You may have seen me use the hashtag #ChaseItDown on social media, and this is what it’s all been leading up to: your free ticket to this exact three-part series. That’s right—we’re going to spend the next three posts talking about how YOU can chase down your goals like a beast this year, and finally build a successful online business.
What is Chase It Down?
It’s a peek at some of my best secrets, summarized from live talks I’ve given all over the world to audiences who paid hundreds or even thousands of dollars to be there. It’s an opportunity to learn and dive deep into the secrets of building a personal brand. And no, I wasn’t kidding up there. It’s free!
But there’s a catch.
You’re only allowed to read this if you promise me, right here and now, that you’re going to take action…
…AS SOON AS YOU FINISH READING.
Yes, I know you’re busy. This is a lot to ask, but let’s consider it a test. I’ve just had one of my busiest years EVER in 12 years, and I’m still trying to recover some days! But if I can keep up a steady, focused pace in the name of growing my own personal brand, so can you. Let’s do it together. Chase It Down will show you how.
So, have you made your promise? Will you take action this month on what you learn in this miniseries? If so, go ahead and keep reading. If not, let’s meet back here when you’re ready.
We’re getting started with some uncomfortable truths that every entrepreneur needs to hear. Four value bombs that have completely changed the way I look at and do business. Read them, remember them, internalize them. You’re going to need them in the next post. 😉
People Want to Do Business with Other People
For so long, we’ve been told to scale our businesses to behemoth status. We’ve aspired to be faceless corporations, and we’ve removed the personality and life from our brands so as to appeal to more customers. This approach is how we’ve ended up with bland brands that we endure rather than evangelize. I bet you can think of a few straight away.
Today, however, we’re learning that a better way to grow is to build a personal brand. Why? Because brands will always want to do business with other brands…but people want to do business with other people. The more of YOU you put into your business, the more loyal your customers and audience will be. That’s all there is to it.
For more: Check out episode #42 of my podcast: Why Building Your Brand Is Paramount to Success!
The Barrier to Entry for Entrepreneurs is at an All-Time Low
Seems like everyone calls themselves an entrepreneur these days. It’s funny that the word used to carry negative connotations—it was almost like telling people you were unemployed!—but now, it’s a status symbol.
The problem, however, is that the lazies have caught on. You heard me. People who’ve never built a business or a personal brand are calling themselves entrepreneurs, and they’re making it harder to stand out when you actually do have a great idea, an audience who needs you, and the drive to make it happen.
The good news is that there IS a way to stand out. (Keep reading!)
For more: Read one of the most important posts I’ve ever written: The Power and Duty of Entrepreneurial Professionalism.
A Business Built on Passion Alone is Destined to Fail
If there’s one thing I can teach you about how to build a successful online business, it’s the following…
And, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the worst reason to go into business is that you’re passionate about something. Why? Because when you do that, you go in blind. You think you’re going to make a bunch of money doing something you love, and you neglect the details that will creep in to take up your working time. I know too many people who’ve closed up shop altogether after realizing that it’s not as easy as it looks to make a living doing something you love. Don’t be one of them.
Go into business because you love business, and because you can solve a problem for people. Without those two ingredients, the passion will fizzle out long before you even get going.
For more: Read about how to frame your passion as a business in Think Like a Business Owner FIRST.
Building a Brand is Easy!
Building a brand is easy IF you create great content consistently. If you promise your audience a 500-word blog post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you had better deliver a 500-word blog post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Your audience will expect it.
Your business will depend on it.
That’s not to say that the above needs to be your publishing schedule. You need to pick something that’s realistic for you. If that’s once a week, fine. If it’s a newsletter instead of a blog, or a YouTube show instead of podcast, fine. Whatever content you’re putting out there, just make it great, and make it consistent. When you prioritize regular, high-value content, you are prioritizing your bottom line.
For more: Read How to Create and Promote a Blog Post Perfectly Every Time and check out episode 9 of my podcast: Developing a Content Marketing Strategy That Converts.
It’s Time to Do What You’ve Promised
Now it’s time to hold up your end of the bargain. You promised me you’d take action this month, but more importantly, you promised yourself.
And not just today, either.
You promised yourself at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey that you’d keep going. That you’d move forward. That you’d chase down your goals.
The next two posts in the Chase it Down series will give you even more resources to get moving this month.
Next week, I will give you the secret behind every personal brand success story.
In two weeks, you’ll get THE solution you’ve been waiting for if your business isn’t converting.
By the time we wrap up, you’ll have taken some giant leaps forward in your business. Your family will love you, your customers will love you, and I’ll love you, too.
And now I’m giving you the floor: share what action you’re taking in your business RIGHT NOW using the hashtag #ChaseItDown.