"I Don't Want to Sound Salesy": What to do if you’re afraid of Selling and waiting on the universe to send you Clients
There is a dangerous myth floating around in heart-centered circles: "If I’m authentic and 'do the work,' the business will naturally attract people without me having to 'sell' or be strategic."
If you believe this, you aren't alone—but you are likely leaving your potential clients in the dark.
When I worked for the Chamber of Commerce, part of my job was to help promote our members' events. It was amazing to me how hard it was to find out what was going on around town. My first assumption was that people would tell the chamber first, knowing that it was a great way to utilize their membership and get publicity without doing any heavy lifting. That never happened. The Chamber Facebook feed was curated to our members and local happenings. Though I scrubbed it daily I still often had a hard time finding information for upcoming sales, promotions and events. Inevitably most places would send me a link or a flyer two days before the event and ask me to help promote it. Even in a small, rural town where people often plan things last minute, two days advance notice is not helpful for a solid promotion strategy. And it’s also not helpful for many people who may be interested in attending, purchasing or supporting your promotion/sale/event.
I found myself sad because many times the events were free food for the homeless, bake sales benefiting school groups or businesses with killer sales. There were so many people who needed and wanted these things but a lack of communicating the offer kept people from finding out about it. Without meaning to, you could be doing the same to your clients.
So many times we wear ourselves out creating a product, course or service and then we forget to share it with other people, leaving ourselves disappointed in the outcome and burnout entirely.
Are you turning business away because you’re afraid to sell?
The local cupcake baker has the best treats in town. She spent a fortune on decorations for her one year in a business bake sale but had very low attendance. She posted about it twice the week of the event but people didn’t see it in time. She now feels disappointed and unsupported by her community.
An online healer gives the most accurate and helpful readings around. She spent a lot of time rebuilding her website and creating a new brand for her business. She launched a course and sent three emails to celebrate. No one bought the course and now she feels discouraged.
Oftentimes we exhaust ourselves on the building, making and creating and we forget that if we don’t share our product or service with others we can’t receive that energy back. (This can also be a very sneaky trick of the ego to keep us hidden and small, so beware!)
Specifically I like to work with heart-centered small business owners who truly wish to make a change in the world. When you’re an empath and a faith-based business it’s very easy to think “I did my best, I prayed over it, and I’m leaving the rest up to God.”
Clients have told me they often just ask God for the money and if he doesn’t send it they decide the business wasn’t for them.
Uhh…have you heard the anecdote where the man is hanging off the side of a cliff asking God to help him? A helicopter flies by and offers the man a hand but he says “no thanks, God will save me.” Then a sailboat comes along and the same thing happens. The guy says “I’m good, God will help me.” The same things happen when a train stops to help the man. Eventually the guy falls off the cliff, dies and goes to heaven. The man is angry at God and asks why he didn't help him. God says, “You idiot. I sent a helicopter, a boat and a train and you refused help every time!”
This is exactly what you are doing when you create something wonderful to share with the world but you fail to market it with intention, strategy and precision. It isn’t about working harder, it's about working smarter and getting more results for the effort you’ve already put in.
Failing to market your business with intention, strategy, and precision is exactly like that man refusing the helicopter. You aren't being "unspiritual" by having a strategy—you are simply accepting the help you’ve been sent to do the work you were called to do.
When Alignment isn't enough
Many spiritual entrepreneurs fall into the trap that the quality of their work or the alignment of their heart is enough to build their business. While I absolutely, positively believe that these things matter and do impact success, I also believe that aligned action must take place as well. We do exist in the 3-D world. Prayer, meditation and energy-work alone won’t get you there. You need alignment + action to move the needle. I’m not saying you have to take toxic bro-marketing to your business, I believe there is a way to market each individual business that feels supportive, nourishing and enriching to you and the lives of those you are here to serve.
Your business is a ministry.
Whether you are selling reiki sessions online or artisan candles in a shop in town, your business is a ministry. As a ministry, you have a duty to be clear, to be visible, and to invite people in. Be clear about where people can purchase your offer, how much it costs and what the next steps are. If you are having a sale, be very clear and simple about communicating it. Make sure you tell people plenty of days (or weeks) in advance so they can plan to buy with you. Communication is key. You wouldn’t text your friend to come over right now with $200 and then be mad when she said she was busy eating with family would you? Then why are you treating your clients that way?
Reframe: Selling is Service
Selling isn't skeezy and it's not annoying to those around you (at least not the right people around you who are your best-fit-client.) Selling is a service and marketing is sharing. You solve a problem for people. Your work is needed in this world. You simply have to share with those who need you most. That is what makes this a ministry.
When you are helping people who need help and solving their problems you are living your purpose and making the world a better place. But that can’t happen if you aren’ t adequately and intentionally sharing, communicating and offering your offer to those who need it most. (Oh hey, that’s marketing!) Marketing is nothing more than welcoming people into the experience you’ve created. It’s a joy and an honor to do so. Keep your heart-centered approach as you share your special gifts with others.
Ready to Share Your Offer with Intention?
You’ve been called to this business for a reason, but you were never meant to carry the weight of it alone, and you certainly weren't meant to keep it a secret.
If you are tired of the "hope-and-pray" marketing strategy and are ready to create consistent, feel-good systems that actually move the needle—without relying on social media—I am here to help.
Join the Slow Marketing Studio©
Let’s get your business the foundation it deserves so you can start serving your people with confidence.
Your ministry is needed—it’s time to share it loudly and clearly.