Editor’s Note: This is another inspirational article for would-be entrepreneurs. Our company supports the entrepreneurship movement as we have lots of startup founders among our customers for bespoke web and mobile solutions.
There are many people who consider becoming an entrepreneur an idealized goal, something they might try to become after spending a lifetime being a slave to a 9 to 5 job and gathering enough money to give being on their own a try. Fortunately, becoming one is not that hard. In fact, becoming a successful entrepreneur is far more about mindset than money. This article will serve as a primer to becoming an entrepreneur when you decide you're ready and all of your friends are still working for someone else's dreams.
1. Passion. One of the most important qualities of an entrepreneur is passion. Without passion, nothing is achievable yet with it, nothing is impossible. The first thing you should do is find out where your passion lies. What is it that you want to do? Then when you discover what your passion really is, it is important to embrace it with all of your might. Also, mark it as a red letter day on your calendar, because that will be the day when you really have achieved true freedom.
2. Do what you enjoy, but take what you do seriously. It's been said to the point of cliché, but it's true. You need to do some careful self-examination to determine what you really enjoy doing, determine how to make it pay you, and then do it at full speed. It's no longer a game at this point. It's your future.
3. Plan. Plan. Plan. Then execute. Each time your feet hit the floor in the morning you should already know what you need to do that day. In order to be able to do that, you need to plan. Spend some time each day planning what it is that you want to achieve and how you are going to do it. Once you have created your plan, execute it with a vengeance. It can be a great reward at the end of the day when you accomplish what you have set out to do.
4. Be careful with money. Don't spend your money like there's no tomorrow.
5. Get out amongst them. Consider everyone you come into contact with a potential customer or contact whether this is during the working day or when you are out socialising. You never know who might have the right contacts or be able to point you in the right direction. Be friendly. Give your potential customers your promotional materials. Be honest in your desire to serve them by filling their needs.
6. Ask for the sale. Don't just make your pitch and leave them standing. Ask for the sale. If they hesitate, ask them what you would need to do to earn their business.
7. Remember that it's all about what you and your product can do for the customer. Most people don't leave their home in the morning determined to buy something. It's been called "Sell the sizzle, not the steak," but it's an apt description. What you are actually selling is a benefit to the customer, not whatever it is you are selling.
Ursula Jones is a finance and business expert who teaches at a business school in london and has a diploma in financial management http://www.dprofessionals.org/