5 Ways to Use “Inner Dialogue Mapping” to Write Messaging That Connects and Converts

Coaches: Struggling to find the right words? Here’s how to make your message land with the people who need you most.

You want to create content that connects. Messaging that makes your audience pause, nod, and say, “She gets me.”

But instead, you’re stuck staring at a blank screen, second-guessing every word, and wondering why it’s so hard to say what you really mean.

As a coach and a woman with decades of life experience, you bring so much to the table: wisdom, unique gifts, and insights that have the power to change lives (or simply help someone in a meaningful way). 

But making that clear to your ideal clients? That’s a whole other story.

And you haven’t even gotten to the whole content creation problem.  

It’s overwhelming. Add to that the frustration of feeling like your message means nothing to everyone, just more noise in a cacophony of “marketing”.

I get it. Trying to create messaging that actually lands with your audience should be simple, right? And yet, it’s anything but.

So many solo coaches feel this same frustration, especially when you’re juggling all the moving parts of running a business by yourself. (Oh, how I can relate.)

You’ve poured your heart into your work, rewriting your words over and over, trying to connect with someone, anyone… but it still falls flat.

Even with all the marketing expertise I have, I’ve found myself in this same, incredibly discouraging spot. (So let that give you some solace: no one is immune.)

For a long time, I felt like I was running in circles, trying every approach under the sun, and still felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. Sometimes you even want to give up, figuring you just don’t have what it takes. But deep down, you know you can’t.

It wasn’t until I uncovered these three things that everything shifted:

• I started asking my audience about the thoughts running through their minds when they were struggling.  (Self-talk  is different.)

• I learned to listen for the patterns in their struggles instead of focusing on the surface symptoms. (Pain points vs. micro-problems)

• And I figured out how to turn their words, their inner dialogue, into content that speaks to their hearts and minds. (Instead of just adding to the noise all around them.)

What I realized was most important is understanding, connecting, and speaking in a way that makes them feel seen.

"Connection is why we’re here. It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives." – Brené Brown

Wouldn’t it be cool if you knew every word you wrote would feel like a direct conversation with your ideal client?

They read your content and think, “How does she know exactly what I’m going through?”

Instead of spinning your wheels trying to come up with ideas, you have a clear, steady stream of inspiration, because you’re tapped into what your audience actually needs and wants to hear.

What would change for you if you could confidently create messaging that not only resonates but also inspires action? 

The kind of messaging that fills your coaching program with clients who are ready to work with you because they already feel connected.  (And they should.)

It’s possible to create messaging that feels effortless and impactful and it all starts with a simple process I call Inner Dialogue Mapping.

When you know how to tune into your audience’s inner dialogue, everything changes. Your messaging becomes more than just words.  They become a bridge that connects you to the people you’re meant to help.

That’s the power of Inner Dialogue Mapping. It’s a simple yet transformative process that uncovers the thoughts, struggles, and desires your audience is already carrying with them every single day.

Here’s what happens when you use this approach:

• You’ll know exactly what to write about because your audience’s needs and struggles guide your content. (What a relief, right?!)

• Your messaging will feel deeply personal, making your audience feel seen and understood. (Who better to help them, than the person who understands them?)

• Creating content becomes easier because you’re no longer guessing, you’re simply reflecting their own words back to them. (And that is what’s really scroll-stopping.)

• You’ll build trust and connection naturally, which makes saying “yes” to your offers a no-brainer.

With Inner Dialogue Mapping, your messaging gets easier and easier.  It becomes a powerful tool for connection and growth.  (Woo-hoo!  THAT’S what we’re after.)

Here’s how you can start using Inner Dialogue Mapping to create messaging that connects and converts:

1. Ask Them About Their Self-Talk (And Write It Down) - Get curious about the thoughts they have when they’re stuck, frustrated, or searching for a solution. These insights give you the exact words to use in your messaging. 

It’s important to note here that if you simply survey or ask a question, the response you get will not be as real and raw or at the heart of the matter as much as self-talk will be.  

You have to ask what’s really going on in their head, like, ‘What’s your worst critic saying to you right now?’

2. Identify the Real Pain Beneath the Problem - Look deeper than surface complaints to uncover what’s really bothering them. What fears, doubts, or desires are driving their behavior?

For example, when you identify their biggest fear, what’s the cost to them if that fear is realized?  A failed business, not being able to pay their bills, running out of options, people being disappointed in them?  (You get the idea.)

3. Turn Challenges Into Relatable Stories - Share stories that reflect the struggles they face. When your audience sees themselves in your content, it builds trust and connection.

I once wrote an email where I told a story about my son who has Cerebral Palsy.  His physical challenges aren’t as significant as his learning challenges.  

I worked so hard when he was little to show people how, despite his difficulties, everyone shares similar struggles just from being human.  

I wanted people to see that we are all alike in some way and that’s what matters most.  But on the inside, I was always fighting “People think your son is odd, he’ll always be rejected.  You’re failing at finding a way for him to live in this world.”

We all know what it’s like to feel like we don’t fit in or not as capable as others.

4. Use Their Words to Spark Ideas for Content - Take common phrases or recurring thoughts they share and transform them into topics for articles, social media posts, or emails. Their words become your creative fuel.

For example:  You’re not getting a single comment, like, or share. “This business thing is impossible. Why do I even bother? What’s the point? I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing.” You can write something for each of these inner dialogues.

5. Align Your Offers With What They Need Most - Create services or products that solve their specific challenges. When your offers match what’s already on their mind, saying “yes” feels effortless.

Like a simple email-based course, that teaches you how to create Messaging That Makes You “It”!  Delivered to your inbox, no membership area to log into, password to remember, or hours and hours of video to wade through. Just simple, clear, concise, and easy.

The more you align your messaging with what your audience is already thinking, the more they’ll feel like you’re the coach who truly understands them.

Because I bet you are.  Or you’re going to be, once you start using Inner Dialogue Mapping.

But…Let me be clear:

I don’t want you to think of Inner Dialogue Mapping as throwing more tactics at the wall and hoping one sticks.

It’s not about using gimmicks or trends that don’t align with who you are.

It’s definitely not about guessing what your audience wants to hear.

Instead, it’s about listening. It’s about uncovering the words and emotions your audience is already using and reflecting them back in a way that feels natural and deeply connected.

My goal is to help you simplify your messaging process and make it easier to create content that resonates and converts. So we’re actually taking more things off your plate.

What do you think?  (I can hear the questions bubbling up already):

“What if I don’t have an audience to ask about their struggles?”

No problem. You can still use this process by observing conversations in groups, browsing Amazon book reviews (on books tied to what you help your clients with), or even chatting with people in your network who fit your ideal client profile.

“What if their responses are all over the place?”

That’s completely normal at first. The magic happens when you start spotting patterns. Focus on the recurring themes or emotions that come up, and you’ll quickly see where to direct your messaging.

“I’m not sure I have the time to gather all this information.”

This doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Start small. Post one question in a group or jot down a few phrases from a casual conversation. Even a little effort can yield powerful results over time.  Tune your brain to notice inner dialogues being voiced or to ask questions that go deeper when the opportunity arises.

“I’m worried I’ll sound too salesy if I use their words.”

Quite the opposite. Using their words makes your messaging feel natural, personal, and conversational. 

The goal is connection: creating messaging that feels authentic and natural to both you and your audience.

By tapping into your audience’s inner dialogue, you’re showing that you “get” them. You’re building trust, creating connections, and offering exactly what they need.

Stop guessing and start truly understanding.

With Inner Dialogue Mapping, your messaging becomes a powerful tool for growth, for the impact you’re here to make, and for your business too.

Your audience is out there, waiting for someone who truly understands them. That someone is you.

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Michelle Sera

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