Is sharing your business success story hard because you feel like an imposter and you don't feel confident about your accomplishments?
Learn why that's especially common for GenX and Millennial women.
Here's a question for you…
When people ask how you achieved your success — for instance, how you launched your business, booked well-known clients, or landed coveted speaking positions — how often do you take full credit?
Or, do you find yourself saying something like this?
"I was in the right place at the right time."
"The opportunity fell in my lap."
"I don't know how I got here, but here I am!"
According to a recent New Yorker article, GenX and Millennial women heavily identify with imposter syndrome.
I've talked to some brilliant business owners — from GenXers to Boomers — who credit "the stars aligning" for their successful business — but not themselves.
I rarely hear, "I was in the right place at the right time because I worked my ass off to be everywhere."
It's almost odd for a founder to share, "I worked hard for every opportunity that came my way and lost a lot of sleep trying to get here."
Instead, we act like everything's fine and we're lucky to still be in business…
…Because deep down, that's what we're most afraid of — that our business is built on luck and fate, and we're not good enough to control the narrative. We could lose everything at any moment.
It sucks. It costs us money. And I see this happening across all levels of business owners — from the person who keeps lowering her rates because she's afraid people won't pay more to the 12+ year experienced entrepreneur who weathered the Great Recession and is freaking out over the latest financial news.
It's like we forget our own story.
That may mean that you undercharge for your time and value. Or, you work with clients that don't serve you. Or, you live in fear that you're faking it and someone will call you out in a highly public way.
I've been there. Oh, how I've been there.
You may have hired a business coach to help increase your revenues, but nothing shifted because YOU didn't shift. No matter how good the business advice was, you may not have believed that it would work for you.
When I was a copywriter, I asked people to share their business stories so I could write their website copy. These people were super-smart — yet, they'd insist winning an award was "no big deal" or think it's "not important" to mention how they've increased their client's revenue.
I'd have to dig and pry and ask ALL sorts of questions to get any information. They weren't comfortable talking about themselves or their accomplishments.
In their heads, their numerous successes didn't mean a thing.
I'd worry my clients' imposter syndrome would sabotage their sales — no matter how wonderfully my copy would sing their praises.
As I've said before, the best conversion-oriented copy doesn't mean a thing if you don't believe it about yourself.
Back then, Slow Branding didn't exist, so I couldn't work with my clients on pricing strategy and their proposals (because imposter syndrome sneaks into our business lives that way too.)
But today, I get to dig into ALL of the fun stuff — mindset and business.
Imposter syndrome tends to pop up with almost all my coaching clients.
"Am I experienced enough to charge that much?"
"There are other people who do what I do. There's nothing that makes me that special."
Here's a newsflash: You are that special.
I've seen coaching clients pinpoint their Golden Throughline and transform their mindset from "I'm not experienced enough to charge that much" to making more in their businesses than they ever did in their six-figure day jobs.
They were tired of wasting time feeling crappy about themselves and frustrated with their situation – and wanted an experienced guide who could help them build new systems, change their messaging, and pull them out of their imposter syndrome hole.
They needed help with mindset AND business.
The result? They're finally focused on profitable work that's fun — and gives them freedom and flexibility.
They're no longer invisible.
That's the power of Slow Branding.
So here's one thing to try if you're feeling the imposter syndrome blues.
You can even do this if you're not a business owner.
One of the first Slow Branding steps is simple…ask for a LinkedIn endorsement.
My HEART method of easily getting client-attracting endorsements is something I share with my Slow Branding Clients. For now, consider taking the brave step of choosing one person to endorse you — and make the ask.
Here's why this step is so powerful:
You pulled out of your comfort zone and connected with someone in your LinkedIn network. This alone is a huge victory – even if you never hear a peep from your testimonial prospect.
You're doing something good for your business and something that you can turn into a habit.
Reading a "Here's why I loved working with you" note makes you feel good. It helps you understand your value in a slightly different way. And often, diving into old testimonials can help you find your Golden Throughline – your life's purpose connecting theme. If you feel your business lacks direction, pinpointing your Golden Throughline can steer you back on course.
It's time to remember your story, kick imposter syndrome to the curb, and rediscover why you're freakin' amazing.
After all, you deserve to take full credit for your success — and share your brilliance with the world!
Now go get that testimonial!
Do you want to know more about my HEART testimonial-gathering method? Check out the video + transcript here.
Are you ready to pivot your brand (and mindset) and become the badass you've always known you could be? Contact me, and let's talk next steps.