Listen to your followers

How I had a major wake-up call from my subscribers

I sold my container gardening business and created The Potted Desert as an educational forum and community for desert dwellers who garden in containers. It was now a hobby because, I had started coaching owners how to build their business for a future sale.

I realized some of my 3,900+ gardening followers might likely have their own businesses. So, I created a survey to discover their gardening needs and quietly invited them to join me in the business side of my life.

I was right. About 15% of the respondents requested to receive my lead magnet, ”10 Tips for Business I Learned from My Garden.” Since 65% of the respondents checked that they are retired, the 15% was a good return.

Then, I got a major wake-up call.

60% of my garden followers said they want everything I created! Books, classes, emails. And I was clear with them that there would be a cost for my offers.

Why was I not capitalizing on this market? That’s what the experts say about raving fans, right?

I shifted gears somewhat, increasing my attention to The Potted Desert and working smarter in my coaching practice.

I’m not advocating for you to run two businesses, ever. And especially not when you’re looking to work fewer hours or semiretired.

The lesson here is to talk to your clients and followers.

• Be sure that what you think they need is what they want.

• Look for other ideas that capitalize on your experience and expertise to meet their needs.

• Learn from how you treat a lucrative hobby and apply it to your business

The potential silver lining may expand your income and service without working harder.

Talk, ask, survey and most of all, Listen.

PS. I closed my coaching practice in December 2023 to move to my “almost retired” status. I continue to educate gardeners while I explore my newfound love of writing fiction.

Check out my first chapters in Walking Your Garden Path.