Take it one step at a time. When I first started my business, I was so uncomfortable about marketing myself and putting myself out there. You only need to be a little ahead of the people you want to help. You know how some people are living a life others want for them, instead of doing what makes them feel good? As an entrepreneur, you will always be doing something out of your comfort zone. Go to networking events, go where your target clients hang out (online or offline), join a group or just start speaking to one person at a time about what you do. And with each client, your confidence builds. Take it one step at a time. It doesn’t have to be a big step, but it does have to be a real step. It takes time to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Take it one step at a time. You get nowhere until you put yourself out there.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When I first started my business, I was so uncomfortable about marketing myself and putting myself out there. For most of us, that’s not something we were raised to do or taught in school. Many of us are taught the opposite.
These days, I see many of my clients struggling with this same challenge. They aren’t sure what to say when asked, “What do you do?” Or they’re afraid to go out and market their product or services. They’re afraid they don’t have enough experience, or are not an expert and people won’t want to hire them.
The only way to get experience is to get some business. And that requires marketing. So what can you do? The key is to get yourself in the right mindset. Here are three mind hacks to help you overcome your fear of marketing yourself:
1. You only have to be one or two steps ahead.
If you are offering a service, you only have to be a step or two ahead of someone to be able to help. If you’re offering a product, you only need to know a little more about the product than they do to help them make an informed choice.
It’s also okay to tell people that you’re just starting out or to say you’ve reduced pricing for a limited time in order to build your new business and gather testimonials.
Keep reminding yourself that you don’t need to be at the finish line — whatever that may be for you. You only need to be a little ahead of the people you want to help. Everyone starts somewhere. As Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Take that step.
2. Get clear on your message.
When you have a clear message, and you know it inside and out, it can give you a much needed boost of confidence to get out…
COMMENTS