The Power of Being Told What to Do: Lessons from Parenting and Entrepreneurship
Let's talk about a universal truth: Sometimes, we just want someone to tell us what to do. As much as we pride ourselves on independence and autonomy, there are moments in life when we crave guidance and direction. Two definitive times stick out for me – when I became a parent and a business owner.
1. The Parenthood Conundrum: Picture this: It's 2010, and I'm a first-time parent, drowning in a sea of baby books and conflicting advice. Despite my best efforts to absorb every ounce of knowledge, I felt lost. Should I wake my sleeping baby to feed her, or let her sleep? I longed for someone to lay out a decisive roadmap.
2. The Entrepreneurial Endeavor: Fast forward to 2018, and I'm embarking on a new journey – starting my own business. Again, I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and decisions to be made. Should I register as an S-Corp or an LLC? Which CRM system is best suited to my needs? The questions seemed endless, and I craved a simple, straightforward plan.
Your audience feels the same way.
In today's world of information overload, decision fatigue is very real. By the time prospective clients reach your website, they're begging for someone to tell them the right next step.
And guess what? If you don't provide that plan, someone else will.
So, how do you do it? How do you distill the complexities of your offering into a simple, actionable plan that guides your audience toward working with you?
The Three-Step Rule: Keep it simple. Your plan should not have more than three steps (four, max). Anything beyond that, and people assume it's too complicated, so they don't take action. But what if more steps are needed? Simplify. Use umbrella steps to encompass multiple actions.
Take, for example, a landscaper:
Call us to schedule a free on-site consultation.
Receive a proposal within 48 hours.
Watch your neighbors sigh with lawn envy.
Sure, there are additional micro-steps involved, but the plan gives prospects a clear overview of what to expect. More importantly, it reassures them that working with you is easy and straightforward.
Bring it in, friend, because this is key. Your audience needs someone to give them a plan, and that someone is you. By providing clarity and guidance, you'll alleviate their overwhelm and increase the likelihood of them choosing you.
Because sometimes, being told what to do is the greatest gift of all. Now, who wants to tell my teenager?