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5 Simple Ways to Become a More Successful Entrepreneur

Posted on July 15, 2019 by admin

Who is an entrepreneur? What does he do? These may be just some of the questions when we hear the word entrepreneur. But who is he really is? An entrepreneur by definition is a person who manages any enterprise, especially a business. The word “entrepreneur” originated from the French verb “entreprendre” which means “to do something” or “to undertake.” To be an entrepreneur need not be a person who is at the age of 30-35. As a teenager or a college student, you can already engage in business that you yourself can manage already. But how can you do it at an age so very young? Here’s how.

Think Big

Most businesses success comes from one idea. Different people can think of different ideas, but ideas will just be stagnant unless you use them and make an action on how to use it. Think of all the possible ideas that you can use in your business. Listing them down would be of great help. You can also ask people around you of what they think so you can have a comparison. Brainstorming is a very good technique before you start anything else. Remember, these ideas should be realistic enough to be achieved.

Create a Business Plan

Always remember the four M’s: Money, Market, Man, and Machine. You need to take note of the investment or capital that you will be putting into your business. The target market should also be put into consideration. The number of men you will work with should be noted since you will also be paying them wages if you will not work alone. Also, you should ask if you have the equipment and machine that you will need in your business.

You should also think about your product like how your product should look like, what type of packaging should you use, what are the materials that you will need, and how to make your product appealing.

Get Investors

Think of people who can be the possible investors that you can have for your business. If your business requires you a capital which you can’t handle yourself, you can ask your friends or family members to draw in a fund or money by which you can use and you can give them some sort of return on their investment.

Sell your Product

Be creative in selling your product. You need to think of ways by which you can capture your target market and make them see how good your product is. Price is a very important component is selling since people will always seek for how much you match your product with the price. The competition will always be there and you should think of ways by rising above the competition.

Create Network

Hang out with other entrepreneurs. With them, you can ask their ideas on how they do their business and link with them can give you a network by which you can pair your product with. By meeting them, you can gain a lot of things and strategies that you can also apply.

Being a successful entrepreneur depends on you – on your attitude. Go for success. Go for being the best entrepreneur.

3 Things Successful People Choose To Do That Poor People Do NOT

Posted on June 16, 2019July 15, 2020 by admin

You’ve probably come to a point in your life wherein you’re wondering why other people have gone ridiculously successfully why some remained otherwise. With all the things that constitute a person such as financial means, education, childhood, talent, as well as skill – it seems that most of us are anything but equal.

So what makes others successful? Could it be the people that they know? Their high profile connections? While this can be true, it actually boils down to the fact that successful people do what an average person would not be willing to do. If you fail to get the gist of what I’m saying, then let me elaborate further.

Some of the most successful people and leaders regarded in our generation right now include Mark Zuckerberg, Brian Tracy, Anthony Robbins, and Zig Ziglar. We also have celebrity entrepreneurs in the likes of Sir Richard Branson as well as Oprah Winfrey. There are also countless nameless and faceless people in the society that we take for granted but are also very successful in their own rights. And the common denominator among all these people, regardless if they are famous or not, is the fact that they do the things that other people would never want to do. These are the same people who do the things that other people consider as time-consuming, unnecessary, too hard, or dull.

So do you also want to be successful? So here are some of the things that successful people do in order to maintain the level of success that they have but other people fail to do. You, too, can be successful just like them as long as you follow these steps.

Successful people create a routine

People who are successful have a daily routine that they follow. Most of the time, they wake up on a specified time (usually earlier compared with others) and follow a “to do” list. Their routines are considered to be non-negotiable, thus, barely disrupted by any distractions. For most people, this is just a routine. But for them, it is a way of life.

Successful people condition their mind continuously

This is often seen in most successful people. They all nurture their mindset with positivity all the time. They do not allow negative thinking to get the best of them. They make sure that they only nurture positive thoughts and do away with the negative ones. They do this not only by changing their mindset and perspective but through learning like reading books and listening to inspiring audiobooks.

Successful people have high standards and they follow it

As Anthony Robbins once said, “for one to be able to be successful, one must continuously raise the standards”. These people already have high standards but yet they even set the bar higher for themselves. While unproductive people are typically too scared to take a leap of faith, successful people, on the other hand, are willing to take calculated risks and reach higher into the stars.

5 Killer Marketing Strategies Every Budding Entrepreneur Needs

Posted on June 4, 2019 by admin

Not all people who want to enter the world of business possess a booming marketing skill. This brings fear to a small business owner who finds it difficult to start with just a little capital. However, there are several ways you can learn to acquire this certain skill to make an incredible income. Most entrepreneurs experienced the same feeling you have when they started their business so don’t be scared – you can be successful, too.

Highlight the benefits of your products or services

You do not have to compare your products to the competitors just to emphasize the values which make them different. Learn how to match the price based on the quality and value of your offers. In every feature of your product, associate it with its benefit. Most consumers value their money by purchasing goods which are useful and beneficial to them. Always remember the difference between buying a product because they need it or they want it.

Profile your potential customer

Base your offer on their gender, age, living status, household activities, and many other preferences, so you know how to position your product or service. You may feel dismayed every time a customer ignores your direct offer due to their personal reasons. To gain their attention, ask few things which may let them express what they need so you can discover the ideal product they want. Listen to them and analyze the things they need.

Use many types of marketing platform through the powerful influence of the internet

Nowadays, social media has affected its large number of users. In this way, your products can reach the awareness of millions of people which is the primary advantage provided by the internet. In addition, creating compelling content for your website can also attract more customers. Other forms of marketing strategy are crowdsourcing, affiliate marketing, and video marketing. Through your creativity and proper use of these tools, you can boost your sales in a short span of time.

Let customers provide their feedback or suggestions

The impression of clients is significant to help you produce a product that is efficient and valuable to many users. Use their feedback to help you meet their needs and resolve underlying issues before you spend a lot in producing products which you think will still be useful for them.

Track every single money you spent for your marketing campaign

This is very important because this will allow you to compare which of those marketing channels you use is more efficient. The records will also help you analyze the resolutions you can do to improve your techniques. You can pinpoint the areas of your product which customers need and which one needs improvement or changes. Through this guide, you can prevent the waste of money focusing on something that is not effective.

5 Steps To Take in Your 20’s To Become A Millionaire In Your 30’s

Posted on May 20, 2019 by admin

Do you really want to know how to be rich and successful in life?

If so, then you need to get ready to change your daily routine. It goes without saying that even the slightest detail may determine if you’ll end up succeeding in life or not. There is huge competition out there hence the reason why you must be prepared to do whatever it takes to stand out from the rest.

So what does it take to be a millionaire?

Well, the answer is not simple. There are several steps you need to take to make sure that you gain the success that you’re aiming for. Let’s take a closer look at some of the tips that will help you in your path to success. Below are some surefire tips that will help you grow your revenue and eventually reach the milestone of a million.

1. First of all, you need to make use of your strongest points if you want to thrive in business. It is true that we all have our weaknesses, however, you need to concentrate on your strengths though if you truly want to succeed one day. Which areas are you great at? This is where you need to really focus on in order for you to make the most out of your business.

2. Another thing you must incorporate is the use of technology in business. With the latest advancements in technology, there is a whole new world unveiled before your eyes. A world filled with opportunities for you to grab and take full advantage of. Do not let them get away!

3. If you want to know how to be rich, you must be ready to invest prudently. Find opportunities that require minimal risk and maximum profit margin. There are a lot of options for you out there if you simply analyze the dangers and separate the wheat from the chaff.

4. Once you have found opportunities to invest, you need to be cautious and assess the dangers. You should not rush into any investment, which might be proven fragile. Instead, you ought to weigh all the pros and cons until you reach your decision as to the most viable investment opportunity.

5. Do not be afraid to make a statement and be innovative. Do things your way, so that you can benefit from the outcome. If you are certain about something, go ahead and show the world what you are made of!

Keeping these things in mind, you can spread your wings and reach your goals. Implementing these tips in your daily routine will help you become a millionaire in no time.

3 Easy Steps To Becoming A Millionaire By 30

Posted on January 22, 2019 by admin

Being wealthy and successful are two completely different things. Money is temporary, but success is permanent. That’s why you need to make sure that you set the right goals and get them knocked out of the park with vigour and enthusiasm. Here’s how you can be successful – The following tips are going to help you achieve your goals and, yes, hopefully become a millionaire if that’s what you are up to. So, without any further ado, let’s take a quick look.

Think Like a Millionaire but Not Exactly

You are probably wondering what this means. Well, it’s simple, really. You want to be able to get into that mindset but not assume it entirely because you are not quite there yet. People with tons of cash are smart, but most importantly – they are ambitious. They are not afraid to chase what they want and go above and beyond to reach their goals. That’s the mindset that you want to assume. However, people with a lot of money act differently as they possess things that you are yet to obtain – reputation, power, connections, influence – these are all off limits until you earn them yourself.

Everything Matters

From hitting the gym every single day in order to keep your body in shape to not wasting a single minute of your day – all of it is important. You might think that there is no relation between being a millionaire and being fit? That’s where you are wrong. People with wealth and success appreciate the importance of impressions. And your body and your looks are without a doubt your way of making the most stellar first impression. You need to exude confidence and being in a proper shape is something that’s going to help you out.

Find Motivation

Finding motivation is something that’s going to keep you on the right track. If you wonder how to become rich, you need to start by prioritizing. Make sure you have something to work on every single day. There are no Saturdays, there are no Sundays – everyday is a hustle that you have to go through in order to get to the top. Winners do not make excuses, they don’t take days off – they do. There is nothing bad in getting up at 6 AM every single morning and getting through the day with energy and enthusiasm. In fact, you will start achieving the biggest results when you actually look forward to going to sleep only so that you can wake up in the morning and pursue your goal harder than the day before that.

How To Start A New Business This New Year With No Money (Yes, You Read Right)

Posted on December 7, 2018 by admin

Let’s face it; one of the most crucial steps in starting a business is finding the capital.

Some people use their savings in the bank to start their dream bakery. Others borrow from a bank or other financial institutions that extend loan to finally start the automotive shop or store they’ve been imagining all their lives. But whichever business you want to do, it always begins with having enough money to start it with.

But what if you don’t have the financial resources to start the business? Do you just give up on your dreams? The answer is no. You can still open that business that you’ve always even without money.

I bet you have a lot of questions. I bet you’re puzzled as hell on how to make that happen.

How?

Well, the answer to this very trivial single-word question is simple – You.

Yes, you dummy.

I don’t mean you sell yourself to the mafia or become a man whore to get the money you need. What I mean is that you use your capabilities, your talents and your strengths as the means to start that business you’ve been dreaming of.

A business thrives because one puts not just money but also his heart and soul into it. But how do you make it work when money is out of the equation? You capitalize on your assets.

You may ask yourself the following questions. What are my strengths? What are my skills? Are these skills usable to other people? How can I make a business out of these skills?

If the answer to all these questions is a yes, then you got yourself capital for your business.

I know this woman who has a great voice and has amazing social skills. She started with a few hosting stints for family celebrations. She later tried accepting hosting events for her church which honed her skills. It then gave way to hosting special events for other church members where she was paid for.

Because she did great in those events, she was referred to friends of her clients and is often invited to weddings and company parties. She became so in demand that she would sometimes need to take time off her regular job to accommodate them!

Her continued success has now led her to seriously consider leaving her current job and start events coordinating business with the money she earned from her hosting engagements.

You too can do the same. Find out what you’re good at and bank on it. Don’t be a loser and stick around on a 24/7 job you hate. If you’re great at cooking, try working as an assistant chef and then, later on, open your own restaurant. If you’ve got the passion for dancing, you can give dance classes for people in your community and maybe open your own dance studio.

If you think you don’t have any, then develop one. Learn something new, and use it to make your life better.

According to Sophie Kinsella in her bestselling book ‘Shopaholic Takes Manhattan’, “There’s no luck in business. There’s only drive, determination, and more drive.”

And that’s true. Money is a roadblock not a dead end to business. You can reroute your business plans and still get to where you want your life to be – better.

Top Five All-Too-Common Reasons Why Most Businesses Fail

Posted on September 23, 2018 by admin

image via Shutterstock / Photographee.eu

Let’s face it; starting your new business is never easy because you’re investing time, money and resources on a ‘hunch’. In a nutshell you’re investing on something that may or may not actually work out in the end.

While most people would like to gladly work for themselves so that they can control their own their own time, not everyone has the will nor the patience to follow through with it though. Studies show that in average it actually takes around 5 years for any new business to just break even, basically you’re more likely to see any profits on your new venture after 5 years have passed which of course sounds like a bloody long time for any budding entrepreneur!

Of course, this is not always the case because a lot of entrepreneurs do reap profits almost immediately after they put up a new business – especially those entrepreneurs that provide service rather than a product. But typically, you are supposed to be looking at 3-5 yeas before you can start seeing any real profits so you really need patience if you want your business to stick around.

Now if you’re a budding entrepreneur who is interested in starting a new venture, then here are five crucial mistakes most people make that you should be aware of:

1. People don’t do their homework

The biggest reason most entrepreneurs fail is because they don’t do their homework.

The moment they come up with a good idea they want to get things going immediately without enough research or background work on this idea which of course is a big mistake! A good idea for a new business is a good start, but it is imperative that you do your homework though.

You should be asking yourself questions such as:

Who’s your target market?

Why would people buy your stuff?

What makes your business unique?

How will you market your new business?

What sort of capital and resources would you need to get things going?

How will you make the business grow?

There is no possible way any new business can succeed without proper research and background work. Keep in mind that Rome wasn’t built in a day; it takes time and perseverance for any business to grow. Just make sure you do your homework properly so that when hiccups start to show, you’re more than ready to tackle it head on!

2. People are afraid to take a risk

It’s quite simple really, no risk – no reward. The higher the risk – the higher the reward!

But in saying that though, keep in mind that you need to take “calculated risks”. Make sure you won’t get stuck at a point where you have zero dollars in your bank account because you have invested everything in the new business. Remember, it may take a while before you start seeing any profits from the new venture, -what if it takes years and years before you start seeing any profits? What then?? Are you going to live on virtually nothing until the new business “potentially” starts making any real money??

Don’t be afraid to take any risks, but in saying that, just make sure they are calculated.

3. People don’t stand their ground

If you’re starting a new business there will always be critics and detractors.

Some people will doubt your new venture because they actually care about you, they’re afraid because they don’t want to see you go down in flames. Some people will discourage you because they’re jealous that you’re actually doing something with your life and some people will discourage you because they’re just plain annoying!

The important thing here is that you stand your ground.

Take for example Darren Rowse the owner of Problogger.net. Most of his family and friends doubted him when he decided to resign from his fulltime job to become a fulltime blogger instead. Most people thought he was crazy to take this risk because he has a family to look after and blogging just doesn’t sound like an adult job! He still stuck to his guns though and eventually many years later he proved a lot of people wrong because he has become one of the most successful bloggers of all time!

Now tell me, was the risk worth it or not?

If you have an idea which you really believe in, sometimes, you just have to go with your gut and stand your ground despite what others say.

It is your life after all not theirs.

4. People don’t pay attention to detail

If you’re starting your new business you are obviously the head of this business therefore it is your job to look at the big picture – your focus is to determine how to make the business grow and expand. Now because most new entrepreneurs are so focused in the big picture, they tend to overlook the less important details. This is definitely not good because later on down the track these little bits and pieces will eventually haunt you and your business.

If you can’t look into the finer details of your business then at least make sure that you hire people that will look into it. Your business needs a solid and stable foundation before it can really grow into a money making venture. The little cracks that you ignore now will eventually build up and become big cracks and before you know it your business is going down and you don’t even know what hit you!

5. People don’t network

Your business will never succeed if you don’t know how to network and connect with others.

Start mingling with people who are actually successful in their businesses and learn from their experiences. Start going to functions and events and start connecting with potential sponsors and investors within your field. Networking is one of the key components in any new business, the more you network the bigger your database gets and the more people you attract to your business.

It’s simple really; you have to prioritise building relationships rather than making money because if you focus on building relationships first then money will eventually follow.

Generational Marketing: How to Target Generation Z

Posted on July 24, 2018 by admin

Any business or company will have their focus set for the future as the constant growth and development of the company matters a lot, especially in the long run. Efficiently strategizing, keeping in mind the current trends and styles plays an essential role in staying at the top of the list when it comes to effective marketing.

The word Generation Z is now being used to refer to the individuals born after the Millennials. Some other common names used to refer to this are terms such as post-millennials, iGeneration and homeland generation. This basically refers to anyone born after the 1900s.

The fact is, the Generation Z people are those who are working and have a steady income – which means that they have more independent power. This will further imply why marketing specialists and strategists have to target this group of people for maximum effectiveness.

At this point, let us understand the difference between Generation Z and Millennials. While there are many similarities on the surface, there are subtle differences as well. The individuals belonging to Generation Z got their first smartphone earlier than the individuals belonging to the Millennials. This will, in turn, imply that the Generation Z has easier access to the internet, media and other channels where marketing strategies work their best magic. Hence, the best way to make your marketing strategies work is by maximizing digital platforms to reach a wide range of audience.

Millennials, while they handle three screens or media at a time, the Generation Z handles up to five screens at a time. They have a broader spectrum or range in which they can access information.

More people use Snapchat, and according to the latest reports, it is one of the leading social media platforms. In fact, it is used on a daily basis which means, you too have to be active continuously and regularly to keep your existing customers and potential clients glued to your marketing campaigns.

Also, though trivial, it is extremely important that you use your company logo wherever possible and as frequently as possible. This will ensure that your customers and clients get familiar with it and it will be easier to showcase your presence more effectively.

Instagram stories are no less popular. They are one of the top and latest trends. They have the potential of gaining views and followers in a matter of minutes and hours. The advantage of followers is that when they “like” your story or post, all their followers will get a notification and they will inquisitively find out what your post is all about. Isn’t that a real simple way of grabbing eyeballs?

Incorporate young minds into your creative team. There are two major advantages of this. One is that they will be motivated to give their best by the desire of earning a little extra money working part-time or weekends. Secondly, you will get the opinions of the younger generation, and they can come up with more innovative, interesting and fresh ideas.

As the market is growing, it is important that you keep in mind which of the social media platforms is at the top of the charts and make sure that you give the most attention to it. This way, you will be focusing on channelling your resources and ideas where it matters the most.

Generation Z is conscious of the impression and ideas that they have. So, to gain more popularity, advertise factors that are on the terms of the planet, environment, and in general, the society. They will naturally stand in your support, and within no time, you will see a surge in the number of followers and supporters.

Try to make a difference in their lives and the people around them. Make a positive impact in the community. Plan missions and exercises that can contribute positively towards the growth of the society. Charity events are a good idea too. Remember that quality is more important to Generation Z than the brand loyalty. Make sure that you never compromise on the quality of your product or services. This way you can rule the charts.

Following these simple mantras can definitely make a huge difference to your product or service brand.

If You Want To Be A Millionaire Then You Need To Embrace These 3 Ways Of Thinking

Posted on July 6, 2018 by admin

There is nothing worse than being trapped in a job that you just don’t like.

It’s a known fact that most of the people want to actually break free from the rut of a nine-to-five job and start their own businesses. Why? Because with most nine-to-five jobs the pay isn’t that good, the hours are long and for some, the work environment is not very friendly. Now if you are one of these people that want to finally resign from your jobs and start a new life as an entrepreneur or possibly a millionaire in the near future, then this article is for you.

Here’s what a lot of people don’t realize; crossing over from a typical day job to a full-time business is not just a physical move – it requires a complete change in your state of mind because you will be crossing over to a completely different world from what you were used to. You have to dump the old job mentality, and instead, you have to develop an entrepreneurial outlook. If you want to be a big shot millionaire one day then you have to THINK like one.

Now if you want to cross over to the entrepreneurial world, you need to embrace the following three ways of thinking:

1. Networking is essential

As an entrepreneur, you have to realize that most of the time ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ You have to interact and build relationships with like-minded individuals and business contacts that you can trust and whom you feel can help you grow your business. It’s a simple formula, people do business with people they like and trust, just as they are friends with those they like and trust. If you want your business to succeed then you have to realize that networking is not just about what others can do for you, it’s also about what you can also do for others. Being an entrepreneur actually means helping out others and providing value when you can, not taking others down. It means creating a mastermind group of individuals you can share and discuss ideas with. You shouldn’t be afraid of losing out and having others rise above you.

2. Learn from other successful people

As an entrepreneur, it’s second nature to be competitive because you want to be on top. But even though you have to think big and be the best at what you do, you don’t have to go as low as destroy other people in the process. You have to understand that we each have a unique outlook and value that we can offer. To get to the top you have to learn from others who are already sitting at the top. You don’t look at the person in their fancy house and feel envious of what that person has, instead, find out who this person is and tell them that you admire what they have achieved and want to learn from them – usually, that successful entrepreneur would agree to give some tips. Entrepreneurs understand the notion of profusion. They know what it takes to get to the top and most of them are more than happy to take the time to help someone get to the top as well.

3. You have to think BIG

As Donald Trump would say, ‘If you are going to be thinking anyway, you might as well be thinking big.’ It’s true, if you are thinking small time then you’ll always be small, if you can’t even think of doing something big then you will never do anything big in life. There is no cost in dreaming so you might as well dream big.

As an entrepreneur, you have to realize that that the road to eventual prosperity and success can be a very long and tough one. Many people start with big goals but then the moment they run into some unexpected hiccups, they get distracted and they lose sight of their goals. Keep in mind that you always have to focus on the ultimate vision. In saying that, you also have to be different from the rest of the pack – you have to think outside the square and find new and unique ways to make money and be successful. You always have to say to yourself, ‘How can I make this better? How can I be unique? How can I do this in a much bigger way?’

A typical nine-to-five job employee only focuses on the task provided to them by their boss, they follow what most people are doing so they are not used to looking at the bigger picture because that vision is for someone else to worry about. Bringing this limited mindset over to the entrepreneurial world is dangerous because it can restrain your creativity and hold back your ability to cope with and solve the many challenges that will come your way. When you think outside the square, you also create things that make you move above the rest of the pack.

If you currently have a business and you haven’t made much money yet, that is okay. As long as you keep your eye on the prize, focus on the bigger picture, build your brand, and network with the right people then, later on, you will reap the rewards. You also have to be HUNGRY for success. Hungry people are motivated people if you are currently satisfied with what you’re earning then what will motivate you to be wealthy and successful? To get to the top you should always set a higher goal for yourself.

The 5 Critical Elements To Make Your Business A Smashing Success

Posted on May 14, 2018 by admin

Shikhar Gosh, one of the most respected educators in Harvard’s Entrepreneurial Management Unit, has noted that only about a quarter of startups succeed. The rest either drown in the competition or disappear in the rat race for reasons that even the business owners can’t decipher.

A promising business has something beyond an insane capital and a good business name. At the onset of a business venture, you have to know that there seems to be a common denominator among businesses that last and thrive for the long haul.

Value Proposition

Whether it’s a product or a service that you’re offering, you have to know your worth beyond cost and price tag. Examine the direct link between the features and the benefits against that of your competitor’s. The greatest value of a product or a service is to provide something that fills what the market needs. For some, their products create a need that not all consumers have realised in the past. For instance, food trucks responded to the working class’ need to save time and money on their breaks. The owner of the Tunes Hotels chain has responded to the traveller’s basic need for a good, relaxing sleep by investing in high-grade customised mattresses. His hotels don’t have gymnasiums or Jacuzzis, but he was able to fill in a certain need that the market never knew it was looking for. A value proposition is always about why they would pick you regardless of the price tag. The worth of what you offer should never be dictated nor determined by a price war.

A Good Blend of Marketing, Advertising and Visibility

Let’s face it. In the real world, the rabbit beats the turtle. From the moment you launch your business, you have to know how to stay under your market’s radar. Having a diverse channel of visibility will give you a different sense of leverage. Putting your business in the chaotic world of Yellow Pages and free online listings may not be enough to remain visible. You need to market yourself beyond free means. But in doing so, keep in mind that advertising is NOT marketing. You may allow a certain amount of print ads and other means of advertising, but you have to know that marketing works beyond advertisements. Having a good website can translate to more conversions, and hiring an SEO expert to drive quality traffic to your site can be worth the extra budget. In addition, you also need to know how to use social media platforms to promote your business. Cashing in on having a trusted name blog about you or give credit to your business will also ensure a new breed of followers. If you establish enough footprints, you can be sure that a right amount of visibility can turn into an effective marketing model that will get you more customers in the long run.

A “Familiar” Market

Even before you start a business, having a target market is always an imperative. Will your product target locals, tourists, etc. having a stronghold of your customer’s profiles will help determine the lean and peak months of your business? Knowing your market begins with asking questions: What makes them buy, what makes them come back, what age bracket would most likely patronise you, is there an ambience that they’re looking for, and the list goes on. Most startups thrive because they treat their customers beyond commercial value. Notice how Starbucks employees were trained to remember the names of their frequent customers, or how that local produce storeowner has mastered the kind of products that you want on your salad. The added value of knowing your market beyond Ma’am or Sir will reap benefits if you genuinely show them that you look at them beyond just walking dollar signs.

Location. Location. Location.

More often than not, your location can make or break the fate of your business. The location includes knowing the demographics of the people around you, the political climate, the foot traffic, and everything in between. If you are planning to sell food products, you may want to know if the neighbourhood has a big chunk of the Muslim population, or if your local market can be capable of providing your key ingredients all year round. Your location is also a good determinant of price. A luxury goods store may not fare well in a neighbourhood of people with hand-to-mouth income brackets; the same way that a high-end neighbourhood would not patronise products that are otherwise at par with their high requirements for quality and prestige.

Get a Dream Team

Given the fact that partnerships and joint ventures can get messy; this is still not a good excuse not to have other “investors”. The kind of work that people put in on your new business can spell success or disaster. A good advice is to have key people invest either their money or their reputation on your brand. Whether we like it or not, fear can be a good motivation factor. Working with people who have invested in your business will mean that they, too, will work hard for its success because they don’t want to live in fear of either losing their money or losing their reputation. Another alternative is to offer an incentive plan to your pioneering workers. If the business reaches a certain profit margin, you can offer them a percentage of the profit share. If they see that business profitability is working both ways, you can be sure that they will put in every effort to help your brand succeed. After all, they’re not mere employees or outsiders anymore. To some degree, you have made them your “shareholders.”

10 Killer Ways To Generate Publicity For Your Brand

Posted on March 25, 2018April 1, 2018 by admin

Are you getting enough publicity for your business?

Let’s face it; if your business is not getting any publicity at all then it will never survive. Publicity is spreading the word about what your business is all about and what it can offer.

Although it’s ideal to have your business featured regularly in magazines, newspaper, radio, and television, the problem is, this can cost you a fortune especially if you’re aiming for a TV ad. The production cost alone is enough to make you broke if your financial situation is tight.

The good news for frugal entrepreneurs like myself is that getting media coverage for your business for a slight fee or even for free is not that hard if you know what you’re doing.

If you’re interested in generating publicity for your business, then here are 10 effective tips to attract media:

1. Make HARO a part of your marketing plan

If you haven’t heard of HARO then you are seriously missing out. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is an awesome website that connects reporters who are looking for experts in a variety of industries with people who are an authority in their field.

You can be an entrepreneur, a therapist or even a financial adviser – if the reporter wants a story, you just need to put your hands up and you get free publicity. All you have to do is go to HelpaReporter.com, sign up for a free account and once you’d done that you’ll start receiving queries directly to your email from various reporters. Just go through the queries and respond to the ones that are suited to your business or your area of expertise and if the reporter likes your response voila! Free publicity.

2. Try to win an award

Award-winning businesses are always a target for the press, so if you want the press to come to you then submit your business to as many award-giving bodies as you possibly can. If you end up winning an award at some point then the press itself will come knocking on your door.

3. React to a trending topic

If there’s a trending topic that everyone is talking about then it’s a good idea to react to the story and make sure your opinion is all over your website and social media channels. Of course, you have to make sure that your reaction is of value and highly engaging, chances are, journalists will be searching the internet for reactions about the trending topic and if your reaction is controversial or valuable they’ll quote you in their article.

4. Offer free valuable information

Everyone loves free stuff, you do, I do and I’m pretty sure all the reporters do. If you’re an expert in your niche then why don’t you blog on your website and promote it all over your social media platforms? Most of the time if the reporters are doing a story on a specific topic they’ll start looking for quotes from experts so if your posts are incredibly detailed and valuable you’ll get quoted by various journalists so you’ll drum up publicity for your business. There are probably millions of experts all over the world who know what you know or who know more about you in a certain subject matter so you might as well be known as the person who revealed the information and gets the better out of everyone else.

5. Use Fiverr to generate publicity

If you have a slight marketing budget then Fiverr is just the website for you. For as little as $5 you will find a number of bloggers and reporters looking to exchange a story in exchange for payment. The bigger the website they are writing for the more expensive the fee, but if you want to kick things off with five bucks then why not right?

6. Get involved with charity organizations

Getting involved with charity organizations is always good publicity because it helps with your brand’s image, especially the high profile ones like Cancer Council or Save the Children Foundation. Instead of handing out cash which doesn’t do much for your image, why don’t you try to organize an event and raise funds for a worthy charity organization? Not only will you be helping other people out, you’ll also be raising your brand’s image. Most publications would willingly go to a fundraising event if it’s supporting a notable charity organization.

7. Organize an ex-deal with bloggers

If you want to generate publicity for your business then you need to start small and work your way up. First, try to get bloggers to take notice of you and then reporters from much bigger publications will follow. Try to offer your products for free to a blogger in exchange for a write-up. I doubt the less popular bloggers would say no to you.

8. Offer your expertise to media outlets

A great way to generate publicity for your business is to share your expertise to magazines and publications. Try to reach out to publications, magazines, and authoritative media outlets and explain your expertise. Or better yet, try to get someone you know to pretend to be your secretary to make you seem a lot more successful and bigger – get that person to reach out and email the media. A Free insight from an expert is very helpful since publications are always looking for new content on their websites.

9. Try to solve a trending problem

If you’re an entrepreneur then you need to be up to date with the most trending topic so that you can use it to generate publicity for your business. If there’s a trending topic like “how to keep up with the rising costs of housing” then why don’t you offer a solution to this problem? Write a solution on your blog and make sure the article gets out especially social media. if you’re confident that your solution is authoritative enough try to post it on Facebook and then boost your post. if you can get Facebook users to like it and share it then it might get picked up by a reporter looking to make a story on that trending topic. If you can position yourself as an expert when it comes to solving problems then the media themselves will be clamouring for an interview.

10. Try to beat a world record

Everyone loves a world record holder so if you can be a world record holder then you’re well on your way of getting free publicity from the all over the world. Someone I know hired a really young person to be the editor-in-chief of one of his magazines. Eventually, the kid was named as the younger editor-in-chief ever and you can only imagine how much free publicity that garnered.

In conclusion

Getting the word about your business can be extremely hard especially when you are working with little, or no marketing budget. That’s why you have to work smarter not harder to get the media to pay attention. If you can follow the tips above then you’re guaranteed to get publicity for your business.

3 Ways to Think Like A Self-Made Millionaire

Posted on January 20, 2018 by admin

There is nothing worse than being a loser trapped in a job that you don’t like. It’s a known fact that most people want to actually break free from the rut of a nine-to-five job and start their own businesses. Why? Because with most nine-to-five jobs the pay is sh*t, the hours are annoyingly long and for some, the work environment is bloody ridiculous. Now if you are one of these people that want to finally resign from your jobs and start a new life as an entrepreneur or possibly a millionaire in the near future, then good on you for having the balls to do it.

Here’s what a lot of people don’t realize; crossing over from a typical day job to a full-time business is not just a physical move – it requires a complete change in your state of mind because you will be crossing over to a completely different world from what you were used to. You have to dump the old job mentality, and instead, you have to develop an entrepreneurial outlook. If you want to be a big shot millionaire one day then you have to THINK like one.

Now if you want to cross over to the entrepreneurial world, you need to embrace the following three ways of thinking:

1. Networking is essential

As an entrepreneur, you have to realize that most of the time ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ You have to interact and build relationships with like-minded individuals and business contacts that you can trust and whom you feel can help you grow your business. It’s a simple formula, people do business with people they like and trust, just as they are friends with those they like and trust. If you want your business to succeed then you have to realize that networking is not just about what others can do for you, it’s also about what you can also do for others. Being an entrepreneur actually means helping out others and providing value when you can, not taking others down. It means creating a mastermind group of individuals you can share and discuss ideas with. You shouldn’t be afraid of losing out and having others rise above you.

2. Learn from other successful people

As an entrepreneur, it’s second nature to be competitive because you want to be on top. But even though you have to think big and be the best in what you do, you don’t have to go as low as destroy other people in the process. You have to understand that we each have a unique outlook and value that we can offer. To get to the top you have to learn from others who are already sitting at the top. You don’t look at the person in their fancy house and feel envious of what that person has, instead, find out who this person is and tell them that you admire what they have achieved and want to learn from them – usually, that successful entrepreneur would agree to give some tips. Entrepreneurs understand the notion of profusion. They know what it takes to get to the top and most of them are more than happy to take the time to help someone get to the top as well.

3. You have to think BIG

As Donald Trump would say, “If you are going to be thinking anyway, you might as well be thinking big.’ It’s true, if you are thinking small time then you’ll always be small, if you can’t even think of doing something big then you will never do anything big in life. There is no cost in dreaming so you might as well dream big.”

As an entrepreneur, you have to realize that that the road to eventual prosperity and success can be a very long and tough one. Many losers start with huge goals but then the moment they run into some unexpected hiccups, they get distracted and they lose sight of their goals. Keep in mind that you always have to focus on the ultimate vision. In saying that, you also have to be different from the rest of the pack – you have to think outside the square and find new and unique ways to be make money and be successful. You always have to say to yourself, ‘How can I make this better? How can I be unique? How can I do this in a much bigger way?’

A typical nine-to-five job employee only focuses on the task provided to them by their boss, they follow what most people are doing so they are not used to looking at the bigger picture because that vision is for someone else to worry about. Bringing this limited mindset over to the entrepreneurial world is dangerous because it can restrain your creativity and hold back your ability to cope with and solve the many challenges that will come your way. When you think outside the square, you also create things that make you move above the rest of the pack.

If you currently have a business and you haven’t made much money yet, that is okay. As long as you keep your eye on the prize, focus on the bigger picture, build your brand, and network with the right people then later on you will reap the rewards. You also have to be HUNGRY for success. Hungry people are motivated people, if you are currently satisfied with what you’re earning then what will motivate you to be wealthy and successful? To get to the top you should always set a higher goal for yourself.

Six Brilliant Ways To Keep Yourself Motivated For Entrepreneurial Success

Posted on January 20, 2018March 30, 2020 by admin

If you’re someone who works freelance or has a small business, you would know that there’s a fair bit of work involved in “keeping the dream alive”. There are unique challenges that come with this approach to creating a living.

It’s a lot like building your own empire. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is your freelance or small business success. If you are working on your dream there is no off button and no downtime. It takes a lot of dedication, and most importantly, it’s about keeping your motivation levels replenished. If you’re not prepared for the challenges that come with working for yourself then you might as well quit now and go back to a 9 to 5 job punching numbers like a mindless loser.

It’s quite possible that when you initially conceptualised the idea to ‘break out on your own’ with stars in your eyes – you probably had the dumbass idea that working for yourself would mean an easy lifestyle. If this was the case then you might as well pack your bags now and head back to La La Land because this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Working on your own business often becomes a harsh reality when you’re finally on your own looking for the next big payday to help you get by. When everyone is leaving the office to have after-work drinks or chilling on the weekend with family and friends, you are often stuck fielding phone calls, catching up on invoicing and trying to ramp up your marketing efforts to get you through the lean patches.

It’s often the case that you end up far too busy than you can comfortably handle, just to make sure you have enough momentum to keep you going during the quieter periods (they are inevitable). It’s all about sacrifice really.

However, that’s not to say that it’s all not worth the steep incline that you tread. But, the goal is always ‘to stay the course’ – with a dogged determination that is stronger than any of the tough times that you might encounter.

Warning: when you are forging your own path you will find that some unintentional side-effects can arise. When you are subject to the unyielding and time-consuming commercial realities that are unavoidable factors in the pursuit of success, it is somewhat likely that those who are only around for the fun times will drop out of your life. It’s often a practical reality and one of the bitter-sweet indicators that you are, in fact, on the right path.

Set a daily reminder deep within your psyche to stay true to your goals. You may have heard the idiom: surround yourself with those on the same mission as you. This rings true. Also, you might find this quote from Will Smith increasingly pertinent – “If you’re absent during my struggle, don’t expect to be present during my success.” That said, you need to say goodbye to friends who bring you down and annoy the crap out of you!

Another tip for sustaining self-motivation is to look back on the road that you have already traveled and at what you have invested. Sure, this means coin, but never forget the blood, sweat, and tears. Realising how far you have come is the key to moving forward.

Keeping yourself motivated is also about making consistent progress. It doesn’t always matter if this is just a small win each day, or even each week. It’s about moving forward. What if you could generate even just an extra 50 dollars a week profit?

Always think about pushing the envelope just that little bit more – what more can you squeeze out? Could you be doing more on social media to attract leads and conversions? Is there scope in your budget to cut back on expenditure? These are just a couple of the questions that you could ask yourself. Always think about your next move. It’s very easy to get caught up in the daily grind, in the operations of your tasks – to forget about the bigger picture. That’s an easy trap to fall into. Remember that it’s crucial to keep evolving and expanding. And yes, sometimes this might get a little overwhelming. Do you sometimes feel like there are periods where you flounder? What can you do to overcome this phenomenon?

Sit back and refocus. Review your business plan. A lack of structure is enemy number one when it comes to productivity. Also, think about your daily routine. You need to create a schedule and stick to it. Wake up early and set a start time. You will be more motivated to work harder and to finish tasks quicker when you have the luxury of more time set aside to do so. This produces a more manageable (and less stressful) workload.

Sure, being regimented can be a challenge. It’s a brutal fact that when you work for yourself, the only one who will keep you accountable is you. Without a boss to keep tabs on you, and without rigid working hours, you are responsible for managing yourself and your business. You are ultimately responsible for its success or failure.

Be mindful of the challenging aspects of working from home/running your own business. It can be a very isolating experience and there are some things that you do have to compensate for. Sure, it’s great that you can work in your PJs if you want to – but, you don’t necessarily get the benefit of bouncing ideas off people and the support of a team environment.

Sometimes it helps to take your work to a place where people congregate with some purpose– like a café or library. The effect of having people nearby might just trick your brain into a more productive gear. Take a small break when you are feeling stymied. Go for a walk. Fresh air often goes hand in hand with a fresh perspective. Then, begin your task anew.

Keeping the dream alive when it comes to working freelance or in your own business is often about your internal thought process. Also, it’s got quite a bit to do with your heart and soul. More than anything – it’s about refreshing your point of view on a regular basis. Building your ‘business empire’ is a day-by-day task and every single brick in the wall counts. I’ll leave you with one last quote on the topic to consider…“ people often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily” – Zig Ziglar.