Man, oh man! Have I got a treat for you today!
In today’s blog post, my friend and colleague Yvonne Jones will be taking over the reins. Yvonne has been an online entrepreneur for about 15 years and this lady knows what she’s talking about. I’ve had the pleasure to get know Yvonne in a group coaching program and later as part of a mentoring program which we’re both in. Without further ado, lemme let Yvonne take over!
Two years after walking away from Corporate America, I was filled with the excitement of bringing my skin care and image consultancy business to the vast online audience. Little did I know, my journey was about to take an unexpected turn. Unlike many others, the company I represented hadn’t warmed up to the idea of marketing their products online, leaving me in a predicament. Suddenly, I found myself asking, “Now what?”
As I tried to find my way around online, it felt like being the new kid in a massive high school, trying to navigate the corridors, find my classes, and make new friends all at once. The online world was bewildering, and here I was, trying to carve a space for myself and my business.
With a passion for writing, I started a blog on Blogger, sharing skin care tips and advice. It was enjoyable and fulfilling to connect with readers, but the big puzzle was figuring out how to monetize this new venture.
The real struggle began when I shifted gears towards online marketing. Every day was a lesson in persistence, pushing through the doubts and the learning curve that seemed to stretch endlessly ahead.
The breakthrough came when I stumbled upon an online trainer through Twitter, who introduced me to the world of article marketing. That strategy became my first step towards making an income online, marking my initial success with affiliate products. Those first few sales were monumental; they were proof that I could indeed make this work and confirmed that it was possible to make money online.
Looking back, the game-changer was finding a mentor who offered not just guidance but a structured approach to growing my online marketing business. The path from skin care consultancy to online marketing was filled with challenges, but it was also a journey of growth and discovery. It taught me resilience, the value of mentorship, and the importance of adapting to new landscapes.
Staying Motivated
Despite many years in the corporate world and having two successful offline businesses over the years, stepping into the world of online entrepreneurship is like starting on a journey without a clear map. It’s thrilling but filled with unknowns. Here’s how I kept my spirits high and worked my way through the foggy patches:
Embrace Your Beginner Status: Remember, every expert was once a beginner. “The expert in anything was once a beginner.” ~ Helen Hayes
Those early days when I felt lost in the vast online landscape where everyone seemed to be successful taught me the importance of patience and self-belief.
When doubt creeps in, remind yourself of the wealth of experience you bring from your life and previous careers. Your unique journey has equipped you with more tools and resilience than you realize.
Celebrate the Small Victories: In this journey, every small win is a step forward. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” ~ Robert Collier.
Whether it’s your first sale, a positive comment on your blog, or simply mastering a new digital tool—celebrate it. These moments are your fuel. They keep the engine of motivation running, especially on days when progress feels slow.
On your journey to achieving your goals, there will be milestones. Don’t wait until you complete the journey, or even halfway through. Celebrate every milestone you achieve. Those celebrations remind you that you’re making progress.
Find Your Tribe: The significance of mentorship cannot be overstated. My mentor was like a beacon in the night, guiding me on my journey. Alongside mentors, surround yourself with a community that supports and uplifts you. “We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.” ~ Ben Sweetland
Just like finding a friend on the first day of school, these connections can make the daunting world of online entrepreneurship feel a little less intimidating and a lot more doable.
Stay close to positive people who lift you up and avoid or spend less time with people who are negative and only bring you down.
Rekindle your ‘Why’: On days when motivation dips, revisit the reason you started your online business. Was it to achieve financial freedom? Was it to achieve time freedom, as was my biggest desire then? To share your passion with the world? This ‘why’ is your anchor, keeping you grounded when the obstacles in your path cause you to have to step over, around, or find ways of going through.
Overcome Obstacles: The path of an online entrepreneur isn’t without its hurdles. But each obstacle is an opportunity to grow stronger and smarter. “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” ~ Stephen R. Covey.
By maintaining a positive perspective, you will recognize that at times you can use those obstacles as steppingstones to greater achievements. They can become a launchpad because you can become your own case study and share your struggles and how you overcame them. Your potential clients will more easily resonate with you as they see themselves reflected in you.
Build Resilience: Accept that setbacks are part of the journey. They’re not signs of failure but markers of progress. Each mistake is a lesson in disguise, teaching us to pivot and adapt. It’s through these lessons that we find our way forward, stronger and more determined than before. “Resilience isn’t a single skill. It’s a variety of skills and coping mechanisms.”
~ Jean Chatzky
I came online to focus on the skin care and image niche. That did not work as planned, so I switched to blogging and affiliate marketing. Later I became a Certified Life and Business Coach/Mentor, expanding my knowledge over the years and now guiding my clients with a holistic approach as I consider all aspects of the entrepreneur’s business and personal development.
Resilience is more than just bouncing back. It’s about adapting, learning, and growing from our experiences. It’s about maintaining our core strength, even when faced with life’s relentless challenges.
Stay Organized and Proactive: The online world is vast, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Setting clear, achievable goals and breaking them down into actionable steps helped me stay focused.
Prioritization is key—concentrate on what moves the needle for your business, and don’t get sidetracked by every new trend or tool. This is called “Shiny Objects Syndrome” and it’s easy to get caught up in this. I did, and rather than accelerate my progress, it slowed me down because everyone taught something different, and it was hard to put the pieces together to arrive at a cohesive system.
At the same time, remember to schedule time for you and practice self-care.
Cultivate Relationships: Never underestimate the power of a strong network. Connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, participating in forums, and engaging with your audience builds a foundation of support and opportunity. These relationships are the threads that weave the fabric of your business’s success.
Remember that while most of your work will be online, you should not ignore your offline communities. 85% of the people who participated in my first paid online workshop came from a local Meetup group I created offline. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce and other local groups, I taught free and paid local workshops. These are not required but I share them to remind you that cultivating and maintaining relationships with your offline community is valuable to your online business.
One of the most important relationships you will want to nurture is client relationships. This will elevate your business from a transaction mentality to one where you build an emotional connection so that you retain loyal clients who become your advocates.
Attract Clients and Partners: Be genuine in your interactions and generous with your knowledge. Offering value without the immediate expectation of a return can open doors to future clients and partnerships. While you will always want to have something for sale and train people to buy from you, you want to be known as a Giver. “Beauty is not who you are on the outside, it is the wisdom and time you gave away to save another struggling soul like you.”
~ Shannon L. Alder
Your reputation as a helpful and knowledgeable resource in your niche will precede you, attracting opportunities naturally.
Summary
The journey of an online entrepreneur is filled with ups and downs, much like navigating the halls of a new school. But just as the new kid eventually finds their way, so too you will find your path in the online business world. It’s a journey of discovery, growth, and resilience. Embrace the challenges, celebrate your successes, and always remember why you started. This path may not be easy, but it is undoubtedly worth it.
For the past 15 years, my online business has been at the core of what I do, and I love being the “Boss.”
Thanks for reading.
Yvonne
Yvonne A Jones is your trusted Relationship Building Strategist| Personal Business Coach | International Speaker. She provides a holistic approach to coaching and mentoring mature online entrepreneurs to thrive in an increasingly competitive online business environment. She does this through her Profitable Relationship Building Framework.
Website: https://50andWiserCoaching.com
Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/YvonneAJones
Written by Yvonne A Jones
February 19, 2024