7 Tips For Building Confidence In Your Business

Confidence in business can seem fleeting, but it doesn’t make it any less desirable. We all want to stand behind what we do with pride whether we are sharing with other business owners what it is we do, or selling to a customer without selling. I will share a little secret; confident business owners are actually pretty quiet. They are not loud and boisterous—rather they are self-assured, and grounded in who they are.

Here are my 7 tips for building confidence in your business and they all begin with you.

Tip #1: Get Rid Of All The “Should”

Allowing “should” to creep in can create self-doubt and confusion for you, your business, and your customer. “Should” are the things you may not think you are built to do, or even want to do but you think you should. These are energy drainers and will keep you from being great at what you already love to do. For example, this past year I thought I should work with all types of businesses, but my real love was with creative women. The moment I let go of my should my business grew. List all those things you think you should do and begin letting them go.

Tip #2: Make Some Proud Friends

Proud business owners may not even know how proud they are because they could be quiet! These are those who easily share their passions for their work, or who enjoy giving credit to those who have helped them get where they are. You might already admire them so let them know and ask if you can pick their brain about how they carry themselves. They will be flattered, trust me.

Tip #3: Practice Makes Perfect

It may sound silly to practice your confidence, but it really can help! Mimicking real life situations like sales, customer interactions, press, or marketing can help you in the moment. Ask a friend to play a faux role, interact with them, and gather feedback. It will be far more difficult in practice than in real life so by the time you are using your new awareness you will be natural.

Tip #4: Always Lead With The Benefit

When in doubt, lead with the benefit. Benefits are the reasons what you do will actually fit into someone’s life. We are emotional beings and we tend to let our emotional side do the thinking, talking, and buying. To confidently appeal to other’s emotional side lead with the biggest benefits for buying what you do. For example a feature of my work is that I coach, the benefit of coaching is confidence and clarity. The benefit of confidence in a business is growth. That tends to grab other’s attention more than they what I do does.

Tip #5: Note When Something Goes Really Well

Next time an interaction goes well be it at a network event or just casually talking with friends make a note when it goes over well. Maybe you practice using benefits and get a different reaction or you have people following up with you the next day. This is a time to reflect on what you did well because you just have to do more if this in the future. What events were best, what people responded well, and what language did you use? Do more of what already works because it will work again!

Tip #6: What You Love Most Will Sell Itself

You will sell with the most enthusiasm and genuineness if it’s something you truly love. I truly love supporting clients through getting unstuck. I could talk about this all the time, and when it comes from my heart that shows. That emotion I put into how I talk about my work sells far more than me trying to intentionally sell to a new client. If it’s not something you truly love then return to no. 1 and clean out some of that should.

Tip #7: Remember, Customers Are Lost Without You

There are numerous potential customers out there who want or need what it is you create. They are hurting and suffering because they have yet to find you. Put them out of their misery and offer up the best version of what you love to do! You might be thinking, “But I make jewelry!” And I would respond, “Yes! And your jewelry can make your customer light up like she never has”. Remember, there is always a benefit to what you do.

As a Certified Life Coach Andrea is a qualified active listener. It is her role to hear the things that are not so obvious, clarify their meaning, and support you through your endeavor. Meet Andrea at Aleda Fitness.

Main image courtesy of Son of Groucho