Entrepreneurship is a 24/7 job whether you like it or not. Those who share this vocation know it and those that are aspiring entrepreneurs should be warned on time. Many would argue whether it is worth it, but if you are true to your calling, you will find reward in the fruits of your hard labor. Having said that, the hard labor is almost ever present since the brain of an entrepreneur is always up and running. They say that competition never sleeps and you should always stay on top of things and be able to bring upgrades to the table.
Do your homework
In order to get to the top, or stay there, every self respecting business owner needs to be in the loop when it comes to everything. Make no mistake, this is not an overstatement. You know what they say – know your enemy. In order to inspect the market, you need to do extensive research. Serious research must be done and it also needs to be well documented. So, roll up your sleeves and get to work. Choose the top 10 SMBs in your field and learn everything there is to know about them. Assign a number of most important categories in which you would be grading these businesses. After or during grading, make detailed notes on the pros and cons when it comes to each business and each category. Finally, once you have done all the work, make sure to keep it updated. You need to have a fresh list in order to help yourself make decisions about the changes in your own business.
Upgrade media quality
Photo quality becomes obsolete very fast in this day and age. If you were starting your business just a couple of years ago, it is probably time for you to update the media quality of your website. The world of media is evolving incredibly fast and you need to keep up. It is not just about the quality of cameras, there is much more to software and technology. Virtual and augmented reality and 3D renderings have brought a whole revolution in the media world. Bear in mind that you need to make new photos and replace old ones. All product representation should get a new image and every video also needs to be remade. When making new videos, try to keep them shorter than 2 minutes. This whole endeavor takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, please remember that image quality is important, but it is not everything. Consider hiring a professional to take the photos and edit them, you would not regret it.
Fact check everything
Many businesses have their own blogs which is a great way to attract a new crowd to visit your website, as well as to keep your regulars interested. However, you need to be very careful with what you post on your website and your social media. Every piece of misinformation can and will cost you your customers. The internet is a place that is not censored and we live in times when we rely on it a lot when it comes to gathering information. People are free to express their opinions and present facts whether they are true or false. This can be very tricky when we are trying to learn something or just get the right facts on a certain subject. Due to the uncertainty of facts, there are a lot of frustrated internet browsing people eager to become your customers – don’t let them down by exposing false information. This measure you take to improve your business is definitely not going to cause a radical increase in your sales, but it is going to help a lot in the long run.
Tell your story
Since the number of small online businesses has grown in recent years, it is safe to say that the competition is stronger than ever. However, there is no reason to be afraid. One always had to work hard if they wished to make their dreams come true. It is absolutely the same now, you just need to do your best and think a bit outside of the box. Everyone is so into the fake perfect lifestyle, you see it everywhere. Every website has photos of perfectly fit and perfectly dressed people smiling all the time. Every success story is happy from its very beginning. Something does not really add up and you must get the impression that the whole thing is a bit made up. If this is also how you feel, you will be certain that the market needs a fresh perspective and that can be as simple as the truth. It sounds like the easiest thing to tell your own story. Of course, this is not as easy and you would need some help and guidance with the whole process, but if you do decide to stay honest and tell a story that is different from most, you could end up catching the eyes of many potential customers and climbing the top of your field in no time.
Keep the human touch
Everyone is so into AI and automation that it seems like that’s all we hear. Naturally, there are many perks to using the latest technology, however, there are downsides, as well. Despite the fact that AI is becoming more and more human-like, it is not the same as actual humans. We are not saying to face away from the most modern tool of today, but merely to keep some balance between technology and humanity. There is nothing wrong with personalizing gift cards, thank you notes and special offers. Have your creative employees make a change to generic responses from time to time. It is witty and unexpected and people are guaranteed to like it.
To sum up, there is no universal formula to successful entrepreneurship. Fortunately, you are left to rely on your own skill and creativity. Get inspired, read, observe, discuss things until you get new ideas and implement them in your business. The job is stressful, but it is also one of the most beautiful jobs there are, and if you are in love with it, it is definitely one where you live happily ever after.
