AVOID THESE "BEGINNER'S MISTAKES"

Thinking about setting up a small business - a one man show - you might be going to sell widgets via the internet, become a coach or a VA - working from home... whatever you are planning, make sure you don't make these common mistakes:

• Don't put all your eggs into one basket. Having a brilliant idea is great, but don't think you only need the one idea to be successful. Even if your customers get tired of your one product or service, soon you will, too. Play with lots of ideas, have some fun finding out which ones create success!


• If you are something of an entrepreneur, you are different to the rest of society's sheep. Embrace your differences - don't try to be like everybody else. It is your very "difference" that makes you the type of person who CAN be successful. Be you and have fun!


• Don't pay too much attention to your own publicity. It's one thing to be optimistic and share your greatness with others - in fact, for marketing purposes, you do need to "sell yourself"... but don't get sucked-in by your own publicity! Keep your feet on the ground! Don't confuse what "might happen" with reality.


• Watch your money! Don't sink everything into having the most modern, most expensive office in the world. You really do need to keep something aside for a rainy day, because if you are in any kind of business, trust me, you WILL have rainy days and you will be grateful for your savings account!


• In case you haven't heard, "selling" is OUT. If you're trying too hard to sell your product, pull back and find out WHY they're not buying. You may be trying to sell something nobody wants, or maybe it needs a little tweaking before it's ready.


• No person is an island. Recognize when it is time to get help - the greatest business successes in the world had the common sense to have a great support team, so what makes you think you can do it all on your own?


• Learn to Delegate smartly. Use your support team, your staff to do the things you don't have time to do. This will allow you time to work ON your business and not just in it. By the same token, don't go overboard. Don't get into the habit of "dumping" your workload onto others. Remember, it is YOUR business and your responsibility.


• Never Give Up. I don't know of any "famous" business people who had success handed to them on a plate - many faced bankruptcies and extreme difficulties before success was theirs. Realize you may fail along the way but how you respond will determine whether or not one day you taste the sweetness of success or not. Learn from your mistakes, and carry on... by the same token, don't go flogging a dead horse or continue if you are miserable. Misery is a sign that something isn't quite right...

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com