CHOOSING A BIZ TITLE: WHAT EVERY COACH SHOULD KNOW

Before we start, let me acknowledge: Plenty of great folks resist the idea of titles, labels, elevator speeches, bios, etc. when it comes to describing their businesses. That’s cool for them. But I LOVE the idea.

I think having a smart, concise way to tell people what you do is actually really important. And when done right, that little bit of advance prep allows you to be less inhibited and MORE in the moment than if you were anxiously scrambling for meaningful words to describe your life’s work.

So. If you’re one of those folks who’s allergic to titles, elevator speeches, and other traditionally accepted forms of business description, you’re probably not going to like this post. (Or this one, where I offer 8 steps to explain what you do in ONE glorious sentence.)

If you DO, on the other hand, want a great title to add to your business card, email signature, or next tattoo design, keep reading. (Tweet that!)

Since launching my business earlier this year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a LOT of coaches.

Health coaches, life coaches, business coaches, writing coaches, parenting coaches…a LOT of coaches.

And besides being super-passionate (and a lot of fun to work with), they’ve all got at least ONE thing in common: They HATE the word “coach.”

What I’ve found is that this love-hate relationship with traditional titles isn’t limited to just coaches. I’ve also worked with doctors, dentists, designers, developers, stylists (the real kind), artists, retailers, social media gurus, writers, and photographers who dream of one-of-a-kind designations.

Most folks I know are looking for a simple, two-to-three word business title that feels good, not embarrassing, when it pops up in conversation and business card swaps.

So that’s what I wanna talk about today: Crafting the “perfect” biz title.

In this video, you’ll learn:

The biggest mistake most online entrepreneurs make when picking a title
What creative biz titles and great necklaces have in common
Why coaches really don’t NEED to hate the word “coach”
How I came up with my title ‘o’ 2013 – “The Communication Stylist”
3 simple steps to crafting a title that feels good to you AND makes sense to your people

Click below to watch:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The big mistake: Like women dress for other women, online entrepreneurs tend to title themselves for other online entrepreneurs. (Hint: That only works if your dream clients ARE other online entrepreneurs.)

**CRAFT YOUR PERFECT* TITLE IN 3 STEPS**

*Perfect is whatever works for you, right now. This can change as you do.

Step 1: Consider your dream clients. Not your peers. When it comes your clients, what kind of language makes sense to THEM?

Step 2: Brainstorm. Make a list of the “plain” options AND the “creative” options. Draw down to some finalists on what describes what you do AND makes sense to your people. When in doubt, go clear or go home. (Tweet that!)

Step 3: Test it out. Ask a handful of trusted advisors for honest feedback. If more than a few people are confused, go back to the drawing board to find a clearer option.

You don’t have to tell them everything; you just have to tell them enough. (Tweet that!)

The “perfect” title isn’t going to make or break you, but it certainly help you start the conversation and open up the door of communication…and that’s when the real fun begins.

LET’S TALK

In the comments below, tell me:

What’s your go-to biz title? How’d you come up with it? What do your clients think of it?
If you don’t have one yet, go through steps 1 + 2 above and invite feedback from folks here in the comments. (We’ll go with a “give two cents, take two cents” honor system on this one.)

If this post was helpful to you in any way, please click + SHARE the love with your friends, fans, and followers. It’s a sweet thing to do, and I’d really appreciate it!

May your week be filled with warm fuzzies and hot chocolate, my friend.

To carbohydrate alchemists and business coaches,

Grab the conversational copy cheat sheet to write copy that sounds like you.

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