As an emerging entrepreneur, you are probably driven by a passionate desire. Whatever idea is burning inside of you, it’s something that runs deep. And it feels very important to you. It gives you motivation, happiness, and inspiration. It’s the thing you want, when your time on earth is through, to be in your accomplishment column.
Even with so much on the line, and maybe especially with so much on the line, it’s can seem hard to really put words to your vision. You know what “it” is, but being able to communicate that passion is crucial to getting the exposure you need, the help and financing you need, and the depth, width, and reach within the community you desire to serve. Money and influence are your friends in this venture, so it’s very important that people understand your goal. Marketing is also your friend, so you have to tell your story so it resonates and attracts like minded others.
How do you do that? How do you put words and maybe a face to your meaningful work? You do this by fully understanding your target audience and their needs and how you intend to fill those needs.
To help you get started, ask and answer the following questions:
- Who are you serving?
- What are their day to day concerns?
- What problem are you solving or opportunity are you providing to that audience?
- How does that solution provide value to your target audience?
- What stories could you tell that put an emotional context to your mission?
- Why are you doing what you are doing?
- What is your personal story in relationship to your mission?
- How would you feel to be successful in achieving your goal?
- How would you feel if you failed in achieving your goal?
- What unique skills do you bring forth to serve your target audience?
- What do you have in common with your audience?
- What do you know that they want to know?
- Why here?
- Why now?
- Why not?
- What will your target audience lose (or not gain) if you (and they) don’t act?
Get as specific as you can. I, for instance, have identified 35-55 year old beginning female entrepreneurs worldwide as my target audience. I desire to empower and inspire this group to take action toward living a passionate life doing their unique meaningful work. In my heart, I firmly and fully believe that this group of women is the single most influential group in the world, with the power to revolutionize our society, eradicate poverty and illiteracy, and enable a more peaceful and equitable world to become manifest. I want to provide them the tools they need - products, advice, encouragement, connections – to fully embody their magnificent power.
I care about this group because I AM that woman. I am the one who woke up one day, after years of reflection and inaction, and said “enough”. I walked away from a difficult marriage, a high stress job, and a stifled, uncreative existence to find my true passion. I know the doubt, the fear, the uncertainty and the intense difficulties of getting to the other side. I know, too, the rewards – the insight, the joy, the friendships, the contribution, and the peaceful satisfaction. And, those things are what drives me to do all I can to help other women find themselves also. It’s like a bell I can’t unring, so instead I ring it again, every day.
So, give it a shot – answer those questions as clearly and explicitly as you can – and you will be amazed at the clarity you will begin to demonstate. That clarity will enliven you and motivate others to join in. And, the rewards will start to flow. What have you got to gain? Your very happiness.
Together, we are stronger!
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman
follow me on Twitter: SmartWoman
