8 Tips for Entrepreneurial
Success
Too many entrepreneurs
still believe that their great idea will carry their start up. Yet most
investors agree that the "idea" is worth nothing alone, and it's the
entrepreneur's execution that counts. That means that selling yourself is more
important than selling your idea.
In the entrepreneur
world, your perception is equally critical, except the "managers" in
this world are your investors, customers, vendors, business partners and team
members.
Here are some ideas
for self-promotion.
1. An "idea" is just the beginning. Use your business idea to kick start your
relationships with co-founders, investors, customers and business partners.
Your ability to promote yourself and learn from these will determine your
ultimate success.
2. Polish your reputation, as it's your best asset. Your CEO title might be good for your ego, but
in the grand scheme of things, what matters more is how much people trust you,
whom you know, who knows about you, and the aura you give off around you. What
other people think you can do is more important than what you have done.
3. Your personal life is now public. With the internet and social networks, things
you do in your personal life can affect your success in a big way. Manage your
whole image, rather than ignore it. Even the smallest things, like how you
behave, your online presence -- or lack of it -- and whom you associate with
can help build your brand or tear it down.
4. Build a positive presence in new media. There are plenty of benefits to new media, if
you maintain a positive presence. Your online social networks enable you to
build your reputation, connect with people who have interests similar to yours,
find educational opportunities and put you in touch with people who can help
your start up.
5. The one with the most connections wins. We have moved from an information economy to a
social one. It's less about what you know (Google search will help you in
seconds), and more about whether you can work with other people to solve
problems. If you don't get and stay connected, you'll quickly become
irrelevant.
6. Just one person can change your life. Remember the rule of one? All you need is that
one investor, that one major customer or that one distributor to keep you ahead
of competitors. It's up to you to get that key person on board to support your
business. Self-promotion in the right way can make all the difference.
7. Hours are out, accomplishments are in. If you want to grow your business, stop
thinking about how many hours you work, and aim for more milestones and
traction. Success is more results, not more work. Measure your results and
promote them. Help others realize your value.
8. Your business is in your hands. Be accountable for your own business success,
and take charge of your life. Look for win-win business relationships, since
people won't help you if you are not helping them. If you aren't learning and
growing, you'll have nothing to promote and won't benefit anyone.
