WHY A PERSONALITY-BRANDED BUSINESS COULD BE THE STRATEGY YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

(first written for and published in Forbes)

Michelle Barr, Business and Mindset Coach, helping you Be the Contribution you are here to be and get paid well for it! www.michellebarr.com

In 2015, I grasped a concept, implemented it, and turned my entire business and life around. At the time, I was stuck in my business. I had created some success — that was something. Still, I was spinning in place, trying to crack the code for creating consistent 5-figure months and crossing the 6-figure finish line. I had not yet made $50,000 in my business. In fact, I had not yet made $50,000 in my life.

Looking around me at the coaches in my industry who were doing what I wanted to do, being what I wanted to be, and having what I wanted to have, I saw that they were doing certain things in certain ways at certain times, then putting their own special "secret sauce" on it. I kept searching for that secret sauce in the next coach, in the next program and in the next live event.

Until I realized, that secret sauce is something I already have! It's having a personality-branded business.

That year, I changed my website and company Facebook page to my name, wrote and published my own book, created my signature talk and began to get on stage with it. I began to speak for my business both online and offline. I showed up as me, beyond all the clever business names and identities.

And, it changed everything. I doubled my income in less than 12 months, expanded my impact and influence in measurable ways, and crossed the six-figure finish line. From there, I went on to create a solid, profitable, sustainable business.

Building a personality-branded business is a powerful strategy, and it's not just for coaches. I have had clients who are lawyers, realtors, an organic farmer, acupuncturists, mediums, therapists, yoga teachers, a personal chef and a weight loss center owner.

It's important now more than ever to be front and center in your business. This is what is setting people apart in both income and impact.

But this is about so much more than just changing the name of your business to your own name. It's about building a business that is a reflection of you, because what people really buy is your energy and access to you. In this digital world, where people have access to so many choices and options, you have to establish, why you? That requires showing the world who you really are and standing out for those people who will be drawn to working with you.

When I am helping my clients build their personality-branded business, I take them through an exercise that begins with these three questions:

1. Who do I say that I am?

2. What do I say that I do?

3. Who do I say that I serve?

Imagine you are in a room full of your ideal clients, and you had 30 minutes to speak with them. Given this opportunity, what is the thing that you would most want to speak with them about? Before you have too much time to think about it, quickly think right now of a concept, a compelling title, and three to five talking and teaching points. What is it you have to say that only you can say?

Speaking for your business is a powerful tool both online and offline. It's about taking a powerful stance in the marketplace and being exactly who you say you are, doing what you say you do, and being for who you say you are for.

You're probably very aware of how popular reality TV is in our world today. Think of it as a key to understanding the effect of a personality-branded business. Not everyone wants to watch the reality TV shows that are out there, but they still crave the elements that make them so prevalent and in-demand. Many are looking to connect with someone. They want to follow someone who is being who they want to be, doing what they want to do, and having what they want to have.

People want to connect with you and your business in the same way, but they won't know that unless you are out there, showing up in your fullest expression and being accessible to them in an authentic way.

If you are not making the money you want and need, if you are stuck or spinning in your business, if you have reached an income plateau, if you are still chasing that ever-elusive, five-figure month or only dreaming of a six-figure year, consider where you are in your business. If you are not front and center, this may be why you are missing the mark.

So, come out from behind your business. Show up and be you — all of you. Be the contribution you are here to be, and get paid well for it!