Our Guest Post today is by Bruce Wahl. Bruce Wahl is an IT expert with years of experience. He covers all aspects of IT like programming, photoshopping and other effects. He has spent some time in the field of security and is still helping other companies with the same. In his free time, he loves to enjoy nature and his two German Shepherds.
The digital revolution and surge in eCommerce have changed the face of the business world. For better or worse, standing out in an overcrowded market is a fine art. Solopreneurs abound in a wide array of niches and hitting it big is a daunting task. Those that come up roses have a long journey behind them.
The first step is self-discovery and the ones that follow are related to developing a deeper understanding of your niche, market, and competition. Your competitive edge needs to be a razor-sharp one, if you are to cut through the overwhelming noise out there. Here is what it takes to be a member of the elite club.
Uncovering true value
Competing for price, shipping, or product quality is fine, but it does not blow people away. The value proposition needs to capture the imagination of people and ignite passion in them. Many purchasing decisions are based on emotions and leading solopreneurs are masters of speaking to the heart and soul.
They have figured out a one-of-a-kind selling proposition and taken the market segment by storm. Many of them back charitable causes and demonstrate a high level of social responsibility and environmental awareness.
Getting connected
The website is the crown jewel of any online persona. It is an invaluable marketing tool, a great source of income, and the hub that accommodates website traffic. Networking in the online realm is one of the main strategies to improve your prospects.
It refers to reaching out to people on communities like LinkedIn, but also the practice of building links. Namely, links from authority sites boost the credibility of your own site and send positive SEO signals to search engines. Another way to build bridges to third-party channels is via guest blogging.
Online socializing
We all spend a lot of time on social media, but accomplished solopreneurs are not there to fool around. After all, social proof is a powerful credibility indicator. A solid social media profile encourages customers to place an order and come to trust your business.
It is often the tipping point consumers need to make a decision. Apart from collecting likes and shares, there are a couple of other things entrepreneurs do. They get celebrity endorsements, utilize customer reviews, and feature user-generated content.
Brand building
It has never been more important to nurture a swell personal brand. You have to make sure your voice is not something that others can duplicate. To create buzz and excitement around their brands, reputable solopreneurs have highlighted the unique aspects of their businesses.
They let their personas shine, and the light attracts people and garners their loyalty. In a sense, they have become exaggerated versions of themselves and managed to put their best foot forward.
Catching the devil in the details
Solopreneur cannot afford to lose sight of details. For instance, being a website content writer is a potentially lucrative career, but the legions of competition have the same idea as you. Delivering value-adding content to your audience is the chief mission and there is more than one way to go about it.
In fact, you have a slew of aspects to keep an eye on and they can all make a difference. Prolific writers know that engaging headlines, striking photos, and strong links tend the boost visibility and reach.
Constant learning
Knowledge is king and research the only way to get near the throne. Thus, successful solopreneurs do their homework every day. They know how important it is to stay on top of emerging trends and keep an eye on what developments and technologies wait around the corner.
In other words, you should strive to be an innovator and pioneer. Adapt constantly and never stop learning and improving. Get to know your niche backwards and forwards and establish yourself as a trusted expert.
Getting involved
All in all, you have to be involved in the industry. Google is just one of the tools in the arsenal. Stellar brands and thriving solopreneurs also read blogs, magazines, and other press on a regular basis. They attend conferences and trade shows.
There, it is possible to strike partnerships or meet competitors, clients, customers, and influencers. Finally, they go to great lengths in order to get featured on business websites and online review hubs. Growing a business is a complex endeavor, and it can be more than a full-time obligation.
A perfect day
There is no one unifying answer to the questions of what makes or breaks a solopreneur. Then again, it is clear that one needs to speak with a distinctive voice and tell an engaging story about the business. The next phase is letting it become a self-fulfilling prophecy of success. Therefore, be someone outstanding, a brand that cannot be emulated and replicated.
Emphasize your quirks, tendencies, and peculiarities. You need more than a killer product or service. The audience needs to identify and connect. Keep your fingers on the pulse of people’s needs and surprise them by exceeding their expectations. Walk the cutting edge of the industry and stay ahead of the curve.
