Happy New Year To The Entrepreneur: No Wimps Allowed

Last updated on April 2nd, 2012 at 03:12 pm

2010 proved to be quite the learning experience, which is a really politically correct way of saying the year kicked my butt. You can say its the economy, and small business slowing down. But the number one lesson I learned is there is no room for wimps on the ladder to success.

Catherine mentioned the work that goes into blog promotion. She said it best “the days of if you build it, they will come” was about 20 years ago online. Same goes for any project you are launching. Get ready for some serious work behind your next money-making internet idea.

Here’s the lowdown on my entrepreneur experience this past year:

1. Forward Motion Studios

Lots of changes are in store for my primary online marketing business. What will it look like? Will I be pursuing the same types of clients and work? I haven’t answered all those burning questions yet, but I am well on the way to clarity. Its the same process I take my clients through, but you try looking in the mirror and working through the process. Its not fun, but absolutely necessary to making it work.

Action for 2011: Launch new web site, define services, make a list of ideal clients to contact

2. For Your Adornment

Both a store and Etsy shop have provided a perfect opportunity for me to share a learning experience. If you have a choice to drive traffic to a site you can control like your own domain, versus sending traffic and potential sales to a site out of your control. This holds true for many scenarios. It’s one of the main reasons I recommend to all my clients to avoid the free blogging platforms, and the lesson in my case is to avoid almost free shopping platforms.

Action for 2011: Move For Your Adornment to a WordPress platform, blog weekly with video instructions and jewelry highlights

3. Digital Products

All the experiences listed here are lessons toward this one – providing digital products. This is something Catherine has managed to launch recently with the “Find Your Dream” eBook. The outlines and ideas I have all stem from my experience and expertise in what I do, which any coach will tell you is a great place to start

Action for 2011: Marketing eBook, “How-To” marketing newsletter

4. Professional Speaker

This is a goal I’ve mentioned before – 50 speaking engagements in one year. I know from talking to several professional speakers that this is completely attainable and that most of these opportunities will be unpaid. The point isn’t to get paid now… but to build up your repertoire and experience to get paid in the near future.

Action for 2011: Book 50 speaking gigs by March, create site for speaking experience

5. Learn from the experts

I have had the opportunity to interview and chat with several experts in the past year. I received some great advice and had some interesting conversations! What better way to learn, or bounce ideas off of someone who is where you want to be?

I need your help! Do you have a connection to an expert in the business or speaking professionals that would like to be interviewed on 8 Women Dream? You can let me know about it through the Contact Us page on 8 Women Dream. We have heard from some great people this way and I look forward to sharing the details soon!

Action for 2011: Book 1 interview per quarter with an expert in a business, online marketing, or professional speaking

I shared my action plan here for several reasons. One is to make sure my fellow dreamers hold me to my dream goals, and also to make you think about who is holding you accountable to your dreams in 2011.

Open up, and be specific on what you will need. Will a friendly “How is your progress?” be all you need to stay on track? Or do you need to have deadline monitors who crack the whip? Whatever the scenario, make sure you put those positive reinforcements in place to take full advantage of the opportunity of being accountable.

Do you have a trusted friend, or group of people, that will hold you to your dreams?

All the best for 2011!

~ Heather

Heather’s dream is to have multiple streams of income, starting with launching an e-commerce website that showcases her couture jewelry, which are crafted by her. You can find Heather online at For Your Adornment; Etsy.com; and Twitter And Beyond Dot Com. She also teaches Social Media tactics for business, besides being CEO of her own web design company. Heather’s post day is Friday.