3 things I wish I would have known when starting my business

One - You know more than you think you know

This is really the same old adage to trust your gut written a new way.  We all know more intuitively about what direction we need to go in, what will sell and what we should be doing.  It’s easy to feel uneducated, under certified or as if we are missing some wisdom that only the most successful entrepreneurs know.  The reality is, though, we know who we are being called to serve.  Whether you are selling the newest widget or offering personalized services, you know who you are doing it for. 

You know what they need and what they want. Hint - this isn’t usually the same thing. 

We all too often will second guess ourselves, feel doubt creep in and find all sorts of reasons why we are not the person to do this super special thing.  Nonsense.  This is just Imposter syndrome kicking in and it affects every single person who ventures into new territory.  It does’t matter if you’re wanting to write a book, start a new business or even just looking for a new job.  Our minds will come up with every reason why we should not do this new scary thing because our brains are wired to keep us safe. 

If you say in your comfort zone, your overactive mind has done what it was designed to do - protect you from danger.

You’ll also remain bored, unfulfilled and burnt out.  Nothing good ever came from comfort zones.  It’s where dreams go to die.  So if you’re looking at a new venture, go back to your why often.  Why am I doing this?  Who needs what I have to give?  What will happen to them if you are selfish and keep your gift to yourself?

Two - Filter out the noise 

If you are a brand new coach, you will be bombarded with new “friend” requests, sponsored ads and networking opportunities with people who are doing what you are doing - coaching others based on what they know.  One expert will be claiming their one post will snag you the clients you want that will get you to the elusive $10k/month mark.  The next expert has the solution to Facebook ads - stop wasting your money & sign up for their program!  The very next expert will be touting their LinkedIn strategy that go them to their first month of a waiting list filled with ideal clients.

Choose your platform carefully. 

What social media platform are YOU drawn to and where are YOUR people?  Start there.  Ignore the rest.  Go deep on one at a time and commit to adding others later. Learn all you can about the algorithms and what is most effective within that ONE platform before you get overwhelmed with anything more.  Remember: the whole goal should be to get that audience off that platform and on your email list. 

Vet the experts. 

What do you love about their success?  What is it about their vibe, expertise or knowledge that attracts you to them?  Are they claiming to teach you how to attract clients organically but you found them through paid advertising?  Pay attention to a select few to minimize the noise.

Limit your consumption. 

Once you decide on your strategy, stop listening. Stop looking for the next piece of advice.  Stop scrolling through social media and start doing what you were called to do.  Clean up your feed.  Unfollow the accounts that aren’t in line with your strategy.  Stop paying attention to the people who don’t mesh with your vibe.  Seriously and very intentionally limit the information you are consuming and who it’s from.

Three - Test for free

Social media is a bittersweet creation, if you ask me.  It’s brilliant in all the ways we can reach the masses who need what we have to give.  The vast amount of information that’s available at our fingers tips is astounding. It’s also a cesspool of vile and ugly sides of humanity. 

It’s a black hole for procrastination. 

The breading ground for insecurity and soul crushing comparisons. 

And yet, it’s brilliant for testing and growing a new business for free. 

Everyone will tell you to create free content and free offers as a mechanism to growing your email list.  It’s easy, it is free and it can reach strangers on the internet who need you.

This is the best advice I never got: If that FREE content doesn’t convert - do NOT put money behind marketing it.

Instead, go back to the drawing board.  Create and test again.  Analyze your results.  Rinse and repeat. 

Only when you free content is converting do you know you have something that works. 

THAT is what you put ad spend behind.  That is what you amplify with increased traffic through digital marketing.

I have an unpopular belief: It doesn’t take money to make money.  It just takes creativity.