To anyone looking to turn your passion into a business. There are a few small but important things for you to know. These tips are definitely not the be all end all of business tips. Just a few things I've learned that I'm willing to share with a fellow entrepreneurial soul.
First things first...
It's hard- I'm sure you've heard that owning a small business is no easy task. There's lots of organization, planning and upkeep involved behind the scenes. You'll spend the majority of your time completing all of these sideline tasks like marketing, advertising, designing, taxes, invoices, templates... The list goes on and on. And most likely, you'll be doing it all yourself for a while. So don't get discouraged, it's hard on everyone.
Secondly...
Growing from nothing takes time- Building your brand and creating a presence on social media is so important in this day and age. Take your time. Growth is not a race. If you rush to post a million times a day, you're more likely to post things that aren't really your niche or don't really go along with your brand. Post once a day, share something that relates and something that's "You". It's a slow growth but eventually YOUR people will find you.
And so on and so forth...
Be prepared for ups and downs- One month you'll be swimming in inquiries. The next month you might only have one. Consistent inquiries takes time. Don't be too hard on yourself. You are still making progress, still growing, still thriving. Ride those peaks and valleys with confidence, your still going somewhere either way.
Rally a support system- Befriending other business owners in your field gives you a sense of home. Find your people in your field and learn from them. Community building over competition will work wonders for both your business and theirs. Networking is a major part of growing your small business! Like my grandma always used to say, "You will get more bees with honey then with vinegar."
Build a professional website ASAP- I feel like this should be a no brainier during this glorious age of internet but I'm here to address the people in the room who think social media is all they need. You are wrong. People won't think you are legit without a legit website. Sure, start the social media sites first while you are building your actual website, but get that thing up and running as soon as you can. Get your business and your website on Google! Literally the word "Google" is no longer just a brand, it's a term. If people can't "Google you" then you don't exist.
Hire the SEO person... Just do it.- Unless you went to school/classes for marketing and business strategy plus have the abundant amount of time it takes to Search Engine Optimize (SEO) your entire website and socials, just hire the professional. Sure, it's another business expense that you don't really want right now but the sooner that your brand is visible to your ideal clients, the faster the money will come rolling in. Do it now, thank me later.
Never stop learning- Hone your craft. I repeat, hone your craft. Practice makes progress. Some people are more talented then others and can pick new things up pretty quickly but that doesn't make you an expert. Try new things. Find a mentor. Take a class. Watch YouTube. Never stop learning new techniques, fine tuning your skills or incorporating something new. There is no glass ceiling over your potential. Set a goal to reach new heights within your business, Every. Single. Day.
Last but not least...
Keep yourself in Balance- Starting a new business is work. You are your employee. Don't forget a good work/life balance is key to self care and happiness. Don't let the stress of being a new business owner affect your every day life and those around you. Remember to take time for yourself. Take care of "business stuff" during business hours and use the rest of the day to unwind.
I am sure that there are sooo many more tips out there floating around waiting for new business owners to snatch up and use! These are just a few that I learned along the way and still utilize today. Keep an open mind and heart when you are working towards your business goals. Opportunities can sometimes present themselves in weird ways and when they do, don't be afraid to tackle them or even ask for help. We all started somewhere. Keep your head up and keep on climbing.