A Guide For The Overwhelmed Beginner.
- Keri Fields
- Mar 4, 2019
- 4 min read
So. You have an amazing idea for a business, now what?
It's easy to get wrapped up in the idea of a business and lose sight of your goals for that business. You can easily write, "I want to make $5,000 a month!" But what will you be doing to make that money? It's okay, we all do it, and figuring it out really isn't as hard as you think it will be.
Step 1: Be Clear About Your Goals
In order to have a successful business, you have to be clear on what your goals are, and why the world needs what you have to offer.
I've started a lot of businesses in my day, and I've failed at a lot of business. I spent all of my time chasing what was shiny, new and was offering me quick money. I didn't believe in the products, I believed what my mentors were telling me. That I'd get rich QUICK. I never got rich quick. I wasted time and money on those promises.
When I started this business, I didn't even tell anyone I was doing it for quite a while. It wasn't that I didn't believe in myself, or helping small business. I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed by my past business ventures and didn't want anyone to look at this as me trying to make a quick buck. Helping small business is my passion. It's what I'm good at. It's what I believe in. No, it doesn't come in a starter kit for $100, and I've had to work really hard to be where I am. But it's worth it, I wake up every day excited to help my clients, excited to work out new problems, and excited to share what I've learned.
As soon as I got clear on my goals and intentions for my business, I was able to see how I'd failed in the past. I was able to see what went right, and what went horribly wrong. I was able to embrace those failures and start new.
Step 2: Make A Plan and Stick To It!
No, I'm absolutely not saying to wake up before dawn and pull frequent overnights. Sleep is important and necessary when you're the only person responsible for your success. It's easy to get caught staying up late dreaming of all the possibilities your new business has, but it's so important to take care of yourself.
Make a note, on your phone or on paper, of what your ideal day looks like. Be specific! Write down times, things you'll be working on, and be sure to make time for yourself and your family and friends.
Start using that note as a guideline of your life. Of course, there will be times you'll be out of schedule, or sick, or tired and things won't get done. But do your absolute best to stick to your ideal day. And if you find that your day isn't working for you anymore, refocus and start a new ideal day. There's no limit to how many times you change something, as long as you stick to it once it works for you.
Step 3: Engage Your Audience
I think one of the first, and most crucial steps you can take when starting a new business is opening social media accounts. As soon as you have a name, and a plan put in place, start a business Instagram. Make an introductory post, let people know what to tune in for, and make connections. Instagram has become one of the most powerful marketing tools, and you need to leverage your business with it.
If my clients aren't great with photography or don't have products to photograph, I start them using stock images. There are tons of free resources out there to find gorgeous, commercial use stock images. This will take the burden of taking the perfect image to use off of you while you engage your new audience. Start following businesses that are similar to yours, people you look up to, and small businesses in your area. Reach out, comment on their photos, engage with them! You'll be surprised at how quickly you'll build a following who are excited about your product and what you're selling and want to know more.
Step 4: Steal Like An Artist
No, don't copy what others are doing exactly. But find what calls to you. Start to notice what sort of advertisements catch your eye, see what's getting a lot of engagement on social media. Use that as a tool to market your brand.
Step 5: Be Confident In Your Business and Self
This one can be tricky if you're saddled with self-doubt and past business failures. I know this first hand. But the second you become confident in what you're doing, you'll be successful. There's a market for everything, and the internet is an incredibly powerful tool. We have so many opportunities today that were never there before. Use it to your advantage! Believe in yourself, believe in your product and results will follow.
If you need help with confidence read some self-help or business books. Find ones that call to you, if you read the first chapter and don't think it works for your business, try the next book! Not everyone's success stories will be the same, but you can take solace in the fact that thousands have done this before you, and have been successful. The universe is abundant and you deserve a piece of that pie too!
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