Wondering how to run a successful one-person business? Being a successful solopreneur often demands a great deal more than a powerful idea. Things get even more challenging when you’re a solopreneur or manage a one-person business: aside from being patient and expertly managing your time, you also need to think about managing your personal resources optimally, which, frankly, could be scarce to begin with.
Tips for how to run a successful one-person business
A solopreneur’s most valuable resource is time. If you are wondering how to run a small business, know that it’s imperative to maintain a keen focus on your most crucial functions.
Here are some useful tips that will make this feat easier and more achievable:
1. Make it easier for clients to find you
The first and most important thing you can do is to make it easy for people to find you and collaborate with you. When pitching to a prospective client, avoid the habit of asking them to check out a particular piece of information, like a video or a testimonial from a client. There is work required here: one would have to take the link, copy it accurately, hop on to their web browser, paste the link, and then scroll all the way down to where they think the information is. This can thwart your chance to make a sale effortlessly.
Instead, avoid the laziness-trap and make it easier for others to find your unique value. When you give someone the information you want them to view or act on, write it in the third person, detailing what it is you want to share. Find ways to make it easier for others to find you. Pass all your information just the way you want it, with all the details you want to include.
2. Follow-up constantly
When building a solo business, one way to help you reach the next level is to follow up. Be sure to keep in touch in various ways, whether by email, phone call, or text message. While some automation is acceptable, the most effective way to communicate is by being genuine and following up with a personal touch.
Bring your uniqueness and gifts to the forefront; this will help you stand out. You can segment your client list into categories such as a client list or a joint venture/business list. Using CRM tools can help you organize the lists and manage your contacts.
3. Manage your time skillfully
Time management is an essential component of running a small business, especially a one-person business. You can’t do everything by yourself and expect to do it well. Learn the art of delegation and also know when to say no. Hire a team that can help you scale.
Develop systems that help your team effortlessly follow up with clients, making it easy to scale. You may even hire managers to manage the team that uses the methods that are already in place. Having a team also gives you the freedom to say no to things that aren’t going to serve you. You can eliminate the processes that don’t align with what you want to accomplish.
Conclusion: how to run a small business
In addition to making it easier for people to work with you and clients to find you, following-up is extremely important as well. Learn to use your time wisely. Devise and implement systems for others to follow. Ideate “on the go”: make it a habit to think differently to find success.
Another crucial aspect of how to run a successful one-person business is to perfect the timing. Know when to grab the perfect opportunity and when to say no.
