RM Harrison

Why Your Results Don't Match Your Efforts

6/24/2015

 
4 Reasons Why Your Results Don't Match Your Efforts | RM-Harrison.com
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to catch up with one of my favorite online biz buddies -- a sharp and brilliant coach, whose advice I soak up like a biscuit does butter. For months now, I've been binging-out on her content, marveling in her genius insights, unique business and fabulous personality (can you tell I'm a big fan?). And for months, I've watched her and thought, "Damn, this woman is ROCKING it!" 

So, you can imagine my dumbfounded confusion when she opened up to me that she still isn't getting the results she wants in her business -- more sign ups for her offers, a steady flow of clients and income, and so on. 
Beyond being utterly befuddled, I was also genuinely frustrated for her; because I know how needed her services are and, of course, because I want to see her succeed. 

After our chat, I couldn't stop thinking about her situation. I wondered how it could be possible that a business like hers hasn't caught on like wildfire in her niche yet; and why, even with all of the great work she's been putting out consistently, her results still don't match her efforts.

If you find yourself in a similar mind-boggling pickle -- wondering why the outcomes you're getting don't match the effort you're giving -- here are a few possible reasons to consider:

There aren't enough of the right people who know you exist yet

Your results could be as simple as a numbers game (and by "simple" I mean frustrating as hell). Statistically speaking, for every 1 client you want, you generally need about 100 people who are familiar enough with your work -- half of whom are at least intrigued by what you do. Of that half, about 20 of them need to be able to make the investment. And of that 20, 4 of them need be ready to commit. 

But even with the 4 that are interested, able and ready to work with you -- it's still only probable that 1 of them will actually say yes.

How to fix it: There are, of course, a few exceptions to what I like to call "the 1 percent rule". But rather than resist it, focus on how you can make this rule work for you and how you can align your efforts to attract your 1 percent.

Your people aren't ready for what you offer yet 

Another frustrating reason you're not getting the results you want could be that the people who'll benefit most from what you have to offer aren't personally ready for it yet. They're probably drooling over your work right now, thinking, "When I get to [insert aspirational level here], I am SO gonna hire her."

The good news about this? It's a fairly easy fix.

How to fix it: First, consider where there might currently be barriers for your people to work with you. Is it that they aren't financially ready? Do they not see the immediate value of the investment? Or do they just believe they can wait a bit longer before they really need what you're offering? Then, consider how you can address those barriers with content and lower-level offers.

A word of caution, though: Offering a high-value service (like 1-on-1 sessions) at a super-low price does not necessarily help people decide to buy your higher-priced services. Consider an alternative that allows you to give the same kind of support without diminishing the value of your time and expertise.

Your people don't see the impact of what you do yet

If you're finding that lots of people are interested in what you offer -- perhaps even inquiring about your services -- but rarely signing up, it's possible that you haven't yet established the reason why they should pay to work with you.

To do that, you have to understand what they desire, because it's their desire that's linked to their sense of need and their values.

How to fix it: Understand that people will put their money where their values are. So do some digging. Uncover what your people want to accomplish and why. Then show them how you can help them make it happen.

People will put their money where their values are.
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You're not targeting the right people yet

On the contrary, if you're finding that hardly anybody is interested in what you offer, you might not be talking to the right people. It's possible that you made a big ASSumption when you decided on who your ideal client was (or maybe you haven't made it that far in your business planning). So if you're certain that your services are right-on-time for someone, perhaps you need to go back to the drawing board to make sure you know who that someone really is.

How to fix it: Try not to be too pissed off about this one (it happens to the best of us). Take another look at what you're offering, your objectives and what you're charging for it. Ask yourself who would be interested, able and ready to jump on your offer as it is. Then tweak your messaging and copy to speak to those people.

If the results you're getting don't match your efforts, here are 4 reasons to consider.
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Over to you

So what do you think -- do any of these reasons stand out to you? What's one thing you plan to do differently in order to get the results you want? Let me know in the comments.



Kathryn link
6/30/2015 02:24:34 pm

What an insightful post, RM! As I'm reading this, I'm nodding my head in agreement, point after point after point!

RM
7/1/2015 12:31:47 am

Thanks, Kathryn! It takes a bit of trial and error until we get these things right :)

Parijat link
7/2/2015 03:06:22 am

Love this post. It's so much about clarity. Clarity of vision, of message, of service. I'm so glad you said that lowering prices isn't always the answer. It's so true! Thanks for this.

RM
7/2/2015 10:26:45 am

Thanks for your message, Parijat! I'm so glad you found this helpful.

Maria link
7/2/2015 03:39:26 am

RM, where have you been until now? Great post, thanks SO much!

RM
7/2/2015 10:23:21 am

Ha! Happy this post served you today, Maria. Btw -- I'm digging your creativity workshops for teams. Pure. Genius.

Sonja Jobson link
7/2/2015 03:46:41 am

Love. This. What a great post, loaded with encouragement + practical solutions. I especially appreciate your point about "people not seeing the impact of what you do yet". I agree with you 100% that you need to address your audiences goals, fears, emotions, and values in everything you put out.

RM
7/2/2015 10:09:54 am

Precisely, Sonja. My best results have come from listening to what my people's concerns and desires are and reflecting those back in the content and services I put out.

Thanks so much for your insights!

Nicole link
7/2/2015 03:54:34 am

Such a thoughtful and all-encompassing post, RM! I think #1 is especially huge. Thanks for this.

RM
7/2/2015 09:58:20 am

So lovely to hear from you, Nicole. Thanks for reading!

Shannon Mattern link
7/2/2015 05:14:02 am

This post so resonated with me today!! I just hit the 6-month mark and I have a ways to grow, that's for sure but this totally helps put it all in perspective and helps define my path going forward. Thanks for writing!

RM
7/2/2015 09:45:46 am

You're much further along than I was @ the 6-month mark lol. Congrats, by the way ;) So glad to hear this was helpful for you. Much success to you going forward! xx

Lily Dagdag link
7/2/2015 05:31:58 am

I absolutely love the last point. We were having issues with having people constantly trying to haggle with us for lower prices. We realized that we were just talking to the wrong people. Since we changed our marketing strategies, we no longer deal with people haggling to lower our prices. It doesn't mean every person we talk to is a good fit, but at least they see the value in what we offer.

RM
7/2/2015 09:42:47 am

Hagglers are the WORST, aren't they? But you're so right -- the minute you shift your approach and start talking to *the right* people, everything else lines up. That's fantastic for you!!

Nela link
7/2/2015 06:35:24 am

Thanks for writing this, it really got me thinking.
I identify with #1 and #2 the most at the moment. I didn't build a big enough platform to make the 1% rule work for me yet, but I'm working on addressing that :)

Regarding #2, I figured that a lot of my right people are still at the early stages in their business where spending $1000-2000 dollars for design services seems out of reach, so I just launched a consulting service where people can pick my brain for an hour and do the implementation themselves, for a significantly lower investment.
We'll see how that works out!

RM
7/2/2015 09:37:58 am

Good thinking on offering a lower-level consultation, Nela! Try to come up with additional ways to leverage your expertise/services that won't require you to do any 1:1 work ;)

Nela link
7/2/2015 08:38:16 pm

Thanks, I've been thinking about that as well. I feel I need to learn more about my ideal clients' needs so I can offer a one-size-fits-all solution like a course or an ebook, since I'm normally all about custom, individual approach :)

Janet link
7/2/2015 10:02:39 am

Such great stuff here! Since starting my business, I've gone through all of these reasons and am noticing as my business evolves, I need to keep making tweaks and changes to be able to give my clients why the want and need. Thanks for this!

RM
7/2/2015 10:30:34 am

You said it, Janet. As your business evolves, so will your messaging, content, services -- even the way you engage with your people. Keep on listening and staying connected with what their desires are. And they'll keep on loving you ;)

Devon link
7/2/2015 01:11:41 pm

Love this RM - I think that #2 jumped out for me the most - It's such a fine balance in offering something that's accessible, but still super clear on value (both for us and the client!).
I'm going to tackle that, plus #3 (getting my communication and listening up to snuff) pronto!

RM
7/23/2015 03:30:37 pm

Way to spring into action, Devon. You've got this lady!

Sierra link
7/2/2015 02:48:11 pm

Great advice! I'm going to refer to this every time I'm frustrated over "not being seen". :)

RM
7/23/2015 03:28:07 pm

Sierra that gives me a great idea for a pinnable infographic ;)

Tikoshia link
7/22/2015 04:41:17 am

This!!! --> "Offering a high-value service (like 1-on-1 sessions) at a super-low price does not necessarily help people decide to buy your higher-priced services. Consider an alternative that allows you to give the same kind of support without diminishing the value of your time and expertise."

I tell my clients this all the time! Great article...I'm going to make sure to share this!

RM
7/23/2015 03:26:40 pm

Ah, yes! That one's a toughie for my people, too. So glad you agree, Tikoshia, and thanks so much for sharing! xx

Callie link
2/16/2016 12:51:50 pm

Yes. Yes. Yes. All of the yeses! You hit the nail on the head. I've had steady clients coming in, but wondered what I could do to push it that extra bit. I realized the other day that some people don't see the value yet in bookkeeping even if they are years behind and know they aren't going to stay up on it. Working on the education part now!


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