Grow Your Local Business: Episode Summary
Title: Your Local Go-To Vision
Host: Leslie Presnall
Release Date: January 7, 2025
1. Introduction to the Episode
In Episode 104 of the Grow Your Local Business podcast, host Leslie Presnall delves into the pivotal strategy of becoming the local go-to person in your industry. Released as the inaugural episode of 2025, Leslie aims to equip listeners with both the mindset and actionable strategies to transform their local presence and achieve substantial business growth over the next twelve months.
2. Understanding the Local Go-To Person Concept
Leslie begins by emphasizing the significance of adopting the identity of a local authority in your field. She explains that becoming the local go-to person is not merely about implementing marketing tactics but also about embodying the role daily.
"You have to show up and be the future version of you today and make decisions as that person."
— Leslie Presnall [05:30]
3. Common Obstacles Faced by Local Business Owners
Leslie outlines the typical challenges that local entrepreneurs encounter, particularly at the start of the year when setting new goals. These obstacles include:
- Competition from established businesses
- Pricing strategies and differentiation
- Inconsistent marketing efforts
- Social media engagement struggles
- Overwhelm and lack of clarity in action plans
"They kind of feel like they're shooting from the hip, throwing spaghetti at the wall."
— Leslie Presnall [03:15]
4. The Power of Visualization in Goal Achievement
Shifting focus from mere planning to visualization, Leslie underscores the importance of envisioning success to drive actionable outcomes. She argues that many business owners remain fixated on their current struggles or past performances, limiting their potential for future growth.
"Visualization might feel kind of like wishful thinking, but there's actually research that shows that seeing yourself achieving goals helps you take the actions needed to get there."
— Leslie Presnall [15:45]
5. Practical Steps Using ChatGPT for Visualization
To facilitate effective visualization, Leslie introduces a practical exercise utilizing ChatGPT. She guides listeners through crafting a personalized vision story by inputting specific goals and priorities into the AI tool. This method helps in creating a detailed, emotionally resonant narrative that aligns with one’s business and personal aspirations.
"Once you get your story, how you wanted it, and after I stopped crying, I printed it and it's on my desk. I have read it every single day since I've done this."
— Leslie Presnall [28:50]
Steps outlined by Leslie:
- List Goals and Priorities: Include business targets, personal milestones, and specific events.
- Input into ChatGPT: Use a prompt to generate a comprehensive story based on the listed points.
- Refine the Story: Edit and adjust the narrative to accurately reflect desired outcomes.
- Daily Engagement: Read the printed story daily to reinforce the envisioned identity and goals.
6. Personal Example and Success Story
Leslie shares her own experience of applying this visualization technique. By detailing her goals for 2025, including running marathons, expanding her LocalPreneur Academy, and personal milestones, she demonstrates how ChatGPT helped her create a vivid, motivating story. This practice not only instilled a sense of excitement but also provided a clear roadmap to achieving her objectives.
"It made my goal feel like it's here today and it's happening now versus 12 months from now. And that made me be able to feel it today."
— Leslie Presnall [32:10]
7. Encouragement and Closing Thoughts
Concluding the episode, Leslie encourages listeners to adopt this visualization practice to anchor themselves in their future success. She highlights the resilience it fosters, enabling business owners to navigate negative emotions and setbacks with a clear vision of their end goals.
"When you print yours, it's going to anchor you back into who you're becoming as that local go-to person and it'll help you really visualize it so clearly."
— Leslie Presnall [35:40]
Leslie invites listeners to share their experiences and progress, fostering a community of motivated local entrepreneurs striving to become industry leaders.
Key Takeaways:
- Adopt an Identity: Start embodying the local authority in your field even before achieving full success.
- Overcome Common Obstacles: Recognize and strategize against typical challenges faced by local businesses.
- Utilize Visualization: Implement visualization techniques to create a clear and motivating vision of your business’s future.
- Leverage Technology: Use tools like ChatGPT to craft personalized vision stories that align with your goals.
- Maintain Daily Engagement: Regularly engage with your vision to stay focused and resilient throughout your business journey.
Notable Quotes:
- "You have to show up and be the future version of you today and make decisions as that person." — Leslie Presnall [05:30]
- "They kind of feel like they're shooting from the hip, throwing spaghetti at the wall." — Leslie Presnall [03:15]
- "Visualization might feel kind of like wishful thinking, but there's actually research that shows that seeing yourself achieving goals helps you take the actions needed to get there." — Leslie Presnall [15:45]
- "Once you get your story, how you wanted it, and after I stopped crying, I printed it and it's on my desk. I have read it every single day since I've done this." — Leslie Presnall [28:50]
- "When you print yours, it's going to anchor you back into who you're becoming as that local go-to person and it'll help you really visualize it so clearly." — Leslie Presnall [35:40]
This comprehensive summary encapsulates Leslie Presnall’s insightful strategies and personal anecdotes aimed at empowering local business owners to elevate their status and achieve sustained growth through strategic visualization and consistent identity adoption.