Here we are! The third lesson! Keep going! Don't stop your progress!
Your Values
You need to have a lot of commitment to do what you do better than your competition (this is good to strive for!). With this high level of commitment you can make a great impression on your customers. Those of us that write content several times a week, need to be consistent in our writing style or tone (personality!). I know some of you have online stores, very cool! You need to be consistent too. Don't forget high quality work! What sets you apart from your competition?
Your Long-term Goals (part of your values)
We've discussed goals in another Course here at WA. We will do it again. You need to ask yourself the following questions (yes, this all has to do with values):
- Why did you choose your niche?
- What areas of your niche are exciting to you? You know what I mean. Those areas that get you going, start talking, pure joy! The ones that make it all worthwhile.
- Let's leap forward 10 years, where will you be? i.e. I see myself living on a few acres outside of town, writing content for my sites and loving life. What about you?
Your Mission Statement
The Mission Statement is a combination of several items:
- Your goal
- What sets you apart
- A promise to your customers
- Your values
- What do you do -- really! What is it that you do? Your customers need to know this.
That question: What do you do? Really makes you think, doesn't it? Here is an example:
What do I do? Dog trainer.
See that? Kind of bland.
Teaching pet parents how to have a better relationship with their dogs through proper training.
Now, that is a whole lot better!
The average length of a Mission Statement is usually 20 - 25 words long. They can be shorter like the example above.
Okay, I said that your Mission Statement was optional. It is! But, it is in your tasks...
- Why did you choose your niche? Write it down.
- What areas of your niche are exciting to you? Write it down.
- Let's leap forward 10 years, where will you be? Discuss this.
- What sets you apart from your competition? Write it down.
- Write down three different Mission Statements for your site.
Top Helpers in This Lesson
ReplyI have 3 completely different sites, so I had this question too. Actually, for each of my sites I have a different business brand. But, my personal brand (this is discussed a little bit in a different lesson) is consistent for each one. Well, I share the personal brand with Buddy (my pup, it's his site really) on that one.
If you're a business is like Virgin Mobile (the same niche all across) then you might consider using one brand. Here is an example of consistency in a business brand:
Virgin Mobile. They have a consistent brand all across their sites (all cellphones, I think). Same color of red with white letters, same tone, etc. And Richard Branson put his personal brand on these sites.
