5 answers
Deandre
Student
Waynesboro, Virginia
2
Questions
Asked
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What are the best ways to keep people interested in the business you are trying to start?
Like what are ways people have used to stay engaged with the business you have put so much effort into
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5 answers
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
101
Answers
Oakland Park, Florida
Updated
Racheal’s Answer
Hi Deandre,
This is a great question and I hope you get multiple responses. I started my own business in 2022, right after i graduates from my PhD.. I was not sure, however a friend of mine that I met working, told me to do it; we were laid off from the company we were working for due to poor communication and lack of awareness on how to use their clinicians/employees. I was nervous because I too wanted to determine how to you keep going, because at any time a client can leave and never return or you don't get clients for a while.
I think for me I recognize the importance of the skills I learned which is the point of getting education, alone with reminding myself of how I'm helping to solve a problem impacting the community at large so why give up.
Considering a realistic point of view, helps me to keep going and knowing I have a love to offer so why not me?!
With this mindset, I have been going strong, and many clinicians have moved on to different outlets. This is not to say that these clinicians left out the field because they don't have my mindset, they all choose different paths. However, my point is, identify a realistic point of view of what your business is all about, balance time (make sure to take time off), and be curious about change and development. I know this is what I do and this is how I keep going. Hope this helps.
This is a great question and I hope you get multiple responses. I started my own business in 2022, right after i graduates from my PhD.. I was not sure, however a friend of mine that I met working, told me to do it; we were laid off from the company we were working for due to poor communication and lack of awareness on how to use their clinicians/employees. I was nervous because I too wanted to determine how to you keep going, because at any time a client can leave and never return or you don't get clients for a while.
I think for me I recognize the importance of the skills I learned which is the point of getting education, alone with reminding myself of how I'm helping to solve a problem impacting the community at large so why give up.
Considering a realistic point of view, helps me to keep going and knowing I have a love to offer so why not me?!
With this mindset, I have been going strong, and many clinicians have moved on to different outlets. This is not to say that these clinicians left out the field because they don't have my mindset, they all choose different paths. However, my point is, identify a realistic point of view of what your business is all about, balance time (make sure to take time off), and be curious about change and development. I know this is what I do and this is how I keep going. Hope this helps.
Caleb Grose
Restaurant Consultant
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Caleb’s Answer
I love this question and like some of the answers before, I'm glad you are receiving multiple answers, as this is a complex conversation. I'll lead with SEO, which is Search Engine Optimization. In today's world, the majority of consumers are researching online prior to making a purchase. Whether it's looking at reviews, pricing, or competition it is important to remain high atop that person's list.
Search Engine Optimization is a fancy way of saying that your business shows up high on the list when someone searches for a product or service you provide. Most consumers do not go to the second page of a google search, instead they find an option available in front of them. You want to ensure that you have the best SEO possible. I could write a novel on how to achieve this, but I think it is better to take courses and/or read about how to achieve this from actual experts. There are also very inexpensive third party solutions that you can pay to increase your SEO. I hope this helps and you should be very proud that you're already thinking this critically about this process.
Research SEO and understand the undertaking and/or expense that is required.
Search Engine Optimization is a fancy way of saying that your business shows up high on the list when someone searches for a product or service you provide. Most consumers do not go to the second page of a google search, instead they find an option available in front of them. You want to ensure that you have the best SEO possible. I could write a novel on how to achieve this, but I think it is better to take courses and/or read about how to achieve this from actual experts. There are also very inexpensive third party solutions that you can pay to increase your SEO. I hope this helps and you should be very proud that you're already thinking this critically about this process.
Caleb recommends the following next steps:
Robert Epstein
General Manager
83
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
To keep people interested in my businesses in the past, I’ve done a few things.
1. If they were a part of my business directly, I’d give them a share of the profits. Besides a salary, they could have a percentage of my profits; for example, I’d offer them 5% or more of my bottom line profits. Or perhaps give them a small percent of owning the business itself. It depends on their extent of contribution to the company.
2. Also, I'd consider giving them one-time cash bonuses or gifts each year, if it was a successful one.
3. If they’re not actual participants in the business (e.g., if they lent me a helping hand or donated some equipment), I’d give them nice Christmas gifts or occasionally treat them to seats for their favorite sports team's game, etc.
And ALWAYS, keep genuinely thanking them for the good things they do to help you.
1. If they were a part of my business directly, I’d give them a share of the profits. Besides a salary, they could have a percentage of my profits; for example, I’d offer them 5% or more of my bottom line profits. Or perhaps give them a small percent of owning the business itself. It depends on their extent of contribution to the company.
2. Also, I'd consider giving them one-time cash bonuses or gifts each year, if it was a successful one.
3. If they’re not actual participants in the business (e.g., if they lent me a helping hand or donated some equipment), I’d give them nice Christmas gifts or occasionally treat them to seats for their favorite sports team's game, etc.
And ALWAYS, keep genuinely thanking them for the good things they do to help you.
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
If your business is your main livelihood, you often are more interested in it because if it's working well then you have money to pay your bills. But if your business is something you just don't like anymore, you can certainly see about closing it down or trying to sell it or whatever. But if it's just work that you find hard or your business isn't thriving and so it's hard to want to get up and work everyday, consider looking at something like this workbook (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/2017/14678_sgmb_book_eng.pdf?lang=eng) to get ideas for what you could tweak, in order to have things running better; and having things running better can give you more motivation and enthusiasm.
Albert Wolak
Financial Analyst
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Albert’s Answer
There are 2 ways to make sure people stay motivated and excited about your business:
1. Stay excited, stay motivated, keep the enthusiasm. If you aren't energized and feel passionate about what you are working on, no one else will be. Convey this energy and emotion and others will follow. People want to be led by a positive-minded go-getter. Be that leader and both your employees and customers will follow.
2. Make sure you are solving your customer's pain-points. Once you identified who your customer segment is, make sure you are constantly getting feedback from them on how you are solving issues relevant to them. At the end of the day, this business is more about your customers and employees than about yourself. If you are solving their problems, you will naturally have people invested in what you are doing.
1. Stay excited, stay motivated, keep the enthusiasm. If you aren't energized and feel passionate about what you are working on, no one else will be. Convey this energy and emotion and others will follow. People want to be led by a positive-minded go-getter. Be that leader and both your employees and customers will follow.
2. Make sure you are solving your customer's pain-points. Once you identified who your customer segment is, make sure you are constantly getting feedback from them on how you are solving issues relevant to them. At the end of the day, this business is more about your customers and employees than about yourself. If you are solving their problems, you will naturally have people invested in what you are doing.