5 Actions for the Woman Spiritual Leader to Ensure Financial Success….
How many times have you stopped short of telling a client what you thought your spiritual services were worth? How often have you given your spiritual services away because it was considered to be the “spiritual” thing to do? We who deal with services that are considered to be spiritual in nature, it seems to me, have mind-sets to deal with; those of the people we serve, and… our own! When we begin to deal with our own ideas, misconceptions, and beliefs around what our services are worth, we will then be able to better deal with those of the people we serve and minister to.
I will address some of the actions you might take right now to make your practice, service, ministry or whatever you do more profitable. For without financial success, you will have to subsidize your mission with income from other sources.
The following will be useful in the future for you as well.
1. First and foremost is to be crystal clear about what your mission is.
So often we encounter women who want to serve the needs of a broad mix of people; becoming scattered, “fuzzy” about what it is that they do, and fail at getting the message across to the people they want to serve.
2. Identify what it is the people you serve want.
Be objective about your service so that you are not only doing what you love, but what the market wants.
3. Invest in your enterprise.
Your practice, service or ministry needs nurturing. Identify and pay for the services it needs, such as legal, financial, business coaching, and bookkeeping and administrative support.
4. Invest in yourself.
You are your most important commodity. Self-care is a priority. Identify those activities and services that nurture you and replenish your energies. Take courses and seek the advice of mentors who will help you avoid the road blocks, and teach you how to negotiate them when you do encounter them.
5. Take Action!
Be bold and ask for guidance in the way of your intuition, Source, God, Allah, your Guides, and take the first step. Then set sail and leave the harbor. As one of our business mentors declares; “it is easier to course correct than it is to initiate action”.
Many blessings as you travel your road to a successful enterprise or ministry, and a life of assisting the people you serve in transforming their lives!
Ruth
Ruth Reiner is an ordained Interfaith Minister, spiritual counselor, coach, and business mentor.
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February 16th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Ruth, you make good points in regards to the practical issues which present many small business owners. A need waiting to be filled can lead to a clear product vision. Once that vision is born, then comes the branding of the product, how it will garner attention from the target market, and a market price can then be determined.
I see it as being no different for a spiritual leader, whether female or male. We are often times uncomfortable of asking for someone to buy our product, but keep in mind that the buyer has a need to fill and our individual products can do just that. In addition, we tend to undersell ourselves, which is as detrimental to the brand as it is to ourselves. Who wants to purchase something from a salesman who exhudes insecurity instead of confidence.
Speak strongly (passionately, not aggressively), in a knowledgeable but humble fashion, and the transaction will almost naturally take place, as if by it’s own volition.
Consumers want to be told what they want, in a way that makes them feel as it if were their idea all along. How to do that is where the skill comes in. Understand what your market is asking for, fill the need, and then thank them for helping you to make it happen. They’ll keep coming back for more.
It’s kind of like those new Microsoft Windows 7 commercials where the individuals take complete credit for the remake of the operating system to their specifications. A customer heard will feel more vested and will often allow a bit more latitude in the relationship moving forward.
Just a few of my one-sided ramblings. Thank you for your attention. Please come again.
Ashleigh
February 20th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Thanks so much, Ashleigh for sharing your tips. Here what your followers want and responding in kind is a service to them and just plain good business sense! ~Patricia