When it comes to plunking down your hard earned cash (or in some cases, your credit card), investing in your biz is serious business – and it needs to be done mindfully.
I’ve learned the hard way. And so have some of my peers (you wouldn’t believe the horror stories I’ve heard!).
From too-good-to-be-true programs that promise “six figures” to dubious coaches who don’t deliver and service providers who can’t manage to get the work done in a timely manner….these tales are, sadly, more common than I’d like to believe.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
You have the power to make conscious decisions, especially when it comes to your business.
This begins by looking beyond the shiny sales pages and doing some inner work and smart research.
The next time you’re thinking of investing your cheddar on ANY aspect of your business, pause. Ask yourself: do I really need this? Be honest with yourself. In some cases, you might. Others…not so much. If you can’t explain why this thing or service is going to help your business (or if you know deep down inside that you’re not going to use it) then take a pass.
If you find that you are still leaning towards the buy button, make sure you’ve done your due diligence.
For products: check it out thoroughly. What’s in it? Is it information you actually need or can you find this for free? Is it easy to use? Will you actually use it?
For group classes or coaching programs: what support will you get? Will the coach be involved or will you be passed off to a staff member? What involvement will be expected on your end? Do you have the time to be present for the classes?
For service providers: how far out are they booked? How do they like to work with their clients? Will you be involved every step of the way or do they prefer to just do the work with little input from you? How reliable are they? (If the service provider has trouble with timeliness, it’s an instant deal breaker for me.)
For coaches: Read my blog post on hiring coaches and mentors. Also, a word to the wise: anyone can be anyone they want online. They can gloss over their real story to make themselves sound successful, when the truth is something else. With beefed up credentials and outrageous income claims, it’s easy to get sucked in by these glittery success stories. But on careful examination, you may discover that this “six figure success story” is someone who has only been in business for a short time and they have another source of income (ex: partner). Look behind the curtain.
The next step in your research: get referrals. Reach out to past clients and see what they have to say. Were they happy with the results? If not, why? (Keep in mind, some people are unhappy because of no fault through the service provider or product.)
Lastly: go to the source. ASK. Contact the salesperson directly and ask thoughtful, thorough questions. If they are a good business person, they won’t mind. In fact, during your conversation, you may both discover that the product or service isn’t right for your needs!
As the old saying goes: buyer beware. A little discernment will go a long way – and protect your business. Invest a little time before you invest – you’ll be glad that you did.
Blessings,
Theresa
© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2015
I’m Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady). I’ve been a full-time tarot reader for 30+ years — which, in my industry, makes me pretty badass.
I’m definitely not your average Tarot expert — I drop the F-bomb, I quote rappers, and I’m obsessed with pop culture + reality TV. Folks come to me for straight-talk + tough-love — without the woo-woo fluff. 
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