What You Call Yourself Matters: If You're a Creative Small Business Serving B2B You're Missing This Shift

Episode 612: Show Notes

There’s a problem that we’re seeing in this space and it’s causing people to miss massive opportunities! You’re losing out on revenue and you’re losing out on tapping into familiar industry terms, and so much of this can be solved by simply re-labeling who you are to become well-known to the rest of the world. For years, small business owners, especially those in the creative space, have continued to label themselves as such. “I’m a small business owner”, “I run a small creative business”, “I’m a creative entrepreneur”, we’ve seen these terms run rampant. 

But the thing that is missing right now in this space is that you are not utilizing terms that the rest of the world recognizes and already uses and, because of that, you’re missing out on business. If you have previously identified as a creative small business owner, especially those of you who are running a B2B service-based business helping other small businesses, we have an uplevel for you. We can change the game!

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Unlock an Entire New Market with One Simple Language Shift

In the past, we used to dread introducing ourselves to other people because we felt they wouldn’t understand what we do, where we come from, and how we can help other people.

As it turns out, all we had to do was change the way we introduced ourselves with one simple language shift. For ages, we called ourselves small business owners, and it wasn’t until we changed our language and claimed our titles that people truly perked their ears up and started taking us seriously. We were still doing the same work and providing the same service, all we did was use new labels. The benefits of a simple language shift are vast. In doing so, you establish credibility and draw people in. If people can understand your service in terms that they are familiar with, they are far more likely to refer you to potential clients! Not only that, you make yourself far more discoverable on SEO terms. Small business owners are often so intent on doing things differently from the rest of the world, and in doing so, they miss the opportunity to thrive in their intentions to help others by using vague, exclusive language.

There’s an Easier Way To Establish Yourself As THE Expert Than You Might Think

If you do B2B, you’re likely a business consultant and you’re not claiming your title. You’re essentially doing the dirty work that nobody wants to do, and you have every right to charge for it! Your language shift will justify your price shift and literally change the game for you. You need to clarify who you are and solidify your expertise in a massive pool of B2B service providers. This small shift of clarity will open the door to potential clients and boost your confidence! Business consultants help other companies overcome challenges, increase revenue, or grow. Isn’t that precisely what you do? Service providers often battle with articulating the problem that they’re solving, and it is so important to define your role and acknowledge your worth. Other businesses need you! They just need you to get clear on the roadblocks you’re preventing, the hurdles you’re helping them overcome, and the way they’re going to get a direct return on their investment. A simple title change really can make all the difference. Sure, you’re a course provider, but doesn’t that make you a trainer? Claim your title and don’t underestimate the value you’re bringing to another small business. It’s time to get specific and give your niche expertise the opportunity it deserves.

How You’ve Accidentally Pigeonholed Yourself Into an Industry That Has a Ceiling

It’s important to realize that there’s a whole world outside of this B2B small business bubble. If you’re feeling like the industry is getting too small or that you’ve outgrown the resources that have gotten you to where you are today, it’s probably time to branch out. The fascinating thing about business consultants is that they usually have super niche expertise, not in an industry but in an area of business. Thus, you are not limited to this one industry! So many small business owners, particularly female creative entrepreneurs, are not profitable because they limit themselves to only working with other female small business owners, for example. By leaning into the expertise of being a consultant you will unlock completely new markets and price points. If you choose to make this shift, you will have the opportunity to tap into literally every other industry. The only reason more established clients aren’t working with you is because they can’t find you! They don’t have time to scour Instagram and stumble upon your reels, they are either doing a specific search online or acting on a referral. If you’re looking to work with big-budget clients, you’re going to need to learn a new vocabulary and capitalize on it. There is more available to you than you know and if you are clear on what you’re doing and how you’re doing it, there is no upper limit to what you can achieve.

 

Quote This

The way in which you talk about yourself and your company is critical.

 

Highlights

  • Unlock an entire new market with one simple language shift. [0:04:02] 

  • There's an easier way to establish yourself as THE expert than you might think. [0:07:53]

  • How you've accidentally pigeonholed yourself into an industry that has a ceiling. [0:18:46]


ON TODAY’S SHOW

Abagail & Emylee

The Strategy Hour Podcast

Instagram | Facebook

We help overwhelmed and creative entrepreneurs break down their Oprah-sized dreams to create a functioning command center to tame the chaos of their business. Basically, we think you’re totally bomb diggity, we’re about to uplevel the shiz out of your business.

KEY TOPICS

Business consulting, Training, Expertise, Language shift, Tapping into new markets, Untapped opportunity


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