Starting up your own small service-based business? I've learnt the lessons so you don't have to....
I’ve been building Unique Copy from the ground up for just over a year now. But whilst I’ve had an absolute blast working with a huge range of brilliant clients, it certainly hasn’t been a straight-forward path to success. Here are 5 lessons I’ve learnt (some of them the hard way!) on the journey.
If your marketing stops, your business will stop too I can’t stress this one enough! As a small business owner, you need to constantly put yourself and your brand in front of potential customers. If you take your foot off the gas, the car will slow down and ultimately come to a stop. I don’t make the rules, that’s just the way it is. Visibility is the key to being (and remaining) busy.
It’s not as easy as it looks on social media It’s really important to remember that what you see whilst you’re scrolling isn’t always reality. If something seems too good to be true, that’s probably because it is! Businesses will often put on a polished, shiny front, when behind the scenes they’re struggling. Comparison is the thief of joy, and you can only measure success based on your own benchmarks. Stay in your lane and keep looking forward (unintentional car theme emerging here…)
Networking is one of the best ways to grow your business Effective business development is all about building and nurturing relationships. Networking allows you to meet other business owners face to face, build rapport and gradually gain trust in an authentic, non-salesy way. When an opportunity arises, either through their business or one of their connections, you’ll be front of mind and they’ll be confident to make the referral.
Being crystal clear on your brand messaging is crucial Confused messaging = confused customers. Making sure that you are absolutely clear on what your brand messaging is means your target customers will understand how your business can help them, and make it easier for them to do business with you. Throwing a load of conflicting messaging out there and hoping it will stick is a fast-track way to lose prospective customers.
You need to define your WHY Every small business owner will have days when they wonder what the hell they’re doing. Spinning all the plates and staying sane can be a difficult juggling act. Defining WHY you started your business in the first place will act as a grounding force whenever you feel a wobble coming on, and when throwing in the towel in favour of a 9-5 suddenly seems like an excellent idea. Knowing your WHY will filter out into all areas of your business and will make you more magnetic to prospective customers, because people naturally gravitate towards those who have a firm belief in who they are and what their purpose is.
Need help in clarifying your brand messaging?
I offer a Brand Messaging service to help small businesses stand out from the crowd and get their voice heard. Using a proven story formula, I'll provide you with a Brand Messaging Guide that ensures your potential customers see you, hear you, and understand why they simply must engage your services.
Interested? Drop your details into the contact form below, and let's chat!
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