September 29, 2012
0

Featured entrepreneur story

By | Established business | No Comments

I first met Samantha at a BNI networking event and was thoroughly impressed right from the word go. She's welcoming, quietly confident and you know instantly that she's an action taker – the girl means business! She's only in her mid twenties yet has one successful business under her belt and is just about to launch another. This time, however, it's in a totally different arena and some might say it's a little “oh la la!” Read on to find out about her full story into entrepreneurship.

[box]Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself! TWEET THIS[/box]

Sam Causon, Founder of Creative Baked

My name is Samantha Causon and I'm the founder of Creative Baked. We design and offer creative solutions for every aspect of marketing, from print design and production, to web design and build. From single items of stationery to product catalogues and e-commerce websites, we dedicate the same care and attention to design projects of all sizes. Studying our clients and their target market is at the heart of our approach, helping us to fulfil their brief and achieve their goals. You can find us online at www.creativebaked.co.uk.

What made you decide to start your business?

After graduating, I applied for jobs and was fortunate to have several offers. Instead of choosing to work for a larger company in Canary  Wharf, London, I picked a local company, nearer to home, in Reigate. Being completely honest, I really didn't fancy the commute! The company was small and niche and taught me so much. However, when the company made me redundant I knew it was the right time to go it alone. I wasn't really phased as I'd come from a very entrepreneurial family so I had their full support. That was 18 months ago and I'm so glad I did it.

How did you initially find your customers?

Initially I approached my friends and family on Facebook. I kept my prices low to ensure I'd get work and I got out there approaching clients and asking for the business! I also joined the BNI chapter in Reigate, which has provided an incredible return on investment. It's also helped me grow my business by learning new skills through the combined pool of knowledge.

As a branding and design agency, what has it been like designing your brand?

That's been tough! I say that for several reasons. Firstly it's on account of the time you need to devote to your brand, and secondly it's getting it right as I'm the client! I came up with the name Creative Baked, and The Recipe for Success as a strap line when I started. I liked the idea of Creative Baked – having all the right ingredients to add flavour to our clients' marketing and I wanted it to be a vital ingredient in their success.

What have been your biggest challenges as an entrepreneur?

My biggest challenge has been keeping up with technology as it's constantly changing. Responsive design is an area that excites me but consumes so much time. We take pride in crafting high quality code and the latest responsive layout techniques so staying on top of this is vital. After the challenge of technology, comes delivery. With so much work coming in regularly, it's been hard work fulfilling it at times. I've not wanted to use contract staff or outsource so I've been working long hours. My future business partner is returning to the area shortly so that will really help things. We've known each other since we were at school, and I trust her implicitly. With complimentary capabilities it's a great union.

What types of clients do you work for?

We haven't chosen a specific sector to niche in so our clients are really diverse, which I like. Our clients know that we want the same as them – the best, most effective designs online and off, which stand up to the most rigorous scrutiny. We go out of our way to make sure that happens.  We feel it’s this approach to their work that ensures we don't just delight but inspire. It's something we and our clients can be proud of and it creates an incredibly strong relationship.

If you could outsource one bit of your business what would it be?

That's easy… the paperwork! When you take on your own company doing something you love, you also have to take on some of the bits that you don't! Luckily there are companies out there for this. I am doing it this year to gain the experience, it teaches you the best way to approach it in the future, any hurdles along the way I can learn from.

Do you think university prepares designers, artists and those in creative mediums for work?

In my personal opinion, no. I learnt more from doing work experience alongside university. The real world was completely different; Modules should have been more like Live briefs. When you come out of university, each design student has the grade, but the biggest selling point for them will be their portfolio. If the employee can not relate to their portfolio it makes it harder for them to see how they will execute a project.

What one piece of advice would you give other creative entrepreneurs who are starting out?

Really get yourself out there and make people know you're there. Work hard to give your clients more than what they want because word of mouth is the best and most valuable way to advertise. Make sure you and your design work leaves a lasting impression, in this industry – you don't want to be forgotten!

What does success look like to you with Creative Baked?

Success to me is enjoying what you do and being paid for it! You live once, make the most of it, be who you want to be and do what you want to do. If you're happy the rest will fall into place.

You have some great offers on for start-ups, can you tell me more?

There's the Welcome Pack folder with inserts. It's currently half price and for £400 we'll design a folder with inserts that you can use as a portfolio, a case study or as datasheets. They give your company an edge over your competitors. You can hand them out to potential clients and help them see what your business is all about.

We also have a Website design package for those starting a business or in need of a brand update. It's also half price right now, so for £780 we offer a static 10page website with 1 month's free hosting and a free domain name for 2 years. You get the option for a gallery and a contact page with a from. Additionally, you'll get a free favicon, Google analytics and basic SEO.

Tell me about your next project?

My next project is completely different to this as I'm creating Pole Fitness Classes! We're launching on the 1st November in Reigate, Surrey. I started pole dancing as a way to keep fit and was stunned at the results. The strength you gain from pole is like no other, you physically look better and feel better! If you can see past the sex industry then you'll see what incredible athletes pole dancers are, and the skill and dedication it takes to perform some of the stunts they do. In my opinion it really should become an Olympic sport! Some pole dancers put gymnasts to shame with their abilities! If anyone wants more information on this just email me at [email protected].

The moral of the story

When I think about Samantha's story for far, I can't help but think of that quote: “I think we complicate things when it's really quite simple; find what it is that makes you happy and who it is that makes you happy and you're set. Promise.”  So for me, the moral of this story is that life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. Success comes when you set yourself free and get yourself out there! Without a doubt, Samantha has done a great job of this so far and I believe this young entrepreneur's success story has only just begun.  She's found a way to combine her love of fitness with her passion and ability for art and design. AND, importantly make money from them!

So my question to you is, are you setting yourself free and doing what makes you happy? If you're not, what's holding you back? I made a promise to myself earlier this year that I would find the courage to do this, and I'm now on my way.  Let me know how you're getting on as I'd love to hear.

Thank you, as always for reading and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude – as always,

 

 

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September 24, 2012
0

The secret way to get traffic and sales in half the time

By | Marketing, Sales | One Comment

Revealed: Why now is the time for video

social_media_marketing_jane_franklandAs many of you will know I love online video as a way to market your business online and develop sales. And, I'm not the only one! The business appetite for it is now vivacious. By 2013, according to Cisco and YouTube, 90% of all traffic will stem from video. With video consumption jumping 60% in the last year alone (comScore) businesses are clearly waking up to this social media platform and instead of asking, “why use video?” they’re asking “how can I incorporate video into every aspect of my business?”

The huge buzz over video really came about because of Google, who clearly recognised its potential. Having purchased YouTube in 2006, for $1.65bn, it has promoted online video as a search engine tool ever since. In 2012 it has become a critical part in how we all consume information and just to illustrate this point, YouTube receives 4 billion views each day! As I watched my 12-year-old son, engrossed on YouTube, in preference of watching the TV, this message really hit home. I realised that now online video is even at the forefront of traditional media like print and television.

Gone are the days of thinking of online video as a source for “how-to” videos. The anti has been upped and we’re able to view pretty much everything on video – from how-to's, the world’s sillies pranks/stunts etc. to the latest news, politicians' speeches and even CEOs' annual reports. Video truly comes in all shapes and sizes! As a result, marketers, public relations professionals and business owners have to learn even more new skills and thinking. They also have to determine the size of their investment and quality of production based on their target audience and business objectives, as video can now be created to meet the needs of almost any budget.

How to leverage the benefits of online video:

Start using online video now! Remembering the old saying “a picture is worth 1,000 words? Well video is worth 9,000 words more! The best way to leverage off this is by telling a story and engaging your viewer’s emotions. Identify that one thing that will strike a cord with your audience. Think about what interests them and makes them feel connected – to you and your brand. This is where you can get creative too. There are some great cameras and editing tools out there that help you captivate and hold the attention of your audience.

Agree objectives, budget and strategy: Decide how and what your video will be used for and what your goals and objectives are. Whilst objectives for video usually tend to be for traffic, ranking, branding and sales conversion, remember video can be used for so much more. Agreeing your objectives at the start will ensure that you have an adequate budget in place and ample time for production.

If you don’t have a large budget to work from, fear not. Much can still be achieved. The size or budget doesn’t really matter. What does matter though is that now is the time to leverage the power of video to gain a competitive edge!

Once you have your budget, you can then work on your marketing strategy. Considerations include where you will host your videos e.g. on a website, on a social media platform like Facebook, Google+, Linkedin and Pinterest, or on an online video platform – YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler etc.

Know your audience Communicate and engage with your audience in a way that’s appropriate. You can do this through language and style. An unscripted video or one that’s not using an autocue has an authenticity that works well online. Videos that have humour and informality are great too. What you’re aiming for is something that looks professional, but makes you appear approachable. Always remember the golden rule: educate, entertain and inform. Use videos for how-to’s, product demos, testimonials, tours, guides, public relations, FAQs and even research. They can also be used for inductions, for email campaigns – pre-sales and after sales.

Trust the experts – hire professionals: As I said before, online video doesn’t require a large investment for it to be successful, but there are times when you’ll need to spend some money. This can be for high production quality, ranking or sales conversion. This will of course depend on your audience and your goals so develop relationships with video professionals that can help in all three areas. One of the most interesting areas I came across recently was in regards to the psychological aspect of video and conversion. I was intrigued to learn advanced communication methods and principals to get the attention and action of your audience through simple psychological principles. But, I was even more fascinated when I saw the results in action!

Capitalize on social media: Share and promote your video on social media platform – with your social media community (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest and others). I can’t stress how many opportunities exist here for exposure. Engagement is key here so make sure to engage with those who comment and in a timely manner. Like or comment on their content, share their works and participate in discussions. This will encourage them to do the same.

Optimize for search engines: Host your video on YouTube as it’s the #1 place people watch video and the #2 search engine. It will drive traffic, grow your audience, and enhance search results like there’s no tomorrow! Optimize the title and description of your video with the appropriate keywords so that it will appear in the search engine results. Also, link to your website and other blogs, always make sure to include your URL so your audience can find you, and include a transcription.

Measure results: Online videos can be easily measured and should be in order to determine its effectiveness. To do this, you’ll need to use analytics. Both YouTube and Google have free services. Facebook Insights provides good analysis too. See what’s working and what’s not. Then refine and strengthen your message and/or campaign.

In the comments below, tell me how you're doing with marketing your business or brand online through video and what your biggest frustration or challenge is with it. Let me know if you have any more top tips for online video and what action you'll take as a result of watching and reading this post too. I'd love to hear.

Access Free Resources for social media guides and for more tips on online video and making YouTube videos check out How to video blog like an expert.

Thank you, as always for reading and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude – as always,

 

 

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September 19, 2012
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Here’s a quick way to make your ‘new’ Twitter profile

By | Marketing, social media | No Comments

Twitter profile page change!

For all of you who love Twitter – I've got some exciting news. You can now change your profile pages and make them look more like those on Facebook and Google+. Here's how to do it.

First, go to your Twitter Profile Page i.e. the page that’s called “Me” on Twitter’s website and on your favorite mobile app. You can make changes through Twitter’s website (via https://twitter.com/settings/design) or straight from your mobile device.

Select the “Me” option from the left-hand menu bar.  Choose the “Settings” icon that appears under your profile image.  Select the “Design” option. Scroll down until you see the “Header” option. Select this and then upload the image you want to use.

Once you've uploaded image, you can move and scale it as you please. Image size cannot exceed 1252×626 pixels (with a max file size of 5MB).

Now your new header image should appear behind your avatar.  The great thing about the image appearing behind your avatar/profile photo is that you can, be just as creative as Facebook cover  and Google + cover images.

In the comments below, tell me how you're doing with your social media branding and what your biggest frustration or challenge is with it. Let me know if you have any more tips for creating a Twitter header image and what action you'll take as a result of watching or reading this post too. I'd love to hear.

Access Free Resources for social media guides.

Thank you, as always for reading and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude – as always,

 

 

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September 18, 2012
0

Six ways to double productivity and get more value out of your day

By | Established business, Mindset | No Comments

Little known time management strategies

How to get things done and free up timeIf you're looking to increase your productivity in sales but aren't sure where to start, here are some time management strategies that I find useful:

1. Write a ‘to do’ list. It really helps to get a clear picture of how your day should be panning out. Prioritise tasks according to urgency and tackle them methodically. 
I mark them as follows:

A if they're super important and mission critical – they HAVE to be completed today. (Crisis management)

B if they need to be completed today

C if they're not urgent for today, but it would be great if they were completed

D a nice-to-have completed

2. Beware of distractions. Be aware of what distracts you – and don't let it. If you know you're likely be interrupted by emails, social media, instant messaging, phone calls, or the TV then simply turn them off. You can even disconnect from the Internet to remove further temptation.

3. Schedule activity. For example, schedule times to check your email. Rather than checking it constantly, which wastes time, drains brainpower and can cause stress, check in at two or three set times in the day. 
I usually do this as soon as I wake up (7am), then at lunchtime, and again at the end of the day. Operating in this way frees up so much time. I also schedule tasks by putting tasks in my Outlook or Google calendar. I'm a big fan of ‘what gets scheduled gets done!'

[box]What gets scheduled gets done! TWEET THIS[/box]

4. Break down tasks. If you're working on a big project break it down into manageable tasks that can be completed in a few hours or less. See each task through to the end before starting the next. Not only is this more efficient, it's also much more satisfying. 
I used to like using a project scheduler for this task. It also felt great ticking things off the list when they were completed.

5. Give yourself a break. It's impossible to maintain concentration for long periods. Ideally I'd say take a rest or break after 60 to 90 minutes of work. Get up from your desk, make a drink, take a walk, have a chat, look away from your computer screen and allow your mind to recharge.

6. Say “no” more often. When you say “yes” to do something, you're actually saying “no” to something else. We all like to help people out, but consider what you're doing. Sometimes by helping out a friend you're actually penalising your own activity for time is money. And, when you're starting out in business you really need all the time you can get as there's so much to do. So, I'm not saying don't help others out, just be aware of what you're doing more. Doing this, is the hardest task for me!

Finally, I'm going to leave you with this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

In the comments below, tell me how you deal with managing your time and what your biggest challenge is with it. Let me know what techniques you use to improve your productivity. Let me know what action you'll take as a result of watching and reading this post too. I'd love to hear.

Thank you, as always for watching, reading and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude – as always,

 

 

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September 12, 2012
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Personal branding: can it increase sales and is it worth the effort?

By | Marketing, Sales | 2 Comments

By golly yes!

I hate to put this to you but your career is over, and I think you know it. Gone are the days when you had one too. Your grandparents did and most of them could work a ‘job for life,' but these days you'll either have a job or a business. In the US, the Department of Labor estimates that in fact you'll have between 10-14 jobs by the time you're 38 years old. And, here in the UK we can expect similar statistics. According to the Office for National Statistics, 8.2% of the economically active population is unemployed and is rising year-on-year.  In a double-dip recession, this means one thing – intensified competition for fewer jobs.

So, if everything is moving in this way, how can you create security, and most importantly an income? The answer lies in creating your unique personal brand, your network, your experiences and your passion. In the future your most valuable asset will be the number of people you know and the relationship you have with them. You will be defined by whether you're liked, trusted and ‘your take on things.'

From now on, whether you're working a job or have a business, you need to start to see yourself as a brand that others need to find out about. You need to get your head around the fact that you won't be known for the company you work for, instead you'll be known for the people you're connected to and the ideas you're immersed in. When you do this, you'll become what Daniel Priestly calls a ‘key person of influence,' opportunities will flock to you and you'll earn more!

Starting today you are a brand

The concept of a personal brand has been in existence since 1937, when Napolean Hill wrote his motivational book, Think and Grow Rich. Since then many authors have written about it including Tom Peters who popularised the idea of having an individual brand in an article published by Fast Business in 1997. He wrote, “You’re not defined by your job title and you’re not confined by your job description… Starting today you are a brand.”

[box]You’re not defined by your job title & you’re not confined by your job description. Starting today you are a brand. – Tom Peters TWEET THIS[/box]

As I mentioned earlier, this concept is as important for anyone working a job, seeking a job, or in business. The fact remains that we all need to stand out from the crowd and effective personal branding could make the difference between exceeding long-term career objectives and failing to meet the most basic professional development goals.

With everyone Googling everything, what makes you think they won't Google you? These days if Google thinks you are a nobody – you are a nobody! When people Google your name (as they will) it must come up on the first page. Ideally you should own that first page with your name plastered all over it. Online marketing activities especially social media play a key part in this. You need to be visible on Linkedin, You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and your website. You need to have articles, blogs and press coverage. You need to have a professional, relevant presence.

Getting started

Brand-building activities include creating an online and offline presence. Ideally you should be working all angels, and this means public speaking engagements, networking and online blogging. Here's my advice that can be put into a 4 stage system:

Step 1. Identify your unique selling point (USP)

You'll need a niche and as this is a big topic it won't be covered here. After that you'll need to consider what you want to achieve as a brand and how you'd like to be seen by the audience you're targeting. Furthermore, you'll need to think about what makes you different from your peers and how you can effectively communicate your strengths. Concentrate on positioning yourself as a separate entity, with a specific skill set and expertise, rather than part of the wider business brand. Be specific with your personal branding i.e don't position yourself as a yourself as a marketing expert, instead position yourself as a marketing expert for creatives  living in London. By doing it this way, you immediately extend your reach and quickly become ‘top of mind’, which makes finding new contacts and business opportunities more achievable.

Step 2. Create your brand

You'll need to invest in some good photographs of yourself. If you're going to be seen as an expert, this is vital. Having a professional headshot makes you stand out from the crowd. You'll be instantly seen as a professional and someone to be taken seriously. A professional headshot is like your shop window and it's often the first port of call for an engagement. People can also see a real person behind the brand which is useful as ‘people buy from people.' Always have – always will!

Once you have your headshots, you'll need to ensure consistency and align your brand identity across every document that you allow your audience to access.

Step 3. Communicate your brand

Online social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest and Instagram represent a fantastic way to engage people with your brand. They also present increased opportunities to meet like-minded individuals, network and grow your business (list, followers, fans, tribe etc.)

Ensure every section of your biography is completed in as much detail as you can with links to your websites and contact details. Make sure to write in the first person too as this makes you feel more accessible and connects you to your audience. Have a strong headline, almost ‘elevator pitch’ in style, which communicates exactly what you do, clearly and concisely. Add your personality as this is what differentiates you from others.

For your website and blog you'll need to create content and you may also want to write a book/s. However, for networking and speaking engagements, you'll need business cards and a biography.

Step 4. Maintain your brand

Maintaining your brand or public image is an ongoing process and requires discipline and attention to detail. Online profiles should be kept up-to-date, and any content you generate e.g. blogs, articles, Tweets etc.– should be relevant and carefully considered. Take care to select topics you have a genuine interest in. If you’re using Twitter, aim for a combination of personal messages, resource sharing and re-tweeting any interesting opinions offered by your peers.

Always engage with your audience and get back to them as soon as possible if they've commented, re-tweeted, shared your content or left you a message. So many miss this aspect. Social media communication is about being social, interacting and engagement. It's not push marketing!

Finally, take ownership of your brand. If you don't others will by using their own words and experiences – whether they're positive or not.

In the comments below, tell me how you're doing with your own personal branding and what your biggest frustration or challenge is with regards to being known as an expert, authority or ‘go-to-person' in your niche and industry. Let me know how you're being seen and what top tips you have for promoting yourself. Let me know what action you'll take as a result of reading this post too. I'd love to hear.

Access Free Resources for social media guides.

Thank you, as always for reading and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude – as always,

 

 

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September 10, 2012
0

Make more sales without sounding like a salesperson

By | Sales | No Comments

Sales is just a conversation…punto!

Figuring out how to sell (online and off) without sounding or feeling like a pushy, sleazy salesperson is a huge challenge for most. The vast majority of people I've spoken to admit that they fall into the extremes – pushy (aggressive) or shy (passive). Now, I'm not a fan of the aggressive type at all. In fact this type categorically (and has always) turned me off. However, I recognise that we're all different and the truth of the matter is that it has to work as so many do it.

Now, since you're reading this post,  you’re probably looking for some tips on how to sell professionally, or as I put it ethically. So here are my top tips on how to do it.

1. Be honest from the start

Make sure you're being clear you have something to sell. I can't stand sales people who get in contact and say that they're not selling to you when clearly they are. I have more respect for the honesty of a sales person who calls and says, “hello, this is a sales call.” I always advise, starting as you mean to go on. Being honest from the start sets you apart from other sales people. You have nothing to be ashamed about if you are selling professionally and you'll soon find out if the other party is interested. It takes confidence to approach it this way, but it does work.

When selling online, the problem is different as many websites fail to be clear about their sales propositions. For example:

  • It’s unclear what the website is about or offers
  • The website is poorly structured and products and/or services are hard to find – usually there's too much content
  • Make your navigation bar clear and don't be clever with the menu descriptions
  • There are too many products or services on offer – keep it to a minimum to avoid confusion (3-5 packages)
  • NB. A confused mind doesn't buy. Read this article by Derek Halpern.
  • The website or blog content is unfocussed and off topic
  • It’s not clear whether the website or blog is for show or for money

2. Be clear and specific: demonstrate how your offerings can solve problems

A blog on your website is a powerful business tool for you to get your message across. You don’t have to give away masses of e-books to show people how you can help them. Instead, write simple, useful articles. If you're struggling to come up with an idea, create a list of all the topics that relate to your service. Think about all the problems and questions your audience might have about your service. Be specific and use words that your audience will use. Don't be fluffy and vague. Then demonstrate aspects of your business and show how you help others. War stories, success stories and case studies are really useful here. You can also create simple how-to-videos.

Finally, include testimonials so people can see who you’ve worked with – these are incredibly powerful sales tools and my favourite!

3.Use copy (words) that your customers use to describe their problems

Don't be clever here – it's not needed. Survey your market and keep it simple i.e. use the words and phrases they use to describe the issues/challenges/frustrations they're facing.

4. Make your prices visible

It’s the easiest way to get people to know that you have a product or service for sale. Gone are the days when you'd be thought of as being tacky for putting your prices online. Once someone has seen your prices they will come to you to for help and you won’t have to sell to them because they ‘ll have already had the ‘how much does it cost' question answered. I know this sounds harsh but doing it this way gets rid of the time wasters who can't afford your products or services. I'm a big believer in ‘where there's a will, there's a way.' If they want your services they'll find the money.

5. Give them an action – tell them what to do next

This really is the close, or as I prefer to see it, the start of the relationship, and it doesn't always have to include a sale. It does however, need to include an action. And, that could be as simple as buy now, or share or please leave a comment.

[box]You don’t close a sale, you open a relationship if you want to build a long-term, successful enterprise – Patricia Fripp TWEET THIS[/box]

In the comments below, tell me what your biggest frustration or challenge is with selling – whether that's online or in person. Let me know what top tips you have for selling without sounding like a salesperson and what action you'll take as a result of watching and reading this post too. I'd love to hear.

Thank you, as always for watching, reading and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude – as always,

 

 

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September 7, 2012
0

Working a Job while Building a Business [Do’s & Don’ts]

By | business start ups, Mindset, New business | 3 Comments

 

For most people, resigning from a salaried job to start a business is an unaffordable luxury. With bills to pay and a family to support it’s far more sensible to keep the day job and build your new business in the background. This means working a job and then building your business after work. It means working the weekends too and doing this requires energy, focus and prioritisation. It’s incredibly hard. I speak from experience. It involves a delicate juggling act fraught with stress, complexity and occasionally conflicts of interest.

However, there’s no reason why you can’t do it as many of the world’s top companies have demonstrated. Balancing a full-time job with a start-up business can have real advantages. For example it can enable you to set up, gain exposure, contacts and advice while testing your market and commitment to the business that you’re building.

So, here's my advice (9 tips) on exactly how to do this.

Tip #1. Love your job and fill your head with things that empower.

According to Dr Deepak Chopra, we have around 65,000 thoughts per day and many of them (around 95%) are the same thoughts we had yesterday. And, the day before that. And, the day before that. Automatic thoughts can be positive (realistic and goal oriented) or negative (distorted, unproductive and work against us achieving our goals).

Becoming aware of the power of your thoughts is so important at this stage, for when you fill your head with things that empower you e.g. your dreams, ambitions and thoughts about how you're going to get there,  you can achieve so much more. However, when you fill your head with resentment and negativity you become dis-empowered, bogged down and drained. It’s vital for you to stop wasting energy and to use your job as a financial cushion whilst you get clear on your business. I suggest following Oprah’s advice:

[box]“By doing the best in this moment you put yourself in the best position for the next moment.” TWEET THIS[/box]

Tip #2. Build a business plan.

Build a clear, realistic time-line for starting your business. And, set targets and achievable goals for all your activities. Remember, what gets scheduled gets done so put it in the diary and make that commitment. By doing this, you’ll maintain focus and avoid frustration.

Tip #3. Get into a routine.

Structure is even more important when working at home after the day job. Set out a timetable for the exact time you’ll be starting and stopping work each evening, and then do the same for the weekends. It’s a bit like setting a revision timetable! Once you’ve created your timetable, make sure you stick to it. Don’t take refuge in excuses that allow you to procrastinate and don’t work a minute beyond your finish time. The more disciplined you can be, the better your results will be.

Tip #4. Consider your contract.

Check your contract. Many terms of employment stipulate that you can’t work another job or have shares in another business whilst in employment. However many are only concerned with a conflict of interest and will grant it if approached. If you do this, be sure to get everything in writing from HR. Be aware that once you've mentioned this you may be watched more closely, and that the quality of your work may be questioned.

Tip #5. Respect your employer.

Always be respectful toward your employer and deliver a good day’s work. Even if you can’t bear your day job be a professional. Remember: “How you do anything is how you do everything.”

Tip #6. Get support.

Building a business is a lonely affair and it’s great to be able to lean on a friend, mentor, or group. I belong to an entrepreneurial group that meets regularly, plus several groups online that offer round-the-clock advice and support. Having an accountability buddy is another useful thing to do.

Tip #7. Choose your place of work.

When you’re working a job and building a business you have to make best use of the time you have available. It’s therefore essential that you find a place of work that allows you to achieve maximum productivity without distraction. If you don't like working from home use hotels, or coffee shops that have free wifi. If you're ok with working from home set up a dedicated space, or work from an outbuilding.

Tip #8. Be professional and avoid crossover.

Never bring the activity of your business into your day job. The two must be kept completely separate. This means avoiding the use of work email, phones and printing in addition to booking meetings and taking calls for your start-up.

Tip #9. Use resources. Take your time, study, learn and implement whilst you have time. Be an apprentice for your business on the job if you can. Ideally try to get some money behind you before launching too. Some recommend having 3-6 months of your salary saved as a safety net.

Watch the tips via video

Now I want to hear from you…

In the comments below, tell me …

  • What your biggest frustration or challenge is with working a job whilst building a business.
  • What top tips you have for dealing with it.
  • Let me know what action you'll take as a result of reading and watching this post too. I'd love to hear.

Thank you, as always for watching, reading and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude – as always,

 

 

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