Many people see themselves as entrepreneurs. The reality is that many people can start a business and do well—until problems arise. The true test of any entrepreneur is the ability to overcome the obstacles that will inevitably appear to any business person. If you see yourself as a true entrepreneur, compare your traits with the following list of skills that’ll take your game to the next level.
You’ve got to do what you love
It’s only a cliché because it’s still true. If you don’t really like what you’re doing, your motivation will plummet at the first sign of trouble. If you’re just doing this for the money or see this role as transitional until something better comes along, you will sweat even the small business stuff. Enjoying the process is a key trait in successful entrepreneurs and patience, another cliché, is still a virtue.
Be passionate about what you do
You need to be so excited about what you do that you take every chance to deliver your elevator pitch to whoever crosses your path. You may think you have the best idea since Facebook, but most people won’t catch on until later in your business cycle. It took Mark Zuckerberg nearly three years to bring Facebook to the public eye from his college dorm room. It was his constant passion during that time that made him the success he is today and any young entrepreneur should take his persistence to heart.
Become a social networking guru
Today’s successful entrepreneurs know how to use social media to their advantage. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are key to getting your message out to potential customers. Pinterest is an up-and-coming way to share images. Crowdfunding and crowdsourcing can be important sources of start-up funding and labor. Some entrepreneurs do little marketing other than through these venues. Read up on viral marketing, take note of what people like, and keep your content short and engaging.
Become an expert planner
The U.S. Small Business Association cites several major reasons given by author Michael Ames for why small businesses may fail. You’ll find that most of his reasons boil down to poor planning. Some people hate the idea of planning, but there are two very good reasons to do it: Planning creates a roadmap to your success and minimizes any unlikely surprises along the way. If you’re not a big-picture person and love the details, planning will let you see the big picture. If you’re the big-picture type, the plan will give you the details. To be successful, you need both large and small-scale perspectives and a well-developed strategy is an important facet of understanding the wider reality of your business.
Know how to be a risk taker
Some people might say that a great entrepreneur takes risks. This doesn’t mean that you should jump in blindfolded with your arms tied behind your back. If you’re an expert planner and make all the right moves, you’ll have reduced the number and types of risks to your business and you’ll allow for any unexpected ones by having contingency plans in place. It’s the lifeboat you’ll use if your new mega-yacht design idea can’t quite stay afloat! Knowing when and where to take risks is an important skill for all entrepreneurs and spotting the right moment to release and market your product can change your product — hopefully for the better.
A combination of all of these skills along with many other tricks of the trade you’ll learn during the start-up phase of your business will send you in the right direction. Be sure to leave a comment with a trick or tip you might have for your peers and have your voice be heard.