If I had to sum it up with one word, what would that word be? WHIRLWIND.
I'm sure anyone else who has started a business can relate. Many people think the challenge is coming up with a fantastic product or service concept, and while I agree that is difficult in itself, the real challenge is what comes afterwards. ALL of the details, (start-up, finances, marketing, staffing, accounting, legal, incorporation, operations, etc etc etc) start to pile up. What you end up with is a huge list of things to do and you scramble to navigate said list and get things done. The toughest part about all of it is realizing that once you get one thing done, something else comes up or something changes and you need to add another task to your list. It seems never ending.
So what have I been doing? As time goes on, I realize the importance of delegation to get things done and maintain your sanity. Surround yourself with helpful people you can trust and allow them the opportunity to help. Doing this has allowed me to focus on the two things that matter most (in my opinion):
- Developing your product or service
- Networking, marketing, and making connections
As a chiropractor I studied and worked tirelessly throughout my post-graduate education to develop the art of chiropractic. As each year passes, I continue to practice and expand my skill-set through continuing eduction courses and workshops. This will continue throughout the longevity of my career.
Networking and marketing effectively has been more difficult than I expected. As a student, these were not skills we were ever taught to us. So what I've done is researched online, read books, and asked questions to those with experience in this field. What I've found is that there is no real correct answer, but there are several different strategies that you can employ. Rather than bore you with all the different things you can do to market your business (google it, you'll find a TON of information), I'll cut to the chase and tell you why I'm writing this blog.
Throughout the course of my readings, I've come to the conclusion that online marketing and social media are far more impactful than print or other forms of media like TV or radio. Strategies that worked for many entrepreneurs years ago simply don't work anymore. So, I've made it my goal to develop a solid social media following. I want to tell my story and build awareness so that people in my community will view me as a resource when it comes to their health. One way to do this is facebook, and one way to gain likes on your page is through companies like www.boostlikes.com. These companies will help you build your following so that you can reach more people and ultimately have a greater impact in your community.
Please stay posted. As I continue to learn and evolve, so will my marketing strategies. Ultimately, the only constant in life is change and if you don't change with it, you will never grow.