About this column
Photo by Valentin.Ottone courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.
In yesterday’s post I shared the results of my very first reader survey. {Seriously, did you see that gorgeous monkey in the hammock?} I wanted to take the pulse on which info product idea of mine sparked the most interest in you. The answer came through nice and clear — love it when that happens, don’t you?
The first product you want to see from me is the one that’ll help you find and own the voice of your business.
And to that I say — let’s do it. Let’s go. I like it, I’m ready, and I’m excited. And I’m glad to hear you are, too!
Here’s what I’m thinking:
This product — the big mama piece of it — will be an e-book that will be for sale. {An e-book is just a book that’s in digital format, so you download it and print it out if you want to, or read it on your computer.} But before I release that, I’ll be releasing a few free mini products that relate to the content of the e-book. Mini as in size, but maxi on value. Trr-rust. And those probably won’t be in text format. Hint, hint.
Can I ask you a few more questions?
Feel free to riff on these in the comments. Pick one, respond to them all, or say something else entirely. I’m all ears. I like listening to you.
- When you think of finding the voice of your biz, what does that mean to you?
- How do you think finding the voice of your biz happens?
- What’s the hardest part of talking about or writing about your biz?
- What would you most like help with when it comes to finding your biz’s voice?
- Whose business voice do you admire {online, in print, or in person} and why?
Thanks in advance.
Hello, you.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I just found your blog and love it! To answer one of your questions about finding the voice of my biz. This is something I would really like to explore. I am in the process of changing the focus of my business from film to private clients and struggle with finding the best way to express my desire to help women (and men too), build their image as their brand. I have, for the past 20+ years, dealt with people who understand the power of clothing to “tell a story” and deliver information. I want to bring that knowledge to the everyday entrepreneur to help them tell the story of their business visually. I started a blog (http://crackingthestylecode.com), to do just that but have yet to “find my voice”
I look forward to seeing more at your blog!
Cheers,
Deborah
I just found your blog and love it! To answer one of your questions about finding the voice of my biz. This is something I would really like to explore. I am in the process of changing the focus of my business from film to private clients and struggle with finding the best way to express my desire to help women (and men too), build their image as their brand. I have, for the past 20+ years, dealt with people who understand the power of clothing to “tell a story” and deliver information. I want to bring that knowledge to the everyday entrepreneur to help them tell the story of their business visually. I started a blog (http://crackingthestylecode.com), to do just that but have yet to “find my voice”
I look forward to seeing more at your blog!
Cheers,
Deborah
Hey, Deborah! —
Welcome! Just checked out your site and I have to say I’m beyond blown away by your talent and the scope of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. {I bet you hear that a lot.} :) How did you come across my site?
I’m so excited to dive into your blog and start learning from *you*. Have you checked out “Style Statement” by Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy? It’s fabulous and espouses some of the same intentions that are in your own work. May be inspirational for you.
http://www.amazon.com/Style-Statement-Live-Your-Design/dp/0316067164
See you in the blogosphere!
— Abby
Hey, Deborah! —
Welcome! Just checked out your site and I have to say I’m beyond blown away by your talent and the scope of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. {I bet you hear that a lot.} :) How did you come across my site?
I’m so excited to dive into your blog and start learning from *you*. Have you checked out “Style Statement” by Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy? It’s fabulous and espouses some of the same intentions that are in your own work. May be inspirational for you.
http://www.amazon.com/Style-Statement-Live-Your-Design/dp/0316067164
See you in the blogosphere!
— Abby
Hi Abby,
I think some of my problem with finding “my voice” is I am a very modest person. I find it so easy to write about someone or something else but when it comes to myself or my business I am a little shy. I guess I am afraid of coming off as boastful, arrogant, ignorant, obnoxious etc. Looking forward to your posts.
Paula
Hi Abby,
I think some of my problem with finding “my voice” is I am a very modest person. I find it so easy to write about someone or something else but when it comes to myself or my business I am a little shy. I guess I am afraid of coming off as boastful, arrogant, ignorant, obnoxious etc. Looking forward to your posts.
Paula
Thanks, Abby!
I have seen their site! It’s very fun. We differ in that they are helping people develop their personal style. I want to help people understand and develop their professional image. Your “image” is your brand, it can be entirely different than your personal style. Often personal style get’s in the way of delivering a clear message to one’s clients. You may be saying one thing “I want to bring about world peace and feed all the children” for example, but your black leather jacket and nose ring distracts your client from hearing your message. Your image needs to be in sync with your message.
People make up their minds about you in a very brief time. It is important that your image is selling your ideas. Often people will spend thousands of $$ creating business cards, flyers, stationary and other graphic material. They hone their verbal presentation and craft the perfect “elevator pitch”. Then, they totally overlook their biggest selling point….themselves!
It’s not about that old “dress for success” thing. How boring! It’s about dressing creatively to help “tell your story”.
Thanks, Abby!
I have seen their site! It’s very fun. We differ in that they are helping people develop their personal style. I want to help people understand and develop their professional image. Your “image” is your brand, it can be entirely different than your personal style. Often personal style get’s in the way of delivering a clear message to one’s clients. You may be saying one thing “I want to bring about world peace and feed all the children” for example, but your black leather jacket and nose ring distracts your client from hearing your message. Your image needs to be in sync with your message.
People make up their minds about you in a very brief time. It is important that your image is selling your ideas. Often people will spend thousands of $$ creating business cards, flyers, stationary and other graphic material. They hone their verbal presentation and craft the perfect “elevator pitch”. Then, they totally overlook their biggest selling point….themselves!
It’s not about that old “dress for success” thing. How boring! It’s about dressing creatively to help “tell your story”.
@Paula — Thanks for weighing in! I think your struggle is a popular one, at least among the clients I coach. I always tell people, “You have to get as comfortable and used to stating the stellar facts about your biz as you are comfortable and used to saying, My name is So-and-So.” Just let your brain totally skip over the ego part. It doesn’t factor in here. {I know, easier said then done. We’ll definitely be exploring this here on the blog and in the upcoming project I’m working on!} :)
@Deborah — You know, my first instinct would have been to disagree with you about personal style being all that different from professional style. I would’ve thought “BE the touchy-feely/world peace/feed the children” icon in the black leather jacket and the nose ring. But THEN I visited your blog and saw your post about George’s Clooney’s personal style vs. professional style. Now I *totally* see what you’re talking about it. There’s nothing wrong with “cleaning up well,” is there? It doesn’t make you any less YOU. It’s just another version of your you-ness.
@Paula — Thanks for weighing in! I think your struggle is a popular one, at least among the clients I coach. I always tell people, “You have to get as comfortable and used to stating the stellar facts about your biz as you are comfortable and used to saying, My name is So-and-So.” Just let your brain totally skip over the ego part. It doesn’t factor in here. {I know, easier said then done. We’ll definitely be exploring this here on the blog and in the upcoming project I’m working on!} :)
@Deborah — You know, my first instinct would have been to disagree with you about personal style being all that different from professional style. I would’ve thought “BE the touchy-feely/world peace/feed the children” icon in the black leather jacket and the nose ring. But THEN I visited your blog and saw your post about George’s Clooney’s personal style vs. professional style. Now I *totally* see what you’re talking about it. There’s nothing wrong with “cleaning up well,” is there? It doesn’t make you any less YOU. It’s just another version of your you-ness.