Are you a "Solo Entrepreneur?"

18 replies
Hello,

My name is Kevin DaSilva a new member to the Warrior Forum and I first would just like to say "Whats Up?" And I hope I can add as much value to all of you as you add to my life...

OK so I was wondering how many of you are "Solo Entrepreneurs" that are doing everything across the board "on your own?"

Naturally "outsourcing" is a MUST but if you are just starting out, don't have the money or whatever its NOT a choice...

If so, what do you find being your biggest struggle?

For me, its sticking to "ONLY 1 THING AT A TIME"! I will be thinking what to name the product, then jump onto what I will do to build a list, then how will I generate traffic and on and on...

Whats your story?


I Have A Feeling I Am Opening A Can Of Worms Her... Huh?
#solo entrepreneur
  • Profile picture of the author artwebster
    Hi, Kevin,

    I think you have the same problem that most of us unruly rabble suffer with.

    I only started looking seriously at internet marketing a few months ago but in the years I have been on the outside looking in, I could not help but feel that there were so many people promoting so many things in so many different ways, it's a wonder anybody achieves anything . . . or was that your point?
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    • Profile picture of the author KevinDasilva
      Originally Posted by artwebster View Post

      Hi, Kevin,

      I think you have the same problem that most of us unruly rabble suffer with.

      I only started looking seriously at internet marketing a few months ago but in the years I have been on the outside looking in, I could not help but feel that there were so many people promoting so many things in so many different ways, it's a wonder anybody achieves anything . . . or was that your point?

      Honestly Art I am starting to think "the less you study marketing the better off you could be"...

      I have been doing this for awhile and I am the type of person that likes to really do his research before embarking on a new journey.

      When I was 18 and wanted to be a Real Estate Investor, I first got my R.E License and then became a Mortgage Broker all before investing in my 1st property.

      Now with Internet Marketing I have spent the last year studying everything there is to know about IM and I mean EVERYTHING. And not just IM stuff, but branding books from Al Ries to Dan Kennedy to Anthony Robbins (which is where most of the "new stuff" comes from anyway).

      But I just was wondering how many of us actually do everything on our own? To many of these "gurus" say go "outsource" not understanding that everyone doesn't have $1000's to hire this one an that one...

      But honestly I am looking to get a feel for how many actually outsource and how many have to do everything on their own?
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  • Profile picture of the author KevinDasilva
    By the way, my solution for my "brain jumping" problem was to go to Home Depot and buy 8x4 sheets of "tile board" for $13 (really dry erase board) and made a 16 foot long wall all "dry erase" and this has been the answer to many problems...

    When you are thinking in your mind and jumping from problem it "seems" that you have 1001 options to everything. When in reality, if you start writing everything thats in your mind down... You will quickly realize that you really only have 2 or 3 options, of which 1 if the "clear winner" but you would never realize unless you look at it visually.

    Or maybe thats just me...

    P.S. If you manage alot of thing on your own, which if you are here I assume you do, then buying a "dry erase board" (a.k.a tile board) is a MUST.

    And at $13 for a 8 foot by 4 foot sheet you can not go wrong... For those wondering, its "tile board" at Home Depot usually in the same aisle of the "moldings." I did a 16x8 wall for $60 ($8 for "3" plastic holders that connected the 4 sheets)
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  • Profile picture of the author Graham Maddison
    I started and continue to run on a shoestring...I can't possibly afford to outsource anything, although I have on the odd occasion when became really stuck.

    The beauty of going it alone as it were, is that you force yourself to learn...I am getting better at it every day and try to learn something new every day......but yes you are right....guilty as charged .... I do tend to jump from one thing to another...but i am getting there.

    Graham
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    • Profile picture of the author YseUp
      So far I'm doing everything myself, altough I've bought one or two things from WSO for less than $10.

      My weakness is design, graphics etc but I've found all the free things I need so far.

      To be honest I wouldn't know what to outsource at the moment. I don't get how people can outsource for example article writing. Maybe it's just me, but I feel that a big part of IM is providing unique content and without downloading my whole brain into someone else, I don't see how that can work.
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  • Profile picture of the author wackiin
    i am new to this and will be solo minus the cost of hiring a writer todo my articles
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  • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
    Hi Kevin,

    Welcome to the WF! I've checked out some of your other posts, as well as your blog, and I see you can share some great knowledge with the group.

    As for your question about being 'Solo', if I did everything myself, I would never get anything done

    I think you should re-examine your thoughts about 'outsourcing', I like to think of it as 'partnering', or like doing a 'joint venture'. If there is someone that can help you with a project, and you couldn't do it without them, why not partner with them?

    I'm talking big projects, not simple 'outsourced' articles, for a few bucks here and there, that's different.

    Jared
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    Some of my best partnerships have come from mastermind groups...

    That came as a result of me asking XYZ to do a little work here and there, and he would invite someone else to discuss another topic that I could help them with..

    In turn they would bring someone else, I found a question that I couldn't answer for them so I brought in someone else...

    Years down the road..we have a strong group of peeps who meet regularly on the phone and occasionally in person to lash out some really great stuff...

    We share contacts for writing work, we brainstorm ideas, we discuss new trends and ways to get involved in each others stuff..

    Do yourself a favour... learn to mix with the industry..

    It's the best thing you'll ever do...

    I have a girl called Katie who does ALL my outsourced writing work now, I met her through my business partners blog guy..

    I'd be lost without that girl at times...

    You don't need $1,000's to hire this one and that one.. you need to connect with peeps.....

    Peace

    Jay

    p.s. Welcome to the WF Kevin.. you just made your first bunch of connections
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    Bare Murkage.........

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    • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
      Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post

      Some of my best partnerships have come from mastermind groups...
      Speaking of masterminds... when are you and I going to do a project together Jay? :confused:

      -J
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      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by Jared Alberghini View Post

        Speaking of masterminds... when are you and I going to do a project together Jay? :confused:

        -J
        Let me get this next product (see sig) out the way... and we can work sumthn out..

        Peace

        Jay
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        Bare Murkage.........

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        • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
          Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post

          Let me get this next product (see sig) out the way... and we can work sumthn out..

          Peace

          Jay
          Sounds like a plan to me..

          .jrd
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Hi,
          OK so I was wondering how many of you are "Solo Entrepreneurs" that are doing everything across the board "on your own?"
          I have a team of robots who take the strain for me.
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          Roger Davis

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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas M.
    I do most everything on my own but outsource some web programming I can't do. Everything else is run by my girlfriend and I. We do around $475k a year.
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    • Profile picture of the author KevinDasilva
      Originally Posted by Thomas M. View Post

      I do most everything on my own but outsource some web programming I can't do. Everything else is run by my girlfriend and I. We do around $475k a year.

      WOW thats awesome! I am currently trying to get my girlfriend interested in what I do and the more she sees me accomplish and all the phone calls I get for consulting she is starting to see that this is here to stay.

      She is just a little shy and embarrassed of asking alot of questions but she is coming around slowly and I CAN NOT WAIT!

      But CONGRATS!
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      • Profile picture of the author Bryan Zimmerman
        I know the feeling of jumping around from thing to thing pretty well. It won't get any better until you focus. You have to find out what is going to make you money and stick with it until you have enough to outsource. All the learning and studying will do nothing more than confuse you unless you put it into action.

        I'm going to assume you have made some money with IM. Go back and look at exactly what you did to make that money. Then just repeat it over and over until you have the money to start outsourcing most of it. THEN move on and try something else, in the mean time you have your steady income comming in and because your now outsourceing it, it doesn't take up any of your time.
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    • Profile picture of the author mmacken
      Hey Kevin, I am finding myself in exactly the same position as you.

      They way I have started to now look at it is, I will do what I can myself to the standard I need it at.
      Lets say if I try and write myself 10 articles on forex trading for example, if after 5 articles I feel the standard is starting to lack due to running low on ideas, tiredness etc, then I see to outsource 5 articles, running up a bill of about $25-$30 is surely cost effective in the long term? In some cases I do feel outsourcing is a good option aslong as its cost effective to your business, but I also like to look at my business knowing the graft put in was by mainly me.
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  • Profile picture of the author KevinDasilva
    Definitely guys I agree that Outsourcing is key! But my "question" was just to get a feel for how many others are in that position.

    I too have a couple of Masterminds in where I exchange "consulting" for web design, writing and more...

    Honestly, for those just getting started, something you can do ASAP is "connect" or "friend up" as many people as you can in Social Networking sites that are in the IM groups.

    Then if you are a "expert" or know alot about doing "seo" (for example) offer some help WITHOUT expecting anything in return and once you start making connections with people on the phone you will soon have a list of contacts you can call on when needed.

    For me, I have the problem of "letting go" which I am working on. A great mentor of mine Eben Pagan teaches all about starting, building and managing teams which I am taking a great interest in currently.

    Actually I am already registered for his "live seminar" in California which is all about Team Building & Managing

    So I will definitely have alot of great insights to bring back to you guys here...

    Yeah but in NO WAY do I believe "outsourcing" is a waste or not needed, I just simply was wondering how many just CANT outsource and have to do all on their own.

    Which YES I do agree with Graham that learning everything YOURSELF first, in the long run, will be better, because now you will be able to tell if the "outsourcer" is giving you the results or putting the right amount of effort.

    Which could be done other ways but that would be a whole new thread.

    P.S. Thanks all for the welcoming! And Jared for the kind words as I will DEFINITELY try to bring as much knowledge here as possible. Honestly, it will help me just as much by getting some feedback on my thoughts, concepts, techniques and strategies...
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  • Profile picture of the author Dee Scofield
    Originally Posted by KevinDasilva

    I just simply was wondering how many just CANT outsource and have to do all on their own.
    The statistic I always hear for the number of people who try Internet marketing and fail is 97%. So I would venture to guess that's basically the answer to your question, because anyone who thinks that they CAN'T outsource is dooming themselves to ultimate failure. Without outsourcing you might make a living wage but it's still a job, not a business that will continue to earn you money if you can't work for some reason.

    I had to learn to let go of thinking that just because I could do something, that I ought to do it. At some point I put this quote by Peter Drucker in a prominent place in my office (and I still need to repeat it to myself sometimes): "Do what you do best, and outsource the rest."

    Perhaps the biggest mistake I see people make is not putting a certain percentage of their earnings back into their business. If you get into the habit of doing that early on, then you can start outsourcing fairly quickly and grow your business that much faster. That's just my take.
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