When The Social Reco turned Three, I thought: Whew! We’re officially leaving the terrible twos behind and this business is turning into a threenager right in front of my eyes 👀
Now we’re well past that threenager stage, but these mistakes were so important that I needed to share with you!
I made quite a few mistakes as a business owner that I know you can avoid. Granted, that’s part of the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. Mistakes are part of the process, but as an enneagram 3, I’ve made a simple rule to ease the burden of “failure”: never make the same mistake twice. Today I’m sharing the top three mistakes I made my first three years in, and how you can avoid them in your business, regardless of how long you’ve been in it.
If you’ve found your way here, you’ve likely come across the insights of an entrepreneur who’s navigated three years in the business world. Let’s dive in!
Year one mistake: Saying yes to whatever will make me money
I was like the “Yes Man” movie on steroids. I said yes to everything and anything that promised a quick buck. Web copy? Sure. Social media management? Absolutely. Walking your dog? Well, I was getting paid, right? But here’s the unvarnished truth: chasing every opportunity left me drained, overworked, and spread thin. The lesson? Stick to what you’re good at and what you enjoy. The money may not flow like a river at first, but it will come. Saying yes to unfulfilling projects sends a signal that you’re cool with them, and you’ll keep attracting more of the same. So promote what you’re good at and what you enjoy, it’ll keep you in the long game.
Year two mistake: Sticking to just the bare contract minimum
In year two, I learned the magic of overdelivering without going overboard. No, I’m not talking about adding unpaid extras to projects. Instead, it’s about understanding the psychology of outsourcing and building trust. I used to do just the bare minimum required and invoice if they needed anything additional (even if it only took me a few minutes to do). I thought I was protecting my peace, but I ended up nickle and diming clients and just didn’t enjoy that either. Plus, when it came time to renew their contract, it was easier for them to cut ties and go with someone else. Now I focus primarily on retainers, so I can overdeliver for my roster. When you go the extra mile within the agreed terms, your clients notice. Their trust in you grows, and so does their budget. It’s like planting a seed; nurture it, and it’ll flourish into a fruitful partnership.
Year three mistake: Only networking through social media
Now, by year three, I’ve got a fresh nugget of wisdom for you: network beyond your inner circle and meet friends in the real world. Online buddies are fantastic, no doubt. But there’s something magical about face-to-face networking. And before you freak out about talking about work, “off the clock”, networking is not just about business talk; it’s about building personal relationships and trust. Spending more quality time with people in real life has grown my referral list faster than I could have ever imagined. Let people love you, but also let them like you.
