A guest post by Rochelle Sanchez
So you’re starting an online business, huh?
Online entrepreneurship is super easy, right?
Have you decided which one of the hundreds tools and websites and plugins and 6-figure courses you’re going to buy?
Are you ready to buy-buy-buy before the timer runs out and doors are CLOSED?
Are you suuuuure about that decision?
If it’s not obvious, I’m trying to trigger your FOMO (fear of missing out) and budget anxiety. You can breathe now.
I’ll hand it to you. There’s a lot out there, and everyone’s an expert and everyone has an answer and a bottomless budget and it’s only available for a limited time until the $12,000 in bonuses disappear. That’s what it seems like, anyway.
There’s hope, though! Starting an online business with a beginner budget can be tough. The great thing about you just getting started is that you most likely have more clarity about what you want than ANYONE who has been in this thing for years already. I’ve got some tips for you, just in case you get scrambled up in the launches and expensive technology offers.
Release the Pennies and Learn the Lingo
This is where we get serious, right off the bat! Are you starting a business? Or are you simply interested in something and want to learn and observe from the sidelines? I’m assuming you’re not in it as a hobby. You want to make money. You want to earn a side income. Maybe you even want to quit your job and do what you love full-time for yourself and enjoy all the benefits that come with that. Well, honey — it’s gonna cost you. It takes time and money to make more time and more money, and you will not be successful if you keep pinching every penny and refusing to buy anything unless you have a coupon for it. That’s why every entrepreneur in the online business world calls it an “investment” instead of a purchase. Be courageous enough to invest in yourself!
Don’t try to save the world with your next plugin
Ultimately when you’re facing a decision, the answer is yes or no. It’s not “fill this entire white board with a proven formula or else all the rhinos will die in 6 months.” It’s a simple yes or no. If you say yes, you’ll learn a lot about yourself, other people, and what you’re trying to accomplish in your business. If you say no, you’ll learn from that, too. It’s not as big a deal as you think it is. Choose one or the other and give yourself permission to stop stressing about this.
Listen to your heart
And yes, I mean that in the corniest way possible. You can also call it living by faith, or following your intuition. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and breathe. Ask yourself how you really feel about it. If investing in this new tool or program makes you nervous and uneasy, it’s not right for you. Clarity and confidence don’t feel heavy or shaky or worrisome. Keep breathing. If you feel calm, excited, curious, or hopeful, then chances are you’re onto something. Maybe you think it will be fun. Maybe you think it could be awesome! Those are positive, high vibration feelings that show you’re heading in the right direction.
Follow your business strategy
What will ultimately make you money in the end? Will this tool or course help you reach your potential clients and get yourself booked solid with interviews and strategy calls, or is it just another pretty thing that everyone’s raving about, and not really related to what you had envisioned for yourself? Focus RIGHT NOW on what will move the needle in your business. Don’t worry about the fun extras. If you’re not sure, then ask someone for help. Let your colleague look at your business plan and say to them “This is what I intended. This is what I don’t know if I should invest in. I think it’s a yes. Am I crazy?” A fresh pair of eyes to see if you’re still following your money-making strategy may be all you need!
Give yourself a leave of absence
Or rather, a leave of attention. That basically means ignore the problem and come back to it when you’re ready! When in doubt, say no. Stop asking for opinions and Googling reviews. You can always find an alternative later. If you’re unsure, you most likely just need to spend more time with your ideal clients, wherever they may be on social media. Spending time with them and helping for free doesn’t cost a dime and can be done on your own time. Focus on doing the things in your business that keep you in a positive and abundant mindset and you’ll find that choosing your tools for your online business will get easier (and will feel more fun!).
Rochelle Sanchez is a tech strategist who teaches and trains aspiring online entrepreneurs who feel totally lost. You can find her breaking down “feel good funnels,” uploading video walkthrus, and sharing joyful behind-the-scenes moments from her multi-passionate lifestyle on Facebook and on her blog. Schedule a friendly, 15-minute pitch-free tech chat over at
www.NowsYourChance.org/friendlychat.
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