That nagging hesitation to put oneself out there. It is something that keeps many small business owners from growing their companies and marketing them as they should.
You’ve given up your day job, started a business, and put your savings into an endeavour that might or might not succeed. I’m not sure about you, but I believe that requires a tremendous amount of bravery.
Nevertheless, a lot of business owners stop there.
In fact 51.8% of entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom have a fear of failure.
They readily accept all the risks associated with launching a business (and there are certainly enough of them), but they recoil at the idea of putting themselves out there. When you’re already cage diving with sharks, the idea of exposing oneself to criticism, internet trolls, and critical remarks feels a bit like throwing wood on the fire.
You have two choices; You can either stare it in the eye, wink at it, and just do it, or you may allow it to get the better of you and stop you from moving on.
You must market yourself, raise your profile, and develop your network.
Our top five suggestions for overcoming this fear are listed below, so you can start selling your business with assurance.
Become more detail-oriented
A sad justification for inaction is avoiding the spotlight out of concern for what others might think or say. The more effortless something appears to be, the more work was actually put into it.
Your fear of showing your work is inversely correlated with how amazing you actually think it is. You can only give what you’ve got. If you’ve given it everything, the eagerness to present will take the place of the dread.
Block the haters
People who say things like these have a “lack” mindset, which is the belief that they aren’t good enough or possess enough. Their critical remarks reveal far more about who they are than they do about you.
If necessary, ignore them and block them.
You should not worry about critics. Accolades won’t change you. Become so certain in your direction that you could hear any criticism without losing any sleep. No matter the highs or lows, keep your grounding. Continue creating excellent work and put the effort before the results. not the outcome, but the inputs.
Call on your support system
Inform your friends if you’re ready to take a significant risk or ask them to be there for you once it’s all over, either to celebrate your huge victory or to lift your mood if things didn’t work out as you had hoped. You may feel more confident once you realise that you have support.
Say no to imposter syndrome
It’s okay if you don’t have as much experience as your rivals. You are unique because of the additional magic you bring to the table.
Ensure that you are authentic and bring your own magic. Instead of worrying about becoming better than everyone else, concentrate on what makes you unique. Let your personality come through instead of putting yourself out there and attempting to “sell, sell, sell!” When your audience feels a connection with you, you won’t need to use the slimy, yucky sales speak that we all detest.
Keep in mind that “hard” does not equate to “wrong.”
Putting yourself out there may feel difficult, but it doesn’t mean you’re doing it incorrectly. It’s also not a hint that you aren’t competent or ready for it. Just that it’s challenging!
Keep in mind that putting oneself out there might be difficult at first for everyone, particularly for introverts, overthinkers, and perfectionists.
So continue on. Try out several methods for spreading the word about your company, overcome your self-consciousness, and pay attention to what’s working for you (and do more of it!).
Before you know it, you’ll build a vibrant community that genuinely values both your creations and your opinions. And with that kind of loyalty, you’re sure to be a success!
Join us at The MAC, Belfast as we bring together Northern Ireland’s hottest, sharpest, most creative and resilient minds for a night filled with actionable takeaways that will help you succeed both personally and professionally.