Being your own boss has a lot of advantages. You can take charge of your hours, have as many vacation days as you want, and wear pajamas to work if you feel like it. These motivators are why 55 percent of entrepreneurs have chosen this path. But running an online business can also be pretty isolating. When you don’t have coworkers to bounce ideas off of or vent to about your frustrating clients, staying on top of things can be challenging.
Luckily, a few hacks can help make running an online business by yourself a bit easier. These tips will help you make the most of working alone.
Use apps to stay connected and organized.
Many great apps out there can help you stay connected with others even when you’re working alone. It’s a great way to get advice and feedback from people who might be in a different field but can still offer helpful insights.
Slack, for example, is perfect for messaging with clients or colleagues, even if they’re in different time zones. Asana is ideal for keeping track of tasks and deadlines, and Trello can be helpful for everything from brainstorming ideas to organizing your plans. Utilizing some or all of these apps will help you stay on top of things and avoid feeling too isolated while you’re working.
By investing in the right tools and taking advantage of the various apps available, you can make running your online business by yourself a lot easier.
Find an online community (or start one yourself).
One downside of running an online business by yourself is that it can be easy to feel disconnected from others who might understand what you’re going through. That’s why finding (or starting) an online community for entrepreneurs is so important; it’ll give you a chance to connect with people who are dealing with similar issues and challenges as you are.
When starting an online business by yourself, it’s vital that you seek out advice and guidance from others but also remember there is strength in numbers. Try joining relevant Facebook groups or following helpful Twitter accounts. Soon enough, you’ll have found a supportive community of like-minded individuals happy to help answer any questions you might have about running an online business-by yourself or otherwise.
This way, you can get the best of both worlds: the benefits of working independently, plus the support and advice of a community.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Just because you’re running an online business by yourself doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. This part is where virtual assistants come in.
By outsourcing virtual assistant services, you can take care of the tasks you don’t have time for or are not good at. This strategy will free up your time so you can focus on the areas of your business that need your attention most.
There are several ways to find reliable virtual assistants, such as searching for companies that offer them or posting a job listing on sites like Upwork or Fiverr. However you choose to find your virtual assistant, be sure to take the time to interview candidates and find someone who is a good fit for your business.
After finding the right virtual assistant, you can delegate tasks like customer service, social media management, data entry, or other time-consuming activities. In doing so, you can avoid burning yourself out by trying to do everything alone.
Take breaks when you need them.
When you work from home, it’s easy to start working early in the morning and stay glued to your laptop until late at night. But this isn’t sustainable or healthy in the long run.
Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day-even if it’s just for five minutes at first-and try not to work more than 8-10 hours per day if possible. It’s also vital that when you take breaks, you step away from your work completely. Resist the urge to sneak in a quick check of your email or social media notifications. Instead, use that time to do something unrelated to work, like reading a book or taking your dog for a walk.
While being a hard worker is commendable, it’s important to remember that you’re only human. Overworking yourself will only lead to burnout, which is unsuitable for you or your business. By taking regular breaks, you can return to your work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.
Following the above tips, you can make running your online business by yourself a lot easier. These hacks will help you stay organized, connected, and supported, despite working alone. And soon enough, you’ll successfully grow your business-with or without help.