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As a solopreneur, you will have specialized skills or knowledge that can used to provide services or products to customers. Solopreneurship is a term used to describe running a business independently without needing employees or a team.
Solopreneurship has many advantages, such as increased flexibility, the ability to work from anywhere, and the potential for unlimited income. It also offers creative problem-solving and growth opportunities that can be difficult to find in traditional jobs.
Being a solopreneur can be an incredibly rewarding experience but comes with unique challenges. From managing your finances to dealing with the loneliness of working alone, there are many obstacles that you need to overcome to succeed.
If you’re a solopreneur feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone! This guide aims to give you the tips, strategies, and advice you need to thrive as a solopreneur.
Before going any further, make sure you have the essentials that all successful solopreneurs need: a workspace suite of tools to support their business.
We recommended Google Workspace as it seamlessly brings together messaging, meetings, docs, and tasks—all built with trusted Google security and running on the cleanest global cloud. They’re currently offering a 14-day free trial, which is perfect to give you a taste of their powerful suite of app before signing up.
They also offer incredibly affordable pricing plans so you don’t need to break the bank before bringing in the big bucks in your solopreneur career:
Business Starter: custom email, access to all apps, 30GB storage – Just £5 per month!
Business Standard: custom email, access to all apps, 2TB storage – £10 per month
Business Plus: custom email, access to all apps, 5TB storage – £15 per month
Plans perfected to support your growing business as you bring on more and more clients.
Start your 14-day free trial here
Now, let’s dive in.
The most successful solopreneurs get started here.
Traits that Nearly all Successful Solopreneurs Share
No matter their industry or background, solopreneurs often share common traits that lead to success in their business pursuits. These traits include:
- Self-Motivation: All solopreneurs must be driven and motivated to succeed. They must be able to push themselves and not depend on anyone else for motivation.
- Good time management: Time management is essential for solopreneurs. Without it, they can draw out the timeline for achieving goals and objectives.
- Risk tolerance: Solopreneurs must be willing to take calculated risks to succeed.
- Adaptability: Solopreneurs must adjust quickly to changing environments and trends.
- Focus: Solopreneurs need to have the ability to stay focused and not be easily distracted.
- Creativity: The ability to develop new ideas and solutions is important for solopreneurs.
- Resourcefulness: Making the most of what is available is key for solopreneurs. They must be able to identify opportunities and make the most of them.
- Passion: Passion is essential for solopreneurs. Without it, staying motivated and dedicated to the venture will be hard.
“The only thing worse than starting something and failing… is not starting something.”
As the founder of Squidoo, Seth Godin says
Getting started as a solopreneur is a challenge all on its own. Finishing the race can sometimes feel impossible, though. This quote from Zig Ziglar, author, salesman, and motivational speaker, puts motivation into perspective.
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
8 Things Solopreneurs Can Do to Thrive Long-Term
Undoubtedly, starting a business as a solopreneur can be rewarding. Unfortunately, it’s also an incredibly challenging and daunting task. But with the right tips and strategies, you can thrive as an entrepreneur.
1. Find the right niche
A niche is a specific market in which a business can target and specialize. When a solopreneur can identify and focus on their specialty, they can differentiate themselves from competitors and develop a unique offering.
For example, a freelance writer may specialize in writing for a specific industry rather than offering generalized content services. Likewise, a life coach may target particular demographics, while a virtual assistant may narrow their list of services to a select few.
When a solopreneur finds the right niche, they experience similar results.
- Easier Marketing: Niche marketing allows you to target a specific audience with your message, making reaching people interested in your product or service easier.
- Increased Visibility: By targeting a specific niche, you can become more visible to those interested in your product or service.
- Increased Profitability: By focusing on a particular niche, you can improve your profitability by selling higher quality products or services or charging premium prices for your offerings.
2. Build your personal brand
A solopreneur’s personal brand is the unique identity and image of the business they use to market themselves and their services. It includes the logo, slogan, mission statement, and any other elements that help to define the business.
For solopreneurs, building a brand is essential to success. A strong brand can help to set you apart from the competition and make you more recognizable in the marketplace. It can also create trust and loyalty among your customers, which can help you develop long-term relationships and create a dedicated following.
To build your personal brand, start with a clear mission. Next, identify your goals and know what you want to achieve. Next, create a unique identity. Finally, develop a logo, tagline, and other visual elements (fonts can make or break you) that represent your brand.
Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to promote your brand. Create optimized content for search engines and use SEO best practices. Remember to be consistent in your messaging, visuals, and customer service.
Remember developing an authentic brand takes time. You need a deep understanding of your audience, what differentiates you from competitors, and the values that make you unique. Additionally, it takes time to create content and campaigns that accurately portray your brand’s message and values.
3. Build a community of support
A community of support is important for solopreneurs because it provides the motivation, resources, and connections needed to start and grow their businesses.
Communities of support can offer networking opportunities, help build relationships, provide mentorship, and give access to advice and resources that can be difficult to find on your own. Additionally, having a community of people with similar goals and experiences can provide a sense of camaraderie and accountability that can be invaluable when running a business.
Loneliness can be a real challenge when embarking on a solopreneurship. Here are some ways you can connect with other solopreneurs:
- Join Networking Groups: Join networking groups such as Meetup, LinkedIn, and local professional/business organizations.
- Attend local events: Attend local events such as conferences, seminars, and workshops.
- Utilize social media: Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be a great way to build relationships with solopreneurs and potential customers.
- Host events: Build a community from the ground up by hosting your events, such as webinars, workshops, and meetups.
4. Develop the right tool stack on a budget
A tool stack is a collection of tools, technologies, and services used to create a complete software solution. For example, a tool stack for an entrepreneur might include project management software, design spaces, and collaboration apps.
A spreadsheet-to-app converter is an example of a tool stack component if you’re looking to build custom applications for your business – and keep that process in-house – rather than outsourcing it.
But between annual subscriptions and monthly fees, the cost of developing a tool stack can add up quickly. So here are some tips for designing the perfect solopreneur tool stack on a budget.
- Set a budget: Before you even begin looking for tools, determine how much you can realistically spend. This budget will help you narrow your choices and avoid overspending.
- Identify your needs: Determine what your needs are for the tool stack. Consider the type of work you do and the required features and capabilities.
- Research options: Research the options available, looking at each feature and cost to determine the best fit.
- Test the tools: Test out the tools that you are considering. Make sure they meet your needs and are user-friendly.
If a tool matches your budget, offers solutions, and proves effective during a test, it’s likely earned a spot in your stack. If you’re still overwhelmed by the idea of building a tool stack, check out our Freelancer Toolkit, a list of over 150+ tools and software designed for solopreneurs…
5. Understand the importance of automation
Automation is important for solopreneurs because it can help to streamline processes and save time and money. Automation can reduce the amount of manual labor required, automate mundane tasks, and help maintain a consistent quality level.
But automation is hard! Giving up full control can be challenging for most solopreneurs, especially since they’re used to handling all the details themselves.
If you’re struggling to hand over the reins, begin with simple, straightforward tasks like automating email organization. This organization will help you become comfortable with the process.
6. Find help when you need it
It’s tough to admit, but you can’t do it alone as a solopreneur. There will inevitably be tasks that require more than one person.
For example, if you’re creating a website, you’ll need someone to design it, build it, and test it. You’ll also need help with marketing, accounting, customer service, and other tasks.
Even if you have the skills to do some things, outsourcing them to professionals or other solopreneurs with more experience is often better. That way, you can focus on the core aspects of your business that you’re passionate about and most want to spend your time.
Discuss progress with those you delegate tasks to (use a meeting template to streamline the process), so you can gain new perspectives and insights to help you grow your business.
7. Build a business that fits your lifestyle
As a solopreneur, you can create a business that caters to your needs, priorities, and values.
You can design a business model that accommodates your lifestyle, such as having flexible hours, working remotely, and setting your schedule. You can also choose the type of work that interests you and ensure your business provides the resources and support you need to succeed.
For example, opening a brick-and-mortar retail store might not make sense if you dream of traveling. Likewise, starting a consulting business may only create the lifestyle you want if you’re a fan of meetings.
To thrive as a solopreneur, take the time to plan out your business and make sure it aligns with the lifestyle you want to design.
8. Ride the income waves
As a solopreneur, you’ll likely experience income waves or periods when your income increases and decreases.
The cyclical nature of your business can cause these waves – such as launching new products, seasonal changes, and other market fluctuations. Your income waves can also affect your ability to increase your marketing efforts, develop new offerings, or adjust your pricing.
Income waves can be unpredictable, making it difficult for solopreneurs to plan and budget expenses. Solid wealth management practices, such as diversifying your income streams, can help you confidently ride the waves.
Results of Setting up a Successful Solopreneurship
Finding success as a solopreneur can open up possibilities for your business and personal life.
You will likely experience greater financial security. Financial freedom is an incredibly powerful feeling. You can pay off debt, start college funds for your children, and save for retirement. In addition, it provides a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing you can handle unexpected expenses without worrying.
You may also find yourself with more time to focus on personal goals. Success as a solopreneur can give you the time to pursue passions outside work, such as hobbies, travel, or learning a new skill. It can also make giving back to your community easier by volunteering or becoming involved in meaningful causes.
Finally, success as a solopreneur can also open up new professional opportunities. As your business grows, you may find new opportunities to collaborate with other professionals, grow your network, and expand your client base. In short, finding success as a solopreneur can create many positive ripple effects for your business and personal life.
The freedom, unlimited earning potential, and ability to work where you want, when you want, with whom you want is one powerful combination!
Unlock Your Potential as a Solopreneur
Solopreneurs have to do it all, all day, every day. It’s difficult to offload tasks when you want to maintain control over your work, but it’s essential. Building a business that fits your lifestyle and is aligned with the right audience is another key component of solopreneur success.
When you work with the right tools and processes, you can join solopreneurs worldwide who have found professional success, live a lifestyle of freedom, and feel financially secure.
Want to be recognized as an expert in your field? At Twine, we have dozens of top-quality jobs being posted each and every day. There is a job waiting for your skills in everything from design to marketing, development, and copywriting. Join the marketplace of diverse creative talent here.
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Svitlana Popovska
