Have YOU Found the Riches in Your Niches Yet?
Discover your niche, make two key investments, and reap the riches!
– Chris Honeycutt, certified John Maxwell Team Coach, Speaker & Teacher
If you walk in any of the marketing crowds you’ve no doubt heard the phrase: “There’s riches in niches.” Though it may be cliché, it is absolutely true. If you want to be all things to all people, you’ll be nothing to no one. Sure, there are multiple markets that you’re perfect for, and lots of clients that will benefit from what you offer, but if you’re trying to go after the vast majority you’ll get a minuscule minority. The key? Starting in your niche.
You know the one. The industry or setting where you can talk the talk and walk the walk. It’s where you are skilled and trained, and where you’re connected. For Chris Honeycutt – our John Maxwell Team Real Stories Real Success member highlight this week – this discovery was key. He decided to take his skill with digital media and bring it to the church community of which he was well connected, very familiar with, and had a great passion for. This led to the creation of his company, REALM, which provides services now to not only churches and nonprofits, but small businesses as well.
“I knew I wanted to bring these principles to the world, but when I focused on bringing them to the places I was already involved in and offering skills I already had, I really hit the sweet spot. I’ve gone from just myself to a team of 24 trainers and more than 200 clients – and my ministry has grown 100-fold!” When Honeycutt found his niche he became successful. He said that what helped him find riches in his niche was focusing on these key investments.
1. Invest In Yourself
When Chris started researching certification programs he knew he wanted the best. With little to invest at the time, he took a leap and sold one of his prized guitars to invest in himself and the John Maxwell Team. “It wasn’t a hard decision because I knew in my heart it was what I had to do, and though it was hard to say goodbye to that guitar, I was excited for the opportunity it represented.” 30 days after selling that guitar and joining the Team, Chris picked up a big contract that helped him not only pay for his certification but get an even better guitar. Investing in yourself pays off!
2. Invest In Others
Life is more than your own little bubble. The more you give, the more you get, and if you give the gift of intentional growth and investment to those around you, you’ll get exponential returns. By promoting a culture of growth, depth, integrity and dedication, you’ll be able to watch your company, ministry and family flourish. Take the time to train, equip, and empower them for every situation and challenge. Always be planning succession. Honeycutt paints a picture: “If your leader was to fall away today, what would the state of the business be tomorrow? Fulfill the vision of a strong company by finding and developing your own leaders.” Properly investing in the people around you is one of the best investments to make after investing in yourself.
If you can follow these core investment strategies from Chris, and take the time to identify the area you have connections and expertise in, you can focus your efforts there and watch your base develop. In other words, as our feature John Maxwell Team member Chris Honeycutt learned: Find your niche!
About Chris:
Chris Honeycutt is the President of REALM Solutions and the lead consultant with Training Churches. REALM marries the two worlds of leadership training and digital marketing, bringing comprehensive solutions to churches, non-profits, and small businesses. Training Churches comes alongside pastors and their ministries, helping them extend their reach. This is something near-and-dear to Chris’ heart! In addition to offering encouragement and insight, his attention to detail helps churches develop focus and consistency with their vision. Chris is a featured speaker at conferences, retreats, assemblies, rallies, and civic meetings. Since March 2016, he’s been a certified speaker, trainer and coach for the John Maxwell Team, which brings time-tested leadership values to all of his workshops.
In 2005, he graduated from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL with a Bachelors of Science degree in Church Ministries. He’s spent 14 years in church ministry, six of those as Lead Pastor of a non-denominational church plant. Chris also has 17 years experience in political campaign work and eight years of social media management for churches, non-profit organizations, a software company, and several civic groups. Chris lives in Spartanburg, SC and is married to his beautiful wife Heather. They have a rambunctious son Nelson. Chris loves good coffee and barbecue