15+ Creatives Reveal Lessons Learned as a Business Owner
Being a creative business owner definitely has it’s ups and downs but in the end, it’s well worth it.
I reached out to 15 fellow creative business owners about growing their audience online and asked them a few questions.
I’ll share their answers here over a few posts because I received WAY too much information for just one post!
These are the questions that I asked 15 creative business owners:
What is the biggest lesson that you've learned about growing your audience online? Read Lessons Learned about Growing an Audience Online here.
What is one piece of advice that you would give someone who is struggling with growing their audience online? (**COMING SOON**)
This post is about lessons learned and I hope that you find these helpful!
“If you could go back in time to your first year in business, what would you tell yourself?”
1. Patricia from Syt Biz
"Write it down, you won't remember it."
2. Charis from Charis Dillon
"I think that my first year was really a learning experience. I wish I would have known more about passive income and how to create it.”
3. Stephanie from Career Makeover Academy
"Make sure you don't automate social media. It's a slippery slope and the shortcuts are NOT worth it in the end. Grow your audience organically or you'll regret it later.”
4. Maigen from Maigen Thomas Enterprises, LLC// Build a Better Wedding Business // Wedding for $1000
"Do not be tempted to pay for social media followers. I did it. It's gross. It was an absolute waste of money AND it doesn't really provide the social proof you want. It's just noise that prevents you from understanding your true key performance indicators (KPIs).
It's better to build slowly, organically and with a real audience than to *appear* to be "an overnight success.”
5. Jo from Kalavati Happiness Cafe
"Don't be afraid to choose that niche, and be fearless with being visible. Own your opinion. Show up every day and focus on the LIFE of the process itself. Building an audience of fans takes time. If there is a YOU, there are most definitely a PEOPLE looking for you.’
6. Colleen from Personal Paper Hugs
"Slow down. Take your time and do each thing right instead of trying to do ALL THE THINGS, all at once."
7. Krista from Coded Creative
"I'd tell myself to get over my fear of putting myself out there or "bothering" someone by reaching out for a collaboration or chat. Almost everyone loves connecting with others in this online space that we're in!”
8. Molly from Darling Rage Creations
"I've just completed my first year of business, and I would tell myself to keep going! Keep showing up, keep connecting, and keep being yourself. There are people out there who are so eager to hear your story. Keep speaking. xoxo”
9. Amanda from Amanda Cross Blog
"Be patient, but be active. You need a mixture of both to grow your business. Things will fall into place eventually, and all this stuff will start making a bit more sense.”
10. Erin from Erin Shebish
"Stop worrying so much! This isn't a definition of who you are, its success doesn't define your success as a human being. So loosen up, enjoy the ride, work hard and always believe in your 'why'."
11. Maggie from Maggie Giele Digital Strategy
"I'd have started putting content out earlier and worried less about having things 'perfect’!”
12. Julia from Julia Slike & Co.
"Stop coaching for free and put "bite size offers" out there THEN create a signature program after you know what your audience wants. Always be strategic and stay focused.”
13. Jaimie from Jaimie Myers
"Just get something out there! Stop waiting because you're afraid you'll get rejected. You probably will anyway - no matter how long you wait, your first time is still your first time.”
14. Elna from Profitable Creative
"That it's important to have a trusted blog. This means your audience knows you and your brand and trusts what you say. This will help in monetizing your blog in the future.”
15. Lindsey from Hazel Haven
There are 3 things that I would tell myself, and you can watch the video below to learn about my lessons learned.
Whew! So many good lessons above. I did see a common theme though, didn't you?
Stop trying to be perfect. Put yourself out there. Be patient. Stay consistent. Make those connections. Tell your story.
I loved it when Amanda said, " Things will fall into place eventually," and when Erin said, "Stop worrying so much! This isn't a definition of who you are, its success doesn't define your success as a human being."
If you found this post helpful, please share it!
Now over to you, if you could go back in time to your first year of business, what would you tell yourself? Please share, I'd love to know!
Hey there, I'm Lindsey the online educator behind hazelhaven.com. I help creative business owners learn how to use the tools to grow their audience online. I'm an introverted extrovert who loves tech systems, dark chocolate and a strong cup of coffee. Be sure to join my free community by clicking here Creative Biz Haven.
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