2 days Ago
After 20 years of working in large corporations I panicked when my job died. Suddenly the rock-solid ocean liner I’d been working on threw me overboard in mid-ocean and mid-career with a life preserver and wished me bon voyage as it cruised away. Weeks later when I stumbled ashore, life and business began teaching me these lessons on creating and building an entrepreneurial, one-person business.
You’re ItWhen you run your own business (like my freelance writing business), with only your cat as an employee, you learn fast. If you don’t get to work on time the entire company shuts down. (My cat was only productive at napping.
)When you run your own business (like my freelance writing business), with only your cat as an employee, you learn fast. Contributed.If you take a two-hour lunch, your business suffers.
I was in my office at work at 8 a.m. and rarely left before 5 p.
m. Aiming for success? It’s all on you. You’re it.
If only I could have given myself a raise for being such a punctual, hard-working employee. Instead, it’s the cat who got free treats.Stay In Your LaneIf you excel at sumo wrestling, don’t apply for that job as a jockey.
I was good at writing corporate marketing communications. One day I accepted a job writing a white paper although I’d never written one. After research, study, and many hours, I produced a first draft and can honestly tell you I’ve still never written a decent white paper.
The client hated my draft. She also helped me learn to stay in my lane. Specialize in what you do best.
Be An AllySolopreneurs cannot be islands. Your business needs allies – people who’ll provide you with resources, support, and business connections. The best way to find an ally is to be an ally.
Join business support groups that have professionals in fields related to yours.One of my best business surprises ever happened after two of us business writers formed a support group for writers. Instead of being competitors, we discovered we each had different skill sets and audiences.
One writer only did book manuscripts, another only worked with schools and nonprofits, a third focused on large manufacturing clients, a fourth specialized in writing training programs. We were able to help each other find business, share lessons learned, and build expertise.Welcome FailureIf you’re not failing sometimes you’re probably not growing.
Failure is the first step to success. What did you learn from that failure? How can you be sure not to fail in the same way again? How can you take another risk that has a great upside with a downside you can handle? I like what former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says in her book, “Say More”: “Fixing mistakes is not something you have to do because you’re bad at your job, but because it’s part of your job.”Bang Your DrumIn life, it’s not polite to brag.
But as a solopreneur you must continually toot your own horn–reminding your prospects about what you do and how your business can help them. The alternative is being forgotten and joining your cat in long daytime napping. Spend 20 percent of your time every week promoting your business.
None of us is so stinking cute, ungodly talented, or absolutely irreplaceable that our business prospects and clients will never forget us.Shout out the services and results you provide in ways that give value to prospects. What can you send your prospects that’s so educational they’ll keep it for future reference? What person can you introduce them to that will add value to their network of business contacts? How can you earn a place on their office bulletin board, on their desktop or in their online publication? What useful business information can you give them that they may want to pass on to their boss or colleagues?Start Interesting ConversationsDo things that create and prompt conversations with your target audiences.
I’m quirky and like quirky clients. What worked for me was mailing a 4-inch by 4-inch cardboard box. Inside was a brightly colored bendable man with a huge smile.
Beside my contact information, the only message was: This little guy inspires. He represents the way I like to do business. The little guy’s always smiling.
He’s flexible. He’s a good listener and never interrupts. He’s bright.
And he’s fun to play with. Keep the little guy around – he never has to eat or even be watered. If you look at him long enough your mouth begins doing what his is doing.
If your one-person business is to survive and thrive, follow author and salesperson Jeffrey Gitomer’s advice: “The more valuable you become, the more the marketplace will reward you. Give first. Become known as a resource.
Your value is linked to your knowledge and your willingness to help others.”Chris John Amorosino has written online and print marketing and promotional copy for many large and small Connecticut businesses and nonprofits for 30+ years..
