Over the weekend, I had a chat with a new coaching client (I took on a few “undercover” clients in my new NOT RELEASED coaching program to iron out some of the bugs….) and, well, I may be off to a bad start…
This client is mid-launch, they’re about to open up their very first business, and they are full of excitement and energy.
They were going on and on about all the cool things they were doing, and how crazy it was and that nobody was doing it like them.
I listened for about 20 minutes before I finally stepped in…
I said “you should focus on building a boring company first”
They looked at my like I was an idiot…
I continued…
“I feel like your focus is off, and you’re too in love with your business, your ideas, your product, and not about solving a real need.
If all you do is focus on all the cool, exciting things you’re talking about, you’re going to have a super fun rise up, followed by a painful collapse to the bottom.
You need to build systems to support all the stuff you’re talking about.
You need to focus on the boring stuff…
– How are you going to prospect
– Who’s your target audience
– What’s your follow up system
– How are you going to get them to keep coming back
– What are you doing to build up your MRR
– What parts are you automating
– What can you deliver consistently long term
Far too many new entrepreneurs get so caught up in the flashyness of business, that they forget to actually build a real business on a solid (boring) foundation – and that’s what gets you in trouble.
When you focus on the fun stuff, the accolades, the awards, the Facebook likes and shares, the articles in the paper and all the praise, you risk finding yourself constantly struggling to make ends meet, constantly struggling to find the next client, constantly struggling to build sustainability and recurring, automatic revenue.
I’m not saying all that flashy stuff is bad… but it should come second.
Focus on the boring stuff…
– Figure out the right market
– Identify the most powerful hooks
– Build up your value ladder so you know what the buyer journey is
– Figure out the systems, procedures, processes, policies
– Know where you’re going to build in sustainability
-Figure out how to leverage what you already have
– Build a solid foundation – one that can support the empire you crave
Business building is like going to the Olympics… You spend MOST of your time alone, in pain, busting your ass off perfecting the basics and building a foundation so that one day you can have it all, be at the top of the world with everyone cheering you on.
If you want to be here in 10 years – and living the good life – focus less on the flare, and more on the boring stuff.
As I wrapped up my mini-speech to this new client, they looked at my like I had just broken up with them or something!
They went on to tell me that they had just spent several thousand with a marketing agency (NOT mine!) that sold them on how much they needed a big fancy website, super awesome business cards, killer high end handouts, and over-the-top posters and display stuff.
No!!!!
Apple…
Amazon…
Facebook…
They all started in garages, in dorm rooms, in ghetto little spots without any of the flash – and look at them now.
They focused on what MATTERED first.
In fact, once a week I have coffee with a business owner who’s MONTHLY gross is just shy of a million bucks a month, and he doesn’t even have a business card.
Don’t be seduced by the excitement of building a business, that you forget to actually build a business – not just the appearance of a business.
To your success,
Al
Alain (Al) Blais – We help businesses build a winning strategy and arm them with the marketing tactics to build a powerful brand backed by raving fans for life.
CEO of RYS Group, Alain Blais is an entrepreneur, published author, family man and competitive dirt bike racer. He’s deeply passionate about growing businesses and excels in marketing and promotion. Alain regularly consults for small to medium sized businesses, start ups and independent sales professionals. Al believes in constant and never ending improvement and is always seeking to optimize and improve his current skills, systems and businesses as well as seek out new opportunities and ventures. For consulting, partnerships and speaking engagements, you can contact Alain at alain@rys.group
Alain Blais
Head Marketing Maestro at RYS Marketing Agency
1191 Lansing Ave, Unit 1
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
P3A 4C4
Email: alain@rysmarketing.com
Website: www.rysmarketing.com
Small Business Mastery Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallbusinessmastery/
Mobile (Voicemail): 705.662.0836
“Marketing is the difference between mediocrity and millions” – Jay Abraham
“The most dependable and consistent way to generate wealth is to turn good marketing into profit.” – Alain Blais
