Do you feel like a fraud in your business? Do you ever wonder why people should or would trust your thoughts and ideas? There are so many amazing bloggers and business savvy people online today, what makes you special? I don’t know about you, but I have struggled with these feelings in the past, and occasionally still do.
Does the doubt tend to rise up as you try and explain why you blog to someone? When asked what you do, do you bashfully say “I write a blog” or “I have an online business”? Do you often feel like the other person just smiles and nods at you to be nice? Well, you are not alone!
BUT, I’M SCARED
We all have these feelings, it’s part of being human, if you don’t have fears, how will you ever grow?
Your feelings are what make your business or blog unique! Sharing how you feel, your passion with your audience is what will set you apart from the crowd.
I don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. I want to be unique and I want my business and blog to be unique. I want to share my experiences, my hardships, my lessons learned with people so they don’t have to do it all by themselves. The best part about having an online business or blog, is that you can relate to so many more people! You’re not limited to finding your target audience in a 50 mile radius.
When you find your target audience, and people that can relate to you, it doesn’t matter how far apart you live.
THEY DON’T GET IT
As a graphic designer and online marketer I often find it easier to tell people I make flyers and websites, then trying to explain the world of online marketing to them. Do you find yourself down playing your blog, saying “Oh, it’s just a hobby” or “it’s something fun I like to do in my free time”? Well, stop it! Just because people don’t understand what you are doing, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be proud of it!
Does your blog pay for your family vacation every year? Or your child’s voice lessons? It doesn’t have to pay all your bills (but if it does, Woo Hoo! Shout it from the rooftops!), if it accomplishes what you want it to, then be proud!
Do you help mothers struggling with breastfeeding on your blog, or teach busy business people how to eat healthy? Just because “regular folk” might not understand why you blog, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be proud of what you do.
Next time someone asks you what you do, hold your head up high and tell them what it accomplishes in your life or others!
WHAT MAKES ME SO SPECIAL
My biggest struggle is feeling, let’s just say it, like a fraud!
There are so many amazing online businesses, or bloggers out there, what makes my blog special? Well, remember earlier, how I told you you’re unique? Every experience you struggled through, jobs you have held, kids or pets in your life are all going to make your blog different from the next.
There are a few social media experts I follow online. For the longest time I compared myself to them, and I thought because I was learning from them, I wasn’t good enough.
But you know what? I am good enough, darn it!
I’ve run Facebook campaigns, and entire business’ social media accounts. I know what I am talking about- mostly. My target audience is small businesses, those mom and pop shops who want an online presence but don’t know where to start.
Those social media experts I follow, you know who their target market is? Me. How can I compare myself to someone whose audience is totally different from mine? If those social media experts were talking to the mom and pop shops, do you think those small businesses would understand the jargon and advanced concepts? Would either of them be successful? Probably not.
Your experiences, your target audience and your voice make your business and your blog unique. That is what makes you special, that is why people will want to listen to what you have to say. You’re speaking to them.
BE YOUR BEST YOU
Finding a business or blog that makes you happy, and allows you to be yourself, can help you overcome your fears. When you speak to your audience in terms they understand, you have become an authority on the topic to them. That makes you special.
The people you try to explain your “job” to might not get it, but are they your target audience? No? Then who cares!
We all have fears. Use those fears, and your knowledge to create something helpful for people just like you, all over the world.
10 Steps To Go From Hours Of Code To Development-Free Design
