1 Thing I did to go from overwhelmed to profitable
Hi Medium fam,
In the last article, I addressed the common myth that “you need to have a big followers to monetise” (which is not true — I started making money in my business with only 200 followers).
If you missed this, you can go read that first, and here’s a strategy session + toolkit for you to jump start now.
Today, I want to dive a little deeper into how you can do the same.
Part 1
The context
I recalled my early days of starting the business — filled with ignorant optimism.
I thought I’m going to get rich very soon. it’ll be low cost easy for success because i’ve seen so many people who claims to make five figures in five months. Six figures in the year, seven figures in 3 year.
It sounded as if money just fall from the sky — that easy.
I was so excited. And so passionately work 12 to 14 hours a day, every day in the hope that I can just set up the system too. Make passive income. And then I can travel around the world or have more Free time with my family. Oh, what a good dream any digital entrepreneurs and online entrepreneurs would wish for
And then reality sets in. Nobody bought for me. And I don’t know why why I follow exactly the approach in the course, and I didn’t get the results.
Overwhelmed, frustrated, shiny object syndrome, I started jumping from one strategy to another, hoping that this time it works for me. And then it fails again. I get disappointed, upset yet jumping to another strategy still wanna make it work.
That was until I burnout, and lose all confidence in myself and decided to give up, “that its not for me”. Maybe because I’m an introvert, maybe because nobody around me is a successful entrepreneur, maybe because I’m not good enough, maybe because those course creators just wanna make money and don’t care about results of their students. or maybe my offers aren’t good enough.
Little did I know that there are a few core component in a business that needs to work together. It’s not just building and creating and writing the blog, but it’s also about marketing the blog, how to monetize a blog. Back then I didn’t have any idea what I was actually selling. I didn’t have a solid product suites and also, I was following the wrong mentor. The mentor, as good as she is as a person, she is an extrovert. And the method and approach that she took just wasn’t suitable for me. While she has achieved multi-seven figure success, and that is something that I hope to do so as well, the approach and methodology that she undertook just doesn’t align with my personality.
That was a tough start.
And I’ve taken a long way to get where I am today, making consistent six figure year, travelling every quarter, have plenty of free time for myself to read, enjoy a coffee doing nothing, or binging Netflix for 2 full days without feeling guilty.
And one of the things helped the shift and allow me to finally being able to monetise and keep monetising with a relatively small audience is:
positioning
So today, I wanna share more about positioning with you.
Part 2
The principles In the digital age, where competition is fierce and attention is scarce, positioning is more than just a marketing tactic — it’s a necessity.
The classic book “Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind” by Al Ries and Jack Trout offers some timeless insights that can guide us in crafting a magnetic personal brand for our online businesses that make us memorable.
Memorable = Monetisable
Understanding Positioning: The Foundation of Monetization Positioning is the process of creating a distinct image for your brand in the minds of your audience.
It’s about identifying your unique value proposition and communicating it effectively.
According to Ries and Trout, positioning is not about what you do, but what your audience perceives you to be.
This perception is crucial for monetization, as it shapes how your audience values your offerings.
Here are some Key Principles from the book “Positioning”
#1
Be the first to own a category or characteristic in the minds of your audience. Early positioning can make your brand the default choice in your niche.
#2
Focus on Simplicity: Keep your message simple and clear. Complicated messages are harder to remember and less likely to resonate with your audience.
If you’ve known me for a while, you may know that my business framework is “simplified, sustainable, soulful”, so simplicity is one of the key pillars.
#3
Leverage your strengths and let your audience’s perception of your brand overshadow any weaknesses.
It’s about authentic, not about perfection, I shared this in earlier articles as well.
#4
Consistently reinforce your position through all your communications and marketing efforts.
#5
Own a word or concept in the minds of your audience. This word becomes the shortcut that your audience uses to describe your brand.
e.g. For my Epic 12 execution program which I just launched in August, it’s “working smarter, not harder”
Part 3
10 Application and Action suggestions
Applying Positioning Principles to our Business now
#1
Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
What makes your online business unique? Identify this and communicate it clearly in all your branding and marketing materials.
#2
Choose Your Niche Wisely
Position yourself in a niche where you can stand out. It’s easier to be the big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.
#3
Create a Compelling Narrative
Tell a story that resonates with your audience. A strong narrative can make your brand more relatable and memorable.
#4
Leverage Your Online Presence
Use social media, a blog, and other online platforms to reinforce your positioning. Consistent online presence is crucial for establishing your brand’s identity.
#5
Offer Value Early
Provide valuable content for free to attract your audience. This could be in the form of blog posts, webinars, or free trials. This strategy helps establish your authority and trustworthiness.
Let’s mix it all together!
Below are some Monetization Strategies Based on Positioning so you can jump started making cash (woohoo!)
#6
Offer Premium Content or Services
Once you’ve established your authority, offer premium content or services that your audience is willing to pay for.
#7
Develop a Membership Program
You may consider creating a membership program that offers exclusive access to your content, community, or services.
#8
Launch a Product Line
Develop a product line that aligns with your brand’s positioning and caters to your audience’s needs.
#9
Partnerships and Affiliates
Partner with other businesses or become an affiliate for products that complement your brand’s positioning.
#10
Offer Consultation or Coaching Services
Leverage your expertise by offering consultation or coaching services to individuals or businesses.
If you want to learn the exact strategy I used to start making money with just 200 followers, I’ve prepared 3 more resources for you:
#1 Many ask me HOW to build a powerful and magnetic personal brand, I do include the “Magnetic Personal Branding” program in the yearly mastermind, but here’s a strategy session + toolkit for you to jump start now. You can get it here.
#2 You can learn strategically how to Build a Brand on Authenticity and Experiences by joining the yearly mastermind (along with other necessary skills to build a 6 figure business) — give yourself 1 year’s time to create a new you and new life. It’d be the best gift for yourself in the new year!
#3 I’ve also done a series of livestream on “Execution with ease” that you can watch for free on fb group
If you’ve any Qs, feel free to reach me at IG DM @simplifiedbusinesscoach
In the end, I want to give you 3 journal prompts to work on:
Reflection Questions:
- How would you define your unique value proposition?
- What steps will you take to reinforce your positioning in the online space?
- How do you plan to monetize your online business based on your positioning strategy?
Let me know your answers at IG DM @simplifiedbusinesscoach
Talk to you later!~
With love,
Connie
