Sometimes you just don’t know exactly where to start or what the steps actually look like. Between all the uncertainty, too many details, too little knowledge, and everything else I’ve simplified the 5 basic steps you can take to ensure you are building a solid foundation for success in your new business or side hustle. Keep in mind that these are more like map markers, not the turn-by-turn directions. There are a lot more details involved, which of course I will share more about in other posts. Until then, let’s get started with the basics.
1. Build Your Brand
No matter how great you are at what you do, if your brand does not have a home online, you are robbing yourself of business. Online presence is everything nowadays, so don’t make the mistake of not being searchable (hello, SEO). Whether you offer a product or a service, you need your own digital real estate with your own website and domain. Not only does it help search engines to register your brand name and associate it to relevant key words, but it also allows clients to more easily find you. Although social media platforms are great tools to help market your business, they should not be your only platform. Once you have a website, or even a simple landing page, you open yourself up to gaining more traffic and having potential clients reaching out to you. Not just the other way around.
2. Offer Value With a Blog
Another great way to get your brand searchable online is through the content you create. With every blog post you write, you are helping other people. You are also helping search engines find you. Share your knowledge. Discuss interesting topics in your field, offer advice or address your customers’ pain points. Not only are you building your brand presence, but you are also allowing more potential clients to find you in the process. See why I said having a website is so important? It becomes a place of your own to share your amazing knowledge that keeps the traffic flowing. This is the perfect segue into my next point.
3. Demonstrate Your Expertise
The number one way to build credibility online is to create consistent content that provides value to your readers. Even if you have a small, or nonexistent following in the beginning, you can grow your audience organically with great blog posts. You can even start a YouTube channel. This all goes back to sharing your knowledge. You may have the all-too-common Imposter Syndrome and think but Nikki, I don’t feel like an expert–stop it right now! If you are willing to start a business and charge people money for either selling something, or offering a service, then guess what? You are an expert!
Let’s use an example. I had a client who stumbled into a skincare business after being a teacher and doing eyebrow microblading on the side. She didn’t realise it at the time, but whenever the topic of skincare came up in a casual conversation, she suddenly lit up and could talk about it for hours! She taught her clients everything they needed to know and even got to the point where she had people asking her for recommendations and advice, even totally unrelated to eyebrows. She never considered herself an expert. She took her own passion and knowledge for granted since it came so naturally. What she didn’t realise was how other people (potential clients) perceived her. She was already seen as an expert to people who needed skincare advice. What started as a side hustle microblading eyebrows, eventually turned into a full blown professional beauty spa. She demonstrated her knowledge and is now one of the top skincare professionals in her area. Now she has plenty of things to talk about on her blog and Instagram to help her clients, giving them valuable tips and advice.
4. Get Social
We all understand the value of social media presence and having a following. But when it comes to business, it is 10x more important to have quality relationships, not just an impressive number of Instagram followers. Quality relationships are built and maintained by interaction, sharing value and knowledge, and connecting with other people in your industry. Don’t be afraid to share things on LinkedIn, too. It’s a great platform to set yourself up for a more professional reputation and share content that you think your network will benefit from, especially if you offer a service that professionals can benefit from. Take time to maintain relationships, interact on social media, and most importably, be consistent! Combine building your brand, offering value, and demonstrating your expertise to establish a strong online presence. With all of those put together, it’s a recipe to ensure a great reputation, and create a solid and engaged following. Remember, quality over quantity.
5. Pitch With Confidence
Once you have established yourself online with the combination of all of the above steps, you are ready to pitch with confidence. The feeling you get knowing that you have plenty to show for yourself when a potential client Googles your name is priceless. When you get to the stage of pitching and proposals, it will be easy to sell yourself with your head held high. You will feel sure about your abilities and, therefore, your pricing. Eventually, your brand, experience, and value will be able to speak for itself.
Wherever you are on your journey, know that you can and will accomplish your goals. But for now, remember that things take time, patience, and consistency, just like a growing plant. So be kind to yourself and enjoy the process.
