In a time of the great resignation and when everyone seems to have a side hustle or a full time business of their own, it can sometimes feel like there’s no way to stand out in the crowd.

Photographers with similar styles and edits, designers with the same ideas, small shops that all carry the same things – it can be overwhelming to start a business and be confident that you’re going to stand out and make it through.

Over the last 10 years of being an independent designer, I’ve found a few ways that have helped me establish a little corner of the internet that is all my own – apart from worrying about where my next clients are coming from or what that graphic designer over there is doing.

Believe me, it has taken me years to come to these realizations, but it seems like one day it just all clicks and you learn to stay in your own groove, attracting the people that are right for you.

Are you ready to hear my top two things that will help you stand out in a sea of people doing the same thing you are? Here we go!

No. 01: Determine Your WHY to Stand Out

Now, this sounds fluffy, I know. It’s hard for me to explain to others why finding their WHY is so important because it sounds so trivial AND huge at the same time. Who could possibly know their life’s purpose? Why do you even need to find it?

I’m telling you, it’s mainly science. And faith that God gave you these talents, quirks and ticks for a reason. And when you can put it all together and find out how you best contribute to the world, your life and work changes and it no longer matters what path other people are on – you are living YOUR why and they are living theirs. You’re instantly different than everyone else when you figure this out.

To find your why, we go through important stories, experiences and memories from your past to find the common themes that show up in most or all of them. These because important pieces to who you are and who you’ve become. They become how you show up best to those around you, and we form those into a why statement that you can keep with you to help lead your next steps in all areas of life.

Knowing your why gives you clarity on where you should go next, and when you have that tool in your belt, you start to stand out as someone with a purpose, who knows what they’re doing and where there going, and people trust people like that.

That, friend, is step number one.

No. 02: Determining Your Ideal Client to Help You Stand Out

This is another one people get kind of itchy about – why would you want to work with just one type of person? Because, friend, you’re not for everyone. You weren’t made to be for everyone.

But when you find your people who you LOVE working with, who love and value your work and make work FUN, business grows, your calendar fills up and you start to thrive. At least that’s how it’s been in my experience.

When you can identify the type of person you want to work with, you can use language and words that speak directly to her and the problems she’s facing daily. You have a tone of voice that she relates to, and you can use the same tone and copy for your website and social media posts.

You don’t need to worry about sounding ‘corporate’ if your ideal client isn’t the corporate type. You don’t need to worry about attracting thousands of followers because you only need to attract one type of person – and she’s going to be happy to follow along, engaging with your content and buying from you over and over again.

How does knowing your ideal client help you stand out? In the same way that knowing your why puts you on a different path, trying to reach just one type of client does the same thing. There are far fewer people vying after the exact client that you are than if you were just trying to reach anyone who might ever need their photo taken or a marketing piece designed.

When you find your ideal client, you don’t have to worry about attracting anyone BUT her. That makes business much easier and much less overwhelming. And you get less worried about competition because you know what you’re doing.

Do you see how those two things end up being the foundation of whatever business you might now, now or in the future? If you can find your why and determine your ideal client, you’ll be more confident in your decision making and your messaging and you’ll have an easier time of attracting clients because you show up with a consistent message.

If you’re interested in finding either of these things, contact me and let’s talk. I’ve helped dozens of women discover their why through my one on one why discovery sessions or through partner retreats, and my Your Perfect People course is designed to help you discover who your ideal people are, how to talk to them in a way that relates to them and how to reach them where they are already hanging out.

It’s time to stand out, friend. Let’s get to work.