PRBLMS

The first time I ever heard 6LACK was on his first single “PRBLMS” about breaking free from all the drama he had with his ex-girlfriend. That year 6LACK went from sleeping on the streets to a platinum single, touring with the WEEKND and 3 Grammy nominations.

Truthfully by today’s standards we should never have even heard of 6LACK. He’s introverted and he’s low-key. The reason he’s penetrated to become so successful in such a competitive industry is because he led with his problems. 

By today’s standards we should never have even heard of 6LACK.

This wasn’t accidental. His label’s A&R Executive, Justice Baiden (a Romantic Archetype himself), realized they had to create a narrative to draw in their audience. They decided to craft this narrative by putting his artist’s problems front and center. 

It worked so well that by the time his first single dropped, his fans were waiting with so much anticipation, they sent his single platinum.

The same strategy goes for any business. Your audience needs to know who you are by clearly understanding what problems you can help them with. 

You don’t call a plumber unless there’s a problem with your sink. You don’t find a nutritionist unless you have a problem with your health. You don’t buy a new skin cream unless you have a problem with your skin.

People without problems don’t need you. They don’t need your solution.

So as a business owner we need to get into the business of understanding problems. This means understanding how your customers think about their problems, how they talk about their problems and how they go about solving their problems.

I know, we all have enough problems in our life and really aren’t trying to hear any more from our customers. 

But if we take the time to reflect on their issues and begin to clearly articulate what problems we help with in ways that resonate with our customers, even if we’re introverted and low-key, people will seek you out for help. 

So today take the time to listen … I mean really listen to your audience – problems, drama and all. It can mean the difference between being just another business and truly standing out from the crowd.

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The Reviews came in and … Ouch!

So this relationship coach gets up in front of an audience of his ideal customer, single women looking for Mr. Right. Everyone was eager to hear his words of wisdom. But as he started speaking, the crowd began to squirm, then frown, then outright giggle.

By the end of the seminar, the reviews were in. “I honestly heard nothing that was of any use to a modern woman.” Ouch!

If you love watching reality tv like I do, you remember when this happened to Ash on “90 Day Fiance – Before the 90 Days”. It was brutal. 

It made me think of my friend who is also a relationship coach.

She recently held a webinar and things went a lot different for her. She spoke on how difficult it is to be alone during this scary time of a global pandemic especially if you’re single and quarantining alone.

She gave examples of how her clients were still meeting people online, deepening their relationships over Zoom and even having socially distanced dates in the park sitting 6 feet apart.

The women in her webinar were engaged, they asked questions and many of them ended up signing up for her program.

I sincerely wish Ash learned what my friend already knew. You will continue struggling if you haven’t taken the time to understand the frustrations your audience face.

If you want to stand out from the rest in a crowded landscape, you have to be the one that articulates exactly what’s going on in your audience’s mind.

My friend was empathetically able to zone in on what single women looking for lifelong love are feeling in the age of social distancing. She understood how lonely it could be — being single right now and quarantining alone. She understood how they might think it was impossible to meet or date anyone and gently gave them hope that it was possible.

And it pays off. My relationship coach friend shows that even during this financial crisis, people are still willing to spend their money with someone who truly articulates what they’re thinking and feeling.

So today take the time to listen … I mean really listen … to what your audience is asking for – problems, complaints, frustrations and all. It’s the difference between continuing to struggle and truly starting to connect with your audience.

If you want to stand out from the rest in a crowded landscape, you have to be the one that articulates exactly what’s going on in your audience’s mind.

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I’m Paying it Forward!

I wanted thank everyone who joined me on last week’s call.  On that call I offered a special opportunity.  As I mentioned last week, when I started this business, I wanted to work with Black Women who have a passion deep in their soul for their businesses but who, even with all their hard work, just can’t seem to make it work financially.

I remember what it was like for me getting my start helping businesses with their systems 17 years ago. I didn’t have the experience, the resources or the know-how but someone took a chance and invested in me. That is how I got my start and since then, I have been able to go on to build two successful companies but I would never have gotten the chance if someone hadn’t believed in me.

I know I have been so blessed, this time it was my turn to pay it forward. It was my turn to give back an opportunity that was given to me so long ago.

I wanted to make a real difference

I wanted to offer something that would make a real difference. One that I’ve seen make the difference in so many businesses that have been struggling.   I wanted to offer something that I’ve seen allow a business to get on the path to 6 figures in as little as two weeks.

I’ll be honest I had second thoughts though because nobody else is doing it and it goes against everything they tell you to do in this business but I felt called to do it and I’m glad I did. I offered a unique opportunity for 4 people.   I offered to invest my time and resources to work with them one-on-one to create their Signature System.

If you don’t have a Signature System, I recommend you get one soon. As a business owner, it’s one of your biggest assets and is the cornerstone of your high end offerings where I’ve seen clients begin to charge from $700 anywhere to $10,000 per session and more. I talk about it more here.

In my years working with clients I have seen the transformation they have undergone once they have defined their system. They understand clearly how they provided their service and the value they bring to their clients.  It’s key to being able to stand confidently behind your value and finally charge what you’re worth.

I know for these 4 women, my offer to create their Signature System will be a key part of their journey to financial success. All I asked was one thing in return … for the winners to pay it forward to one other person.

I know how it feels to think you don’t have the resources to grow your business. But what I do know is that you can’t focus on what you don’t have when you’re giving generously what you do have. So I know by paying it forward these women are changing their perspective from scarcity to affluence.

I’m glad I listened to my heart

I am so happy I listened to my heart and I went ahead with this unusual offer. I was so overwhelmed by the response.  I have to say I was a little surprised but so gratified that so many others were inspired to pay it forward as well.

I’m so grateful for the words you spoke on the conference call it has truly propelled me. ~ L. Dalton

Later today, I am contacting the winners of this unique offer. Even if you did not have the opportunity to participate, I hope you will be inspired. I hope you will be inspired to reflect on the opportunities you have been given and be inspired pay them forward in a way that makes a difference in someone else’s journey.

With all my love,

Janali, your Business Mentor