The world has undeniably changed.
As an online entrepreneur, you may have noticed that consumers are smarter than ever. They see right through anything that isn’t honest.
I hear from my own clients all the time about how they used to just show up on social media and everything sold. Not so anymore. Some believe it’s now a crowded market. Some think it’s Facebook’s changing algorithms.
I believe it’s something far simpler: the advent of thinking consumers, who no longer buy into the hype of flash sales, limited time, “you need this now.”
People are consumed by ads 24/7. In a world where everyone is shouting, we have learned to filter it all out.
The new online sales reality is if people notice you at all, they are skeptical. They wonder if they need what you have. They want to know why they should buy it from you, if you have the stuff to get them the results they want, and even if they like you.
Your choice as an online entrepreneur is to interact with prospects in a new way – or don’t interact with them at all.
The way I was taught to market – the way the majority of the internet markets now – is perfect for a world that no longer exists.
And you can see that with your own dwindling sales, more and louder Facebook ads, the advent of videos (scroll through your FB timeline and tell me how many posts don’t have video – none). Everyone is looking for a new way to turn the money faucet back on.
I submit that the only way to build a lasting business that makes an impact is to stop looking for the strategy or magic bullet. No one is listening to that anymore.
This is your invitation to join me in a revolution of change – one that I accidentally stumbled across a decade ago when I started this business.
All people really want is for someone to tell them the truth.
Back in 2008, as a writing coach and editor, I showed up brand new online and dared to be who I was – and I couldn’t keep the clients away. As a business consultant and mindset coach, I do the same.
I swear. I live stream in my bathrobe. I talk about mental illness (hello, panic disorder). And I do all that while helping people create extraordinary lives. Back then, I did all those things because I didn’t know any better.
And as I learned and grew, I began to imitate what I saw was succeeding for others. Glossy images in Donna Karan and Chanel. Live streams from the beach. An image that didn’t remotely represent who I am in day-to-day life.
Did it work? Yes.
Did it feel good? Hell no.
So I stopped and went back to being foul-mouthed, down-and-dirty, time-to-get-real, me.
I got back to being honest about what was working for me and my clients and what was not. I shared struggles and the lessons learned. To this day, I talk about everything from divorce to bankruptcy and back.
And that’s a win-win-win: A win for you, me and the world. When there is no standard to live up to…
Everyone can exhale and get more comfortable in their skin.
Oh, if she can do that, so can I.
Because when we don’t hide the parts of us that some people may not love – especially mistakes and screw ups – when we don’t hold up a standard of perfection, we show people it’s okay for them to be who they are and succeed. It’s okay to be human and thrive.
It’s permission to live on your terms. And isn’t that why we started our own businesses to begin with?
Think about it.
How much more would you love an oil company who had an ocean spill, but came out and said, “We fucked up. We’re sorry. And we’re pouring trillions into cleanup and future safeguards to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Instead of, “It wasn’t our fault and we’re doing as little as possible about it because we have investors to worry about.”
That oil company would have billions of raving customers and fans for all eternity.
Smarter consumers want the truth.
This is how I determine who I hire as my own mentors. Are they honest? Are they living and embodying their message? Do I feel as though I know them, and they understand my journey because they are on it or have been there too?
I look at what they share with the world about themselves and their work. It will gibe with me or it won’t.
I want to see and understand that whoever I work with has been through hell too, and rose from the ashes.
And I’m betting my career that you do too.
You and your work are unique.
But someone, somewhere, will always show up to copy you, do it faster, or sell it cheaper. The only way to avoid competition is to be YOU.
The trust and respect you gain from having the guts to be real cannot be replicated.
Dr. Seuss knew his shit.
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
If you want to have a thriving business, it must begin with being brave enough to be yourself, especially when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient or downright terrifying.
Here’s where I put my money where my mouth is.
Would you like to learn to create a business whose entire platform, strategy and message is based solely on YOU, warts and all?
One that can only attract an audience that adores you – because they believe what you believe?
People who get you – and who you get – on such a deep, intimate level, they are with you for life?
I have something for you.
I am a mindset coach and business consultant. My life’s work is about showing women how to breakthrough their own bullshit and absolutely shine. (The concept of this entire post actually.) This translates to clients for them. More importantly, it means they live unfiltered, embracing profound and lasting freedom that no one can ever take away.
If that kind of life and business appeals to you, reach out. I am opening space in my calendar for 1:1 private clients ready for a revolution.
This is nothing like you’ve ever seen before.
Email me directly at becky(at)rebeccatdickson(dot)com or message me on Facebook.