When running a business, it pays to listen to those who’ve been through the same challenges and have managed to come out on top. The competition can be tough, but take your cue from these self-made entrepreneurs and you just might end up like them: highly motivated, successful, and unstoppable.
1. Act like you don’t have anything to lose.
If this business is defined anything, that’s rough competition. The only way you can survive is if you take crazy risks, so long as they are calculated. Err on the safe side all the time, and you’ll most likely never reach the full potential of your business.
2. Works towards being significant.
The problem with people saying that success should be your primary goal is that they never tell you how to do it. Well, here’s one formula: love what you do. As long as you do, and you’re fulfilled, the rest is bound to follow. It’s not always about money; if you’re passionate enough, the money will naturally flow.
3. Identify the clues and understand how.
Why are the most successful companies the way they are? What are the secrets behind Google’s practices? What makes Apple’s and Samsung’s products sell like pancakes compared to its competitors? There’s a lot you can learn about why companies are successful, and you can learn a lot by working your way backwards. As you try to identify their “secrets”, you might want to focus on two important factors: traffic and monetization.
4. Go the extra mile.
There’s a lot of misconception about business success—that you have to be the smartest, have an ample financial capital, and have the best formal education. The truth is that all these won’t matter, because all you have to do is go the extra mile. As long as you are the most determined and most ambitious, don’t let anything stand in your way. But remember: when doing so, always stay true to your ethical principles. The moment you compromise your moral beliefs is the start of your guilt regarding your success.
5. Share your expertise.
Beyond the products and services that you offer, focus on being a thought leader. Whether you publish your thoughts in your blog or in traditional media outlets, you can build a strong following just by sharing your information. Of course, you also have to make them novel. People don’t have time to read or consume something they’ve already come across before. In other words, be original. This is one sure way to be an expert in your field.