I’m so excited about this week’s podcast episode. We’re talking about how to market yourself without feeling salesy. This is something that our students ask and talk about – that gross feeling they get when they’re trying to market their business. So, I wanted to talk about how we can transform your clients’ lives, feel confident in your offers and what marketing without feeling salesy looks like! No matter if you’re a product-based business, service-based business, or something else, I hope this episode will be helpful for you!

#1: Focus on Solving their Problems

One of the first things that you can do to learn how to market yourself without feeling salesy is focus on solving your clients’ problems. Think about who your ideal client is and what their problems/pain points are. Once you know what those are, think about what you do or offer solves those problems. For example, when I was a photographer, the obvious problem I was solving was that couples needed wedding photos. But, I want you to take it a step further. With more digging, I came to realize that I was best suited to help clients who wanted an organized photographer who was proactive and would help them plan and create an experience.

So I encourage you to think a bit harder than the first surface answer that comes to mind. If you’re new in your business, make sure you’re asking people WHY they want to work with you or need you. This will help you understand the deeper problem you’re solving. You can also Google ideas, look at Facebook groups, and your messages to figure out what problems you’re solving or can solve for your ideal clients.

How does this help with sales?

Okay, so why does knowing the problems you’re solving help you market without feeling salesy? Because when you know their pain points, you can naturally come in with a solution for those ideal clients. You can also incorporate the problems into your actual marketing or presentation of a product. It’s not saying “here’s why you should buy from me or why I’m so awesome.” Instead, it’s getting down and asking them like what do they need help with, and then genuinely sharing about how you provide that solution.

There’s a few practical ways to do this. First, show up and give away free value. This is how we come up with a lot of our content ideas. I looked at what people struggled with and brought free content with lots of value to them via my blog or YouTube videos. This shows that I’m trustworthy, credible, and know my stuff. Then, I more naturally become an expert in that topic.

Another way is when you’re 1:1 with a client or on a webinar (or something similar), provide very focused solutions to the problems they’re having. Ask them right away what they’re looking for and determine quickly if you can provide what they need. When we do webinars, I’m spending 30-45 minutes solving one specific problem my ideal client has. When I share the offer by the end, it makes sense because it’s the next, deeper steps of that solution. By then, they trust me and know that I know what I’m talking about. It feels less salesy because you’re simply providing solutions to the problem you know they’re having.

#2: Storytelling

Another way to market without feeling salesy is to be a storyteller. Storytelling in your content or how you talk to clients can change how you market. Stories are super powerful. Whether you’re sharing a clients’ story or your own, you can show how whatever you do changes lives. If you can show that you relate and you understand, you’re creating connections with your audience. Creating a story around the products and solutions is a great way to market without ever having to say “go buy this thing”. We love telling stories in our emails to our email list. It’s a great way to share the process (PS. We LOVE Flodesk – start using it for 50% off with this link!).

#3: Share Your Client Transformations

The third thing that’s helpful to market without being salesy is sharing testimonials. This is so powerful because you’re sharing from your client’s perspective of what it’s like to work with you or use your products. I think this is the best point out of the three I’m sharing today. Because, at the end of the day, I can tell you why what I created is great, right? But for someone else to say it’s powerful? That’s gold.

Take your reviews, testimonials, DMs, ratings, comments… whatever it is that makes sense for you and share it. Ask permission from whoever gave the review, but being able to share someone else’s words about your products or services is amazing. I’ve found that when I share this feedback in webinars or live launches, we convert way better. It’s powerful to share these testimonials. When I was a wedding photographer, I actually asked couples to create a video about working with me and made a private video I could share with future couples. It was so much fun!

Now you’ve got three new ways to market your business without feeling salesy! What else do you want to learn about? If you’re listening and you have ideas about what to talk about next, please send in your requests! I really do want to know what you want to hear about in future episodes. Email me at [email protected] with your questions!! I can’t wait to hear from you! Don’t forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, too. We appreciate all of the support and love