One of the challenges that people have when they first start a business is how on earth do people find out who you are and what you do?
Building your business can seem difficult unless people know about you.
I want to tell you a story about two entrepreneurs, Ruthie and Peggy who both started their business at the exact same time…
Watch Facebook Live Replay – Building Your Business: What If No One Knows Who You Are
Ruthie was diligent about building up a huge social media following. She was everywhere; she was connecting with and following people, and growing her social platform. Over the years, she grew her social platform to hundreds of thousands of people.
Peggy decided to take a different approach. Peggy showed up on social media and engaged with people, but she put her head down and focused on doing the work that needs to be done when building your business. She didn’t put as much emphasis on social networking and worrying about the size of her platform. Instead she focused on creating great content and being of service to her clients.
Are you Ruthie or are you Peggy?
A few years go by and Ruthie, out of the gate strong, starts to make some money but Peggy’s still got her head down working hard on her business.
Here is where it gets interesting; Ruthie has this massive audience, but she’s struggling to break the six-figure mark in her business. She’s working all the time, she’s engaging, she’s everywhere, but she’s not making any money!
Peggy, on the other hand, is focusing on connecting with people – and not just any people, but the RIGHT people. She’s more concerned about what you need to do while building your business. The next thing you know, Peggy’s business has skyrocketed and has grown to six figures, then to 300,000, and then to 600,000 and it’s still growing!
One day, Peggy says to a friend of Ruthie’s that she’d like to speak at a conference. The friend of Ruthie’s says to Peggy, “Oh, but nobody knows who you are.”
EXCUSE ME?!
So let’s talk about this…
Does it really matter who knows who you are if you’re not making any money in your business?
I don’t think it does!
Let me tell you the truth – I am Peggy! And that statement that “Nobody knows who you are,” has been bouncing around in my head for a little while.
#Entrepreneurs, do not let your ego get in the way of your bottom line. Click To TweetYou started a business to create financial independence for yourself and to make a difference. 500,000 people following you on Twitter does not pay your mortgage! It’s not about the number of subscribers or the number of people who follow you on different social networks. It’s about the value proposition that you bring to the table, the money you earn from that, and what you do with that money.
What matters most when building your business is that you’re making a difference – for your clients and for yourself.
Stop worrying about who knows who you are, and start focusing on the right people knowing who you are.
You can meet people at networking events and use social media as an asset so that you don’t have to be everywhere all the time! Even if networking makes you squeamish, there are things you can do so more people know who you are.
The truth is, you want to be expanding your network constantly, but we are getting caught up on the wrong things. It’s not about spray and pray marketing, it’s not about egopreneurship, it’s about the connections and about entrepreneurship.
29 thoughts on “Building Your Business: What If No One Knows Who You Are?”
We met in B-School … and I knew you were Peggy. So great to know you, Lisa!
Love that people were able to guess that! And love the B-school community!
I came across you through email. Some way, some how I received an email where you were promoting your content pilot program and I took a chance on signing up for your course.
Awesome! I am glad you took a chance on me!
I met you through a common great friend, and then I attended one of you events. I was inspired from there. I had a social presence but clueless about business.
<3 you're not as clueless as you think!
Lisa – The first time I met you was at a women’s networking event years ago. You definitely made an impression on me and since then I’ve watched you grow and prosper into an wildly successful business coach and thought leader. In the early years I hired you to coach me on social media, business building and launching my book and I have you to thank for a great deal of my success. Thanks for being Peggy!
WBC I do believe! And what a great friend and supporter you have become. I am grateful that I know who you are.
I got to know you on-line and as a result I was no longer terrified by social media! I later became a sponsor at your first event. Thrilled to refer you to anyone who has any interest in social media or the world of business. Privilege to have you as a client! Collage Creative –
Thanks Debborah 🙂
Lisa, I love how you are repurposing your Facebook Live content. This is something I am going to try soon!
I was lucky enough to meet Samantha Moonsammy when I first moved to Ottawa and she introduced me to you and all you do! Haven’t looked back since!!
I still remember meeting you in person at Kathie’s event!
Hello Lisa. I had the pleasure of meeting you at the Canadian Floral Business Forum Fall 2013 in Ottawa. You were sharing ‘golden nuggets’ back then as well. Thank you + continued success!
That’s awesome!! I love that, it was a great group to speak to.
I think it was through B school…I downloaded your ebook.
B-school =so many great connections!
Lisa, I couldn’t agree more with this blog post!! I’m Peggy too and I love that you’re a kindred spirit. It’s not about the quantity of so-called relationships, it’s about the quality of the connections. You don’t need 100,000 people to move a mountain. Miracles happen when real connections and real service happen. Thanks for this. As for your question, I can no longer recall how we meet but I’m glad we did.
Lisa, I couldn’t agree more with this blog post!! I’m Peggy too and I love that you’re a kindred spirit. It’s not about the quantity of so-called relationships, it’s about the quality of the connections. You don’t need 100,000 people to move a mountain. Miracles happen when real connections and real service happen. Thanks for this. As for your question, I can no longer recall how we met but I’m glad we did.
YES! Agree completely
When I first started my business 5 years ago, I was looking for some social media info on Google and your name came up. I went on your website and what you offered was exactly what I needed and I ordered it. I have been a regular since then and have never regretted it. Glad to be part of your tribe!
That is so cool! Grateful for Google, it’s been great being connected to you Heather for so long!
Lisa, thank you for this article. It is exactly what I needed to read this week!
I first came across you through Gina Hiatt’s group coaching megasummit in 2013.
wow!! I love hearing this, sometimes I do those summits and I wonder “Did anyone really listen?” so this makes me happy! Thank you for sharing
This is such a great article and I love your videos! We connected via Facebook through a sponsored post.
It’s so interesting, sponsored posts are great for connecting and finding new people and information, and yet some people really dislike FB ads. I love them if what they show me is a good fit with my needs! Glad we are connected.
Great reminder, Lisa! Thanks. And I met you at Peggy McColl’s writing weekend in Florida years ago. You were one of the speakers and you did an excellent presentation on Social Media. You made quite an impression on me as a wise business woman with integrity and a fun sense of humor. I’ve been tagging along ever since. I love your current focus on building a business that you love and is sustainable. With deep appreciation for you and your work in the world!
Hey Lisa – we met a number of years ago I believe when I was publishing City Woman Magazine and Michael Hughes spoke very highly of you. It’s been a pleasure reconnecting and I’m looking forward to MMM2016 on Saturday.
You spoke at a Ewomen Conference in Dallas several years back, Love all your stuff!
Saw Marjan Tropper talking about you on FB. Listened to your webinar and loved this: “Money is not a bad word!”. Spoke to you in person and knew you were the one to coach me! Love ya, Lisa! xo