You’ve done it. You’ve finally completed your product and can’t wait to share it with the world. You know, as soon as people see it, they will love it. You announce the launch of your new product, excited to see where this new venture will take you, and...crickets. So what’s the problem? Why doesn’t your product have the reach you hoped for? It may not be hashtags, the time of day you posted about it on social media, or even the filter you used on the product photo. The most likely culprit is your business message. If you haven’t taken the time to craft a clear message, you’re not alone. Writers, entrepreneurs, and ministry leaders often struggle to write a clear business message.

A Clear Business Message Can Boost Your Reach

Have you taken the time to make sure your business message is clear and compelling? Many brands haven’t. You may ask, “But Cathy, shouldn’t my product do all the talking? I didn’t get into this business to write slogans or catchphrases.” I know, I know, but hear me out...How could your life look if you doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled your revenue? What other products could you launch? How would that ease your life financially? Could you expand your business?

Just imagine it for a moment. I promise you it’s possible and a clear and compelling business message will help get you there. With a clear business message, you’ll begin to attract customers. And not just any customers, the ones who need you most—those who struggle with the exact problem that your brand addresses. When they come into your sales funnel, they’ll stay, develop trust with you, and even make a purchase.

With a Clear Business Message, Your Customer Will Listen

If you’re like me, you’ve been working your business for years. You’ve invested time, energy, sweat, and tears—changing and evolving it into something better, but still, the customers aren’t showing up. It should be easier to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. I get it. That’s why you need a clear and compelling business message. Author and business leader, Donald Miller says “People buy things because they hear or read words that make them want to buy things. Words matter”. And I’ve seen that truly translate into business success. When I focused on my business message by implementing a few key strategies, it strengthened my narrative and I was amazed at the results.

People started coming to me and asking me for help. Instead of losing sleep and wondering how I was going to generate revenue to keep my business afloat, I started contributing to my family financially. And you can too. You don’t have to keep wondering what to say online or in your emails. Instead, you can start feeling confident with your message and rejuvenate your energy for your business. When you’re energized about what you do and can communicate it clearly, your customers will listen.

A Clear Business Message Makes Customers Excited to Make a Purchase

In the past, I struggled as a writer and resource creator. I would read countless articles about the best places to advertise my product or how many Instagram posts I needed per week to help boost my reach. Sure, I would gain a follower here or there, but it wasn’t affecting my business revenue at all. I would listen to business podcasts all the time, trying to figure out what to do. One day I stumbled across a leadership podcast where Donald Miller was introduced as the guest. He shared the 7-part StoryBrand framework and I was hooked. I immediately started to implement some of what I learned, then decided to pursue more formal training with StoryBrand. I clarified my message and started to see results right away. Within three months, I saw a sizeable increase in sales and have since quadrupled my revenue, which continues to climb.

I can almost hear what you’re saying, “Okay Cathy, that’s all good and great for you. But how can I do this for MY business???” Believe me, I know how it feels to pour your heart and soul into something and not see any results. I knew I wanted to help others achieve the same success I’ve experienced. That’s why I’ve become a StoryBrand Certified Guide and a Business Made Simple Certified Coach. I want nothing more than for your business to thrive and I want to help you get there.

How to Develop a Clear Message

Here are a few quick pointers that will make your potential customers excited to buy from you:

Start with the problem

Think of the movies you see and the books you read. No story really gets interesting until a problem arises. You’ll pique your customers’ interest when you show them you understand their problem and offer a product or service to help. When you can identify with their struggle, they’ll start to see you as a trusted source of assistance.

As long as you continue talking about their problem, you’ll hold their interest and they’ll be more likely to engage. This is why infomercials are so effective. You know, the dramatic ones where all the plastic food containers fall down in an avalanche on top of their head, or when they just can’t open that bottle of nail polish, and when they finally get it, it goes flying everywhere and splatters all over the bathroom. Infomercials address a specific problem and you can do the same (but without the overwhelming amount of cheesiness, please).

Share a plan

Okay, you’ve made sure your customer knows you understand their problem. Now you’re going to tell them how easy it is to move toward the solution you offer. Give them a plan to follow in 3 simple steps. People don’t take action until they’re shown a clear plan. If you had to cross a rapidly flowing river, you’d probably turn the other way. I know I would. But if someone showed me three flat stepping stones that I could use to get across, I’d give it a try. Going back to our infomercial reference, here is an example of a 3-step plan: Plastic food containers are falling on your head every time you open a cabinet?? No problem!

Throw your old plastic food containers in the recycle pile.
Purchase our new system that nests together so there’s never an avalanche!
Live your best life! You’ll never have a headache from plastic food containers falling on your head.

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Detail the benefits and consequences

Now you’re going to tell them what’s at stake if they DON’T buy from you and how great their life will be if they DO. For example, if this were a plastic food container infomercial, this is how the story would unfold: Mom opens the cabinet door and plastic food containers go flying everywhere. 3 year old and baby come into the kitchen and the 3-year-old steps on one of the plastic food containers and it breaks into pieces! Baby thinks little pieces of broken plastic look pretty fun and tasty. Baby could cut himself or worse - choke on the little plastic pieces.

If only she had the plastic food containers that nested within each other you would never experience these dangerous avalanches. You’d have no risk of related injuries and enjoy a perfectly happy and safe family forever. It’s a fairytale ending. Well, maybe not, but you get the point.

You want to show your customer the success you’ll help them achieve and the failure you’ll help them avoid.

Clarify Your Business Message & Boost Your Reach

Whew. That was a wild ride through plastic food container land. You may have even forgotten this is a post about creating a clear and compelling business message because you got so wrapped up in the story. It just goes to show you that story is a powerful sense-making device. Use it to your advantage!

All infomercial kidding aside, the bottom line is this: Implementing a clear message changed my business and my life and I would love to see it do the same for you. I understand that many business owners struggle to craft a clear, compelling message. By starting with these three points, you will improve your brand narrative and boost your reach.

If you’d like additional information, I encourage you to read Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller . It’s a game-changer. At the very least, I invite you to listen to this podcast episode. Then let me know what you think! When upstanding, genuinely helpful businesses share what they do in a clear and succinct way, the world will become a better place. By using the power of words, you can literally transform the lives of your customers. In turn, they’ll help others do the same.

Never underestimate the value of what you do, my friend. And write a message that conveys it well. I believe in you.

How a Clear Business Message Can Boost Your Reach