You know that feeling when you go to create something new and you feel at a loss on where to start?
Whether you’re crafting your message, writing your webinar script, or creating a Facebook ad….staring at a blank screen can feel paralyzing.
It’s so much easier to get started when you have something to work with… a template or system that shows you what to do, step by step.
That feeling of overwhelm can be paralyzing, and it’s why I’m a big fan of templates and systems. In fact, I have created several of them myself, including my Brand Message Template
But the truth is, a system or template alone can be a dangerous thing. Why? For 2 key reasons.
First, a template can stifle your creativity. If you follow things to a “T”, then you’re not going to venture to draw outside the lines. You’re contained within a structure that limits your creative thinking.
Second, you can’t expect to know how to fully implement it and get amazing results. You have to know how to tailor it so it works for you.
Let me give you an example.
One of my mentors has a program he offers that brings him great sales. He shared his system with me and encouraged me to use it in my business.
But as I looked at the system, I realized it wouldn’t be in integrity for me because I don’t think I could get great results for my clients using his approach (I’m not saying his approach doesn’t generate great results for his clients, but we work differently). So even though it was tempting to duplicate his success, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Here’s another example. When I help my clients launch their programs, I like to be very generous and give them my marketing material to use as a guideline — my webinar script, sales page, emails, etc. Sometimes they try to copy my content almost word for word, and I have to caution them that we have to use my material as an outline, but adapt it to their niche and voice.
That doesn’t mean we have to start from scratch. Systems and templates can be valuable starting points.
Here are 6 tips on how to make the best use of templates and systems in your business:
1.Ask why
Always understand the “why” behind the system you’re following so you can understand the logic of it. Why do you offer an attendance prize on a webinar? Why is it best to offer payment plans on a program even if all the content is available right away? It’s only by understanding the logic that you can see if it makes sense and how to best apply it to your situation.
2. Think strategy
Closely aligned with point #1 is that you have to understand the strategy behind the tactics. If you follow a system without understanding the strategy behind it, you’ll end up spinning around in circles. I see so many people who try all kinds of marketing tactics and they don’t work, because they don’t have the strategic foundation in place.
Marketing without a clear message is one great example of that. Think about it. Marketing is sharing your message with the right people so they’re inspired to take action. So if you don’t know what your message is, your marketing won’t work. Strategy before tactics.
3. Don’t be afraid to tweak
Even if the systems and templates you get are great and have been highly tested, you still have to make them work for you. Don’t be afraid to pick and choose the bits you want to apply and discard what doesn’t feel in alignment with you.
For instance, there are some marketing templates that focus on the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make. While testing might show that this converts well, it’s not a good fit for me. I’m a really positive person, and I prefer to focus on the positive in my marketing (and my life). That doesn’t mean I won’t share the mistakes I see others make, and have made myself. But from a messaging perspective, it isn’t a good fit for me.
4. Align with your Core Message
When you’re thinking about how to tweak the templates and systems you learn, make sure what you’re doing is aligned with your Core Message. Your Core Message is the big idea you want to share with the world and it’s the heart of your brand.
For instance, my Core Message is “To be a great marketer you have to know your ideal client but to build a profitable business you love you have to know yourself”. It’s really all about being authentic in your marketing and leveraging everything you bring to the table.
That Core Message guides me in everything I say and do. So if a template or system isn’t aligned with my Core Message, I know it’s not quite the right fit, and I need to tweak it to be aligned with my message and brand.
If you want to learn more about your Core Message, click here to get my Brand Message Template.
5. Trust your gut
One of my mottos in business is “learn from others, trust yourself”. Just because something “tests well” for the system creator, doesn’t mean it will work the same for you. You have to adapt what you learn for your unique passions, skills, niche, and voice. Make it true to you,
Sometimes you look at what a leader in your nice is doing and think… well, if it worked for them, I’ll just copy what they did. That’s a dangerous approach. Beyond what we said about not tailoring it to you, how do you know what they did worked? How do you know which elements worked and which ones bombed?
Know the results, and you’ll gain valuable insight into what elements you want to try in your own business. How can you know the results? The truth is you often need to pay for this. Buy the program or hire the mentor sharing what you want to emulate. A good mentor will admit what worked and what didn’t.
6. Get support
The best way to learn how to apply a template or system to your situation is to get hands on support from the system creator. They can give you valuable feedback so you can implement with confidence.
What about you? Do you find templates helpful? Do you create templates for your clients? Leave your questions or comments below.
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