There is one element of success in creating your website business that is
very important. Well, actually there are a lot of important elements, but this
one is right up there. Whether you are selling a product such as unique jewelry,
or a service you will want to find the expert in you.
Most of the time people start website businesses knowing their product or service intimately.
Some have done their job for years and feel that there is just nothing left to
learn. Or, they are taking a hobby that has morphed through word of mouth into a
business to a wider market through the web. Either way, there is one mindset
that you will need to change to grow a successful business.
Leading the Parade
If you are coming from an environment where you were an employee, or you are
a work at home parent, then you probably haven't been leading the parade. For
some of us we may have been in front, but for the most part we were somewhere
back there in the instrument section following the guy in front of us and hoping
our hat didn't fall off.
You are now entering a world where you will be leading the parade. You will
make the decisions and, good or bad, you will be the one that somebody depends
on for quality products and accurate information. It's a little scary if you've
never been in this position because in order to lead the parade you have to
discover the expert in you and also learn a lot of business aspects that you may not have been expecting.
Am I an Expert
Many people don't start their own business because there are so many experts
out there that know as much or more about our subject than we do. In order to be
an expert you need to find what makes your knowledge different, better or
unique. Are your widgets just a tad different than the other guys? Do you use a
unique material when you create your pieces? Are you constantly improving your
skills and knowledge regarding the information you will be selling? Identify
what makes you, and your product unique.
You'll want to write that down and keep it somewhere because when you are in
a dip or begin to question your reason for entering your own business you will
want to pull this out and remind yourself what makes you unique and why you
should keep going.
What is an Expert
It is a misconception to think that experts are the people who know
everything there is to know about a subject and sit on a throne in some far away
fortress doling out information to those who either pay for it or are deemed
worthy. In actuality an expert is a person who is constantly learning about
their subject, has a pile of resources and contacts who can give new information
or add new perspective, and know where to go to get information when they just
can't get an answer themselves. We are all experts in the area we love. Why?
Because we are always seeking new information about that subject, we know
lots of people who also love the subject and we are constantly adding
resources to our list of places to go or people to see and talk to.
You know that you are not an expert if you think you know your subject so
well that there is nothing left to learn, you know more about that subject than
anyone else and don't seek out any other opinions, or you don't enjoy sharing
information without a return on your time investment (ROI) about that subject.
If any of these apply, you seriously may want to rethink the product or service
your want to sell. It will not take long before you stop enjoying the subject.
Your product or service has to be a life mate, you can't just be in "like" with
this subject you have to be in "love" with the subject.
Now What
You have discovered the true expert in you and now what do you do. Start
researching, google the subject and take notes of what you have that the other
websites don't. Look at the wording and layout of the websites. Make a note of
which sites really pop out and make you want to look more and which are just
huge advertisements that you only take enough time to find the exit button on.
Once you have done your website homework, start researching books and other
resources. Read whatever you can get your hands on to grow your knowledge base
about your subject. When I read a book about my subject area (and I read alot),
I just skip the parts that I already know and go straight to the good stuff. You
don't have time to spend hours and hours reading what you already know, but you
do have time to learn something new or a new technique. Take advantage of it.
Final Thoughts
Once you have discovered the expert in you, done all of your homework and
created a hefty list of resources, you are ready to get to work on your market
strategy. We will talk about that in another article. For now, you have taken a
giant step in creating a successful website business. You have discovered the
expert in you. Congratulations.
Copyright Ellen Jackson and Website Maintenance and Marketing
You have permission to use this article freely in any publication as long as you do not alter or change the content and the byline is included as-is. For more information visit me at http://www.website-maintenance-and-marketing.com or email info@http://www.website-maintenance-and-marketing.com
No comments:
Post a Comment