How do you find your audience?

This question was the top vote-getter in a poll I posted last week in my Creative Fire Women Entrepreneurs group.

So audience is clearly on your minds! And for good reason - finding our audience is the reason we're in business, right? And a big reason we write - every story needs an audience!

Here's the thing about audience for me, though: finding my audience always begins with finding MYSELF.

This means I must get clear on my message and purpose first. Without these things, there is no audience, just passers-by.

So how do you find yourself, your message, and purpose? I'm glad you asked. This actually is a BIG question, and one that I've built my business around. Here's a good place to start:

Think about what makes you stand out from others in your field.

What makes you unique? When you're clear on this and you know it deep inside your bones, it's easier to communicate what you do – and for clients to find you.

I'll offer myself as an example. After several years of trial and error, I'm pleased that people are now associating me with the words "WRITING" and "STORY."

This clarity is something I've built over time. I love this because it applies to equally well to my marketing communications services, and the memoir coaching I offer.

How do I know people associate me with these words? I ask my clients. When I ask what drew them to me, almost every single one says she liked what I share on my website about STORYTELLING.

So what about YOU? What word or words do you want people to associate with you?

Get clear on that, then get the word out there – CONSISTENTLY.

Consistency is key. Often we worry that repeating ourselves makes us sound like a broken record. But consider this: The average person needs to hear a message seven times before it sinks in. Repetition helps people imprint information on their brains.

So I encourage you to do some introspection and get clear on yourself first. Then your audience will find you, like a lighthouse beaming in the darkness.

Are you standing at the edge of your story? If you need a guiding light to help you step inside it, I’m here.

* * * * *

I'm Kim Evans, and I work with women who are leaving the corporate world to start their own creative or wellness practice, or who've been in business for awhile and are ready to take their website and message to the next level.
 
Here’s what I have coming up: I have 2 openings this fall for new clients. If this is a good time for you, hit reply or click here to shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send you more information.

Do you know a creative woman entrepreneur who would enjoy this blog? You have my full permission to share it with her!

Are you on Instagram? Click here to follow me, join the fun, and get behind-the-scenes glimpses of Kim Evans Studio (including my pets, plants, and passion for hiking)!

​I’m writing from my back porch today.
My cat is next to me, sleeping.

Birds are chirping. Insects buzzing.

I love the sounds of late summer, but they also make me wistful.

These are the waning days of summer.
This time of year is always bittersweet.
Saying goodbye to summer is never easy.
Endings are always hard.
 


This wistful tone has me thinking about vulnerability.


You hear people talking about it all the time – in the marketing world, on talent shows, and in books.



Give us MORE.
Show us who you REALLY are.



And this may feel like a whole lot of pressure.

 You don’t want to overexpose yourself. You don’t need to make a spectacle of your life.



Yet, you’re also curious: what does vulnerability look like for you? How do you get there?
 


Here's one thing I know:


From life’s ashes always comes a gift of perspective.
 Challenging times, turning points, and loss are portals to our truth.
 And our truth contains healing medicine for ourselves and others.
 


You have an opportunity to transform your pain into power.
 How to do this?
 Start by sharing your story. 
Your story is healing medicine.
 Your audience is waiting for you.



If you…

stay silent

push your grief down

don’t validate your loss

skip over the insights from your life lessons
 


You will…

block creativity and passion
stay hidden

pinch off abundance

stifle ideas and inspiration

experience a lack of fulfillment

burn out

​possibly transfer your pain onto clients


deny others the gift of your experience

Being vulnerable - in a deliberate way - helps you avoid these risks.

 You don't have to do it all at once. You can ease into it gracefully.
 

Start by getting your story out.

This will help you…

• glean new awareness & insights
• reclaim your power
• experience a greater feeling of fulfillment and wholeness
• increase confidence
• transform your pain into triumph
• truly rise up and celebrate ALL the pieces of your life
• gain a new belief in yourself and your dream, 
• and offer your experience as healing medicine for others.

Are you standing at the edge of your story?

If you need a guiding hand to help you step inside it, I’m here.


I work with women who are leaving the corporate world to start their own creative or wellness practice, or who've been in business for awhile and are ready to take their message and website to the next level.

Do you know a creative woman entrepreneur who would enjoy this article? You have my full permission to share it with her! 

P.S. If you liked this article, you'll love my newsletter! Every two weeks, I send out tips, inspiration, and special offers for creative women entrepreneurs like you.

Interested? Click the button below to sign up!

I saw this quote from Marianne Williamson yesterday, and hit it me in the gut.

It comes from her book A Woman's Worth, written in 1994, and it names a powerful cultural norm that's still alive today: women must hide their truth in order to survive.

Today is an especially appropriate day to share this because it's Friday the 13th.

Did you know Friday the 13th was originally a day for goddess celebrations, to honor the divine feminine? The number 13 is innately connected to the feminine: 13 menstrual cycles, 13 moon cycles.

Like so many things feminine, this day was stolen by the patriarchy and vilified. Now it's associated with darkness and evil. And these forces are threatening to take away our rights once again.

Let's reclaim this day for ourselves.

Let's cultivate the courage to be honest and real.

Let's practice listening to OURSELVES and each other – with love.

Here's an idea for how you can do this:

List 13 ways you can honor yourself today. Post your list where you can see it. And choose 1-2 things to do each day. This may or may not include taking a step out of your comfort zone and into activism. It's up to you.

What does this have to do with marketing?

Marketing is a great place to practice truth-telling. Truth-telling is a radical act. People respond to the truth. You don't have to use inauthentic sales tactics that feel icky. You get to be YOU.

If you need help getting started, I'm here to help!

I honor the feminine in each of you! ❤️

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Are you ready to become a truth-teller with your message and marketing?
I work with women who are leaving the corporate world to start their own creative or wellness practice, or who've been in business for awhile and are ready to take their website and message to the next level.

​Get in touch here if you’d like to talk about working together: 

Do you know a creative woman entrepreneur who would enjoy this blog? You have my full permission to share it with her! ​