I was at church yesterday morning and something was said that gave me the idea for this article. No, that isn't quite right; something was said that was just another addition to a series of things that have happened to me recently. What was said at church just cemented the fact that I needed to share this. As many of you are aware, I attended a Mastermind event in Chicago last weekend. While I was there, I met some amazing business owners; one was a woman who made me realize how many of us struggle with using our life experiences in our business. Then during the course of the week this same topic kept popping up. I spoke to a number of people who shared that they struggle with sharing their life in their business. I struggle with this myself from time to time so we are all in the same boat which is exactly my point! We all have life experiences that we can use to connect with others. Why is this important? I hope you will read my lips when I say this; BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS ONLINE IS DEPENDENT UPON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.
So what is the big SECRET to SUCCESS?
Drumroll…teehee
It is Y-O-U!
You have the secret right inside of you and what your life experiences bring to your business. The key words in that sentence are "what your life experiences bring to your business". Someone might say, "I am just a Mom, why would anyone want to know about my life?" Ok, let's take a look at that statement. How many Moms are there in this world? Hmmm…millions, hundreds of millions? Yep! Now I am willing to bet you that you have experiences in your Mom life that thousands of other Moms have had as well. There is your CONNECTION to thousands of people right there. Maybe something you have experienced will save another Mom from having to go through the same experience or at least she will know that she is not alone.
How about someone who grew up in a dysfunctional home? Maybe they come from a divorced family? Had a father or mother that was always working? You are a twin or a triplet? Come from a large family? Maybe you are an only child? Maybe you had a great family member that instilled incredible values in you. Maybe you had someone else in your life that greatly impacted your direction. Our individual list of life experiences is absolutely endless! We all have experiences that someone else has had or, at a minimum, had experiences that are similar in some way.
Let me put this into perspective using an example of meeting someone new in person for the first time. You are at a social event and someone introduces you to someone you have never met before. You start by small talking, trying to find something that you have in common. You discover that you both have children that play sports at a high level and now it is on! You are animated and thoroughly enjoying your conversation with a complete stranger.
CONNECTION! That is the key and how do you do that online? By sharing Y-O-U!
Sharing Y-O-U will help build connections online and that is how you propel your business in the right direction.
With that said, IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! Now you might be saying, WHAT? One minute she says YOU are the path to success and now she is saying IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU? What I mean is that while sharing your experiences will generate connections with others, you have to remember to give more than you receive. The real secret to success is to SERVE a lot of people. Sharing Y-O-U will open the door to impacting more people and then you need a servant based heart to propel your business to great heights.
I would greatly appreciate any comments you have on this article. This topic is very near and dear to my heart and I would love to know what you think. There is a comment box below and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Kim Garst has been a Mompreneur for almost 20 years and has built a 7 figure income from her home. Currently she shares her business and marketing savvy through coaching and consulting with clients around the world. Kim specializes in helping you get more sales, more leads and more clients utilizing social media and the Internet as a whole. Her systems are easy to implement and get quick results for small businesses as well as new and established solopreneurs.
About Kim
Good Morning Kim,
What a great story. I have been encouraged by several close friends and family to one day write a book. I came up with a theme, and it is based on the secret(s) so many seek…and like you…I figured out the same one. We all have the power within to be great. It takes a willingness to be open to what God brings our way. If we embrace who we are and realize our potential, we can make such a difference in this world. And it can all start with a simple word, "Hello".
I love waking each morning with anticipation of what and WHO God has planned to bring into my life. It makes each day an adventure. Here's to a new day! And thank you for the "secret".
I love this, Lisa!
Kim – this is so true. You know what else, it's double true when you are in the non-profit world. Serving other is the default mode for the non-profit world, but too many forget that and think too hard about 'marketing' instead of the folks they want to serve, and the folks that want to help them do the serving.
You also might remember (from your awesome group!) I struggled with sharing an extremely personal issue on my blog (which ties into my non-profit and my writing). What I found was increased support, private and public comments, and a rush of people wanting to serve my family during a really hard time! This has been an eye opener for me.
The secret to connecting with others – is to share a bit of yourself first. Difficult, sometimes, when you are 'just a mom,' but incredibly worth it on the other side of that coin, if you are a special needs mom and want to connect with other special needs parents.
Thanks for giving the best tips – I feel so blessed to have stumbled upon you!
Kat
Katrina, may I share this? You were one of several that made comments during the week about sharing their life in their business and it really made me realize how hard it is to be open sometimes but you are right! People reach out when they know you are in need and they can identify with you on ANY level! Whether it is as a Mom, the fact that you have a special needs child or you are part of their church family. So glad that you got support when you needed it my friend!
Your post reminded me of the saying that "people buy people". This is particularly relevant to remember for those of us that are sole traders.
Great encouragement, Kim! We have our own unique perspective and experiences to share with the world, and everybody benefits when we step out and share. We have to get past our fear of being vulnerable–it's not about us!
Kim, I am in total agreement with what you have written and what Katrina said. I do pro bono work for a local non-profit that works with gambling addicts and their families. My goal in life is to help this place stay open because they literally saved me. I too am writing a book about my experiences and am donating a good portion of the proceeds to the Center. What has amazed me is the majority of the people I have shared with are so supportive and it has deepened many bonds. Thank you for putting it in words.
YES!!! Even on a smaller scale, my business partner and I have noticed that blog posts using the words "I" and "you" in them seem to be more powerful and achieve a greater reach than those that don't. People WANT to connect with other people — not a faceless business. This is especially true online when we don't have the satisfaction of dealing face-to-face with a salesperson or business owner.
Plus, I think it really says a lot when you can see the human side of a large business. Sometimes it is surprising just how "normal" they are! Personally, I would choose to do business with someone based on our similarities any day!
Great post!
Kim, thank you so much! So blessed to read your thoughts that reflect my own . . . yes, it's all about connecting! Got started on Twitter in January and became friends with someone from the UK who followed my tweets & blog and just offered me a job writing for his company's US travel website. Also met a new friend who runs a foundation for aging-out at-risk & homeless foster kids. She had been praying for a year for someone to help w/publicity and I am now the foundation's Community Relations Director. Went on Twitter to connect & encourage and God has opened doors beyond what I ever imagined! So important to 1) be yourself 2) encourage others in their lives & struggles 3) publicly acknowledge others' accomplishments 4) discover your "life niche" (as you so beautifully described, above) i.e. your unique gift & message to the world and 5) share it! Thanks again.
Great article!!! Thanks!
http://www.billslater.com/secrets/
It's so strange that I came across this article. I was just thinking the same thing. I have a lot of experience that has led me to this crossroads that I am at. I have recently quit my job as a successful architectural designer, but I felt like I had something different to offer. I wasn't being me. I quit and now I am on my own. Marketing, branding, architectural services, etc. My experience and diverse background can offer so much to the people. I just didn't know where to start. I am much better at getting out there and talking to people. I am good at reading people and talking to anyone (10 years of bartending can do that to you). I am rambling. I am just so glad that I stumbled across this article. I will continue to read your blogs. Thank you.
Wow, Kim! This is really a great article! I was just listening to a teleclass last night and one of the big "aha's" I took from that is "You must become your best client: – meaning you have to become the kind of person you want to serve. You attract WHO you are. If you haven't dealt with a lot of crap, you will attract clients and customers who will mirror back to you what's going on inside. So it's about YOU – but you have to continually be working and improving yourself so you can attract delightful clients.
Wow, never looked at it this way. My best relationships are with people that shared a cmon life experirnce. Great article & lesson, Thanks!
"The real secret to success is to SERVE a lot of people. Sharing Y-O-U will open the door to impacting more people and then you need a servant based heart to propel your business to great heights…."
So true, Kim … only givers can gain:)))
Wonderful article
I agree..Sharing you. Being who you are and what we are created to be…Being real does not force to live pretense life and create wrong image. As a publicist I can say Image is everything and especially nowdays
Great post
Tatyana Gann
Very helpful. Thank you. I'm looking at trying to "reinvent" myself/career after being laid off at age 54. I only had that job 2 1/2 years. I was ill for a couple years before. I'm a positive person but trying to define what I do is difficult at this time. Then to define who finds it valuable is the next question. I have many prior years in marketing/advertising work. I was a Momtpreuner from home for 10 years too. Part of which I worked 7 years as a Realtor and mortgage originator up to the time I got sick. That whole industry was just starting to be in flux here in Nevada when I left it. I've always been an active volunteer in my community. So serving others with my whole heart has been my goal, focus and joy all my life. Now thanks to your article I will re-assess what I have to share that has value to help others. Anyone have insight or direction to help me?
Cynthia, the best plan is just to get started. That is the first step. Then I would find a coach that can shorten your learning curve. It will make a huge difference; especially if you find the right one.
Your on 100% this is great, it leads into a blog that I will be starting next week, thanks for the info and inspiration to continue my plan.
Great article Kim! One should always believe in themselves, even through the bad times.
Be great, be Y-O-U!
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Absolutely!! Thanks for dropping in!
excellent inputs Kim. really a great article. i success factor YOU defined clearly. building connection and maintaining the relationship with people is the greatest secret of the every business. if anyone wants business more smarter these are the good tips need to follow. this is not only focusing on the business also every people who really looking for success.
LOVE this Kim! Sharing your own perspective, story and ideas is what attracts your ideal client. I feel that this goes with dealing with criticism as well, seeing competition as lack instead of gain. Great post thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it, Kristen!
Thank you, Janet!