3 Mind Hacks for Overcoming Your Fear of Marketing Yourself Take it one step at a time. You get nowhere until you put yourself out there.
By Melissa Dawn Edited by Heather Wilkerson
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When I first started my business, I was so uncomfortable about marketing myself and putting myself out there. For most of us, that's not something we were raised to do or taught in school. Many of us are taught the opposite.
These days, I see many of my clients struggling with this same challenge. They aren't sure what to say when asked, "What do you do?" Or they're afraid to go out and market their product or services. They're afraid they don't have enough experience, or are not an expert and people won't want to hire them.
Related: Ten Tips For Starting a Business That Will Succeed
The only way to get experience is to get some business. And that requires marketing. So what can you do? The key is to get yourself in the right mindset. Here are three mind hacks to help you overcome your fear of marketing yourself:
1. You only have to be one or two steps ahead.
If you are offering a service, you only have to be a step or two ahead of someone to be able to help. If you're offering a product, you only need to know a little more about the product than they do to help them make an informed choice.
It's also okay to tell people that you're just starting out or to say you've reduced pricing for a limited time in order to build your new business and gather testimonials.
Keep reminding yourself that you don't need to be at the finish line -- whatever that may be for you. You only need to be a little ahead of the people you want to help. Everyone starts somewhere. As Lao Tzu said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Take that step.
Related: 4 Ways to Stay Motivated as You Build Your Business
2. Get clear on your message.
When you have a clear message, and you know it inside and out, it can give you a much needed boost of confidence to get out there. That confidence has the added benefit of drawing people to you.
Obviously, your business evolves as you evolve. Your message might change with time, but it's important you start out with one that is clear and consistent -- something that gets you excited so others can feel your excitement and confidence.
Create a statement about what you do, and make sure it aligns with your values. Distinguish yourself by including the following info:
- The issue or complaint your ideal client is facing
- How you can help them
- The shift -- the benefit or outcome of your product/service
Here's an example. You know how some people are living a life others want for them, instead of doing what makes them feel good? I guide people on how to ask themselves powerful questions to figure out what they truly want, what fuels them, so that they can be the CEO of their life and business.
I could just say what I am -- a coach. And so could you. But when you say it, people will just think of the last person they met who does something similar. A clear, consistent and exciting message makes you stand out.
3. Get your feet wet.
"Do. Or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda. These words may have been uttered by a fictional character, but their meaning is very real.
If you want to get into the mindset of doing something, do it! It's okay if you're uncomfortable initially. You're doing something out of your comfort zone. Welcome to entrepreneurship. As an entrepreneur, you will always be doing something out of your comfort zone. That's what keeps your business moving to new levels. You are always trying, testing and trying again. It's not about the failures or missteps. It's about the doing.
Go to networking events, go where your target clients hang out (online or offline), join a group or just start speaking to one person at a time about what you do. It truly does get easier and easier.
Related: Why Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone Is the Best Thing You Can Do as an Entrepreneur
It's the same when it comes to selling your product or services. Reach out to one person or one company at a time. You'll start out with one client, then two. And with each client, your confidence builds.
Take it one step at a time. If you have a fear of speaking in public, go to Toastmasters to practice speaking and overcoming objectives. If you have a fear of contacting someone by email or phone, commit to just one a day, then five a day, then 10 a day. Take it step by step. It doesn't have to be a big step, but it does have to be a real step.
Whatever fears come up, remember they're normal. This is something totally new for you. It takes time to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Those thoughts in your head that prevent you from moving forward, the ones that want to keep you safely in your comfort zone, you need to identify them and reprogram them with thoughts that will help you create the successful life and business you want.
