Advice to New Entreprenurs

My friend Denise O’Berry is running a contest for the best advice to new entrepreneurs. I don’t have much use for the prize (a year of blog hosting at Network Solutions–I’m happy hosting my own blog), but it felt like a fun and seasonal thing to do. Here’s what I posted:

1. Be as helpful and friendly to others as possible, and be well-networked (both online and off)–cultivate relationships from an attitude of how you can be of service, and people will help you. Introduce people who need to know each other.

2. Do outstanding work. Stuff that people will want to brag about. Turn it in on time or early, and on or under budget–and then suggest the next thing they need and you can help with that maybe they haven’t thought of on their own.

3. Stay true to both your ethics and your values. Do not cross the line to take on projects you shouldn’t. Keep honesty, integrity, and quality front and center.

4. Keep expenses down while starting out. And keep good records.

5. Make sure people understand what you do and how you can help–but do it without being salesy. Show that you know your stuff by answering questions, writing articles (and later, books), speaking,etc.–not by going on and on about how great you are.

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A lifelong activist, profitability and marketing specialist Shel Horowitz’s mission is to fix crises like hunger, poverty, racism, war, and catastrophic climate change—by showing the business world how fixing them can make a profit. An author, international speaker, and TEDx Talker, his award-winning 10th book, Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World, lays out a blueprint for creating and MARKETING those profitable change-making products and services. He is happy to help you craft your messaging and develop profit strategies. Learn more (and download excerpts from the book) at http://goingbeyondsustainability.com