Best small-business advice.

The best business advice I have ever received is, "Don't wait for the right time; the perfect moment. Start now!"

This advice rings so true to me, both personally and professionally. When starting out in my own business, it took me close to a year and a half before I shared my business with a broader audience. I had all these doubts and misbeliefs about who would want my services.

I also had a blank canvas and didn't know where to start. I believed you had to have everything sorted before your business went live! You must have a website and write blogs and have a signup newsletter. You must have social media accounts and post every day. It would be best if you had advertising and communication plans ready. You must have an accounting system set up. You must have a customer relationship management program to manage clients.

Yes, don't get me wrong, it's nice to have all these things, but by no means do you need to have all this set up straight away.

About a week before I officially went live and shared my business with the world, I received that advice, which completely changed my thinking. I thought- "Stuff it! I will set up my socials and see where it takes me."

Within one week, I had my first client. Within two weeks, I had four clients. Then I didn't have time to set up my website. It took me another four months before I launched my website. I had a consistent stream of clients coming in, so it didn't matter.

So, you don't have to have everything figured out, you just have to start somewhere, and the rest will follow!

Handy Business routine tips.

With the start of a new year, it’s time to bring some new handy business routine tips!

• Buy an A4 2021 Diary. (It’s my new best friend, I am very visual and need to see everything laid out in front of me, rather than on a computer screen or phone.)

• Set goals or checklists for the day, week, or month. Put these in the new diary that you buy. Ticking off lists will make you feel like you have achieved something for the day.

• Make sure you book in regular exercise. Whether that is at the gym or with a friend or if you play regular weekly sport, if you have to commit to someone or something, you are more likely to show up!

• Clean your workspace. I CAN NOT work effectively unless I have a clean space to work in.

• Do your hardest task first thing in the morning. You always lack concentration later in the day. So no fluffing on social media or checking emails, unless it’s your job!

• Keep morning meetings on time! If your morning meetings run behind schedule, this will affect the rest of the day.

Let me know if you are going to use these handy tips… I would love to hear your thoughts on them as well.

Find your passion. 10 Marketing tips

Are you thinking about starting a new business? Are you looking to create a side hustle, but don’t know where to start? Have an idea, but don’t have a clue how to execute it?

First things first! Congratulations, this is an exciting time for you! There is nothing better than finding something that you are passionate about!

Here are my top 10 marketing tips to help before you get started with your new passion:

1. Get a pen and notepad and start writing down all your ideas! Big or small, better to be down on paper than in your head.

2. Have a think about what problem your business is trying to solve.

3. Do your research, look at what your competitors are doing and what makes you different from them.

4. Create a Pinterest account and research what inspires you – whether it be imagery, colours, fonts, themes, designs, or looks.

5. Have a think about what colours inspire you? These will help define the fabric of your passion – set the tone.

6. Have a think about what your ideal customer? Where do they live, age, interests they have? This will really help with how you connect with them later down the track.

7. Have a think about the different channels you will communicate with your potential customers, whether that be social media (Facebook, Instagram), website, email, or traditional (print, radio & TV.)

8. Budget – how much are you willing to spend on marketing?

9. Find a positive influencer in your life (partner, friend, or family member) and chat through your ideas, they will help support you and motivate you!

10. Give yourself time, set realistic goals to achieve your passion!

Now that you have these top 10 marketing tips sorted, it’s time to get in touch with me to help execute your passion. Email info@msjeanmarketingco.com