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A few weeks back, I read a blog by Scary Mommy and it turned my stomach. I kind of love Scary Mommy’s blogs. She has the guts to say things I often think, but don’t verbalize. It’s a big reason why she is so popular. If you don’t have time to read her blog, I’ll sum it up for you: a compilation of tweets making fun of the off-putting things people say, do, and post on social media in a desperate attempt to grow their small online businesses.
I think most of us who launch our first business have let it burst from our mouths like projectile vomit. Hey…what can we say? We LOVE our leggings, skin care, lipstick, shakes and workout programs. 😉
Reading through the tweets and commentary, I laughed because it was funny. I also cringed because it was embarrassing. Funny and embarrassing most time means something is TRUE! This blog could have been written about me when I first started my business. Heck, some of those tweets may have been pulled from something I said.
Go, Learn, Grow!
Admittedly, I didn’t know where to begin when it came to launching a business. I just knew what I loved doing and sharing that seemed simple. Plus, all my friends had Facebook so why not chat it up? The reality of it all set in a couple years later – I was running a legitimate business. Can we say work?! I had to learn some tough lessons to get where I am today. I learned that not everyone L-O-V-E-D fitness like I did.
So, I made all of the rookie mistakes and pissed a few people off before it started to click. Almost 6 years later, with a million dollars in earnings, I’m still learning!
My tiny little business is all grown up now – kind of in this pubescent teenage stage – if we’re being totally transparent. With 9,000 coaches and lots of moving parts we’re on a roll and yet something about this particular blog still got to me. Why? Probably because I personally know how easy it is to fall into the trappings of being one of “those Beachbody coaches” or whatever rep you like to call yourself.
So, with all my coaches listening (and perhaps a few other small business owners), I rounded up some simple, but helpful tips on how to (please) not be like me.
Disclaimer: If you’re interested in anything I’m saying after I spill my guts, then I’d love to chat with you!
5 Quick Tips How Not To Be Like Me
- VOMIT ≠ TRUST: Do not ‘vomit’ your business all over others’ social media. It’s perfectly fine to let people know what you do, but people want to know and trust you before they seek you out to help them with solving a problem. Authenticity = Trust. Be you. 100% messy you. Don’t apologize for it, but don’t be overbearing either.
- Don’t force anyone on a journey: Do not add others to FB groups without their consent. Along those same lines, sending a random friend request people 2x removed comes off a little slimy. Just sayin’
- When in Doubt, Invest: Don’t know how to market yourself? Hire a professional. Just because you know FB does not mean you know how to brand your business or build a website. Plus, it saves you time from focusing on the wrong stuff.
- Train ‘em Up: Read, Google the heck out of stuff, be engaged and never think you know it all. Never stop asking questions!
- Put the needs of others 1st: When you do this, your needs and desires are always met.
Being a business owner is hard. It means taking on a lot of unexpected roles in leadership, dealing with hard to deal with people, failing a lot and then after all that, finding the courage to stand up and press on. In some cases, it means saying and doing some really stupid things because you don’t know any better and you let your passion use your brain as a step stool. I cringe with you when I see all the wrong things I once did, but I use that as a motivator to help others in the same place I was years ago.
The opportunities to create amazing success from your kitchen table have grown exponentially over the last 5 years. Maybe, just maybe, with your help, we can spread these tips around and help people grow their business without killing off their friends. Let’s start being the #girlboss’ we are!
7 Insights You Need to be Successful Business Owner
- It’s not about you! Work to serve the needs of your client, even if that means you don’t make a dime.
- Stop trying to recruit people to join your business before they even understand the product. They will never do well if they don’t believe in what they are selling.
- Stop marketing the product and start marketing you! Let’s get real. What do you have that I can’t get from Target? People want to work with you because the LIKE and TRUST you… which brings me to my next point…
- Don’t be a jerk. If someone tells you no, is rude to you, quits, returns a product, and smears you or your product on social media- respond in grace. There is even a chance that you will get more business if you compose yourself and take the high road. Jerks never win- really, they don’t! They may have a streak of luck but trust me, they always lose.
- Don’t give up! Like I said before, I made some A LOT of mistakes as I grew my business. But I kept trying. If you are TEACHABLE you will get better. I read a lot of books to help me learn how to connect with people, how to lead, how to grow my business with integrity, how to plan and organize and how to prioritize. Reading is a must!
- Be Teachable
- Read personal Development daily… it’s the only way you will learn and grow. It is a guaranteed game changer for your life and your business.
Love 6-Year Old Business Owner,
Rebekah
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