3 Massive Mistakes Business Women Make That Keep Clients + Profits Away (Part 2)
Posted on February 17, 2018 by MiMi Dabo, One of Thousands of Entrepreneurship Coaches on Noomii.
How can I find clients for my coaching business, charge premium prices and show everyone how much value I have to offer? Who are my ideal clients?
In part 1 of this series, we discussed why a crystal-clear vision was necessary to create a sustainable business. Part 2 addresses a key business component, which when done effectively, takes marketing and sales to a whole new level of success.
Massive Mistake No. 2: Failure to Identify a Viable Niche
What do a fashion designer and a coach or consultant have in common? At face value, it seems like, not much. But for the designer to sell her products at a faster rate, and the coach to build a sustainable business, they both need to identify a niche. And not just any niche; a viable niche.
Imagine yourself at a dinner party, and the host announces,
“Tonight, we are serving dinner,” or
“Tonight, we are serving chicken,” or
“Tonight, we are serving Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken with Buttery Pine Nuts, Sautéed Asparagus, and a slice of Key Lime Pie.”
Which one of those dinner descriptions inspires, motivates you, and excites you? Feel free to assume you love chicken.
It’s true they are there to eat, and they know they will eat food. But drilling down to the exact type of food they will be served will probably have them salivating and excited for their dinner, instead of just knowing that some food will be served.
It’s no different with niching. As a fashion designer of handmade clothing and accessories, I know how hard it was for me to identify my niche. I wanted to make everything for every woman. I was happy to just narrow to down to “woman,” but I realized that I would have to go deeper.
What type of woman? What does she like? What does she wear? What is she looking for? What results does she want when she dresses herself? How bold and unique does she want to be? Does she want to blend in and be a fly on the wall or does she want to stand out and make a lasting impression?
It took some time to go beyond just identifying my target market. But once I did, I could tailor all my marketing materials and products to fit what “my particular woman” wanted in her life. It was easier to decide what to make each season and how each of the pieces went together. It was easier to take chances and get into my creativity flow zone.
The same goes for coaching. While I work mostly with women, I tried dating a few niches to see the type of coaching I enjoyed the most, and “WHO” I would serve best with my training, skills, personality, talents and passion. It has been one of the most challenging parts of growing my coaching business. I want to serve everyone. I want to help everyone. But I find its so much easier to market to a specific client.
Have I gotten it right? No.
Is there a right or wrong? No.
Does everyone have to find a niche? Not at all.
Does it make it easier to target a particular niche? Heck yeah.
Is it easier to grow faster with a defined viable niche? Heck yeah.
Does it save more time with marketing when you have a niche? Yes.
How can a life and business coach help you?
Support you to be more focused, more effective, and more productive.
Nailing your perfect niche helps you create your ideal clients because you’re able to craft your winning marketing message.
You know what your clients want, and you know how and where to find them. You know what results, if any, they are looking for. When people know exactly whom you support/help, they can easily refer clients to you. If you’re at a networking event or cocktail party and tell people you help single women find Mr. Right, you may have a better chance of referral/getting hired without further explanation than just saying you’re a relationship coach.
Peace and Love,
Your Life and Business Coach
MiMi Dabo, MBA, CPA, JD
**************
I work with women business owners, life coaches and entrepreneurs to create soul-happy 6-figure+ businesses, while working less hours, and living the life of their dreams.
Ready to create or grow a 6-figure+ business that gives you the FLEXIBILITY to have fun, work less and make a difference so that you can ENJOY more FREEDOM, TIME, MONEY, ABUNDANCE and IMPACT?
Take the FREE Life Purpose and Business Vision Quiz at www.lifecoachforwomen.com.
