Yes, this is a post targeted directly at some of my closest friends who are still tied down by the chains of Corporate America. I probably don’t speak to them often enough; it’s not because I don’t like them, it’s simply because each time we meet and begin talking, the conversation turns negative nine times out of ten.
Why is this you might ask?
I personally don’t think I’m a negative guy. In fact, when I worked in “Corporate America” I was given the “Best Attitude” Award…ha ha!
The reason things tend to turn negative, in my opinion (IMO), is because my friends know that what I’m doing as a self-employed entrepreneur is EXACTLY what they want to be doing…but they’re afraid to take the leap from that “security”.
In an effort to “practice what I preach”, I was stumbling for ideas last night and came upon one that really hit home.
I’m coming on my one year anniversary of self-employment (November 1st); I’ve learned a lot about myself, my motivation, and mostly about areas where I can improve.
Productivity is “the state of being productive”. (in case you weren’t sure)
One of the things I’ve learned as a self-employed entrepreneur is that there is rarely anyone watching over your shoulder to make sure you get things done. In many ways this can be a relief from the micro-managing manager who wastes more time trying to “catch” his/her employees doing something WRONG as opposed to working on projects that will make his/her team BETTER.
The down side of not having someone monitor your progress is that it can be easy to waste time and not be productive.
Do you really have to be a computer wiz to be successful with an online business?
I speak from first hand experience – you DON’T have to be a born “brainiack” or a computer programmer to run a successful online business.
To give you some inspiration before I tell you how to get the ball rolling, check out this “motivational speech” from a 5 year old:
“Everybody, I know you can believe in yourself…you will get the hang of it, I know. If you keep practicing, you can get better and better at it…Thumbs up everybody for rock and roll!”
You just gotta believe and give a thumbs up and…VIOLA, you’ll be successful.
Oh how I wish it was that easy and “turn key”. Unfortunately, in most cases, IT’S NOT so don’t be fooled to think otherwise.
I’m preparing to teach a group of authors, both newly published, and veterans, about the importance of effective online marketing.
As I’ve mapped out some of the different topics I’ll be covering, the one that continues to come to mind is about the importance of defining WHO you’re marketing to.
Having worked with lots of internet start-ups, I’ve realized that defining your target audience is probably the hardest and most overlooked aspect of online marketing.
It really doesn’t matter WHAT you sell. What matters most is the “WHO”.
The cool thing is, if you know a clearly defined target audience well, you can sell them lots and lots of different products and services because they’ll see value in what you’re offering over and over again. Plus, as you help solve their problems, you’re building a business relationship – and that’s what successful business is all about.
This list of entrepreneur success tips elaborates a bit more on a few of those initial suggestions and shares a few more I’ve learned, some just recently:
SALES: In my strong opinion, you have to have a sales mentality to succeed at any business endeavor. I’ve written articles about salesin the past; I feel even stronger about this topic now. Everything I do in regard to running a successful business goes right back to what I’ve learned about in over 15 years of sales. If you can’t make sales, even the best product or service won’t get very far in the market. You have to be willing to open your mouth, meet the right people, and ask for the sale if you plan to get anywhere with your business. And no, you DON’T have to be a shady sales person to succeed:
A month ago I was in Arizona where I got a sun burn from swimming in the pool without wearing sunscreen.
Just last week I was looking outside and watching the snow glisten off the top of our fence.
Tomorrow, it will probably be 70 degrees outside.
My question to you:
Have you ever actually changed travel plans or family activities based on what happened with the stupid Ground Hog?
I sure hope not!
I’ve decided that Ground Hog day is a scam and I’m wondering what is the hidden agenda behind this stupid holiday. Any ideas?
This weather rant doesn’t have much to do with the title or content of this post, but hopefully it gets you thinking about BUSINESS PLANNING and causes you to ask yourself the question “Who really is in charge of planning out my day?”
Have you started testing your ideas in the marketplace?
For many, “Corporate America” is the end all cure all, the reason we get a college education. These “purists” love working 60-90 hours per week, not seeing their families very often, bowing down to their “master” boss who is all-knowing and who walks on water. The “security” they have far outweighs any ideas they have to do something bigger and better on their own. These people hope to stay at the same job for 30+ years, get paid a decent retirement, and “live happily ever after”.
For me, this is a load of SH$#!
I became officially “self-employed” on November 1, 2010.
I left a company I’d been working with since right after college where I was making a decent salary (salary being the keyword).
I had a friend ask a simple question today on Facebook that peaked my interest and caused me to reflect a bit on my experience in online marketing, particularly in eCommerce.
Which is better…to know a lot about a little, or a little about a lot? Just curious about your thoughts…
My reaction:
Knowing a lot about a little is the key to success in online marketing in my opinion. “Niche marketing” is so much more powerful than trying to reinvent Walmart (ie. know a little about a lot).
I’ve become so fed up with the “make money overnight” “get rich quick” “little or no money down” “buy our program and make millions” BULL#*%& that I almost swore out loud while writing this article (and that would be breaking the honor code).
I’m going to take it a step further today and ask another simple question:
What have you done TODAY to find a new client?
Some might ask at this point, “Isn’t making a sale and finding a new client the same thing?”
In the past, my answer was yeah, sure. However, as I’ve thought about it more, I realize that I can make one sale today but then never, ever see that customer again. On the other hand, if my goal is to find CLIENTS, I’m really not only looking for a “sale”, but I’m also looking for a long-term business relationship that I can develop, leading to sale after sale after sale to the same client.
I’m obsessed with the solo entrepreneurs who are successful leveraging social media to launch a business. They start with a simple idea – like pay me and I’ll wear your t-shirt around LA. They put up a blog, take pictures and video of themselves wearing your shirts and promote it on their social networking sites. That’s the beginning of IWearYourShirt.com
The idea caught on and now there are 2 guys (it should be WeWearYourShirt.com).
Then comes a new spin on the idea – at SheWearsYourTee. I really like this one because a model will wear your tee. That means you get some killer product shots you can use on your site.
Another element is how the pricing works to encourage people to act fast and not wait. January 1st the price is $1 and the price goes up every day. It’s the same concept with another one of my favorite businesses using this model called LoveJingles.com.
Having worked with lots of internet start-ups, I’ve realized that defining your target audience is probably the hardest and most overlooked aspect of online marketing.
I’ve talked to clients a lot in the past about one key question:
