When you run a business from home, you have 101 projects to tackle.
One of the first steps I recommend is knowing the difference between solopreneur strategy vs planning.
Once you are familiar with those terms, it’s important that you focus on writing a business plan.
Yes, the online gurus tell you that in today’s AI era, a business plan is a waste of time.
They’ll tell you that your business will change multiple times in the first three months, so why bother?
I disagree 100%.
A top solopreneur builds a business plan to:
- avoid big mistakes
- understand how the different pieces of the business puzzle fit together
When I consult solopreneurs, here are the first two questions I ask:
“Did you write a strategy statement?”
“Did you write a business plan?”
You can guess the answers, right?
Ignore the online guru advice and build a 1-page business plan.
If you have questions about your solopreneur strategy, you can discover ways to improve it here.
6 Reasons Top Solopreneurs Build a Business Plan
- Define the BIG client problem you’ll solve.
- Identify customers who may buy your solution.
- Clarify the process for telling people about your product.
- Highlight the competition and underscore why your solution is unique.
- Create a financial snapshot of how money moves in your business.
- Determine your business entity and the important licenses you may need to operate.
Define the BIG Client Problem Your Start-up Solves
Failure to find and fix a BIG client problem is a leading cause of solopreneur failure.
When you search for your 1 BIG client problem, you don’t need to revolutionize an industry or reinvent every wheel.
Apple did not change the music industry. They improved the listening experience.
Amazon did not change the retail industry. They improved the shopping experience.
There are two places you can look for a BIG client problem to solve.
YouTube, Amazon, and Reddit are treasure troves of reviews, opinions, and ideas.
Create a brainstorming folder and collect the comments that point out a flaw in a product or service.
I use Notion to organize ideas and find potential solutions.
Most folks post positive reviews, yet you’ll find incredible ideas within the ‘unhappy’ comments.
Solopreneurs build a business plan to identify and explore the challenges within their industry (think SEO, copywriting, online stores, etc.).
This exercise will give you important industry data.
When I started my finance business, I looked at the most successful firms that were in my sandbox.
I found their best ideas and tried to make them better. Pretend you work for your competitors and get started ‘fixing’ their services and solutions.
When you write your business plan, it’s essential to address your competition and how you’ll win.
Identify Customers Who Will Buy Your Solution
One quick and smart way to identify and attract potential customers for your product and service is to build your solution in public.
Tip: Build Your Solution in Public
Here are 3 benefits of building your solution in public.
- You receive essential feedback
Comments confirm your idea is ‘in the ballpark, and they give you ideas on how to improve it.
- You get a head start on marketing your product
When people get an early view of your product, it’s more likely they’ll follow your journey.
They are often the first to purchase your product, too.
- You increase your accountability
When you create alone, it’s easy to toss in the towel.
When you go public with your project, you feel a deeper commitment, and you’re less likely to abandon the idea.
Building your solution in public is a fast way to let folks know you’re creating a cool fix for a BIG problem.
Solopreneurs build a business plan to describe the marketing process.
Your plan should address the channels you’ll use to tell people about your product.
Each of these channels gets you in front of a different audience of potential customers.
Present these in your solopreneur business plan and explain how they enhance your message.
Write a blog post on your process and ask for feedback.
You’ll reach a unique audience who may comment with ideas on how you can improve your idea.
Ask to be a guest on a podcast. You don’t have to give the audience all your trade secrets.
Share the basics and tell them how to follow your progress.
One key contact to accelerate your podcast marketing plan is to chat with Dustin Riechmann.
You can explore a collaboration with Dustin, here.
TikTok and YouTube are also major distribution channels for you to consider.
Each attracts a different audience, so pick the one that best fits your target market.
Video is a powerful way to illustrate for your prospects the ‘before and after’ your service provides.
Folks want to feel the transition.
Show it to them.
Highlight the Competition
If there’s zero competition for your product or solution, you have a problem.
The competition section of your business plan describes competitors and how you’ll improve on current products.
Yes, it’s possible you’ll be the first to market a brilliant solution to an unfamiliar problem.
The odds are not in your favor. Top solopreneurs discuss competition in their business plans.
Your plan should define the traits that make your product unique compared to the competition.
Analyze your competition and be honest about your product’s advantages.
If you don’t have any, it’s going to be hard to find customers and generate sales.
Create a Financial Snapshot to Understand Risks
The first advisor you should consult when you launch your solopreneur business is an accountant.
A sharp CPA will highlight for you the common finance questions and analysis you should put into your solopreneur business plan.
Once you and your accountant have a financial strategy, I encourage you to collaborate with a bookkeeper.
The Financial Basics to Include in Your Solopreneur Business Plan
- An income overview (sales and expenses)
- Key financial ratios so you can gauge the fiscal health of your business
- Projections that offer you a realistic time frame to break even and generate a potential profit
If you have little finance expertise, your accountant can be an excellent resource.
In addition, a CPA can provide clarity on how to borrow and invest money for your new venture (if you so choose).
Choose a Business Entity and Consider Licenses
There are thousands of gurus online who tell new solopreneurs to ‘just start.’
I appreciate the intent. It’s bad advice.
When I worked in the financial services industry, I built a solo business to assist people with investments and financial planning.
To work in this industry, one needs licenses and certifications.
In your business plan, you should address compliance or industry standards you need to observe.
I consulted a CPA, attorney, and compliance team when I built my business to ensure I understood my obligations.
It’s no fun to run a business and then face legal or tax challenges 3 to 5 years down the road.
Your CPA and attorney have experience in various issues, including:
- Should you run a trademark or intellectual property search for your business name and products?
- Do you need operating licenses to conduct your business from home?
- Do you need to collect sales tax for specific online products, and how do you report the tax?
Conclusion
It’s easy to build a website, create a landing page and use Convertkit to start selling a product.
The problem is that without a strategy and a business plan you have a long road ahead of you.
The first step to a smart business is to sit and consider your strategy; namely, how you will solve a big problem your audience want to fix.
Once you identify the key problem your business plan helps you put the key pieces together.
If you have questions or want to make sure your strategy sets you apart, you can discover your 90-minute, custom coaching session.
We’ll walk through every part of your business to make sure you have an advantage.
FAQs
What do solopreneurs struggle with the most?
When I consult with solopreneurs one of the most common struggles they describe is loneliness.
While many employees can’t wait to leave their job and gain independence the reality is that solopreneurs often feel isolated.
It can be difficult tackling every facet of a business on your own and not always having the answers.
When I start to feel that I’ve spent too many days on my own it helps to tap into my network and exchange ideas.
It’s helpful to have three to five solopreneur friends who can empathize with your rough days.
How to succeed as a solopreneur?
Every successful solopreneur has a few common traits that increase their odds for a positive business.
The first is a knack to ‘figure it out.’
When you work alone it’s normal that you’ll have to dive into new topics and uncover the answers.
The ability to push away distractions and keep digging until you find the answer is a strong character trait.
The second is a smart business strategy.
It’s not enough to simply sell a product or service.
You have to develop a unique solution to a common problem so that your audience sees you’re different rather than a commodity.
What is the mindset of a solopreneur?
Solopreneurs have a mindset of pure determination and a willingness to take risks.
While many would be solopreneurs talk online about how easy it is to walk away from a corporate job it’s tough to walk into a home office and launch a business.
The solopreneurs who succeed believe in their abilities and they are willing to go from a stable job with income and benefits to a new role with little to no financial security.
In the years I’ve worked with other solopreneurs, I find that it helps to keep a positive mindset and be honest about the risks.
Keeping an active role in a networking group or meeting regularly with other solopreneurs can have a positive impact.
Helpful Resources
The Small Business Association has many resources that can give you insight and suggestions on multiple small business topics.
If you’re curious about whether you should become a solopreneur or switch to the entrepreneur model, you can find quick answers here.
Every Wednesday, the solopreneur newsletter, Solopreneur Doorway, shares growth ideas and insight on how to run a profitable business.
When you’re ready, your custom 90-minute coaching session will turn your challenges into more clients and higher sales.
Keep up the excellent work!
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