A checklist to bookmark as you get started:
I was chatting with a friend last night. I’m coaching her in her first Online Business venture. There were 2 parts to the conversation, she was asking how to get started
without wasting a whole heap of energy, time and money on stuff that was just noise, and I was wondering how I could give her some tips to get started without getting overwhelmed. This was me also thinking about how on earth I was going to start getting all my knowledge across in my Blog.
She said; ‘just tell me what the biggest mistakes I could make are’ ……so I did, and she did me a favour as it’s helped me get started in helping you as well.
So here you go……I hope my list helps you. If you’re not a newbie then pass it on to someone you would like to help.
Top 10 things NOT to do when your getting started:
10) Spamming social networks under the guise of ‘Networking’
Just don’t do it. Seriously. It’ suicide. Spamming is where you post your opportunity or URL all over other peoples spaces. You’re not connecting with any one person or group to give them any value. It exposes zero communication skills. It’s like entering someones home and spraying their walls with graffiti. I certainly wouldn’t ever invite them to any future parties. My door would be tight shut forever more.
9) Crying wolf in your email campaigns
Here’s another way to piss people off. Have you received emails that say Urgent! Last Chance! Confidential! only to open and find that it wasn’t really the whole truth. They’re obviously designed to grab your attention but they just insult your intelligence. There are smarter ways to get people to open your mail that won’t damage your reputation or personal branding, and burning your list. I’ll teach you.
8 ) Not targeting your market effectively
Some will tell you to build yourself a big list, even buy a big list. The bigger the better. Not so. I’d rather have 10 valued connections who I know love what I do than 10,000 random maybe’s. They trust me and value me so that when I actually have something to share with them, they are the first in line to buy from me. Your message should be crystal clear. Precision targeted marketing will give you a better prospect match, higher conversion rates which ultimately results in more income.
7) Trying to cut corners & save money in the wrong places
If you are committed to your life as an Internet Entrepreneur then you should take the time to learn about the tools of your trade. Find out from other people what they use and why. Notice what successful people use. Google product reviews. Things like Blogs, Auto-responders etc. have different functionality that you should consider in line with where you want to take your Online Business. Don’t just buy the cheapest to get started as you may be shooting yourself in the foot. You may ultimately outsource, you may hire others to do piece work for you, but you should have enough knowledge to make informed decisions.
6) Being too attached to your desired outcome
If your focus is always on what you want rather than how you can help people then you’re likely to repel them. You’ll come across as needy instead of having a higher purpose that’s in their interest. You should come from a place of wanting to serve. You should trust that you will attract the people with genuine interest in what your doing and then work out what value you can give them right away to retain their following. People will take action (with your help) when they are ready.
5) Give Google more attention than people
Do some SEO (sales engine optimisation) and then get on with connecting with people. I know the internet is a space connected by links and Google ‘owns’ how people find you through those links but seriously, you can give this far too much energy. Your energy should be used in connecting with people to spread your message. Provide great content and great value and people will find you.
4) Isolating yourself
I seriously suggest you get yourself 1) a community of like minded people….2) a Mentor or Mentors….3) a Coach. Being an Internet Entrepreneur can be inherently isolating. After all it just takes you and your laptop to get up an running – that’s what’s so great. But you’ll only get so far before you start to experience obstacles and hurdles that will wear you down. Don’t try to go it alone, you’ll waste time and money doing lots of things you don’t need to and risk throwing in the towel. Connect with like minded people, join networking groups and build yourself a mastermind to plug the skill sets your lacking.
3) Not investing daily in your own personal growth
Any wealthy person that you meet (I don’t just mean financially) will practice some type of intentional personal growth. Successful people thrive on expanding their comfort zone, they will seek out challenges that help them to grow as individuals. Adverse situations present them with opportunity. Set backs become a chance to review and do better. They don’t perceive failure as relevant to their situation because all circumstances advance their learning and therefore their growth. They live life on a higher positive note as they choose daily outcomes and design the results they want. I highly recommend you take steps every day to evolve. If you’re not evolving you’re standing still.
2) Failing to lead
Have clarity of purpose and evangelise what it is that you do. BE what you believe in. DO what you believe in. HAVE what you believe in. As an entrepreneur you are in the driving seat. You took a decision to do what you’re doing. You should know where your’re going & why your going there. If you don’t feel you’ve found the passion to lead then the time may not be right for you……keep searching within yourself, it will come.
1) Waiting until everything is ‘right’ and not taking ACTION
This is the No.1 area where people let themselves down in my book. The world is full of frustrated genius’ who can’t understand why they never made it. Oh, and there’s those who invest in the courses and the biz opps but never see any benefit through them. Your circumstances aren’t right, you don’t know enough yet, your website isn’t ready – it’s all procrastination. There’s a reason why only 3% of the population ‘make it’……that’s because they take MASSIVE ACTION. They don’t just start, they stay committed – taking persistent and consistent ACTION. They begin with their end in mind, stay unwaveringly focused on their passion and purpose, and take every little step it takes to get them there.
Well there you go!…….my TOP 10 DO NOT DO’s. I hope they help you today.
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To you’re unstoppable enthusiasm for getting started!!
I am a UK Internet Entrepreneur Coach:
Manchester