The 5 biggest mistakes I made as a solopreneur, AND how to avoid them.
When I first started entertaining the idea of walking away from my position as an executive director at a private language school, it hadn’t even occurred to me that I would eventually become a successful solopreneur (actually, I hadn’t even heard that term….). I was so unhappy at my day job that I was mostly focused on just getting out, and I grasped at anything that would provide that, including interviewing for other positions in higher-ed.
It wasn’t until later, when my dad introduced me to a coaching program on local lead generation, that I even realized how much potential there was in the digital marketing space. Now, four coaching programs later, and a STEEP, STEEP learning curve across the mountain that is the digital marketing space, I have a successful and thriving agency, and all of the flexibility to travel and take time off that comes with that.
Make A Plan
When I jumped into the very first coaching program I bought two years ago, I raced through it. I watched the videos in record time, didn’t take good notes, and generally had a crap attitude about the training altogether. I was still working in my day job, and wasn’t really making the necessary time to thoroughly become an expert in what they were training. For that reason, it took me a full year to master a 5 week training course, simply because I didn’t really listen & learn the first time I took the class, EVEN though I spent good money on it.
When I took the second course I bought, I did better. I slowed down. I took notes and I followed the instructions to the T, even if I thought they were tedious, or if it seemed like a minute detail that didn’t matter. I learned that digital marketing, when it’s successful, is ALL about the details.
Looking back, if I had set clear, actionable goals, I would have made more money even sooner.
Set Goals
I have a seriously bad case of S.O.S (shiny object syndrome), and coupled with my incurable sense of F.O.M.O (fear of missing out), it can lead me to look like a scattered diva running around from project to project. In reality, when you focus on everything in your business, you’re not really focusing on anything. I was TERRIBLE at hitting my goals. I will also confess that I was one of those people that thought setting goals was kind of stupid (there’s still a very small part of my brain, even now, that resists goal setting). But, the proof is in the very spiked punch, almost every successful entrepreneur in history has a quote on goal setting.
Google it. It’s a huge industry.
And, there’s a reason it’s such a huge industry: it just plain works.
Learning to set goals that are time-sensitive and painfully descriptive literally saved the life of my business. While I don’t have the time or creativity to make my own bullet journal (mad respect for people who do), I have found the Best Self Co journal to be a lifesaver. You can grab it here: https://bestself.co/ (don’t worry, that’s not an affiliate link…not really my style).
Network
I was a full year into my business before I joined a local business networking group. I had really judgemental opinions about local networking organizations like Keep It Local or BNI (Business Network International), or even the Chamber of Commerce. Honestly, I saw them mostly as a breeding ground for affiliate marketing. Because of my own preconceived notions, and my complete unwillingness to step outside what I deemed to be ‘things worth my time’, I missed out on meeting some really solid business owners that actually needed my services and were right there in my own community. Joining those local groups gave my business a huge boost, and I honestly wish I would have put myself out there sooner.
Own It
Every single coaching program that I bought offered invaluable insight. But when I first started, I assumed that all I had to do was plug-in play the training and my life would suddenly look amazing. In my brain, my life as a solopreneur was going to look like the montage from Dirty Dancing. I’d be shit at internet marketing, then I’d watch some videos with a glass of wine in hand, and then suddenly I’d be an amazing dancer dating Patrick Swayze (or at least the digital marketing equivalent of that).
Shockingly, that didn’t happen. **insert shocked emoji face**
So, let’s be real. No one can hand you the blueprint to your business.
- You have to learn what works for you.
- Where your skills are best utilized.
- Where to spend all of your energy.
- Where to outsource things you get bogged down in.
- And, most importantly, you have to be responsible for your own education.
Coaching programs are insanely helpful, but they only give you what you put back into them. Once I started showing up, taking notes, looking up and researching things I had questions about, seeking out mentorship, and really taking charge of developing my own knowledge base, my business flourished.
Get Involved
This one was relatively recent for me. I tend to be very introverted. As a business owner, that can be really challenging at times. I have had to practice putting myself out there, and letting myself be vulnerable. It can feel really scary to ask questions, especially in online forums (where internet trolls can be lurking around every corner!…not really, but you get the idea). I have found the best, most supportive communities are usually closed, private Facebook groups. They are moderated by an administrator, so they tend to be safer spaces. They are usually a group of like-minded, hard working people. And they tend to bend towards being inspiring and motivating rather than overwhelming.
Finding one is relatively easy. Hit the search box at the top of Facebook and search for an interest you have, or something you are wanting to learn and lots will pop up.
If you’re new to digital marketing, looking for a great online business to get started in, or just curious about entrepreneurship or owning your own business then we would LOVE to have you join us over at Digital Divas: a private, closed Facebook group where you can learn, contribute and engage with other badass women with similar goals.
Can’t wait to see ya there — xo, Claire
Click here to join Digital Divas — Free Facebook Group for Badass Women in Business
