How to Find a Niche when Starting a Holistic Brand

How to Find a Niche When Starting a Holistic Brand

HOW TO FIND A NICHE WHEN STARTING A HOLISTIC BRAND

Article: Angel Quintana
Photo: Dasha & Mari

One of the biggest hurdles when starting a holistic brand is to unlock the mystery behind finding a niche. However, one of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to FIND a niche when in actuality you need to create one.

Creating a niche means you'll need to have your signature system in place so you are crystal clear as to the problem you solve, who you solve it for, your marketing plan, and so forth.

Having a holistic brand means you desire to be recognizable in the market place. This include a strong brand identity, voice, signature product and programs, and the secret sauce: to add a luxury appeal to your brand. It's easy to get lost in the mix with all the artificial products on the market that merely supply a quick fix or worse... aggravate the problem even more.

As a holistic brand you must take considerable measures to reinvent the wheel, create a strong personal brand, and speak to your audience as if you are speaking directly to them. Here are a few suggestions when trying to find a niche:

Suggestion #1:
Niche Your Product Down

As Veruca Salt said candidly in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, "I want it now!" If you're looking for a niche, the fastest and easiest way to find what you're looking for right now is to create one. This means you'll need to break down what makes your product or service different and then decide what type of person needs it.

Being clear on what you sell is the most important part of your business, for if you sell something that no one wants or the market is monopolized with big businesses who can wipe you out of the market with a hefty marketing budget your efforts will be all for nothing. However, when you stop looking for the golden ticket and instead create a niche, your odds become much better.

Create a niche that serves a niche market. For example, you might sell a fitness program that is the bees knees, but let's be honest, there are a zillion of those! So instead, what about gearing the fitness program to brides-to-be who want to have the best looking triceps for that strapless wedding gown! While the program will still provide an overall fitness program, the niche is pairing down the product to solve a specific need.

Suggestion #2:
Identify Your Niche Market

Creating a niche and identifying your niche market are two separate component. A niche has to do with your products and your niche market is the ideal customers who would be interested in purchasing your product. If after you've discovered what makes your product different and you're still left scratching your head as to who your niche market is try taking a deeper look into who YOU are.

It's a good chance that the reason you got into this holistic business was to help yourself initially. Most holistic businesses got into helping others with a problem they finally figured out how to solve for themselves. In this case, your ideal customer is actually YOU a couple years ago, or what I refer to as your Kismet Client™. Your niche market is merely a circle of kismet clients who are probably hanging out together trying get their problem solved. Identify the characteristics of this person and you're sure to uncover who you niche market is.

If you are able to do these two things, you will be well on your way to finding success in your holistic business.

Bonus Tip:
Use the Luxury Business Model

Using a luxury business model to enhance your holistic brand will set you apart from the majority of the competition because most businesses are trying to sell to the masses. When you niche your product and market down, what you are actually doing is embracing the Luxury Business Model! When you do this, you can charge more for you products and programs-- when you do this you position your holistic brand as superior.

A luxury business model is all about customer service, providing premium products, and never compromising quality ever. If you use this bonus tip when creating your niche products, you're be ready to break six figures and beyond in no time.

What is a Signature System and Does Your Business Need One

What is a Signature System?

WHAT IS A SIGNATURE SYSTEM AND DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED ONE

Article: Angel Quintana
Photo: Dasha & Mari

If you've never heard the term signature system before then listen up because it's the secret sauce to creating a niche in your holistic business. Most new business owners start out with an idea and immediately jump to creating a website where their business will hopefully generate traffic, and alas... income.

However, skipping steps when creating a business is a sure strategy to sending you back to the drawing board once the business doesn't take off as you hoped. A signature system can set your business up for success in many ways:

A Signature System Knows How to Solve an Urgent Problem

It isn't enough to have a product or service that simply solves a problem-- with all industries becoming more and more saturated, you must stand out, and not only that you not only need to solve a problem, it needs to be urgent.

Most people when spending time Googling their problem are trying to find solutions they can implement immediately. They have a burning desire to find the answer, which is why they went to Google in the first place. Even if they aren't necessarily looking to purchase something at that very instant, you'd be shocked to learn how many browsers accidentally found more than they hoped to find and became instant customers. That's because they got sucked into a "system" that solved their problem.

A Signature System Helps You Create Niche

Most entrepreneurs are out there like Dorothy with her little ruby slippers looking to find their way back home. Turns out it's all in the perception. If you stopped looking for a niche and instead, decided to create one out of the sky, you're that much more ahead of the rest. 

For instance, a fitness instructor decides wrap up her expertise in an ebook to share with her customers she's discovered a system that slims down thighs in 30 days. She then goes to create the ebook and throw up a sales page to begin marketing her holistic business. But, what she didn't realize was she was one in a zillion other fitness instructors who wrote an ebook on slimming down thighs. Guess what? Back to the drawing board.

You see creating a niche can be extremely difficult until you understand what differentiates you from all the other businesses that sell something similar. When you know exactly what makes you different, creating a niche to serve your market is easy breezy.

A Signature System is Measurable

If you had an urgent problem, wouldn't you like to know how long it would take to fix the problem? With a signature system, you have figured out just how long that will take. It's part of the system.

If you knew that your product was a 6-week course that got you beautifully glowing skin, your ideal customer is going to be a lot less likely to ask for their money back after 2 weeks when her skin doesn't glow like the sun. Being measurable not only rests your customers mind, it also requires them to invest the time and dedication to solving the problem.

When it's measurable, it also makes writing copy for your website, landing or sales pages a lot easier. Imagine breaking down your system day by day, week by week, or even year by year to show your ideal customer exactly how it's done.

If you've been thinking about rebranding or starting a holistic business, starting with a signature system is going to take a lot of the heavy lifting and head scratching questions out of the scenario. This way you can better focus your time and energy on tackling each of the items on your to-do list in an efficient and effective manner.

If you think you have a signature system, but are not quite sure,  you merely need to ask yourself these questions:

• Do you know your niche?
• Do you know how to solve an urgent problem?
• Do you know how to create a product or service to solve the urgent problem?
• Do you know how to market your product or service?
• Are you generating income on a regular basis?

If you have answered I don't no or a plain NO to any of these questions, it's a good chance your signature system has not been established. The success of your holistic business is dependent on your signature system and if you're not attracting new customers on a daily basis, it might be time to hit the pause button and find someone to help you discover your signature system.

Why a Luxury Business Model will Set Your Business Up for Success

Luxury Business Model

WHY A LUXURY BUSINESS MODEL WILL SET YOUR BUSINESS UP FOR SUCCESS

Article: Angel Quintana
Photo: Dasha & Mari

As the holistic industry grows, the more the market becomes saturated with fitness coaches, nutritional consultants, holistic health practitioners, sound healers, and yes, even holistic business coaches. To standout in a saturated market can appear to be difficult, but I assure you, it's easier than you think.

You and I both know, "The Universe delivers, every time no exceptions" but when it comes to marketing a holistic business, you need not pray or meditate to  have a profitable business. Instead, you must merely look at your business through a luxury business model. Let me show you how.

Step#1
Create a Signature System

Discovering your signature system is the most sacred piece of marketing you'll ever encounter in your business. So what is a Signature System anyway? Firstly, a signature system goes way beyond just how you will solve the problem. In fact, that is just the beginning. If you sell a skincare system to solve acne, your signature system might include all the steps to achieving beautiful skin, which might even include yoga, diet, and of courses, your products.

However, your signature system also has to do with your marketing system or action plan. It could be that your system requires blogging, advertising, sharing a weekly webisode, or hosting monthly tele-classes. The bottom line is you must have a signature system if you want to set you holistic business up for success from the get-go.

Step #2
Create a Stylish Brand

Sure, there is tons inexpensive platforms (or even free ones) to build out your website, you can even purchase a cheesy logo for $5 if you want on Fiverr.com. But that won't make your business stand out and it most definitely won't help you find higher quality customers. When you think of your business like a luxury business, you start expecting more from yourself and your ideal customers. This is when you business starts to change... for the better.

You see, the internet is saturated with TONS of information, products, and yes, even inexpensive products that claim to get the job done. Well, you didn't acquire all those certifications, classes, and years of experience overnight, and you probably invested a pretty penny to be the BEST at what you do. So why would you go chinzy on the branding?

Branding is the way to set your holistic business apart from the other kinds of businesses out there. Treat your business like a luxury business by investing in a good website designer, designer packaging, a beautiful logo, business card, and more. 

Step#3
Find the Right Publicity

This is where I see a lot of entrepreneur go wrong. They think by gracing the pages (or cover) of any so-called-magazine that this gives them press. It might give you an ounce of publicity, but it doesn't mean it's good press. When someone asks you to guest blog on their site or co-host a webinar or even participate in a tele-summit, saying "yes" to these opportunities comes with a price-- and it's not a cheap price tag.

What I mean is while you can get FREE publicity by saying Yes to nearly every opportunities handed to you with the hopes of increasing your visibility and brand awareness, what you're really doing is compromising your brand by showing up on less-than-fab media platforms. 

Even if a PR person contacts you to compliment you and butter you up by saying you're the next IT girl in your niche, don't let your head get in the clouds. Stay grounded. Remember, media people are great salesman, and unless it's a credible source (just take a look at their website), saying no to that opportunity will save you in the long wrong.

Finding the right publicity to promote your holistic business is essential to your success. Saying "yes" to everything and everyone shows a lack of brand integrity. Know what you stand for, develop your brand with a branding expert, and never forget that you got into business to make money-- when you are a luxury holistic business, you just wiped out your competition. It is then you become known in your niche and the right publicity shows up at your doorstep-- without the hefty price tag and without a cheesy website. To learn more about increasing sales online, join The Club.

Luxury Brand Building: Altering the Myths & Meaning

LUXURY BRAND BUILDING: ALTERING THE MYTHS & MEANING

Luxury Brand Building

Article by Tamisha Ford
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #22

Recently, when browsing Pinterest (one of my favorite things to do), I saw a pin that said something to the tune of "I'd rather have simplicity than luxury." 

To be honest, it bothered me. Why can't we have both?  I'm a paradox girl, so saying "either/or" to me is dangerous. I'll figure out a way to have both. 

Ever since I saw that pin, I've wanted to put my two cents out there about the statement, because I do think it's a misconception that luxury and simplicity are mutually exclusive. 

So what is the myth? The myth is that luxury = complicated. That luxury is somehow bad or that only difficult, high-maintenance people like luxury – that it’s only effective or influential if it’s overly diverse.

All myths.

To me, luxury is simplicity, so I don't understand the connotation. If we look at luxury brands, what do they and every one of their websites do best? They're clean, usually black and white, and have an extremely simple menu of options to navigate. What is more simple than two colors, 5-8 parent categories to navigate, and the most recent lookbooks or collections they have to offer?

Nada in my books. Luxurious branding is simple branding. Chandeliers are exquisite and intricate, yet hover gracefully in one spot.

So what does this myth mean for our businesses now that we know this? I put together a couple of things I've learned:

1 :: You can be extremely influential with a simple business model.

Anyone who knows Angel Quintana knows that she does things just a cut outside the mainstream. Signature System™ anyone? This was an attractive concept to me, because I had always been one of those entrepreneurs who bought into the 25-different-coaching-packages-and-services-model.  Maybe you can relate. It's utterly overwhelming when you're starting out to try to follow that business model. It's like we set ourselves up to fail before we even start! 

I'm not saying this method doesn't still work for a whole lot of people - I believe it does. I'm just saying that, if we believe luxury doesn't equal complication, then we can be okay with being unconventional and not having to do 25 coaching packages and maybe even enjoy our work that much more. 

2 :: You can intensely influence the niche you’re creating by embracing the "both and" of paradox instead of the tyranny of "either/or". 

To clarify, I'm merely suggesting that I believe entrepreneurs should start honoring themselves and the way they work as much as their clients - to start asking "how do I want to work with my clients and this business" instead of leaving yourself out of the equation. What's more luxurious and simple than building sustainably

3 Powerful Ways To Grow Your Personal Brand

3 POWERFUL WAYS TO GROW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Grow Your Personal Brand

Article by Elizabeth Kelsey Bradley
Photo Credit: Hailley Howard
Magazine: Issue #21

Strong personal brands take time to grow, but the great news is that if you are looking to start or grow your business, now is the best time to start! 

With the power of social media, blogging, newsletters, guest posting, and countless other ways to target the people that resonate with your vibe and message ( as well as of course services and products) you can expand your personal brand like never before.

Here are my top tips for spreading your personal brand like wildfire and setting the net ablaz.

Nail Presentation

Before you begin promoting yourself, you need to really nail how your website + branding. Presentation is king, contrary to what other people may tell you. Yes, content is a huge, huge part of growing a personal brand and business, but presentation ( design, photography, copywriting too) need to be strong. 

You don’t need to spend a ton on rebranding. You can certainly do it yourself using Squarespace ( and maybe enrolling Stellar Website if you need training) or hire an affordable designer. The key here is to know yourself and who you serve as this is what needs to be in place before you do anything.

Position Yourself

Expanding upon presentation, the next crucial element to growing a personal brand is positioning. Who are you associated with? What companies have you worked with? Any well­known figures in your niche? Any guest posting gigs worth mentioning?

Anything that will set you apart and also differentiate you plus give you credibility should be mentioned in your sidebar, media kit, and media page, as well as even your about page. Be honest, and be real here. No need to over-inflate nor to take away from your accomplishments or associations. 

Benefits Benefits Benefits

You want your brand to spread? Tell your readers and potential customers/clients how you can serve them like none other. How you’re devoted to uplifting them, encouraging them, serving them. Focus in your copywriting on the benefits they will receive from working with you. Go deep with this stuff.

7 Steps to a Purposeful and Profitable Brand in the New Year

7 STEPS TO A PURPOSEFUL & PROFITABLE
BRAND IN THE NEW YEAR

Purposeful & Profitable Brand

Article by Yetunde Taiwo
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #20

It’s official we have stepped into the era of total SELF PROMOTION. These 7-steps help you get clear on what your value offer is to others. Realize that your AUTHENTICITY is what will make you stand out.

1| IDENTIFY YOUR PURPOSE

Purpose is almost always about others. There are many ways to identify your purpose. I find that it usually comes from one of these 4 experiences: Passion, Pain, Promise or Opportunity. Once you have zoned in on your purpose, you should identify who would value it and how to reach them etc.

2| TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT

Image goes a long way in making a first impression. Invest in a professional shoot. A good shoot with a good photographer will be able to capture the real you that expresses your purpose. Your image includes all visual collateral that will be a part of your brand image.

3| CREATE YOUR IMAGE REP. A.K.A. LOGO

Nike did it best. Their representative is the all too famous swoosh. Your logo is your representative in the brand world. If you pay $5 for a logo, you’ll get a $5 worthy logo. Invest in a customized design that speaks to the value you offer and the audience you are targeting. Invest in your representative.

4| CONTENT

Your verbiage is an integral part of this process. Be clear and direct about the value you offer. Understand what emotional triggers your value taps into, develop your biography, website content, advertising copy with that in mind. Be clear, concise and engaging.

5| MARKET AND PUBLICIZE THE VALUE YOU OFFER

When you’re convincing your friends to go out with you, or telling them how awesome your new shampoo or hair stylist is, that is well under marketing and pr. You already have years of practice doing this. Now you have to do it consciously. Pick 2 main platforms and build relationships where you can share why your purpose is valuable to them.

6| SOCIALIZE AND MEET THE WORLD WHERE THEY ARE

Now more than any ever in our history, you literarily have access to the world. That power that social media has offers must be viewed as an opportunity. You can reach the lives of many people with how you can make their lives better. Build friendships across the world and capitalize on the power of social media to share your purpose.

7| MONETIZE YOUR VALUE 

Your purpose can create financial freedom for you and your family. You have to make a commitment to it  and put in the work required to generate revenue with a personal brand (writing, speaking, motivating, selling information products etc).  Always remember your why. WHY DO YOU HELP OTHERS? 

Your brand will evolve overtime, and possibly your purpose. Keep learning and connecting to how you can be of benefit to others. 

What are You Known For? Everybody's Got Their Something

WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR?
EVERYBODY'S GOT THEIR SOMETHING

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Rose Jane
Magazine: Issue #19

Everybody's Got Their Something

We spend an awful lot of time and energy trying to find our own brilliance and the hidden talents that make us special and give us value.  As Nikka Costa sings, “Everybody got their something.”

Brilliance

Genius

Talent

Some get to find their ‘something’ early in life and the quest is about perfecting it while others struggle with breaking out of prescribed comfort zones to take steps and make discoveries toward It (the WHAT that we accomplish).  We become known for It and then, if we’re lucky, we receive ribbons, prizes, money and more!  Really, it begins as an essence that radiates outward for which no golden guy is ever given. 

Essence is energy.

Energy is transferrable.

Energy transforms.

We are energetic beings.

Let’s stop letting our linear mind complicate things.  Now. 

What a waste of energy it is to search and search in order to GET something or an outcome when you can take that energy and put it into creating fundamental interactions that bring more of this brilliance TO you and, therefore, the right outcomes for you?

We’re talking about finding our own brilliance by way of “like attracting like.”  Search for it in others, surround yourself in that appreciation of the simplest of somethings, and yours is/are easier to find.  See?  It’s a magnetic field that you create just by being energetically engaged.

Here’s an exercise to include in your day-to-day activities with every person you encounter.  The person you pass on the street.  The clerk at the store.  The mail carrier.  Someone ahead of you in line.

1| Stop all thoughts and judgment.  Take a breath and center in this moment.

2| Just look at the person.  Observe them for a moment, quickly.  What is the ONE unique thing about them that you can say is unique, interesting, special.  Another way to look at this is: what is the thing about them radiates?

Kind eyes

Warm energy

The swift way they relate to a problem

Their thoroughness

Sound of their laugh

Animated hands when they speak

3| Don’t put them into a category or type.  Energetic beings have no title, rank, nationality, color.  When you find yourself doing so, go back to that quality in Step 2.  

4| If they make eye contact with you, smile.  Oh, what the heck… even if they don’t make eye contact, smile; smiles are energetic blessings.

The simplest things will speak to you. 

The Dao of You: The Road, The Path and The Essence of Your Authentic Self

THE DAO OF YOU: THE ROAD, THE PATH
AND THE ESSENCE OF YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF

The Dao of You

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #18

In Chinese philosophy, The Dao (Tao) is The Way. Your Dao says everything about who you are, how you live your life and how you do business. 

The Road to Self

In the literal sense, Dao means “road” which is the most physical interpretation of this ancient philosophy. What’s the road you travel daily? Do you have a routine that includes good sleep hygiene, a healthy diet, exercise, meaningful relationships and some kind of spiritual practice? 

Your authentic self needs the structure of a well-built highway to thrive. Are you a Maserati driving on a dirt road, or zooming down the Autobahn? Patch any potholes in your life so you can thrive.

The Path of Transformation

The Dao is also the Path. It’s the journey that leads you from where you begin in this life to your final destination. Has your journey been Easy Street, a little bumpy, or like climbing Everest? 

As pressure turns sand into a diamond, likewise, the journey you travel helps to hone your personal story. There are many ways to tell a story, however, it is when you learn to tell your story from a place of power that you can empower others. 

Do you share your personal story in your business? Your path can be a great gift to your clients. Your ideal client is attracted to you because she sees a version of herself in your journey from a more fractured self to wholeness. 

The Essence of Authenticity

At the deepest level, your Dao is who you are at your center, a combination of your core values and spiritual beliefs. When you live and lead from the place of your highest calling you are able to generate transformation, in your own life and in the lives of those around you. 

This level is energetic and about fully coming into your being.  Knowledge of who you are – your authentic self – is required to live at this level. Do you know your highest values? Are you living and working each day in service to those? If not, hire a coach, get clear and use your precious life force to live from this place. 

The quality of your energy (chi, prana or The Force to Star Wars fans) and how it flows through your life is critical. Do you engage in activities that raise your energy, like time in nature, viewing art or listening to uplifting music? Are your home and office supportive spaces? Are you committed to a spiritual practice? A life of integrity and authenticity is high vibration. Up yours.

Find your way, your Dao. Get yourself on the road, the path and the essence of you. You, and your clients, deserve the most authentic you.