Entrepreneurs
The 4 Difficult Lessons Every Successful Entrepreneur Must Learn
Successful entrepreneurs are born learners, but often they focus on the wrong lessons. Yes, learning about financing, staff management, selling, marketing, product innovation, decision-making and risk taking are vital. However, there are other lessons that are just as important to the future of your business.
Learn these four lessons, really embed them into your psyche, and you’ll be in great shape to build a successful, sustainable business:
1. It’s essential to pivot
Startup businesses often go off like a rocket. You invest your money in building a top-line product or service, putting together a fantastic team, and making sure the design of your website and marketing material is just right. You invest so much time in this before you launch that you forget about sales and demand. You launch – and, well, all those customers you thought would be knocking down your door aren’t there. It’s a struggle to get through your first year in business.
Growing a business is all about product-market fit – matching up your offering with what customers actually want, ideally at a price that is profitable and appealing to the customer. The important lesson is that while every entrepreneur is passionate about their sector, very few can hit product-market fit first time. Don’t beat yourself up. Instead of getting frustrated about customers not buying from you, ask them why they aren’t. Then take what you’ve learnt and pivot in a new direction.
2. Process geeks are cool
I’ve worked with many brilliant and inspiring entrepreneurs. Some have gone on to build international businesses and others have foundered. What separates them? The truly successful ones all have one thing in common: scratch the surface and they’re process geeks.
Successful entrepreneurs enjoy the detail, they love separating each job into separate actions, seeing where they can make efficiencies and freeing up the bottlenecks. Every element of their business has a written process with clearly defined steps.
If you’re a visionary, and most entrepreneurs are, the actual nitty gritty process of your business probably leaves you cold. You’re focused driving sales, bringing in new clients and building relationships. It’s the bigger picture all the way for you. Nonetheless, if you don’t put proper processes in place, your business will fail in the long run, no matter how many sales you’ve made or how big your client roster.
“Details create the big picture.” – Sanford I. Weill
3. Hiring people smarter than you is clever
Everyone knows this one, right? The problem here is that though we all know it, we very often forget it. I’ve seen lots of entrepreneurs fall at this hurdle with sometimes catastrophic results. The reasons for this are very clear to me because some entrepreneurs are control freaks. They are big, extrovert personalities, and they have to be the top dog in the workplace. That means when it comes to hiring, though they think they’re focused on going for smart people, they’re actually choosing people who won’t threaten their ego. Hiring for a startup is difficult – there is no doubt.
Successful entrepreneurs know and understand themselves. They know their strengths and their personal weaknesses. Driven, go-getting extravert founders can be incredibly successful, but they need to surround themselves with people who are unafraid to challenge them. Otherwise, what you end up with later down the line is a business full of yes-men. Smart, yes-men, maybe, but still people who will go along with any mad idea you might have at 4 o’clock in the morning.
The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen to you is to get a second opinion from people you trust, even people outside the business or let your team interview the person, not you. Clearly this plan isn’t foolproof, because if you’ve already built a business full of yes-men they’re just going to pick someone like them. Nonetheless, nine times out of 10 you’ll end up with a new team member who’s not going to be afraid to tell you when you’re being an idiot.
4. All entrepreneurs are afraid – it’s normal
Every entrepreneur has sleepless nights. All startup founders worry that their business is going to go bust tomorrow. All entrepreneurs think they’re going to get found out. This is perfectly normal, and absolutely nothing to worry about. In fact, it’s all part of building a highly successful business. The trick is to ensure that it doesn’t start to impair your judgement or your health.
We’ve all heard stories of entrepreneurs who only sleep four hours per night, and work 80 hour weeks for years and years on end. While some do, most come to the correct conclusion after a few months that if they and their team must work 80 hours per week, they don’t have a viable business. The effects are more harmful than you might expect. Getting a good night’s sleep will calm you down.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
If your business is sustainable and you’ve just got into a cycle of fear that’s driving you to work ridiculous hours, then stop. Look again at your product-market fit and processes, hire some people smarter than you who will tell you you’re an idiot and go on holiday. Yes, one of those things where you leave the office and don’t come back for at least a week. Holidays are definitely not for wimps.
Successful entrepreneurs understand that it’s the big lessons that count. They are the portable life lessons that will carry you through the tough times ahead. If you can really nail these four lessons, you’ll not only be in great shape but you’ll be ahead of many of your fellow entrepreneurs.
Which one of these four lessons do you need to implement most in your life? Let us know in the comments below!
Blogging has become the most preferred side hustle because of its income potential and the fulfillment it brings. No matter what you want to write about, blogging is the best way to pursue your passion and earn money at the same time.
My blogging journey has been an amazing one although there were challenges along the way. What started as a simple desire to share my work at home experience turned out to be the most fulfilling mission I’ve ever had.
In today’s world where the digital landscape is crowded and oversaturated, you need to have a solid plan before launching your blogging business. Your launch can really bump up your blog exposure, so it’s recommended that you take the time to carefully think through the process and pay attention even to small details.
What is a Launch Plan?
In simple terms, it’s how you are going to let others know that you started a business (or a blog in this instance). A launch plan is a pedestal to show your new business to the world and it details what platforms you will utilize to attract your target audience. Having a clear strategy from the start will go a long way, and it will surely help you achieve your goals.
Here are 5 of the most important things you should do before you launch your blog:
1. Do Your Research
Assuming you’re already 100% sure about your chosen niche, and you’ve had a couple of blog posts up before your launch, the next thing you’d have to do is conduct market research. Find out where your ideal blog readers are hanging out, what blogs they are reading, what questions they are asking, what products they are buying and what social media platforms they are on.
List down the answers to the questions above, and from there, you can start setting aside a budget and creating a timeline for your launch. The research may take you a few days up to a few weeks, depending on how thorough you want it to be.
To be honest, the process of picking your niche, acquiring a domain and a hosting plan and even writing a few posts is much easier than planning your blog launch and going through the market research itself.
“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers.” – Brian Clark
2. Finalize the Promotion Channels
Writing helpful content is paramount, but knowing where to promote it is also vital. You have to list down the promotion channels you want to utilize and set them up before your launch. Many newbie bloggers often miss this critical step; thus, they fail to build traffic, they get frustrated and they give up too quickly.
In my personal experience, the traffic and the initial readership that my blog had in the first few months after the launch came from word of mouth promotion that I did. Apart from that, I also made sure that I use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to my blog’s advantage.
3. Be Ready to Invest
Starting a blog might not cost you much. But it requires time, effort and dedication. You have to be disciplined enough to pay attention to details like your website’s theme and overall design. You should be ready to invest in learning about different concepts of your niche and you need to sign up for the must-haves like ESP (email service provider), automation tools, and design software.
Do not play safe. Sometimes you can only find success if you go all out and spend some ‘dough.’ Trust me, I have done it and have never regretted almost anything I bought for my blog. In fact, all my learning resources contributed to the success of my blog.
It is also advisable to have a stable fund when you launch your blog. Sure, you will be able to generate money from the blog but just like any other businesses, a start-up investment is required so you can sustain your blog and post fresh content pieces weekly.
4. Focus on Your Brand
Online businesses thrive on the uniqueness of their brand. Having a good brand strategy and working on developing a voice of your own can give you the best results going forward. Successful online entrepreneurs like Melyssa Griffin, Nathan Chan, Amy Porterfield have a unique brand voice of their own, and they have vast readership.
Work on building your brand from day one, whether it is through your blog’s theme or social media channels. How do you do this? Just ask yourself the question, ‘How do I want want my readers to see me or what do I want them to think about when they read my blog?’.
Having a clear idea of what your blogging business is about can get you loyal followers and more exposure. Building a brand can be a long and tedious process, but if you start it right, it will surely pay off.
“A blog is merely a tool that lets you do anything from change the world to share your shopping list.”
5. Network
This is the big part of your blog launch. Whether you blog about e-commerce, lifestyle design, entrepreneurship or making money online, you need to be able to find like-minded people to connect with and help you spread the word about your blog.
Networking is a pretty big thing in the business world but the best thing about it is, you can find people to connect with just about everywhere. You can connect with them using social media, forums, groups, and during events.
Networking is also a means to find friends who will uplift and strengthen you as you push towards achieving your goals. I have a lot of online friends who ‘get’ what I do as a blogger and they have been very supportive of my business. These friends helped me form a community where we can share insights and help our readers. Start joining the right groups in your niche now so you can learn more about your target readers and develop a relationship with other influencers and bloggers.
Though it sounds straightforward, starting a blog means you are making your first step towards starting an online business. Doing the groundwork is as important as ‘hustle’ or ‘grind’. Although the overall success of your blogging business will still depend on how consistent you are and how determined you are in making it work, these simple tips can ensure that you will achieve the results you want for your blog launch.
Image courtesy of Twenty20.com
The world is in a place right now where everything is changing faster than ever. Thanks to the digital era, we are enabled to fulfil our dreams easily. Be it the flexible policies or the availability of easy information, it all allows us to work more effectively towards our goals. It’s the same for entrepreneurs alike.
Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur though, that’s mean but true. However, there are many more entrepreneurs today than there was just a decade ago. How is this happening?
People without entrepreneurial backgrounds are trying their luck and succeeding too. It’s a good wave for everyone, the consumer and the seller. The market is working together to reduce the gap between demand and supply. Not only is this keeping entrepreneurs on their toes, but is also encouraging them to think out of the box.
This sudden rise in the number of entrepreneurs could also be attributed to the availability of investors. They most certainly think differently than their predecessors. The desire to bring in the right change in society is the only thing similar between all generations of entrepreneurs.
Who is an underdog entrepreneur?
Underdog, as the term suggests, is someone who is least expected to succeed within a group of talented individuals. It is the same person who has the least power, say or authority in the lot. Underdogs are never usually even considered to be on the winning side. This in return makes it obvious for others to not have any hopes on them or worse, not even consider them. Some could argue that underdogs are usually not visible to others.
“Being underestimated is one of the biggest competitive advantages you can have. Embrace it.”
However, over the years the above definition is seen in a more positive and different light. Underdogs are highly respected and regarded now, because of the uncertainty they carry with them. It reflects on the idea of someone weak or slow, working harder to be in a better position. Underdogs look appealing today because of their efficiency at breaking odds and coming out stronger. Today, underdogs also answer to the injustice or unfairness they are fighting to succeed.
Here are 5 reasons why underdog entrepreneurs are more likely to succeed:
1. They don’t take any aspect of their business for granted
Underdog entrepreneurs are from humbler backgrounds in terms of experience making them sceptical. They take every aspect of their business seriously. Be it something as small as managing their accounts or something as big as meeting an investor, they do it with equal determination. There are times when big businesses face trouble for having taken a small aspect lightly. This is usually never the case with an underdog entrepreneur, who is always on his toes. He is careful and is alert about what’s happening in and outside his business. This keeps him aware and also allows him to plan ahead in time.
2. Their risk tolerance is out of the world
They have faced failures multiple times in the past. They do not have inhibitions and scepticism, unlike most entrepreneurs. Taking calculated risks is a wise choice but can also keep one back in today’s fast marketplace. Underdog entrepreneurs are usually more likely to take risks that others are not willing to take. This certainly puts them in a tricky position but also improves their chances significantly. They understand the risk they are taking and take it with authority. They are the same type of individuals who believe they have nothing to lose in the first place. They risk it with the hope of getting something better. Even if they fail they know how to rise up again. Staying motivated even in the toughest of times is an art they have nailed.
3. They don’t make unnecessary chatter or claims
Underdog Entrepreneurs usually have too much on their plates; given the multiple hats, they wear. They don’t have the time or flexibility to indulge in useless banter. There are two kinds of people; doers and talkers. They are the first kind, who focus on doing things better. Their words speak for them. Having faced rejection and failure, they are usually very cautious before making any claims. They take failure positively but also learn not to talk about outcomes that aren’t out yet. These are the category of people who let their work speak about them. Underdog entrepreneurs are usually never satisfied and try to make up for the lost time and repute.
4. They think out of the box and have unconventional ways
They are the kind of people who experiment and run wild thoughts. Their fearlessness makes them take calculated yet unconventional steps. It could be in their execution or their promotions etc. The world is changing and is craving to see the right change. Unlike earlier times, the ideal consumer today is more willing and open to the right changes.
However, the consumer wants to know the logical reason behind a change. Underdog entrepreneurs are making better decisions every day and coming up with quirky ideas too. This is the time and age for unconventional settings and decisions and underdog entrepreneurs are making the best out of it. Their experience at falling and getting back up each time teaches them how to find better ways to rise up.
“Underdogs adapt, evolve and become winners because of their preparation, heart, execution and the relentless attitude that the game will not end any other way.”
5. They have exceptional people skills
It’s very important for every business to connect with its people, its consumers. The unique bonds that brands are creating today, is what separates them in the crowded marketplace. Coming from humble beginnings, underdog entrepreneurs are humble and open-minded. They talk to people, connect with them, share and take ideas. Underdog entrepreneurs shine at creating relationships that matter to their business.
They understand that there are many others like them in the market and keep their ego in check. They are more respectful of their customers and towards their competitors. This keeps them open to new learning, which should ideally be the motto of every entrepreneur. This is the same ability that makes them better advisors, mentors, leaders and salesperson. They understand human emotions and values better.
When an underdog entrepreneur finds success, he/she makes others believe in the power of hard work and determination. This is the positivity that people look out for in the first place.
The next big idea could be right around the corner. In fact, it could be coming from one of your kids. Children today have an excellent grasp on social media and the world of opportunities the internet provides. Because of these facts, it comes as no surprise that many kids today are starting to pursue their entrepreneurial goals as early as six or seven years old.
One child-entrepreneur survey polled 1,721 students in grades 5 through 12 and found that 77% of students wanted to be their own boss. A whopping 45% said they wanted to start their own business and not far behind were 42% of students who said they wanted to invent something that changes the world.
These big ambitions for such young children need to be cultivated, and as a parent, you can help them make their business goals a reality.
From online learning classes to teaching kids about money, here are 7 parenting tips for empowering kid entrepreneurs:
1. Encourage their curiosity
Kid’s have brilliant minds. It is often said that it is easier for a child under the age of seven years old to learn a second language than it is for adults. Why? Unlike adults, they are still steeped in education on a daily basis. Their brains are ready to create new information more willingly than an adult mind.
The Teachers College Columbia University reports that this has much to do with the prefrontal cortex, which contributes to an inventive and creative outlook on things. This curiosity and ability to learn should be encouraged by parents. Help them take online learning classes or find opportunities to do projects with them that relate to their interests and ideas.
2. Take your children seriously
One of the main ingredients of good parenting is letting your kids know you understand and support them. Children’s minds are always changing and growing. One week they may want to be an astronaut while the following week they want to be a veterinarian. These flip-flopping ideas may make it tempting to smile and nod when your little one expresses their desires, but don’t be so quick to say no.
If your child wants to be a pastry chef and asks you if they can sell cupcakes in the neighborhood, why not say yes? Yes, the mind of a child can change from one minute to the next, but parents help their children grow and explore new ideas when they take their requests seriously.
3. Teach children the value of money
In order to build a thriving business, children need to learn how to manage their money. A child who receives an allowance of $15 will have $60 by the end of the month.
You can help teach your child both responsibility and the value of money by encouraging them to spend money wisely. By using basic math or putting up a pie chart on the refrigerator, you can teach your children the importance of saving money and investing wisely in products to pursue their goals.
“Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.” – Ayn Rand
4. Teach that it’s okay to fail
In the same survey cited at the onset, 91% of entrepreneurial students said that they are not afraid to take risks, even if they fail.
Starting a business is a big job that requires your child’s patience, drive, and responsibility. Putting all this effort into a project only to have it fail can be crushing for a young child.
It is important for you to teach your children that it is okay to fail. Highlight that having fun, learning and gaining beneficial experience should be the primary goal of their entrepreneurial career, and not necessarily fame and success.
5. Help your child get started
A great parenting tip for empowering kid entrepreneurs is to help them get started off on the right track. Help them do research about similar products or ideas. Is their pricing, right? Is there a current need for their idea or business?
If your kid wants to become an entrepreneur, it’s your job as a parent to help them make it a reality. This means helping them learn how to market their service or idea. This may also involve learning how to manufacture a product and taking online learning classes about their interests.
6. Look for opportunities
If your child wants to launch a product or service, they’re going to need opportunities to be in the public eye. This can be done through social media, word of mouth, neighborhood canvassing, and even getting a hold of your city’s news station to have a piece done on the local child entrepreneur.
Taking your children to such things as trade shows can also give them the opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs. There are also various online learning classes that can help parents and children discover how best to market a new product and make business connections.
“In a world that changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” – Mark Zuckerberg
7. Make it fun
There are many successful child entrepreneurs with thriving companies today. At 12 years old, popcorn giant Orville Redenbacher, began growing his own popping corn in pursuit of the perfect kernel.
While his passion for popcorn did earn him enough to pay for his college tuition, no doubt, Redenbacher wasn’t thinking that he was going to turn his love of popcorn into a billion-dollar market. He was just having fun.
The same should be true for your little one. Childhood is a time for being carefree, not to be weighed down with worries and anxiety. One of the best parenting tips for encouraging little entrepreneurs is to make having fun the primary goal of their pursuit.
Follow these 7 parenting tips to help empower your child to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. Teach your kids the value of money, remind them that building a business should be fun, and get them involved in online learning classes to make the best of their budding entrepreneur spirit.
Which one of these tips do you feel is the most important to teach the next generation of entrepreneurs? Let us know your thoughts below!
Today I told my boss “I quit.”
He wasn’t expecting it. He thought I’d be around for much longer. I mean who wouldn’t want to work with brand-name tech companies and eat fancy lunches with clients?
Well, unfortunately, I don’t give a fuck about brand names or lunches or looking good. Vanity metrics and looking good is for chumps.
What happened today was that after a nine-month (wholly shit that’s a long time) career change, I got what I wanted. I liked where I worked for the last seven years and my boss was awesome but it was time for change.What did I want?
Four days working in digital marketing as a leader, and one day consulting to a company I love focused on personal development and entrepreneurship.
For nine months I told everyone I knew this dream and most people laughed at me silently behind my back.
Splitting my work week in two and joining the self-help cult seems ludicrous to most people. Not me though.
I’m obsessed with changing people’s lives and finding out why people do what they do. I eat it for fucking breakfast lunch and dinner. It’s like eating chocolate moose for dessert every damn meal…YUMMY.
Why quit your job?
Quitting your job on social media has become a competition. Everyone’s out there to tell you why you should quit your job and most people giving that advice have never done it.
Quitting your job normally comes down to one thing:
“You want to spend more time doing something you love and less time doing crap you hate”
In my case, I don’t mind working in finance, but it doesn’t exactly wake me up in the morning and give me morning glory.
Quitting your job is normally associated with the following:
- You hate what you’re currently doing
- You hate the people you work with
- You hate the company, what they stand for and their BS values
- You need a change
- You need to be challenged
Quitting your job is harder than you think.
Quitting your job can feel like killing your newborn baby.
Often you’ve become comfortable, know where the kitchen is and know most people in the business. The people you work with can feel like family even if your career has nothing to do with anything you enjoy doing.
Much of the advice on the internet suggests you can just quit your job, pitch a tent and ‘you’ll be right mate.’
But we all have bills to pay and commitments.
“It’s not as easy as quitting your job and walking into your dream career after popping a bottle of Yarra Valley Chardonnay and some nicely aged cottage cheese”
The process of quitting your job looks more like this:
- Realizing your way too comfortable
- Slapping yourself over the head a few times and screaming “WAKE UP!”
- Going through months of rejection, “Fuck off,” and “Who are you again?”
- Complaining to your significant other that it will never happen
- Facing your fears and feeling like your whole world could end
- Trying to figure out what the heck you actually love doing
The process of quitting your job is a grueling one. It will take every ounce of energy, enthusiasm and resilience you have. Someone asked me yesterday what it was like to quit my job. My reply was this:
“Quitting your job feels like ripping off a band-aid and watching blood piss everywhere because the scab hasn’t quite healed.”
The finding what you love part.
I’ve hinted through my sometimes interesting approach already that quitting your job requires you to know what you love.
This advice sounds rosy and gorgeous like a Santa Monica sunset, but it’s total bullshit unless I explain how to do that.
Here’s how to find what you love:
- What does your internet browser history look like?
- Where do you spend most of your time in the bookstore?
- If I wrote down everything you did outside of work, where would most of that time be invested?
- At a BBQ, what do you talk about the most?
In one of these four questions is what you love. That’s what you should eventually quit your job for.
Quitting your job is hard until it’s not.
In the weeks leading up to by big resignation, I was crippled by fear and I almost didn’t go through with it.
I was going to take another job in the same company I worked for, for the last seven years because it would help me lie to myself and think I was brave enough to do what I was afraid of.
The process of quitting your job is hard until you come to terms with the idea that there is no right decision.
Quitting your job could be the best thing you’ll ever do or a freaking disaster that will make you want to fire off an email to me condemning me to hell for the rest of my life.
“What I do know is this: if you never make a tough decision like quitting your job then you’ll always live with regret for the rest of your life about what could have happened”
Regret will kill your dreams more than quitting your job ever will.
Final thought.
I can’t tell you all to improve if I don’t. This very thought nudged me over the line. It was this idea that woke me up and got me standing straight again.
I can’t be blogging on the internet and telling people to face their fears or quit their job unless I’m prepared to do the same. That would be incongruent and my conscience would eventually reveal this truth to me.
Quitting your job is a tough decision and so is living with regret.
Think about that if you’re on the cusp or quitting and can’t rustle up the courage to do it.
If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
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Walt Disney was an American businessman, animator, voice actor, producer and cartoonist, creating the well-loved cartoon character – Micky Mouse.
Walt Disney has become the cultural icon for entertainment throughout the world.
Blogging has become the most preferred side hustle because of its income potential and the fulfillment it brings. No matter what you want to write about, blogging is the best way to pursue your passion and earn money at the same time.
My blogging journey has been an amazing one although there were challenges along the way. What started as a simple desire to share my work at home experience turned out to be the most fulfilling mission I’ve ever had.
In today’s world where the digital landscape is crowded and oversaturated, you need to have a solid plan before launching your blogging business. Your launch can really bump up your blog exposure, so it’s recommended that you take the time to carefully think through the process and pay attention even to small details.
What is a Launch Plan?
In simple terms, it’s how you are going to let others know that you started a business (or a blog in this instance). A launch plan is a pedestal to show your new business to the world and it details what platforms you will utilize to attract your target audience. Having a clear strategy from the start will go a long way, and it will surely help you achieve your goals.
Here are 5 of the most important things you should do before you launch your blog:
1. Do Your Research
Assuming you’re already 100% sure about your chosen niche, and you’ve had a couple of blog posts up before your launch, the next thing you’d have to do is conduct market research. Find out where your ideal blog readers are hanging out, what blogs they are reading, what questions they are asking, what products they are buying and what social media platforms they are on.
List down the answers to the questions above, and from there, you can start setting aside a budget and creating a timeline for your launch. The research may take you a few days up to a few weeks, depending on how thorough you want it to be.
To be honest, the process of picking your niche, acquiring a domain and a hosting plan and even writing a few posts is much easier than planning your blog launch and going through the market research itself.
“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers.” – Brian Clark
2. Finalize the Promotion Channels
Writing helpful content is paramount, but knowing where to promote it is also vital. You have to list down the promotion channels you want to utilize and set them up before your launch. Many newbie bloggers often miss this critical step; thus, they fail to build traffic, they get frustrated and they give up too quickly.
In my personal experience, the traffic and the initial readership that my blog had in the first few months after the launch came from word of mouth promotion that I did. Apart from that, I also made sure that I use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to my blog’s advantage.
3. Be Ready to Invest
Starting a blog might not cost you much. But it requires time, effort and dedication. You have to be disciplined enough to pay attention to details like your website’s theme and overall design. You should be ready to invest in learning about different concepts of your niche and you need to sign up for the must-haves like ESP (email service provider), automation tools, and design software.
Do not play safe. Sometimes you can only find success if you go all out and spend some ‘dough.’ Trust me, I have done it and have never regretted almost anything I bought for my blog. In fact, all my learning resources contributed to the success of my blog.
It is also advisable to have a stable fund when you launch your blog. Sure, you will be able to generate money from the blog but just like any other businesses, a start-up investment is required so you can sustain your blog and post fresh content pieces weekly.
4. Focus on Your Brand
Online businesses thrive on the uniqueness of their brand. Having a good brand strategy and working on developing a voice of your own can give you the best results going forward. Successful online entrepreneurs like Melyssa Griffin, Nathan Chan, Amy Porterfield have a unique brand voice of their own, and they have vast readership.
Work on building your brand from day one, whether it is through your blog’s theme or social media channels. How do you do this? Just ask yourself the question, ‘How do I want want my readers to see me or what do I want them to think about when they read my blog?’.
Having a clear idea of what your blogging business is about can get you loyal followers and more exposure. Building a brand can be a long and tedious process, but if you start it right, it will surely pay off.
“A blog is merely a tool that lets you do anything from change the world to share your shopping list.”
5. Network
This is the big part of your blog launch. Whether you blog about e-commerce, lifestyle design, entrepreneurship or making money online, you need to be able to find like-minded people to connect with and help you spread the word about your blog.
Networking is a pretty big thing in the business world but the best thing about it is, you can find people to connect with just about everywhere. You can connect with them using social media, forums, groups, and during events.
Networking is also a means to find friends who will uplift and strengthen you as you push towards achieving your goals. I have a lot of online friends who ‘get’ what I do as a blogger and they have been very supportive of my business. These friends helped me form a community where we can share insights and help our readers. Start joining the right groups in your niche now so you can learn more about your target readers and develop a relationship with other influencers and bloggers.
Though it sounds straightforward, starting a blog means you are making your first step towards starting an online business. Doing the groundwork is as important as ‘hustle’ or ‘grind’. Although the overall success of your blogging business will still depend on how consistent you are and how determined you are in making it work, these simple tips can ensure that you will achieve the results you want for your blog launch.
Image courtesy of Twenty20.com
The world is in a place right now where everything is changing faster than ever. Thanks to the digital era, we are enabled to fulfil our dreams easily. Be it the flexible policies or the availability of easy information, it all allows us to work more effectively towards our goals. It’s the same for entrepreneurs alike.
Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur though, that’s mean but true. However, there are many more entrepreneurs today than there was just a decade ago. How is this happening?
People without entrepreneurial backgrounds are trying their luck and succeeding too. It’s a good wave for everyone, the consumer and the seller. The market is working together to reduce the gap between demand and supply. Not only is this keeping entrepreneurs on their toes, but is also encouraging them to think out of the box.
This sudden rise in the number of entrepreneurs could also be attributed to the availability of investors. They most certainly think differently than their predecessors. The desire to bring in the right change in society is the only thing similar between all generations of entrepreneurs.
Who is an underdog entrepreneur?
Underdog, as the term suggests, is someone who is least expected to succeed within a group of talented individuals. It is the same person who has the least power, say or authority in the lot. Underdogs are never usually even considered to be on the winning side. This in return makes it obvious for others to not have any hopes on them or worse, not even consider them. Some could argue that underdogs are usually not visible to others.
“Being underestimated is one of the biggest competitive advantages you can have. Embrace it.”
However, over the years the above definition is seen in a more positive and different light. Underdogs are highly respected and regarded now, because of the uncertainty they carry with them. It reflects on the idea of someone weak or slow, working harder to be in a better position. Underdogs look appealing today because of their efficiency at breaking odds and coming out stronger. Today, underdogs also answer to the injustice or unfairness they are fighting to succeed.
Here are 5 reasons why underdog entrepreneurs are more likely to succeed:
1. They don’t take any aspect of their business for granted
Underdog entrepreneurs are from humbler backgrounds in terms of experience making them sceptical. They take every aspect of their business seriously. Be it something as small as managing their accounts or something as big as meeting an investor, they do it with equal determination. There are times when big businesses face trouble for having taken a small aspect lightly. This is usually never the case with an underdog entrepreneur, who is always on his toes. He is careful and is alert about what’s happening in and outside his business. This keeps him aware and also allows him to plan ahead in time.
2. Their risk tolerance is out of the world
They have faced failures multiple times in the past. They do not have inhibitions and scepticism, unlike most entrepreneurs. Taking calculated risks is a wise choice but can also keep one back in today’s fast marketplace. Underdog entrepreneurs are usually more likely to take risks that others are not willing to take. This certainly puts them in a tricky position but also improves their chances significantly. They understand the risk they are taking and take it with authority. They are the same type of individuals who believe they have nothing to lose in the first place. They risk it with the hope of getting something better. Even if they fail they know how to rise up again. Staying motivated even in the toughest of times is an art they have nailed.
3. They don’t make unnecessary chatter or claims
Underdog Entrepreneurs usually have too much on their plates; given the multiple hats, they wear. They don’t have the time or flexibility to indulge in useless banter. There are two kinds of people; doers and talkers. They are the first kind, who focus on doing things better. Their words speak for them. Having faced rejection and failure, they are usually very cautious before making any claims. They take failure positively but also learn not to talk about outcomes that aren’t out yet. These are the category of people who let their work speak about them. Underdog entrepreneurs are usually never satisfied and try to make up for the lost time and repute.
4. They think out of the box and have unconventional ways
They are the kind of people who experiment and run wild thoughts. Their fearlessness makes them take calculated yet unconventional steps. It could be in their execution or their promotions etc. The world is changing and is craving to see the right change. Unlike earlier times, the ideal consumer today is more willing and open to the right changes.
However, the consumer wants to know the logical reason behind a change. Underdog entrepreneurs are making better decisions every day and coming up with quirky ideas too. This is the time and age for unconventional settings and decisions and underdog entrepreneurs are making the best out of it. Their experience at falling and getting back up each time teaches them how to find better ways to rise up.
“Underdogs adapt, evolve and become winners because of their preparation, heart, execution and the relentless attitude that the game will not end any other way.”
5. They have exceptional people skills
It’s very important for every business to connect with its people, its consumers. The unique bonds that brands are creating today, is what separates them in the crowded marketplace. Coming from humble beginnings, underdog entrepreneurs are humble and open-minded. They talk to people, connect with them, share and take ideas. Underdog entrepreneurs shine at creating relationships that matter to their business.
They understand that there are many others like them in the market and keep their ego in check. They are more respectful of their customers and towards their competitors. This keeps them open to new learning, which should ideally be the motto of every entrepreneur. This is the same ability that makes them better advisors, mentors, leaders and salesperson. They understand human emotions and values better.
When an underdog entrepreneur finds success, he/she makes others believe in the power of hard work and determination. This is the positivity that people look out for in the first place.
The next big idea could be right around the corner. In fact, it could be coming from one of your kids. Children today have an excellent grasp on social media and the world of opportunities the internet provides. Because of these facts, it comes as no surprise that many kids today are starting to pursue their entrepreneurial goals as early as six or seven years old.
One child-entrepreneur survey polled 1,721 students in grades 5 through 12 and found that 77% of students wanted to be their own boss. A whopping 45% said they wanted to start their own business and not far behind were 42% of students who said they wanted to invent something that changes the world.
These big ambitions for such young children need to be cultivated, and as a parent, you can help them make their business goals a reality.
From online learning classes to teaching kids about money, here are 7 parenting tips for empowering kid entrepreneurs:
1. Encourage their curiosity
Kid’s have brilliant minds. It is often said that it is easier for a child under the age of seven years old to learn a second language than it is for adults. Why? Unlike adults, they are still steeped in education on a daily basis. Their brains are ready to create new information more willingly than an adult mind.
The Teachers College Columbia University reports that this has much to do with the prefrontal cortex, which contributes to an inventive and creative outlook on things. This curiosity and ability to learn should be encouraged by parents. Help them take online learning classes or find opportunities to do projects with them that relate to their interests and ideas.
2. Take your children seriously
One of the main ingredients of good parenting is letting your kids know you understand and support them. Children’s minds are always changing and growing. One week they may want to be an astronaut while the following week they want to be a veterinarian. These flip-flopping ideas may make it tempting to smile and nod when your little one expresses their desires, but don’t be so quick to say no.
If your child wants to be a pastry chef and asks you if they can sell cupcakes in the neighborhood, why not say yes? Yes, the mind of a child can change from one minute to the next, but parents help their children grow and explore new ideas when they take their requests seriously.
3. Teach children the value of money
In order to build a thriving business, children need to learn how to manage their money. A child who receives an allowance of $15 will have $60 by the end of the month.
You can help teach your child both responsibility and the value of money by encouraging them to spend money wisely. By using basic math or putting up a pie chart on the refrigerator, you can teach your children the importance of saving money and investing wisely in products to pursue their goals.
“Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.” – Ayn Rand
4. Teach that it’s okay to fail
In the same survey cited at the onset, 91% of entrepreneurial students said that they are not afraid to take risks, even if they fail.
Starting a business is a big job that requires your child’s patience, drive, and responsibility. Putting all this effort into a project only to have it fail can be crushing for a young child.
It is important for you to teach your children that it is okay to fail. Highlight that having fun, learning and gaining beneficial experience should be the primary goal of their entrepreneurial career, and not necessarily fame and success.
5. Help your child get started
A great parenting tip for empowering kid entrepreneurs is to help them get started off on the right track. Help them do research about similar products or ideas. Is their pricing, right? Is there a current need for their idea or business?
If your kid wants to become an entrepreneur, it’s your job as a parent to help them make it a reality. This means helping them learn how to market their service or idea. This may also involve learning how to manufacture a product and taking online learning classes about their interests.
6. Look for opportunities
If your child wants to launch a product or service, they’re going to need opportunities to be in the public eye. This can be done through social media, word of mouth, neighborhood canvassing, and even getting a hold of your city’s news station to have a piece done on the local child entrepreneur.
Taking your children to such things as trade shows can also give them the opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs. There are also various online learning classes that can help parents and children discover how best to market a new product and make business connections.
“In a world that changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” – Mark Zuckerberg
7. Make it fun
There are many successful child entrepreneurs with thriving companies today. At 12 years old, popcorn giant Orville Redenbacher, began growing his own popping corn in pursuit of the perfect kernel.
While his passion for popcorn did earn him enough to pay for his college tuition, no doubt, Redenbacher wasn’t thinking that he was going to turn his love of popcorn into a billion-dollar market. He was just having fun.
The same should be true for your little one. Childhood is a time for being carefree, not to be weighed down with worries and anxiety. One of the best parenting tips for encouraging little entrepreneurs is to make having fun the primary goal of their pursuit.
Follow these 7 parenting tips to help empower your child to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. Teach your kids the value of money, remind them that building a business should be fun, and get them involved in online learning classes to make the best of their budding entrepreneur spirit.
Which one of these tips do you feel is the most important to teach the next generation of entrepreneurs? Let us know your thoughts below!
Today I told my boss “I quit.”
He wasn’t expecting it. He thought I’d be around for much longer. I mean who wouldn’t want to work with brand-name tech companies and eat fancy lunches with clients?
Well, unfortunately, I don’t give a fuck about brand names or lunches or looking good. Vanity metrics and looking good is for chumps.
What happened today was that after a nine-month (wholly shit that’s a long time) career change, I got what I wanted. I liked where I worked for the last seven years and my boss was awesome but it was time for change.What did I want?
Four days working in digital marketing as a leader, and one day consulting to a company I love focused on personal development and entrepreneurship.
For nine months I told everyone I knew this dream and most people laughed at me silently behind my back.
Splitting my work week in two and joining the self-help cult seems ludicrous to most people. Not me though.
I’m obsessed with changing people’s lives and finding out why people do what they do. I eat it for fucking breakfast lunch and dinner. It’s like eating chocolate moose for dessert every damn meal…YUMMY.
Why quit your job?
Quitting your job on social media has become a competition. Everyone’s out there to tell you why you should quit your job and most people giving that advice have never done it.
Quitting your job normally comes down to one thing:
“You want to spend more time doing something you love and less time doing crap you hate”
In my case, I don’t mind working in finance, but it doesn’t exactly wake me up in the morning and give me morning glory.
Quitting your job is normally associated with the following:
- You hate what you’re currently doing
- You hate the people you work with
- You hate the company, what they stand for and their BS values
- You need a change
- You need to be challenged
Quitting your job is harder than you think.
Quitting your job can feel like killing your newborn baby.
Often you’ve become comfortable, know where the kitchen is and know most people in the business. The people you work with can feel like family even if your career has nothing to do with anything you enjoy doing.
Much of the advice on the internet suggests you can just quit your job, pitch a tent and ‘you’ll be right mate.’
But we all have bills to pay and commitments.
“It’s not as easy as quitting your job and walking into your dream career after popping a bottle of Yarra Valley Chardonnay and some nicely aged cottage cheese”
The process of quitting your job looks more like this:
- Realizing your way too comfortable
- Slapping yourself over the head a few times and screaming “WAKE UP!”
- Going through months of rejection, “Fuck off,” and “Who are you again?”
- Complaining to your significant other that it will never happen
- Facing your fears and feeling like your whole world could end
- Trying to figure out what the heck you actually love doing
The process of quitting your job is a grueling one. It will take every ounce of energy, enthusiasm and resilience you have. Someone asked me yesterday what it was like to quit my job. My reply was this:
“Quitting your job feels like ripping off a band-aid and watching blood piss everywhere because the scab hasn’t quite healed.”
The finding what you love part.
I’ve hinted through my sometimes interesting approach already that quitting your job requires you to know what you love.
This advice sounds rosy and gorgeous like a Santa Monica sunset, but it’s total bullshit unless I explain how to do that.
Here’s how to find what you love:
- What does your internet browser history look like?
- Where do you spend most of your time in the bookstore?
- If I wrote down everything you did outside of work, where would most of that time be invested?
- At a BBQ, what do you talk about the most?
In one of these four questions is what you love. That’s what you should eventually quit your job for.
Quitting your job is hard until it’s not.
In the weeks leading up to by big resignation, I was crippled by fear and I almost didn’t go through with it.
I was going to take another job in the same company I worked for, for the last seven years because it would help me lie to myself and think I was brave enough to do what I was afraid of.
The process of quitting your job is hard until you come to terms with the idea that there is no right decision.
Quitting your job could be the best thing you’ll ever do or a freaking disaster that will make you want to fire off an email to me condemning me to hell for the rest of my life.
“What I do know is this: if you never make a tough decision like quitting your job then you’ll always live with regret for the rest of your life about what could have happened”
Regret will kill your dreams more than quitting your job ever will.
Final thought.
I can’t tell you all to improve if I don’t. This very thought nudged me over the line. It was this idea that woke me up and got me standing straight again.
I can’t be blogging on the internet and telling people to face their fears or quit their job unless I’m prepared to do the same. That would be incongruent and my conscience would eventually reveal this truth to me.
Quitting your job is a tough decision and so is living with regret.
Think about that if you’re on the cusp or quitting and can’t rustle up the courage to do it.
If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
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Amir Ayaz
Feb 24, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Good article ….