No matter what type of business you run if the business is not being productive something is probably wrong. Anyone reading this is an online Entrepreneur, and anyone reading this very post right now who is thinking they need help with their business is losing money!
A fellow home business builder, wrote an excellent post yesterday on how to stop making excuses why your business is not growing. When I read it, I knew that many of my readers are in the same situation and could use some coaching! Many years ago when I first started my online business, I too ran into walls. Actually more than one time. It took me a long time to figure out what I was doing wrong and how I was going to fix it.
Business is all about money, point blank. We all have started online businesses because we wanted to make money, we just wanted to do it from home. If your business is not growing at the rate you want it to or at the rate you envisioned, let’s figure out why!
No more making excuses. Excuses will get you no where fast! If you truly have that Entrepreneur spirit, you need to be willing to make change to help your business grow!
A few reasons your business may not be growing…
- You started your business for the wrong reasons.
- You have no website or a website that is not making a good impression.
- You are being to pushy or marketing to the wrong audience.
- You do not dedicate enough time into your business.
- You do not know how to market your business effectively.
- You have lost your passion for your business and now only do it becuase it makes some money every now and then.
Regardless of what the reason is your business is not growing, it is time to stop making excuses and fix the issues that are at hand.
EJ recommends a 5 step process.
Step 1. Figure out why it isn’t growing.
Perhaps your product line is stagnant. Perhaps you’re only reaching 10% of your eligible prospects. Perhaps your sales page isn’t converting or your advertising campaign isn’t reaching the right people. The first step to figuring out how to stop making excuses is to honestly examine why it isn’t growing. The reason may reside completely in you – perhaps business got too big too fast and you don’t have time to catch up let alone build your business. If you find you are having a hard time advertising your business, you need to look for new options or learn to generate free website traffic . Getting the word out about your product or service is critical if your business is going to have any chance of becoming the thriving venture you think it can be.
This leads us to the next step.
Step 2. Decide if you want your business to grow and if so, by how much?
If you do want your business to grow you need to set goals. Set reasonable and attainable goals. If you set goals that are impossible to reach you will only find yourself feeling discouraged. See 3 Tips To Stay Focused on Your Home Business Goals
Step 3. Analyze what is working to help you attain your goals and what isn’t working.
For example, if you want to attain $5,000 in sales but you’re spending 50% of your time on administrative duties then your time isn’t being well spent. 3 Tips To Stay Focused on Your Home Business Goals
Step 4. Make a plan to eliminate what isn’t working.
Using the example in step 3 if you’re spending 50% of your time on administrative tasks then outsourcing some or all of those tasks will free up a significant amount of time. Time you could spend on selling and reaching your new goal. Take a look at Work at Home Business Expert Discusses Outsourcing
Or if you have children around your work area and find yourself chasing kids all day, take a look at Children in the Home Business Environment
Step 5. This is the best part. Create a reward for attaining your goals.
Part of the motivation to attain a goal, beyond self fulfillment and feeling very proud, is giving yourself a little pat on the back. Some may pat themselves on the back with a two week vacation to Hawaii, others prefer a new pair of shoes or a week off to go camping with their children. Whatever the reward, including it in your plan may be the extra motivation you need to get beyond excuses and into action.
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