What Metrics Should You Measure?

I work with some of the smartest clients in the world. Truly. They’re brilliant, respected, and surrounded by thousands in their communities. But even they ask me:
“What metrics really matter in my business?”
…and often, “Why do metrics matter at all?”

So let’s start there- before we go anywhere near emotional depth or soulful reflection, let’s talk tactics.

What You Should Be Measuring (At Minimum)

Whether you’re tracking in a spreadsheet, a CRM, or scribbling it on the back of a Post-it, these are the baseline numbers every expert business should know:

1. Where Your Clients Come From

Ask every prospect: “How did you hear about me?”
Referrals? SEO? Social? A podcast?
This tells you where to double down- and where to pull back.

2. How Much Traffic (or How Many Opportunities) You’re Getting

If you’re mostly online, check your website traffic. If you’re offline, track how many consultations, inquiries, or first contacts you’re receiving. More eyeballs = more potential conversions.

3. Your Conversion Path and Rate

What steps do people take before they say yes?
Track the flow: ad → landing page → call → client.
When you know this path, you can improve it—and increase revenue with less effort.

4. Size of Your Database

Your email list is your follow-up engine. If they don’t buy now, they might later. Are you giving them a reason to stay connected?

Pro tip: Track these monthly if you’re busy, and every two weeks if you want more clients.

But Here’s What the Dashboard Doesn’t Show

Even with the most precise spreadsheet, something’s missing.
And this is where Beyond the Numbers comes in.

We’re not building businesses just to optimize CTRs and ROIs. We’re here for connection, resonance, and impact. most of which you can’t measure on Google Analytics.

So let’s talk about what lives beyond the data.

Measuring Meaning: The Metrics You Can’t See

Some of the most valuable feedback doesn’t come through forms or filters. It comes in whispers:

• A DM that says, “This helped me more than you know.”
• A quiet nod on a Zoom call after you say the hard thing.
• A saved post that becomes someone’s courage folder.

That’s the kind of impact you won’t see in your dashboard- but it’s the kind that grows trust, loyalty, and yes, sales.

Don’t Let the Numbers Be Your Boss

It’s easy to get caught in the refresh loop. To let your numbers decide how you feel about your business that day.

But data is a tool, not a tyrant.

So by all means, track what’s real and useful.

But also track what’s meaningful:

• How you felt delivering your last workshop.
• How present you were with your clients.
• What people say about you when they don’t have to say anything at all.

These are metrics too. They’re just softer. But they sustain.

Anchor in Alignment, Not Just Analytics

If something in your business isn’t measured, it often isn’t sustainable.
But if everything is measured and nothing matters, that’s not sustainable either.

The sweet spot is strategy with soul.
A business that knows its numbers and trusts its resonance.

If you’re looking for a better way to measure success- one that honors both revenue and real impact- download Beyond the Numbers. It’s a microbook about measuring what matters, and it might just be your reminder to track differently.

N.B. Post updated in 2025 for relevance.