Talk about what you do

I hope you had a relaxing long weekend!

I was busy preparing for fall in so many ways, but I had plenty of time to relax too. I finished a book for book club this week and even had time to make a delicious soup. I also helped my sister prepare for the arrival of my new niece or nephew and dusted off and polished up something else close to my heart: the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship.

The new, improved Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship includes the basic program: 6 weeks of Clearing your Path for Success, 6 weeks of Six Steps for Success, and 12 weeks access to the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Forum, but there are also some premium options now: a Mastermind Group and Private Coaching with me. Contact me if you're interested!

Today, I want to talk about what you do. It's the activity from Day 4 of the Buff your Business! Bootcamp. Building and maintaining a successful business requires the same kind of discipline as a fitness routine, as consistency is the key to success. Showing up every day for your business is just as important as showing up every day to your yoga mat.

Watch today's video here!

When someone asks you what do you do, are you someone who responds with "Ummm", your day job position title, or something vague like "I work for myself?" If you answer with "I'm a massage therapist" or "I'm a designer", you are getting closer to the truth but are still hiding behind these labels.

It is really important for heart-centered entrepreneurs to learn how to talk about what they do in a way that goes beyond vague, beyond merely factual description.

A heart-centered entrepreneur needs to be able to reach right out and touch someone by resonating with their heart with their words about the gifts they offer.

Using clear, revealing, heart-centered language can be scary on a number of levels, but it is so important to practice, practice, practice until it's as easy as saying your name. Telling people what you actually do is so important, even if it makes you feel vulnerable at first.

Let me give you an example by using myself. If I responded to what do you do with "I'm a business coach for holistic practitioners", what does that really tell you? Probably that I know something about some kind of business, but not really much to give you a clue to go on about what I actually do with my clients.

Instead, if I said to you - "I help heart-centered professionals develop the skills and courage they need to live a healthy, happy lifestyle that is fully supported by their heart-centered business."

Wow! The second one there is a lot more specific and descriptive. If any part of that resonates with you, you are going to have questions. You might want to know how I do that or what kind of businesses do my clients have or even what kind of skills I am teaching my clients. The questions are the point, though!

Questions start a conversation, and a conversation is a great opportunity for you to hone your communication style and talk about what you do.

A potential client could be searching for you anywhere. Think of all the people out there who need you but who don't know you can help them or don't know how to reach you. It's ok, even important, to tell everyone what you do, even if someone is not your ideal client, because they may have a friend, relative or neighbor needs what you can provide. The more your community knows who you are and what you do, the easier it will be for new clients to find you.

So how do you put together a specific answer to the what do you do question?

Well, sometimes this is called an elevator pitch (from back in the days when someone had 1 minute on an elevator to pitch an idea to the boss). Think of it today like condensing your message into a status update - clear, direct, concise and to the point.

Here's a formula for your offer:

"I help (describe ideal client in 1-3 words)(action) (solution to ideal client problems) so they can (reach goals or alleviate pain)."

It also will help to be prepared to answer follow up questions asking for details on how, why and when you help people so you can hold up your end of the ensuing conversation. The more you talk about what you do, the easier it gets. Also, talking about what you do generates excitement, interest and energy around you.

Tell 3 new people what you do today. Feel free to run it by a friend or colleague first for feedback.

Download your own copy of the Buff your Business! Bootcamp and join the Forum here.

If you're not feeling confident about your business and need support in identifying your ideal clients, crafting your offer, and communicating from the heart to your audience, the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship is where to start. The next program starts September 25th.

If you'd like to learn how to listen to your heart, get clarity about your path and hone your meditation and visioning skills, the Clearing Your Path for Success Learn-at-home Programis what you need. The Premium version of this program is included in the Apprenticeship, but the E-program includes a workbook and 5 guided meditations set to inspirational music that you can do at home by yourself or with a buddy.