What is it you will sell to your customers?
So far we have been exploring those unique skills that are within you, and also looking at those areas where you are going to be of service. Let’s now pay some attention to the exchange of energy for those people who are seeking your talent? There needs to be a balance to these things, an exchange if you like.
The most common form of energy flow will be money.
I never see money as the only way of exchanging energy, however, it is a universal way of putting an exchange value on the goods or services you are going to offer people. You have your skills, and now we are turning them into a business model.
Should you be afraid of asking for money?
Every worker should understand their worth. Everyone has unique gifts within them whether it’s more practical gifts like graphic design or teaching, or more spiritually inclined gifts like being able to interpret the heavens or read a tarot deck. Some people can feel ashamed about asking for money.
You have arrived in this space in time with unique talents. Your lifespan is limited, it won’t continue on this plane forever, and we need to take stock of each day. You can choose that time however you wish. Some people will go into the corporate world and earn their living that way, while others like you are likely to use your talents in the service of others. Just because you are in service does not mean you shouldn’t be paid. After all, you have mouths to feed and bills to pay like the rest of us.
You have invested your time, your creativity, and your funds in creating content, building websites, and mentoring people. You’ve probably also spent a lot of time doing this as a hobby before you reached this part of your life too.
This knowledge and experiences are valuable. Therefore, like everyone else, we should all charge for our time, it’s right that we do so, and it’s not right for people to tell you otherwise.
If they do, that’s where the conversation should stop. I’ve had my fair share of people who wanted to shame me into doing something for free or for substantially less than it’s worth for me to do. I’ve learned sometimes the hard way that those people who aren’t willing to honour your gift are people who ultimately don’t value what you do anyway.
What is a business model really?
It’s a group of products and services offered by you that are arranged in a unique and thoughtful way that people are willing to pay for what you offer. As an astrologer you might consider one or more of these as part of the ways you offer your services to your customers:
Membership – This is where you offer your customer astrological insights and gifts that are unique to you, for a regular contribution. This would generally involve running a locked-off area of your website, where paying ‘members’ can access this exclusive content.
Courses – You could offer to teach students your unique brand of astrology. This may be in person, but it can also be offered online through your website. Special software like the one running this course can be used to manage students’ progress through the course. Online courses have become much more popular since the pandemic as it doesn’t involve face-t0-face interaction. You can still offer face-to-face learning outcomes remotely using videoconferencing tools like Zoom or Skype.
Events – Once you have built your following you may want to offer special events to your customers. This may be at a local bookshop or an event space in your city, or you may want to offer events online using Zoom meetings. Website software is available where you can automatically book paying customers into your Zoom call, and avoid any manual handling of bookings.
Products – You may want to sell products like books, or cards, or even your horoscopes. You can publish ebooks with your yearly forecasts that can be downloaded from your website in PDF format and readable on any smart device or computer. Some people may want to take it further and offer customized web-based astrological reports for readers. These reports can be built into a website and offered nearly immediately to customers who purchase online.
Services – Some of your will still want to stay connected with your customers and perform astrological readings, changing an hourly rate for your time. Some astrologers perform natal chart readings, birthday readings, solar return readings, and even couples readings. Whether you see yourself as an astrological consultant or a therapist services like these continue to be in demand for readers who can make deep and meaningful connections with people.
You may have some other unique services you have considered offering to your customers. That’s the role of the master astrologer, finding ways to take your gift to the world. The point is you have unique skills to offer, and you should give it your best shot. This time is what you have right now, so make the best use of it!
ACTIVITY
Duration: 20 minutes.
It’s time to pick up your pen and start journaling again. Consider the list of services above and those you have thought of yourself that you are bringing into this course. I’d like you to meditate on where you are right now, and ask yourself this specific question
Which of these services is most appealing to me, where I am right now?
As you ponder this question, write down any thoughts that come to mind. Don’t edit, just write and see what ends up on the page. You may even find something really starts to become much clearer in your mind. Journal for about 20 minutes, or until your train of thought starts to subside.
Spend some time reflecting on your journal entry, and choose the service (or group of services) you think is best for you at this point in time. Write it down in big letters and circle it.