Is there something you love to do that you want to do more of? Are you ready to take your camera, party planning, paintings, your passion out of your basement and make it more of a hustle than a hobby? Or maybe even your own business?
The awesome thing about today’s market is that you don’t have to put your photo of you holding your mop on a billboard to advertise your cleaning service. There are so many quick and easy ways to get your name out there to use the talents God has given you to bless other people.
1. Launch a Website
Maybe you want to create a full-time gig, or make your hobby into a hustle a couple of times a year. Either way, you do not need a big business to create a website. The purpose of your website is to get your information out into the world. It can be a place for someone to see your work, learn about you, or get educated on how you can help.
There are some awesome sites where you can create a website out there. I personally use WordPress with a Prophoto plug in. I know a lot of people use squarespace or Wix (which is free!) for their websites too. They make getting started really easy and if you get stuck, there are tons of great YouTube videos to get you past any roadblocks you encounter.
2. Get the Word Out On Social Media
A great way to point people to your website and all your goodness is through social media. Create your own Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter account! This is a great way for people to see your work if they aren’t googling it. Even if many of your followers and friends aren’t in your clientele, you can bet they have friends that are!
Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertising, and this is a great way to begin the “word of mouth” process! Give excited fans something to share.
3. Build a Portfolio
Have someone snap some photos of your work. (Aim for a high level of professionalism here as it reflects the level of quality your business provides.)
Be sure to show off a variety of experiences to build trust with you and your clients. We all like to see something before we buy. A portfolio helps to show your style and that you have already created something they like. A diverse portfolio highlights your skills and creativity.
4. Manage Your Business With Smart Tools
Professionalism is always appreciated, but I think it is especially important for entrepreneurs. I am not saying you have to sign all your emails with “sincerely” and be stuffy, but maintaining your brand consistently communicates professionalism. There are lots of moving pieces when you run your own business so it is important to keep track of payments, invoices, contracts, proposals, etc. I know that sounds like a lot. It did to me too. That is why I now do all my booking and invoicing online! It has saved me so much time, kept me organized, and also provided more convenience and trust with the client.
Dubsado has changed my life in business management. I use it to manage projects, build client relationships, schedule appointments, and create workflows to automate the entire process. Dubsado saves me time so I can spend more time behind the lens and creating a memory to treasure for my clients.
If you are interested in using Dubsado, let me know and I can send you a discount code to get you started!
5. Don’t Forget Prayer
This is the most important thing. It is easy to quickly change from asking God how He wants you to glorify Him with the talents He has given you, to telling Him how you will use them. I have fallen into this many times! That’s why I want to encourage all of you (and me) to PRAY PRAY PRAY.
Whether it is about doing one event or 40. God is the KING and the CREATOR of everything we have. He lets us BREATHE our next breath. He designed us to use our bodies and minds to create what we love (and He loves).
What an awesome God we serve that He allows us to do these things! Pray over how much, how often, where to go, what to create, inspiration, passion, everything. He is the ultimate provider and has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. He wants to give us a hope and a future. WOW.
Once you’re prayed up, step out in boldness to use your gifts and start your business. You can do it. Will it be difficult some days? Yep. Will you make a few mistakes? Probably. Will you fall into bed with a smile on your face? Often! I love being an entrepreneur. Stay tuned, I hope to go more in depth about these different business aspects in the future.
Feel free to contact me if you’re interested in starting your own business or have any questions! I’d love to help.