Your Ideal Clients – Part 4
I hope you started working on WOWing your Ideal Clients.
Just in case you didn’t start yet (or you missed it today)… CLICK HERE to do it NOW.
Tomorrow is our second Hot Seat ZOOM session (or the way we like to call it “What Would Nisandeh Do”).
Practicalities
When: Thursday, August 18 – at 8pm CET (NL, BE, DE, AT, ES).
The meeting will go on for 75-90 minutes.
Please join the meeting 5 minutes before 8pm, so we can start exactly on time.
CLICK HERE to enter the Zoom meeting
If you are asked for, use:
Meeting ID: 846 3291 5928
Passcode: 269804
This is your opportunity to ask any question related to working ON your business (not necessarily to this week’s topic) – to make sure you get the maximum out of the program.
Please be aware, my focus will not be on solving your problem/challenge/setback – but on offering ways of thinking or approaching that problem/challenge/setback – so you develop your “thinking toolbox”.
I cannot promise to answer all your questions during the live ZOOM call, but those that I won’t manage – I’ll answer in the next days in the comment box below.
If you have any question, problem, challenge or setback you want me to show you how I would approach – please post it IN ENGLISH in the comment box below, on Wednesday – August 17th.
I will ONLY refer on the ZOOM meeting to questions that were submitted on Wednesday.
Top Commenters – last 30 Days
Your Ideal Clients – Part 4
I hope you started working on WOWing your Ideal Clients.
Just in case you didn’t start yet (or you missed it today)… CLICK HERE to do it NOW.
Tomorrow is our second Hot Seat ZOOM session (or the way we like to call it “What Would Nisandeh Do”).
Practicalities
When: Thursday, August 18 – at 8pm CET (NL, BE, DE, AT, ES).
The meeting will go on for 75-90 minutes.
Please join the meeting 5 minutes before 8pm, so we can start exactly on time.
CLICK HERE to enter the Zoom meeting
If you are asked for, use:
Meeting ID: 846 3291 5928
Passcode: 269804
This is your opportunity to ask any question related to working ON your business (not necessarily to this week’s topic) – to make sure you get the maximum out of the program.
Please be aware, my focus will not be on solving your problem/challenge/setback – but on offering ways of thinking or approaching that problem/challenge/setback – so you develop your “thinking toolbox”.
I cannot promise to answer all your questions during the live ZOOM call, but those that I won’t manage – I’ll answer in the next days in the comment box below.
If you have any question, problem, challenge or setback you want me to show you how I would approach – please post it IN ENGLISH in the comment box below, on Wednesday – August 17th.
I will ONLY refer on the ZOOM meeting to questions that were submitted on Wednesday.
I am looking forward to celebrate your progress and results on Friday (I’m curious to hear what plan you’ll come up with).
Until then…
Live fully, stay awesome,
Nisandeh
92 comments
Day 4: How to positively surprise my clients (do something unexpected).
• Invite them for a personal party.
• Sent invitations to conferences of their interest.
• Sent a bottle of wine / box of chocolate outside the normal periods.
• Invite them for a free session about any topic.
• Sent them a coupon they can spend on charity. (working out the details).
• Walk their dog.
129 comments
I find the assignments of yesterday and today (week 9 3 and 4 of 5) really complicated. I already work on a personal basis and really get stuck in generating ideas. The answers of other participants are also very similar. Learning and adopting your ideas is a possibility but feels too easy for me. I translate the assignments for myself as more of the same.
Nisandeh, How do you naturally distinguish yourself as an expert for your target group / ideal client (related to the assignments of this week) and how can I see more of the difference in this week's assignments?
120 comments
Sorry for the (to) late comment... Can't wait for the holidays to be over next week.
It's really hard to come up with a good question. Not one I can Google or get a clear answer myself as soon as I write it down. So, after some brain breaking:
My biggest 'problem' is getting to be seen by my ideal clients. 16-26 years is being reduced by Facebook/Insta to 18-26 marketing campaigns. I can of course try to focus my marketing on the parent of the 16-18-year-old prospects... but that doesn't feel ideal. Also, considering their interest/personalities they are not so much outgoing so catching them on the streets isn't the way. Most of them are gamers and/or fantasy nerds. Kungfu Flicks, StarWars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Marvel, etc. Living their warrior live in their head and missing my advertisements. Schools aren't willing to help in any way other than a poster. Tried a door-to-door flyer, but I fall quite nicely within the numbers, so not much return on them (1 person acted and showed up in a class, but was far from an ideal client)
Any feedback on how to deal with a situation in which you feel you can't really seem to get in contact with your target audience?
268 comments
As a 'representative' of my own company, I am approached by various companies to promote their website or their products (think of supplements or products from the supermarket). Or to work together in a certain way (like if I would place a banner on my website or if I will give trainings to their employees or if I will check a piece of text that specifically has to do with my expertise).
I'm struggling with this a bit. I want to remain as independent as possible.
I do want to recommend some products because I know that my customers can benefit from this (via an affiliate link).
But now I notice that I am postponing the appointments to be made with the representatives from these companies.
I have questions in my head, for example:
- To what extent can I advise products from other companies while I stay 'independent'?
- And what if the collaboration is mainly aimed at the consumer and not so much for my ideal customer?
- What if my clients see the cooperation too much as commercial?
I feel like my integrity is being tested. The WOMB makes me wonder if this helps me in my mission to be there for my ideal customers? Is this something to invest time and energy in? How much is it worth to me?
What is your advice in this? Thanks in advance.
323 comments
Another question.
What would be a great business strategy to offer basically everything for free (or on subscription base), but the main high-end product. What should I keep in consideration.
I was successful selling "design sprint"-like projects (get projects unstuck and the results you want and more in 2 weeks). I include coaching-on-the-job of in-house facilitators and teamtrainings and everything else. (My marketing sucks, I should really improve that.)
I missed a entry level product and a mid-value project, like trainings.
So two years ago I shifted my focus more to one particular role (project leaders) and training them. There is potential, but it is a completely different market and it is harder to fill a room. Also a high-end product seems very hard because they don't control their own budgets (the manager does). I love give trainings, but I much dislike selling them. I rather give these trainings for free, online or live.
In addition to that, I am finishing writing a book for project leaders about doing projects differently- and inviting them to start doing design sprints basically. Would it strategically more wise to change the topic/ shift the focus of the book to design sprints (instead of one particular role), or just keep it as is (this in regard to marketing and expert status).
Thank you!
323 comments
Hi Nisandeh,
Last's week subject "Am I an ideal client" has me puzzled. What you like to happen to yourself, start giving that freely before. And not to cheat karma, but because you love it. Great.
Then I found the opposite also true, Don't do onto others, that I don't like myself. I don't like sales-mails and sales funnels myself. I do like the funny/ story kind of funnels, but even then. I also do not like to write them. So, I get 0(!!) sales out of them.
But then, everyone needs marketing. I love to share, but my vibe gets killed.
So I am really puzzling, how to create a non/anti-marketing-marketing-funnel/ strategy.
576 comments
let's have a chat Bas, because Nisandeh gave me a strategy that does not require any marketing- and you writing a book is a fantastic way to do it:) (or maybe he'll share with you tonight)
323 comments
Would love too!
I’ll contact you on LinkedIn? WhatsApp? What’s easy?
See you tonight!
329 comments
A couple of questions about my progress:
Context
Interviews with potential ideal clients have brought so many good things already! The depth and clarity I obtained concerning their pains and their wants helped me to talk to the Municipality of Amsterdam in a way that... they consider me now a strong funding candidate for my first sleeping coach project (€10 500,-)! This money will be used in providing sleep coaching for 30 families PLUS a live celebration (closure) event.
Although this funding is not confirmed (yet), they seem to be enthusiastic. I encounter, however, the following challenges:
* In order to be funded, this project can not have a lucrative pursuit. I have not informed the municipality about my intentions to build the Baby Hotel... I don't think is relevant for now.
* The design of an ideal client selection process that will be (hopefully) approved by the municipality. I foresee that their ideal client won't be the same as mine
* Find great sleeping coaches to provide for 30 families within budget (Sigrid already gave me the contact of a wonderful one)
* Arrange one-week accommodation for extremely sleep-deprived parents at a hospital or a hotel (not a must but the most valuable for parents)
* Find the most effective way to obtain feedback from parents after the coaching is finished
* Accomplish all this within a limited amount of time ^_^
Questions
1. How can I further get the most out of this opportunity and give a huge impulse in starting the Baby Hotel?
2. Based on your mentor's expertise, what are your warnings and/or genius advice?
Thank you so much in advance,
409 comments
Good evening Nisandeh and Vered,
when I look around, see what people try, give away and overdeliver... I start to think it's the new normal.
In what direction would you think to overdeliver?
see you tomorrow, Maria
95 comments
Hi Nisandeh,
After discovering the ideal customer, the next question is occupying my mind. How important is it that a client knows you personally/your personal life?
Thank you in advance for your response.
129 comments
I am wondering, Nisandeh how do you organize your lessons, programs or material. And how do you manage or succeed that the layout looks always so professional and in the style of your company. And were you always that successfully organized and able to have and keep overview over the information. And how many time you plan for preparing your lessons now and in the past.
I have gathered tons of (raw) materials, lessons etc that I could use and now using in my expert and learning programs already (20 binders and digital documents). I would like to know / learn what would Nisandeh do when he had access to my material and how would he develop or reuse it in lessons for a program for my ideal clients, executives or directors of (local) government organizations which are also nicely designed in the style of my company.
Thanks for giving my directions/guidance, Nisandeh!
154 comments
Hi Nisandeh,
I have 3 questions if that's OK:
My online courses are in English, as 80% of my clients are living outside of The Netherlands. Recently I have received a couple of emails asking if I also have online courses in Dutch, as they are not fluent in English. What would you do? I have 4 courses, total more than 200 videos.
- Create new courses in Dutch for the Dutch market (will be very time consuming)
- Subtitle the existing courses with Dutch subtitles (can be outsourced, but still a big job)
- Not focus on the Dutch market as international market is much bigger
- Other solution...?
I'm a bit confused. This week is all about to WOW our ideal client. To give personal attention, make them feel special etc. Previous weeks were about automation and outsourcing. It seems to conflict as to WOW my clients I can not automate or outsource this. Can you give your view on this?
I have a retreat coming up next month, called Heart Connected Horse Retreat. It's a combination of horse training, body awareness for the riders and bodywork for the horses. It's a small group, max 6 participants. Previous years I could easily fill the retreat (I do it once a year, I might need to describe it differently in future, as a VIP package?). Now only 2 people signed up. I will do the retreat, even with only 2 people, as they booked their flight. I would love to have 4 more people of course, preferably from the 300 people who already followed one of my online courses, so they know my way of working with horses. I sent several emails, main objections are 'money, care of their horses when they leave for a week, travel restrictions'. What would Nisandeh do to get 4 more people in 3 weeks time?
Thank you!
145 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
My expertise is personal productivity and organization for working mothers who would like to start a business.
I am walking my talk because I have a son, I work full time, and I still managed to write a book and start my business organizing group travel.
I can only manage 1 group trip per year (due to limited vacation days) and I have unsuccessfully tried online courses (launched 6 times and sold less and less every time) so I have started hosting mastermind groups and I am enjoying it greatly.
My challenges are:
#1 I will not quit my job until I have a sustainable income from my business.
At the moment I am quite far.
#2 What I am currently doing is not scalable because the advantage of my mastermind groups is that everyone gets to be in the hot seat every meeting - so I have 4 people groups.
What would you do, Nisandeh? What would you do to scale and increase the revenue?
thank you in advance
477 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
At the moment I have two websites and I am considering quitting one website now? One website with the name of my company and the other with my name with added coaching. With the website of my company I focus exclusively on managers and with the other website I profile myself as an authenticity coach. I want to stop the website with authenticity coach. Because of the WOMB I no longer see the added value of this website.
What would Nisandeh do? Also to stop or not. What considerations would you make?
Thank you very much in advance for your reply tomorrow.
181 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
You share a lot with us about your road to succes wich is great and helpfull.
My question for now is:
How did you decide on choosing the right experts to coach you? Was it by trial and error? , e. g
your imagecoach who advised you on your personal presentation? Its clear that a personal presentation makes a difference. What do ideal clients want to look at so to speak....?
477 comments
Hi Gerdy,
I would like to meet with you about ActiveCampaign. You indicated once before that you want to help me with that. I've already started working on it and maybe you want to take me a few steps further with ActiveCampaign.
On which number can I call you and I can be reached on 06-81182046 to schedule an appointment with you. Thank you very much for your offered help.
329 comments
For the Baby Hotel I envision a franchise business model. To me, this model is clearly a ”fruit-tree”type because (if done well), it will become independent and bare fruit on its own.
For the expert business however, I am having trouble seeing how to make it independent and how to scale it:
*How to build an expert business that does not depend on the expert to thrive/survive?
*How to scale an expert business?
As far as I can see, to scale an expert business there is the choice between: “Train the trainer” (license model, horizontal scaling) and/or the development of VIP products (vertical scaling).
Is there any other way of scaling according to your experience?
366 comments
There's also the expert-curator and the curator of experts model 😉
329 comments
WOW Sin! You always come up with surprising and valuable knowledge that I did not know even existed! Thank you so much!
329 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
As explained during last week’s Q&A, I am building the Baby Hotel without wanting to become a baby sleep expert.
However, I DO WANT to build my expert position in something! But I am struggling finding out in what…
*How can I find my topic of expertise?
*How did you find yours?
329 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
Thank you for your answers during the last Hot seat zoom session. One of the most important learning points for me was to always tell the why before asking the what and the how. For this specific question, I have placed my whys on the assignment page of week 10 (grow your expert position). I realize that once the why is clear, the what flows out of my mind. So the answer to this question is coming while doing this week's exercises. I am so thankful!
105 comments
Hi Nisandeh,
My question:
I have been making animations for 8 years.
I have been starting wirh trading, the last year.
I think I would like to become a full time trader. (I am making progress, but I am not profitable yet.)
I like the challenge and the analitical side, but I hasitate if trading is a reachable goal to make money.
My anination business has been slow the last 6 months.
What would you do?
Focus on a new uncertain path/carieer, or keep the (kind of, but not very good) existing business running to get (some) income.
(And do you know any long term profitable traders? Is trading a profession that can be learned?)
Thanks!!
Paul
189 comments
Hi Paul,
I’ve been trading for 6 years now.
My first ‘trade’ was buying Bitcoins for 5000 euros, thinking it would make me a millionaire while sleeping.
I had no risk-management whatsoever and three weeks later I got a reality call when I lost 3000 euros.
I've never stopped learning since then. Tried different methods of trading.
Followed the worst and the best ‘experts’.
Did things that caused a lot of stress and sleep and I lost a lot of money.
You may have already found out that it's a jungle out there. Everyone tries to sell you their newsletter, pro-advice, or get you into their training program. Most traders think their trading method is the one and only, speak about it religiously, and don’t see what else is out there. And in more than any other area I've experienced, there are a lot of hustlers and crooks.
Eventually, I developed my own trading strategies, sitting behind my screen, analyzing price charts for 1,5 years.
In that period, I had the same question as you have now, and decided to quit my business.
I had some money to go on and thought I could be profitable soon enough to live off of it.
I made almost every mistake imaginable in that period, but also learned a lot.
All of the money-blockages I had came up to confront me.
All of my fears, all of my desires …. and more often they were so intense that I acted on them instead of following my trading plan.
I learned to deal with these emotions and gradually, my results improved.
Eventually…it wasn’t enough.
Instead of getting rich quickly, I ran out of money after 1,5 years.
I started looking for a small project in my old business, but couldn’t find anything.
I sold all my obsolete possessions and some furniture to be able to keep paying the rent and lent money from family and friends.
I firmly believed I could eventually make it work, as long as I had some more time….and more…and more…
Eventually I was completely broke, in debt over my head, and decided to go and live with my parents for some time.
A couple of days later, someone called me for a project in my old business.
I took this with both hands and so, could keep the house I lived in, for which I’m still very very grateful.
It was only after I started working again and didn’t depend on the profits anymore, that my strategies started generating money. I’m still fine-tuning. And I can’t live off of it yet or get rich quickly. But that’s also not my goal anymore.
I’m aiming for the long-run now. Protecting my capital from inflation and economic disasters, should they arise.
Growing the money steadily as one of the ways to become financially free.
Most successful traders have spent years or even decades perfecting their skills and even then, are still not always profitable.
Needing the profits for your income makes it 10x harder.
And the financial markets now have become more unpredictable than they were a few years ago.
But you can get good results over time with a lot of practice and experience and an open mind.
Surprisingly, trading has learned me a lot about life.
Every money-blockage I overcame had a link with other areas in my life and I will forever profit from the changes there.
Trading for me has been and still is a great and adventurous path to walk on, for much more than the financial aspects.
Just my 2 cents...