Today’s guest post is courtesy of Nicole Rodgers. I come across a lot of prospective guest post ideas due to some services I subscribe to, but Nicole’s title here intrigued me. Which made me think it would intrigue you. Keeping an eye on trends is muy important, and Nicole’s guidance here is extremely helpful.

The successful entrepreneur watches for trends that can be utilized and worked into the business. There are a number of different areas that many indicators are saying will have a great impact on the future of business. Getting in on the ground floor can help ensure the entrepreneur grabs a part of the trend as it pushes forward.

Top Trends to Be Watching

1. Travel – the struggling economy quieted the travel industry for a while. The reports are showing an increase in travel spending – even with the continued rise in gas prices and airline tickets. Consumers are finding creative ways to get around the rising costs. Entrepreneurs can find ways to help the savvy traveler make the most of their travel budget. Products, like phone apps and websites that cater to specific travel groups are showing a strong opportunity for the months to come. Even better news is that all areas of travel, from overseas to camping, are showing signs of improvement. It is the perfect time to consider stepping out into your travel focused vision.
2. Baby Boomers – the group of citizens born after World War II are moving quickly towards retirement age. Some have planned on using the time to have fun and travel. Others are looking for a different type of adventure through a new career or business. The Baby Boomers are offering a few trends. First, they will be an experienced work force that can add years of knowledge to your business. Second, they have the ability to launch into business on their own. Third, they have the funds to travel and enjoy the freedom of retirement. Expect this generation to make more than a few waves in a multitude of industries just from their sheer size.
3. Social Media - as much as some of us hate to admit it, the likes of Twitter and Facebook are here to stay. They are also making a dramatic impact on the way people communicate. Tweets have been responsible for breaking news starting when the plane crashed in the Hudson in 2009 all the way through the Tsunami that crushed Japan in 2011. The instant access that the internet provides the world has made reporting news and issues possible for every person with access. Social media provides a way for you to instantly connect with your consumer base. It gives you a location to hear the complaints and praises of your products and work with your customers in a way not available to most small businesses.
4. Accountability – the instant access of social media has also caused some concerns. People wonder if they can really believe what they are readings. You have to find a way to make your brand stand above the speculation so that your customer base knows that the things they read from you are reliable. Celebrities and large companies have already come across imposters and that has made some people leery of what is shared online. But the social media continues to grow so you need to develop a plan to utilize the new connection and to protect your brand as it expands.
5. Simple, Fast and Easy – people are recognizing the need to get back to a simpler way of life. That trend means they are looking to shed some of the clutter of activities but maintain the benefits of the hectic life they currently hold on to at this time. Think instant home cooked meals with not fuss or mess. There are already products ready to launch that pop microwave popcorn in bowl shapes to keep you from having to take the time to pour the popcorn from the bag to a bowl. Look for ways to take advantage of products that offer natural and homemade qualities. Instant makes it even better.

People are connecting faster and easier through social media and the best way to stay ahead in your business is to make the most of those connections. The Baby Boom generation has started them move towards retirement which will drive industries in new directions. Demand for easier, faster and better is pushing products to become more like homemade at the touch of a button. These are just a few of the market trends the entrepreneur should watch to help drive success in the months and years ahead.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging about business for 3 years; she currently contributes to blogs that deal with online stock investing and how businesses can maximize their web presence with business microblogging.

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I’m a guitar player and songwriter. Granted, I used to play and write a lot more than I do now (kids’ll do that to you, ya know?). There were spurts you could’ve even considered me a professional of some sort. Those were good times.

Like with any endeavor, self-doubt is an ever-present obstacle. As I played with bands and wrote songs, I had big dreams. But I never went long without wrestling with the idea that I just may not have what it took. Maybe my chops weren’t good enough. Maybe the songs I thought were great actually sucked. Maybe I just wouldn’t catch my break.

Self-doubt like this is inevitable.

One day, a revolutionary thought struck me. A thought that, in and of itself, had the power to conquer self-doubt in a single bound. A thought that empowered me with the spark to quit pitying myself and get back to work and dreaming.

Wanna know what it was?

Remember Bob Dylan.

Bob Dylan is a legend. You could argue that he is easily one of the five most influential musicians ever. And there’s no arguing he’s one of the most prolific songwriters who’s ever lived. Bob Dylan changed music. Bob Dylan is covered by EVERYONE (C’mon, did you really think Jimi Hendrix wrote “All Along the Watchtower?”).

But here’s the revolutionary part. Bob Dylan is ugly as sin. He literally looks like a rat. His voice is absolutely horrible. Seriously, have you ever heard anyone hear Bob Dylan sing and respond with, “Oh, that’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard?” Most of us can’t even understand what he’s saying. We need an interpreter. He’s polarizing (people love him or hate him). He ignores trends. And for every great song in his repertoire, there are 20 others that are actually worse than screeching fingernails on a chalkboard.

By anyone’s standards, Bob Dylan is not cool. He’s just really good at being Bob Dylan.

Which, ironically, is what makes him cool.

In addition, Bob Dylan produced. He put it out there. He didn’t wait for perfection. He knew what he had did no good sitting on the dock. He kicked it out the door and gave it a shot at success.

When Self-Doubt Shows Up

When self-doubt would creep in for me in those days, I would remember that Bob Dylan was a huge success by being himself and by producing. I told myself “If Bob Dylan can succeed at this with his ugly face, horrible voice and long songs, then I’ve definitely got a chance.”

So, entrepreneur, I’m betting you face the same kinds of doubts, the same fears. The good news is you, too, can remember Bob Dylan.

Think of all the people you come in contact with that are “successful.” At best, they’re normal; more likely, many are knuckleheads (think “sleezy internet marketers” – yuck!). Sure, a few of them may have an unfair advantage or two, but I’ll be most of them are special for the same reasons Bob Dylan is.

Do what you do, and do it so others can watch. Revise, then repeat.

Just like Bob Dylan.

Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/denaflows/

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More than one way to skin this cat?

You could sell 100 things for $100, or …

10 things for $1,000, or …..

Two things for $5,000, or …..

200 things for $50, or …

Four things for $2,500, ….

1,000 things for $10, or ….

10,000 things for $1, or ….

One thing for $10,000.

As you venture out into new projects, maybe even careers, and you’re looking for a way to make that extra magic number every year or every month or whatever, remember our simple math lesson above. There are many paths to where you’re going in terms of revenue. If it’s an extra $10k you need, you could land one big consulting gig and it’s covered, or you could sell 10,000 iPhone apps for $1.

The end result is the same, but the method of getting it in those two examples is vastly different. The mindset and tactics to get one big client is way different than to sell a cheap iPhone app.

Just like skinning cats (which I’ve never done, so I guess this is here-say), making money can be done in very different ways. The way you choose will have a profound effect on the actual type of work you have to do to get there.

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Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elsa66/

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…. created a Facebook profile yet.

There’s someone who is completely confused by “@” and “#” symbols next to otherwise normal names and words.

There’s someone who doesn’t know that traditional advertising is dying.

There’s someone who’s never heard of Seth Godin.

There’s someone who only uses their cell phone to make phone calls.

There’s someone who doesn’t own a cell phone.

There’s someone who thinks it’s hard to accept credit cards.

There’s someone who thinks building a website costs at least $25k.

There’s someone who’s never used email.

There’s someone who doesn’t know about Local Search.

There’s someone who gets confused when you say “just Google it.”

There’s someone who’s never spent a single penny online.

There’s someone who thinks car window decals are a good way to build awareness for your website.

There’s someone who’s never read a blog post.

There’s someone who has a stack of great idea and not the first clue as to how to share them.

There’s someone who doesn’t know what the hell you talk about most of the time.

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I’ve got a neighbor who runs his own business and doesn’t own a computer. It amazes me.

Here’s the point: The phrase “there’s someone” above should actually be replaced with “there are lots of people.” It’s easy to forget that what we (marketers) do isn’t common sense to a lot of other people. It’s easy to sell ourselves short. But the fact is the world is filled with people not necessarily needing the one and only marketing expert, but rather just an available marketing expert.

That’s who you are for someone (a.k.a. “lots of people”). Go find them.

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Opportunity doesn’t care about you.

It doesn’t care about your processes. Or your timelines. Or your resources.

Opportunity scoffs at your schedule. It never takes into account what else you have on your plate. It doesn’t fill out your silly forms, or take time to write requirements, or figure out how it strategically fits into your plan.

Opportunity pays no attention to your budget, either.

Opportunity simply ricochets your excuses off it’s chest like its Superman. Invincible. Resistance is futile.

Opportunity simply knocks. It is the uninvited guest who shows up unexpected. You either open the door and let it walk into your house as is, or you don’t answer. Opportunity won’t wait around for you to throw your laundry in the basket and mop your floors. There’s no time to tidy up when opportunity is knocking.

Opportunity doesn’t care about you. But it is looking for someone just like you. Someone who can fit it in. Someone who will answer the door.

Image credit

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In Seth Godin’s words, joint ventures fail mostly because of two reasons: the joint part and the venture part.

His latest post captures three major ideas that I’ve never quite been able to clarify as well as he has:

1. A person is naturally risk adverse, and that is only compounded when the person becomes people.
2. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we all gravitate toward finding ways to stall: meetings, excuses, obstacles, challenges, funding, time, whatever.
3. Two individuals who work together can form positive synergy. Two partners who work together can lead to nothing much fast.

More times than not, great things have been the result of a single person selling out to an idea and then attracting other people to follow. Regardless of how much we celebrate democracy, business requires kingdoms and monarchies.

It’s good to be king.

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The stories of those who “got in on the ground floor” of some big company or opportunity are pretty much American folklore. Like those people that bought Microstock in the 80s. Or Kramer and the Manzier. 

If you’re a direct seller or network marketer, these stories are only amplified. The thought is that those at the top of the pyramid are in the best position, and if you can’t be in that position, why bother? 

The problem with that thinking is that it takes a heck of a lot more blood, sweat and tears to get that ground floor opportunity off the ground when you’re there in the beginning than it does later on. 

You suffer through learning curves. 

You filter customer service issues. 

You overlook crashing websites. 

The fact is that most people who got in on the ground floor are still there, cuz the company never got any further than that. 

After reading through Brian Clark’s post How to Dominate Your Niche, and his point on not looking for new niches, but territories within niches, it got me thinking. I was reminded of the importance to not look for ground floor opportunities, but rather groundswell opportunities. 

A couple definitions for groundswell: 

• A sudden gathering of force, as of public opinion
• a rapidly developing general feeling or opinion

The people who really take off are those that get in at the right time, not necessarily the first time. When the company is just starting to generate some buzz. When the company is finally shedding its first skin. When people are just starting to take notice. 

When it’s created a groundswell. 

We might hear stories about those who were courageous enough to get in on the ground floor, but they are few and far between. Many a determined and gifted person has been left in the dust, swept away with the rest of the leftovers on the ground floors of many an opportunity. 

Groundswells can actually amplify that dedication and talent. Or maybe even compensate for the lack thereof.

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Steve at StartUp Blog got me thinking with this post titled The Big Win. 

In his post, Steve explains how we so often count on the next big thing to get us the big win. But it never happens. In his words, 

“The big win is a hoax. If we want a big win, we’re better off playing lotto.”

Success belongs to those who consistently inch toward the goal. Who constantly get the little stuff done, and done right. Who take the time to be excellent in everything. 

Where are you cutting corners? What are some little things that you’ve seen make all the difference? 

Photo credit on Flickr. 

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We’re all driven by the end goal of whatever projects we pour ourselves into. We invest so we have lots of money in 30 or so years. We write so people will read our thoughts and even comment. We play a game or sport so we can win at it. We go above and beyond at work so we gain recognition.

Finding end results that appeal to us is not hard at all. In the above examples, I believe everyone reading would be attracted to more money, more readers, more victories and more recognition. But that doesn’t mean we should all be investors, writers, athletes or blue collar all-stars.

In terms of how you spend most of your time, don’t choose based on the attractive end result; choose because you’ve found an end result in which you actually enjoy the process of getting there.

If you’ve ever met someone who is completely happy with their profession, it’s because they enjoy the process (the work) as much or more as they enjoy the end result. Which makes sense. We spend way too much time preparing and managing our little projects to not enjoy the process.

I would love to finish a triathlon some day. The idea of being the type of person that can complete a feat like that is extremely impressive. However, as of yet, I am not willing to go through the process of getting there. I’ve tried starting on several occasions throughout my life, and the same thing always happens: I don’t enjoy the process enough to keep it going.

At the same time, I love putting together market research reports. I love gathering the info, digging into it, finding little nuggets of info that probably only I will ever find interesting, gathering it all into a presentation that’s easy to read, and then presenting it to a group of ‘big dogs’ and waiting for their reaction. Sure, I love the end result, but I love just about everything that happens before to get to that point.

If you’re struggling with finding ‘that thing you do,’ start asking yourself which processes you enjoy the most. Find ways to spend your time doing what you enjoy. Or, if you already know what those processes are, start doing them more.

Similar Posts on Brett’s Blog:

1. A Fancy Name for Failures
2. Making Connections vs. Making Impressions

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It’s amazing how well stories and analogies teach us. Maybe that’s why Jesus often spoke in parables.

This gem of a post on Start Up Blog relates growing vegetables to growing a business. The similarities are astounding. A few morsels:

The market is a competitive one. We’ll need to fight off bugs, birds and insects, who want to feed on our efforts. This proves you’ve got a fertile market… one worth doing, one with yield.

We’ll learn that all vegetables are seasonal. We’ll learn that not all climates (markets) suit all vegetables. We’ll realize we get better results when we focus on a veggie we have expert knowledge with.

The effort need not be excessive, just consistent. We can grow an entire garden, or even a pumpkin in a pot will give the same benefit.

Related posts on Brett’s Blog:

• Initiative
• Are You Jumping the Shark? 

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