(Business) Independence is found in Simplicity

SIMPLE Happiness: Just Shelbey & Sassy...

As we slide into a (much needed) holiday weekend, I’m sure you’ll be bombarded with lots of Independence Day messages…  which is why I almost didn’t write this blog post. I get disgusted by the same old tired themes that marketers continue to try to squeeze business out of.  BUT, the truth is, being a business owner gives me a FREEDOM that I believe is incomparable career- and money- wise.

People still ask how it’s done… why success seems unattainable for them…  why when they do have sales success, it seems to be hit or miss… or why they have gobs of “potential” deals and few “done” deals.  What gives?  What’s the secret?

Many, many (MANY) times, I find  myself apologizing for what is sure to over-simplify a matter in your life… knowing that I’m a very simplistic thinker… and apologizing in advance.  But, today I make no apologies for what I’m about to say, because business success is, in fact, simple.  And, at it’s heart, business success comes down to a simple, almost rebel-like independence.

Sure, small biz owners are independent in the fact that they have “no boss”…. no set schedule…. etc.  But, to be a SUCCESSFUL biz owner, you need to cultivate an entirely different sort of independence.   The truth is: far too many business owners develop a dependence on all sorts of “success crutches”….

lusting after a new brand… dependent on a variety of different gurus – all with differing opinions…

desperately seeking media exposure… dependent on publicists to get the eyes of an unseen and unknown majority on your business… (p.s. if YOU want media exposure… REAL media exposure that YOU can create, leverage, and profit from… personal, in person introductions to national media personalities and bookers who are LOOKING for stories, you have to contact me ASAP!)

paying for commercials or ads… dependent on that particular media for business growth…

… and more.

But what if you were to be fiercely INdependent?

What if you had to make your next (or first) million using ONLY what you had direct and complete control over?   What if you determined today to be dependent on NO person, branding effort, website redesign, inner circle, or anything else?  What then? I’ll tell you that the ONLY thing that would be left for you to build a successful business with is ALL that you’d ever really need:

The WORK you do.

&

The Conversations you have with your Market.

What would you do then??? Well, for starters – you’d have to make YOUR WORK – whatever it is – ROCK... I mean, really really rock! This means that good enough for your clients can’t be good enough anymore.  YOu’ll have to be in LOVE with what you’re doing for and with them.  You’ll have to make your clients know they are the only thing going on for you – at that time.  (I can’t tell you how many of my private clients are SHOCKED – and sometimes even feel a bit betrayed – when I mention another private client I’m serving…. which is GREAT – I want them to feel they are the ONLY ONE – because they are… each time I’m with them – via phone or email or in person – they are MY “only one” at that time!) In this INDEPENDENT, SIMPLE business model, the work you do with and for your clients is viewed as masterful marketing. (What would you have to change to make this true for each and every one of your clients – or potential clients- right NOW?)

You’d also be left wondering about the only other tool in your simplistic business arsenal:  The ART of the Conversation! Whether you’re writing a blog post, a sales letter, or engaging in personal dialogue…. conversation IS the key to cash in your business... so it deserves your attention.  I have a private client that I’m SO HONORED to serve…. This month, she’ll bring in over $20K in business…. with NO commercial office… NO paid advertising or marketing… NO publicist… NO full-time employees!  And when securing this cash infusion, she noted that she was “surprised” by how long it took her to craft this ONE email to a potential client.   It was when she said this that I realized she “got it”… REALLY, REALLY got it….

So, how do YOU speak to your market? Still using industry-speak? Jargon?  Laughable predictability?  Do you know what they really want?  Are you in the conversation enough to address obstacles head-on?  Do they know what sets you apart?  How do you reverse any perceived risk of working with you?  Do they KNOW what’s in store for them when they hire you?  Are their questions answered? Do you know the other options their considering – even the option of doing NOTHING?

Anyway,  business success – defined by me as TIME and MONEY freedom – is found in being independent.

And, finally: To ALL of the brave men and women who sacrificed (& sacrifice) SO MUCH for my own liberty… and ultimate freedom, I want to say a very humble THANK YOU!!!