Is Entrepreneurship a Skill or a Trait →

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The traditional definition of an entrepreneur is “an individual who creates a new business, bearing most risks and enjoying most rewards. The entrepreneur is seen as an innovator, a source of new ideas, goods, services, procedures and business.” Being an entrepreneur isn't just acting on an idea that pops up; it is using the right skills to make that idea work.

Why have so many successful entrepreneurs started in sales? Salespeople become successful, as do entrepreneurs, because they learn to listen to the customer’s needs and wants daily and personally. When salespeople are the main point of contact between the business and potential clients, they often act as entrepreneurs.

Successful salespeople have relationships and trust with their clients and often learn of their needs as they are developed. A seller of ingredients will learn of changes and needs for packaging or new equipment early in the new product development process. The first entrepreneurial step for that salesman is to find a source for these new items and a contract to represent or profit from the start in ongoing sales.

An entrepreneur is a person who identifies a need and starts a business to fill that void. But others will argue that a “true” entrepreneur must develop an innovative new product, service or idea and then operate their business to sell and profit from that. Entrepreneurs often create needs and demands through their creative ideas and solutions.

An entrepreneurial mindset is an attitude that means having an open mind, using critical thinking, and being resilient when times get tough. It means anticipating needs and looking for solutions, not problems.

Entrepreneurial success comes down to knowing your product, understanding your customer, and personal drive for success.

Freelancers should use Social Media to attract Business to their Website →

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Social media is essential for a business website because it allows the business to reach and engage with its target audience regardless of location, generating brand awareness, leads, sales, and revenue.

Entrepreneurs often have thin staff, and their website is the storefront for the business and where information can be exchanged.

Social media increases brand awareness and messaging, but overall, it is a narrow focus, but the website completes the picture for its contacts. It's a chance to showcase what the business stands for in the public eye.

Social media is excellent for promoting your services and shouting out about what you can do, but the media posts need to have a landing page where the potential customer can go to find you and learn more.

This landing page or website is as important as your social media profiles. For example, if someone finds you on Facebook and clicks a post but lands on an out-of-date, old website, they will move on to the next freelancer.

Updating the website (or landing page) and ensuring it’s always up to date is essential. If you change your prices or provide service, update your website. Make sure the content has a reason for being on the landing page. Pictures and graphics of everything the business does are fine, but the landing page must communicate the business's professional image.

So that you know, contact information needs to be completed. Location addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, product listings, and hours of operation are expected to be the first thing you see on the website.

The social media and the website need to include a “Call to Action.” State clearly what you want the contract to do. One thing you want them to do on social media is to go to the website, so the proper link is needed to help them do that. Other calls to action can inform of specials, unique offerings, or even request that the contact offer a “comment.”

Social Media for Entrepreneurs →

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Social media helps increase brand awareness and creates a way to get your message out to the marketplace and show what your company does and what it stands for. Reinforce with your suppliers, employees, and potential customers that you exist. Even if you have some sales and think you are on track, you need to build momentum. LinkedIn, a great social and professional network, has an excellent article on How to Find What Social Media Channel You Should Be On.

Entrepreneurs know that if they “listen to the marketplace, it will tell them what to do.” That is a crucial motivation to becoming an entrepreneur, and it is often the people on the front line of business working with customers who get the best ideas. If you are already in business, social media is a tool to ask the customers how you are doing. A fancy way to say this is that you find your best beta testers on social media.

Social media allows you to follow your competitors, suppliers, and customers. Each source will have different viewpoints on your business segment, but you can gain insight that would take months and years to achieve without this tool. LinkedIn clearly states that they want to have a community that collaborates. By interacting with your connections, you build resources for your collaboration needs.

Your entrepreneurial community can offer advice and support, and you will often find yourself more trusting and willing to open up to your entrepreneurial peers. Some will become mentors, and often, there are support groups.

Connections Matter