Although the idea of working on my own was something I thought about for many years, it was more like a fleeting wish. How could I ever do it? How could I live without my regular paycheck coming in? What did I know about starting a business? Where would I begin? Suppose I failed? How much money do you need?
As my regular paycheck increased at my job, the more reasons I had to remain where I was – in Corporate America. I was making more money than I ever thought I’d be able to earn, had a great benefits package, I was finally able to get the house of my dreams, take nice vacations, pay for my daughter’s education and buy nice clothes.
I didn’t know when the right time would be, but this was definitely not the right time to start a business. There was always something more to buy or save up for. I overlooked the fact that I was miserable at this job for many years. Instead of the golden handcuffs, mine was a golden noose.
As fate would have it – the right time was decided for me. I was laid off after yet another reorganization took place. Very quickly, I realized my paycheck was not as secure as I had thought it was. I didn’t take much time to whine and be angry about the situation (okay, a little), I knew this was a gift. It was now or never to explore what I had thought about for such a long time. Fast forward three years – I now have some 20/20 hind-sight to be able to share what I learned.
Create a plan. Once I decided to design my new life, I immediately felt more positive about myself. It reminded me of the (many) times I began a new diet. Just the act of making a commitment was an esteem booster. Even if you cannot leave your corporate job, taking control of your future is a great step forward.
Invest in yourself. I considered paying for my daughters’ college as an investment in their futures and yet, I begrudged the cost of the additional schooling I needed. Wasn’t this an important investment in my own future?
Find a mentor. I found an experienced coach who helped shorten my learning curve. Along the way, I have enlisted other mentors to help me with fine-tuning other skills and needs. Yes, it did cost me more money, but the right person will be an invaluable asset to your growth.
Send out ships. In her book, Wealthy Spirit, Chellie Campbell talks about the process of doing the best thing you can do; then let go of expectations. I have learned quickly that you can’t possibly predict where your business will come from. I was disappointed when I didn’t get any clients from a workshop I gave; but soon after, I got a client after meeting him at a social picnic I attended.
Expect mistakes. There will be lots of decisions to make; large and small. Make the best one you can at the time and understand that some will work and some won’t – it’s all part of the learning process. Sure there have been many “do overs” I would make; but just like being a parent, there are no rule books to follow. Do the best you can and move on.
There is no “there.” I was anxious to get everything perfectly in place to start my business. Now I realize that just when you finish one aspect, there is something else you need to do. I became comfortable knowing that everything is a work in progress.
Take a tiny step in the direction of your dreams. Often we get overwhelmed with all we need to do and know – that we freeze in place. You don’t need to know everything from day one. The next step becomes clearer after you take that first step.
Article Writing For Solopreneurs
If you’ve ever considered creating a personal brand associated with success, particularly on the World Wide Web, then you must consider article writing as a form of article marketing. Solopreneurs have a difficult task of trying to come up with a personal brand and visibility. Because they don’t have the benefit of hiding behind a well-established “big business” brand, they must be willing to put in the marketing time necessary to create credibility and visibility online.
Many solopreneurs enjoy article writing as a form of online marketing. Article writing is an advertising tactic meant to drive up traffic for a solopreneur’s website. Solopreneurs must first establish a content-rich website, advertising their services. Attention to developing their personal brand is a must. A personal brand goes beyond a colorful logo on a business card; it is the way the solopreneur wishes to be perceived in the industry.
Once the website is established, article marketing can begin. The solopreneur can write articles about his or her niche and submit the article to directories on the Internet. The article directories receive submissions free of charge, which can be very beneficial for new solopreneurs on a tight budget. In exchange for the content, article directories provide solopreneurs with a resource box that is tagged onto the articles that are submitted. The resource box contains all of the information about the solopreneur and his or her business. Moreover, the resource box contains a link back to the solopreneur’s own website. Thus, the solopreneurs who utilize article marketing can gain some very crucial benefits.
The benefits of article writing and Internet marketing for solopreneurs are plentiful. For starters, article writing as an online advertising tactic has been deemed a very successful long-term advertising endeavor. Solopreneurs, as authors of the articles, gain credibility and notoriety on the Internet. They begin to create the personal brand they desire; namely, as an expert in their field. Furthermore, solopreneurs end up drawing a larger crowd to their content-rich websites through the articles they submit to article directories. They entice the reader with the short article on the directory, and the reader is likely to click on the link provided in the article to read more about the author and the author’s services. Article marketing has been deemed successful in generating traffic to websites.
If you are a solopreneur in a personal branding dilemma, you may consider making a name for yourself on the Internet. In the virtual world we live in, article writing and Internet marketing are vital for any solopreneurs looking for credibility and visibility. These solopreneurs can truly create the personal brand of their dreams by utilizing online advertising tactics that are proven successful. Moreover, article writing can be worked into any budget, as online article directories accept submissions for free. By exploring the world of article writing and Internet marketing, you’ll soon be among the solopreneurs enjoying the benefits of personal branding success. You’ll enjoy the credibility and visibility that you need to showcase your services and expertise!
