Define Your Niche & Attract Clients: 5 Steps for Femmeprenistas
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Dec 9, 2024
- 5 min read
5 Steps to Define Your Niche & Attract Your First Paying Clients (Even if You're Starting From Scratch)
Let’s be honest, starting a business can feel like stepping into a whirlwind. One minute you're buzzing with ideas, the next you're drowning in to-do lists. It’s like packing for a family holiday – everyone has different needs, there's never enough space, & you end up leaving the house with one eyeliner on because you were too busy wrestling the puppy & the toilet roll (don't ask!).
If you’re a Foundation Builder, those early days can feel especially overwhelming. You’re juggling family, possibly another job, & now this dream. I get it. I’m balancing four children, a PhD, & home life while growing Femmeprenista & Thrivology. My days often start with a frantic search for a missing school shoe while simultaneously trying to answer emails and stop the toddler from using the dog's water bowl as a hat – it’s a special kind of organized chaos. Am I going slower than a 20-year-old with no dependents? Yes. Doesn’t mean I can’t get there. It means I have to be smart.
So, how do you cut through the noise, define your niche, & start attracting paying clients? Focused action. Not just hard work, but smart work. It's about strategy, working with your energy, & building a foundation, a process of carefully nurturing your business idea, just like tending to a delicate seedling. And that’s where this 5-step framework comes in.
Step 1: Excavate Your Brilliance & Niche Definition (What Makes You YOU?)
Before marketing or sales, you need clarity on what you’re offering & who you’re offering it to. It's like my university experience. I started at one uni, realized it wasn't the right fit (homesickness, wrong course, fish out of water), took a gap year to really reflect, and then switched to UEL. I finally found my "tribe" and a course structure that truly ignited my passion. Finding that "fit" transformed my entire educational journey. How does this resonate with your journey to find the right 'fit' for your business, that space where your brilliance shines and your ideal clients are waiting?
My own path to Femmeprenista wasn't a straight line. After university, fueled by that 'now or never' feeling, I co-founded Nisbett & George. The idea was promising, but we ultimately dissolved the partnership. Why? Differing commitment levels. I was a new mum, ready to go all in, while my partner, without kids at the time, needed the stability of a job. It was a painful but valuable lesson: the right partnership, the right timing, the right niche – these are crucial for entrepreneurial success. That experience became a pivotal stepping stone on my path to defining the specific niche I serve today.
The right fit starts with your zone of genius. What are you brilliant at? What problems do you solve effortlessly? What advice do people seek from you? This isn't about following the crowd; it’s about unearthing you. What lights you up? What skills or experiences do you have that others lack? What makes you uniquely qualified to serve a specific group of people?
Step 2: Define Your Dream Client & Niche Refinement (Who Are You Talking To?)
Think about your dream client. Who are you excited to serve? Get specific! Picture her. What are her challenges & aspirations? What language does she use? What keeps her up at night? “Enter the conversation already taking place in the customer’s mind,” as Sabri Suby wisely advises.
This is about understanding her world. It’s about connecting deeply. Think about your own experiences navigating motherhood, entrepreneurship, or maybe even that corporate escape. What were your biggest struggles? What kind of support did you crave? Chances are, your dream client is facing similar challenges and yearning for similar solutions.
Step 3: Validate Your Vibe (Does Your Offer Resonate?)
You might have a brilliant idea, but does she want it? Validate. Test your offer. Don't just assume; get real-world feedback. How? Offer a free consultation, run a short survey, or create a mini-workshop to test your ideas and messaging. What resonates? What falls flat? This feedback is gold dust. Use it to refine your offer and make it irresistible.
My partner has crazy AI marketing ideas (his PhD is in AI & micro-businesses). I laugh, but his commitment to testing—that's the magic. He says, "hard work beats intelligence when it's smart work." Adrienne Weimer echoes this focus on action, reminding us that "fear loves action, not thought," so get out there and test your ideas!
Step 4: Craft Your Compelling Message (Why Should They Choose YOU?)
Why should she choose you? What makes you different? What’s your unique selling proposition? Articulate your value clearly & concisely. What problem are you solving? What transformation do you offer? What tangible result will she get by working with you? Get specific. Paint a picture of her future self, the empowered, successful version she can become with your guidance.
Remember, “People are motivated more by pain than they are by pleasure.” – Sabri Suby. What pain are you solving? What anxieties are keeping her up at night? Address those directly.
Step 5: Show Up, Shine & Strategically Connect (Get Visible!)
Get visible! This can be hard, especially for women. We’re often told to be modest, to not "brag." But if you're not visible, they won't find you. Reflections from my ongoing PhD research often highlight this struggle with visibility. Studies show that nearly 70% of women entrepreneurs struggle with visibility, often due to internalized societal messages about “bragging” or "taking up too much space." I remember feeling invisible after launching Cocoista, my afro hair & beauty venture. It felt like shouting into a void. I overcame it by focusing on connecting authentically within online communities.
So, how do you get strategically visible?
Identify Your Hubs: Find 3 relevant Facebook groups or online communities where your ideal client hangs out.
Create a Content Calendar: Plan out a month's worth of valuable content to share consistently (tips, insights, stories).
Engage Authentically: Don't just broadcast; engage in conversations, answer questions, and build relationships.
My father's fierce advocacy for me taught me about using my voice – don’t be afraid to share your brilliance! Share one valuable tip in a Facebook group weekly. "Selling isn't selfish," Adrienne Weimer reminds us. "Not selling is selfish." You have a gift; share it!
Ready to build a flourishing business & attract your ideal clients?
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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