Are You Marketing From a Place of Motivation or Desperation

Today, I want to focus on where you’re running your business from. What I mean by this is, are you making business decisions from a place of desperation or motivation?  

There is a crucial difference between being motivated and being desperate. Whether it’s in terms of getting clients, increasing your income, or reaching some other goal you’ve set for yourself. It’s important that you understand the difference of whether you’re staying in a desperation mindset or staying motivated; because whether this is driving your marketing or any other business decision, knowing and adjusting this starting point is what will make the difference between what works and what doesn’t.  

So let’s look at some key differences…  

WHEN YOU’RE DESPERATE you say ‘yes’ when you should say ‘no’.  

You do not need every single client that walks in the door or makes a phone call, but for a lot of therapists who are struggling to build a business, it’s hard to say no. Whether that’s someone wanting in on your off time or someone reaching out for you to work an event, remember to focus on what you want for your business in the long run.  

WHEN YOU’RE MOTIVATED you keep your boundaries.  

It’s easier to say no when you can look objectively at whether you’ll see a true benefit from it. Do you really want clients who think they deserve extra time at no charge, or think you should stay past your normal hours to accommodate them? Probably not! So why would you ever allow that behavior to start? Stop thinking if you accommodate these people they’ll become great clients. While they may keep spending money with you, that’s most definitely not what makes a great client. Respect is. And when a client respects you, they not only spend their money with you, but they don’t try to push your boundaries. Keep those boundaries and say no when you need to. It’s one of the most empowering things you can do for your business.  

WHEN YOU’RE DESPERATE you focus on the short-term benefit.  

While it can be easy to get trapped into this or that next greatest thing that is going to boost your business, most of these may only give you a short-term fix. But do they really fit your long-term goals? While a last-minute client may give you a revenue boost this week, do they fit your ideal clientele that you’re trying to build? Or would that hour be better spent reaching out to those ideal clients so you can gain one or more for recurring revenue down the road?  

WHEN YOU’RE MOTIVATED you focus on the long-term goals.  

In the last few months, I’ve turned down several offers that could have benefited my business, but didn’t quite fit my larger goals. While I could have seen some benefits, and a boost in short-term revenue, I knew if I spent that time and money focused instead on the big picture for my business, it would pay off 10-fold in the long run. And the long run is where it matters. If you’re constantly focused on the short-term, you’ll never be able to sit back and enjoy your business, because you’re constantly trying to get those short-term fixes just to stay afloat.  

So, are you acting out of motivation or desperation today?