My hands are shaking a bit and my heart is pumping faster as I sit down to write this.
Time to Kick Potatoes Off the Couch - Let's Work Together
I’m challenged to blog about my exclusive market for ClickAClass.com, and it’s scary as hell. What if I put it out there and alienate a whole segment of people? What if the market I want doesn’t want me back? What if people think I’m crazy? What if people misunderstand and think that I’m trying to exclude them, when really what I’m doing is getting hyperfocused for productivity? What if people just don’t “get it” that there are actually 3 markets for ClickAClass.com?
On the other hand, I’m firmly convinced that this is the right thing to do — it will allow me to be of better service and refine my work so that this project can truly change lives. That’s what it’s all about, after all. So here goes….
ClickAClass.com Readers
Reader, you’re a smart and sassy mom of grade-school kids. You’re in pretty good shape now — or you were at one time — so you realize that fitness is critical to overall health and happiness. You want the best for your family (and yourself, dammit!), which means you want them at their healthiest. You also enjoy new and interesting activities, for both yourself and your kids. Core values for you include love for your family, education, health, spirituality — religious or not, contributing to the world (and teaching your kids the same). You’re probably comfortable financially, but feel that part of your mommy-job is saving a buck or two, so you love a good discount when you find it. One of the best things about getting to the gym or other studio is connecting with your friends, and maybe even sneaking in a cup of tea or coffee afterward. You’re busy as hell and don’t have time to search every studio’s schedule for something that works — you need one site that gives you all the details, letting you pick and choose your own criteria.
ClickAClass.com Class Providers
Provider, you’re on the move — literally and figuratively. Not only are you deeply involved in your own teaching, you’re also a force to be reckoned with. You’re changing the world by changing each client’s life just a bit. Your personal connection to each of them is just one of the things that makes you special, and you value this above all else. People have always noticed you’ll get on your “soapbox” about your craft/profession, and they love that about you. Something about your service offering may be a bit unusual — but whether it’s unusual or not, it’s always high-quality. To get to the next level, you need to deepen the connection with an influential consumer market. You understand that social media is one way to do this, and you’ve made a good start there on your own — now, it’s time to amp it up.
ClickAClass.com Advertisers
Advertisers, you have something important for families or moms (especially in the areas of health, fitness, learning or enrichment) — you just need to reach them on a personal level to deliver it. You’re online and tech-savvy, and looking for a way to tap into the most influential market segment when it comes to consumer health decisions. The arts inspire you, and you want to reach an audience mindful of culture and philanthropy. Perhaps your business is a startup, without a dedicated marketing staff. Or perhaps you’ve grown a bit and have some support, but you’re still looking for the “magic key” to unlock the potential of this market so you can deliver high-quality products or services to them. Either way, you’re looking to make the most of your marketing budget, favoring depth of impact over breadth.
There. I said it.
I’m usually not the gambling type, so it’s scary for me to take this risk — being so open about the people I want to work with. I’m all too aware that some may read this and think, ”well, I guess ClickAClass.com isn’t for me.” I don’t love that thought, because this is about helping as many people as possible. But I’m getting comfortable with it because I understand that those for whom this resonates will be those I can help the most, the fastest, the best.
…And I’m all about being my best — aren’t you?
Tags: advertise, B2B, B2C, children, ClickAClass, consumer, decision, discount, family, fitness, health, instructor, kids, learning, market, mom, provider, save, teacher, time, value, wellness
Aww, thanks so much! I feel the love!
ClickAClass is an amazing site and I am so glad to hear your vision behind it. I think with your dedication and precise vision you will really thrive. Thanks for being so open with all of us.
Jackie D recently posted..Week 35 Weigh In
….And all you other lovelies – - Nona, Angel, Amy, Bri, Mel, Lisa, Marita, Erika, Claire, and Megan — THANK YOU for your support! Talk about reassuring! Votes of confidence from powerhouses like you guys is pure comfort. xoxox
Sue, thanks for validating what some have said is “crazy” marketing. I don’t know a thing about proper marketing, so that can be really intimidating to hear from those who do — but your post makes me feel so much better!
Greg, thanks for the kind response! Loved the Fabeku article, too — and I’m so happy to see that http://www.drumforchange.com is resonating for you and so many others! Love it!
Yay! Congrats on getting super clear; clarity (I’ve come to realize) is a super power. SHAZAM! So it can’t help but awesome up ClickAClass (not that it’s lacking in all that much awesome on its own).
Yours,
Megan
Megan Potter recently posted..I Weigh 235lbs & I’m NOT Fat
Go you! It is a really brave step to take and I’m proud of you! I’m sure not only are you going to get loads more clients because of this; but they are going to fall into alignment with what you’re offering to make your work even more satisfying. I see great things ahead!
Claire recently posted..What do you want from a virtual holiday?
Yowza woman! You rock. Time to roll!
Taking a risk is always a step in the right direction, albeit a bit unnerving. Kudos to you for stepping into your What’s Next, despite the fear!
Marita Rahlenbeck recently posted..You Are Familiar
Jessica.. so good to ask for what you want, say what you need to say, and do it all with authenticity.. I think that’s a beautiful combination and let’s everyone know where you stand and what you have! Let the floodgates open.. it’s a great service!!
Love and blessings, Lisa
http://www.Intuitivebody.com
Simple Sacred Solutions to Living Beautifully In Your Body
This is important to you, so yes, you have to put it out there… Once you say it out loud and get over the initial “oh this is weird” moment, it has a total empowering effect. I am so clear from that blog post about who you are and what you do… it’s crazy! Love it. Keep up the good work.
Mel recently posted..Bliss
I really like that you talk about THREE markets. You seem like a multidimensional person, so why should you limit yourself to just one? There are too many “rules” in marketing for my taste, so your post really speaks to me on that level. And even though you have three different markets, you do a great job of describing your perfect client in each of them. Congrats!
There is something so frightening and yet so freeing about narrowing your focus this way, and it’s all about honouring your core values. You need to work with the people that are your people, and it’s important to understand who you are before you can reach them.
So, after all the worry and vulnerability of publishing this, once it was out there, did you feel relieved?
Hugs and butterflies,
~Teresa~
Teresa recently posted..What’s all this rubbish about “in real life”?
You are totally describing me in the market section Jessica–even though my guy just turned 1! If I was in Atlanta I would be using this service so darn fast…heads would spin! You go girl, put it out, shout it out, and rock out!
Bri Saussy recently posted..Affluence & Assumptions
Way to get honest and clear!! Being vulnerable is a great place to gain trust!! LOVE it!!!
Yeah, I’m with Greg… This is brilliant, Jessica!
Super clear, super on-target. I don’t see any space for wiggle room, which I love! This can’t help but draw that target-market to you….
By the way, I think I fit your ‘readers’ target perfectly
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Woo HOO!! This is wonderful Jessica! I know it’s scary, but that clarity really helps your people know that you are here to help them! I love seeing you step up and offer clear services and parameters for how you help who you help! And YES I DO want to be my best!!! XOXO
Hooray! This is the kind of focus that really sets your intention. By declaring your “be” in the world, you will draw to you the clients who resonate with what you do. It’s not that you’re ignoring the rest.
Fabeku Fatunmise said it fabulously in his blog about “Go Fish” (http://www.fabeku.com/blog/game-of-go-fish/). Essentially it says that if someone doesn’t dig what you’re doing, don’t take it personally. They are simply looking for something else; no big deal. They keep looking for what they need and you keep doing what you do.
I think Simon Sinek has it right: do your thing and those who resonate with you will come AND they’ll stick around. Don’t waste time trying to please EVERYONE; that never works. Create the world YOU want to live in and like-minded people will join you there – online, in class, for dinner…. ;^)
Good for you, Jessica – both for putting yourself out there and for declaring your intentions for Click-a-Class!