6 Tips for Building A Business

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN A YEAR AGO

This time last year I was a bag of nerves. I was tentatively filming an intro video, reaching out to my first clients, and trying to set up a website (it’s still a work in progress!) Everything took longer than I thought, was more complicated than expected, and I was dazzled by the prospect of having to do it all alone.

But since then I’ve learnt a thing or two about starting a business, setting up an office, and not going crazy when I’m alone all day.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a total newbie at this. There are plenty of people WAY more experienced in giving business advice. But if you’re a solo gal, with a passion that you want to turn into a profitable biz, then here’s what’s worked for me.

Nothing happens if you don’t start. And then after that, it’s just one step at a time.

WORTH THE MONEY

#1 INVEST IN YOURSELF

I do love a good course. And I may have taken more than a few this year. Because although I know a lot about filming and video, It quickly became apparent there was a lot of stuff I didn’t know about that would be quite helpful in running a business.

Things like email marketing, invoicing, networking effectively, creating a brand, and SEO were completely beyond my world. I could go on. Let’s just say I still have a lot to learn.

Investing in yourself when you’ve got a lot of other start up costs might feel like a low priority, but it was invaluable.

I’ve now set up a finance system (kinda), created a business plan (sort of), and launched an email list (it’s getting there). There’s still plenty to do, but it’s given me the confidence to know I can handle some of these things with a bit of authority. 

#2 IMAGE MATTERS

You are an expert in your field, right? Of course you are! So don’t let your website make you look like an amateur. Snag a simple, easy, slick design on any of the free platforms available, or get a professional website designed and created. This was one of my best early investments.

Finding my web designer Niki was a total game changer for launching my business. She supported my vision and created something I never could have done alone. Plus she taught me how to make updates and tweaks myself, so I didn’t have to bug her for every tiny change I wanted to make.

Some web designers will also design you a simple logo and help you figure out your branding – so it’s worth finding a good one. Look for a creative techie who’ll set you up, get you going, and help you maintain your site as you grow. Look like a professional from the start, because you are! 

SELF CARE

#3 SET UP FOR SUCCESS

If you’ve come from a big corporation suddenly working at home, alone, is a big adjustment. After years in a busy, buzzy, office winging it solo was tough mentally. But then something saved me.

A friend set up a group of eight working mums, all from different industries. Now once a month we meet up to chat about our jobs, office politics, ambitions, and career challenges. We natter over a glass or two of vino (no kids or school talk allowed!) – it is like therapy!

We might have different jobs, but we share the same pressures of family, childcare, relationships, and holidays. Getting support, advice, and perspective from women outside my field has been invaluable. I always leave inspired, uplifted, and proud to know such fierce and smart women.

If you can, tap into a network of people at a similar stage of life near you. But if there’s nothing nearby, I highly recommend getting a group of gal pals together and fixing up a monthly pub meet.

#4 PLAN YOUR DAY

Being your own boss means you can do whatever you want whenever you want. Great, right?! Well, yes and no, because now you are open to SO many distractions! I’m talking about you, Pinterest!

I crave structure and suddenly having an open diary I could fill however I chose was exhilarating, but also scary and intimidating. I also noticed that spending all day in front of my computer turned me into a miserable zombie.

On days I’m at home, I plan to get out of the house at least once – working in a coffee shop for a few hours, scheduling a trip to the gym midday, or meeting a friend for a mutual lunch break.

Having a change of scene and connecting with some other real humans really helped maintain my sanity and stopped me dreading my desk.

BRAND BUILDING

#5 KNOW WHO YOU ARE

I found this hard at the start, but knowing exactly what you want to do with your business is a must. In the beginning I said yes to every filming job that came with a pay cheque. But filming for companies whose values didn’t align with mine or creating videos I wasn’t proud to share ultimately didn’t support my bigger goals.

Obviously you need to make money, but knowing what your values are, and seeking out the type of work you want to be known for, is an important part of growing a brand and building a reputation. For example, there was no point to me saying yes to filming for a fur company when I’m a vegetarian, animal-lover who’s been anti-fur since my teens.

Now I have a clear mission: to create beautiful branding videos for creative entrepreneurs, and share my knowledge about mobile video with as many people as possible. I’ve learnt that by saying NO to things that aren’t right, I’m creating space to say YES the work that fires me up.

#6 PATIENCE

I just want everything yesterday!! Building a business is a long hard slog, but when you throw a family, friends, and a relationship into the mix it’s an epic juggle.

I am guilty of getting frustrated, wanting things to move faster, be done, get finished. But I’ve realised success (and building a business) isn’t about getting to a destination, it’s a journey. And I need to enjoy it!

Progress over perfection is my newly adopted mantra (a challenge for a type-A personality). Just remember nothing happens if you don’t just start. And then after that, it’s just one step at a time. You’ve got this!