Why you shouldn’t be an entrepreneur

For every person out there who goes after her dream, ten more sit on their hands and whine. Trust me. I hear from them every day.

I work 12-hour days. I’m exhausted.

I have kids and a husband and a full-time job.

I don’t know how.

Who would listen to me anyway?

But who am I to show up and say what helped me?

Good, then go take a nap and quit bitching about the dream you have of being your own boss and actually impacting human lives in a real, tangible way.

The rest of us stay up late and get up early if we need to. We function on four hours of sleep (sometimes less) and all but kill ourselves to get our message out. Because. We. Must.

Because the burn – the desire to support people and fulfill our mission – is so great, we can’t sleep anyway.

I’m officially declaring war on bullshit excuses

I work with women who get up at 3 a.m. and work on their own business until they have to get the kids off to school. Some stay up until dawn instead. A few do both. Some use their lunch breaks. Some record their ideas on their cell phones during the commute.

“My passions drive me to the typewriter every day of my life, and they have driven me there since I was twelve,” Ray Bradbury once said. “So I never have to worry about schedules. Some new thing is always exploding in me, and it schedules me, I don’t schedule it. It says: Get to the typewriter right now and finish this.”

But I’ll be too tired.

But no one understands what I’m trying to create. They look at me like I’m insane.

But my relationship with my spouse and children will suffer.

Really? Your family won’t understand if you need an hour or two to yourself every day to do what you love? You can’t muscle through a workday on too little sleep? Or is the truth simply you’re afraid you will fail?

Ernest Hemingway – Nobel Prize in Literature, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Bronze Star Medal – said the most terrifying thing he ever encountered was “a blank sheet of paper.”

Writing is hard. Creating is hard. Being your own boss is hard.

It’s not lucrative at the start. It’s isolating and often heartbreaking. So if you’re not getting it done, don’t beat yourself up.

Not everyone is meant to be her own boss

Not everyone has the fire, hears the thunder, feels the promise of the moonlight.

And that’s okay.

But the rest of us can’t help it.

Nelson Algren, who won the National Book award for his novel The Man With the Golden Arm, spent five months in jail for stealing a typewriter. That is dedication.

“In an unmoored life like mine, sleep and hunger and work arrange themselves to suit themselves, without consulting me,” Kurt Vonnegut said.

So decide. Are you finally ready to dedicate yourself to your business? To do what it takes until it takes?

No one one will blame you if you’re not.

But if you are, take every excuse and flush it. Then get to work.

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Everything old is new again

That quote has been attributed to Jonathan Swift, Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, and a character in a Stephen King novel.

It doesn’t matter who the author was. The point is salient.

The idea, of course, is that everything has already been created. Every story has been told. Every idea has been put out there. All we can do now is add our unique take on whatever we come up with.

We live in a time where, thank the gods, it’s not only possible to spread your take globally, but you can do it in seconds.

Nowhere is this more true than with coaching.

Observe…


Once upon a time, in the vast landscape of the internet, a humble corner existed where individuals poured out their thoughts, ideas and stories. This space, known as the blogosphere, experienced its golden age in the early 2000s. However, as social media platforms took the spotlight, the art of blogging seemed to fade into the background.

Fast forward to the present, and the winds of change are blowing once again.

The resurgence of blogging is not just a nostalgic echo, but a vibrant reality reshaping the digital landscape. Coaches, mentors, healers and others in the service industry rely on social media to get the word out. As more and more people join the industry, some believe it’s harder and harder to get the attention of prospects.

Hence, blogging.

In the realm of digital marketing, blogs have emerged as a dynamic asset for coaches seeking to amplify their online presence. According to a study conducted by HubSpot, businesses that prioritize blogging are 13 times more likely to experience a positive return on investment (ROI).

This statistic alone underscores the significance of weaving a compelling narrative through the written word.

For coaches in a competitive online space, a well-crafted blog becomes a beacon, attracting potential clients and establishing credibility. Content Marketing Institute reports that content creation, including blogging, costs 62% less than traditional marketing strategies while generating approximately three times as many leads. (Read that again.)

As a mindset and success coach, my unique expertise finds an ideal platform in blogging. A study by Demand Metric reveals that 82% of consumers feel more positive about a brand after reading customized content. This presents a golden opportunity for coaches to connect authentically with their audience through insightful blog posts.

Moreover, the impact on search engine visibility cannot be overlooked.

Data from Search Engine Journal indicates that websites with blogs have 434% more indexed pages, increasing the likelihood of ranking higher in search results. This organic visibility is a potent tool for coaches looking to be discovered by individuals actively seeking their services.

As we traverse the digital marketing landscape, it’s evident that blogging is not just a creative outlet but a strategic move for coaches to elevate their brand. The synergy between insightful content and increased visibility creates a pathway for coaches to not only share their wisdom but to thrive in the competitive world of online entrepreneurship.

Let’s look at a couple of fictitious coaching companies and how they could use blogging to leverage the hell out of impact and increase income…


Case Study: Mindful Mastery Coaching

Background: Mindful Mastery Coaching (I made up this name), a company specializing in mindfulness and personal development coaching, decided to revamp its online presence through strategic blogging.

Strategy: The coaches started a blog that delved into topics like stress management, mindfulness exercises, and personal growth stories. They consistently shared valuable content that resonated with their target audience.

Results: Over a six-month period, MMC saw a significant uptick in website traffic. The blog became a go-to resource for those seeking guidance on mindfulness. This surge in visibility translated into a 30% increase in client inquiries, showcasing how blogging established them as thought leaders in their niche.

Case Study: EmpowerHER Business Coaching

Background: EmpowerHER Business Coaching (I also made up this name), a company dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs, recognized the potential of blogging to connect with their target demographic.

Strategy: The coaches started a blog addressing challenges faced by women in business, sharing success stories and providing actionable tips for female entrepreneurs. They leveraged social media to promote their blog posts and encourage engagement.

Results: The blog not only resonated with their existing clients but also attracted a new audience. The share-ability of the content led to increased visibility on social media platforms. This, coupled with the blog’s SEO benefits, contributed to a 25% growth in new client sign-ups, showcasing how strategic blogging can be a catalyst for business expansion.


Bottomline:

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

You don’t need to do things the way others do. (F*ck TikTok. I’m a word nerd.)

I started my business with a blog in 2008. I never imagined I’d be where I am now at the time, but we surpassed 7 figures years ago and there’s no end in site.

Do you blog? Let me know and feel free to drop your link in the comments, too, so I can check it out.