I’m part of a lot of different entrepreneur groups online, and the other week I heard the same question in a few different variations that I have experienced, and my business owner friends have too: “How do I make (insert number) amount more money?” “What do I do when I am not making enough money to keep my business open?”
Firstly, you are not alone.
I started my business in 2015, as the financial head of my household. Rent, living expenses, business expenses, add up, and the stress of finding clients while experiencing money anxiety has led to the discovery of pragmatic solutions, and not so helpful coping.
What I tell myself and my business friends in this situation is to create a “Make Money Now Plan.” Often, our anxious minds need a task other than worrying.
“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”
– Swedish Proverb
The whole point of a “Make Money Now List” is that you focus on the things that you CAN control. And not on the things that you cannot control.
Your “Make Money Now List” will be personal. Write one out, and have it stashed away for when the worry thoughts feel a bit too big.
What’s on my “Make Money Now Plan”:
1. Get up-to-date on all finances — how much do I need to make and by when?
A notorious ‘money-avoider’ myself, often I don’t know enough specifics behind my generalized money anxiety to actually do something about it. Am I freaking out over $5 or $50,000?
2. Setup a visual reminder of my financial goal
I like to make a simple bar graph on my home’s
3. Play “Find the Easy Money Game”
aka. Look for simple tasks like invoicing, following up with a potential client and making an invitation to work together, or sending out past due bill reminders.
Side note: I had one friend that only needed to send two emails to collect on over $10,000 in unpaid invoices. He’s an excellent money finder!
4. Review my offerings and services
In this review, I am looking for how clearly I am articulating what I do in a way that potential clients can understand the value of the service and act on it. Can I make it easier to contact me? Can I make the process more clear? The clarity of our offer is always where the feel-good money is!
“The confused mind says NO” –Unknown
5. Be Social
Start hanging around potential clients both in real life and online.
6. Be supportive & appreciative
This tactic is my most ‘woo woo,’ but, I also think it is my most productive. I’ll go online and write LinkedIn recommendations for people I’ve worked with, or review businesses on Google. Consider this an appreciation rampage; I am always surprised how quickly my business is jumping and how happy I feel after dropping love bombs on the internet. The craziest thing is, most of the time, it is not business directly related to the viewing of my online reviews.
7. Get working
I have a handful of self-driven projects so that I keep in the practice of showing up and working on my skills.
8. Note time on my calendar that I am available to fill
There’s a feng shui tip that if you want to attract a soul mate, to make room in your living space for your future partner. The ‘clean out half your closet’ version for business development is don’t be so busy that you can’t take on the work you need to grow.
