Your brand & the #1 way to book your client
Every year, I evaluate my business, my brand, and where I am in the moment compared to where I want to be. And each year I decide on the ONE thing I want to focus and improve upon on that year.
When I started my photography business, I spent an entire year focused on the business side and perfecting my business skills. I’ve always been a business person over an artist.
The following year, after I felt confident in my business skillset, I decided to focus on lighting and shooting.
Instagram and Pinterest were my focus the next year…
It’s not that I just like to learn, it’s that I also want to stay ahead of the game. If I’m always improving, I will never be left behind.
In 2020, I decided my focus would be my speaking skills. This is a scary one for me… I am not a fan of crowds. I’m not someone who loves to be on video, unless it’s at a barrel race. I like to be the one behind the scenes. Hence… photographer.
There I was scrolling on Instagram.
All I really knew was that I wanted to find a female speaking coach that would help me gain confidence in front of a crowd. That was my only requirement.
My go to for searching for business to business connections is definitely Instagram. You can understand the overall brand and feel for the person as a business really quickly on Insta.
I searched “speaking coach” and looked through several different profiles. Then, I landed on Heather Sager, and within 3 minutes, I knew that was who I would hire. She spoke to me without even speaking directly to me.
It wasn’t just her brand or her colors or her posts. It’ was everything.
She spoke my language.
It’s crazy when you hear someone say this right? She spoke my language. What does that even mean honestly?
It was like she knew me so well. She knew my thoughts, my ideas.
Her logo and colors were pretty, but that’s not what drew me in. It was her as an overall brand.
When I checked out her website, her past podcasts, and her blog, she was answering questions that I had asked myself THAT WEEK. Things like “Confidence boosting secrets for livestreams.” “How to nail your signature talk.”
And her tagline is “Become a magnetic speaker on and off stage.”
My thought when I read that was “You know, I DO want to become a magnetic speaker.”
Never before had I said those words though.
The #1 way you to book your dream clients fast.
How does this story apply to you and your brand?
Well, Heather knows that to book your dream clients, your brand is more than just a pretty logo and beautiful work.
There are so many other businesses out there that are similar to yours. They aren’t YOU, but your business is definitely not the only one offering what you offer.
You HAVE to find a way to stand out the way Heather did during my Instagram search.
And the easiest way to do this is by message mining.
What is Message Mining?
According to Medium.com:
“It is the process of scouring the internet or other sources for instances of your target customer voicing what they care about most when it comes to your product or solution. For new businesses, it’s a way to listen to “target” customers when you don’t have customers yet.”
Use message mining to figure out how your clients speak so you can speak to them as a friend. If they feel a real connection to you, they are more likely to book your services.
3 ways to message mine for your brand.
Like I mentioned, message mining is the easiest way to connect with your audience as a friend and book your dream client, but how do you actually “message mine?”
Here are some ideas.
- Search for your ideal client on Instagram. Notice what they post, how they speak, what stories they share so you can see where and how you can connect with them.
- Use the poll option on your Instagram story, your Facebook profile, or in Facebook groups.
- Literally get on phone calls with previous clients that were your “Ideal Client” and ask questions!
I know what you’re thinking because it’s something my coaching clients and 90 Day Dream Biz members struggle with, too.
“Number 3 sounds scary. Actually getting on the phone and asking REAL questions?! To real people?! No. Absolutely not.”
I can assure you though, when you HEAR what your clients are saying OUT LOUD, what their pain points are, what they connect with, you will be able to build a brand that books your business out solid.
And that’s what you want, right?
Follow me on Instagram??
I try really hard to update my Instagram stories daily with things that apply to you as a business owner. I’m so much more active over there than I am on Facebook, so I’d love to connect over there.
And don’t forget, if you are looking for a plan to get you from side hustle to full time CEO, then you need me Full Time Formula. DM me on Instagram for the link! 🙂
Tracy Lynn is a boudoir photogapher for brides-to-be in the St. Louis area, and a mentor + coach for photographers looking to level up their businesses with better systems and processes.
