As you may have read already on The Business Mum website that I’ve been online for too many years without making a profit and unfortunately there are probably more people in that situation at the moment than there are, who are making a really good living. So what makes the difference? What differentiates those who are failing online with those who are succeeding?
For years I kidded myself that because I had a website and some traffic to my site, joined a few business networking groups that I was running a business. I was focused on discussing business with people, helping them out and I figured once I’d build a reputation I’d maybe sell them something later on. Does this sound like a real business to you? No, but at the time I would have argued til I was blue in the face that I was a business woman and I was running a real business.
One giveaway that I was kidding myself was when I was doing my financial accounts. I used to do them at the last minute, so they were always at least a year behind. Why bother, when I wasn’t making any money or doing many sales – just create them at the last minute to the tax office and I’d be ok. Again, does this sound like a real business to you? Does this sound familiar?
Can you imagine Microsoft or any of the so-called online gurus behaving this way? Not on your life! They know up to date figures, they know that every day they are going to get x new subscribers and when they release a new product or push an affiliate product they will receive $x within a certain period of time. They know exactly what their profits are, what their actual sales and expenses to date are. Sound boring to you? Well it did to me too as I wanted to focus on the fun stuff, chatting with friends on Skype or Yahoo Messenger about business, and because I was chatting about business, I was busy in my business right? Or I would be revamping a website, or creating an ebook that never seemed to get finished.
What I realised was that if I wanted others to take me and my business seriously and start making money, then I had to start taking my business seriously and acting as though it was successful. Rather than thinking, well when I start making money then I will track and measure my results, I’ll get my accounts up to date, I’ll create a business plan that can tell me what I need to do to get to where I want to be in my business.
When I took off my rose coloured glasses, I realised things weren’t quite so rosy. It’s a bit like the film The Matrix. Do you take the blue pill or the red pill?
Taking off those glasses was the best thing I’ve done for my business. 2010 is going to be my best year yet because I’ve planned for it. Can you say the same? If you want help, then I’m here. I’ve been there, not done that and can help!
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