Crafting Your Story, Finding Your Customers, and Bringing Your Business Online

Do you ever feel totally paralyzed by the amount of work it takes to bring your business online? A sea of new customers who you would never have had access to 25 years ago are now all there, online. Now instead of someone finding your local business, you can find them anywhere, but that brings on new challenges. With so many choices you need to craft your story to find your ideal customers. This can feel overwhelming, daunting, and impossible to do. 

As someone in her (almost) mid-forties, I find myself struggling with finding my online voice. I see all the gurus telling me why I NEED to buy their products and how they guarantee it will help me…

• Find my ideal customer
• Grow my mailing list
• Attract high-end clients
• Make 6-figures in 6 months

This all sounds amazing! But when you boil it down, it’s just good marketing.

I’m not suggesting there is no value in these claims. I want all the information I can to help me bring my small business to a world audience. I’ve bought multiple programs and have gained value from all of them. These online businesses take all the information out there and tie it into a pretty little package for you to take home and have a step-by-step example of how to do whatever it is that they have done. 

Totally groovy.

No matter what the course is about I always get stuck on the same thing. It’s like my block. Then I get discouraged and I fall off course. This is what I’ve learned…

1. It’s never as simple as they suggest
2. It all takes hard work and commitment
3. The results highlighted are not typical
4. YOU MUST BELIEVE YOU ARE WORTHY OF THE REWARD!!!

In every course, workshop, or FREE webinar I’ve signed up for they all say the same thing…

You must believe that it’s possible for you.

Nothing will ever work for you if you don’t believe it’s possible for you. 

No matter what you are looking to achieve you must be willing to put in the work, have a clear goal, and see yourself living that life. 

Once you start down a path, obstacles are bound to come up. But Obstacles help you get clear about your own vision–obstacles that end up being your biggest resource. 

Starting or bringing your business online is the wave of the future, but before you jump in, here are 3 key qualities you must be willing to master to bring you to the forefront of your field.

1. Know Your Why

What you do is probably not unique to you. What you do is probably something that hundreds of others are pursuing as well. As an online business owner, you must be able to articulate why you are doing business. 

Your why is what makes your business different from all the others. 

Simon Sinek wrote a book called “Start with Why” and he reminds us to chase the dream, not the competition. This is such a great reminder. When you got into this business you were set on an outcome, not focused on what everyone else was doing. And you are not them, you are you! And people want to buy and work with people like you. People who are relatable to them. This means you have to be able to simply and accurately express your why – why buying a product or service from you is valuable. 

The “why” is what made Toms shoes so successful. Not only was his mission clear, but others identified with it and it made them feel good about their purchase. There are hundreds of choices out there when it comes to slip-on shoes, but people buy Toms because it represents something more. 

2. Clear Communication

Communication is key. When you are looking to communicate with your audience it is wise to come from your why. All successful relationships–business and otherwise–need clear communication. It’s so easy to chase the latest trend and get caught up in all the bells and whistles of online marketing. When you do this you are throwing darts while blindfolded. 

Who are you talking to? Be clear. 

When you talk to everyone you talk to no one. 

As an entrepreneur, you must get clear. This will make it easier for you to relay your vision to others, and help you stay focused when the internal and external critics chime in.

3. Confidence

Self-confidence is so important when you are setting your vision on any big goal because it helps you find your footing during difficult times. Confidence comes from experience and from education. 

You must believe in what you are selling. You must believe you are the person to buy from. You must believe that you are making a difference. You must believe in the value of your work or nobody else will. 

Being an entrepreneur takes guts. It can leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed. Confidence comes from feeling those feelings and taking the risk anyway. It comes from asking for feedback and adapting to changes when necessary. 

You will never succeed if you don’t believe it. No matter how many online courses or books or seminars you attend. You must believe in yourself. Everything else will follow. 

I’ve been running my online breath business for just over a year. I don’t think I’d be where I’m at without the resources I got from online gurus. I also know I wouldn’t be here without the local yoga and breathwork classes I teach. All my clients have helped form me into the small business owner I am today. 

I have had to adjust, walk away, reform, accept, and make choices based on my wealth of information. I am not where I want to be, and I have a lot of work to do, but I wouldn’t be here without perseverance and knowing that I am helping humanity connect to their greatest resource: their breath. 

I am no influencer, but I treat all my clients as though they are the most important client because they are. They are your teachers and will help you become the successful businessperson you have set out to become. 

Learn more about my business, Breath Mindset and reach out with your own thoughts. What do you think are the top key qualities for online business success?