To attract your perfect premium clients you need to know who they are so it’s critical to get clear on your profitable niche or what I call your ‘Who, What, Where.’ 

Check out Magnetic Branding System if you need help with this.

If you’re not clear on your niche, you’ll struggle to attract your perfect clients and may not even get to the stage of making sure you don’t repel them.

Let’s say that now you have a steady stream of prospects coming to you through your marketing funnel, whatever that looks like for you.

It can be as simple as some daily marketing strategies you practice online to get into conversations with your perfect premium clients so don’t get freaked out by the term, ‘marketing funnel.’

So how do you enrol them, not repel them?

Recently I shared my 6 Ps of Client Enrolment System which breaks down an enrolment or strategy session so that you can consciously enrol the right clients, rather than feel like you’re playing the lottery.

But there’s more to it than that and this is the bit that most coaches don’t share when discussing enrolling high end clients.

You need to speak their language and this comes into play in many different ways.

Here are 3 tips for you to begin implementing this into your enrolment and marketing systems.

1) Use actual words that your premium clients would use to describe their specific problems.  If you don’t use words that reach them not only on an intellectual level but on an emotional level, they won’t hear you. It’s not that you have to change how you speak but as world famous copywriter, Robert Collier advised, you do need to enter into the conversation already going on in the head of your prospect

2) Talk about their specific problems and your specific solutions using the words they relate to as in Tip 1.  If you are too generic or conceptual, again they won’t hear you.  If you’re not sure how to do this, start paying attention to what your perfect clients say both online and in person, if you’re already working with some of them.

3) Once you ‘have them at hello’ because you’re a great fit to work together, beware of switching into the role of the icky salesperson.  Many coaches and entrepreneurs do this without realising because they’re uncomfortable with the sales process.  Treat your premium clients just as you would like to be treated and continue the conversation naturally to enrol them.  You may need to do some work here on your client enrolment system.

There are many ways you may be repelling your perfect clients without even knowing you’re doing it.

In what part of your enrolment process do you feel uncomfortable?

Where are you not in alignment with your brand?

The first step is to begin noticing where this might be showing up for you and then to consciously begin to build your brand so that speaking the language and enrolling your perfect, premium clients becomes joyful.

Please share on your fave social media and I’d love to hear if this resonates.

Here’s my new resource for you to attract and enrol your premium clients online: Magnetic Branding System

Video Podcast

The fastest way to create really solid income as a coach, consultant or other service business owner is to create a VIP Coaching Programme for your perfect clients.

You can quickly add an exciting stream of income to your business with premium coaching packages as long as you can pinpoint your expertise and it’s something that your premium clients will pay for.

There’s a lot of complicated talk about this topic out there but I thought you’d find it helpful if I just boil it down to one sentence so there it is.

Of course there’s quite a lot goes into creating coaching packages (switch the word coaching with whatever type of service you want to include in your packages if you’re not offering coaching).

Just to avoid confusion, here are some other popular names for what I call a VIP Programme so we know we’re on the same page, in case you’re new to this business model:

Premium Coaching Programme

Platinum Coaching Programme

High End Client Programme 

OK so now we’ve got that clear - it’s all the same idea but there are lots of different ways of approaching the VIP Programme creation.

Some programmes are longer or shorter, some have more content and some less …

Some may be private and some may be group, depending on demand and what you help people with.

The main point is that they deliver your best stuff to your VIP clients and they get the most access to you.

They should also have a VIP feel to them and there are lots of ways to do that but that’s a conversation for another day.

So let’s say that you’ve got your programme ready (please note: this can be done in 1 day and doesn’t involve months of content creation before you can sell it) and you’re excited and raring to begin enrolling these premium clients you keep hearing about.

How do you fill your VIP Programme?

It doesn’t matter how internet savvy you become, you still need to talk to people so if you’ve drunk the guru cool aid and think you can sell 4, 5 or even 6 figure VIP programmes with a ‘buy now button’ let that be the first lesson of today’s challenge.

It stands to reason that the higher you position your pricing, the more likely it is that you’ll need to have an enrolment or sales conversation.

Now to most of us purpose filled and heart centred folks, the idea of a sales conversation is likely to make you feel quite queasy.

And this is why you need what I call an enrolment system, to follow.  There are lots of versions of this too because it’s the biggest obstacle you face in filling your VIP Programme.

You can’t avoid sales if you want to make a lot of money at the same time as helping people but there are ways to do it so that you come from a place of service, not salesy!

For this week’s challenge I’m feeling really generous so I’m giving you an overview of my 6Ps of Perfect Client Enrolment.  

Pre-Session - review info you have about your potential client. I recommend you create an application or survey process so that you’re only talking to people who could be a great fit.

Prepare - let your potential client know what to expect and what you’ll cover in the call

Problem - cost the problem your potential client is experiencing. (This is usually the trickiest bit for most people but it’s the most important so skip it at your peril.)

Plan - Outline your plan or solution for them

Programme - Make your offer to help them get what they said they want. (Only if it’s a fit)

Payment - Explain payment options, deal with any objections and get them enrolled. (This is a huge piece on its own too as you need premium pricing options in place.)

Sales and enrollment is just one of the 3 Steps to Freedom, my clients get intensive training on because if you can’t sell your VIP programme, it doesn’t matter how amazing it is.

I’m writing my next book and it’s got me thinking a lot about my favourite topic, FREEDOM, and what a freedom business can mean to each of us.

Whilst freedom to you may mean being home for your kids or getting up when you finish sleeping, (favourites of mine) for another it could mean travelling the world and working from an exotic location.

Or it might mean being able to donate large sums of money to your favourite charity or perhaps something as basic as being able to go out and buy what the hell you want, when you want it.

When you’ve had years of not having any surplus cash that can be a pretty liberating one, at least when you first break through to having a more abundant money flow.

Freedom is defined differently for each of us and it can change dramatically as our lives and dreams evolve.

One thing I know for sure is that most of us start a business in the hopes of gaining more freedom.  Financial freedom rates highly in the equation but so do:

Free time

Independence 

Creative freedom

Being able to make your own decisions without having someone else interfere with them is right up there.

As film director, Mike Leigh said yesterday in his acceptance speech at the Bafta awards ceremony, he is grateful for all of the people who didn’t fund his films over the years because they would have only interfered with his creative ideas and messed things up. (I paraphrase)

And so independence to do things how you want can be just as important as making the money you want and of course the two are intimately related.  I remember when I had a job I hated having to ask for permission to go to the dentist or having to phone in to say I needed time off for a personal reason.  

Unfortunately if I hadn’t done those things I’d have been fired, which is why being in business for yourself is such a critical step to claiming your freedom.

But so is creating a business that doesn’t keep you a prisoner …

Nothing can beat the freedom of being able to choose when, how and with whom you work and by definition, how you spend your time.

But working with entrepreneurs, I bump into lots who still feel like prisoners of their own business even when they’re what many would see as ‘highly successful.’ They fret about how much money they will make this month or year.

They worry about how many clients they have or don’t have.

Often they’re saying yes to working with clients that they don’t actually want to work with because they’re not their perfect clients.

Some of them think they have a freedom business but actually they’re trapped in a job-like set up because they’re still not able to make their own decisions about when, how and with whom they work.

And whilst I’ll always say that a perfect client is one who pays you well, it’s not the only criteria for a profitable freedom business.

So this week’s challenge is just a few simple questions:

Is your business set up so that you can work with who you want, when you want and how you want?

If not, is it time to plan your escape?

Is it time to get your service or coaching business online so you don’t have to be at someone else’s beck and call?

Perhaps the most important question is to ask yourself what freedom looks like to you …

Because then you can design your business to support your lifestyle and make your great escape to freedom. Click here to get started with my Fabulous Freedom Formula

***

Video Edition

Are you a coach or service provider with tremendous expertise?

Perhaps you’re already charging premium fees for your coaching or service but no matter how much you raise your rates you still feel like a prisoner of time!

If you’re charging by the hour it’s impossible to break free of the time for money trap.

Several years ago when I first became interested in creating a coaching service around my wellness business, I remember researching some coaches and finding someone charging … wait for it … £80 per hour.

At the time that blew me away …

I was used to giving ‘free coaching’ to my team members and customers who used the wellness products I recommended at the time.

I thought, ‘who would pay that much to talk to someone on the phone about their life?’

The example I found was a life coach and it took me a while to get my head round that.

And sure enough I started doing the same thing; charging what seemed like a bold hourly rate and then gradually progressing to monthly rates.

It seemed like a lot of money back then.

But when you factor in marketing, client enrolment and coaching delivery, you soon realise that you need to be charging a hell of a lot more than that if you want a highly profitable business.

I see coaches with similar skills and expertise to each other, charging anything from $100 per hour to $300, right through to 4,5 and even 6 figures to work with them.

So what’s the difference between them?  

Some of it lies in developing the mindset of a premium priced coach, but there’s a lot more to the foundation than that.

It’s not just about growing bolder with your pricing although that is a requirement.

Even coaches that charge 5 and 6 figures for contracts with high value clients get stuck in the frustrating time for money, starting back at zero each month trap.

A coaching or service business is set up to put you through the feast or famine cycle when you charge per hour, or even when you charge per contract.

That’s the business model that traditional coaching schools and associations lay out for new coaches.

When your contract pricing is based on your hours of delivery you’re still stuck in the time for money trap and all the more so if you’re delivering everything in person.

That’s usually when highly paid coaches and consultants stop their marketing because they’re so busy delivering.

 

And the cycle goes on and on, until it doesn’t …

 

What happens when you get sick? 

Even the healthiest people need some time out for self care now and again, not to mention taking care of our kids and families.

What happens when you want a month’s holiday?  

After all, you didn’t start this wonderful coaching business to be a worker drone did you?

What happens when you want to take some time out to write your book? 

If you’re paid by the hour it becomes very difficult to justify time out for creative pursuits and the irony is that the more you’re paid, the more this may be the case!

What happens when? … just add in the situation that comes to mind because one thing you can be sure of … life happens!

So how can you break free of this frustrating time for hours trap that affects coaches and experts at all levels?

After figuring it out for myself and tripling my coaching income, I’ve shown many of my VIP clients how to break free into a highly leveraged coaching business model.

The simple answer lies in your own unique expert or signature coaching system upon which you create all of your high value coaching packages.

The million dollar mindset shift is in recognising that premium clients don’t invest with you for your hours.  They invest with you for transformative results and by creating coaching packages you can deliver a heck of a lot more than just time.

Last week we talked about how to generate high quality online client leads so this week let’s look at online coaching.

There is a lot of confusion around online coaching because coaches and experts often buy into what I call the magical online product myth that you can just throw a product up and everything happens on auto-pilot whilst you laze in your hammock.

If that’s what you’ve been trying to do then you may be frustrated as even those with successful online products usually have to do a lot of marketing and coaching, unless it’s a very inexpensive product.

So where does that leave us if we want to deliver our coaching online?

What’s exciting about today’s digital marketplace is that we have many options because online business tools to build out your online presence are so accessible and affordable.

And what was once just a traditional coaching model has now developed into multiple coaching hybrid business models.  You can offer a mix of coaching, consulting and training via online modules as I and my clients do, or you can come up with your own mix.

When you have a clear marketing message you become magnetic because your perfect clients immediately understand how you can help them solve their problem.

That’s where you need to start because if you’re not clear on who you help, how you help them and how what you do is different, then it’s going to be very hard to generate online clients leads and without that in place how will you sell your online coaching?

So the first step is to get your marketing message and brand in place and from there you need a website and online presence that communicates your juicy marketing message.

From there you create your marketing game plan so you can pull your perfect clients towards you using the internet, and from there you can offer them whatever programme you want to offer them.

Online coaching can be delivered as a mix of private sessions via Skype and you can build out your coaching modules as you discover exactly what your clients need more detailed help with.

This is how I built my home based freedom business and how I teach online coaching because rather than building out a programme, only to discover that no ones wants it, this way you work with your perfect clients and get paid premium coaching rates, immediately.

I don’t know about you but that works a whole lot better for me than trying to guess what people want which is what I see so many coaches doing.

To add in multiple streams of income all you need to do is create additional complimentary offers such as VIP virtual intensives and/or group programmes, once you’re clear on what your people want and are willing to invest in.

This takes all of the frustration out of online coaching because you don’t need to be an online marketing guru to sign up a VIP client.

As your confidence grows with the online tools and you get a clearer understanding of what your clients need and what you want to deliver, you’ll take it from there with real market data.

So your challenge for this week is to make a list of what you need to put in place to get your online coaching set up.

If you enjoy getting out there and working with clients in person or in a corporate environment, there’s no reason that you can’t do a mix of coaching via Skype, online modules and in person, where appropriate.

As I said there are many coaching hybrid’s available and my motto is to always design the business model to support your freedom lifestyle.

If you found this helpful please share on your favourite social media and be sure to pop on my list below if you’d like more good stuff.

If you’re ready to learn more about how to set up your online coaching, review my Freedom Coaching Model: HERE

It’s probably no surprise to you that one of the biggest challenges you face in this hectic online world, is generating high quality leads online.

You’re probably spending hours every week, networking and posting on social media in the hopes of generating leads to build your big client list.

All of the gurus tell you, you need to build a big list right?

And that’s probably what you’re thinking about a lot of the time.

If only you had that magical big list, you’d be set!

You’re Putting All Of Your Efforts Into Generating Online Leads

Or are you though?

What I’ve found when I dig a little deeper in conversations with my clients or potential clients is that they are often not doing what it takes each day to generate client leads.

And I can be as guilty as they are sometimes.

It’s so easy to spend an hour or even two on Facebook, Twitter ‘networking,’ and not even remember what you did later that day, isn’t it?

Sadly, that’s too random to be called a marketing method unless you have a system to follow and you know exactly what you’re doing on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn to generate online leads.

The problem, I think, lies in that our social and business is all mixed up in one big blur so you might be wishing someone a happy birthday, chatting with your best friend and before you know it, you’re lamenting about world affairs.

But there’s not much in the way of online lead generation going on, no matter how valuable some of that may be …

The exciting piece is to create your Marketing Plan and start dreaming about the wonderful clients and opportunities you’ll attract.

When you begin, you may know exactly what to do each day and which marketing methods you’re going to use to attract your perfect clients.

Unfortunately the tricky bit where most of us fall down is in being consistent.

Are You Following Your Marketing Plan Consistently?

If you find yourself dropping off here and not taking consistent action then you’re going to struggle to generate the high quality leads and clients you need.

So what can you do to help yourself to be more consistent?

It’s just that simple.

Being aware that you’re not consistent is the big AHA.

There really is no magic bullet because even if you’re running advertising campaigns, they’ll still need testing and tweaking.

And in the new digital economy that is usually a lot more than the Facebook advertising gurus like to mention!

I’m not a tactics kind of person as I find constantly looking for new tactics wears me out and I often end up doing nothing.

I prefer to practice and teach more of an evergreen approach so that even when you don’t feel like following your marketing plan, you can still do it without always having to learn something new and difficult.

What it comes down to is picking the marketing methods you either want to try or you know you can do with the most ease.

Because if you don’t do them daily or at least 4-5 times a week, you won’t be able to generate those client leads online.

So there we have it.

The Key To Generating High Quality Leads Online Is In Being Consistent With Your Marketing Plan.

And as with so many things, this is simple but not always easy …

I’d love to hear what your biggest challenge with list building is so leave me a comment below or pop on my email list and get in touch.

And as always if you found this helpful please share on your fave social media.

Welcome back to the final episode in this special declutter series.

You’ll get the most out of this episode by having your what you do and don’t want lists from episode 1 and living in your genius zone lists from episode 2.

Each exercise only takes a few minutes so it’s worth going back and doing them if you’re ready to declutter your life and business in a big way.

Review your genius zone lists as now we get to the exciting step of making your plan so you can create the business and life you actually want.

Here’s a quick recap of the genius zone exercise just in case you’re in a rush:

This goal is to spend maximum time living in list 1 which is what you’re good at or what inspires you and to move you out of list 2 which is what you’re not so good at or hate doing.

For example it may be that you’ve been trying to get your new rebranded website set up on your own but you’re just not getting anywhere and every time you come to tackle it you feel drained and end up more frustrated than when you began.

This is a perfect example of when you’d be better to outsource the set up so that you can get it done and declutter it from your mental and emotional baggage.

Now if you are a tech whiz, the set up of your website may fall under list 1 and feel like play to you.

For many of us coaches and experts it probably doesn’t!

So be sure you’ve created a clear plan of what you want on your website but don’t waste the day trying to figure out how to install the software as your time could be much better invested ‘playing’ in list 1.

Got the idea?

To create your genius zone plan you’ll need to evaluate the following as you look at each item in your don’t want to do list:

What income do you need to create to be able to outsource these pesky things in list 2 that need doing but you don’t want to do them?

Here you want to get specific and put real figures on things. Until you breakdown actual costs you can’t know what you actually need to be able to make your plan to get there. 

Is there a resource or tool you could use or does it have to be an actual person who does this for you?

In many instances you may be able to use automated tools to help lighten the load, especially with online marketing.

Who else could do it?  

Does it have to be a pro or could it for instance be a family member who can help you out with  simple but monotonous tasks that you pay them to do?

Run it through the ‘could I ditch it?’ test.  

It should be in list 2 because it definitely needs doing in your business but it’s worth checking in with yourself if this actually does need doing and you’re not attached to it for reasons such as perfectionism or just because it’s how you’ve always done things.

What simple systems can you put in place to make sure these things get done?

I have systems for everything or I fear things that need doing might never get done as I’d be shooting off to the next creative project.

An example of a simple system could be that you create a marketing calendar so that you know exactly what to do, when. In the case of projects or repetitive tasks that need doing get clear on exactly which steps are for you to do and which are for your gorgeous helper.

And finally review your business model. This is often the root of much of an entrepreneurial expert’s discontent.

For example if you want to invest in help but you’re selling very low cost products such as books or ebooks, it may be hard to find the cash to hire a virtual or personal assistant.

Whilst there is always the valid argument that freeing up your time will enable you to focus on list 1 activities and create more income with your expertise, the funding does still have to be found to get started.

And if you can’t get started then you risk becoming the bottle neck in your business and ...

Welcome to episode 2 of my complimentary Declutter Your Life & Biz Series. In episode 1 we looked at how to create a business and life of joy and ease by first getting clear on what you DO and DON’T want.

By creating two simple lists you can quickly begin to declutter your mental, emotional and physical space.

Now you’ve made space for what you do want this takes us to the next level.

Today I’ll show you how to ease into living more of your life in your genius zone.

As an entrepreneur you might have heard a lot about how important is it to do what you love AND what you’re good at.

This can be confusing for many because you might say, ‘well I love watching crime thrillers on T.V but that doesn’t make me money.’

And you’d be perfectly correct unless of course you’re a budding scriptwriter doing the research to create a new show yourself.

That may seem farfetched but my youngest daughter writes scripts and she’s only 16 so you never know where your genius zone can take you IF you’re open to spending time in it.

Here’s a brilliant resource called Wealth Dynamics if you need some help figuring out where your natural path to wealth lies.

Another helpful resource I’ve used more recently is the popular bestseller, Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath, which works alongside a personality strengths test.

So it’s playtime again!

Download the podcast version of this declutter challenge if you prefer to hear me walk you through this.

Are you comfy?

Have you got a quiet spot at home or do you want to head off to a snug cafe somewhere as a little treat?

I find it helps to get out of the house when you want to be more creative but do what feels right for you.

Grab your notebook of choice and divide it into two columns.

The first is called ‘What I’m good at.’  If you struggle with giving yourself credit for being really good at things then ask yourself what inspires you when you do it?

Life coach, Martha Beck in her amazing book, Steering by Starlight, talks of ‘shackles on’ and ‘shackles off.’

The idea is that when something inspires you, you feel more joyful and free so shackles are off but when shackles are on you feel restricted.

We’re taught to pursue a life of restrictions and ‘shoulds’ and this is something I think and read a lot about because Freedom is my top value.

And it may well be yours too which is why you follow my stuff.

So what inspires you or makes your heart beat that little bit faster?

What comes easily to you? For example I can write with ease. It’s not a difficult thing for me to do as I can knock out 1000 words pretty quickly.

Note: this doesn’t mean it’s always easy to sit myself down to do it or to write thousands of words to create a new book!

Sometimes we can really get in our own way of spending time in our genius zone but being aware of what your genius zone is, gets you firmly on the right track to joy and ease.

For the second column think about what you’re not so good at.

Now I don’t mean that this is a prime opportunity for you to beat yourself up about how you wish you were better at this or that. Just just down the things that do need doing in your business because someone does have to do them but know that it doesn’t have to be you.

For example if I had to choose between writing 1000 words or driving to a new place I’d choose the words every time because I don’t have a great sense of direction so driving to a new place can be stressful for me.

Does that mean I never drive?

No but it does mean that I find ways to make it easier.

So it could be that I get someone else to do an errand for me or perhaps I invest in a new Sat Nav or get software on my phone that tells me exactly when to turn.

OR I could order what I want online.

As we close out the year I find myself itching to declutter, well …. almost EVERYTHING!

As I’m fully immersed in this process I thought sharing some of what I’m doing will be useful and inspiring for you too.

I had a novel idea that as I’m a coach I will actually coach you through this!

What would be super is if you could leave me a comment at the blog to let me know what comes up for you. That way as I create this free high value series I can craft it to suit your exact needs.

For this first episode I want you to think about what you want more of and what you don’t want in your life and business… 

So many of us entrepreneurs and coaches start the new year with all of this pressure upon our shoulders.

I need to do this … and this … and this …

If only I could do this … and be better at this …

If only I weren’t so bad at this …

The lists are endless.

And we carry that heavy burden all year long until it’s time to do it all over again.

I used to be like this too.

And still fall back into it sometimes.

It’s pure madness!

It’s no wonder I used to burn out and frequently feel like jacking it all in and going to live on a desert island.

Over the years of personal development (there have been many as I started reading books by Wayne Dyer and Susan Jeffers in my early 20s) I’ve come up with a much more creative way to enter the new year.

In fact I’ve done so much personal development I should really be quite perfect by now!

Alas that’s not how it works and the more you develop the more there seems to be to address.

However after years of doing everything I ‘should,’ I’ve gradually become more aligned with doing much more of what I actually want which shows up in my life and business as joy and ease.

Joy and Ease is my theme for the new year and you might find one coming up for you as you take the challenge.

If you’ve stumbled upon this post and we’re not in December then use this with the next quarter or season in mind because decluttering both mentally, emotionally and in your physical space is best done frequently.

As with washing your face or doing the dishes, it’s unfortunately not something you can get away with doing just once!

I want to keep this simple for you because the more fun you have with it the more inspiring your results will feel.

Ready for a little playtime?

Download the mini podcast version of this challenge if you prefer to hear me walk you through this with my dulcet tones! 

Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted for 10 minutes.  (Yes, that means putting your phone on silent and muting all those digital delights that distract you every 50 seconds!

Get comfy.

You warm enough? If not grab a cosy blanket.

Take a couple of deep breaths and exhale slowly.

Still your anxious monkey mind and tune into an energy of being curious & openhearted - similar to when you’re about to dig into a long anticipated book or open a box of yummy chocolates.

And now grab a pen and your beloved journal or type away on a device if that’s more your thing.

Divide your page into two columns and call the first one:

What I want more of and the second one What I don’t want 

You’ll notice an interesting pattern as you jot down what comes up.

Often what you don’t want will be the direct opposite of what you do want.

Don’t critique what you journal, just let it flow with your open heart.

Even if it seems silly and some of it probably will, just continue to get it down on your page.

Some of it will probably be tangible and some of it more of a feeling or emotion.

By doing this exercise you’re decluttering some of your mental and emotional baggage that you’ve been shlepping around for years.

I hope you’re enjoying this myth busting series as much as I have loved creating it.

If you’ve missed out and want to catch up, the links to the short podcast and text version of each episode so far are here:

Get episode 1: The magical online product myth

Get episode 2: The you don’t need to sell myth

And today we’re busting the Poverty to Prosperity Pricing Myth!

Are you committed to positioning yourself as a highly paid expert or professional in your field?

If so you need to examine your pricing and all of the baggage that comes with it.

If you’re giving away your services, bartering or charging low, hourly or monthly fees then you’re setting yourself up to fail.

I’m sorry if this gets your panties in a twist but someone has to tell you so I decided it will be me as I want to see you on the true path to prosperity ASAP.

I see so many coaches and experts who are qualified and certified and goodness knows what i-fied, charging peanuts or giving away their services!

Why is this Rachel, I hear you cry?

Great question …

Well, it’s because our society teaches us by example to start at the bottom and take things slowly.

If we are presumptuous enough to think we can start at the top we’re given a swift, verbal slap.

“Who do you think you are?’

‘Oh goodness me aren’t you growing too big for your boots!’

And so on …

Sound at all familiar from your childhood?

And so it’s no wonder at all that when we launch ourselves into business or decide to rebrand and claim a new niche that we think we need to start right at the bottom of the heap.

Well meaning coaches, consultants and trainers who don’t understand marketing and expert positioning will advise you to play it safe.

Start free and gain confidence.

Start low and work up.

Don’t charge much - get a few years of experience under your belt first.

And whilst all of this advice may seem quite sensible, it’s unfortunately steeped in poverty mindset.

In the pre-internet old paradigm, teachers, authors and other creatives were notoriously poor but happy doing a great job. (So the meme goes)

I heard recently, from super coach David Neagle, that even Napoleon Hill of Think and Grow Rich fame died broke!

In the digital economy you have a chance to live in a different paradigm altogether where you can audaciously claim your expert brand and where all of the information and tools you need are just a mouse click away.

In this modern paradigm where teachers such as coaches, consultants, authors and other experts have the power to ignite the economy, you can choose to set your prices high to reflect the value that only you bring.

Yes, you hear me right. I said, ‘only you.’

There is no one else on this planet that has exactly the same unique mix of experience, expertise and personality that you have, dear budding or already out of the closet, expert.

In this modern paradigm you can pro-actively decide who your perfect client is and if you don’t want to live in a needy niche, don’t target clients who can’t or won’t pay.

You can do your charitable work with your juicy profits but don’t confuse your charity with your business which is supposed to make you a profit even if you love doing it!

Many of us feel ever so slightly guilty when we get well paid for doing work we love.

Sometimes it can feel almost too easy, can’t it?

But I say don’t worry about that because that’s a sign that you’re following your true calling.

It’s supposed to be easy and joyful, at least some of the time.

And the shadows catch up with us soon enough so enjoy each moment of light without sabotaging yourself.

So today’s myth busting challenge is to take a long, hard look at your pricing and where you might be giving your value away for pean...