After each launch, I gained new information that I might apply to my next effort. Entrepreneurs who may be battling imposter syndrome, email lists, and other obstacles may find the following lessons useful.
1. Establishing credibility eliminates the imposter syndrome.
My first course on how to start an online business for business owners and entrepreneurs was a complete failure. Due to my fear of putting myself out there again, my second course did not go much better. I struggled with imposter syndrome; constant self-doubt and the feeling of being deceived overwhelmed my sentiments of achievement and weakened my ability. Due to my previous failure, I consistently disregarded the skill and information I did possess.
People often feel the need to be the “expert of all experts” when developing a business, particularly if their business is centered on educating others. But in reality, you don’t. In reality, I believe you need only a 10% advantage over your clients. From my perspective, if you’re even slightly ahead of your audience and you’ve achieved success, you have all it takes to be an entrepreneur.
My nervousness about what others thought was another part of imposter syndrome. I remember wondering, “Who am I to teach this? I’m in over my head.” Fortunately, my husband intervened and gave me the best bit of advice: Don’t worry about what people think of you since they’re not thinking about you. Important is showing up for yourself and being proud of your accomplishments. And when you do so, it becomes a lot simpler to put yourself out there and have an impact on others.
2. Give it your all immediately.
I opted not to give my second course launch my all because my first launch left me battered and bruised (or at least it felt that way). My friend, though, told me the truth and gave me fantastic advice: “If you’re not going to give it your all, don’t bother doing it at all.”
Honestly, this launch did not generate a substantial amount of revenue. However, I did all required to set things in motion and build the groundwork. In my eleven years of digital-course experience, I’ve discovered that in order to be lucrative, you must devote one hundred percent of your efforts to a single course or service that can be launched repeatedly.
Believe me when I tell you that setting the groundwork for your course or business is the most challenging aspect. I dare you to delve far into the trenches the first time so that you do not have to do it again. You can then modify your second launch based on how people responded to the first, but the initial amount of work will have been completed.
3. Build a list, a list, a list to establish long-lasting relationships.
Not nurturing my email list before my second launch was a critical error I made. With my lead magnet’s help, I could add 600 people to my email list. However, after that, I abandoned them. (It was not among my most cherished memories.) Prior to the launch, I had spoken with my email subscribers so infrequently that I was afraid to email them. My subscribers suddenly received an email with the subject line, “Hey, check out my video series.” But the issue was that they did not even recall who I was, much less have any interest in my video series.
Here’s the takeaway: weekly unique material updates Each week, your name must appear in their mailbox. Through nurturing your subscribers and providing them with weekly free content, they will be prepared to purchase whenever your launch or new offer is available.
4. Avoid kitchen-sink syndrome.
I suffered from “kitchen-sink syndrome” in my early days as an entrepreneur. I included every single technique, tactic, and approach I know in my training. This was my endeavor to demonstrate my expertise on the subject of my course, to ensure that my clients’ questions were addressed, and to justify the cost.
But more is not necessarily better. It is not your audience’s responsibility to sift through all the information or services you provide to discover the outcomes they require; rather, it is your responsibility. People are seeking not only your expertise but also your ability to instruct. Your audience is busy and expects you to provide a solution to their problem as fast and efficiently as possible.
5. Do not be frightened to appear on video.
Direct-to-camera footage in any form is essential. I resisted video for far too long due to insecurity regarding my appearance on camera. One thing I’ve discovered is that more women who are similar to me may find it useful to see examples of other women entrepreneurs showing up in all circumstances. Video can assist in expanding your audience and fostering deep connections with them. The unpleasant feeling fades over time, particularly if you focus on the audience and not on yourself.
I do things my own way, and I do what makes me feel good. Do not believe you must operate your firm identically to another. As long as it is completed, it doesn’t matter how you accomplish it.