Every day I’m telling my clients it’s a great idea to have at the top of their homepage what they do, who they do it for, and why.
And while I like to break it down like this to make things easy, really what I’m talking about is a person’s (or a company’s) mission statement.
What is a mission statement? Google calls it “a formal summary of the aims and values of a company, organization, or individual.” In other words, what are you doing, and why are you doing it?
Many of us business owners already have a mission statement – but let’s face it – it’s a constant work in progress. Never finished. Never done.
So for this week’s blog, as you look over the current iteration of your mission statement (or begin to write it anew), here are some tips to think about:
1) Keep it short (and sweet).
While there is no hard and fast rule for the maximum number of words here, you’ll know if your mission statement is too long because people’s eyes will glaze over by the time you reach the end. After you write your first version, see if you can take out any necessary words and pare it down as much as you can.
2) Dream BIG … and be a little realistic.
A great mission statement shoots for the stars but also doesn’t make you roll your eyes as if to say, “oh that’s never going to happen.”
3) Be specific.
Your mission statement shouldn’t be able to apply to just about anything. Make sure it’s specific to your audience and your unique offering to help them.
And now, a bonus! If you’re feeling stuck, this personal mission statement template should help you get started.
At [your business name], we help [your audience] have/do/achieve [or other verb] [outcome] by giving them [your solution].
Sound confusing? Here’s an example:
At Ellanyze, I help heart-centered entrepreneurs to change the world by providing websites that attract the people they’re meant to serve.
Try plugging in your own values to the formula above and just see where it gets you! And then from there, experiment with it and make it your own. Good luck!
Looking for more?
If you enjoyed this post, also check out 8 Ways to Develop a Strong Personal Brand, also from Janelle (that’s me!) at Ellanyze.
