How to build your business and talk to your customers.
They aren't the same thing.
Here’s what I think the best piece of advice I can give you as someone who wants to run their own business.
Build your business with you in mind; talk about it with your customers in mind.
I can’t tell you how often we do this upside down. The structure of your business—how you work, when you work, where, etc all needs to suit your life. Most people start a business because they want more freedom. That’s up to you. Figure out what you want and like to do. Investigate what is sustainable for you to do. Decide how much you have to charge so you aren’t angry at your customers! Every customer you have will have a different opinion on the best way for you to serve them, it’s completely unsustainable to change it for each request. Can you imagine a restaurant that changes the decor depending on what the customer was in the mood for? No way. The customer knows what atmosphere, hours, menu to expect and they decide to go there when that is what they want. Your job is to serve with excellence and care, to make a connection so they come back for what you are offering.
On the other side, when it comes to inviting people to use your services you have to talk about them. “Let us take care of dinner for you tonight”. “Need to celebrate an occasion where you trust it to be special?” “Have a unique cultural dining experience you’ll tell everyone about.” “Hungry right now? We’re here.” “Vegetarian Menu that doesn’t treat you like an afterthought.” “Local wines you haven’t tried yet that are fabulous.” The open times and table cloths you chose aren’t part of that conversation. The client needs information to make the decision to check out more details. Information about something they might like or want or need. Hanger isn’t a joke.
There are thousands of successful business that are only open on Tuesdays in the summer. There are others that are open 24/7. Once you know what you want your business to be, then you can talk to your customers confidently about what they will experience by taking you up on your offer.
Have you built your work with you in mind? Is this something you struggle with? Hit reply or drop me a note and let me know.
Susie
PS If you want to work through how you can do this in your efforts specifically check out Resiliency Club. I’ll help you get the clarity you need to be comfortable talking to your customers about your business.
