I often coach my clients who are starting new businesses to reach out to their personal network first.
I'm always asking my clients, “Who’s already in front of you?”
Who are the people in your network that already know, like and trust you that might benefit from what you do?
Who already loves your work and would love to refer you to a friend?
‘Cause, the whole point of marketing is to build relationships and create that ‘know, like, and trust’ factor. And, the fastest path to getting booked and making bank is to start with those people in front of you who you already have a connection with.
But, let’s be real, it can FEEL a whole lot safer and easier to start with people you don’t know. Reaching out to your personal network can kick up some serious dirt like:
👉🏻worrying about being ‘annoying’ and ‘salesly’
👉🏻thinking that’s cheating
👉🏻being scared you’re not actually good enough
👉🏻questioning if you’re ready
👉🏻fear of falling on your face in front of people you know
👉🏻thinking it makes you ‘bad at business’ because it’s not ‘real’ marketing
👉🏻not wanting to get rejected by people you’ll see again
👉🏻being scared someone will actually say ‘yes’...’cause then you’ll have to show up and deliver (and see them again after!)
👉🏻a general resistance around things being easy
I know because I hear it from clients all.the.time, and truth be told, I had some of the same fear myself when I started my business.
The great news? This means a) you know exactly where to start and your next step if you want to book a paying client, and b) you know the real thing to address is your mindset and not your marketing.
So, if you want to sell more, ask yourself those very questions.
What would it look like in your business if you reached out to those in front of you instead of always trying to grasp for those out of reach?
Wishing you your version of success.
