How to Turn Your Expertise into a Profitable Business –and Make € 5-Figures a Month (or Week!) Doing What You Love by Marianne Lehikoinen
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to do something I love, something that I’m passionate about. If you’re reading this, odds are you feel the same way. Maybe you’ve come to realise that there’s more to life than a lacklustre 9-to-5 and limited time to actually do the things you love, see the world and spend time with loved ones–and having the financial means to do it.
Or maybe you like what you do but have come to realise that your freedom is still limited when you’re working for someone else.
If that’s the case then I have great news for you: what if I told you that the perfect business idea for you probably already exists?
If you’re better than most people at something, you’re in a position to teach others. So why not turn your skills into a profitable business? It’s what I did and now teach others to do.
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking that this sounds great in theory but isn’t starting a business hard? It doesn’t have to be.
I’ve literally started my entrepreneurial journey from scratch with no network, savings or experience. Back then when I was 20 years old, the only thing I could monetize was my skills so I started out as a social media manager.
In 2020 I founded my current company Smart Mentoring which now helps other creators and coaches to grow their businesses with premium offers and simple sales systems. We have now a team of 10 women working remotely all around the world and only this year we’ve made more than € 600 000 in sales.
Here are my 6 tips to taking what you know and turning it into a profitable business of your dreams.
1. Identify your skills and expertise
Ask yourself these four questions:
What is something that you have extensive experience doing?
Maybe you’ve worked in a specific field for a long time or maybe it’s something you’ve taught yourself out of interest.
What is something that your friends come to you for help?
Maybe you have a lot of different skills and interests and you’re not sure which one would be the best for a business idea. Looking at the problems people come to you with in the hopes of you helping them solve them might pinpoint your area of expertise. It could be anything from marketing to mindfulness.
Would people pay for it?
As long as the skill you’ve now identified helps people improve their health (physical or mental), financial situation or relationships, the answer is yes.
Are you interested in it?
Sure, you could pick something that you’re really not that passionate about, but in the long term doing that will probably make you miserable. When we look at successful entrepreneurs, the one thing they all have in common is that they are obsessed with what they do – and if you really enjoy it, it won’t even feel like work and it’s easier to continue working on it when you face problems.
2. Turn your expertise into an irresistible offer.
Now that you have identified your expertise, it’s time to take it and turn it into something that you can market and sell.
Ask yourself: What is the end result that people get from working with me? What can I help them achieve with my skill set?
Take your skills and develop them into an irresistible offer.
When you're just starting out, against common assumptions, I would price your services on premium level. Meaning more than € 2000 per one client. That enables you to work 1:1 with your clients and get a better understanding of them, your working process and get better results.
3. Get your first clients through social media
Once you have your offer created it’s time to put it to the test. Use social media as a tool to find and connect with potential clients by creating content that resonates with them. Teach them about your topic and give them free value that makes them take action. Influence them to move towards a decision to work with you.
If people seem interested in working with you, try to get them on a call with you to see if they’re a fit to your new offer. These calls can be called strategy sessions.
4. Have strategy sessions with potential clients.
Now that you see that people are interested in what you have to offer, the next step is to schedule strategy sessions with them. During these sessions you can learn more about your potential clients’ problems and you’ll be able to see if you could help them, and whether you two are a good match. Remember: you can choose who to work with: there’s a big difference between working with your dream clients or working with someone who doesn’t want to be helped and continuously doubts you.
5. Deliver results.
Now that you have a few ideal clients, it’s time to deliver on the results you promised. You want your clients to succeed and be happy with the service you provided. Happy clients means testimonials for you. Not to mention, word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool.
6. Find a coach to help you through this process
A coach can help you achieve your goals in a fraction of the time through providing clarity and focus. You’ll never have to struggle by yourself and instead always have someone to go to for guidance. If you’re serious about making your business successful, consider getting guidance from someone who has done what you’re trying to do now.
And there you have it. These are my six tips to starting a business with your pre-existing expertise. If you’d like to hear more about how to do it, connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.
