You know that feeling, the one where you feel like you’re doing everything right, and are busting your butt, but things just.aren’t.working? You can’t quite put your finger on it, and when you ask around, no one seems to be able to point you to that one reason things aren’t coming together as you want them to. I see it all the time, in every industry, from all sorts of different women. “My business is failing, and I don’t know why”. Today, I’m blowing the whistle on the secret reason your business may not be all you dream it should be, and giving you some tough love that I hope will inspire you to dig deep and give your dreams all you’ve got!
I’m just going to come out and say it: what you’re offering might not be what your ideal clients want. Heck, it might not be what ANYONE wants. Perhaps they don’t think the quality is there. Maybe they don’t value your skill set, or don’t think your talents merit your price point.
IF (and that’s a big if!) you know you’re doing everything right when it comes to the business end, but you still can’t seem to get anyone interested in what you’re throwing down, the answer to why your business is failing could be simple: they’re just not that into you.
I know, it stings a little (or, a lot).
What I’ve observed is this: over the past few years, more and more people are turning to becoming their own bosses. LOVE it! I think making your dreams come true and designing your life on your terms is amazing. I give props to anyone who dares to dream big enough to turn their passion into their work.
But, there’s this flip side to this whole girl power, boss lady, thing. Sometimes, businesses are formed before they should be. A hobby becomes a replacement for a day job too soon, sometimes before the person even has time to perfect whatever it is that they’re basing their business around. People who have had their egos stroked by loved ones decide they have what it takes to be the next big thing, when in reality, they still have a lot to learn to produce quality products or provide people with amazing services.
That’s not to say you have to have all your ducks in a row before you can start a business. Many times, that’s not how things work! But, what is important, is having the ability to look objectively at your offerings, and see them from the point of view of your ideal client.
If your mom tells you she loves your weekly emails, but you can’t pay strangers to sign up and stick around, that’s a problem.
When you’re offering your products or services for free to get people to notice you, and no one wants to take you up on the offer, that says something.
Look for the signs. Ask for feedback from people who will be real with you, from other people in your industry, from your ideal clients (especially from your ideal clients!).
If someone isn’t your ideal client, their opinion may not be that helpful. Sure, if your work is utterly craptastic, feedback from random people on FB can’t hurt. But, if you want accurate information, and long to understand how the people you want to work with view your offerings, find them and ask!
To be successful, one must always be looking for ways to improve. Improve their products/services, their business, themselves.
If your business is failing, look at it as a chance to start fresh!
Here’s the thing, in many cases, people don’t always believe that your stuff is as awesome as YOU think it is. So often, especially in creative businesses, people value their work more than other people do. They look with rose-colored glasses; they’re emotionally connected. It’s natural. But, it can be bad for business.
Learning to look at your offerings objectively can make a HUGE difference in your success. While it can feel uncomfortable, I promise in the end, it is well worth it!
Many business owners (er, people in general!) want honesty, as long as it’s not saying “your stuff stinks.” They don’t handle criticism well, and when it comes to running a business, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Are you able to look at your skills, your offerings, and your business objectively?
In my opinion, this is the best way to run a business: with confidence in your abilities, but eagerness to grow.
Maybe what you’re doing needs a little (or a lot of) polishing now to get others to drink your Kool-Aid. There’s nothing wrong with that!
It’s never too late to make some changes, to learn something, to improve. That’s the beauty of business!
So, if you can’t seem to get anyone interested in what you’re offering, or you’ve had some pangs of “maybe my work needs some work,” vow to take a closer look, to see what you can do to perfect your craft.
Honestly, even if your work is great, there is ALWAYS room to improve!
Be open to feedback. Search for ways to grow. Seek out the opinions of people who can help you grow. Stop dismissing anything other than roses and lollipops! Sometimes, the most genuinely incredible thing someone can do is to give you real, honest feedback. It’s hard telling someone something you know they don’t want to hear. Appreciate the people willing to be vulnerable for you!
Granted, there are about a billion reasons a business may be struggling. Bottom line, if you’re not where you want to be, strategically look at every single part of your business and find your weak areas (even the most amazing businesses often have their weak spots!). Then, make a list of what you can do to improve!
If you struggle with handling constructive criticism, check out these resources for ways to improve:
Taking Constructive Criticism Like a Champ
How Can I Learn to Take Constructive Criticism Without Taking it Personally?
How Successful People Handle Criticism
Remember, you can choose at any moment to do things differently. To take a course, to narrow down your niche, to make strides to offer something your ideal clients will love. Make the most of your drive, and your skills. Get out there and do whatever it takes to make your dreams come true!
Just because your business is failing today, doesn’t mean you’re down for the count. Not even close!
What do you think you can do to take your skill set to the next level? Tell me your story in the comments, or head here to send me an email!
Latest posts by Kimberly Haydn (see all)
- Holiday Hacks + How to Have a Good Enough Christmas (and LOVE it) - December 5, 2018
- Increase Summer Sales with These Marketing Ideas! - July 4, 2018
- Seasons of Change: Navigating Building a Business while Raising Your Children - September 24, 2017