“So, what do you do?” (If you freeze after hearing that question... this is for you.)

Healers, mystics, coaches, readers, mediums, channels, spiritual service providers… this one’s for you.

Let me ask you a question:

What do you do?

What is your job?

Can you sum up what you “do” for your clients or customers in a couple of sentences?

Can you do it using plain English, no spiritual woo-woo-babble?

If not: Houston, we have a problem.

Why?

Because if you can’t explain what you do, simply and confidently, then it’s going to be pretty tough to convince people to pay money for what you do. Customers literally won’t “get” it. They’ll be bewildered instead of excited.

You know this already. But here’s an anecdote to really drive the point home…

Imagine going into a restaurant and greeting your waiter. “Hey, I’d love to order lunch!” you say with a smile. But instead of handing you a menu with a list of meals you can order along with prices printed in black ink, the waiter seems nervous and apologetic.

He launches into a sales pitch, attempting to explain the “ethos” of the restaurant and it’s “guiding philosophy.” He uses lots of complex terminology that you don’t understand.

Eventually he offers to serve you your meal for free, or perhaps as some kind of barter? It’s up to you to decide. He seems very uncomfortable about accepting your money as a fee, and this makes you feel uncomfortable, too.

You’re staring, agape, totally bewildered by this conversation, very hangry, and not entirely confident that this whack-job is capable of pouring a glass of water, let alone delivering a meal to your table.

This scenario may sound ridiculous, but it’s pretty similar to how many people run their spiritual businesses!

Flimsy pricing. An apologetic, insecure attitude. Lots of discounting and bartering and working “for free.” And worst of all: vague, confusing language that circles around the “point” instead of getting right to it.

Let’s try to correct that, today, once and for all.

This is your assignment:

1. Write down what you do… as if you are speaking to a kid or a young teenager.

If you do several different things (Tarot, yoga, business mentoring, etc.), just focus on the main service that you provide.

For example:

I do Tarot readings.

2. Then write down how you help to improve people’s lives.

Use plain English. No mystical jargon. Again: imagine you are speaking to a kid or a tween. Someone who is bright and curious about your work, but who doesn’t have a “metaphysical vocabulary.”

For example:

By doing Tarot readings, I help people to make smarter decisions and avoid unnecessary drama. Ultimately, I help people to take charge of their own destiny instead of just passively letting life “happen” to them.

Your turn:

By doing ______, I help people to ______. Ultimately, I help people to ______.

Keep refining your “What I do” statement until it feels crystal clear. Practice saying it out loud. If you trip over your words, that’s a good sign that your phrasing could use even more simplifying.

This quick writing exercise may seem deceptively simple, but it’s so important to do it. After all…

If you can’t explain what you do, then it’s pretty tough to charge for what you do.

Your success as an entrepreneur is largely determined by your clarity and confidence. So, if you do nothing else to “promote” or “market” yourself this year, work on refining your answer to the question: “So, what do you do?”

Having a confident response to that question can change everything.

Theresa

PS. If this blog post left you feeling a bit panicky, like, “I did the exercise but I still don’t know how to explain what I do! Acccck!” [runs for chocolate and vodka in hysterics] … then consider getting some support.

I offer inexpensive business mentoring via email for spiritual business owners and service providers and, next to sipping wine with my husband and savoring a Game of Thrones binge-marathon, it’s one of my all-time favorite things to do! Learn more ‘bout that here.

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