laneimageconsultingI talk a lot about niching down and identifying your ideal client because I think this is one of the most important things you need to establish as early as possible in your business. It will save you time, effort and money and more importantly, it will ensure a steady flow of clients.
You will know exactly where to focus your attention to find customers and you will be laser clear in your marketing efforts.
Here are 5 of the common questions and objections I hear about niching down:
- I already don’t get enough clients. Won’t niching make it even more difficult to get clients?
Trying to appeal to everyone means that your are keeping your message general and you are solving no ones specific problem. Therefore very few are responding to your message.
A general message will not connect unless the person feels you are talking directly to them.
An example I have seen of this is ‘I help woman look and feel fabulous by showing them how to dress well’. This message could actually apply to any woman on the planet and most will scroll on by.
Contrast this with ‘ I help female HR professionals build a simple, practical and professional capsule wardrobe so that they always have something smart to wear for work events.’. I know that the majority of HR professionals would love that problem solved.
Niche down so that you speak directly to the person you want to work with and help them to solve their specific problems.
- How can I figure out what my niche is?
Nobody can do this work for you except you though their are plenty of coaches out there that will help you, including me. It requires figuring out what you really love doing (Your Zone of Genius), where you can add value in your customers life and what makes business sense. Working out where these three questions intersect usually involves some serious digging into your likes, dislikes and passions. I am running a 5 Day Ideal Client Challenge soon where I help you identify your ideal client and/or niche. Find out more about it and sign up here. Next round is scheduled for 24th Feb 2020.
Aileen’s Ideal Client Challenge helped me dig down deep within myself who I really want to work with so that I know who to reach out to. Aileen is such a wonderful understanding coach. She is really gifted at what she does. I highly recommend Aileen and can’t wait to work with her again in the future.
SArena Piscetelli, Image Consultant.
- What if I choose the wrong niche?
Having a successful business is all about taking calculated risks. Many successful businesses change and pivot every day. They have to in response to feedback and what their client actually wants and needs. Staying safe will not get you business to where it needs to be. Pivoting and handling change are two skills every business person need to be comfortable with.
- I love variety. Won’t niching down be boring?
I hear you. I love variety too. In fact I loved it so much that I provided nutritional services, image services and shopping services to men, women and corporations. I was a Jack of all trades but master of none. Variety becomes old quick when you are run ragged but not getting much monetary return for your efforts. Now
I am crystal clear on what I offer and who I offer it to.I am an expert in helping image consultants take their business online, get more clients and be financially independent. I enjoy variety in my personal and social pursuits.
- I don’t feel like I am an expert in any area of image consulting. How can I niche down?
You become an expert by niching down and knowing your ideal client inside out and upside down. You know them so well that you know what keeps them awake at night. You have a simple and practical solution that helps them solve a problem in their life. You are their go to person when they have the problem that you can solve. You know you are operating in your zone of genius when your clients rave about your services.
ā Hi Aileen, Iām doing a LinkedIn challenge and need to recommend 5 people today. You are an obvious choice as your help and support has given me the confidence to pick up my online colour consultation and make it real! Iām still learning from you every day and have a long way to go, but i would highly recommend any image consultant wanting to believe in her business to do a course with you xā
ADELE MITCHELL, IMAGE CONSULTANT
If you are thinking that maybe niching down is the next step for you in your business, then my 5 Day Ideal Client Challenge designed specifically for Image Consultants & Personal Stylists is perfect for you.