Ever since I’ve started working with corporate professionals who are transitioning out of their 9-5s and into solo entrepreneurship, I’ve had the privilege of diving deep into a variety of businesses.
Despite the businesses being different, they all seem to struggle with the same problems.
And #1 on the list of problems is a chronic lack of leads and thus, a lack of paying clients.
What’s interesting is that most consulting, coaching, and other thought-leadership business models are totally viable.
Afterall, they are not groundbreaking. The model is already proven.
So why do so many people still struggle with actually attracting clients and getting paid?
I’m going to borrow from a phrase that comes straight from American presidential politics.
It’s the economy, stupid!
But I’m going to repurpose it for those who struggle with business.
It’s the offer, stupid!
Many people believe they have a strong offer just because they spent a lot of time on it. But the market cares nothing about how much time you spent crafting an offer.
I’m going to say this as politely as possible.
If people aren’t coming to you directly, and inquiring about your services, then your offer sucks. And you need to fix it fast.
If your offer is not exceptionally clear, and immediately communicates an obvious benefit to your ICP then it is basically dead on arrival.
But instead of fixing the offer, I’ve noticed many beginner solopreneurs do everything except for the one thing that will create a cascade of positive downstream impact.
Instead, they:
tinker with trying to get more engagement on their content
optimize their landing pages for higher conversion rates
try to reach more people hoping someone eventually bites
These are all tactical solutions that amount to putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. They don’t get to the root of the problem.
This is how solopreneurship ventures die slow and painful deaths.
Fixing your offer, on the other hand, is an “order of magnitude” change that could 10x your inbound leads.
I work with a lot of career coaches, so I’ll use it as an example.
Bad offer:
“I help burnt out business leaders find confidence to successfully navigate career transitions
Build a ‘Clarity Roadmap’ that gives you a clear path forward into defining the next chapter of your career”
Good offer:
“I help MBB consultants with 10+ years of experience transition into less time-consuming, more fulfilling, careers without lowering income or quality of life.
In 12 weeks you will have interviews scheduled with at least 5 fortune 500 companies that align with your lifestyle and financial goals.
If not, then I will continue to work with you at no cost until you do.”
In both cases your actual service remains unchanged.
But there’s a clear difference in how each is communicated. One is vague and generic. The other gives a clear outcome that has real financial, time, and lifestyle implications.
10 times out of 10 I’m going with the 2nd option if I’m going to be putting my hard-earned money on the line.
To jumpstart and monetize your solopreneurship venture in 6-weeks, book a connection call with me.