Top 10 Rules of Being a Successful Entrepreneur

No matter if we’ve ever dreamed of opening up our own place of business, or we’ve already realized that dream and run an international corporation, the fact remains that creating and running a business can be very consuming .

But, just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean you’re utterly going to fall flat on your face. In fact, here are ten things you can work on as an entrepreneur that will help to ensure your long term success:

1. Be Bold - If you blend in with other businesses you’re going to have lots of trouble. Nobody is going to seek you out to do business with you. Don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd. Toot your own horn. Be opinionated. Take a position.

2. Be Passionate – In order for you to be successful and to put in the amount of effort needed, you need to be in love with what you’re doing. I mean, don’t be more head over heels with your business than you are with your friends and family, but if your business doesn’t get you aroused, you obviously shouldn’t be doing it.  For example, I adore Facebook and Twitter so I added a social media manager segment to my business.

3. Be a Problem Solver – Your customers shy away from pain (problems) and towards delight (solved problems). Pay attention to the word “can’t.” If you can make a product or service that turns a “can’t” into a “can” you are setting yourself up for a very successful, long-term business experience.

4. Subscribe to the “Yes, And…” Principal – It’s pretty easy to say no. Next time you catch yourself about to say no, say, “yes, and…” For example, let’s say you’re approached by a firm that wants to market with you, but isn’t necessarily in your target niche. You’d usually say no without a second thought, but this time you say, “yes, and let’s discuss how we can make this more mutually beneficial business partnership instead of a paid advertising transaction.” Maybe nothing will come of it, but something might.  That’s what happened with me when I was approached to put together some Twitter software.  I’d never once thought of doing it before, but now that I have, I’m very (financially) happy with the results.

5. Be Curious – Always be asking questions! Why? Why not? How? WTF?!? This will help you run your business more expeditiously, offer things your customers want right now, and help you find “the next big thing.”

6. Learn to Delegate – Accounting, legal stuff and nonsense, marketing, operations… the list goes on and on. You can’t be the single point of failure for all that goes on with your business. There’s only so much time in a day, so focus on the most important tasks and delegate the other stuff to other people you trust. No need to burn the candle at both ends, especially if you’re surrounded by talented people as it is.

7. Find Your Voice – Obviously, there are sure ways of communicating that are better than others, but at the same time, you have to stay true to yourself. Don’t dull it down and get a case of the blahs. Speak and write like yourself, and you’ll be much more likely to engage your audience and turn them into paying customers.

8. Give spectacular Customer Support - Word of mouth travels fast, so if you make one customer unhappy, soon enough, a bunch of current or potential customers will know to never do business with you. Focus on complete customer satisfaction. Set the bar high and then over achieve, because once you get a customer in the first time, they’ll be inclined to come back to you. And since it’s easier and less expensive to keep a current customer than it is to get a new one, the best customer support is nothing but a good business practice.  When I set out to become the best small business seo firm in the world, I realized the only way I was going to get there was through referrals, and the best way to get referrals (i.e. new customers) is to provide the best support possible to your current customers!

9. Take a Risk - By nature, entrepreneurs are risk takers, so you’re likely already more likely to take a risk than a “typical” person. However, when something comes along that you’re unsure of, take a controlled risk and go for it. Don’t ruin your business’ finances or your life savings, but don’t be afraid to stick your toe in the water either.

10. Ask For What You Want – In most cases, what you want is to sell something to your customer. When dealing with your customer – whether it’s someone you’re trying to sell your product or service to, or another business you’re trying to agent a deal with – make sure you’re perfectly clear about what you want. The best way to do this is to very simply and politely ask for precisely what you want.

Some of these rules are easier said than done, especially if your DNA tells you to do something different. But, if you start to incorporate some of these ten rules of being a successful business owner into your business and life, you’ll be shocked at how quickly your business will begin to flourish.