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FOR HAPPY, PROFITABLE SELF-EMPLOYMENT
16 May 13

In the early days of going self-employed, it can be so hard to stay motivated. You don’t yet have that steady stream of clients and newsletter sign-ups, a healthy flow of income or an inbox jammed full of raving fans. You don’t yet have that momentum, that traction, to feel confident that, “Yes, this works!”

Give up on the seeds?

MeasuringProgressOfYourBlogIn our garden, we’ve just planted some rocket and lettuce seeds. In these early post-planting days, we could stare at the barren soil, see nothing emerging, and throw up our hands in despair. We could give up the idea as “not working” and walk away – or even dig up those seeds in dismay.

But no. We just have to keep watering. We have to believe something is happening under there, beneath the soil. We have to keep our eyes peeled for those first shoots, those fragile seedlings, pushing up through the surface, giving us signs of life.

Focus on what’s working

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01 May 13

It’s nearly midnight. I’m in bed and I’m crying. As quietly as possible, I reach to take my phone from the bedside table and pull it under the duvet with me, trying to shield the light display so it doesn’t wake Sam, asleep by my side.
MidnightSEOGirlMotif_800px_web
I type a phrase into Google; I wait for the results with hopeful anticipation. I see the list of websites, forums and blogs that show up in response to my phrase; I click the first one and read, and then the next. As I read, increasingly I feel reassured. There are others out there like me, struggling with the same situation. I’m normal, there is hope. I feel relief flooding my body, my tears ebb, I’m calm.

I’ve just done a Midnight Google Search.

Desperately seeking answers

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14 Apr 13

Have you held back from blogging because it feels like too much giving?

People often worry that blogging, or sharing content through social media, teleclasses or webinars, will deplete them as a business owner. They fear that they’ll put in a lot of time, energy and expertise and won’t see a return on that investment.

Here’s a concern from one of the You Inspire Me community:

“I imagine I could provide useful information through my blog, but I’m concerned that if I give away my gems of professional wisdom for free, why would anyone actually pay for my help?”

If you’ve held back from sharing your ideas or information freely, out of fear that no-one will then pay you for anything, it’s time to get familiar with content marketing.

Content marketing

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