Don't Make These 3 Mistakes When Starting Your Online Business (things I wish I knew earlier in my entrepreneurial journey)
There are a few lessons and truths that I wish I learned earlier in my entrepreneurial journey - because they could have saved me a LOT of tough times and heartaches!
In this blog, I’ll share the 3 biggest lessons that I wish I knew before starting my Online Business.
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This blog will take you about 5 minutes to read through.
If you’re short on time and would rather listen to a podcast episode with the best tips & tricks for starting your Online Business, then click here to tune into Visionary Life. It’s free and we have over 200+ hours of FREE content that will help you launch your successful online business!
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Don't Make These 3 Mistakes When Starting Your Online Business | Kelsey Reidl, Marketing Consultant
I’ve been interviewed on many podcasts in the past month, and one of the questions that I often receive is about ‘a piece of advice that I would give to someone just starting out in business’ OR advice I would give to my Younger-Self.
My immediate response is usually…
‘How much time do you have, because I have a LOT to say on this topic’ 🤪
Why?
Because starting any business is hard, especially an Online Business - and there are few key truths that could have saved me a lot of time, energy and money in the early years.
When starting your own online business, many entrepreneurs don't realize the challenges they will face along their journey including; tech glitches, lack of interest when they launch, and feeling like NOBODY is even paying attention. I want to assure you that these are all VERY NORMAL feelings.
Starting a business is not easy but it's extremely rewarding, so don’t quit yet!
In this post I'm going to share with you the 3 truths that I wish I knew before starting my business, that I want to share with all early stage and aspiring online business owners!
So if you're thinking of starting your own business, make sure you read until the end!
Let's delve into the Top 3 truths you need to know before launching your very own online empire!
Truth # 1 - It’s going to be really, really hard…
The reality is, growing a successful business isn’t always as easy as online influencers make it seem!
Starting a business will stretch you in ways you never imagined and it will challenge you to lean into every skill set you've ever built in your lifetime: marketing, sales, admin, creativity, writing, design, public speaking, accounting… you name it, you’ll have to learn it!
Starting a business requires a lot of determination in the first few years, and that can feel uncomfortable at times, especially if you’re used to a comfortable and safe corporate job!
However, if you can work through the uncertainty and be okay with taking (small) risks, it will pay off in the long term.
The first 2 years of building my online business required me to show up, experiment with new strategies, and work long days to build my community and test out new techniques. It wasn’t easy, and to be honest - it still isn’t!
However, it is 100% worth it because today I have the built the business of my dreams, with multiple income streams (podcast, coaching, group programs, consulting contracts and affiliate commission)
Truth # 2 - Play the long game, because the short game isn’t reliable…
The challenges of starting your online business are inevitable, but they are especially tough in your first 1 or 2 years when everything is new and it can feel like you wake up to a Sea-Of-Overwhelm on the daily!
But, it DOES get easier!
So don’t SHORT TERM issues affect your LONG TERM vision!
You are guaranteed to encounter challenges like…
Tech issues (your emails aren’t delivering!)
Generating leads through Google (you barely know what SEO stands for!)
You aren’t sure which software to use for your Online Course
A client wants a refund but you’ve already spent the money, now what!?
I’ve encountered all of these challenges, and more, which can be enough for any new online business owner to want to rip their hair out.
But, when you’re ‘in it for the long game’ you push through these challenges and navigate them with grace, because you have a bigger vision in your heart.
Never forget that your business is a Long-Game. Year one is tough, and maybe year two is also… but after that, you grow and the rewards begin pouring in!
Your goal should be in planting seeds everyday, investing in the future of your business, and in building a big vision that will bring you an abundant business that is here for the long haul.
There is no such thing as overnight success for 99.9% of new entrepreneurs, so it’s best not to rely on that kind of luck!
When you are faced with any problem or challenge in your business journey, don’t quit! These are just tests. Keep pushing forward regardless of the hurdles until you reach your desired outcome – success.
If you want to read more about playing the long game and how The Compound Effect works, read The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.
Truth # 3 - Follow your energy & let curiosity lead you when it comes to Growing Your Business.
When you start your business, you’re going to be wearing a lot of hats and you will be busy! You’ll be creating content one minute, working with a client the next, and then doing your monthly bookkeeping later that day. That’s a lot of different roles, that command a lot of energy from you.
Therefore, I would suggest that you try to focus on ⚡Energizing Activities whenever possible.
For example, if you have a list of 10 marketing tasks you need to get done today that include:
post on TikTok,
send an Email Newsletter,
do 5 follow ups, etc….
…but you only have time to complete 2 of them, choose the ones that you can bring a LOT of energy to!
Everything is created with energy, and carries an energy. Your marketing efforts carry an energy, too!
You’ve probably noticed that when you feel like ‘you have to post on TikTok’ your content doesn’t perform well. But when you create from an inspired and energized state - the content goes viral and stirs up a lot of engagement.
That’s because Marketing is Energy.
It's important to focus on income generating activities that make you feel energized, not drained.
It's also valuable to follow your curiosity (ex: if you love listening to podcasts and have always wanted to start one, it's likely because you have something valuable to say and that it will connect you with 'your people').
Or said another way, you might consider creating what you already consume.
Let this be your reminder that you don’t need to build your online business like everyone else, or join social media platforms just because your little cousin told you that it’s the latest and greatest thing.
This is why marketing coaching is so supportive, because we can identify your unique skill sets in 3 key areas of your Marketing Plan, and then I can support you in building out a visibility strategy that allows you to focus on energizing activities that actually turn leads into paying clients.
Learn more at www.kelseyreidl.com/privatecoaching
To conlcude…
I never would have believed you 7 years ago if you told me that my dedication, consistent efforts and following my own curiosity would lead to achieving my wildest dreams - but it did!
And now that I’m 7 years in, I feel very strongly about sharing these Business Lessons with those who are just starting out - so that you know what to expect on this incredible journey.
Today, I’m proud of the fact that I have multiple income streams here at Visionary HQ: podcasting, coaching, group programs, affiliate relationships and consulting contracts - all working together to create a business that isn’t easy, but that is more rewarding than ANY job I have ever worked.
If you’re just getting started on your entrepreneurship journey or are looking for ways to grow your existing online business, then let me be the first one to say this – you’ve got everything you need inside of you, and if you’re willing to learn these 3 truths and ride the waves that come your way, you’re destined for big things!
Finally, if you want to learn about how I can help you take your online business from dream to reality OR if you need help with your marketing plan, click here.
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🚨 Before You Go!
Don’t forget to reward yourself with some totally free Business Growth Content on the Visionary Life Podcast.
Click here & pick an episode to tune into!
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And while I have your attention, thank YOU for taking time out of your busy day to read this blog and to trust that I have something valuable to share with you!
To learn more about how I can support your Business & Marketing Growth Goals, click here.
*p.s. If you tell me ‘the blog sent you’ I’ll share a special discount code with you for 15% off any coaching package.