Starting your own business or breaking out of a traditional role is a dream many of us only dare to dream. Several years ago I made this dream a reality when I left the corporate world to follow my passions of becoming a writer and entrepreneur. Prior to that I spent over a decade in hotel sales, marketing and events. Walking away from my career was a huge risk because not only was I the breadwinner for my family at the time, but I also had no clue where to start. But, just like anyone who’s starting a new company or building a brand – you have to start from somewhere, right? The first step is often times the hardest. You either jump or you live your life with regrets. Which is it going to be?
Once I did leave corporate America I quickly realized it’s a whole different ball game when you don’t have the recognition of an established brand printed below your name on a business card. People tend to not take the “dreamers” seriously until you’ve proven your worth. You’ll definitely have your work cut out for you. Once you’re ready to take the leap here’s some sound advice to set you up for success:
Set realistic expectations
When you begin your new venture it’s important to set short-term and long-term goals. Make them achievable, too. Actualized goals enhance your confidence and give you motivation to keep going. You will not be an overnight success or replace your old salary in six months, so plan and save. Patience is a virtue you must now learn to love and embrace.
Start a blog
Even if you’re not a writer or don’t care to be, blogs are a platform to build your network and credibility. Blogs are also a direct line of communication in a professional format to get information to an intended audience. You control the content and control the image. I started a lifestyle blog about parenting, but also had a career advice section that included my business credentials in my bio. I knew any follower could potentially be a future client – and I was right.
Create a professional website
Having a professional website solidifies your business. If it’s in the very early stages and you cannot finance a site, there are plenty of sites with free templates you can use. I enlisted a friend to help and I must have watched hundreds of videos on YouTube on how to use WordPress. All the information you need is available at your fingertips, so put in the research hours to build a professional-looking website. Your image is associated with your website – choose carefully.
Perfect your pitch
The second question everyone asks one another once they meet is, “What do you do”. Be ready to answer this question in a few short sentences that provide just enough information to peak their interest. Let them lead the conversation from there so they don’t feel “pitched” to. Remember, when meeting new people you only have about thirty seconds to build credibility and prove you’re an expert in your field. I advise to practice with friends or in the mirror what to say before you go to any event to build your confidence.
Always ask for referrals
Referrals will be your lifeline. Never end a professional conversation without first asking for referrals. All of the paid work I received in my first year as an entrepreneur was strictly from referrals. Once someone does refer a client or customer to you, be sure to send a thank you by way of a personal written note or a small token of appreciation.
You will have to prospect
Prospecting is something few people like to do, but it works. Period. Dedicate an hour each day to reach out to friends, old colleagues and potential clients. When I first started my business, I reached out to everyone I knew to tell them about my new ventures. I also follow up periodically to check in and keep the connection alive. If you haven’t figured out Linkedin yet, take the time to do so. It will be a great asset for you and the growth of your business. I, sometimes, find it easier to reach out to strangers than I do personal connections. Linkedin is great for this and its sole purpose is for business networking.
Seek advice
Reach out to others who chose the same path as you. With social media it’s easier than ever to connect and network. I found my newfound friends’ advice to be invaluable and helped guide me to where I am today. Don’t ever stop learning from these pioneers.
Be present on social media
I can’t stress this enough. In order to be successful today, you have to play the social media game. It is the easiest, least expensive, way to grow your business and reach the masses. Choose a few outlets, mine are Facebook and Linkedin, and maintain them well. Do not create accounts for every platform available; you will not be able to manage them all unless you hire someone. Post several times daily to maintain visibility and presence, but make sure you’re providing value. Promote activity and conversation to boost your posts. If you are not a regular in the newsfeed, people will forget about you and your services.
Never turn down an invite
Networking is a key component in brand building. I know always putting yourself out there can be exhausting, but each event provides the opportunity for new relationships. Relationships build partnerships. Partnerships build empires.
You will do a lot of free work
In my experience, free work led to paid work. Any work is an opportunity to expand your network and build your brand. In the beginning, I accepted any opportunity that came across my desk, even if it pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I still do some free work, especially if it’s great exposure or for a reputable brand or cause.
Pay it forward
Those who give – get. It brings me joy helping others who are where I was just a few years ago. Cross promotion, training, advising those seeking assistance is also something I will not turn down. As I said earlier: relationships build partnerships and partnerships build empires.
Carving out your own way is a lot of work, more than I could have ever imagined, but building the life you love – is priceless. The smallest step taken is a step in the right direction. Know you will experience set backs and feelings of failure, but if you keep moving forward, have a little faith in yourself, and remain persistent – success will come.