7 steps to launch a business
When you first consider starting a business, it likely goes like this:
You get excited by the prospect of doing something new or novel – maybe even something groundbreaking.
You assume that you’ll need lots of time and money to get it off the ground – and that you won’t turn a profit for at least a year.
So you spend lots of time and energy thinking about how to make it work.
You explore outside investment, and you even consider funding it yourself.
But the more you think about it, the less realistic it starts to seem.
Your enthusiasm eventually fades, and you decide to take the “safer” route – to play small and continue working for someone else.
Obviously, this approach doesn’t work. It’s basically just a demoralizing thought exercise that leads you right back where you started.
You need a simple process that requires no investment and allows for immediate income.
Here it is in 7 steps:
Identify a skillset that you already have
Take it to market using word of mouth marketing (i.e., lots and lots of conversations)
Keep your “offer” super simple. Use one of these three models:
Hourly bill rate
Retainer model
Project-based work
Listen for people’s needs
Craft proposals that meet those needs
Put a price tag on it
Deliver the service
You can make hundreds of thousands of dollars every year doing this.
It works because it requires no outside investment. It capitalizes on what you’re already good at. And you can use what you’ve already got to start marketing TODAY.
This method is extremely effective for white collar professionals with 5+ years of experience who already have a skill that the market wants (strategy, UX, tech, design, admin, project management – the list goes on and on).
This process keeps you from agonizing over whether or not there is a market need for your skillset (because we already know that there is since you have years of evidence to back it up).
It eliminates social media and complex marketing from the equation.
It frees you to focus on one conversation at a time with real people.
It allows you to keep it simple and gradually build your way up to more complex business models (i.e., productizing your offers) and advanced marketing (i.e., funnels, paid ads, etc.).
When you follow the 7 steps here’s what you’ll get:
Fast traction in the market. Lots of people who are excited about your plan to go independent
A network that is heated up. They’re ready to refer you and/or hire you
Comfort with the idea of going independent and making your own money
Fluidity with talking about your skill set and how you work with clients
Money - lots of it! On your own terms
And most of all, this is how you will build a mission-based business.
This world needs more people who are pursuing their purpose. You’ll only do this if it’s sustainable. And it will only be sustainable if you can generate immediate revenue.
Going independent will give you freedom and make you feel alive.
And the best part is that you can start this process TODAY. Right now.
And the sooner you start, the faster you’ll get good at it.
To help you along, I’m offering a free workshop this Thursday (Halloween).
It’s titled, “How to Start an Independent, Service-Based Business (without outside investment or becoming an online marketing expert”
You can SIGN UP FOR FREE HERE.
During the workshop I’ll walk you through the process in more detail and answer every question you’ve got.
This process really comes to life when we work through real life examples together.
So I’ll be carving out time during the workshop to answer questions and coach live.
It will be a lot of fun.
Chris
Thanks For Reading!
I am on a mission to help driven people find clarity in the fast lane – making great money doing work they love, on their own terms.
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