The Jim Galiano Show: Help for Freelancers & Solopreneurs

https://www.jimgaliano.com

It’s amazing how many talented people fail in the digital business arena simply because they don’t have a clear-cut plan and path to follow. To quote Abraham Lincoln…

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

Abraham Lincoln

In business, your “sharpening time” is the time you take to build out your business plan and sales strategy. That includes Plan A as well as your Plan B backup. The alternative approach is to jump in and just start working, making the adjustments as you go. In established marketplaces, that is a recipe that practically guarantees failure.

If you’re looking for something better going forward, now is the time to slow down and start thinking about what you’re going to build and how it’s going to fit into the marketplace of 2020. Consider this, if you’re smart enough to have developed a skill set that others will pay for, you’re certainly smart enough to build the business vehicle to take things to the next level.

https://www.JimGaliano.com

Most business failures can be traced back to bad planning, poor strategy, and not having access to some of the critical facts. Do you remember the old saying of “luck” being the combination of preparation and opportunity? In today’s podcast, I will be talking about saving a failing business. And how to be better prepared the next time around.

Some businesses aren’t worth saving. They fall into the school of hard knocks category. It’s the “learn before you earn” principle at work. Some components from a failed venture, however, can be repurposed and will fit better into your next effort. In short – putting the work in on the front end will help you build something that can truly stand the test of time.

“Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.

A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.”

(Proverbs 24:3-5 TLB)

There’s not much you can’t do with WordPress, which is why it currently powers about 30% of the websites out there.

If you’re going to do any kind of blogging or serious content creation, it’s hard to find a better option out there.

As great as it is to have a strong social media presence, you don’t want to build it at the expense of building your own digital asset. On that’s not littered with distractions, ads and a competing message.

Today I want to talk about an old friend of mine that I met online decades ago. We went on to work together on a few projects around 2008. His name was Jim Straw. He passed away back in 2012. Of all the people I’ve personally worked with, he certainly gave me a lot to think about.

Some called him the “Millionaire Middleman.” Shortly before his passing, I had an interesting conversation with him. I asked him what he’d do differently if he could go back and do it all over again. He told me that he wouldn’t make or manufacture anything. He’d simply market the products others made or manufactured.

In today’s podcast, I want to share with you some ideas about the “middleman mentality” and how it may end up fitting into your overall plans for the future.

This week I’d like to continue talking about digital agencies. Today, the focus will be more or less on “marketing agencies.” The services you provide are a means to an end for your clients. If you’re traveling to a luxurious, vacation destination, do you spend your time dreaming about the various vehicles that will get you there? Or, do you visualize and think about the destination itself and how enjoyable it will be when you finally get there?

Your clients and prospects have a destination in mind. Your mission is to bridge the gap between where there are today and where they want to be tomorrow. Your service is the bridge. That and more in today’s episode.

In today’s podcast, I want to talk about what it takes to build a successful digital agency. The word “agency” means different things to different people. Some want to build the kind of business that serves big marketplaces with a team of a dozen or more employees. To them, that’s their vision of success.

Others see themselves building-out a lean “machine” – substituting employees with technology and automated processes. For them, success looks like an automated factory with technology replacing manual labor.

As you can see, the word “agency” can fit quite a few different scenarios. If you’re in the process of building your own version of an agency, today’s podcast was recorded just for you. I’ve had plenty of time to navigate the agency world, and today I’m going to share some insights with you.

In today’s episode, I want to talk about working, reworking and even rethinking your approach to growing your digital business.

Small insights and the adjustments you apply can make a huge difference when it comes to success and longevity in the online world. That includes having your finger on the “pulse” of your market and understanding what’s happening in real-time.

By interacting closely with existing clients and potential clients, you can avoid getting lost in the “fog of war.” You can go on to be recognized by growing numbers of people as being the “obvious choice” even in an ultra-competitive marketplace.

https://www.JimGaliano.com

I recently read a study which analyzed how stress affects productivity. The conclusion they came to simple, yet profound in many ways. The more stress you have, the less productive you are. The less stress you have, the more productive you become.

When it’s put like that, it sure does explain a lot of things. For example, some people know what to do (they’ve read the books and taken the courses), but they’re unable to do it when it counts.

Worry and stress can have a powerful effect on you and stifle the growth your business. These forces cloud your judgement and keep you from working at your highest level. They keep you from doing your best work. If you can relate to what I’m saying and would like to shine some light in a dark place, join me for today’s episode.

https://www.JimGaliano.com

In today’s podcast, I want to look at the current state of the Internet “economy” and talk about how it affects our plans and pursuits as an online business owner. I especially want to focus in on historical patterns of business growth and activity from the past.

Why?

Because as crazy as it may sound, history repeats itself. What I mean by that is – “the patterns” repeat themselves because human nature never really changes.

Once you identify certain patterns, the options before you become much easier to navigate. If you only listen to a few podcasts this week, I encourage you to make sure this is one of them. You won’t be disappointed!

https://www.JimGaliano -

Working for yourself or owning your own business is challenging. If that weren’t the case, more people would be doing it and doing it successfully. Still, the freedom that comes with not having to punch a clock is an undeniable draw.

Today, I want to talk about the future of the business landscape I’ve personally spent the last 20+ years in. I’m talking about selling online services (marketing, design, website development, writing, social media management, etc.) in your niche.

I want to talk about the obstacles and what it takes to overcome them. And finally, I want to briefly touch on the idea of how this kind of business can be a springboard of sorts to bigger and better things.

If that sounds good to you, you’ll enjoy listening to today’s podcast.