Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Starting Out: Not your average advice

Over the past 2 weeks I've gotten several emails asking how to start a business/blog. I'm flattered because I haven't been doing this for very long. Sometimes though, I think that when you're first starting out everything is fresh in your mind. Some of the best advice I've gotten is from those who were in the same positon I was.

So here are some things I've learned. Most aren't traditional bits of advice, but things that I still think are important to consider.

1. You'll have to let some things go. If you are serious about starting a sustainable business, some parts of your life are going to have fall to the back burner. Decide what your priorities are. With that said, even your biggest priorities can quickly move to second place. This might sound bad, but there are some days when I really have to make an effort to remove myself from sanding, blogging, emailing, etc to go play with Rhett- even though I adore him. I promise you your house will be dirtier, you will probably lose a few pounds because meal time becomes more sporadic, and you won't sleep as much. With that said, you will find a rhythm and even though you'll just keep getting busier, you will find a way to manage it.    

2. You're going to need $$$, no matter what kind of business you're starting. It doesn't need to be a ton, but if you are serious about becoming big, you'll need some. We started out investing $350 of our own money into 551 East. We bought some furniture, paint, sander paper, a paint sprayer, sanding block etc. Now when we sell a piece the profit goes into one account and the cost money goes into another. That way we always have that $350 to keep investing in 551 East.  If you are also trying to build a blog you'll need money to either use for sponsorships on other blogs to get your name out there, or you'll want to host giveaways to build your readership. Most likely you'll need to host your first couple giveaways so you'll need to provide something to give away. A side note about this. Make sure what you are giving away will attract the most types of readers. We did a $25 dollar cash giveaway at the beginning and it produced a great increase in following. I'm not saying that this is the best way to do anything, but it worked for us. If you don't have cash to invest, DON'T GO INTO DEBT. Because there is absolutely no guarantee that your blog/business will work, you don't want a credit card debt. Start with what you have. Talk to family or friends if you need a little cash, but if others are going to invest in you, be worth investing in.

3. Plan to spend a decent amount of time in front of a computer. When I started 551 East, one reason was  because I felt like I was spending too much time on the computer and I wanted a hobby/outlet. Ha! You'll spend a lot of time trying to create the look of your blog, commenting on other blogs to get your name out, posting, researching, editing, responding to emails, sending thank yous, etc etc etc.

4. You won't be able to do it alone. Have the support of your spouse or a great friend. You have a lot of work ahead of you. You probably will be giving up some social time, conversation on subjects other than your business, and you'll need someone to bounce ideas off of. A supportive influence is worth so so much.

5. You're going to need to become proficient in more ways than you're anticipating. Probably the biggest shock to me was how tech savvy I was going to become. You'll need to be able to see ahead and anticipate what you need to be doing, before you need to create it/post it/ say it. You'll need to to learn how to take quality pictures, how to market, how to budget, how to produce quality products, etc. It's still a sharp learning curve for me, but you learn quickly from your mistakes.

6. Be relatable and personal. I don't necessarily mean that you have to tell your life story, but let people get to know you. I personally think it's OK to occasionally combine business and family. Show people that you have a life outside your business. And this will also help you keep your life from being overtaken by starting a business. Help people feel something and you can make some real friends through it.



7. Find what makes you different. We chose to put a picture of me on our masthead because almost no other blogs in our sphere had anything like that. Don't copy other people. Use them for inspiration, but create your own style.

8. Dream BIG. Do I want my own show on HGTV showing people how to thrift and repurpose furniture? Heck yes! Am I a tiny little blog in a world full of people more talented and knowledgeable than me? Heck yes! And that's OK. One day I want to be as talented as Miss Mustard Seed or Made by Girl or Miss James at Bleubird Vintage. And one day I will be. :) But if I'm not, I'm Ok with that.

9. Know why you want to do this. Write it down so you remember. Be determined.

10. Don't be afraid, but know you'll make mistakes. It's OK. Everyone will do it. It's frustrating to know you've lost resources and time, so learn and move on.

11. Get your name out there. This is an ongoing process. Follow other peoples blogs, leave LOTS of comments, join link parties, start a Facebook page, ask people to guest post for you and if you can guest post for them, have giveaways, create a button for your blog, and ask you friends and family to put your posts etc on their Facebook page, email, blog whatever. 

12. Always say thank you. This is SO important. If someone leaves you a comment, send an email or comment on their blog. Kindness goes along way.

I hope this helps! I love doing this and I'm so grateful for those who have supported us. :) 

P.S. Here's a sneak peak on a piece I'll post this evening. 


Pin It

70 comments:

  1. This is such a great post! I am a newbie and I am just going full force, even though it is all very intimidating. It is funny that you mentioned your header, because I always remember your blog because your picture is fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, definitely some great points. My reason for starting? I needed a hobby too. I wanted a project to invest in, something that would challenge me in multiple ways. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again for the advice!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much for this wonderful post. I so appreciate someone taking time out to give this kind of advice. The blog-sphere can be so competitive.
    I have just recently begun thinking about sponsorship and/or an Etsy shop. I'm definitely small on the follower scale and was wondering when the right time was to move this "hobby" to something more.

    ReplyDelete
  5. great advice! I'm still trying to figure out what I'm even doing, by blogging lol I think most people hope to make money by starting a blog business, and of course I would like that.. i think i'm just needing some pushes in the right direction =)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great Advice. Thanks for the sneak peak.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm slowly in the process of starting my own business. I'm working on building up some inventory right now. Thanks for the great advice. I do have a question for you. I plan to do something similar and sell through my blog. Do you sell locally only or anywhere. If anywhere, how do you ship your furniture?

    ReplyDelete
  8. i love this post. it's so relatable and i feel like you're talking just to me. you're seriously such a doll!

    ReplyDelete
  9. just found this fab post as i perused your blog. oh, how right you are about being tech savvy and spending time at the computer. and it's such a balance with children, HW, husbands, lax practice, etc. plan, plan, plan!

    thanks for your honesty!

    ReplyDelete
  10. great advice! Just found your blog, I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great advice from someone who has been there recently! Definitely a little intimidating to look at, but very motivating at the same time. I'm not great with computers and I'm a little overwhelmed by this whole blog/seo/internet marketing thing, but with helpful people like you out there I think i can learn! thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am adding a lint this post to a post I also did last year on this same subject.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is a very good and informative post, I'm very thankful for all this information. Thank you for your time to write to us all this great tips!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have fun with, result in I found just what I
    was taking a look for. You've ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

    Look into my webpage: Achat Retweet pas cher

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or
    weblog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo
    I ultimately stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i'm glad to show that I have a very good uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I such a lot certainly will make sure to do not fail to remember this site and provides it a glance regularly.

    Here is my weblog; Comment avoir plus De vues youtube

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention
    that I've truly loved browsing your weblog posts. After all I'll be subscribing
    to your feed and I am hoping you write again soon!


    Here is my web page; retro soda pop machine

    ReplyDelete
  17. Get all the best spirits and wines at Duty Free Depot!

    All the popular brand name beverages for unbeatable discounted price tags.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Quantum Binary Signals

    Get professional trading signals delivered to your mobile phone daily.

    Follow our trades NOW & make up to 270% per day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Blogs ou should be reading… Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage Youtranslation service in india

    ReplyDelete
  20. salesforce training institute in noida- with 100% placement support - Best Salesforce developer training institute in Noida- webtrackker is anit company and also provide Salesforce training in Noida. Webtrackker offers Salesforce training program with live project by real time trainer in noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Delhi. We also provide Salesforce certification courses.

    WEBTRACKKER TECHNOLOGY (P) LTD.
    C - 67, sector- 63, Noida, India.

    E-47 Sector 3, Noida, India.
    +91 - 8802820025
    0120-433-0760
    +91 - 8810252423
    012 - 04204716
    EMAIL:info@webtrackker.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. python training institute in noida, Python Training Institute in Noida , Delhi- with 100% placement support - Fee is 11000 Rs- webtrackker is providing the live project based Python training in Noida by the real time working experts.

    WEBTRACKKER TECHNOLOGY (P) LTD.
    C - 67, sector- 63, Noida, India.

    E-47 Sector 3, Noida, India.
    +91 - 8802820025
    0120-433-0760
    +91 - 8810252423
    012 - 04204716
    EMAIL:info@webtrackker.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Data Science training Institute in Noida- Webtrackker Technology (8802820025) providing Data Science Training in Noida. Get ✓ 40 Hours Learning training✓ 70 Hrs Projects ✓ 24 X 7 Support ✓ Job Assistance.

    WEBTRACKKER TECHNOLOGY (P) LTD.
    C - 67, sector- 63, Noida, India.

    E-47 Sector 3, Noida, India.
    +91 - 8802820025
    0120-433-0760
    +91 - 8810252423
    012 - 04204716
    EMAIL:info@webtrackker.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. nice blog post!!

    we are providing the best dubbing studio in india


    http://cosmicsounds.in/dubbing.php

    ReplyDelete
  24. Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
    Digital Marketing Company in India

    ReplyDelete
  25. i-LEND is an online marketplace connecting borrowers and lenders for loans. Although i-LEND verifies credentials of registered users on the site, it does not guarantee any loan offers by lenders nor does it guarantee any repayments by borrowers. Users make offers/loan requests at their own discretion with the understanding of the risks involved in such transactions including loss of entire capital and/or no guarantee of recovery. Please read our Legal agreements to understand more.https://www.i-lend.in/

    ReplyDelete
  26. ไม่ลองไม่ได้แล้วสล็อตออนไลนื slotxo แจกฟรีสล็อตxo ที่นี่https://www.slotxd.com/slotxo

    ReplyDelete
  27. Awesome post! This is helpful post. Article is very clear and with lots of useful information. Thanks for such nice article
    Visit : https://pythontraining.dzone.co.in/training/data-science-training.html

    ReplyDelete
  28. Astrum InfoTech Agency is the Best Digital Marketing Company in Delhi, They help to generate the profit and visitors traffic on website. If you are looking for grow the online visibility of your business then please contact us. We Offer Best Digital Marketing Service like SEO Service, SMO Service, PPC Service, Facebook Marketing Services, Email marketing service, graphic design services, website designing service and website development service etc.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you to the perform as well as discuss anything incredibly important in my opinion. We loose time waiting for your next article writing in addition to I beg one to get back to pay a visit to our website in
    AWS training in chennai | AWS training in annanagar | AWS training in omr | AWS training in porur | AWS training in tambaram | AWS training in velachery


    ReplyDelete
  30. Stones International Dubai offers professional and tailored Top Real Estate Company in Dubai to our wide base of clients. With a diverse team of highly-qualified and experienced client managers on board, we are ready to assist our customers, whether you are a first-time property finder looking to Rent an apartment in Dubai, or an owner planning to sell a property in your possession.
    With an ever-competitive Villa for sale in Dubai, we can provide you hassle-free property solutions, optimizing the best deals for owners and helping buyers acquire their dream property at the most competitive price.
    We have an extensive selection of properties such as villas, apartments, townhouse, office and retail spaces, plots and land, full buildings and Real Estate in Dubai our catalogue, located across a wide range of areas

    ReplyDelete
  31. The blog written is extremely impressive, with a great topic. However, a bit more research could have strengthened it even further. You can explore the services as offered by livewebtutors.com, a premium academic writing services platform offering the best of assignment help teamed with knowledge and experience

    ReplyDelete
  32. Assignment Help uncovers the paths to connect with professional and experienced assignment writers. With the help of them, you don’t have to take tension of assignment writing and searching for valuable information. When you can’t understand what to write and how to frame all information in the right format, you must think about assignment help services. Under this platform, you will get complete papers even if you find it tough to solve your questions. So, place your order for the online help of subject matter experts if you don’t compose your papers.
    Online Assignment
    help with my assignment
    Assignment Help Service

    ReplyDelete
  33. it is really a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
    chinese visa application centre

    ReplyDelete
  34. informative post about business, now very relevant information, it would be cool to increase readers, you can use https://soclikes.com/

    ReplyDelete
  35. Best Clinic in Bur teeth whitening in Dubai for Dental, Internal Medicine, Dermatology. The goodness of "the perfect smile" is an effortlessly achievable task with a better knowledge & concern of materials and problems together along with the advances in technology. Discolored teeth can be corrected totally or partially by bleaching. Since bleaching is conventional, nonintrusive, and low-cost, it is the most suitable treatment protocol by the masses.The good news about teeth whitening procedures is that in effect with everybody who is undergoing part of and more than a little level of teeth staining has a good possibility for treatment.
    teeth whitening

    ReplyDelete
  36. thanks for sharing nice lbog keep posting like this https://snowflakemasters.in/

    ReplyDelete
  37. Finish the Selenium Training in Chennai from Infycle Technologies, No.1 software training institute in Chennai which is providing professional courses for students, freshers, experienced, and tech professionals. We provide courses like DevOps, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Python, Oracle, Java, Power BI, Digital Marketing, Data Science, etc. with the best trainers receiving amazing training for the best career. For more details and demo classes call 7504633633.

    ReplyDelete

  38. Infycle Technologies, the best software training institute in Chennai offers the best AWS training in Chennai for tech professionals. Apart from the AWS Course, other courses such as Oracle, Java, Hadoop, Digital Marketing, Selenium, Big Data Android, and iOS Development, DevOps and Azure will also be trained with 100% hands-on training. Dial 7502633633 to get more info and a free demo.

    ReplyDelete
  39. This an excellent article blog, it offers solutions to difficult questions, easy description can make a difficult thing understandable, and you put so much effort to discuss everything in clear terms, thanks for sharing. rhema university cut off mark for chemistry

    ReplyDelete
  40. Norton Internet Security Product Key Generator I desired to thank you for this captivating sensitivity!! I every one taking part in all tiny little bit of it I have you ever bookmarked to test out appendage things you pronounce.

    ReplyDelete
  41. https://551eastdesign.blogspot.com/2011/09/starting-out-not-your-average-advice.html?sc=1652764983164#c4743377995866111742

    ReplyDelete
  42. Happy brothers day! To have a brother like you is a blessing! that is truely intellectual content material and written thinking about ease for a regulate. it's best to peer that some human beings but put taking region as soon as a way to write a man or woman nation.! https://wishesquotz.com/brothers-day-quotes/

    ReplyDelete
  43. If you are looking best audio production company in Delhi ncr, Language hub India. best recording studio in Delhi.

    ReplyDelete
  44. language hub india

    If You are looking best recording studios in Delhi, NCR. language hub india best music studio in Delhi, India.
    Recording studios in Delhi

    L-24, Kalkaji,New Delhi 110019

    +91 8383002612

    ReplyDelete
  45. Best Corporate Video Production Company In Delhi NCR
    https://pauseiitve.com/

    ReplyDelete
  46. Nice thanks for sharing informative post like this keep posting if like more details visit my website linkhttps://mulemasters.in/

    ReplyDelete
  47. I’m Sophia, working as a professional academic assignment expert. I have many years of experience in providing help regarding assignments and homework to students in Australia. I provide quality nursing assignment help australia to students who are unable to write their assignments and focus on their studies. If you need any kind of help or face any challenges then feel free to contact me. Get more Info: assignment expert uk

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate all of your thoughts and comments! They bring a smile to my face!