I see and hear of this happening all too often. Whether you are a new business owner or have been in your business for a few years, you may be stalled out because you have set up roadblocks to making money. In fact, you are struggling with the misconception that you have to have “certain” things in order to make money. Trust me, you don’t!
Are you running your business on donations?In fact, this is going to shock you, are you ready? You don’t need more than the experience you have, the education you have already gotten, and to take targeted strategic action. (Heck, even random action is better than sitting around waiting for the list of things here to happen, really.)
So let me tell you right now, what you don’t need to have to make money. You won’t like this because I’m officially stripping your excuses, removing your roadblocks, and telling you clearly that you have what it takes without these 5 elements to go and make money.
#1 A Logo
Sure it’s nice, but realistically a logo is entirely irrelevant when it comes to making money. Unless you are Nike, AT&T, or Coca-Cola, no one is buying your brand based on the logo alone. They are buying the value you bring, the difference you make, and the transformation your product and/or service provides. Get over yourself.
#2 A Website
Yes, I am a big advocate of having a website so you can be found online. But, the reality today is that you can be found many other ways without a website. So if you are waiting to make money because you don’t have a website, wait no more. Get out there live time with people, connect, relate, educate, interact, and close! (Yes, it can be that simple.)
#3 A Blog
Well that is generally at the core of your website (please don’t do a stand alone.) The reality is that your blog posts are just one of dozens of ways you can educate your prospect about your expertise, your experience, your viewpoint, and your service or product. Guess what, the most effective way is LIVE in person, at a networking event, a speaking gig, a meetup, or over skype. Stop hiding it precludes money making.
#4 A Great Headshot
Hey, if the guys on match.com (yes, I have online dated a lot) can get away with a scary photo taken with flash in the bathroom mirror and get dates (not with me mind you), then surely you can either take your own photo or get a friend to take one so you aren’t anonymous online. I get it, you don’t have the bucks to spend on a photo shoot, so what, you don’t need to. This isn’t a beauty contest, it is a reality check. Be yourself, be authentic and for goodness sake be recognizable and SMILE!
#5 A Virtual Assistant
Hmm, let’s see, you haven’t made any money so how do you think having someone on staff (even virtually) is going to help you make money? I’ve got a news flash for you, I’ve never hired anyone to do anything I didn’t already either know how to do myself or gotten by without it for awhile first. Assistants don’t make you money, you are the money maker in your business, you are the rainmaker (another way of saying sales producer and revenue generator.) And besides today, there tons of outrageously cheap providers you can get on a project basis. Go to fiverr.com or elance.com.
Now, believe me, I could go on, but right now I want you to COMMENT and TELL ME THE EXCUSES YOU’VE BEEN MAKING.
I promise you aren’t alone and it will really help put a stop to them when you own them OUT LOUD. COMMENT BELOW!
Don’t think I’ve been making those 5 🙂 But probably a few others
Linda,
It is a lesson in identifying your excuses whatever they are. Everyone has them, you can eliminate what you recognize!
Hugs, Melissa
Great points, Melissa! I wasted a lot of time in needless worry about where the clients would come from when I was fiddling with my websites and agonizing over the perfect branding and elevator speech. All I had to do to get all the business I could handle was to get out there and meet people, speak, etc. The people who need you most will find you if you — unless you are in hiding!
You are so right Lisa! Glad to hear you figured out the not so mysterious secret to a booming business!
Hugs, Melissa
My excuse is NOT ENOUGH TIME. Problem is that I WANT to get started, but life gets in the way. Planning, devoting certain times, goals are all good, but there is just so much energy available to this old guy. I think that if I get started, I won’t be able to service any clients properly. This has already happened once to my financial advice website. Ran out of time and steam, and lost a significant number of followers. I MUST finish the house I’m remodeling for us so that we are not living amid construction the rest of our lives. I try to stay on track with Melissa Galt and a couple of others. Their encouragement keeps my hopes up; but I wish I could begin to put things into place and build my business. That time IS coming!
Dale,
The key is to complete one project at a time and don’t start any new ones until you’ve completed what you already have going. Multi-tasking is the fastest way to fail at everything. Singular focus gets the job done and lets you move on to the next with confidence and energy.
Hugs, Melissa
Melissa,
This email topic resonated very deeply with me. I was moving along fairly well until a few weeks ago when I closed out a few client projects at the same time I ran into a marital crises. Since then my head is not completely in my Biz and I’m floundering emotionally. Seems my tentative tie to some potential clients did not come to fruition and my social media buzz is not even a peep.
How do I get back on track and do more than put one foot in front of the other?
Lynn,
Your best bet is to put one foot in front of the other. I’ve always found that when in a personal crisis, work is a great distraction and I get uber productive. Don’t allow challenges in one area of your life to detract from your mightiness in another area of life (your work.) KEEP GOING!
Hugs, Melissa
Love this post. In a world where everyone wants to have the appearance of being in business, we need to stop the excuses and get moving on the work we’ve been called to do.
Tai,
You are so right! Know you are on track with passion and purpose, no excuses.
Hugs, Melissa