The 3 Rules of a Thriving Business

So, you've built your practice, you've set up your business and you've hit a plateau. You can't seem to attract any more clients and all potential clients you attract don't seem to have the money, time or energy to invest in your services right now. You're frustrated, you don't know where to turn, so you begin searching the internet and your local "competition" looking to see what they are doing to be successful. You see they are employing the latest hot new tricks and tactics, their website sounds really good and their message makes you want to work with them. So you begin to "borrow" what they are doing and saying - you know - to fit in better, to be more attractive. It makes total sense, it's not only working for them, but their message is so compelling it begins to make you question if you should be in business at all... And truth be told, it's actually exactly what Paige and I went through when we were struggling in our Life Purpose Coaching business. But what happened when we bega "borrowing" content and message from others? We became homogenized, we began to look like everyone else out there. We got hung up in trying to implement the latest fad, and we lost our individuality, our authenticity, our edge. We began to fall further and further into the background, because we lost sight of the #1 Rule of Authentic Marketing which is... drum roll please... To be yourself in everything you do, both in and out of your business - to be AUTHENTIC. Your authenticity is what makes you you. It's what makes you unique. It's what makes you stand out. It's actually the most powerful aspect of your marketing, your business, your life. Remember, who you are in your business, is who you are in any part of your life. And who you are being in any part of your life, is who you are being in your business. So, why not be fully yourself and be the unique expression you are? Now the Second Rule is to be very clear about who specifically needs you the most and the benefits and results you can provide for them. Forget the marketing tactics, the fads, the distractions, and everything else for now and get clear about your Authentic Message and who you're going to share your message with, so they can recognize you as the perfect person to help them. The Third Rule is to build your foundation strong, so you can build your business as big as you desire. It's essential to have a clear message about your offering and to have a financial and marketing plan in place to reach those people who need your help. By building a strong foundation first and getting a clear, meaningful plan in place, you can begin adding different online and offline marketing and business building strategies knowing that they are integrated with your message, which makes your efforts not only authentic, but effective. Once you are clear about your message and who your message is for, then you can begin getting your message out there in your ideal client's language (this is key) and they will begin to come to you for your services. As you step out with a clear message, you build your practice with confidence, knowing you are creating a business that will not only help loads of people, but that allows you to be authentically you in all you do. Your Authentic Assignment Look at your business and ask yourself ... Are you being authentically you in all you do? Do you have a clear and focused message of who you help and how you help them? Do you have a strong foundation for your business? Are you clear about your financial goals and how you are going to start getting there? Do you have a solid, progressive plan in place to reach and serve your clients in 2011? Once you have integrated these three powerful "rules" into your business, you can step out with confidence about your message and start reaching and serving more people through your thriving business.