6 Steps To Starting A Service Based Business And Crushing It
Well, I have started and stopped many service-based businesses over the years. Most of the time I stopped because I wasn’t making enough money, and I would just go back to a 9–5.
Recently things changed. I launched my copywriting business in early September 2022, and I got 2 clients within a couple of weeks of launching.
I was over the moon…
So, what changed? Why was I successful this time around…
Let’s explore…
1. I explored my passions
I started off September exploring my passions. One of them was writing. I had built a small following here on medium, so I knew there was a market for me. I knew if I actually combined my passion of writing with working hard, I really could make a go at it.
So, I decided that I would pursue my passion and set up a copywriting agency.
2. I picked something I was both passionate at and good at
I also figured out quickly that I was good at writing, that I could succeed if I wanted to. I was both passionate about writing and also quite good at it.
Those two things combined meant a recipe for success. Passion + Good At It = Success.
Think about yourself, what are you passionate about, and what are you also good at? Is it the same thing? If it is then, yes then you are onto a WINNER!
3. I applied myself
I really applied myself this month. I networked with many people on Facebook. I spent time getting to know others. I spent quality time with my potential customers and what their interests were, what type of businesses they were in, and how I could help them.
I would say that about 80% of my time was spent on marketing and 20% of it was spent on actually doing the work.
4. I found out my customer’s pain points
I got to know my customer’s pain points. What they lacked in knowledge and skills, I started to demonstrate my skills in. I started to align myself with them. If they had an issue with their website, I told them I could fix it. If they needed sales copy, I said I have a solution for them, which require them hiring me.
I made sure I was meeting their particular needs. Things that worried them. Things that kept them up at night. Whatever they needed I was able to find a solution of some sort…
For example, one of my client’s had her hours recently cut at work, she works as a health coach. She was looking to start a new business. I was able to help her start her business by demonstrating to her my abilities in developing websites and writing great copy. The end result: I was able to land her as a client…
5. I continued to work despite lack of reward
Although some of the month I received the payments. The rest of the month I never received any compensation and was simply just fulfilling the contracts I had with clients. There was no reward.
I kept myself motivated and on track by incentivizing my work. Like for example, in October I am planning a day trip to the beach. I motivated myself by thinking of the future. So, I was able to keep on track.
6. I reviewed my progress and set goals
I always reviewed my progress along the way. Checking on whether I was meeting the brief or not. When I was lacking, I picked up the pace, and I fixed what was wrong. If I needed to apply myself to a particular aspect, like marketing my client’s work then I would spend extra time on marketing.
I also set goals for my future. What would happen in October? November? December and in 2023? I wrote down my goals and prioritized them in order of importance. I started to think of what strategies I could develop to meet my goals. I knew that if I set goals, I was more than likely going to achieve them because I had something to aim for.
Takeaways
Generally starting a service based business requires a lot of time and effort. The first 6–12 months is really focused on building the business. You cannot really take any time off, you must be focused. However, you can take a day off here and there. Like a day trip or so. After you have got over the first 6–12 months and started generating a sustainable income, you can start to relax a little.
If you want to start a service-based business then follow these steps laid out in this post, that is what I would suggest you do.
Best of luck!
