HOW TO FIND YOUR NICHE: FIND SOMETHING & STICK WITH IT!

As a social media trainer and consultant, I have been so blessed to be able to guide some of the most amazing people in starting their businesses — and then marketing their businesses, and I LOVE every bit of it!

Something that I’ve seen repeatedly though, are people who keep attending my classes (some for the last almost ten years). Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate repeat attendees, but the people I am speaking of are those who come back only with a different business or business idea each time.

I do believe in multiple streams of income, but we’re talking about completely closing down a business and then starting something completely different. Keep the main business, your main business – and your “side hustles” on the side.

I don’t knock people for trying. Trust me I know what it’s like to feel stuck or have so many ideas in your head you don’t know which way to turn.

I remember when I was in my 20’s, someone told me I “try too hard” because I always thought outside of the box, and was always moving from one thing to another.

From the beginning, I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart — and I always remembered what that person said to me because it was painful to hear.

• I went to culinary school for a degree in restaurant management, and became a chef and a pastry chef.

• I even had a successful catering business for six years until I got burned out.

• I then became an executive assistant to relax a little (ha, ha!).

• Later, I went on to do freelance work as a virtual assistant.

• I coded HTML websites and then started building WordPress websites.

• I wrote grant proposals for churches.

• And, tried several network marketing businesses which I found are for somebody, but they are not for me. 😱

This all sounds funny to me now, but what I didn’t realize was this is what happens to people who are entrepreneurs at heart when left without guidance.

Entrepreneurs are often misunderstood by people who are conditioned to work for someone else.

I was determined to find my something and stick with it. That thing turned out to be marketing and more specifically social media marketing.

I call it one of my God downloads or God-inspired ideas, because most of what I do, I never would have chosen for myself. They just came to me or should I say, they were given to me whether I wanted them or not. LOL! 😄

I’ve been in the social media marketing space since 2009. I started teaching small business owners how to use social media in 2011. I’m to the point where I teach at least three online one-on-one social media classes and do several marketing consultations per week.

Does that tell you that I’ve found my something? It should!

I say all that to encourage you to get unstuck, pick a niche, and stick with it.

• Find out what you are truly passionate about or what you’re good at.

• What can you do with it?

• Is there a need or problem that you can solve around your passion?

• Look around for big problems — especially those no one else wants to touch.

• Who do you want or like to help?

• How can you really help them?

Ask yourself the questions above then do your research to see how you can create a business based on your answers.

Consult with someone to help you put it all together.

Once you’ve put it together, and get your business up and running, please stick with it. Consistency is key. I’ve made it to fifteen years and going strong and you can too!

Remember, Facebook (2004), McDonald’s (1954), and Amazon (1995) were not built in one night, and they are evolving and changing every day. Their owners are constantly learning new things and implementing them into their businesses.

I do the same and so should you. None of us know everything and we never will.

Invest in your business by taking classes, hiring people to help you in areas where you are weak. Keep educating yourself, keep growing and keep building.

One final note, my father who was a wise and very funny man, always said to us, “Be good at what you’re doing when you’re doing what you do good.” Wha-aat?

Let me interpret that for you. Find out what you’re good at, stick to it, and do it with excellence! Let me add, whatever you do, do not go into business for the money only. Always look to help other people when you can. That will give you the greatest return on investment.

How many of you can relate to my story? If you have some ideas and need to bounce them off on someone, let’s talk. Click here  for a FREE 15-minute marketing consultation with me to see if I can help steer you in the right direction.