Being a business owner isn’t easy. It takes long hours, hard work, and an abundance of coffee. It’s also one of the most satisfying things to say you own your own business and it’s worth every sleepless night. I have 5 solid tips to help you develop your business right here, right now!
Review of your business plan!
Reviewing and updating your business plan is essential as your business grows and your professional desires change. If you don’t have a basic business plan, I strongly suggest you take the time to do one or find a business consultant that will help you with one. It will give you the opportunity to think about your business strategically and make logical business decisions that achieve long-term success.
Find a Support System!
It can sometimes be hard for family and friends to understand what you do, especially if your business is digitally dependent. In my experience, people have a hard time understanding a business they cannot see and consider blogs and other online platforms to be hobbies. They don’t understand how blogging and “hanging out on Facebook all day” can actually bring in money. Try to find a few people within your circle that will support you and don’t worry too much about the opinions of those that can’t relate.
Have a Network of Professionals!
Utilize Facebook groups and other social media platforms to build a network of professionals from different industries. This will give you the chance to connect with individuals that share your struggles, your wins and losses. They can be a sounding board when you need to brainstorm and provide inspiration in times of creative blocks. Plan brainstorming sessions, dinner dates and girls nights out! Anything that gets you motivated and encourages you to keep rocking your business!
Create Goals that Encourage Growth!
I bet you read that and thought to yourself – “Well obviously…” but seriously, we often set goals that don’t challenge us so we ensure we don’t fail. Failure is such a fear of the majority of us that we prevent ourselves from creating goals that push our capabilities us thus limiting our success. What goal would you set in your business if you knew you couldn’t fail? Set those goals and share them with your support systems!
Be Prepared for Turbulence!
Regardless of how prepared your plan is, there will always be times when things happen that are out of your control. I’ve already experienced this in 2017 and is only the end of January! The first week back to work after a relaxing holiday season, I became ill with the most hellish virus that invaded my body for almost 3 weeks! The first two weeks, I had no energy and had to focus the little energy I did have on getting better. If I had better used my time before had, I would’ve had my social media content scheduled and ready to go, so my blog would have been functioning even while I wasn’t. I now plan a week ahead and hope to get that to a month ahead in the next couple of weeks!
There you have it, my tips for ensuring your business development in 2017! I encourage you to reach out and use the tag #AmandaMarieBiz to tell me about your business goals for 2017, and how you find support as a business owner!
Chat soon,
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