Written by: Chloe Jessamy, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The internet changed our world. It is difficult to think of what life would be like without it. Yes, we hear a lot about the negative consequences of our constant connectivity, but there are also so many exciting opportunities. For example, you might want to start an online business.
If you want to be a successful online entrepreneur, that goal is in your hands. You don’t have to wait to be offered the opportunity, you don’t have to apply to an endless list of companies for the chance. You can do it right now if you like. Pretty much anyone can start their own online business, whatever their field of interest.
However, what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who fizzle out is the habits that they envelop into their daily routine. Successful online business owners don’t just happen by accident. The good news is that using my years of experience creating and growing three online businesses for myself, I can let you in on the secret. Are you ready? Here we go with the 5 habits successful online business owners need.
1. A Thirst For Research
There is sometimes a big difference between our perception of a situation and reality. How many times have you thought “there’s a business opportunity there”? Sometimes there is, but sometimes someone is already doing it or someone has attempted it and found it was not viable.
Your gut feeling can be extremely helpful, but it can also prevent you from seeing the full picture. By researching the opportunity thoroughly, including the industry in general, competitors and consumer appetite, you can gauge its viability, rather than simply trust your first impression. You can’t afford to cling to an idea just because it sounds like it should work.
If you want this to be your life, you need to make sure it is worth throwing everything at. Solid research that might uncover truths you didn’t want to hear is essential for preventing you from wasting time following a fruitless route.
2. Write Everything Down
The most creative business owners have a thousand thoughts a minute running through their brains. You are always thinking about how to navigate challenges, improve your offering and reach out to new customers. The problem is that the next great idea that pops into your head can easily dislodge the last one, losing it to the mists of time.
This is why you need a notebook, note-taking app or even a voice recorder to make sure you can go back and remember that moment of inspiration. You can develop even half-ideas into something special, but you can only do so if you don’t forget about them because your mind flitted somewhere else.
When you build your business, you are usually trying to do a number of jobs at once to save on costs and that means moving your focus regularly. Writing everything down means you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything.
3. Set Yourself SMART Goals
To start an online business, successful entrepreneurs understand the power of SMART goals. These are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based, and help you break down the growth process into simple steps.
If you only set an end goal and set out to work towards that, you can easily lose focus, as well as struggling to gain an accurate steer on whether you are on track. Breaking down the process into SMART goals brings those regular hits of dopamine when you meet each target, as well as helping you measure your progress and be confident that you are adding value to your business with every step that you take.
4. Accept Mistakes and Learn From Them
As an online entrepreneur, you will make mistakes. To be successful, you cannot dwell on those mistakes. Instead, you have to understand why they occurred and use that information to inform your future decisions. There is no point berating yourself for something that has already happened. Instead, use it as a positive inspiration.
Don’t quit because of a lapse of judgement. Business is hard. If it was easy, everyone would be an instant success! Stick with it and resolve to do better every day.
5. Learn When to Delegate
This is absolutely essential. You cannot do absolutely everything and still maintain a work-life balance or even the perspective you need to take important decisions. Successful online business owners understand their limits and delegate tasks that someone else can do much better and more quickly than them.
You can dedicate more time to the aspects of the business that need your presence and outsource those other tasks that require a specialist to get them right, such as web design, social media, blog writing and so on.
You don’t need to employ a full-time staff member for each task, but instead, use a virtual assistant or group of trusted freelancers to provide quality work that enhances your business and frees up your time.
Help Starting Your Online Business
I coach people with ambition and who are ready to take that step and launch their online business. I have been there, so I am well placed to help equip you to turn your dream into reality. From start-up foundations to marketing, organisation and outsourcing those tasks that are best suited to the experts, I am here to provide all the advice you need to make a success out of your passion. Contact me today for a free discovery call and let’s get started on creating a winning online business.
Chloe Jessamy, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Chloe Jessamy is a leader in online business support, smart working methods and online marketing. After starting up and growing her own businesses Chloe wanted to create a way to support others who face the same challenges when starting an online business. Chloe has since dedicated her whole career to helping small businesses work smart, save time and grow. She is CEO of a leading Virtual Assistant Agency, Supportal Business Services. Some of her clients to date include Afrotouch Designs, O So Curly, ColourBlend Makeup, In-House Recruitment, Urban Music Awards, Just Entrepreneurs, the list goes on. She is also an Award-winning organiser and founder of Clutter cutdown and CJ Coaching. Her mission: Step out and start-up with confidence.
