5 Keys to Business Success that has Zero to do with your Services
In celebration of National Women’s Small Business Month, we are excited to share this contributed blog post by Caron Beesley, Owner of April Marketing, who provides her tips on achieving success.
Like many solopreneurs, I “fell” into business ownership by complete accident. I was a marketing manager at an IT solutions company in Northern Virginia and was looking for a way out. At the time I was fortunate to have the backing of my family, savings and a supportive boss. After deciding to call it quits, I had very little idea of what I would do, I just needed time to think.
Then my boss asked me to stay on as an independent contractor and keep a few of the projects that I’d previously owned moving along. That was the beginning of my business career as a marketing communications consultant, and I loved it.
Very quickly my business grew through word of mouth (which still proves to be my biggest source of work). Eight years on, here are five things I learned about what it takes to succeed:
- Anyone can start a small business, but not everyone can sustain it. It’s important early on to realize that it’s about more than doing the work, it’s about being willing to wrap your arms around the operational side (license, permits, taxes, technology, insurance, contracts, accounts receivables, etc.) and running your business properly. Skip any of these and you’ll run into money and regulatory troubles and, even worse, IRS woes.
- To deliver real value, the work you do isn’t enough. You must have strong communication skills, manage your time well, always deliver on or over and above client expectations. These are the things that ensure you can secure the best rate and keep a client coming back.
- Marketing isn’t easy (and that’s coming from a marketer). This is something I hear often from other marketers, we just hate to market ourselves! This makes word of mouth essential. Your work and those who refer you are your greatest marketing assets.
- Learning when to say “No” to work is an art form. Not all clients are a good fit and it takes time to recognize the signs and be bold enough not to take on the wrong fit, even if you’re feeling the pinch.
- Relish what you do. Without a passion for what you do and who you do it for, you may as well hang up your hat and go and do something else. That passion is contagious and a big asset that works in your favor.
Caron Beesley, Contributing Writer - Owner, April Marketing