Starting a business can seem like a daunting task, filled with uncertainties and challenges. However, in an episode of the "Starting a Business Simplified" podcast, Mara Kucirek shares her journey from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship, simplifying the process along the way.
In this article, we will dive deeper into the key takeaways from Mara's story, exploring her strategies for creating and selling digital products, generating passive income, and leveraging the power of referrals.
Start with what you know and use
Mara advises aspiring entrepreneurs to begin by identifying things they wish existed or use in their own lives. By starting with personal experiences and needs, you can tap into your own expertise and create products that resonate with others.
When you sell products you already use and have created for yourself, you bring authenticity and credibility to your business.
Simplify with templates and systems
To make your entrepreneurial journey smoother, look at the templates, worksheets, or systems you have already created to streamline your own life. These resources can serve as inspiration for potential income opportunities through teaching. Consider what people often ask you about or are impressed by, as this can indicate a potential market for your expertise.
Three simple steps to selling digital products
Selling digital products may seem overwhelming at first, but Mara breaks it down into three key steps:
Step 1: Identify something that can help others. It could be social media templates, a resume template, or anything that solves a specific problem or meets a need.
Step 2: Create the product using readily available tools like Google Spreadsheets or Canva. The focus is on simplicity and practicality.
Step 3: Determine how to sell it using platforms such as ThriveCart or Cartra. These platforms make it easy to set up your product and receive payments securely.
Start simple, charge less, and continuously improve
Mara emphasizes the importance of not overthinking your product ideas. Instead, go for something that is already in use or a simple solution that people need.
Starting simple also allows you to charge less initially, which can attract customers and create a momentum for your business. As you gain feedback and insights, continuously revise and improve your products to meet the evolving needs of your market.
Leveraging software and tutorials
Don't let the technicalities deter you from selling digital products. There are various software programs and tutorials available that can guide you through the process, from creating your products to securely receiving payments.
Embrace these resources and remember that it's easier than ever to sell things online today.
Breaking free from the traditional corporate world
Mara's experience in the corporate marketing world led her to realize that it wasn't the path to fulfillment. After years of feeling miserable, she made a major switch and became a middle school English teacher.
Although teaching brought her joy, she still felt drawn to start her own business. Mara dedicated her free time to growing her business until it replaced her full-time income, enabling her to leave teaching behind.
The struggle between working for others and entrepreneurship
Both Mara and Suzy the host of the podcast share a common struggle of going back and forth between working for someone else and running their own businesses.
Many people with entrepreneurial spirits can relate to this ongoing journey. Suzy admires Mara's courage in sharing her experiences and aims to help others navigate these challenges more smoothly.
The power of referrals
Mara highlights the importance of referrals for business growth. Initially, finding clients may seem difficult. Once you work with a few people and provide a positive experience, they often refer you to others, leading to exponential growth.
Personal recommendations hold immense value in the online business world, allowing your marketing to almost go on autopilot.
Embracing passive income opportunities
Passive income is a popular concept in the entrepreneurial space. It involves creating something once and being able to sell it repeatedly, without trading time for money. Mara mentions online courses, digital products, and downloadable resources as examples of passive income streams. It offers the potential for exponential growth and provides you with more freedom and flexibility.
Building relationships with customers
Maintaining communication with customers is essential for any business, particularly in the online space where face-to-face interaction is limited.
Establishing a connection through consistent and thoughtful communication keeps customers informed about new products and encourages referrals. Showing appreciation and remembering customers who return multiple times helps build loyalty and trust.
Starting small and gaining momentum
Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessary to have a large audience or social media following before selling a product. Start by talking about your product and take advantage of conversations and opportunities to mention it.
Treat it as a conversation rather than a sales pitch. Selling a product establishes you as an expert and generates real results and testimonials, which can attract more customers over time.
Embracing the journey and sharing the experience
Entrepreneurship can be a rollercoaster ride, and many new business owners fear that their businesses won't grow. Starting out, there can be pressure to do everything, and it may feel like it will take forever to acquire clients.
It's important to share experiences, both successes and struggles, to encourage and inspire others. Remember, even big companies like Walmart began as tiny general stores.
Conclusion
Mara Kucirek's journey from corporate marketing to successful entrepreneurship provides valuable insights for aspiring business owners. By simplifying the process of creating and selling digital products, generating passive income, leveraging referrals, and embracing the entrepreneurial journey, entrepreneurs can take practical steps towards building a thriving business.
So, ask yourself, what can you create, simplify, and sell to make a positive impact and foster your own success?
Connect with Mara:
https://marakucirek.com/
Mara Podcast:
Connect with Suzy Wraines:
Check out Starting Your Practice Simplified Online Course
Download Starting a Business Simplified Guide
LinkedIn: Suzy Wraines
Schedule a FREE Setup your Business Session
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