It\’s pretty easy to start an online business. You set up a website, offer your product or services, do some basic marketing, and unless you\’re way off the mark, you should be able to bring in some customers in a relatively short period of time.
Making your business pay the bills is quite another matter, though.
We\’ve all met highly successful people who just seem to have it all together.
They have a great business, manage to spend time with their families, and even get a vacation (or two) every year. What makes them different from you? Why is their business booming, while yours feels like a struggle? How do they manage to get so much done so efficiently?
The answer, nine times out of ten, is that they have help. I don\’t mean they outsource their work (although they may). What I mean is they have help staying focused, on target, and clearly envisioning their goals and the path to achieve them.
In short, they have a coach.
Just like your high-school track team had a coach to help them run better, faster, and more efficiently, a business coach helps entrepreneurs improve their workflow, market more effectively, and build a stronger business.
Some things you can work on with a coach include:
Focus. If you struggle to stay on task and have dozens of projects almost finished, a coach can help you get to the finish line.
- Market analysis. Data is critical to your success. Who visits your website? Which pages get the most attention? What are your conversions rates? The answers to these questions (and more) are the key to improving your sales. A coach will help you figure out what\’s important and what\’s not.
- Fresh eyes. When you\’re immersed in your business (and we all are) it can be difficult to see where the problems – and solutions – lie. A coach serves as an impartial 3rd party who can oftentimes see trouble where you don\’t, and opportunities you\’ve missed.
Why does this method work?
Well, it\’s twofold, really. First, we place a much higher value on that which we pay for. If you\’re paying a coach, you\’ll be more inclined to listen to – and carry out – his or her instructions. Not only that, but because your coach is generally someone you admire, but not necessarily your friend, you\’re less likely to want to disappoint her with your lack of action.
Finally, your coach has more knowledge than you do, and is able to see clearly where you need to take action. Left on your own, you might spend months or years with the trial and error method, just to arrive at the same place a well-trained coach can help you achieve in a short time.
Think you\’re ready to hire a business coach? Stick around for the next blog and I\’ll let you know what you need to do before you even consider it. See you next time!
To your success!
Denise