{"id":19502,"date":"2019-08-01T14:50:34","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T21:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/futuresharks.com\/?p=19502"},"modified":"2021-04-23T03:46:12","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T10:46:12","slug":"5-essentials-to-becoming-a-productive-internet-entrepreneur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/futuresharks.com\/5-essentials-to-becoming-a-productive-internet-entrepreneur\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Essentials to Becoming a Productive Internet Entrepreneur"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s true \u2014 the advent of the internet has indeed revolutionalized the way we look at entrepreneurship. Bricks-and-mortar types of businesses are becoming increasingly obsolete. And so, for aspiring entrepreneurs, going all-out on digital is the logical step forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the internet is no exception to the rife competition that comes with an entrepreneurial state of mind. In fact, the thought of acquiring a global client base with negligible startup costs is so alluring that almost every other person you meet today is a proud \u2018internet entrepreneur\u2019. That’s fake entrepreneurship<\/a>. In reality, most of them view online entrepreneurship as a \u2018get-rich-quick\u2019 scheme without putting in much effort, and hence, don\u2019t last long.<\/span><\/p>\n

And this is great news for the serious ones who truly wish to run a sustainable and meaningful business that adds real value to their customers\u2019 lives, ultimately transforming their business into a cherished brand.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, if out of the two, you are of the latter sort, then below are five crucial pointers for you to keep in mind when starting down the path of online entrepreneurship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Setting Goals<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you haven\u2019t already, the first thing you need to do is niche down. That is, be crystal clear on what market you want to cater to with your business and who your ideal target customer is.<\/span><\/p>\n

When starting out, it is highly advisable to have a laser-targeted focus on a single <\/span>customer pain-point<\/span><\/a> than to set an extremely generic (and frankly, oversaturated) niche like \u2018health\u2019 or \u2018finance\u2019 as your primary focus. And this should go without saying, but have you defined what sets you apart from your competitors (<\/span>your USP<\/span><\/a>)?<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you do just that, it is time to set goals. While most people would tell you to set \u201cmore realistic\u201d goals, doing so might truly hurt your chances of succeeding. As a matter of fact, the hackneyed quote by Norman Vincent Peale: \u201cShoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.\u201d is actually what you need to swear by.<\/span><\/p>\n

Think about it this way \u2015 it is better to aim high and fall short than to aim small, achieve it, and then rest on your laurels. In the former case, you are likely to achieve more because you know you\u2019ll have to push yourself to the limits to get there, and so you\u2019ll work harder. Whereas in the latter case, you\u2019ll tend to take it easy, which is not how one succeeds in the unforgiving world of entrepreneurship<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joining Forces<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you think you can do it all by yourself, then you\u2019re mistaken. Doing so will stall your business growth. Sure, if your online escapade comprises dropshipping drones or freelancing, by all means, go ahead solo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But, if your internet venture is based on a ground-breaking idea to solve a relatively big problem, having one or more co-founders or business partners to complement your abilities is surely a <\/span>good idea<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides, when it comes to the actual execution of your business idea, you need to have a growth-driven mindset. Consider outsourcing work that does not directly impact your business\u2019s growth, such as day-to-day back-office tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Entrepreneurship has long seen outsourcing as a strategy reserved for big business, but technology has made it a more accessible tactic for up-and-coming internet enterprises. In essence, technology has facilitated improved connectivity, so now you have the ability to assign tedious work to qualified professionals who can get it done from anywhere in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

For many small internet startups, outsourcing has had a powerful positive impact on growth, <\/span>productivity<\/span><\/a>, and bottom lines.<\/span><\/p>\n

Building Momentum<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve got the foundations right, it is time to start spreading the word. Every business, online or offline, requires a constant influx of customers to keep going.<\/span><\/p>\n

But for that to happen, your prospective customers first need to know that you exist. Hence, marketing. Specifically, for internet-based businesses, digital marketing is pivotal. Here are a few spheres of this broad field:<\/span><\/p>\n