Deciding to start an online business is easy. It’s actually launching it that can feel scary and intimidating and bring up a lot of feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty.
How do I know this? I’ve been there. I remember launching my online business, while not in the middle of a pandemic, it was a moment in my life that felt very similar. I was let go from my safe, corporate job. I struggled for about 5-6 months in trying to figure out what was next for me while searching for yet another “safe” option. But it just didn’t feel right to me. I dabbled in entrepreneurship a bit by freelancing through connections I had in the marketing world.
For some reason, it felt safer to call it “freelancing” than pursuing entrepreneurship.
Once I did finally DECIDE to launch a business, I had no clue where to start or what I needed to do. So I created a website by paying a guy on Fiverr $160 for some design help and I felt official.
The thing is - you don’t need to do that to launch an online business. All you need to do is decide, and then start promoting your business.
This is where a lot of entrepreneurs get caught up. The HOW. There are SO many things to learn. That’s the beauty of it - we were all there once and we all have just figured it out. To save you some time, stress, frustration and anxiety, I’m going to share with you some tips to launching your business, during a pandemic nonetheless.
1. Show Up Every Day
Consistency is KEY. Show up relentlessly for yourself and others. Join entrepreneurship Facebook groups and comment on posts, get your name out there. Also, show up for your business. So many people get analysis paralysis and over-analyze, or fear, taking the wrong step in their business. Stop worrying and just take action. Do SOMETHING to move the needle forward in your business every day whether that’s engaging, building relationships/networking, building out your first course, writing a bunch of content, etc. Just start showing up for yourself and your new business every single day.
2. Get Clear on What You Do and Who You Serve
Clarity is imperative for long-term success. No, you don’t need to have it all figured out right now, but get clarity on who you want to serve and what you want your focus to be in your business. You want your target audience to know what exactly you can help them with and if you are offering social media management services alongside website design and graphic design, they’re going to be CONFUSED. Pick one thing, and define your target audience. Remember, you can ALWAYS pivot later on.
For example, when I first started my business I came from the corporate marketing, PR, advertising world, so naturally, I started a full-service marketing agency. I did what I knew, marketing for small corporate clients.
As I became more invested in the entrepreneurship world, I realized I would be a kick-ass OBM. It was so much of what I was already doing in the account management world of marketing, just needed a little bit more knowledge of digital platforms to add to it and BAM I realized how marketable I would be to people knowing I had this sort of knowledge alongside my marketing experience.
Now, after growing my OBM business over the last 18 months, and finding success in my first marketing agency (Fast Follow Co), I’m confident in my ability to grow successful businesses and my ability to share that knowledge with others to help them grow theirs -- in comes business coaching to the mix.
So no, you don’t have to have it all figured out day one, it can evolve. Just start somewhere and get really good at what you pick first.
3. Give Lots of Free Value
You have to build that know, like and trust factor with your audience. To do that, you need to give a shit ton of free value to warm your audience up to you. It takes people on average 7 times before they actually convert to a paying customer. So during those 7 interactions, you need to not only be pitching your services but also providing them with information to solve their problems based on the types of services you offer.
I suggest my clients set up a simple funnel. Create a downloadable “freebie” to give value and grow your email list. Then share with them your story and expertise to get to know you a bit better, give them some more value, give them a discount on a service you provide to get them in the door and then funnel them to a higher-priced offering.
Free value is important throughout the lifetime of your business, but even more when you’re just starting out. I traded my services in the beginning for things and to obtain testimonials to help me promote my business as well.
4. Set up Systems and Processes to Create a Strong Foundation
I wish I knew what I know now about systems when I first started out. Man, it would have simplified SO much in my business. There are a million and one different systems out there. They help you to create a strong foundation from day one where you can feel organized and professional. The ones I highly recommend figuring out how to use in your business include:
Email Marketing Platform - you want to grow your email list from day 1. I recommend FloDesk or ActiveCampaign personally.
Business management tool - Dubsado. There really is no other comparable option in my mind. I even have a super simple, and crazy affordable minicourse that will help you get it set up. Learn more here.
Automatic Scheduler - Acuity, Calendly, Satori, Dubsado. I love Acuity but I also get it for free as I was grandfathered into a plan. If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend just using Dubsado’s scheduler for convenience and not having to learn another platform
Website Platform - I am a huge proponent of Squarespace. So easy to use and integrate with other platforms.
Social Media Scheduler - Later.com or Planoly. These are so easy to set up and will allow you to schedule your content in advance.
Project Management tool - Asana, Trello, ClickUp. All great resources and will help you to keep track of your to-do lists and manage your clients with ease.
5. Invest in Yourself Before You’re Ready.
Give yourself this permission. It will feel scary. Especially if you don’t have many (or any) clients yet. Investing in yourself reaffirms that you believe in yourself and your business. You have skin in the game. It helps to keep you accountable and learn faster than if you wait until you think you’re ready. Because the truth is, you’ll never 100% be ready.
Hire a business coach. The ROI is WORTH IT. Think about it, would you rather spend 10x longer trying to figure it out on your own, or would you prefer to have someone who’s been there before guide you. This will save you time and earn you money FASTER and you’ll see a huge ROI on this investment. Not only will they help you with the strategic and logistical side, but also your mindset which is so fragile when starting something new.
Personally, I invested in 2 courses within the first 6 months of my business, a business mentor the second 6 months into my business and a year later a business coach. All have been instrumental in my success as an entrepreneur.
If you’re ready to launch your business, stop playing it “safe” (this pandemic has proved that nothing is truly safe anymore) and follow your passions to create the freedom in your life you long for, let’s chat!
I’m offering an introductory coaching rate of $500/mo for a 3-month coaching program. In those 3 months we will get your business set up, launched and bring in money consistently, growing your client roster.
Book a free coaching consult here.
Katelyn Hamilton is an Online Business Manager and Get Your Sh!t Together Strategist. She helps busy entrepreneurs organize, strategize and prioritize their business to go from overwhelmed to out-in-front.
After spending 6 years in the corporate world working with multimillion dollar companies, top-rated chefs and celebrities, she launched her own business to find more flexibility and freedom. She matched her corporate salary in just one year of starting her business.
Katelyn is also a wife, stepmom, dog mama of three furry friends, fitness lover, sports fanatic (Go Dawgs) and dreams of living at the beach.
Click here to book a free call to talk more about your business goals and to see if hiring an OBM is the right fit for you.
