What I Wish I Knew Before Starting an Online Business: 9 Fresh Tips for Solo Startups!

Starting an online business today looks different from how it did a few years ago.

After years of building, refining, and working with solo business owners, I’ve had time to reflect on what actually matters and what keeps everyone busy, but unsuccessful.

In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish I knew when starting an online business, based on real experience, real mistakes, and lessons learned along the way.

If you’re early in your journey, this will help you focus on what truly moves you forward.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

If you’re starting an online business, this episode will provide insights:

• Why staying busy can feel productive while still holding you back
• The decision most new business owners delay, and why it matters more than they realize
• Why does some advice sound smart but doesn’t work in real life for solo business owners
• The overlooked asset that makes selling feel easier
• Why chasing what’s “working right now” often leads to exhaustion
  …and more

 

Closing Thought

If you’re starting an online business, you don’t need to do everything; you need to do the right things. Start with strategy, keep it simple, and let clarity guide your next steps. If you need a complimentary strategy call, please visit: https://marisashadrick.com/contact/

 

Audio Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro and why starting with strategy matters

00:01:00 Strategy vs. tactics explained

00:06:24 Why being busy doesn’t equal progress

00:07:31 One clear offer and validation

00:09:00 Managing doubt when starting an online business

00:10:38 Filtering advice and avoiding overload

00:11:55 Visibility without clarity creates noise

00:13:58 Podcasting and YouTube strategy insight

00:14:39 Why email list building matters early

00:16:22 The cost of chasing algorithms

00:18:27 Building a business that fits your life

00:20:33 Lessons as mentors and selling earlier

00:24:34 Final thoughts and next steps

FREE RESOURCE

Capture the Human Knowledge Your AI Needs to Model Your Voice, Values, and Brand Identity

INTRODUCING THE HEART PROFILE™

If you’re ready to step off the sidelines and start using AI with confidence, CLICK HERE t

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

Ready to stop wearing all the hats in your solo business?

In 2026, AI integration will be as common as using your smartphone.

But if you’re a solo business owner who feels behind or overwhelmed by all the new tools, you’re not alone.

In this episode, I break down how to use AI and why strategy, simplicity, and your authentic voice are the keys to growth in the next wave of online business.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

• My top 3 predictions for 2026 and how they affect solo entrepreneurs
• The 3 leadership skills that will set you apart in the age of AI
• Why content marketing is about to explode, and how to stand out with heart and originality, not just more content.
• Why your story and perspective are still your biggest business assets
• Actionable steps for simplifying your offers, building a strong brand voice, and using AI effectively.

 

Key Takeaways

• AI isn’t a magic fix; it mirrors what you give it. Your clarity and communication matter more than ever.
• Delegation is now about asking: Should I be doing this, or can AI?
• Imagination is your competitive edge. Margin gives you the space to innovate.
• Your brand message and personality are your biggest differentiators in a crowded, AI-generated world.
• Keep your business focused: one offer, one audience, one problem, one transformation.

Join AI Lab for Solopreneurs

Ready to learn how to work smarter with AI and amplify your personal authority?

Find out more at https://marisashadrick.com/community

Audio Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro and why AI content is starting to blur
00:01:20 – AI adoption trends and predictions for 2026
00:03:20 – Strategic use of custom GPTs and tools
00:04:50 – Why prompting skills are your new superpower
00:05:57 – The explosion of content: blogs, books, and newsletters
00:08:02 – 3 leadership skills solopreneurs need for the future
00:09:35 – How to simplify your offer, lead magnet, and audience
00:12:05 – Rethinking delegation with AI as your assistant
00:14:15 – Why imagination is your next best strategy
00:16:28 – Protecting your voice and brand in the age of AI
00:18:47 – Closing and community invitation

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

I paused the marketing strategy talk to have a real conversation with you, especially if you’re feeling the weight of it all.

This episode isn’t about tactics or trends. It’s about remembering why you started, reframing the hard days, and finding a steady anchor when you feel overwhelmed.

Gratitude isn't just a feeling; it’s a powerful lens that can shift how you show up and serve.

 

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• How gratitude reframes setbacks and turns obstacles into opportunities for growth.
• Ways to shift from chasing conversions to truly serving and connecting, one person at a time.
• The power of gratitude to ground you during burnout, overwhelm, or loneliness as a solo business owner.
• Why gratitude matters more than ever as businesses move into a new AI chapter.
• Practical mindset reminders to carry into the new year, helping you see possibility instead of pressure.

From my family to yours, have a wonderful holiday season. 

Free Resource

Capture the Human Knowledge Your AI Needs to Model Your Voice, Values, and Brand Identity

INTRODUCING THE HEART PROFILE™

If you’re ready to step off the sidelines and start using AI with confidence,

CLICK HERE to grab my free resource.

 

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

Build an AI That Thinks Like You Using ChatGPT Best Practices

Running a business as a solo owner means every task, every deadline, every piece of content falls on your shoulders.

Some weeks, the to-do list feels like a second job. And when you finally find a tool that can shave off 30 minutes here and there, it adds up.

That’s where I was a few months ago, deep in the writing process for my book, trying to keep up with client work, content, admin, all of it. (We wear many hats.)

I decided to give ChatGPT a shot to help edit some of the writing. I uploaded my rough draft with stories and insights, but the revision didn’t sound like me. The stories were mine. The insights were mine. But the voice? Filtered. Generic.

That’s when I realized, if AI is going to help us, it needs to know me. It needs more than a great prompt. It needs our decision-making process, our values, our tone, even our quirks.

In This Episode, I’ll Share My Process for Building A Helpful AI Assistant

If you’ve felt buried in work or disappointed by AI, I'll show you a better way to use AI, whether it's ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini,  that is not only strategic but a huge timesaver.

Whether you’re just starting or searching for more meaningful output, this episode will give you actionable steps to make AI work more effectively.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode

• Why adopting an AI strategy matters more than just acquiring prompt templates.
• The most common mistakes business owners make when using ChatGPT and how to avoid them
• The foundational documents you need to “teach” AI about your unique business and brand
• How to shift your mindset from overwhelmed admin to empowered strategist
• Simple steps to build specialized AI assistants for ghostwriting, marketing, and more.

Free Resource

Capture the Human Knowledge Your AI Needs to Model Your Voice, Values, and Brand Identity

INTRODUCING THE HEART PROFILE™

If you’re ready to step off the sidelines and start using AI with confidence, CLICK HERE to grab my free resource or link below.

Link: https://learn.marisashadrick.com/heart

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

Stand Out with a Human-First AI Strategy

Most solo business owners are spinning too many plates, and content creation is the one plate that's always on the verge of falling.

The pressure to produce content keeps them overwhelmed. While AI promises to help, the truth is, it often adds more generic noise.

In this episode, I share my personal insights and practical strategies for using AI as a supportive tool, not a shortcut. You need AI to think with you, and not for you.

 

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• Why so much online content is starting to sound the same, and how to stand out
• The risk and cost of using AI-generated content without personal direction
• How to train AI to reflect your unique brand voice, values, and audience
• The importance of strategic content creation versus reactive
• The Amelia Bedelia analogy that'll change how you prompt AI forever

 

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

How Smart Research Fuels Sticky Content

Do you ever feel like your content isn’t connecting, no matter how much time you pour into creating posts, videos, or newsletters?

Content creation is one of the most time-consuming tasks for solo business owners, and it can be incredibly discouraging when the results don’t match the effort put in.

In this episode of the Amplify Your Authority podcast, we'll tackle the “content blues,” and I'll share simple research methods to help you understand your evolving audience, boost engagement, and finally see your work pay off.

Discover actionable ways to align your brand, build authority, and create content that sticks.

 

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why are many entrepreneurs burned out by ineffective content creation
• How understanding your audience’s needs helps shape your strategy
• The power of quizzes as lead magnets and audience research tools
• Creative, non-intrusive ways to use surveys for fast audience insights
• Free and practical SEO tools to keep your content relevant

 

Resources Mentioned

Free Marketing Strength Quiz

If marketing ever feels heavy or off-brand, this quiz will help you discover an approach that fits your strengths and feels like you again.

In just 2 minutes, find the natural way to market your business that aligns with your personality, values, and goals.

Free Quiz Bonus: How to Create Effective Lead-Generating Content ebook.

Click Here: https://marisashadrick.com/quiz

 

For more resources, visit the show notes on my website. 

Click Here: https://marisashadrick.com/podcast/episode-138-how-smart-research-fuels-sticky-content-part-ii/

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

Find Your Brand’s Sweet Spot & Build a Magnetic Business

If you’re wrestling with how to attract the right audience to your online business, finding your sweet spot matters.

In Episode #137, I address one of the biggest challenges solo entrepreneurs face: generating traffic and leads.

If you’re trying to build or refresh your personal brand, this episode will guide you through the process of finding your sweet spot at the intersection of what you’re great at and what your market truly needs.

From clarifying your story to validating demand, I’ll share practical steps to create a business that stands out and delivers meaningful transformation.

 

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• The difference between surface-level branding and authentic brand experience
• Your personal story is the foundation of your brand’s message
• Five “purpose buckets” that drive online entrepreneurs, and how to spot yours
• Seven essential questions to validate your business idea and target audience
• Six product categories to shape your offer, from model to transformation

Resources Mentioned

Free Marketing Strength Quiz

VISIT: https://marisashadrick.com/quiz

Free Quiz Bonus: How to Create Effective Lead-Generating Content ebook.

Ready to clarify your brand and build momentum in your solo business? Catch the follow-up episodes and take the quiz to discover your marketing archetype and get the bonus resource for effective content creation!

 

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

Leading Clients Beyond the Sale

In this Indiana Jones-style sequel to Episode 135, we go beyond the sale and into the world your client enters once they’ve said yes.

The journey doesn’t end at the purchase. For group coaching programs and memberships, that moment is just the beginning.

This episode explores what happens next: how to guide your new clients through unfamiliar territory, help them achieve real transformation, and support the personal development they need to succeed. You'll discover how to shift from marketer to mentor, and how to build a structure that turns new clients into lifelong fans.

 

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• A five-pillar framework to support new members inside your program
• How to help new clients move forward with confidence and without overwhelm
• How to make your program feel less like a course and more like a meaningful journey
• Why transformation doesn’t happen automatically, and how to foster it with intention
• How to create authentic connections, providing a sense of belonging and accountability

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

How to Make Your Funnel Feel Like a Journey and Not A Pitch! 

You’ve poured hours into your content. You’ve followed all the tips. But the clicks aren’t coming, the sign-ups are slow, and you’re wondering what you’re missing. Sound familiar?

If your audience isn’t engaging, it’s not always the algorithm or even your offer.

In this episode of Amplify Your Authority, I take a light-hearted, Indiana Jones-style approach to a topic that usually feels dry and stressful: your marketing funnel.

We’ll head into the metaphorical jungle together to find the four “stones” every potential client needs to cross for a successful journey.

This episode is part story, part strategy, and 100% practical.

 

What You'll Discover in This Episode

• A story-based breakdown of the four essential parts of a funnel
• The four “magical stones” every audience must experience to complete their journey: invitation, threshold, risky leap, and reassurance.
• The importance of visibility (“the lantern stone”) and how to build visibility without chasing viral trends
• Simple ways AI can help you troubleshoot your funnel and make each step more effective

Free Resource:

One AI Template to Simplify Content Creation From Blogs to Custom GPTs

Everything you need to create content that feels authentic, sounds professional, and takes a fraction of the time without ever feeling like you’re “doing AI.”

Click this Link: https://learn.marisashadrick.com/prompts

Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!

ChatGPT Shortcuts for Writers

You don’t need more content; you need smarter systems to reuse what you’ve already created.

In this podcast episode, I’m sharing five practical ChatGPT shortcuts that help me write faster, stay organized, and spark fresh ideas from existing content.

These are the exact methods I use when writing my book and producing weekly assets for my business.

Whether you're a coach, speaker, service provider, or author, you'll walk away with time-saving ways to turn scattered ideas into polished, purpose-driven content.

ChatGPT can become a creative collaborator without losing your voice in the process.

 

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why your creative "mess" isn't a problem, it's a content goldmine
• How ChatGPT’s "Branching" feature lets you work on multiple assets at the same time!
• The hidden shortcut to search your own content library inside ChatGPT
• How "Canvas" mode helps you edit content directly in ChatGPT
• A repeatable workflow to repurpose an article into a podcast, newsletters, YouTube videos, and more.
• How to organize your ChatGPT threads with "Projects."
• The command that reveals every ChatGPT shortcut available

Your Next Step: AI Lab for Solopreneurs

Feeling like content creation for marketing takes too much time?

That’s why I created AI Lab for Solopreneurs, a private membership where you can learn, implement, and grow with AI in real time.

• Live Coaching & Demos: Monthly hands-on sessions to learn AI strategies that fit your business goals.
• Resource Library: Access a growing collection of guides and templates you can use right away.
• Custom GPTs: Exclusive access to ready-to-use AI assistants that save time and improve content quality.
• 24/7 Support: Get your questions answered anytime inside the private community.

Join AI Lab for Solopreneurs today and lock in your $37/month founding rate before it increases.

Let’s turn complexity into simplicity—together.
Community.MarisaShadrick.com

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Skip Hours of Prompt Trial & Error with ChatGPT

Whether you’re writing, planning, analyzing, or brainstorming, my C.O.N.T.E.X.T. ™ method transforms ChatGPT into a consistent marketing assistant. No steep learning curve.

Free Download!

https://marisashadrick.com/prompts

If you’re ready to grow with effective marketing that actually feels manageable, here’s your next move.

Inside AI Lab for Solopreneurs, get Custom GPTs, templates, and coaching to grow your business.

Visit: https://marisashadrick.com/community

Listen to the "Amplify Your Authority" Podcast! Click Here!

Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Tip: Answer these questions inside of ChatGPT (free or paid) and have AI craft your review!

• How did you discover this podcast?
• What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?
• How has this podcast helped your current journey?

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to craft a review!