Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Confused? Follow These Five Steps

Running and growing a successful business is not for the faint of heart!

Over and over again, I hear the same sentiments from business owners. They are OVERWHELMED, CONFUSED, and FRUSTRATED!

There are so many moving parts, and it's hard to know what to do and where to start. It doesn't help that you have a thousand people screaming at you on social media that they have the answer.

Okay, it may sound like I am another one of the thousand, but the big difference is that I actually give a shit! I'm not a big corporation trying to take over the world; it's just me, a fellow business owner who cried myself to sleep countless nights trying to figure out everything on my own.

I realized early on that my biggest contribution was my ability to simplify.

You need focus. You need a plan, and you need a system to succeed!

Below is MY system...the five steps to help you organize your business. I've used it myself to start and grow several successful businesses, and it's my gift to you to help you focus and lay the foundation for success.

Step One - GET CLEAR (Brand)

The first step is to get clear on exactly who you are, what you do, who you do it for and how you do it better. You need to be able to CONFIDENTLY answer these questions...

1. What is my UNIQUE position in the industry?

2. Who EXACTLY is my ideal customer?

3. What SPECIFIC needs and wants does my ideal customer have?

4. How do I fulfill these needs and wants BETTER than anyone else?

5. Why would anyone choose me over my competition?

Step Two- GET ORGANIZED (Efficiency)

Efficiency is the foundation of a successful business and systems are what help keep your business organized. In today's oversaturated marketplace, it is imperative that you create a business that is simple, easy and convenient for you and your customer.

Ask yourself these questions...

1. Do I have effective systems for EVERY area of my business?

2. Is my website easy to understand and navigate?

3. Do I offer online booking, payments and contracts for my clients?

4. Am I spending a large majority of my time on the "day-to-day" tasks of the business?

5. Am I feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and burnt out?

Step Three- GET IT TOGETHER (Marketing Message)

Once you figure out who you are and you create systems to effectively run your business, it's time to figure out how you are going to show up in your business.

Ask yourself these questions...

1. What are the UNIQUE selling points of my business?

2. How can I connect with my ideal client?

3. Is EVERYTHING I do and say in line with my ideal client?

4. Is my message clear and concise?

5. Am I making the mistake of trying to be everything to everyone?

Step Four- GET OUT THERE (Visibility)

Once you figure out who you are and you create systems to effectively run your business AND you have determined how to connect with and effectively communicate with your ideal client, it's time to get out there a make sure as many people as possible know about you!

Ask yourself these questions...

1. Do I have clear marketing goals and strategies?

2. Is my marketing organized and systematized?

3. Do I have an effective system for obtaining and nurturing leads?

4. Do I have an effective system for nurturing relationships within the industry?

5. Do I have a clear idea what my social media goals are?

Step Five- GET GOING (Growth)

Once you master the first four steps, growing your business should happen organically and be fun! The problem is that most people are focused (even obsessed) with growing their business without first laying the foundation for successful growth.

Ask yourself these questions...

1. Have I mastered the first four steps? (Brand, Efficiency, Marketing Message, and Visibility)

2. Does running my business feel effortless and fun?

3. Do I have the time to focus ON my business, or am I still spending the majority of my time IN my business?

4. Do I have a clear vision of where I want to take my business?

5. Do I have the knowledge needed to take my business to the next level?

I know that this is just the beginning, but my hope is that it will start you in the right direction where you can begin asking yourself the right questions to help you organize your business.