Niching Case Study: Brenda Scarborough

I provide relief for people in crisis (such as divorce) and guide them to an outcome that’s far better than they expect.

stillaworkinprogress.com

#sytycn2014

Tad’s Rating:

7/10

Contest Rating:

8/10

Average Rating:

7.5/10

Tad’s Comments:

Right now this is a solid 7. People in crisis. You’ve captured a very specific flavour of emotional terrain to work with. Which is wonderful. You give divorce as the example –

but the only example. I’d love to see you either focus just on that or give a few more examples (in 120 characters? maybe impossible) to clarify the type of crisis. Another way to go is to hone in on the “quality” of the crisis.” “Crisis of loss” could capture a bit more and intrigue. But, I’m a big fan of giving a top three examples when we have space to do so.

I love the wording of guiding them to “an outcomes that’s far better than they expect.” That’s a very hopeful message to give. And it also seems like a bold statement. Which I like. Like you’re saying, “I know it seems crazy right now but. . . I got this.”

Keep it up. We can all use a bit more help when we’re in a crisis.

Niching Contest Participant Comments:

7/10: I give this a 7. Love the url, and love the clear example of divorce, but is there any reason why you don’t keep “divorce” as your very clear niche? I don’t know of anyone who describes divorce as a crisis though. What are some other examples of “crisis” that you’re passionate about helping with?

I think “people experiencing divorce as a crisis of faith/as an identity crisis/as a crisis after a long haul” might be a better way to say it, but divorce can be a long, slow, taxing *crisis,* and hearing Brenda say it the way she did might help me realize getting help is urgent. But I’ve also heard divorce (and business flops) described as happening “gradually, then suddenly” and I understand why, Brenda, you’re being encouraged by many to just claim divorce as your niche and get even more specific as to WHO’s divorce.

7/10: I like that you made an example of the crisis, but it leaves me wondering what other crisis might apply. What if you used “crisis from loss” or “crisis during transitions” or “mid-life crisis.” I also wonder what method you use to guide people. Maybe “lead you through?” At the end I wonder if you used an example of the expectation – such as where that expectation comes from in our culture to give me a picture of what I would look like after working with you? Overall, I know I’ve been this client before, so the message definitely touches my heart.

I like “in crisis (such as divorce)” because it tells me it’s okay that my divorce feels like a crisis. Even if you only help with divorce, this might be the shortest way of getting all that empathy in there! Love it!

8/10: Awesome! How do you do that?

7/10” Do you want to specifically do divorce and what do you consider crisis?

7/5/10: 7.5 for ingenuity and modesty. You really are keeping clear of jargon here, and that is a FEAT! WOOT! I think where the work is, is in making “to an outcome far better than they expect” into something that tells me:
– do I take my ex-to-be with me?
– is it talk? magic? massage? legal help?
– how come you’re so sure it will be good? You have got to specialize in (my gender) and (my specific power-struggle with spouse) to guarantee me that in a way I can relax into. I want to know you have done this many many times.

7/10: I wonder about the outcome being far better… it can be difficult to keep this promise.

7/10: Not sure, I think I’d want to know what that “providing relief” looks like.

10/10: Best url yet – aren’t we all?

Brenda Scarborough‘s Reflections:

n/a

The Revised Niche:

n/a