Apr 19

Apr 19 Dos & Don’ts of Marketing

Marketing Gimmicks

I remember the first false promise I fell for.

A woman approached me at the retail store I worked at one evening and complimented my leadership and stature. She said she saw more in me and wanted to meet with me to see if I would be interested in an opportunity she had. Genuinely flattered, I was interested in seeing what she had to offer.

Fast forward through the details, this was my first experience being rigged into a pyramid scheme.

Many years later, I came to realize why this worked and also why I felt so betrayed about the situation -- one all too familiar to most.

I’m not saying this as a way to bash the multi-level/network marketing world. This type of sales shows up in all industries.

Selling -- and preying -- on an idea of what we desire. Freedom, financial stability, time, things, the ability and means to have this incredible dream life. Yes, so many things we all, to some degree, want and are working for but selling it in a way that positions it as this all-too-easily obtainable outcome.

Instead, the intentions behind the sale benefits the person selling it more than the people it serves -- the clients.

When did selling and marketing become a way to prey on the pain points and dreams of people to make the sale, instead of building a business as a means to serve its clients?

Because that isn’t what business is about.

In my second year of college, after I had already changed my major unofficially at least 5 different times, I took a leadership studies class. It was this class I would finally change my major for the final time -- Business.

Up until this point, I had known business from what I’d learned in the corporate world. What I experienced internally was learning about the company’s mission and values, only to roll out new policies, hours, or services that felt so out of alignment from what the company was supposed to be about.

In this Leadership class, however, I realized that there was a beautiful side of business. Business didn't have to be this way. In fact, by starting a business, you were able to create what you wanted it to be/do in the world. The mission, the vision, the values, the purpose, the way it serves its people -- you get to decide it all.

Getting to create a purposeful business to make an impact on people’s lives and potentially change the world is what I fell in love with and why I went on to pursue a Masters in Business & Organizational Leadership.

This is what it’s about. Not the latter…

False Promises

We all have seen them… and probably experienced some of them.

Make 5K in 5 Days
7 Steps to a 7-Figure Business
The System to Get Fully Booked
… the list goes on.

I want to be very honest… I get why this works. There are so many business owners who are just getting started or are working to continually grow their business, to which I am no exception. To have a successful business typically means that you are profitable, which requires more clients, which means you need to grow your revenue and income.

Whether you are just getting started and working on getting your first client, you’re working to scale your business and getting your next client into a new program or service, or you’re continuing to grow in exponential ways, growth comes down to the numbers.

I am in no way saying that business is not about the money -- because it is. Having a profitable business not only allows you to build the life you dream of, but it allows you to also grow your impact and share your mission with more and more people.

Having a profitable and sustainable business is key.

My point?

Building a profitable and sustainable business, and even more so, a purposeful business, doesn't happen in a matter of days or steps.

There is no easy button, quick fix, or get-rich-quick scheme.

These marketing gimmicks and sales tactics market to what you want, but leave you feeling betrayed because of false promises.

Can I be honest?

I’ve fallen for these. I just wanted to figure out what I was doing wrong so that I could get my business working. The deep frustrations that came from this were enough to send me straight into burnout, wanting to throw in the towel.

No…
I am no overnight success.
I don’t have a six-or-seven-figure business (yet).
And I’m never going to market a false promise to you.

But I am going to help you create long-term success!

I fell in love with the bigger purpose of business -- this idea that you could create a larger purpose through building a business of your own. I studied business, marketing, and leadership and graduated with my BA in Business Management and my MS in Organizational Leadership. Since 2013, I’ve started and continue to run 3 very different businesses.

It took me nearly 4 years to start my coaching business because of my bigger purpose. I wanted to create something bigger. Through starting my first business, I was inspired to help other creative and passionate souls start their own businesses so they could do what they loved, make money doing it and make a bigger impact doing the work they love. For so many years, I was programmed to think I needed to just work my way up the corporate ladder doing work that didn’t light me up. Realizing that wasn’t true, I wanted to help inspire others to go after the work they loved instead of settling for less.

But it scared me. Who was I to do this? Who was going to listen to me? Imposter syndrome was crippling.

While it may not take you 4 years to get started, imposter syndrome, fears, doubts, insecurities, limiting beliefs, are the culprit of what stops us from the success we desire.

It is also a big reason why we continue to seek quick fixes, marketing gimmicks, and sales tactics that tell us that the answer is easy. Leaving us wondering why our business still isn’t working and feeling stuck with little to show for it.

I see you.

I hear you.

Your frustrations and emotions are valid.

Because building a business from the ground up, pursuing the work that lights you up, and creating something purposeful is challenging.

Probably the most challenging thing I’ve ever done!

There is no quick fix, step-by-step process, or simple strategy to implement that will bring you success.

Because there’s no one right way to do it.

(I mean, seriously, if there was, wouldn’t everyone be doing AND be successful? Think about it…)

Which is why I don’t want you to fall for these gimmicks.

I know you understand it takes work, dedication, perseverance, and vision. I know that you have what it takes to do the work and make it happen!

You are building something bigger!

And it’s going to challenge you in so many ways.

THIS is why I do the work I do.

You are not a one-size-fits-all — your coaching program shouldn’t be either.

By meeting you where you are, diving into your unique challenges and goals, we are able to do the work that matters to not only get you moving forward, but that sets you up for long-term, sustainable success.

I’ve supported my clients…

>> Launch their first (and second) business
>> Feel empowered to make life-changing decisions
>> Gain clarity & confidence to get unstuck
>> Manage their time & energy with multiple passions
>> End the cycle of procrastination & overwhelm
>> Increase productivity & create more time for joy
>> Repair their money mindset & financial situation
>> Leave unfulfilling jobs & land their dream job
>> Work through limiting beliefs & fears
>> Create positive life habits & changes
>> Uplevel their Life + Business + Mindset

Through true coaching and business mentoring, establishing a safe space to do the inner work that gets you out of your own way so that you can create a bigger impact and the business you desire.

No quick-fixes or gimmicks necessary.

So I want to ask you…