The Hustle to Startup Blog

How to Network: 13 Tips for Introverts [& Those Who Hate Networking!]

Networking literally build my business. So it might surprise you when I say that I HATE networking. Yes, it’s true.

But it allowed me to quit a decent paying job, and start my own business that’s still profitable almost 2 years later… so I keep going. I’ve met people who have turned into clients, but also those who have referred clients to me – just by networking.

In fact, although I run Facebook ads and Google ads for other small business owners, I have yet to spend money on marketing my marketing business. Which may sound kind of weird, but I actually look at that as having a very strong starting foundation for my business.

I know that I’m going to need to look outside of my referral network once I started growing faster, but for now it’s provided me with a steady stream of clients.

The best part is, while my referral network was built through networking, I can also go out and get new clients by networking as well.

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15 Actionable Ways to Get New Clients [Or Your First Client!]

I’ve been asked a lot recently how I ended up getting my first client.

The truth is that I had very little to do with this AND I had no clue what I was doing.

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Tactical vs Strategic Planning: Benefits, Examples, & Templates

Yesterday, we talked about SMART Goals, and how to effectively create them. So you know what you’re working towards, but there are no actionable steps in there.

You can just sit down and will those goals into existence, we need actual tasks and action steps in there.

That’s what we are going to solve today. [Read more…] about Tactical vs Strategic Planning: Benefits, Examples, & Templates

SMART Goals – What They Are, How They Work, and How to Get Started

Setting Goals So You’re Working in the Right Direction

Now that we have the entire business model canvas complete, it’s time to start taking action on those ideas you’ve created.

But not just any action, moving forward we should be creating SMART goals. Not only are they more actionable, but also more likely to get done because they’re so specific.

Today’s Business Tip: Learn how to create SMART goals and where to keep them

This might be one of the most important “time management tips” because no matter how productive you are, if you’re going in the wrong direction, what’s the point?

Yea, yea, set goals – sounds boring. But really, what do you want out of life? Think big picture and small picture. [Read more…] about SMART Goals – What They Are, How They Work, and How to Get Started

The Easiest Business Plan to Create: The Business Model Canvas [+ Free Templates]

In June I was accepted into a business coaching/learning program called “Power Up Your Business.” It’s sponsored by a local community college and essentially they teach you the framework for a powerful business, along with offering business coaching, working on tactical business plans, and more.

During Week 2 of the program, and the instructor exposed us all to the Business Model Canvas.

I had heard of this before, and even tried to use it for a “business” I was going to run about 4 years ago (which clearly didn’t go anywhere).

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