When I ask business owners why they arenβt sharing what they offer, I often hear this: βI donβt want to look like Iβm showing off.β
Ring any bells?
But if people donβt know you have something to sell, they canβt buy it.
Seems obvious and yet you might be one of the business owners who is not making it clear what you offer. Why would you do that?
Why Youβre Holding Back
There are many reasons, some of them have a connection to fear, here are some ideas:
- You arenβt confident about what youβre selling so you keep it a secret.
- You donβt realize itβs not clear for others because it is clear to you.
- You think that people already know what you do and what you offer.
- You think that if you make it clear youβre being pushy or salesy.
- You donβt want to bother people.
If you feel fear is part of what is blocking you, check out my post, Secrets to Overcoming Your Fears So You Can Rock Your Business.Β
The beliefs you have about yourself, and your work, have a massive influence on the success of your business.
Luckily you have the ability to become aware of those thoughts and take action to investigate them to see if they are true.
So if youβre stuck and want to break free from a belief that is causing you stress, take a look deeper.
One method that has worked for me is to ask four questions known as The Work. You can find out how to use it here.Β
Hereβs the deal, if you are running a business, it is your duty and obligation to let people know how what services and products are available.
You might be thinking, duty? Obligation? What does that have to do with my business. Thatβs not why Iβm doing what I do.
Think of it this way, you are doing work you are passionate about because it is meaningful to you and to your clients.
You believe the work you do makes a difference in your clientsβ lives.
So if you are intentionally, or unintentionally, hiding your work; you are denying people the option to accept your help and improve their lives.
Sharing is Not the Same as Showing Off
Sharing something you have for sale is not the same as showing off.
If you wrote a book, that is a fact. Itβs not bragging, itβs what is true.
If you say, here is a book I wrote, that is sharing. That is not showing off.
When people know about the book, they can buy it or not buy it.
An effortless way to convey the value of your offers is to let other people talk about them.
Ask clients for testimonials and share those on your website.
That way you donβt have to worry about being a show off because itβs other people who are raving about your stuff.
Find out more about how to get testimonials here.Β
The same thing goes for any awards or recognition you have received.
You didnβt decide you won, the body that awarded you the prize chose you.
So donβt hide this, itβs an external endorsement just like a testimonial.
And these things give you credibility and visibility.
Share Your Offers
Remember an offer is simply that, an offer.
An offer can be accepted or declined.
If itβs a fit for someone, thatβs great. If not, that is also great.
Because that means you can move on and people who arenβt a match can find the right match for them. Everybody wins.
For more ideas about how to share your offers check out this post, Wish More People Knew About Your Offer? Do This.Β
Itβs important not to take this personally. Whether they say yes, or no.
Neither decision is about you, itβs about them.
If this is a point of struggle for you, please check out my post, Why You Shouldnβt Take it Personally When it Comes to Your Marketing.Β
Make Your Offers Clear & Visible
Now itβs time for action. Set aside one hour and go through all of the products and services you offer.
Make sure it is obvious what you offer and that itβs clear how to buy things on your website, and on all of your social media profiles. Include live clickable links when possible.
And because sometimes itβs hard to see what is so close to you, you can also ask a couple of friends to take a look at your website and ask them to tell you what they think people can buy from you.
You may be surprised by what you hear. If itβs not clear, then make some updates.
Feeling inspired to start sharing what you have to offer? Itβs more than possible to do without showing off.
In fact, you can even feel positive about it because you recognize that you are giving people the possibility to connect with an option that could help them.
Β© Stephanie Ward
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful and prosperous businesses.Β Grab yourΒ FREE copy of the special report β7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Timeβ plusΒ business building tips, at: https://www.fireflycoaching.com.
How do you feel about promoting your business? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. I respond to every single comment.