A 3 step framework to make more sales

Are you desperate to make more sales in your biz? You feel like you're giving your all trying to grow your audience and make money and nothing is working?
 
I get it. In my first business I just didn't know what to do in the end. I felt so ashamed that I'd started this thing and put myself out there and I couldn't make it work. It was like there was this HUGE disconnect between my drive and my ability to actually make it happen.

I felt like a failure, and came so close to giving up.

Then (after waaaaay too long in the game) I learnt something. It wasn't me 😂.

I simply didn't (yet) have the skill set a business owner needs to have. I had an offer, yes. But I absolutely didn't know how to position it or market it or invite sales in a non sleazy way.

So I did the time my friend. I learnt. I went to 'small biz university' - testing, trialling, making mistakes and getting back on the horse. It was pretty painful 😂. But the results have FAR surpassed that pain. 

And ​today I'm going to share a simple process I've created to help you skip some of that pain and find your success faster. 

It's called my Connect Serve and Sell (CSS) Framework™. 

Step 1: Connect 💕

Most business owners position themselves as business owners trying to sell something. Because they are right? 

But you can be more than that.

Your business has an offer that people need. But your business can also stand for MORE than just sales. Your business can be impact driven. And impact driven businesses build community and attract attention. 

If you can start to position yourself strongly with your 'audience', the results of that will compound over time, exploding your growth. What do I mean?  

Stop looking at your audience like an audience. Start approaching them as a community. Stop seeing yourself as a business owner trying to sell something to that audience. Start seeing yourself as someone who STANDS for that community- shares about the struggles, gives tips about how to overcome them, connects people, makes them feel like they're not the only one struggling with this thing- and that there IS a path forward when they're ready.

This is exactly how I built She Owns It into a 6 figure business in 13 months. I share that because I want to stress that THIS WORKS. I built She Owns It from home, working 20 hours a week, without investing a dollar of my savings, by using this exact strategy to grow a community. Community building is EVERYTHING. Why?

➡️ Immediately establish yourself a leader in your industry
When you community build you're positioning yourself as an organiser who has the time, resources and know how to bring people together. While everyone else tries to make sales via someone else's Facebook Group, you have your own. Not everyone is willing to do it. THAT is what differentiates the chalk from the cheese.

➡️ The most cost effective marketing EVER
People will tell their friends about you and tell them to get involved. Word will spread- organically, without you having to do a thing more. Also, when you make an offer, because those leads have come via social proof, you're filling your community with highly qualified leads. You don't have to prove how good you are- their friends are telling them! 

​➡️ Customer centric business model
And critically you will get to understand your customer and build relationships with them on a much deeper level. This will allow you to build a much more robust, customer centric business that will both grow faster and go the distance over time.

You get it. This is good stuff. There's strategy behind it. It makes creating content SO much easier. And strips away sleazy sales. You stand for someone and something. You can help. You give great tips. And if people want to dive deeper with you, here's how to do it. 

It sets the tone for such a smooth and feel good customer journey!

Some examples...

> A retail store could stand for NZ made products
> A online skincare brand could stand for natural products and ageing with grace
> A marketing coach could stand for ethical online marketing practises
> A café could stand for rekindling connection in communities
> A shoe seller could stand for people who care about the environment but want to feel stylish too

​You get it. It doesn't matter the type of business. There is ALWAYS something you can stand for that will level up the way you connect with your community.

Step 2: Serve 💫

Once you define your impact and your powerful brand message, it's time create a savvy system so you can serve your customer 💫 magically 💫 with minimal effort AND make sales on autopilot at the same time (sounds good, right?!).

Here's what I want you to do. Get some post it notes. Write out a STEP BY STEP of your current Customer Journey on them. It might look like this:

Step 1: Person hears about me through word of mouth
Step 2: Person looks at my Instagram page
Step 3: Hope they follow me or visit my website
Step 4: Hope they buy

This is a great start. But there are some gaps that you could fill to both a) delight your customers and b) take more control over your sales process. For example:

Step 1: Person hears about me through word of mouth
Step 2: Person looks at my Instagram page
Step 3: Person is invited to download a high value freebie on my bio
Step 4: Person sees a confirmation page which includes and invitation to purchase a low price offer
Step 5: Person receives the high value Freebie by email + a reminder of the low price offer invite
Step 6: Person receives an engaging welcome sequence with a limited time only offer invitation
Step 7: Person buys or stays on your email list
Step 8: You continue to nurture, add value, relationship build and invite to purchase offers OFF social media

Now your customer journey might look quite different to that. BUT, can you see how at each step, this customer journey invites the person to the next step, if they are ready. Nothing needs to be sleazy. But you absolutely need to take control over where you're sending people to at every step of the journey.

When you do this right, it creates a magical experience for someone who needs help with something that you can help with.

To really level up how you serve, I like to step back and think about how to add in what I call 'Pops of Magic' to the journey- small, low cost surprises that delight. For example:

Step 1: Person hears about me through word of mouth
Step 2: Person looks at my Instagram page
Step 3: Person is invited to download a high value freebie on my bio
Step 4: Person sees a confirmation page which includes and invitation to purchase a low price offer

✨ Insert POM: Cute gif of me and my family holding up a thank you sign for downloading the offer ✨

Step 5: Person receives the high value Freebie by email + a reminder of the low price offer invite

✨ Insert POM: Attach bonus checklist or workbook that relates to the offer ✨

Step 6: Person receives an engaging welcome sequence with a limited time only offer invitation

✨ Insert POM: In each email, include a bonus tip that helps them reach their goal ✨

Step 7: Person buys or stays on your email list
Step 8: You continue to nurture, add value, relationship build and invite to purchase offers OFF social media

Pops of Wow are those little moments that make people FEEL something. Like 'awww that's cute!' or 'how cool is that' or 'wow, I can't believe they're giving this advice out for nothing'

The absolutely BEST thing about serving like this? It can all be automated. Once you set up each step, your email software, your landing pages do the serving and selling for you. Just 💫 magic 💫.

Step 3: Sell ​💌

Now THIS is the trick. Because if you've got a strong brand message, AND a great system to Serve and delight your customers, all of that removes SO many barriers to purchase for you and creates an automated sales system for you.

That means that you can spend waaaaay less time on social media trying to explain to people what you sell and why they should buy it. Instead, you spend your time:

1. Attracting attention 
2. Reminding people why this cause and your offer matters
3. Inviting people to your freebies

and occasionally (like, 20% of the time) inviting people to your actual offers.

You can focus on doing fun stuff like:

- Facilitating free workshops
- Leading a Facebook Group
- Running competitions
- Hosting giveaways
- Running collabs 
- Getting PR

And when you're ready to spend some $$: 

- Pay for print advertising
- Spend money on Facebook ads
- Start running Google ads
​
Selling ISN'T about telling people about what you do and the benefits of it. 

Selling IS about making people feel SEEN. Showing them you UNDERSTAND their problems, highlighting the real impact those problems have, and positioning yourself as THE ONE they should go to when they're ready to make a change. 

For Example:

From this: "Join She Owns It and get access to business training, networking, and resources for female entrepreneurs. We offer monthly sessions and a supportive community to help you grow your business."

To this: "You’re juggling it all—your business, your family, your life—and it feels like you’re constantly behind, doesn’t it? You know you’ve got what it takes to grow, but the overwhelm is real, and sometimes you wonder if it’s even possible to move forward. I get it, and that’s exactly why She Owns It exists. We understand your struggle because we’ve been there too. We’re here to give you the clarity, support, and actionable steps to finally get your business moving. When you're ready to build real momentum without burning out, join us. Together, we’ll make it happen."

Or, for a Product-Based Business (Natural Skincare Brand)

From this: "Our skincare products are made from natural ingredients and are perfect for sensitive skin. Order now to enjoy clear and healthy skin with our moisturizing and anti-aging products."

To this: "You’ve tried everything—those pricey creams, harsh treatments, and yet your skin still feels irritated, dry, and far from glowing. You deserve better. I know how frustrating it is to spend money on products that don’t work. That’s why we created a skincare line that nourishes from the inside out, with gentle, natural ingredients that actually heal and hydrate your skin. When you're ready to stop the endless search and start loving your skin again, we're here with exactly what you need."

For a Creative (Graphic Designer)

From this: "I offer professional graphic design services for your business, including logo design, branding, and marketing materials. My designs are unique and tailored to your needs."

To this: "Your brand deserves to look as good as it feels, but right now, the visuals don’t match the vision you have for your business. You’ve tried DIY, but it’s not quite cutting it. I see you—your brand is special, and it should stand out. That’s where I come in. As a graphic designer who specializes in bringing small business brands to life, I’ll work with you to create visuals that capture your story and make your brand unforgettable. When you're ready to stop blending in and start standing out, let’s work together."

For a Retail Store (Local Boutique)

From this: "Visit our boutique for unique, high-quality clothing that you won’t find in department stores. We offer a variety of stylish outfits perfect for any occasion."

To this: "You’re tired of walking into stores and seeing the same, uninspiring clothes that don’t reflect your style. I get it. You want pieces that make you feel confident, that last beyond one season, and that are as unique as you are. That’s exactly what we offer at our boutique. Each piece is hand-selected for its quality and individuality, so when you're ready to wear something that makes you feel like you, we’re here to help you find it."

You get what I mean!

When you approach selling like this, building on the strategies you implement in steps 1 and 2, your life as a business owner will change. 

➡️ You won't feel like you're sleazy selling anymore
➡️ Word about your business will spread like wildfire
➡️ You're ideal customers won't even look at the competition because they know YOU are the one they want to work with

And you will see growth.

But, of course, there is work to be done. Truth is, most people AREN'T willing to do the work. 

They want the results, with a fraction of the effort.

Because it's scary right? What if you DO all the work, and you fail? You're not a 'marketer.' Why should you put in all that effort? 

I get it. I've been there.

And this is what I've learnt.

If you want to grow a successful business- like- really want to- you HAVE to become a marketer. 

You HAVE to learn about branding and marketing and sales to grow. I'm not saying you have to become a specialist in ALL those things! But being a business owner is not about your product and service.

It's about how many people you can get it in front of, and how well you can present your offer to them.

Because the worlds best product or service will never sell if no- one knows about it.

So, I invite you to do what I did and commit to diving in! You HAVE got it in you to reach your dream. I know it. Because you've pressed go on it! So don't get in your own way now. This growth curve is hard but the rewards are immense- in so many ways. 

Be the one willing to put in the effort to get there. It might hurt a little, but your dream is WORTH it, I promise 💕