Invest in yourself is the second most important priority when you are an entrepreneur. The first one is that you have to believe in yourself. Then, when you are ready to succeed in business, you will fully embraced that investing in your business means you invest in yourself.
The best way to represent yourself and your business is the website. No brainer, right? Then why are so many new entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-wannabes missing the message?
Before the virtual revolution, anyone starting a business would do all kinds of research. They would study the demographics, spend weeks on a business plan and search for the ideal location. If they were selling a product, they would seek out the best corner in town.
If it was a service they were offering, they might settle for the middle of the best block. Either way, they would choose their location with pride, knowing it was a reflection of them and their professionalism. Then, with the confidence that comes from good preparation, they would invite their banker to lunch, often their parents.
Nowadays, with thousands of businesses going virtual, it seems to me that everybody and their dog feels entitled to become an entrepreneur. These millionaire-wannabes think they can do it all and have it all without any research or planning, and worst of all without any real financial commitment.
Can you tell I’m frustrated? Even after all my years of training to be unbiased and supportive of people and their ideas, I’m finding myself asking, “What the heck are they thinking?”
Well, among the things they may be thinking are a lot of misconceptions. It’s not my style to force anyone to hire me, but if you hold any of these misconceptions, you just might have to hire me if you want to succeed in your business. The main misconceptions are about location. In the virtual world, that means your website.
Website Misconception #1. All websites are the same.
The Truth: No, they are not, and guess what! You get what you pay for. Websites are highly technical and require a lot of good quality work to bring clients in. In choosing a website, ask yourself a few basic questions: What are my goals for my website? Which features are the most important for my business success? Then send out a request to three experts. And here’s a warning: Do not choose a website because it is cheap. Choose it for the features it offers. If you cannot afford the website that’s best for you right now, wait until you can. You will be better off in the end.
Website Misconception #2. For now I’ll take the cheapest website, and then when I start making money I’ll upgrade to something better.
The Truth: Again, you get what you pay for — right from the start. Think about it. Would you shop at a store in a poor location, with second-rate merchandise, because the owners are promising to move and upgrade after you hand over your money? Would you buy from a storefront with ugly windows, where the sales staff can’t explain their expertise or even tell you what they’re selling? If you don’t believe in investing in your business, your clients won’t invest in you!
Website Misconception #3. Anybody can design a great website. Hey, I can do it myself!
The Truth: Maybe anybody can design a website, but not everybody can design a professional website that represents you and will turn even the most casual visitor into a long-term client. Again, ask yourself, would you make a second visit to a store with a chaotic floor plan, with merchandise all over the place — or not there at all? That’s what an amateur website looks like to me.
What goes around comes around! If you are not willing to work with an expert to ensure your business success, then why would others work with you? Hiring a consultant is the first step in promoting your business. Your team has your best interests at heart and is there to support your success by spreading the word about you. You are who you hire!
Hire professionals, make the financial and emotional commitment it takes to start a business, and you will attract the clients you are looking for. Take short cuts, go cheap, underestimate the professional expertise you need, and you will attract cheap, unappreciative, disloyal clients.
Believe in yourself, believe in your business — and invest in yourself by making the investment you need to succeed. Think about it!
XOXO Monica
Invest in Yourself by downloading these two free ebooks and Mp3 from Executive Coach and Consultant Monica Magnetti.
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Tags: Believe in Yourself, Invest in Yourself, Entrepreneurship, Business Success, Global Consciousness, Purpose, Thrive in Life and in Business, Time well spent, Trust Yourself, Well-Being, Wisdom, Wonder, Work Life Balance Tips, Work Smarter.
Originally published at www.lunacoaching.com on December 21, 2017.
Originally published at medium.com