Thanks to big changes in the job market and the way business is being done, more people than ever are getting out there and finding out if they have what it takes to make it as solopreneurs. Most of them find out pretty quick that working solo is very different from traditional employment, but not many of them turn back once they’ve survived the adjustment.Those of us who have been at it for a while might look back to when we were first getting started and wish that we could impart a little advice and encouragement to our former selves based on our hard won wisdom. Since that’s not possible, here’s a few tips for new solopreneurs that I wish someone would have told me a few years ago.
1. Find Your Own Voice
Though it’s easier said than done, finding your own voice as a soloist is one of the most crucial parts of creating brand authenticity, and it doesn’t happen over night. Most of us start off by imitating the leaders that we’d like to emulate only to find that our material appears stiff and forced upon later review. Once you know that your offering a service that’s improving the lives of a market niche your passionate to serve, you’ll find that just being yourself is all that your clients are looking for.
2. Master Your Message
Can you tell a stranger exactly what you do for a living in two sentences or less in a way that’s both engaging and enticing? If not, it’s worth your while to put ink to paper and develop a clear, consistent message for your small business. Make sure that your professional network has a clear understanding of the kinds of services and solutions that you provide. If you’re like most of us when we were starting out, you’ll find that even some of your closest contacts aren’t entirely sure what is you do for a living.
3. Think Big
All of us can think of a friend of a friend who risked it all on a dream only to fall on his or her face, but how many other much sadder stories could we tell of friends and colleagues who could have done great things if they’d just gone for it? It might be hard to think big when your mostly thinking about whether your going to keep your head above water another season, but many experienced solopreneurs and small business owners look back at their first couple of years to see opportunities that were missed or postponed due to nervous hand wringing.