The last few years have brought about a lot of retrospection for not only my life as a whole – but my life as a business owner.
I spent a lot of time thinking about all of the different types of brands I have been involved in. I’ve examined the launches that worked, and the ideas that fell flat.
What made each one different? Why were some so successful, and others — not at all.
All of the successful ventures had one thing in common. The flops also had something in common.
As a seasoned entrepreneur, I can confidently say that one of the biggest obstacles that creators and entrepreneurs face when building their brands is being too broad in their focus.
A Case of FOMO
Like many people, I suffered from FOMO (fear of missing out) and felt the need to include multiple topics or products in several of my startups. However, this is a common mistake that can spread an entrepreneur’s energy and time too thin and ultimately lead to failure.
My interests are broad. And I’m speaking about the largest spectrum. Everything from quantum physics to the history of art. It’s fun. But I’m not an expert in many of the areas I have an interest in.
It’s natural to be multi-passionate and interested in a variety of topics. However, when it comes to building a successful brand or business, focusing on one topic or product is crucial. By honing in on one niche, you will better position yourself to be an expert in your field and build a strong, recognizable brand.
Narrow Minded
The benefits of having a narrow focus far outweigh the time and energy that you may exhaust when you don’t hone in on a topic or two. First and foremost, it allows you to put all of your time and energy into one area, which means you can perfect your product or service. By becoming an expert in your field, you’ll be able to provide a unique value to your customers, making them more likely to return to you and recommend you to others.
Secondly, having a narrow focus can make it easier to build your audience. When you have a clear niche, it’s easier to target your ideal customer and build a community around your brand. This community can become a valuable source of feedback, which can help you improve your product and grow your brand.
Finally, being narrow-minded. Okay, I’m having a little bit of fun with that. But having a narrow focus can help you stand out from the crowd. In a world where there are countless brands and products vying for our attention, having a clear focus can help you cut through the noise and be seen by your ideal customer.
By being known for one thing, you’ll be more memorable and more likely to succeed.
Of course, it’s important to choose the right focus for your brand. When deciding on a niche, consider your own strengths and interests, as well as what your target audience wants and needs.
Do your research and make sure there’s a market for your product or service. Once you’ve chosen your niche, stick to it and resist the temptation to broaden your focus.
Where am I Going?
Another important factor to consider is which platform you’ll use to promote your brand. When I started my Bloggy adventure, there were essentially two platforms. Twitter, and Facebook. In today’s digital age, there are countless platforms to choose from, including social media, email marketing, and more. However, spreading yourself too thin across multiple platforms can be just as detrimental as having a broad focus. Instead, choose one platform that best aligns with your brand and your target audience, and focus on building a strong presence there.
For example, if you’re selling a physical product, consider using Instagram to showcase your products and build a community around your brand. If you’re offering a service, LinkedIn might be a better platform for building your professional network and finding clients. By choosing one platform and using it strategically, you’ll be able to build a strong online presence and reach your target audience more effectively.
So keep in mind, being too broad in your focus is a common mistake that can lead to failure in entrepreneurship. FOMO is a powerful force, but it’s important to resist the temptation to include too many topics or products in your startup or brand plan. Instead, choose one niche and one platform to focus on, and put all of your time and energy into perfecting your product and building your brand. By doing so, you’ll become an expert in your field, build a strong community around your brand, and stand out in a crowded market.
Actions to Take:
- Schedule a time that you can spend time alone and review your many different interests.
- Set that time and keep it. It’s a business meeting between yourself and your future.
- At your scheduled time, sit with either pen and paper – or a table/laptop that is not connected to wifi or data.
- Begin making a list of the topics that you can create content on as a source of information or even entertainment.
- Go through your list and remove those that you are not ready to share with the world.
- Now go through your list and remove the items that you know you will not have enough interest in to dedicate a year toward.
- Keep removing items until you come to your top three items.
- Live with those three items for the next week. We’re going to take them and begin working on them after that!
– Tiffany Noth