With millions of small businesses starting every year, taking more risks can help your business stand out from your competitors. Did you know that 42% of failed businesses don’t offer anything new? If you’re anything like me, I like every step to be calculated and that each step I take is guaranteed to be a success. I want every step I make in my business to be one step toward moving the business forward. But building a business is never that easy. Or everyone would be doing it, right?
When you’re a small business, it’s easy to follow the steps of those who went before you. You might see an entrepreneur who makes 7-figures in their business, and their business is similar to yours so you replicate your business after theirs because you know that they’ve been able to achieve success, and if it worked for them, it might work for you. But the thing is, people don’t need you to be another them. They need YOU.
1. Stop trying to be like everyone else
When you try to be like everyone else, you’re playing small by not showing up for your audience as who you genuinely are. Maybe it’s because you’re not sure who you are as a brand just yet, not confident that your business will be a success, or maybe you feel like you wouldn’t be accepted if you showed up as yourself. Just remember that people who do things a little differently are leaders in their industries because they end up breaking the mold.
2. Be willing to try something different
If you want to be a leader in your industry or leave a memorable impression on your target audience, you’ll want to try to shake things up by sharing your unique perspective. Have you ever scrolled through social media or even at websites to find that everything looks the same? Be open to taking risks and catch your audience’s attention by trying something different.
When I first graduated from University, everyone told me that my résumé had to be laid out and written in a specific way. But I never did things the way I was told. And because my résumé was so different from everyone else, it gave me so many opportunities to interview with (and end up working with) some amazing companies.
3. Share your own unique experiences
It can feel a little awkward sharing your stories with strangers especially if you’re a private person, but people appreciate transparency. And honestly, they want authenticity. People want to be able to connect with people who have shared similar experiences. The more honest you are, the more of an impact you’ll make. Being authentic can feel risky, but people want to get to know your business. They want to feel like they can trust the brands they choose to be a part of.
4. Go with your gut
Sometimes when we don’t know if we should play it safe or take a risk, always go with your gut. Your intuition is sometimes your best guide when making decisions in your business. If you played it safe, would you feel good about making that decision? Or is there something deep inside you that tells you to push the envelope?
I once decided to play it safe on a skills test I had to complete for a company I wanted to collaborate with. My gut told me to do something different and creative, but they had certain parameters that I needed to follow, and I chose to play it safe and created something I thought they wanted to see. I didn’t end up moving forward in the process and wasn’t able to collaborate with them. To this day, I regret playing it safe. I’m sure that if I showed them what I was capable of, I would’ve had a chance to work with their company.
5. You decide what’s possible
There will be people who say that what you want to do is impossible. You could even be wrestling with your own fears and doubts. But don’t let anyone, not even you, decide what you can or cannot do. People are always shattering records and doing the impossible. So why can’t that person be you? You get to decide what’s possible.
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Until next time,
Happy Branding!
