As a business owner do you ever find yourself trying to act the way you think your clients want you to?  Or even more dangerous, are you trying to be more like your competition?

Trying to “fit in” is not a smart business strategy.  Conformity is not profitable and frankly it’s no fun either.

Think about it, when you stand out you get noticed more often.  And who doesn’t want that?  Being vanilla isn’t very appealing.  Have you ever heard the expression: Love me or hate me, but don’t ignore me?

Your goal isn’t to attract everyone to your business. In fact some people won’t like what you’re all about and that’s fine.  You want to stand for something you believe in and let that attract the people who appreciate it.

Dr. Seuss explains this well: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

People can sense it if you are trying to be something you are not and that’s a turn off.  When you stay connected to your one-of-a-kind self, your business can’t help but reflect that in a positive way.  And, as it turns out, it’s much easier to market your business when you let your real self show. 

What’s more, by being more of yourself, you will be inspired to create original products and services.  Consider this quote by Emerson, “A man must consider what a rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist.” 

The truth is that you are unique and there is no one else like you.  Why not use this to your advantage.  Stop trying to be anything other than who and what you are. Don’t be afraid to put away your mask and share the real you.

And that’s not all; people are naturally more attracted to an authentic business rather than a copycat.  People have a lot of choices these days; will they choose your business?

Grab a piece of paper and write down all of things about you that make you distinctive.  Connect to what you feel deep down inside.  Quirky things can be included as well.

If you get stuck, think about things your friends, family, and colleagues have told you about yourself.  Next, brainstorm how you can incorporate these things into your business.

Here are some places you can infuse your personality into your business:

- Website copy

- Newsletters

- E-mail signature

- Your photograph

- Your marketing materials

Are you starting to see how being more of you can create an extraordinary business?  Start today and begin to bring more of who you are to your company and experience personal joy as well as an increase in your profit.

© 2008 Stephanie Ward

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Many times business owners get stuck when it comes to marketing because they feel uncomfortable doing it.  They are afraid of being seen as pushy, intrusive, or fake.

What if you could change the way you think about marketing by connecting to your true intention for doing it in the first place?

Have you ever thought about WHY you are marketing your business?  OK, the answer seems obvious – to sell what you offer – but think deeper.  You genuinely believe your products and services will help people, otherwise you wouldn’t be offering them.  Right?

Try a quick exercise with me for a minute.  Close your eyes (don’t worry this isn’t going to get weird) and picture your clients and the success they reach by using your products and services.

See the impact that your business has on their lives and/or businesses.  Can you see your intention to make a positive difference?

If you are clear about your intention for marketing, then you will be able to approach marketing in a relaxed and confident manner.

When your intention is to help people, to offer them something that may benefit them – that feels good.  It’s even exciting! 

 You could even go as far as to say that you are doing a disservice by not sharing what you offer to people who could use it.

Remember, people can’t buy something they don’t know about.  By making your offer known, you are giving people the choice to consider for themselves if it is something they want.

The truth is that simply sharing your offer is a neutral act that may or may not be accepted.  That’s it.

Imagine what it would feel like if you shifted your perception of what it means to market your business.  Marketing feels natural and positive if your intention is one of supporting your prospective clients and being of service to them.

The focus is not on you or your business.  Your focus is on sharing your offer with the people you want to support.  Here are seven ideas about where and when you can share your offer:

1. Your newsletter or someone else’s newsletter

2. Your website or someone else’s website

3. E-mail or post (snail mail)

4. Google AdWords

5. In the author bio box at the end of articles you write

6. When you’re networking

7. When you’re speaking

Marketing can feel good when you see it as sharing an offer that people want and need.  Discover your true marketing intention and connect to that feeling before you begin your marketing activities.  It will make a huge difference in how you feel as you take action.

What’s more, your audience will receive a message that comes from an authentic intention.  So make the shift, connect with your intention for marketing and enjoy taking action when marketing your unique business.

© Stephanie Ward, 2008

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.