The past couple of years have been an eye-opening journey. I’ve experimented relentlessly, experienced huge successes and even bigger failures. I’ve learned and absorbed along the way.
By no means do I have it all figured out. But as we close out 2013, I wanted to assemble a roadmap for the digital entrepreneur in 2014.
This list resolutions is as much for me as it is for you. I need these reminders as well.
Following is a collection of words I will continue to try and live by as digital entrepreneur…
1. Don’t Follow the Herd
Before you’ve established a loyal audience or a stable business, a lack of confidence is understandable. But it’s holding you back from success.
When something is unpopular, you’ll be tempted to respond with the same tone as the other big names in your industry.
When something is unclear, you’ll be tempted to copy the recommendations offered by others.
But taking these paths is precisely what’s keeping you from being a leader. It’s preventing you from establishing a true voice and building a raving community.
If you don’t add anything new, you’re no more valuable than an RSS feed. You are Google Reader. You are replaceable.
Your highest priority should be to establish your own voice. Don’t go against the grain for the sake of disagreement. Do it because you know it’s the right thing to do.
Not following the herd can be scary. But you’ll stick out from the noisy crowd, and you’ll gain respect for it.
2. Be Helpful
That leads us here…
If you regurgitate what others are saying, you aren’t being helpful.
The goal of your content should be to provide value to the lives of your readers in some way. Usually it will be to educate or entertain.
Know the questions your target audience is asking. Know how much detail they need to answer those questions. And then answer them.
Some seem to think that helping people and making money are contradictory goals. They aren’t.
Create content and products with the goal of making the lives of your target customer better. The minute you’ve lost this focus, you are on the path to failure.
3. Don’t Sell Out
And of course, that leads us here…
As your business and audience grow, you will begin getting numerous partnership opportunities. You will notice that if you recommend a product, people listen. And you will see dollar signs.
I’m not suggesting you avoid all partnerships. I’m not telling you that affiliate marketing is bad.
But be selective. Be careful about the brands you associate with. Only promote the products you use and love.
There is a very fine line here. And I fully appreciate needing to make a buck. But you can’t make a buck at the expense of trust.
You’ll know the minute you’ve gone too far. It won’t feel right. And if you don’t pull back, you’ll quickly lose the trust of your audience.
As a reader, I’ve gone through this cycle many times. It’s disappointing when I reach the point where I no longer trust the author I once respected.
Understand that you’ve been able to build an audience through trust. You provide value. But that value takes a hit when your intentions lose focus.
If your partnerships and affiliate marketing aren’t 100% in line with your goal of providing pure value to your audience, you’ve sold out.
4. Establish Personal Business Ethics
That leads us here…
What feels “wrong” to me may not feel wrong to you. But you need to mark a line in the sand.
Make a list of the things you definitely will not do. It’s your personal business ethics constitution. Trust me, you’re going to need this later.
There is a lot of gray area in the entrepreneurial world. And if you haven’t navigated it before, you’ll be confronted with many tough decisions for the first time.
Sit down and provide clarity on your business goals. Who is your ideal customer? Who is your ideal partner
