If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that our lives and our jobs can have the rug yanked out from under them at any time, without us being able to prevent it.

I think that has caused a lot of people to reevaluate what they do for work.

People don’t want to bank on another person or institution to provide their security, especially now that they know how fragile the foundation can be.

Furthermore, people are challenging the institutionalized “9 to 5” work schedule more than ever before in pursuit of work that is more fulfilling to their personal lives and goals.

For whatever reason, and perhaps a combination of several, there’s been a huge growth in people becoming entrepreneurs, influencers, or working to establish their personal brands.

In fact, there has been a 40% rise in new business applications just in the past year, contributing to our all-time high of over 31 million entrepreneurs in the US alone.

As someone who has been self employed his whole career, I’m here for it!

But I also know the struggles it takes to produce consistent revenue in the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship, devoid of almost any security or routine. It can be challenging for many.

The biggest difference I’ve seen in businesses or entrepreneurs that last and those that don’t is the ability to clearly establish their value to potential customers and consumers.

Sure, you have to understand the fundamentals of supply and demand, monitor your cash flow, and create efficient systems of production and delivery. But if you can’t clarify what it is your offer and how it will help the potential buyer, then the best systems in the world won’t save you.

That means selling.

And for some reason, that word became a dirty word at some point.

I’m not naïve. I know that it happened because we began to equate “sales” with cheesy and greasy salespeople who tout their “deals too good to be true” through constant spam, sales calls, billboards, and any other disruptive advertising tactics.

But the reality is, you have to make sales or your business will cease to exist.

Which means you have to sell people on what you have.

But instead of being pushy, which most of us probably don’t like to do because we know we don’t like it being done to us, focus on how you can pull the potential customer into your sphere.

You ostensibly have something to offer. And that offer is hopefully of value to people.

If you don’t clearly know the value, how will anyone else? And if you do know the value, but don’t tell anyone, you’re actually being of disservice to those you could potentially help.

Let me put it another way: If I was stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire, but couldn’t change it because I didn’t have the necessary car jack and tire iron, and you drove past me with exactly those two things in your car, would you stop and let me know you could help or would you just drive past me wishing I would have flagged you down and asked you?

Because if you don’t tell the people you seek to serve what you have that could help them, you’re doing the same thing.

You’re abandoning them.

Once you flip your focus and put it solely on those you aim to help, it becomes less about you and your ego or insecurities — which are the voices in the back of your head telling you that “selling” is an icky feeling.

In fact, if you are fully focused on your clients, customers, and communities, you eventually stop hearing those voices altogether and only hear the pleas of your people.

You have something that could help people. I know you do. And you may want to use that thing to make a living and create the life you want.

Just don’t let yourself get in the way.

Because it’s not you that you should be worried about.

 

Rain Bennett is a two-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker, writer, and competitive storyteller with over a decade of experience producing documentary films that focus on health and wellness. His mission is simple: to make the world happier and healthier by sharing stories of change.

You can read the rest of “Right as Rain” here, and check back every Wednesday on Chapelboro for a new column! 

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

 

Related Stories
None