Knowing the best practices of your industry can set you years ahead in terms of your success. When working in the corporate world, employees learn about the actions and skills that will lead to a thriving career from one another. However, when you are a creative entrepreneur, you are essentially on your own. As a business owner, it is much more challenging to uncover what
practices and behaviors will help your company grow as quickly as possible.
If you’ve been in search of strategies that can set you apart from your competitors and grow your brand, you’ve come to the right place. Upcoming Media presents four habits of successful creative entrepreneurs that you should start practicing today.
Network frequently
The benefits of networking cannot be overstated. One of the best ways to sign new clients — and to make quality connections with other local business owners — is to meet with people face-to-face. This can be done in a number of ways. Some of the most popular options include attending nearby networking events, as well as joining your local Chamber of Commerce. You can even network in less formal settings — including online business meetups and daily conversations.
On top of the social and trust-building benefits, networking has proven monetary benefits. One recent networking study found that “companies earn $12.50 for every dollar invested in face-to-face meetings.” This impressive return shows why this best practice is an absolute must for all
small business owners.
Explore opportunities regularly
All around you — and at all times — there are opportunities that you can take advantage of to benefit your business. While this may sound vague, it is much more concrete than you might imagine. For example, when looking to make your business life easier, you’ll find that choosing the right business structure is crucial. Rather than assuming that you only need a sole proprietorship (which doesn’t require formal filing), forming a corporation can help you and your business in a number of important ways.
First, rather than having all of your personal and business assets under one umbrella, a corporation establishes limited liability. This means that your personal possessions can never be taken to collect on a business debt. You’ll also have less paperwork and better tax advantages. To expedite the filing, check out a service that offers assistance with formalization.
Maintain a consistent work schedule
Every entrepreneur enjoys having the power to control their daily schedule. With no higher-ups to tell you when to come in and when to leave, you can work on the days and times that best suit you. Whether you are a night owl or an early bird, it is beneficial to stick with a consistent work schedule each week. Why? Working at random times can create feelings of anxiety and stress
as you never really “clock out” for the day. Having predictability in your week allows you to effortlessly schedule client meetings, schedule personal commitments, and have a set end time.
Set boundaries
A seldom-discussed aspect of being an entrepreneur is setting healthy boundaries in every area of your work. This includes setting boundaries with clients, the people that you hire, and yourself. The boundaries you choose to set should be based on your individual values. They should also be created with the goal of bringing you peace and happiness and be aimed to reduce daily stress. So, set aside time for things like exercise — especially if you work from home — and fixing healthy food for breakfast and lunch, both of which you shouldn’t skip.
In addition to these game-changing habits, there are many more that you can adopt as a creative entrepreneur. Research additional helpful habits online, and speak with fellow business owners to see what practices have made a difference in their personal and professional lives.
