Why you shouldn’t invest in a one-size-fits-all course
I don't often speak out about what other business owners do or what is happening in my industry, but I was curious to hear what potential clients thought about my industry (mentors/coaches who work with designers). So in one of my recent surveys, one of my questions was;
If you could give advice to my industry what advice would you give them to better reach and serve someone like you?
And one of the answers that really stood out to me was from a designer who said she was struggling with a lot of advice that was out there that only highlights one method; the method that has worked for the coach/mentor teaching it.
Her specific example had to do with lead generation. She mentioned that word-of-mouth is often mentioned as the way to get business, even when you're just starting out. Which was something that did not work for her, because she did not have a pre-established network of entrepreneurs that she could tap into. So her advice to the industry was to diversify the approaches we include our your content. In her words; ie. if word of mouth worked best for you, consider teaching other methods as well like paid ads.
While her example was about lead generation, the key message of her response is to teach more than just the method that has worked for the coach/mentor.
And this is something that I am very passionate about. I even have it in my copy on my mentor program page:
“You need a mentor that meets you where you are at - not a one-size-fits-all approach”
Because it's not about me as the mentor.
It's not about how I do things or what has worked for me.
Sure I bring my experience from being a business analyst and pricing manager, from running my own department and training staff & interns and from running my own business as a designer and brand strategist to the table but a coaching/mentor program, course, workshop, membership should be about you, as the client or student.
But when you invest in a program (I'll just keep mentioning program in this blog, but this is interchangeable for a groupG program, course, workshop, membership) that is either focussed on service-based businesses in general or teach you 'the exact steps' designer X used to build a thriving, money-making design business it has nothing to do with you.
I’m sure you know the programs that I am talking about.
Are these programs all bad? No, they're not. These programs, because they are so general, can be great when you're just starting out and you're trying to learn as much as possible about all facets of running your own business.
But that is not where you are at. By now you have a steady stream of clients and you love working with them, there is nothing more important for you than making your clients happy. But as a result, you’re working most evenings and weekends and every project is making you feel a bit more burned out.
And because your clients take up all your time where are you supposed to find the time to work on your own business?
You know something needs to change because you can't keep going on like this. Working most evenings and weekends is not why you started your business. In fact, it's the opposite.
But the times you did something about it, like investing in one of these large generalised group programs, it probably went something like this;
The program was quite expensive (as in, if I spend this much money, I can not afford for it to not work kind of expensive) but because it's being offered by a big name in the industry that really seems to have made it for themselves and who has tons of social proof to show you that what they teach really works, you buy it.
You were really excited for the program to start because this was it. This was going to be the program (you've thought it before but this time it's real) that was going to make a difference and solve all your problems. And the program was thought life, so you could build connections with the others in the group and learn from them as well.
The first session was great. You made tons of notes and a huge to-do list with things you want to change. The only thing was that while there were a lot of comments during the session in the chat and there was a chance to ask questions at the end, you felt that both questions and answers did not apply to your industry or not for the stage you are in business. But you're still looking forward to the next session.
In between the first and second sessions you're still pumped and start to implement some of the things you were thought. But you're struggling a bit with it as it didn't really fit with how you work as a designer. So you prepare some questions you want to ask in the second session. When the session comes to an end you work up the guts to ask your question. You got an answer but if you're honest, it doesn't really help as also the answer is general advice.
With each session, you're feeling less motivated to show up and do the work. Your client workload is huge and making time for other things is difficult. Especially when you feel that the things you tried to implement are not working.
So while you know a lot more you’re still in the same place. Only know you're doubting yourself and wondering why you can't make it work.
Here's what I want you to know.
This has nothing to do with you not being able to make it work.
You just got stuck into trying to make your business run in a certain way because it worked for someone else.
They are not you.
They don't have your life.
And they don't have your goals.
So don't try to do what they do. That will only lead you to question why you can't make it work.
And it has nothing to do with you not being able to make it work.
You just haven't found yet what is working for you...
But there's something else I want you to know.
If you want to transform your business to be more aligned and sustainable you won't find what you're looking for in generalised or those I will teach you the exact steps I used to build a thriving, money-making design business programs.
Because isn't an aligned business a business that is aligned with who you are and helps you to achieve your personal goals?
Isn't this a business that isn't overwhelming you because you have a very clear direction?
Isn't this a business where you are very intentional with how you spend your time? And where every task is there to help you get closer to achieving your goals?
And isn't this a business that has clear processes in place for day-to-day tasks and client work based on how you work best?
So how could a generalised or an I will teach you the exact steps I used program help you with this?
They don't know who you are.
They don't know what your goals are.
They don't know what your personal life is like
They don't know what your vision for your life is.
Here's what I believe you do need...
... when you're in a stage in business where you want is to spend less time on client work without compromising the revenue that you're making.
You need a personalised approach based on where you are at in your journey. And the only way to get that is by getting someone else's eyes on your business. Someone who is objective and can see past the blind spots we all have when it comes to our own business.
You need an action plan, not just a list of to-do's, to get you from where you are now to where you want to go. And a clear understanding of how all the pieces fit together.
You need support to implement all the elements of the plan. Because it's one thing to have an action plan, it's a whole other thing to actually implement it.
You need someone who supports you, who you can ask questions, who can give feedback on what you're working in, who holds you accountable and gives you a gentle push in the right direction if you're struggling.
You need someone that can support you with the left-brained strategic, financial and organisational side of your business and who complements your right-brained creative genius.
Because you deserve to finally turn the vision that you’ve always had for your business into reality. So that it’s not just a business, but it’s ‘the vehicle’ you use to support you in living life on your terms.
Because you deserve to ditch the overwhelm and transform your business to be more aligned, less draining and more profitable & sustainable so that you have time for the things you cherish most.
And you deserve the support of someone who truly wants to get to know you, what your goals are for your business and your life and who will support you to get there.
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