If you scoff at the thought of running your own business because you feel it’s beyond your capabilities, you can overcome your fear. The key is to take the skills and experience you already have and monetize them.
Assess your skills
First up, you need to make a list of your skills. Think back to all the jobs you’ve ever had–paid and volunteer positions—and write down the responsibilities you had in each position.
Cross out the things you didn’t do well, those you were competent at but didn’t particularly enjoy, and those you did well but found boring. You’ll be left with things you were amazing at and loved doing. Now it’s easier to zero in on what you could offer as a service, so pick one (or more) you can turn into a business.
Finally, think about your target market. Since you already have these skills, you would be better off focusing on an industry you’re familiar with. That way, you know how things are done and are more likely to have a head start.
Now you know what services you can provide and to whom. What’s left is figuring out how you’re going to do it.
1. Offer your expertise
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If you did content writing before, you probably didn’t have a formula for it; you just did it. Now, you can think about creating an itemized list of recommendations for solid content writing based on what made you great at it in the past. Then you can offer the benefit of your expertise to customers that need it.
2. Become a go-to problem solver
Position your business as a problem solver. For example, if your skill set pertains to web design, seek out clients who don’t have your knowledge and experience. You may even consider negotiating a retainer contract so they can get your help whenever they need it. Just be sure to define clearly how and when you’ll be available to provide your services.
3. Offer training
Whatever your strong suit is, is it something you can teach? Can you host a workshop on web design or outline the essentials of great content writing? Document the process one step at a time, then decide whether you want to provide the training in person or by video.
4. Help clients execute for success
After assessing a client’s resources, you may realize they’re not set up to succeed at what you’re recommending. Perhaps it involves expanding their team or investing in tools and resources. You can bridge the gap for them by using your knowledge and experience to help them identify areas where they’re lacking.
5. Stay alert to new opportunities
After you’ve been providing your service for a while, you’ll become familiar with your clients’ policies and protocols, and the level of trust between you will increase. You may also recognize further opportunities for helping them. Don’t hold back from offering the benefit of your expertise.
Implementing one or all of these suggestions—and throwing some drive and determination into the mix—can set you off on your entrepreneurial journey with no more baggage than your existing skills. Smooth sailing!
