed for this. Such as:
- brand development
- copy writing
- advertising
- websites
- graphic design
- SEO (search engine optimization)
- Social Marketing, and on it can go.
The typical entrepreneur, and ministry, may just not be sure how to ask for the help they need in these areas. And, most don’t even have the time to think about doing anything more. Sure there are specialty businesses that can help with each area – but, once you put together the information with their help – where is the coordination of:
- Does it appeal to the customer in all areas of marketing?
- Does the customer understand, through our graphic designs and copy writing that we can help them?
- Is the customer’s problem being understood and the solution being explained?
- Do we look self-centered, confusing, or irrelevant to our clients?
As you answer these questions – think about how you could proceed to expand your growth and income.
1. Change from busy work to focusing on outcomes (This is something most of us need!)
2. Structure is not a common term used for the creative types – but, remember an artist needs marketing, selling, and business skills to get known. So, structuring your communications to your customers will need to be clear and specific enough for them get what you are doing for them and also, clear enough for you to follow on a regular basis (a system). Oh, did I mention clear for SEO?
3. Don’t rely on hope and guesswork – Get clear on your business goals, sales goals and marketing objectives. Write out steps that will become systems of success.
Example: Sales goal – $6000/month – how many products need to sale to reach sales goal: 2 products – how many customers do I need to contact each month to sell 2 products: 100. Then find out how you will find those customers and put another system into place to follow through. This is one of the business achievements that I coach on – it is a very successful effort. But you have to make it work – how – by getting it started and making it a routine – it will become your system.
Systems of selling and marketing keep the marketing rolling – not just for one program.
- How can a business find the substance in customer solutions, keyword search relevance, competitive research, hassle-free purchase processes, etc. The goal of marketing and sales is to generate sales from clients as a profit. And, we might want to look at different types of marketing with lower costs of sales – and those that bring in more sales.
If this is a bit overwhelming – why do you think people work with a business coach? People will invest in coaching to develop and refine new skills and behaviors, when: they are tired of dealing with a recurring problem, they want their business to grow more quickly and profitably, and so much more.
Get going and do the research by yourself, or get a fresh perspective on your challenges, with a business coach, and increase confidence with appreciable results in your goals and work productivity.
So what’s your next step? It’s to make use of someone who can show you how to move from where you are to where you want to be.