Success for Solopreneurs | Katy Tafoya

Interview with Author, Michelle Goodman

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

This is an interview I did with author, Michelle Goodman back in 2008 when I was writing for Constant Chatter. Since I just recommended her books in a video I did on a few of my favorite books for solopreneurs, I thought I’d share this original interview. At this moment, the links may be dead, but I’ll work on getting them updated or deleted first chance I get.

I love how My So-Called Freelance Life took the freelance idea and actually goes deeper and teaches you the important things you need to know about, like how to get the jobs, how to charge for the jobs, how to handle your clients, where to find the space to call your office, etc. What made you decide to write about freelancing and alternative careers?

People have been asking me how I set my rates, deal with health insurance, and make sure I have enough money to pay my bills since I started working for myself as a freelance writer and editor 16 years ago. Those questions have only increased since The Anti 9-to-5 Guide — which covers flex, temp, contract, overseas, outdoor, and self-employed work — came out last year.

People always want to know, How do you handle hell clients with grace? Negotiate copyrights without sounding like a greedy pig? Work at home without going insane? So I decided to write a “sequel” of sorts, in which I answer as many questions about freelancing as I could cram into 240 pages or so. Hence My So-Called Freelance Life.

Up until somewhat recently, I always thought of a freelancer as someone who was just plain and simply a writer. In your book, you address that many different jobs can be freelancing gigs. So what or who is a freelancer?

There are freelance designers, illustrators, photographers, publicists, translators, editors, indexers, bookkeepers, attorneys, accountants, web programmers, virtual assistants, marketing gurus, business coaches, dog walkers, actors, musicians, masseuses, and on and on and on.

Anyone who works for themselves as an independent professional is a freelancer. In the United States, 20.9 million people work independently. And whether we choose to call ourselves a freelancer, consultant, independent contractor, or small business owner, the work-related issues we face are generally the same. Regardless of whether we hire employees or incorporate, we’re all running our own business — meaning we all have to hunt for clients, ensure our checks arrive on time, and crack our own whip each week to get our work done.

Being a solopreneur and working from home can feel isolating and lonely, where can the average freelancer go to get support or mingle with other freelancers?

There are loads of digital and face-to-face social networks that can help:

Blogs are a great place to start.
Biznik.com is a wonderful online community for independent professionals. But it’s not just a Facebook knock-off. The site is loaded with tips, and many members host and attend free meetups on a regular basis.
The Freelancers Union hosts meetups around the country for freelancers of all fields.
Your friendly neighborhood coworking office space is sure to be frequented by other independent professionals. Maybe you can’t afford to rent a desk there. But surely you can drag yourself out to a free networking event they’re offering.
If you’re a writer or media professional, see mediabistro.com’s regional events and online forum.
You can even meet like-minded freelancers in freelance-specific groups on LinkedIn and Facebook (do a search and see what you find).
Finally, if you’ve never joined an industry-specific professional association, now might be a good time to do so. At the very least, check out their events or join their email discussion list.

Do you have any must haves for the work-from-home freelancer? What helps to keep you sane and organized?

My top must-haves:

A separate office space, even if it’s just a corner of the living room “walled off” with a curtain or screen. That way, you have a bit more separation between you work space and your living space.
A daily routine and schedule so that you, your roommates, and your clients have no question about when you’re at work each day — and when you’re not. This can help you stay on target with projects, even when you’d rather be watching TV.
Caller ID, so you never have to hear from a telemarketer or a friend who’s bored at work while you’re on a deadline.
A backup computer and technically inclined friend (or freelancer you hire) in case your laptop craps out. Not having a computer for an entire business day is not an option.
Project to-do lists, deadline and invoice spreadsheets, and online and offline folders galore. When you’re juggling multiple clients and projects each week, you can never be too anal. If you can’t locate a detail you need in 30 seconds or less, it’s time to take a Saturday off and create a better filing system for yourself.

Are freelancers still able to earn a livable income in this crazy job market?

Yes, most definitely. Freelancers are far cheaper to keep around than staffers, and the dozens of seasoned freelancers I know are doing just fine. We may have had a client or two drop off our radar, but that happens during any given year, not just during a recession. And if we lose work, it’s often because a company is folding, merging, or laying off 10+ percent of staff. A company doesn’t does slash its freelance workforce without slashing the projects those freelancers were working on.

The key is to be endlessly flexible and ultra-informed so you can quickly adapt to changes in the job market — and your industry. Pay attention to industry news so you’re not taken by surprise if a star client tanks or lowers their freelancing budget. Talk to other freelancers to see what they know about the companies you’re working for. Don’t let any one client dominate more than 30 percent of your schedule (if they go belly up, you still have 70 percent of your workload left).

If you predominantly work for the media, you absolutely should be reading GalleyCat so that you’re not the last to know if a beloved paper, magazine, or website slashes its budget. I suggest diversifying into other business sectors too so you’re not standing on such shaky ground (print media is suffering greatly these days). And if you’re only offering clients one skill — for example, writing, editing, designing, coding, bookkeeping, or business consulting — it’s time to broaden your horizons. Writers who also edit, design, consult, teach, or project manage are infinitely more employable than writers who only write.

With “only one in two Americans happy with their jobs” what tips or suggestions do you have for the person that is ready to break free of their current, corporate job?

Start freelancing on the side. It can take several months to a year or more to work up to having a full-time freelance workload. And unless you have six to 12 months’ living expenses saved, you need a paycheck of some sort while you get your freelance business off the ground.
Network you buns off. The idea is to meet as many people in your field as you can, preferably before you leave your day job. Learn from them. Trade ideas with them. Charm them. These may be future clients — or people who will refer you to future clients.
Create a killer online portfolio. Whether you’re an aspiring journalist, web designer, or project manager, start accumulating samples for your portfolio while you still have a day job — that is, while you have easy access to assignments and customers. A web portfolio not only shows you mean business as an independent professional, it saves you loads of time in that “So tell me about your experience” dance. WordPress makes creating a digital portfolio site simple.
Learn to run a business. Half of working for yourself is wooing clients, understanding contracts, managing projects, paying taxes, and making tricky judgment calls. So if you don’t know the first thing about running your own shop, now’s the time to learn. My So-Called Freelance Life can help with that.

Any closing advice for the current freelancer or freelancer-to-be?

I’m a big fan of surrounding yourself with other freelancers, both inside and outside your industry and vocation, both online and off. Not only will they be your biggest source of support and suggestions (say, for where you can get the best price on a new printer, or find an affordable contracts lawyer), they’re likely to be your best source of referrals for new work. I know a lot of people think that self-employed folks have no business “talking to the competition,” but I find that many freelancers are more than happy to share tips, and when a project isn’t right for them, connections.

Posted in Check it Out, How To, Resources, Solopreneurial Life, Women in Biz | Leave a comment

What Do You Do When the Doubts and Fears Come Knocking?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.“

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I’ve noticed that one of the biggest stumbling blocks that soloprenuers make is that they give in to the tiny, self-criticizing voice that likes to exclaim, “who do you think you are?!?!” or “you can’t do that!!” or even “it’ll never work!!”

They often let the fear dictate what they do next…if they do anything at all.

I’ve heard it said from many of my coaches and mentors, that no matter how successful you are, no matter how much money you make, you still experiencing moments of fear and doubt. It happens with every launch, every interview, every speaking event. It just happens.

So instead of giving in to this rude and often obnoxious voice, why not figure out ways to use it to your advantage?

Maybe create a mantra that you can repeat over and over when the fears and doubts kick in? How about something like “I am exactly where I need to be.” Or my new favorite “I will continue to stand in my power as a successful business owner.“ Or maybe even something short and sweet like “I know my shit!” or “My people are waiting for me to do this!”

Take a moment to acknowledge your fears and doubts. Maybe even have a little chat with them explaining that you completely understand that they’re just trying to keep you safe, but that you need to do this anyway – and if you need their help, you’ll be sure to call on them first and foremost.

Create a list or two. Maybe one list that notes all the amazing and successful things that you’ve done in your life – you’d be surprised just how many times you’ve already succeeded. This one you can look over when you need that boost. And maybe another list of the people that you’ve helped, inspired or influenced.

Set the intent. We’ve talked about this before…create the energy and the intent that things will go exactly as they need to go. It will happen effortlessly, gracefully, and for the good of all involved.

While you’re at it, try a little visioning or write out how you would love things to go. I think this is one of my favorite tools. If I can focus on how things will work out well, and what that will look like, feel like, sound like, etc, it’s hard to listen to those nay-saying voices.

Another suggestion is to spend a little time imagining the worst thing that could happen. I’m usually such a Pollyanna that I don’t go there, but I’ve seen it work with my clients. You realize that that “worst possible thing” is really so far to the extreme that the likely “it could happen” becomes nothing more than a pebble in your path.

So don’t worry about those fears and those voices. If you’ve got a plan on how to work with them (notice I didn’t say “deal with them”) then you’ll be better prepared and ready and willing to be the success you know you were meant to be.

What do you do when you start to doubt yourself and your expertise?

Posted in How To, Solopreneurial Life, Women in Biz | 3 Comments

Google Privacy Policy Changes 3/1: How to Delete Your Google Search History [video]

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

As you may or may not be aware, Google is changing up their policies regarding your search history, tomorrow, March 1st. As such, you might want to take a moment and clear out your search history and opt-out of tracking your future search history.

This quick video will walk you through the process of opting out of their search history.

For more information regarding their new privacy policy, you can read the actual Google policy, or you can check out this PC World article or this Chicago Tribune myths and realities article to help you get a better understanding of these new changes.

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Sarah Wilson’s creativity tip: fake it and you always make it

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Guest

I happen to be a long time fan of the “fake it ’til you make it” train of thought. It’s actually how I got so hooked on affirmations. I learned early on, that saying the words and believing in the power of the words was just as powerful as believing the words (if that makes sense).

And while you might not be able to fake everything (especially when it comes to specifics skills or tasks), you can fake feeling like you ARE that person or acting how you think that person would behave in a similar situation. You know I might not BE Oprah, but I can still ask myself how Oprah would handle a particular situation and then doing just that. It’s some powerful mojo!

Here’s to faking it…

It upsets me sometimes that so many people stand back from what they really want to do because they don’t think they’re good enough, or don’t have the skills, or won’t ever be a great painter/swimmer/public speaker/writer/jewellery maker/jumper knitterer. So why bother.

But the more creative people I meet, the more I know this: rarely do you start out good at anything. You become it.

And not through anything particularly sloggish. But by just doing it.

Now. No run-up or special conditions.

And by getting messy. And being bad at it.

And while you’re getting good you fake it. You pretend you know what you’re doing, until you do.

Because it’s in the faking it – the role-playing – that you become it.

Take Michelangelo. His rivals persuaded Junius II to hire him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. They knew Michelangelo didn’t use color and had never painted in fresco. They were sure he would turn down the commission because he’d be too scared to fail, or he’d accept and stuff it up. The former they’d use as proof of his lack of talent. The latter…well, the amateur results would show him up as a failure.

Michelangelo accepted the gig. And this is what happened.

He showed up. He decided he was a painter who could paint in fresco and colour.

He did the work. He went through the motions.

Thus, he became a fresco painter who captured colour better than anyone in, arguably, history.

You become what you do. So you just do. You fake it in the early stages. You copy and emulate and feel like a fraud for a while.

By pretending, role-playing, you absorb and build up muscle.

I wasn’t a great writer. In fact, at high school I got straight As in science and maths and Bs in English. But I wrote and wrote, because I liked to, and took on writing gigs and slowly I became a writer. You can read the full drill here. I took on gigs I wasn’t ready for and told people, “yep, I can do it”. I got my first journalism job by telling the editor of Sunday Magazine I could redesign their food pages. I went home and spent the weekend learning Quark and studying restaurant reviews in my favourite mags – how did they open their reviews? how did they balance out critique? – and fronted up on Monday with… something. I was a fake, and I knew this. But this in itself spurred me on to keep doing it – to study and read and re-do my copy over and over. I developed my own style by being crap in the beginning and feeling awkward about this. If I’d been born a good writer, I wouldn’t have refined and strived.

So. What I’m saying is. Just start doing what you like doing. And become it.

Make sense?

Sarah is an Australian media personality, journalist and blogger with an integrated voice across television, radio, magazines, newspapers and online. She’s the former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and was the host of the first series of MasterChef Australia, the highest rating show in Australian TV history. She’s now the host and program developer for Foxtel’s Lifestyle YOU, and is a commentator and fill-in host on Channel 7′s Sunday Night, The Morning Show and Sunrise and The Ten Network’s Good News Week and The Project. You can read more articles like this at here blog, www.SarahWilson.com.au

Posted in How To, Solopreneurial Life, Women in Biz | Leave a comment

Stay on the Path and You’ll Get Where You Need to Be [video]

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

While I was out sick this past week, I reached a point where I had to get out of the house. Luckily, I remembered that one of our local (and massive) cemeteries has a replica of the labyrinth at Notre Dame Cathedral at Chartres, France. So I decided that it was a beautiful day and the perfect time to walk the labyrinth.

As suggested, I posed a question prior to beginning my meditative walk. Being sick and dealing with what seemed to be a fairly congested head (ha!) I posed the simple “what do I need to know” question. The video below shares what I learned during my meditation.

Posted in Solopreneurial Life, Women in Biz | Leave a comment

Christine Kane: How to Be Wealthy Now (When You Wanna Get Rich Quick)

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

I have been a fan of Christine Kane’s for a few years now. In fact, I’m sure you’ve noticed that I share a lot of quotes, articles and tips from her. I’ve taken both her Uplevel Your Life and her Uplevel Your Business programs and I can’t rave about them enough (you may have even noticed that I’ve been one of her featured testimonials a time or two).

I wanted to keep you in the loop and let you know that she has a great, FREE call coming up called 7 Secrets to Creating Unwavering Focus and Unstoppable Success in Uncertain Times. I wholeheartedly encourage you to register for this free call. I’ve yet to listen to any of her calls and not come away with inspiration, ideas and pages of notes. You can get all of the details here.

And in the mean time enjoy this great article on How to Be Wealthy Now (When You Wanna Get Rich Quick)

How to Be Wealthy Now (When You Wanna Get Rich Quick)
Written by Christine Kane

Here’s a question to ask yourself at random times:

Am I getting? Or am I being?

When it comes to new paradigms and big dreams, think about this:

Getting somewhere is not an option. There is no there to get to.

You gotta just be there. Experience the feelings and the sheer knowingness of that thing you want.

When it comes to wealth, people often struggle because they spend their lives trying to get rich.

When you’re successful, you’re successful now. Artists know this principle well. You don’t wait to get creative before you create. You just create. And that is what makes you creative.

The same is true with prosperity.

Sound like a load of hooey?

I hear ya! (And doubt is a drag, pal.)

All I can say is that it worked (and works!) for me. Here are nine simple ways you can BE rich starting right now…

1 – Get on a schedule.

If you have debt, or regular payments of any kind – then automate it, or put it on a schedule. Paying a tiny amount regularly is better than waiting for the big pay-day to arrive.

That’s because waiting for rescue drains your creative energy. When you schedule things, you eliminate reactivity. This liberates you.

2 – Fill your gas tank.

I was pretty broke when I first left my job and started out on my own. One of my broke-person habits was to put only five dollars in the tank when I went to the gas station.

One day, I decided to fill up my tank. A seemingly trivial decision, yes. But I felt so rich that I’ve never considered not filling up my tank since then.

3 – Count Leaves.

The creator of this Universe didn’t fret about abundance. There was no budget committee to oversee whether all the trees should get leaves. “Maybe we should only put leaves on a few trees. Otherwise we might run out.”

It sounds ridiculous. But that’s how most of us spend our mental energy.

Count the leaves as they pop out all over this Spring! Observe sand on the beach. Watch a river for a few hours. It just keeps coming! You’re a part of this flow. Remember that.

4 – Give.

The world would be quite a wild place if everyone gave constantly. Tithing is the most outrageous act of courage I know. It says, “Thank you. This isn’t mine anyway, so have some of it.”

Giving creates space. And space gets filled up again. If you feel poor, try giving some away.

5 – Eliminate nervous habits.

Think dignity. Think Princess Grace or Katharine Hepburn. Would these women of stature and wealth ever stand in the grocery aisle biting their nails because the price of organic oat groats had gone up?

Nervous habits are acts of lack. (I call them Lactions.) Lack of trust. Lack of abundance. Begin letting go by taking a deep breath and remembering trust.

6 – Start a Gratitude Journal.

If you have the “not enoughs,” then every night, write down 5 things for which you are grateful.

Remember this: Energy flows where attention goes. Put your attention on joy, beauty, wealth. Celebrate even the smallest gains – your first new client, the bold decision to raise your rates, the great ideas that keep coming, the joy you get when you play with your dog. (The list is endless.)

7 – Get a million-dollar bill.

I got my first million-dollar bill from a gumball machine about 7 years ago. I put it in my wallet. It made me happy whenever I paid for something and saw it in there.

Last year, my business made close to two million dollars. Was it because of that million-dollar bill? You decide. (Either way, you’re right.)

8 – Happily pay for services.

My clients often thank me for letting them pay me. (No, I’m not kidding.)

This is a divine attitude towards money and service.

I try to have his attitude every time I sign a check. I make sure to acknowledge the value of that service or product. The attitude with which you pay for things (the outflow) creates the manner of the in-flow. It’s one big cycle.

9 – Uplevel your language.

Stop announcing: “I can’t afford that.”

Tell yourself instead: “I’m choosing not to do that right now.”

Stop saying: “I’m broke.”

Start saying: “My bank account hasn’t caught up with my seven-figure business yet!”

Remember this: Your language is your creativity. It is one of the simplest places to start being rich.

If you are ready to CREATE bigger outcomes in your life and UPLEVEL your mindset, success, and wealth – then don’t miss Christine’s one-time-only free Training Call, entitled “REVEALED: The 7 Steps for Unwavering Focus and Unstoppable Success in Uncertain Times.” She promises to deliver all the tips, tools and techniques you need to make 2012 your best year ever! Click here for details!

Christine Kane is the Mentor to People Who are Changing the World. She helps women and men Uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly Uplevel You eZine goes out to over 20,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at www.christinekane.com.

TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? See Christine’s blog at ChristineKane.com/blog.

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What’s the Power Behind the Mastermind?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.”

~ Napoleon Hill

While you may be hearing more and more about people getting involved with Mastermind groups, the concept itself has been around since the early 1900′s. It all started with Napoleon Hill and his classic book, “Think And Grow Rich.”

In this well known book, he wrote about the Mastermind principle as two or more people working together toward a specific, definite purpose in the “spirit of harmony.” Accordingly he continues that, “No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind.”

I’ve been involved on and off in Mastermind groups since late 2008. They come in all sorts of variations: live and in person; virtual (usually over the phone, sometimes via the internet); small private groups; larger groups with an open door policy that are always open to new members and much more.

Basically, if you can find a group of like-minded people that are willing to support you and your business through your challenges and your successes while you offer up the same support, then you can create a Mastermind group. In fact, in many ways, my Masterminding experience has brought me to my current day love of accountability groups.

Many people might think that there’s no real reason to join a “group” but they don’t understand that the group is what makes the Mastermind process what it is. Or as Hill puts it…”no two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third.” And that’s the energy that you want…that third “mind” so to speak. Let’s face it, you haven’t had a good brainstorming session if you haven’t brainstormed with others – the give and take, the back and forth, that’s what you’re looking for.

In fact, when you’re part of a group, you realize that you’re not as alone as you thought (I know, I know, bear with me here). When you’re isolated and have little interactions with others – as solopreneurs and freelances are often wont to do – you don’t realize that something that you might be having challenges with is, in fact, something that others have experienced and come through or might currently be experiencing. You realize that your obstacles are shared by others.

And sometimes, being there for someone else’s breakthrough can spark a new thought or idea or even a breakthrough for you. When you come down to it, it only takes one great idea to propel you forward in a great way. Or just as good, your thought, input or question could help someone in your group make some big changes in their business or life. Because sharing ideas and brainstorming definitely stimulates some healthy challenges and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone.

Dan Kennedy may have said that “being an entrepreneur is the loneliest job on the planet.” But Katy, we both know it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you haven’t yet participated in a Mastermind group, I encourage you to seek one out. Do a search online and maybe check out Meetup.com. Or start a group yourself. There are no hard set rules so you can make it what you want it to be.

Here are some thoughts I recently shared about Masterminding…

What are your thoughts and experiences with Mastermind Groups?

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The Power of the Profile

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

“An image is not simply a trademark, a design, a slogan or an easily remembered picture. It is a studiously crafted personality profile of an individual, institution, corporation, product or service.”

~ Daniel J. Boorstin

One of the complaints I hear regularly from people is that they don’t seem to be getting the results they’d hoped for using various social networking platforms. Aside from the standard “create a strategy” first step (an article entirely on it’s own), I have to then ask “are you using your profile effectively?”

Handsome Charlie

Your profile is a lot like your business card. It’s a snapshot of who you are and what you do. And quite often, it’s the first impression that people have of your and your business. So it’s something worth getting right.

The better your profile, the more thorough and concise your profile, the more likely you’ll attract the right people. This little snapshot of you can either turn people on, or turn them off. It’s definitely worth the few minutes it will take to tweak.

Typically, a social media profile (or any standard profile for that matter) allows you to share your username (or your full name), a photo (or avatar), and an abbreviated bio. And in may cases, some will also allow for your URL.

Four things to keep in mind when creating your profile…

Keep Your Username the Same Across All Networks. Your goal here is establish a strong online presence and to build your brand. So whenever possible, keep it consistent and keep it simple. If your name is too common (Mary Smith) you might want to try going with business name or a nickname (Mary the teacher, Coach Mary, etc.). But again, keep it consistent, keep it simple and make sure it’s easy to spell.

Write a Compelling Bio. Your bio tells the story of who you are and what you do. Claim your expertise – don’t be afraid to talk yourself up a bit. Share your Unique Selling Point (USP) and what makes working with YOU different than working with someone else in the same niche or market. Give them a reason to take action and want to connect with you further. I offer a great process for creating a good bio in my Beyond Social Media Intensive.

Include A Link to Your Website or Blog (even if there isn’t a space for it). The other half of your profile is letting people know where they can go to find you and find out more about what you do. So be sure to include a link (even if for some reason there isn’t an allotted space for one). Don’t list every link (unless there’s a space for that). Instead link to one place that you think best represents who you are and what you do. Decide, is that your website, your blog, your Facebook Page, your article listings, your newsletter opt-in, or even a master site where you can share all the places you can be found.

Use a Personal Photo For Your Avatar. I think sharing your photo can sometimes be the scariest part of creating an online presence.Whether we like it or not, we will get judged on our photos. Which is why it’s important to put your best face forward. It doesn’t have to be a professional headshot. It just needs to be a clear, cropped image that lets people know there’s a real person behind your business – someone they can get to know, like and trust. And don’t be afraid to be a bit quirky and let your personality shine. I know quite a few big name experts that regularly change up their photos for holidays by changing the overall hue of the photo or by adding birthday or Santa hats.

These four simple steps won’t take much time to take action on. I think you’ll find that with a strong profile, a clear statement of what you do, a link to your site or blog and a good photo, you’ll be more likely to attract your idea friends, fans and followers. And better still, you’ll be a step ahead of others in your field.

BONUS: I recommend creating profiles on: LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook (of course – the big three of social media), Biznik and Ladies Who Launch – even if you don’t plan on being active on any of them. Of course there are many others that you can sign up for (I provide a master list and tracker in my Beyond Social Media Basics Intensive).

And a great tool to help you double-check that your name in various social networks is FriendsCall.me

What steps will you take to make your profile more powerful?

Posted in Check it Out, How To, Online Presence, Resources, Solopreneurial Life, Women in Biz | Leave a comment

Masterminding & Finding Support for Your Business [video]

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

Have you been wanting to find more support for your business? Have you considered joining a Mastermind Group. As I finished up my final day with my current group of Girl Geniuses, I wanted to share some thoughts with you.

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Why Do You Need a Strong Online Presence?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Katy Tafoya

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine.”

~ Dwight L. Moody

Let’s get this out on the table first thing…YOU, my dear friend are an expert. Whether you believe it just yet or not.

You see, you are a business owner. You either sell products, sell services or sell yourself. And the only way you can provide any of that, is if you know what you’re doing. And if you know what your doing and just what it is that makes your product or services great, then you have expertise.

So now we just need to claim that expertise and get it out there in front of others. What better way to reach more people than to have a strong online presence?!?

If you’re reading Success for Solopreneurs, then you’re more than likely wearing many hats and taking on many different roles in your business. There’s nothing wrong with this set up. But know that it doesn’t have to be that way (an article for another day).

When it comes down to it, any way you slice it, whether you want to admit it or not, YOU are your own sales and marketing team. Everything you do, everything you say, everything that shows up online, speaks about you and your business. It either entices people to want to get to know you better and work with you, or it turns them away.

Which means that you need to have a strong online presence so that you can be found. And just as important, you need to give people the chance to get to know you.

And it needs to be more than just a basic website or a couple of social networking accounts.

Basically you want someone to be able to Google your name, or the name of your business and know, without a doubt, that you know your shit and that they want to work with you or recommend your services or resources to others.

And how would they know this?

By seeing that you take up multiple (and relevant – this is the key) pages where you share your expertise. This could be through professional profiles, group and organization memberships, articles you’ve written (especially when they’ve been republished with your byline), videos you’ve created, interviews you’ve participated in, and of course, your current and up to date, website.

Why is having a strong online presence important? I’ll give you two good reasons…

It establishes your expertise. The stronger your online presence is – and the more relevant listings you take up in a search – says a lot about you, the business owner, and how well you know your stuff. The more you share your expertise across the web (and in a variety of ways), the more you appear to the be the expert that you truly are. And the coolest perk…the more frequent, more relevant and more current the websites that mention you, the more likely you’ll show up higher in the search results for those key words or phrases found on those pages. Talk about win/win!

But don’t worry or get too hung up on this “expert” moniker. At any given time, you know more than someone else about your particular topic, business or product…and that means you have expertise to share. So share it!! And for what it’s worth, often times, people like to work with others that can relate to where they are and the struggles or challenges that might be facing – which translates to…they’ve been there, done that, and came out the other stronger and smarter.

It let’s you share your personality. Having a strong online presence let’s people know what it might be like working with you. They get an idea of how you share and present your ideas and what kind of person you might be. I’ve said it before, people work with people that they know, like and trust. And the only way for someone to get to like and trust you is to get to know you. The only way they can get to know you, is if you get out there and make your presence known.

Does this take time? Sure, all aspects of running a business take time. But the good news is that once you claim your expertise, start actively working on your online presence and share your expertise, things will expand and grow. Your one page of search results will grow into two, your two pages into five and so on and so on.

People are starving for quality information. People are looking for someone to share their knowledge. And your right people (your peeps, your tribe) will recognize you when they see you. So your job is to get out there and get busy creating your online presence.

If you’d like some tips on getting started creating your online presence, check out my ebook here ➻ http://eepurl.com/cAlC — if you haven’t yet picked up your copy of my complimentary ‘5 Simple Steps For Creating A Strong Online Presence‘ ebook (don’t worry, you won’t be on the Success for Solopreneurs list twice – unless you sign up using a different email address than we already have on file).

I invite you to leave a comment below sharing what steps you’ve taken (or plan to take) to expand your online presence.

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