7 Reasons Women Under Earn in Business (+ Tips to Earn More)

The world sees women as world-class multi-taskers; We’re often expected to juggle family, career, health, self-care, and hobbies without ever letting one of those precious balls drop from our hands. This is not breaking news, of course. Like me, I’m sure you’ve read at least a few of the “Can Women Have It All?” articles that magazines and websites continue to crank out on a near-daily basis.

And—as some of the more helpful articles point out—there are definite advantages to mastering multi-tasking. Filling many roles can make our lives richer, and understanding life balance makes us more agile at work and at home. But some of us aren’t meant to be Jills of All Trades, and attempting to be everything to everyone just puts us at risk of being mediocre across the board.

It also makes us far more likely to fall into the gender wage gap.

Most people are aware that women earn about $0.79 for every $1 paid to men. But these statistics are based largely on corporations, non-profits, universities, and other large-scale businesses. Those of us who have struck out as entrepreneurs or are running small, lean companies aren’t generally included. And my guess is that the gap would widen considerably if we were.

Because when you combine the expectations that society thrusts at us with the expectations we pile onto ourselves, many women business owners become utterly overwhelmed. Which translates into struggling to charge what we’re worth and earn what we deserve.

How do I know? Because I did it myself. For years!

Here’s why, what I did to change those self-defeating habits, and what YOU can do if you’re facing similar challenges:

1 // I Didn't Know How to Earn More

For far too long, I focused on the learning instead of the doing.. I knew there were some steps I could take that could help my business bring in more income (teacher training, coaching) but that’s where my knowledge ended. The actionable steps of building a multi-six figure or million-dollar business were way outside of my knowledge base—and well outside my comfort zone. I knew I could do it, I just didn’t know how to to do it.

WHAT I CHANGED: In my case, I needed a push from an outside source, so I hired mentors and coaches who had built businesses similar to the one I wanted for myself. Every time I got stuck on the “how to” of taking my business to the next level, I invested in targeted support to keep pushing me in the right direction. Each successive mentor highlighted the steps I could take to increase my income, and gave me the confidence to take action.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: I know it’s a major cliche, but keep it as simple as possible to take action. Having a five-year plan is fantastic, but if you don’t even have a five-week plan, start there. If, like me, you know that targeted support would boost your income, start here.

2 // I Believed Helpers Deserved Less

Because I’m a people helper by nature and by trade, I thought I didn’t deserve to command a higher income for my work. I was convinced that what I was doing was a calling, and that the meaning trumped the money. The problem with that? My innate and duty-driven urge to help others often came at the expense of my own health and happiness. To the extent that I couldn’t afford health insurance (so bye-bye regular checkups and health screenings) for my first 6 years in business.

WHAT I CHANGED: For me, this was a simple shift in mindset. It took a long time, but I finally accepted that all hard work deserves compensation, including mine. Helping people—whether it’s your calling or just your job—is incredibly important but you will be unable to do your job well if you are in a state of continuous financial strain.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remember that altruistic and creative occupations are equally as valuable as their bottom line-focused counterparts. And remember to take care of YOU first. Or you won’t be in business for long (...and who can you help then?).

3 // I Didn't Want to Be Perceived as Greedy

As a former Southern Baptist, I learned early on that the love of money was the root of all evil (Timothy 6:10). In my child mind I extrapolated that to “money is the root of all evil.” It’s a common mistake and I’m not the first recovering Christian to conflate the meaning of that missive.

WHAT I CHANGED: Honestly? I got bone-tired of struggling to make ends meet month after month, and forced myself to accept that money was an essential part of business. In fact, it’s the essential energy of business, the energy that fuels your actions to attain your desired lifestyle. Money is also the ticket to choice and success, however you might define success for yourself. Yes, greed can get you into trouble, but the desire to earn a comfortable living is neither unreasonable nor perilous.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: When you feel money-guilt rising up, try this mantra: “Money is energy and an indication that I am serving the right people in my business. I deserve prosperity for my hard work.”

4 // I Didn't Want to Charge More Than My Peers

When I began practicing health coaching and yoga therapy, I did what many other service providers do: I compared my fees to those of similar services and charged the same (or less). I figured, “Well, that’s what so-and-so is charging so it must be fair.”

Wrong. Pricing isn’t arbitrary—it’s a strategy. And every person or business offering a particular service may not be offering the same level of service. Most of my “colleagues” weren’t graduate-trained behavioral change coaches with more than 600 hours of dedicated training in person-centered therapeutic yoga and a research background in functional foods and science-based nutrition. They were passionate yoga teachers with considerably less training and far fewer credentials. My professional pathway was a tad more rigorous, so the comparison trap didn’t do my bank account any favors.

WHAT I CHANGED: I did more research on coaches with training commensurate to my own and I found my own financial ease amount—then reverse-engineered my pricing from my service and income goals. I determined who I truly wanted to serve and reminded myself that being exceedingly generous is part of how I want to show up in the world—so charging more for my services aligned with how I wanted to serve! Remember: a higher price point for your offers shows potential customers that you value your own expertise and services. (And, yes, I might’ve held my breath and crossed my fingers on occasion, too! Charging more can feel like a leap of faith even when it’s a conscious choice.)

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Don’t just poke around, do real research. Find colleagues or companies with your level of training, experience, or skill and investigate their price structures. Then charge 15% more because nearly every small business undercharges.

5 // I Didn't Know What to Do With More Money

I’ll be honest: for much of my life I ran from the responsibility associated with wealth. I was so triggered by my own income status that basic financial wellness sent me into mild panic attacks. Yes, I read blogs about personal finance and yes, my daddy taught me early on that I needed to have an emergency fund. And personal savings. And that credit cards were a slippery slope. (True story: I got my first credit card at age 33 when I realized that they could also be handy safety nets.) Short of that, my financial planning strategy was summarized in five words: spend less and save more.

WHAT I CHANGED: I met with a financial planner who told me how to use my profits to my best advantage. Then I actually did what she told me to do. Since her advice was specific to my income, needs, and goals, it was far easier to digest and implement than any book or blog post.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: While this is not financial or legal advice, consider meeting with a financial planner yourself, if you can. Usually, the initial consult is free and if you like a planner’s style and want to continue the relationship, she/he won’t generally charge you direct fees, but will instead take a small percentage from your investment earnings. Financial planners can also help with budgeting, retirement planning, and wills - all deeply boring but incredibly important things.

6 // I Didn't Want to Alienate Anyone

I don’t come from a wealthy family and most of my closest friends are in the blue-collar- to-mostly-comfortable income bracket. Earning more than friends or family felt like a betrayal of basic human connection and a disservice to my community. I didn't want to make anyone I cared about feel "less than," so I didn’t challenge or address my own under-earning habits.

WHAT I CHANGED: I reminded myself that personal wealth and conspicuous consumerism don’t always go hand-in-hand. I could earn more and be wealthier without parading that fact around town and making my loved-ones uneasy, jealous, or aggravated. And, through some delicate but essential conversations, was reminded that the people who love me genuinely want me to succeed. And that includes increasing my earnings —because, really? My ultimate dream is to be a philanthropist and invest in businesses that solve some of the world’s biggest problems...and money is a big part of making that dream a reality.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remember that how much you make doesn’t (or shouldn’t) change your fundamental values. Whether you’re making $30,000 or $300,000 each year, you’re still you.

7 // I Didn't Ask for More

I’ll be the first to admit that I learned some hard life lessons, well, the hard way. Including, “You don’t get what you deserve—you get what you ask for.” Since I shied away from asking for higher fees or better pay structures, I walked away with less money and had no one to blame but myself.

WHAT I CHANGED: I read “Lean In.” The book certainly isn’t perfect, but dang, it’s a great reminder that women are paid less simply because we don’t ask for more. I also began preparing myself mentally before every payment negotiation. Walking in knowing that I might be making some uncomfortable demands made it easier to tackle those tough topics when they arose.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Acknowledge that “If you don’t ask, the answer is always, ‘no.’” And then force yourself to ask. Role play before negotiating, and arrive prepared to be bold. Remember that, as an entrepreneur, you are the only person who determines how much money you deserve for your work.

Does all this mean that I’m earning the absolute maximum I possibly could and constantly negotiating for more? Heck no. I still chicken out or make a bad call once in awhile, and I am totally fine with that. Running a business isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. I’m smarter, savvier, and braver in my money-related decision-making now, and that’s an accomplishment in and of itself.

I hope that hearing my story has reminded you that everyone struggles, and that small changes can make a huge difference. If you can tweak even one action or habit to increase your earning potential, you are making important, measureable, brag-worthy progress.

Progress that can keep you from falling into that pesky wage gap.

Do you have another to reason (or tip) to share? Share in the comments or Reply.

Use Self Care to Grow Your Business + Prevent Burnout as a Woman Entrepreneur

Self Care Essentials for Healers, Helpers, Coaches, and Yoga Therapists

If you're in the healing, helping and wellness fields, chances are you have a deep desire to facilitate change and encourage others in their healing journey. You may have come to your career in yoga, massage, meditation, acupuncture, therapy, coaching, mental health, or integrative medicine because of personal crises. Your passion and enthusiasm for healing may have even eclipsed your own personal needs at times.  Maybe your own self-care has slipped to the extent that burnout is a common occurrence (or at least a recent memory).

My own healing journey began at age 17 with meditation, Ayurveda, healing essential oils and Buddhist studies. Over the next several years, I added yoga, pranayama and Western nutrition to the mix of self-care supports to maintain a mindful lifestyle.

Self-care is essential for avoiding burnout and overwhelm and for maintaining healthy work-life flow. In my work with women healers and helpers, I support the discovery process for finding one's optimum self-care supports for overall balance and ease —in life and business.

Over the years —and through much trial and error —I've developed a set of essential self-care tips for female entrepreneurs in the healing and helping fields who are often wearing many other hats: mother, caretaker, volunteer, social activist, artist-by-night.

Now, I support other women healers and helpers to embark on healing journeys themselves. If you are a healer, helper, or transformational service provider whose work centers on supporting clients in their own journey of transformation, then self-care is a powerful strategy for long-term business success.

1 // Take care of you first

Pretend I'm wearing my best flight attendant uniform right now and reminding you to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others in crisis—bring that into your business as well. YOU are the heart of your business. Take time for precious self-care, commit to your practices, and emphasize appropriate nourishment and sacred rejuvenation. In the Buddhist wisdom traditions, the Oxygen Mask Law is summarized in the teaching of bodhicitta: the wish to be free of suffering so that you may support others in freeing their own bonds as well. As a healer, helper, or spiritual entrepreneur, your business exists because of your deep wish to support others, to empower others, to help others awaken. Give that gift to yourself first.

You are the heart of your business.

In practice:

// Eat something nourishing

// Snuggle up with a good book

// Experience the wonder of nature

// Practice a strengths-based ritual for well-being and flow

// Lie on the floor and breathe deeply

// Recite mantra, affirmations, poetry or calming prayers

// Take a day off (if you are able to do so)

Mantra: "My business thrives when I nourish myself and tend to my own self-care needs."

2 // Treat money as energy

Money is energy: and as an entrepreneur, or service provider, you’re turning your energy, skills and experiences into money. It becomes easier to manage money when you reconceive money as the manifestation of your vital energy in the financial world.

When you accept that the act of attending to your money-energy is itself an act of self-care, it is much easier to make friends with your finances.

Just as you might direct the energy of the breath into tight areas of your body in a yoga posture, or channel your strength for the last miles of the marathon, you can learn to direct the money-energy of your business. The best part is that you are able to make this shift without the associated drama and trauma of well-worn habits and outdated relationships to money.

In practice:

// Make friends with your finances by designating a “money date” in your calendar for bookkeeping, bank account balancing, and accounting tasks. Each week or each month, as it suits your needs.

// Make it NEW, FUN, AND EXCITING. When you get your emotions on board, you’re more likely to follow through with small changes (and challenges). Have your Money Date at an adorable cafe, or a gorgeous park, or the botanical gardens, or your favorite tea house. Rent a swanky hotel room for the day and fit in a spa morning the following day —or put on your favorite P.J.s and binge watch The Peripheral at the end of the night. It’s your date! Make it new, fun, and exciting.

// Take a look around at the places money energy is “leaking out” —in business and in life —and stop the leaks! There are many ways to honor your current financial reality without depriving yourself —and shifting the money story from one of lack to one of abundance is a supreme act of self-care.

Mantra: "Abundance expands when I direct the (money)energy in my business appropriately."

3 // Treat time as a resource

Your time is sacred, precious and finite so use it effectively by staying focused on the services, offerings, tasks, hobbies, and causes that reflect your values.

Treating time as a resource also means prioritizing your actual hourly rate in your business—and acknowledging when it makes sense to delegate or hire out certain tasks.

In practice:

// Strong boundaries strengthen focus. When you determine your time and money boundaries, you are clear on the tasks that aligns with your business objectives

// Prioritize tasks that grow your business —these are the tasks that pave the way for business growth such as services, sales, marketing, or program / product development.

// Take 10 Rule: Shortcircuit overwhelm, procrastination, indecision, and/or burnout with the Take 10 Rule:

• Visualize the best outcome in 10 minutes / 10 hours / 10 days / 10 months:

• Then ask: What one action can I take right now?

Mantra:

"I respect myself enough to treat my time as a valuable resource."

4 // Build the right business for YOU

Building the right business for you begins by looking at your strengths, passions, and skills. If you love to learn, study and teach, then you'll be happier in a model that allows you to share your intellectual endeavors in that arena. If you ache to connect people in larger, group experiences, a business model where you plan or attend conferences, launch your speaking career, or lead retreats will ultimately provide you more satisfaction. If you are passionate about your hometown community, a strong local presence (opening a yoga studio, wellness center, or building a local private client base) may be a good fit.

In practice:

// Identify your talents, passions, skills and strengths and commit to bringing them fully into your business.

//

Mantra: "By aligning who I am with what I do, my business becomes an act of sacred self-realization."

5 // Create Daily Rituals that Support Long-Term Success

Our daily habits matter because every day counts in business. What you do with your most productive hours within the day may make the difference between building a profitable business or burning out. And what you do (or do not do) today may affect whether your business has working capital in six months —or whether you are closing the doors.

Internalize this truth: what you do this year will affect where your business will be in 3 years.

But which actions DO we take? What exactly IS the next best step? When is enough, enough? Most importantly, how do you keep taking baby steps forward on a Big Vision plan when our motivation flags? Or when life gets crazy? Or when the little one comes down with a fever? How do you keep going when you have just endured a life-shifting revelation?

Here’s my solution:

Focused, aligned action yields business growth

I call this a business dinacharya. Dinacharya is the Sanskrit term for a series of small daily practices that allow for greater ease in body, mind. Drawn from Ayurveda, dinacharya is a method of framing your time in the space of a day to align individual and universal energies.

The principle of dinacharya is that small actions, taken daily, have a cumulative and exponential effect.

From a highly pragmatic view, dinacharya is the foundation of your health—and, in my view, the health of your business. Healthy daily habits invite harmony, wellbeing, and longevity —in business and in life. While dinacharya for our physical health includes practices like movement, mindset, connection, spiritual practices and communication, a business dinacharya includes customer service, client work, group classes, checking email, social media, and financial elements. Your business dinacharya also needs to include preventive, supportive and goal-directed measures to ensure you are staying on course with your business vision. (You DO have a business vision, right?)

As a conscious entrepreneur, you crave a certain lifestyle —and you want to build a business that supports that lifestyle. You want meaningful work, creative rest, time for your practices, and sacred space for the values you treasure. There's only one way to make this happen —you have to build a business that reflects your values at all levels.

In practice: Have a clear picture of what actions are necessary to move your business forward and what actions are necessary for keeping the proverbial doors open. Usually those are two different categories.

Mantra: "Focus is practical magic —and my small focused actions have a cumulative and exponential effect"

Ok, now tell me: what did I forget? Do you have self-care or focus to share?

Let us know in the comments below —or head over to the Kula and share there!

5 Tips to Improve Your Content Marketing

Do you want to become a leader in your industry?

Are you ready for a steady stream of perfect-fit clients to knock down your (proverbial) door?

Awesome! You are in the right place.

Becoming a known expert is easier than ever with the power of information —and you have valuable wisdom and insight to share!

The key to content marketing success is creating interesting content that your audience is going to find valuable, useful and shareable!

In our last post on the subject of content marketing, How to Create Engaging Content that Attracts Your Dream Clients, I talked to you briefly about something called VIRAS. VIRAS is an acronym that, when followed throughout the content creation process, improves our content and attracts more of the best-fit clients.

VIRAS stands for = valuable, inspiring, relevant, actionable and specific.

Let’s take a look at each of the five pieces of VIRAS —together they form a five-step process you can apply to improve your own content marketing.

1 // V is for Valuable

When considering content to share, ask yourself — will my potential client receive value from this information? Even better: will my perfect-fit client? If the answer is no, then skip it and focus on what WILL deliver value to a potential or existing client.

For example, is it important for you to know that I cleaned houses for 5 years during high school and college? Only if I can connect it to a specific lessons learned to deliver a valuable insight: such as, doing whatever it takes to reach your goals, time management, early entrepreneurial skills and developing boutique services that advance your income and opportunities.

2 // I is for Inspiring

Keep your content inspiring and positive. Although you definitely want to employ effective psychological triggers (like loss-gain, opportunity cost, and urgency), remain as positive as possible in your messaging. Walking the line between motivating and empowering is a skill in sharing content that your perfect-fit clients and customers will adore. Remain as positive in your language as possible —including reframing negative calls to action in positive terms.

For example: Although I could have written the first sentence of above paragraph as follows: "Don't use a negative tone in your content." Do you notice how that sentence elicits a different feeling? A simple reframe using positive language has a lighter tone and an empowering after-effect.

[Tweet "People won't always remember what you say, but they'll remember how you made them feel"]

3 // R is for Relevant

Is the content you are sharing relevant to your perfect-fit client? Only share content that is of direct relevance to your potential client or customer. If you can connect an experience, story, or insight to a current lesson that interests your Dream Client, then by all means, go ahead.

Here’s a quick example: Although I’m a certified yoga therapist and have a yoga teacher training school, I don’t share content related to yoga anatomy, therapeutic yoga or the Wisdom Method on this blog. Why? Because it’s not relevant to my perfect-fit client — unless I’m sharing exact strategies I used to grow my business.

[Tweet "Your business isn't about you: it's about the problems you solve for your clients. @thekellieadkins"]

4 // A is for Actionable

Your content needs to have a point. Asking yourself a simple question — “What’s the point?” — is a great place to begin to ensure your content is actionable to your client. There needs to be a clear action for the reader / viewer to take after consuming your content.

What do you want to the reader / viewer / listener to do after they read / watch / listen? What action-oriented tips will you leave them with? Is there a next step —either in another piece of Free content (perhaps behind an opt-in gate or application) or in a paid product or service?

5 // S is for Specific

Last but not least, ensure the content you are sharing is specific to a particular person, client or customer. Your mom may read your blog, but chances are you are not trying to attract your mom into your business.

Consider what the client needs that you, or your amazing offers, can provide. In fact, be sure that each piece of content you share has a specific gain for your client. Better still, noodle over the top 5 problems you solve for your Dream Client and create content that provides those solutions!

It helps to envision your specific Dream Client when creating content. Imagine them receiving the content in great detail: how will they feel before reading / watching / listening? How will they feel after? Who will they share it with? The more specific you become with your content, the more it will resonate with your Dream Clients.

[Tweet "Envision a specific Client to create content that converts "]

Pass each of the content pieces you create through this VIRAS litmus test and you’ll see more engagement and interaction on the content you create. This interaction will lead to you gaining more followers / fans who will want even more of what it is you are sharing. Keeping people waiting on the edge of their seat for the next thing you create is a total business sweet spot.

I’d Love to Hear from You

What were your biggest takeaways from today’s article? How will this help you move your business forward and attract more clients? Leave your insights in the comments below!

Did you love this article? Share the love! Click to tweet below (or use the social buttons on the side).

I'm loving these content marketing tips from @thekellieadkins

How to Create Engaging Content that Attracts Your Dream Clients

Knowing how, and where, to attract your dream clients can feel elusive to most entrepreneurs. The “if you build it, they will come” philosophy doesn’t always hold up and, unfortunately, most entrepreneurs learn this the hard way! However, there is one strategy that does work when applied correctly and that strategy is: content.

Crafting the right content for your audience is critical to your overall success.

Engaging blog posts, videos, live streams and downloads can draw your potential clients in and help them feel as though they are in the right place. Aligned content can provide them with the “taste test” they need to move from prospect to customer confidently.

Let’s take a look at the steps required to take your content from boring to soaring.

Step #1 - Cozy Up to Your Customers

The first thing you need to do is understand who your prospects are and what they want. Not all people are created equal so what works in your business may not work in mine and vice versa.

The best way to figure out what people want, content-wise, is to look at your audience and do some research to figure out where they are. If you already have a content strategy, use data from your current content systems to determine which is performing the best. For some, that may be your blog or newsletter, for others, it’s social media.

Jot the following platforms down on a sheet of paper and rank them in order of most engaged to least engaged:

• Blog

• Newsletters / Monthly Content or Broadcasts

• Videos

• Podcasts

• Audiobooks

• Social Media platforms

The second best way to figure out what works is to survey your audience. You can use a survey tool to send a questionnaire to your list and your social media networks. Keep the survey short and sweet and ask questions like, “Where do you do most of your online content consumption?” or “Where do you spend most of your time online?”

Understanding your prospect’s behaviors, and their preferred consumption style, will help you to narrow your efforts in on what works.

Step #2 - Determine Your Own Level of Commitment

Creating content is hard work and is incredibly time consuming. Since we can’t create content for every platform, every day and maintain a high degree of quality, we need to be much more selective about where we spend our time.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How many hours can I, realistically speaking, put into content creation?

• Which mediums are the easiest for me to create content for?

• What am I willing, and able, to create on a regular schedule?

Because consistency is key in content marketing, the most effective content to share is the one that you will consistently create. Consistency is how you build trust with your potential clients and generate the connections necessary for business.

Step #3 - Figure Out Your Posting Schedule

Once you know the platform you’re going to create for, based on your prospect’s preferences, and you’ve created a schedule that you can easily commit to, the next step is to jot down a posting schedule so that you can stick to it.

In most cases, a weekly schedule works best for most people (i.e.: 1 blog post per week, 1 newsletter per week, 5 social media updates per week, etc.) but you need to find the balance that works for you.

Also remember that different platforms have a shorter shelf-life for content. Choose the platforms where you are able to remain consistent in order to gain traction.

Prioritize your content schedule so your potential clients get in the habit of hearing from you — and get excited about what you are sharing!

One of the ways to get them excited is to ensure that your content is valuable, inspiring, relevant, actionable and specific (VIRAS). Read more about the VIRAS approach to content marketing here.

Step #4 - Determine Your Content Focus

What are the top struggles your perfect-fit clients have right now? Those solutions are a great place to start with content creation.

What are the problems people are coming into your practice with —and how do they feel after they’re resolved? That’s a great way to feature the transformation your services provide.

What are the results that your clients and customers have received from your signature offers? Divide those results into how-to articles and create content that walks them through the process of getting those results.

If you are just beginning to create a content strategy, you may need to get a high level overview of your existing content. Run everything through the VIRAS test and eliminate anything that is off-brand or irrelevant to your current work.

Questions + Taking It Further

If you have any questions about the first four steps, please leave them as a comment below or pop on over to join the discussion in the Kula, an incredible group of Conscious Female Entrepreneurs. 

Ready for more? Head over here for 5 tips to improve your content marketing strategy for Coaches, Healers, and Helpers who want to attract more clients …with integrity.

How To Work Less + Earn More (Steal these Strategies)

Before you become an entrepreneur, there is often a moment in time when what you want bumps up against your current state. For example, let’s say you crave freedom and flexibility but you’re stuck working a 9-to-5 job. Your desire for what you want will naturally bump up against your current limitations, thus providing you with contrast.

This contrast can be used as a compass to point you in the right direction… provided that you are ready to be guided.

For many entrepreneurs, it was this compass that led them to the land of self-employment. Sometimes we get here with a fantastic guide to lead the way (ie: a mentor or coach) and other times we’re on our own - navigating unfamiliar terrain and hoping that we find our way.

No matter how you reach your destination, sometimes it still doesn’t look exactly how we envisioned it. Maybe you craved freedom and flexibility, but instead arrive at the heart of entrepreneurship and realize you’re working more than you did before you started. This newly found contrast can be a bit unsettling as the journey was meant to lead you to your preferred end state.

I've bumped against these contrasts more times than I can count in my 10+ year journey of entrepreneurship. By far, the most effective changes I've made in that decade of self-employment came after I committed to the following things:

1. STOP being everything to everyone: self-explanatory, but I'll explain anyway. I used to offer a variety of services —with a variety of niches within my niche. It kept me in a chronic state of overwhelm and, if I'm honest, kept me from actualizing my earning potential for far too long. I saw the most growth (like, 10x —exponential— growth) when I niched down and REMOVED services from my business.
2. STOP being the bottleneck in my business: I was a solopreneur for a long time. I did it all and that meant that I was frequently the bottleneck in my business. It wasn't until I automated, systematized and outsourced that I could grow the way I needed to grow to align my business and values.
3. EXPAND my influence and increase my income without working more, so that I could be earning even while doing what my heart desires most. That meant I filtered every goal through this lens: Will it take me away from spending time with my daughter and quality time with my family? If so, will it supply me a maximum return on my investment? This lens allowed me to say "heck, yeah!" to some opportunities and endeavors (being interviewed on podcasts, writing a book) and "thanks, but no, thanks" to others (traveling for speaking engagements).

Committing to things in thought and paper is simply one piece. The next step, the much more difficult one, is action.

My first step was to take out my sparkly sword of discernment and chop away at the offers and services that no longer fit my business vision —or business values.

Then, I outsourced the things in my business that didn't light my fire —or skipped them entirely (this is why I'm no longer sharing updates on every social media platform and instead focus on only two platforms: here and here).

I got better at dealing with my fear of self-promotion and started showing up in a bigger way. The results have been astounding.

My “no more playing small” approach to business is working — as of today I'm earning 3x more and working half as much!

The best part? I only made a few simple tweaks — and since I'm a "Learn it to share it" kinda gal, I'm over-the-moon excited to share exactly what I did and teach you how to do it too!

The Simple Strategies I Used to Get Massive Results (With Less Overwhelm) —and How To Apply Them in Your Business

Cut out the offers that were draining resources. In my case, that was also a significant source of revenue so I had to get creative. Yoga Teacher training was a significant income source but the time spent to manage the school meant it used up a lot of resources. When I took a (non-emotional) look at the numbers, the answer was clear: retire myself from (most) live trainings and focus on the Virtual Studio and supporting budding Yoga Teacher Trainers through the Wisdom Method Licensing program.

> Your turn: What signature offers or services are bringing in the LEAST amount of revenue for the resources invested (time, energy, money)?

Stepped fully into my zone of genius empowering holistic entrepreneurs to do more of what they love, more profitably. When I took a step back and evaluated my business strengths, the answer was clear: I love mentorship. Although mentorship is a part of the Yoga Teacher Training, I really enjoyed mentoring other holistic entrepreneurs in their businesses. I often had to limit my business mentoring in order to keep up with the several simultaneous trainings I ran through the Wisdom Method School of Yoga —as I also provide mentorship to the program attendees. When I embraced mentorship specifically as my particular zone of genius, retiring myself from live trainings didn't feel as scary —it was simply the better business decision.

Stepping away from teaching live trainings also allowed me to eliminate the offers in my business that didn’t speak specifically to my niche: although I do work with yoga teachers, I also mentor coaches, acupuncture physicians, bodyworkers, intuitives and helpers of all kinds. The yoga-specific offers moved to the backburner (and offered only to those who need them) so my niche got simultaneously broader and more clear.

> Your turn: What is your particular zone of genius in your business? How can you align that (more) fully with your primary revenue stream?

Got specific and focused in all marketing and promotion. Once I stepped into my zone serving holistic entrepreneurs, I became much more confident and creative in marketing and promotion tasks. Before, I used to dread writing blog posts, newsletters and social media updates. Now that I’ve focused in on empowering holistic entrepreneurs to earn more, work less and increase their influence, I have so much to say that showing up and sharing inspiring, relevant, actionable content is actually fun! Even better, my fear (a.k.a. “internal ick-factor”) of self-promotion is nearly gone. Telling (the right) people how I can help solve their problems (namely: not earning enough, not enough clients, hitting an income ceiling, low visibility, overwhelmed) feels like a service —not sales.

> Your turn: What are the top 3-5 problems you solve for your clients or customers? Now focus all your content marketing efforts on answering the questions they have about those problems, educating them about how you can help them solve those problems, and sharing your particular solution(s) to those problems.

So, now what?

Now it’s your turn! Spend some time answering the questions above and apply the insights gained to your business.

Leave me a comment below and tell me how it all goes for you, too!

* * *

Are You a Conscious Entrepreneur Who is Ready to Play Bigger?

If you want to kick the overwhelm, overworked, burnt out beyond repair cycle, head over >> HERE << to work smarter (NOT harder). I’ll *see* you on the other side!

Screw Marketing. Connect Instead

Let me guess: you're a conscious entrepreneur on a mission.

You love —and believe in —The Work.

But it'd sure be nice to have a few more clients.

The thing is...marketing yourself sucks.

You do The Work you do because it's your purpose, your passion and your mission.

You have a burning desire to help people heal, transform, and —overall —to suffer a little less.

Maybe that work is massage therapy. Or yoga therapy. Or acupuncture. Or soul healing. Or reiki.

Whatever it is —it's bigger than you.

You can talk a blue streak about The Work itself, am I right? You know the benefits, the methods, the techniques. 

And while that is a good thing, it's also why you sometimes have difficulty explaining to potential clients and customers WHY they need The Work.

Do you know WHY your clients need The Work?

Of course you know the surface-level reasons: less pain in movement, more ease in the physical body, deep releases at the energetic level, more health and wellbeing. 

But as a conscious entrepreneur, you have to take the next step —and connect with your clients about the deeper reasons The Work will change their lives.

And that?

That's marketing.

I know, I know: marketing doesn't exactly light your fire.

Rightly so. 

The Work —healing, helping, changing the world, making a difference in people's lives —that's what truly motivates you. The Work is why you get out of bed in the morning. The Work is your passion, your purpose, and your mission in the world.

But you can't heal, help, change the world or make a difference in people's lives if you are your own best kept secret.

You have to reach people to serve people.

Reaching (the right) people means marketing. Marketing. Even the word feels icky!

But what if I told you that there is a better way to "market" yourself —and your business?

What if I told you to screw marketing — and instead, focus on connection.

When you focus on connecting with the people you can actually help —the people who NEED and WANT what you have —you're merging mindfulness with marketing. 

Connecting in this way, is what I call Authentic Marketing.

Authentic Marketing is about making a conscious effort to find the right people (the people who need and want what you have), to connect with those people, and to communicate to those people exactly why The Work you do is a solution to a problem they have. 

Simple enough, right?

Actually, it is. So if you need more clients, I invite you to get started right now....

1) Who are your people?

Your people are the ones you can (and want to) serve with your work. They're the ones with whom you have dreams, desires, values, and goals in common. They're the people you'd probably be friends with under different circumstances. Your people is a specific group, with specific problems, with specific needs. NOT "everyone." Sure, "Everyone" could benefit from massage, yoga, soul healing or reiki. But it's not your job to convert the world. It's your job to connect to YOUR people.

You/your business solve/s a particular problem for a particular group of people —your Target Market (Dream Clients in my lingo). The right people.

Ask yourself ....

• Who MOST needs what I have?

• Whose problems can I solve?

• Who do I most want to serve?

• Who benefits most from your work?

Be as specific as possible: Male / female? Young / old? Married / Single? What are their worldviews? Political views? Income level? Education level? Children / no children?Likes/dislikes? Hobbies?

2) Where are those people?

Are they working on their novel in the local coffee shop? Hitting the streets with the local running club? Are they stretching and bending in a yoga class? Are they homeschooling their three kids? Working a 9-to-5? Figure out where they actually hang out —then go the extra mile and reach them online, too.

• Are they sharing on Facebook?

• Are they pinning on Pinterest?

• Are they insta-obssessed on Instagram?

• Are they watching How-To videos on YouTube?

• Are they listening to Podcasts?

Figure out where they are, then figure out ways to get in front of them (i.e., to connect with them!).

3) Why do they need you —and your Work? 

This is the toughest part of the equation for most conscious entrepreneurs and heart-centered business owners. You know why you love The Work. You know why you need The Work. But your people? That's a little trickier to discern.

I'm guessing with a little prompting, though, that you'll come up with a handful of stellar reasons your people need you —and your Work.

Let's start at the beginning ....

What is the #1 result you can promise from your work?

Be specific and reasonable. If that's more ease in movement or more balanced emotions or less pain, then start there.

Now ask yourself: WHY do my people want and need this?

Let's look at a specific example....

Jane is a yoga therapist who can absolutely promise more body awareness as the #1 result of her work. 

Joe is her client. He's in his mid-60s and started yoga therapy to reduce the risk factors associated with his mostly sedentary life. As a result of the greater body awareness from his yoga therapy sessions with Jane, Joe feels more confident in his body and movement is more fun —he's able to keep up with his grandkids, has improved his golf game, and is now experiencing less pain in his body. All of these effects are are a direct result of his greater body awareness and are improving his quality of life.  

So how can Jane reach more people like Joe? 

Talking about "body awareness" is likely to fall on deaf ears. 

But talking about playing catch with the grandkids, taking walks with loved ones, and experiencing fewer age-related losses in function —that's going to hit home with Jane's potential clients, who, like Joe, want to reduce the risks of age-related decline.

That's the WHY that Jane can use to connect with more clients like Joe.

4) How can you best connect with those right people?

What are some real, tangible ways to actually get in front of the right people? Keep in mind that you don't serve everyone—so you don't need to be everywhere. There is no need to be at every networking event —or in every Facebook group —sharing and promoting your Work. Give focus to the spaces (real life and virtual) populated by lots of the right people.

Choose the method of connecting with your Dream Clients that actually suits your strengths and skills, too. If you hate writing but love sharing helpful videos, skip the blog in favor of Webinars, Livestream and video tutorials.

Here are some examples of ways you can connect with more of the right people:

• Lead / participate in live events —workshops, speaking events, meet ups, local events, networking groups. Grab emails from attendees whenever possible.

• Write and share Blog posts. Related to their problems —and how you can solve them. Include an email opt-in at the end of each post or in your website sidebar or footer.

• Create and share Videos. Related to their problems and interests and your unique solutions

• Create and share Podcasts / audio teachings. Related to their problems and interests and your unique solutions

• Create and offer E-books / guides. Help them (you guessed it) solve a problem. Bonus: offer this is as a "free gift" when people sign up for your email list! Here's my free Guide

• Social Media / Status Updates —Choose 1-2 platforms where those right people are hanging out. Show up and share every day. At a loss for what to share? Start here: ask questions, be helpful, inspire.

• Create a helpful forum where you can answer questions, be available for on-the-spot support, and connect with more of the right people. Like this one here.

5) When will you show up and connect?

Connection works best when you can count on it. That means you need to continue to show up for your people in a regular way. Because if you truly want to connect with the right people (and eventually, turn those right people into raving clients and customers), you must first build a foundation of trust.

The easiest way to do that is by showing up —consistently. Connect, educate, elevate and inspire regularly. Consistency is key here! Not only will this build your credibility in your field, it will also deepen the connection with your clients-to-be. This doesn't mean that you're pushing your amazing products or services down their throats —it does mean that you're showing up, being helpful, and inspiring about 80% of the time. The other 20% percent of the time, you'll be sharing how you can solve their problems, how you can help them get what they want, how you can help them heal...you get the idea.

Listed below are sample schedules for maximum efficiency and engagement. If all of this is new to you, choose only one Action Item from the list below and commit to creating some helpful, inspiring, and engaging content that you can share with your community.

Sample Schedule #1

• 1 blog post / video / podcast each week

• 1 daily update on a Facebook page

• 10 Tweets per day

Sample Schedule #2

• 2 daily images on Instagram

• 1 LinkedIn post each day

• Once weekly newsletter

Sample Schedule #3

• 1 daily Livestream 

• 3 Facebook Posts daily

• or some combination of the above

Still at a loss for what to share that will encourage connection with your people? Here are some helpful guidelines for crafting delightful, helpful and inspiring content

• Video is the best way to attract and engage attention. Keep it simple. Record on your smartphone and upload directly to Facebook. Stream live on Facebook. Start a Vlog on YouTube. The sky is the limit.

• Create stunning images. Ensure they have a "branded" feel —use all the same fonts, similar color scheme, follow the style of your website whenever possible. Use this free tool to easily design and share effective images.

• Share your wisdom and experience. Remember those problems your Dream Clients have? Solve them and share away. Example: The "What I Know / What I've Learned" Post / Blog / Update. The "How to Post."

• Ask questions and/or Poll for opinions. What's your favorite podcast / Coffee or tea? /  Do you hang out in your yoga clothes all day, too?

• Share others people's content. It's totally cool to share, retweet and re-post others' work as long as a) you give appropriate credit and b) it will resonate with your own community

• Educate! What does your Dream Client need to know that they don't know already? Teach them. Tell them. Show them.

• Share lists. List Top Tips for the outcomes your Dream Client wants or needs

• Share tidbits of your personal life. Caution: this can backfire! Consider if what you're sharing is relevant to your Dream Client. Also: never talk about the shit when you're in the shit. Sit with it first —share the lesson later.

Liked this post? You'll love the Conscious Entrepreneurs kula —a (free) community of healers, helpers and conscious entrepreneurs committed to creating whole health, wise wealth and balanced business. Plus: me! I show up and share —you guessed it— helpful, inspiring and relevant content everyday.

With boundless gratitude for the opportunity to connect, 

Kellie

xoxo

Do you want more clients and more authentic connection in your business? Then I made the Business Energy Cleanse just for you. 7 soulful lessons to guide you back to the truth of your business mission —and provide a solid foundation for attracting more perfect-fit clients with authentic connection and sacred strategy. Buy the Business Energy Cleanse now.

Still at a loss for what to share? Here are some helpful guidelines for crafting delightful, helpful and inspiring content

• Video is the best way to attract and engage attention. Keep it simple. Record on your smartphone and upload directly to Facebook. Stream live on Periscope (and come say "hi!" I'm just getting started over there: I'm @kellie_adkins). Start a Vlog on YouTube. The sky is the limit.

• Create stunning images. Ensure they have a "branded" feel —use all the same fonts, similar color scheme, follow the style of your website whenever possible. Use this free tool to easily design and share effective images.

• Share your wisdom and experience. Remember those problems your Dream Clients have? Solve them and share away. Example: The "What I Know / What I've Learned" Post / Blog / Update. The "How to Post."

• Ask questions and/or Poll for opinions. What's your favorite podcast / Coffee or tea? /  Do you hang out in your yoga clothes all day, too?

• Share others people's content. It's totally cool to share, retweet and re-post others' work as long as a) you give appropriate credit and b) it will resonate with your own community

• Educate! What does your Dream Client need to know that they don't know already? Teach them. Tell them. Show them.

• Share lists. List Top Tips for the outcomes your Dream Client wants or needs

• Share tidbits of your personal life. Caution: this can backfire! Consider if what you're sharing is relevant to your Dream Client. Also: never talk about the shit when you're in the shit. Sit with it first —share the lesson later.

Liked this post? You'll love the Conscious Entrepreneurs kula —a (free) community of healers, helpers and conscious entrepreneurs committed to creating whole health, wise wealth and balanced business. Plus: me! I show up and share —you guessed it— helpful, inspiring and relevant content everyday.

Even More Resources

• Love to organize? Here's a resource for organizing your content ALL YEAR long. (No opt-in required) Sweet!

• Statistics on Social Media use in the US (spoiler alert: everyone is on Facebook)

• Is your Dream Client a Millenial or a Gen Y?  They're definitely hanging out online -and oversharing.

• Think your Dream Client isn't using Social Networks? Wrong. (and if they aren't yet, they will be soon)

Show-Your-Colors-Brave-Blogging-Makeness-Badge-300x300

This post is part of the Bravery Blogging project, hosted by the delightful folks over at Makeness Media. Read more brave blogs by searching #braveblogging on all social channels.