Is It Clear What You are Known For?

I was recently listening to Amy Porterfield’s podcast – “Are You Known For Something Specific in Your Biz” and it got me to thinking.. or more so wondering. Wondering because in my industry of internet marketing, so many don’t really understand what I do. So then, if they don’t know exactly what I do, then how can they ask me for help, or to refer me, right? But first… do YOU know???

Do you know what I do?

Can you please do me a favor…. when you think of me, what do you think I do?

When people mention me and my business – what are your first thoughts?

If you know there are several things I do, what is the one (or two) thing that stands out, and you believe me to be “known for”?

Now that you have that in your head… let’s continue – but seriously, I’d love to hear what you thought in the comments below. This would help me greatly and you’ll understand a little more as you continue read this blog. Plus, it’s only fair, I will do the same for you!

Is your claim to fame CLEAR?

Do you think that those that follow you would know exactly what your sweet spot is, or what you are known for, or even what you do? I like what Amy Porterfield said -if we were to ask 2 people from your audience what you do – what would they say? And let’s say that 1 of those followers just got to know you or started following you and the other had been following you for years.  Would they both say the same thing about what you do?

This is super important in business as often times we may change our direction, but we need to be sure our message is always prominent. Again, we gain the most impact with word of mouth referrals so how can we be referred if nobody gets what we do, so be sure you are doing this.

Again, regardless of where you are in your business, are you making it CLEAR what you do? Even if you have changed your path, slightly or greatly, is that message still clear on what you do? If so, you are nailing it.. if not, it is time to change your message. How do we know if we are doing this?

What you talk about the most will be what you are known for

So, whether it is your elevator speech at a networking meeting, what you mention to a friend you hadn’t seen in awhile who asks what you are doing, in speaking to a potential client (new business owner you’ve met for the first time) or the like, your message on what you do should be evident each and every time.

Maybe we all need to spend a little time and craft various “messages” for a variety of instances – like networking meetings, our friend who asks what we do, a stranger who overhears us talking then asks what we do, etc. Obviously, you will cater your message a little differently for different audiences, as people need to hear things differently, but are you? I know I can work on this better.

Why is this important?

I don’t know about you but word of mouth and referrals are 99% of my business. So, I’d say that it is pretty darn important that my followers, my fans, my circle, my people, my readers, my social connections, my tribe or whatever you want to call your circle of influence, knows what I do.  Further, the better they know what I do, the better referrals I may receive.

Have you ever gotten a referral and were super excited and when you called that person up or met with them realized they were looking for something just outside your realm of business, or that your business had shifted and it wasn’t clear to long time followers. It’s disappointing but at the same time, it is telling that you need to talk to that person that referred you to be sure they understand what you do, and heck, at the same time, it can’t hurt to be sure you understand what they do so you can both be better referral partners.

Leads to growth

THEN… when your audience gets you a little better, this likely means you are explaining yourself better, you are sharing your bread and butter products or services more often. We can’t be awesome at everything, although we may try. So be sure you aren’t trying to be known for everything and this could likely open you up for more clients because your services are CLEAR!  How else can we do this?

How to better establish your ‘Claim to Fame’

Talk about it.

Remember, we can’t do it all and doing a whole bunch of things isn’t very specific. Sure we may offer a variety of services or products but what is your bread and butter, what do you LOVE doing most, what are you amazing at? Hopefully that is one and the same – you love it, you are good at it and it makes you money. But ultimately we need to establish that clarity and then communicate that to your audience.

It isn’t just about talking about it but about ensuring that you are doing things that back what you do. If someone asks you to do a seminar or teach on something that you aren’t passionate about, don’t do it just to get the experience or just to make money. Well, maybe you are a little hungry or new in your business and need to take every job opportunity, and know we have all been there, but hopefully you will realize at some point that focusing on your passion, what you do well and what you make the most money on is truly better in the long run.

Further, if you are teaching or doing a seminar on a subject that you aren’t passionate about or not your bread and butter, keep in mind that your lack of passion may show. Don’t forget to consider this this audience may not produce you new business in your passion because the audience wasn’t the right audience for you in the first place.

Dabblers be aware

Sadly, I have been one of these dabblers when I started out but that was because I was hungry for work and money so I took it all, did it all, spoke on whatever folks wanted me to speak on and…. I didn’t enjoy it. So, over time, I began to focus on all aspects of what I did and fine tuned what I really liked, what I really was good at, what I really enjoyed helping small business owners with and NOW I focus on that.  So, if you are a dabbler, Amy and I (cuz you know, we are buds now) suggest you to find what you truly are amazing at and talk about THAT, do THAT and focus on THAT!

This will make it easier for folks to refer to you because they truly understand what you are amazing at because that’s all you talk about, you light up when you talk about it and you do just those things or that thing.

Help a sister out

Like I said at the beginning of this blog.. if you can tell me what you think about when asked what I do… or if you can tell me what you think I am best known for, I would be super thankful and I’ll reply to you via email and tell you what I think you are best known for, so we can both grow and refine our business clarity together.

To see what Amy Porterfield suggests on how to create a recognizable brand by being clear in what you are know for, please jump on over to her blog/podcast and give a listen.

Should you need help with the above, check out Amy or a business coach to help you fine tune your amazingness. You can check out this blog on Are You Where You Want to Be to give you some help in pushing forward as well.  Should you know and are ready to tell the world, let me know and we can create a plan to help blast it out to the world with my craft – internet marketing.

~Kristen