Are you stumped on what to write on your About page? Here are some handy tips and tricks

Did you know that About pages are one of the most visited on a website? You probably hoped it would be your sales page but nope, humans are curious by nature. 

Don’t read any further.

See what I mean? Curious 😉 

This tidbit means your About page is prime real estate on your website. And you need to polish it like a broker on Selling Sunset prepping a Hollywood home for a viewing. It should not be an afterthought.

Want to know how to write an About page for a website that sells without selling? Read on…

What’s an About Page?

This is the hoodwinking part. Just like French Fries are not from France and your funny bone isn’t very amusing (or a bone for that matter), an About page isn’t really about you. 

However, most people go wrong by thinking that it is. And the result is a very awkward description of how they love cats but hate cutting their toenails. Oh, dear. Let’s not force our website visitors to swallow their own sickness. 

If you can avoid succumbing to About page word vomit then here’s how your visitors should feel after reading your About page…

• That they understand and like you more
• That they can relate to your story
• That they can trust you
• That you’re a head above the other guys
• That they want to work with you 

As always, it comes back to the Know, Like, Trust factor. You want to build this through everything you do – your About page is no different.

Your About page should focus on your customers and what they want. This is not a place for hard-selling. Everything on this page should help your customer connect to you more. It should make them feel the feels.

And, hey presto! That’s the je ne sais quoi that actually sells sweetly.

How to write an About page for a website – some tips…

Cover the basics

If you’re not sure what to include on your About page then get started by using these prompts. It’ll help you put all your ideas down on paper. 

• Who are you?
• What do you do?
• How do you do it?
• Why do you do it?
• Who do you help?
• How can you help?
• How did you get to where you are?
• What challenges did you overcome?
• Why are you different?

In that list, one of the most important things is ‘how can you help?’. Your website visitor has landed on your page because they need something. Show them how you are the person who can solve their issue. 

Now that you have your rough content, it’s time to whittle it down into something that engages your reader. One of the best things you can do is to…

Tell a story

People have clicked on your page because they want to know what makes you tick. 

Use your personal story to create a connection with the reader. They will then become more emotionally invested and that’s what converts into enquiries and sales: emotions. And I don’t mean this in a cold-hearted “reel them in” way. Be honest and be yourself. If you tell your story well then people will feel emotionally connected without you having to sleaze on them.

Human beans particularly like to know a good backstory. What is your ‘why’ for setting up your business? What obstacles did you overcome to get there? What important milestones have you reached on your journey? These are all good things to include.

So, if you’re a single mum who’s fought tooth and nail to start her own photography business then talk about it. Especially if your target audience is new mothers. There could be someone in a similar situation and they will relate to you. It could be the difference between them coming to your small business for their newborn baby photos over a larger photography studio.

Include photos and video

People are nosy. Yup, I’m saying it again because it’s true. Humans love getting a peek into other people’s lives. It’s why reality TV and social media are an intrinsic part of our world now.

And, again, emotional connection is so important when choosing who to buy from. That’s why people don’t always go for the cheapest price. If they instinctively warm to someone and like their vibes then money isn’t the deciding factor. 

By including photos and videos of yourself you make people feel like they know you a bit better. They can put a face to the business. You let them into your world. 

When taking photos, you don’t need to stand against a white background with your arms folded like you’re on the cover of Forbes. Take pictures that show your personality. Go outside if it feels more natural. Or get some in-action shots of you working so you don’t feel like you’re posing. Candid pictures always feel more authentic.

It’s also a good idea to include some images of your workspace and products. And if you have a team then definitely include them, too.

Watch your tone

Reflect your personality. If you’re a spiritual life coach who likes walking barefoot in the sand and joining Kambo ceremonies then do you really want to say, “I will elevate you to your best potential and utilise my skills to help you think outside of the box.”? 

Or do you want to say something like, “Using my spiritual know-how we’ll lift your vibration and open your mind to endless possibilities.”

The sentences mean roughly the same but the first is formal and business-like. The second is warmer and more friendly.

Unless you’re a corporate business such as a law firm or insurance broker then write your About page as if you are having a conversation with a friend. Make it welcoming and interesting.

Remember to update it

People change. Don’t write your About page and then leave it for five years. You should go back and revisit it at least once a year (more if possible). We’re always learning and growing. Add in any new nuggets of gold such as qualifications.

Fly your glitter flag

Show them why you’re unique. In a business world that’s getting increasingly competitive, your About page could quite literally be the difference between your client choosing you over your competitors. 

Do you wear unicorn slippers while making your funky products? Show it in your photos. 

Are you a coach who works with cosmic energy? Weave it into your copy by saying things like “I’ll help you shine brighter than the star Sirius.”

Are you a beauty salon that loves making women feel good? List the 5 things you’ve overcome in your own journey to end up loving who you are. 

Are you a bold artist or designer? Use colours and graphics that really reflect your style.

A small word of caution though…It’s important to consider whether these facts will turn your audience on or off. There is a fine line between sharing quirks and sharing too much. Make sure your content is relatable to your target audience.

Call it what it is

Google needs to know what the page is to help with your search engine optimisation. So don’t be tempted to call your About page ‘A Peek Inside’ or ‘Peeling Back the Onion Layers’.

Calling it a slight variation such as ‘About’, ‘About Us’, ‘About Me’ or something similar is perfectly fine though. As are obvious titles such as ‘Our story’. 

Remember, KISS is always best in terms of online copy (Keep It Simple Stupid).

Other key things to include in an About page

• Put the most important information above the fold (that’s the area that visitors see before they have to scroll)
• Don’t leave them hanging – include a method of contact. Direct them to an enquiry form, product page, newsletter signup etc. People like to be guided otherwise they drop off.
• Your location. So many people miss this off their websites. If you sell to local businesses then this is especially important. It helps with your SEO, too.
• Your values. And I don’t just mean the run-of-the-mill “integrity, honesty and transparency” that everyone lists (these are important but I like to think they’re a given). Are you an eco-friendly, carbon-neutral company that uses recycled packaging? Are you passionate about diversity and inclusion? Then explain why with concrete examples. 
• Timelines and numbers. If you have any evidence to support what you’re saying then include it. These work well in graphic form too. 
• Any press mentions, award wins or customer testimonials. Proven facts and evidence give you credibility.

What to avoid in an About page

My main words of caution are to avoid jargon and hard-selling. Especially if you consider yourself a heart-led business. Keep things simple, friendly and warm.

A roundup of how to write an about page for a website…

In a nutshell, if you want to write an About page that sells then you need to go easy on the selling. 

Instead…

Focus on telling your story. 

Make it relatable to your target audience. 

Show them how you can solve their problems. 

Bring your personality to the About page party.  

Don’t talk about your toenails unless you’re a beautician. Simples 🙂 

If you want some inspiration then design gurus Canva have listed 50 great examples of about pages here.

If you still feel a bit lost then, don’t worry, this is my jam. Take advantage of my power hour and I’ll talk you through how to write an about page for a website. Book here.

What’s the difference between an okay website and an AMAZING website? 

There are two mindset shifts you can make around your website that will help you take your site to the next level, and I bet they’re not what you think they are.

No, I’m not talking about layouts, fonts, SEO or landing pages. We’re talking bigger here.

So what are these two shifts you need to make?

Always thinking about your dream clients first

Both of these shifts you can make around your website come with putting your dream clients at the center of everything you do. Everything you do in your business should really be about them, and not about yourself. This bring us to the first mindset shift you can make that will help uplevel your website.

1. Speak more to your dream clients emotions and transformation than about yourself

It can be really easy to get caught up in your own head when you’re working on your website and feel like you’re only talking about yourself, or talking about yourself too much. But although you want to share enough of yourself to help your dream clients connect with you, ultimately you need to get out of your head and stop talking only about yourself.

Spoiler: no one cares about you as much as you think they do.

Everyone is too busy thinking of themselves and their own problems!

Which is why they’re here, on your site. They have a problem that they need your help with. 

So start to shift from thinking your website is all about you, and make sure you realise it is all about them, your dream clients. Start asking yourself questions like this:

1. How does my dream client feel before they work with me?
2. What can they expect during our time working together? How will it feel? How does the process work? What should they know about how we work together before they decide to work with me?
3. How will they feel after we finish working together?
4. What’s the transformation that they can expect to have in their business and life after we’ve worked together?

When we move away from thinking we’re only talking about ourselves, and come from a place of service and love of what we can do for our dream clients, it all of a sudden feels much easier.

I don’t know about you, but I could talk about the process and transformation I can give my clients all day! Facts about me that they might find relevant or interesting…not so much.

Make this subtle shift on your website and in your marketing and feel how much more liberating and exciting it is to show up for your clients.

2. Get a fresh perspective

You know your business like the back of your hand. And better than anyone else on this planet! Amazing. However, this can often mean that you struggle to explain what you do in a way that makes sense to others.

Working with a web designer is invaluable because they will help bring the outside perspective you might really need with your website build. You can also totally get this from many other places though; how about a fellow freelancer, a coach, a peer in a group coaching program, an ideal client, or just a friend? 

Ask someone to give you feedback on some of your copy, or even just the pages you want to have on your website. Ask them how the website makes them feel, if there is anything that didn’t make very much sense, or that they had to wonder about before clicking on. Our brains like what they know, and they also don’t like to spend any time on decisions.

For example, if you have one page on your website titled ‘What I Do’ and another titled ‘Work With Me’, is it really clear to your audience which one they should click on first? How to get the information they need? If they need to think about it for even 30 seconds, it’s too long. We consume so much content these days and have short attention spans; you need to make things as easy as possible for your audience. Getting a fresh perspective from someone outside your business can be so helpful to point out issues like this!

It’s not all about you

When we move away from worrying about what we’re doing all the time and how others perceive us and our business, we come from a place of service. This helps us build a much more magnetic brand, and makes it even easier for our dream clients to feel that big, huge yes when they land on our website.

Warning: displaying prices on your website can lead to transparency and trust.

Does pineapple belong on a pizza?

Was Ross actually on a break?

Is Die Hard really a Christmas movie?

In business, none of these debates are as divisive as whether you should display prices on your website.

Some people tremble at the thought of doing it. Others champion it till the sacred cows come home.

But who is right?

Publishing your prices online or not: what’s best?

I’m going to give you the answer you don’t want to hear. There’s no right or wrong approach. It will depend entirely on your circumstances, preferences and business model.

(Yup, it’s mildly uncomfortable on this white picket fence.)

Okay, let me be a bit more helpful. I advise the majority of my clients to display their costs on their websites. Here’s why…

Why you should display prices on your website

It saves precious time

Picture it, you’ve spent an hour on a discovery call with a client. All looks promising. You prepare a pitch summarising how you can solve their problem and how much it will cost. The document took more effort than smoke cleansing your home and crystals at the full moon.

You send them it. 

Then nada. 

You never hear back. 

It turns out your costs were nowhere near what they expected (not necessarily a bad thing).

Did that feel like a royal waste of your time? If you had been upfront about your prices then they would have immediately realised you were not a match. Your efforts could have been better used elsewhere (like onboarding your dream client who is happy to pay what you’re worth).

When you display prices on your website you may find that you have fewer people contacting you. But the ones who do get in touch will be the right people for you. They have already decided that your costs suit them and will be more likely to convert into sales. 

It’s a much more efficient way to work.

It’s transparent and builds trust

So many businesses list one of their core values as “transparent”. But isn’t hiding what you charge a surefire way not to be transparent?

If you’re an ethical and heart-led business (and I’m sure you are!) then I’m assuming you want to do the right thing for your clients. Leaving them squirming in embarrassment about if they can afford you doesn’t really fit the bill, does it?

I didn’t want my clients to feel this way so I clearly display that my WordPress in a Day package is £1000.

If you want to be known as honest, fair and easy to work with then be your own brand – show your prices on your website.

No more awkwardness

I don’t know about you but I hate haggling over price. It’s uncomfortable. The introvert in me wants to put on an invisibility cloak and escape the bartering Muggles. 

By putting your prices on your website you are being clear from the offset about costs involved. There’s no need for you to “um” and “eh” while trying to explain why you charge what you do. The numbers are there for all to see. 

If you know your costs are fair and you provide value there is no need to feel shame if someone doesn’t want to pay them. 

Save your energy for those who do rather than trying to convince those who don’t. Be a unicorn who’s proud of its magic!

It helps with SEO

People like to know how much things cost prior to contacting a supplier. So, of course, they Google it. For example, before coming to my site, someone might search, “How much does website design cost?”

If I have a page on my site that shows my prices then I can include this search term and Google will direct them to it. However, if I don’t detail my costs it’s unlikely that the search engines will favour me as much as someone who does. It’s an opportunity thrown into a black hole never to be seen again.

Potential clients can start budgeting to hire you

Sure, by putting your prices online people might realise they can’t afford you. But if they really like you it gives them a goal to aim for.

There have been lots of occasions when I can’t afford something but it’s given me an incentive to save for it. Are you the same? I bet some of your potential customers will be, too.

It comes back to whether someone connects with your story, website and brand. If you’ve spent time online showing people the value you can offer them then they will be drawn to work with you. They will be willing to pay your prices even if they can find cheaper elsewhere.

This is the Know, Like, Trust factor and it’s important to nurture it.

Why do businesses hide their prices?

So, why do people still balk at showing what they charge? Here are a few reasons…

They’re scared they won’t get clients

Let’s debunk this one. If clients don’t want to pay the prices that you feel you’re worthy of then they’re not the right fit for you. Your work should speak for itself. It’s not a good long-term strategy to drop your prices just to nab a job.

Clients who choose the business who offers the lowest price aren’t interested in the value you can bring. Consider carefully whether bargain hunters are your dream client. If the answer is “no’ then there’s no need to worry about losing their custom.

If you’re not confident about your prices then this is a different issue and needs addressing. You might find this article on how to price your product or service helpful.

They want an opportunity to explain why their prices are higher

Some believe that showing your prices removes the opportunity to explain why you charge what you do. They worry the potential client will scurry off and hire someone less expensive. They think, “Perhaps if I can have a discussion with the client then I can explain my costs better.”

I would counter this by saying your website is perfectly capable of telling this story for you. Designed well it can convince your clients that you deserve the price you’re asking. You can do this through video explanations, client testimonials and case studies. Get creative and show why you’re worth your prices!

They’re scared competitors will undercut them

Yes, this might happen. But your competitors are not you! They can’t offer exactly what you can. You know what you’re worth. Stick to your guns. 

Also, if your competitors really want to know what you charge they’ll find a way to uncover it.

It’s important not to come from a place of fear when you make decisions that affect your business. Remember that no one is you. While it’s important to understand what competitors charge, it’s not the only factor. You are your secret sauce and they can’t copy that (unicorn magic, remember).

Their pricing structure is complicated

In this case, you could still show some sample packages or display a price range that says “starting from”. You can see how I do this on my website if you click here and scroll down to the FAQs.

Anything that gives your potential clients a benchmark will make their lives easier. And yours!

What to do if you’re scared to display prices on your website

Now, we need to go a bit deeper here. You should stop and think about why it makes you shiver.

Use these journaling prompts to uncover any blocks that are making you approach your business from a scarcity mindset.

• What do I feel when I imagine sharing my prices online? (e.g. fear, imposter syndrome, embarrassment, defensiveness.) 
• Why do I feel that way? (e.g. because my competitors might undercut me, people will think I’m overcharging, I’ll scare clients off, people won’t believe I’m worth it.)
• Do I feel like my competitors are better than me? If so, why?
• What is the worst that will happen if my competitors see my prices?
• Does displaying/ not displaying my prices have my clients’ best interests at heart? Or is this decision about me?
•  

When you take time to think about the reasons why you don’t want to display your prices things become clearer. Try to identify whether it’s fear driving your decision. If it is, then this is something worth exploring.

There you have it, the reasons for and against publishing your prices. In a nutshell, worrying about being undercut or charging too much aren’t valid arguments.

You’re entitled to ask for what your service or product is worth. Have faith in yourself. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Don’t be frightened to own that, you amazing unicorn, you.

The big day has come. You’ve been working hard on your shiny new website for weeks now and it’s ready to go live.

You’ve given it 111 proofreads. Your great aunt Wilma who has a degree in English Lit has looked over it 22 times. You’ve even let the dog sniff the screen for bad energy. He seems to be quite good at uncovering dodgy-looking things.

All appears to be splendid.

Yet still, you hesitate.

Your finger hovers over the Publish button. But you’re more frozen than when you last attempted a cold water shower. Website launch anxiety has struck.

“I’ll maybe leave it one more day,” you think. “I’ll check it tomorrow with fresh eyes.”

Tomorrow comes.

“Hmm, I wonder if the pink headings are too pink? Best to check with a couple of people. Don’t want to put visitors off.”

And so it goes on.

It’s easy to find excuse after excuse to stop you from launching your website. And no wonder. This is no small thing. This is your online baby. You’ve spent ages perfecting it. Your business depends on your online presence. It’s scary. You’re on the verge of making an altar sacrifice during eclipse season to make sure things go hitch-free.

If this is you, please don’t beat yourself up about it. It happens to almost every client I work with. The more you invest in a website, the more it can become a terrifying thing you’re sure will make you a laughing stock. Spoiler alert – it won’t.

Here’s my advice on how you can quash your website launch anxiety.

Ask yourself, “What is the worst that can happen when I launch my website?”

It’s time to put things in perspective. When you hit the Publish button, no one is going to outer space. Even if you need to call Houston and tell them you have a problem, it will be fixable. Don’t panic. Oxygen is not going to run out on WordPress. Breathe. Breathe. You can do this.

Also, if we’re working together on your website then you better believe that my eyes are all over it during launch. I’m 100% the Hermione to your Harry when you go live. I’ve got a spell to fix everything. We’ll sort out any bumps in the road together. Although I’m confident there will be none as I’ll have tested every link, contact form and button to within an inch of its clickability.

Consider soft-launching your website

You don’t need to get the party hats and streamers out for the big day. It’s your website, your choice, remember. Launch it in whatever way feels right for you.

A soft launch of a website involves going live without announcing it to everyone. You just hit publish and that’s it. Well, maybe it’s not quite as easy as that… but it’s not far off it.

This approach sees you airing your site without the festival around it. You quietly go live minus the big ta-da! Then you use the days that follow to iron out any creases and make sure everything is working as it should.

Doing it this way takes the lid off the cauldron of your emotions and brings you back down to a simmer. You don’t feel that everything needs to be perfect. And that’s a good thing, because, let’s face it, perfectionism halts us in our tracks and stops us from making progress.

When a hard website launch is necessary…

Not all websites can have the luxury of a soft launch, unfortunately. For example, if people visit an e-commerce site often to buy items then they will notice if things change. You also might want to guide them on what’s different, before you launch. The aim is to keep their user journey as seamless as can be.

For a hard website launch, you want to make sure you’ve had as many people as possible test the site. Use various computers and mobile devices to check everything is compatible.

It might make you feel better to know that most new e-commerce sites typically don’t sell for the first 30 days. While this isn’t ideal for your pocket, it is a good buffer period for you to make sure everything is okay on your website.

But what if people don’t like my new website?

This is a big worry a lot of my clients have. However, if you’ve done your target audience research you can send your concerns back into the ether.

I spend time with my clients at the start of the project to really understand who we want to land on their site. It’s a critical part of the website launch process. It influences everything we create, from fonts and colours to the tone of voice and user journey.

If you’re building your own website and you haven’t done this yet then it’s worth taking time to investigate. Profiling your ideal customer is essential for your website and your business. If you’re not familiar with profiling, Hubspot has some good advice and templates here. 

Then, if you want to take it to the next level, you can develop your buyer persona. Keeping these points in mind as you build your website will make sure it appeals to your dream customer. It’s a step not to be missed.

Remember, the energy you give out via your website affects what sort of clients contact you. If you are being your authentic self in your copy then your ideal customer will relate to you and get in touch.

The terror of typos

The next thing that seems to give people shivers is the thought of typos. Especially if you work in an industry where attention to detail is crucial (e.g. copywriting, marketing or social media management).

If you don’t have a budget to hire a copywriter then it’s okay, no need to panic. The gods of the internet have bestowed on us tools that will make your words as accurate as your daily Oracle card.

Run your website copy through Grammarly, Hemingway and Repetition Detector before launch. They’ll help identify any spelling and grammar mistakes. They can also pick up on readability issues or when you’ve used a word too many times.

It helps give you extra peace of mind if writing is not your strong point.

Is your website launch anxiety going down yet? If not, here are a couple more tips…

Affirm it and it will be

Never underestimate the power of your mind. If you spiral into self-doubt and worry then it’s not going to help you launch your site well. Launching should be fun. Take time to try and change your mindset with affirmations.

Affirmations trick our subconscious mind into believing something is true. They help reprogram our thinking patterns. So, if you’re wallowing in your PJs cursing the moment you decided to update your website you can change how you feel. 

Say things like,

“I am creating an amazing website that my customers will love.”

“My website launch will run smoothly and successfully.” 

Make up an affirmation that feels right for you. Remember to keep it in the positive tense and say it repeatedly throughout the day. Try to believe that what you’re saying is real.

And my final tip to help soothe your website launch anxiety…

Double and triple check everything to give you peace of mind.

Here’s a handy website launch checklist for you to tick your way through if you’re feeling nervous.

• Check your SSL certificate works
• Check all your links work (no 404 errors)
• Check headlines are in a consistent font and size
• Test forms and email signup forms
• Proofread copy for typos
• Ensure images and videos load correctly and are optimised
• Complete on-page SEO (meta description, title tags, alt text) 
• Do a test purchase on any e-commerce elements (check again once live)
• Check pages are optimised for mobile devices and different browsers (check again once live)
• Make sure your content management system is updated to the latest version
• Backup your website
• Integrate analytics (e.g. Google analytics)
• Setup a custom 404 page
• Check your XML sitemap
• Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console

So, there you go. By following these steps you should feel better about your site going live.

Remember, it’s not a ‘one and done’ project. Websites are meant to evolve and be updated. If you still feel nervous then feel free to ask any questions below and I’ll do my best to chase away any worries you have.

Related website launch articles:

Is your website giving your ideal client the wrong vibe?

Definitive guide to SEO terms

Showing up on your website in a powerful way

Hopefully, you’re now feeling psyched about launching your new website into the world!

When you first start your business, things probably feel pretty messy. 

Your to do list is as long as your arm, you’re consuming content at an alarming rate, and there’s a never ending stream of internet ‘gurus’ and coaches telling you you must absolutely be using this exact 3 part system to succeed on instagram/pinterest/insert platform here. 

On top of that, you need to be active on ALL social media channels EVERY DAY to reach enough people so that you can land new clients, share your message, and build your business. Right?

Well…that’s how many of us start out. But it isn’t the way it has to be.

Building a sustainable online business

It can feel like the most logical thing is to reach many people. You want to get as many people as possible following you on your social media channels, signing up to your email newsletters, visiting your website, so that you have more eyes on your work and a higher chance of converting.

Long term, that can feel like a lot. And is it really what feels aligned to you?

I believe you should run your business whatever way feels best to *you*, not doing what other people say you should be doing. I know it feels like you need to try allll the things and believe, me I’ve been there. But to me, there is a way to build your business which is much more sustainable in the long term.

Swapping sales calls for connection calls.

Swapping lead acquisition for community building.

Swapping vanity metrics for lasting relationships with soul aligned clients.

To me, that feels way better. And the important part is, what feels most aligned for you?  

Authentically sharing your message

Once you’ve dreamt up your big vision for your business, you need to start taking action in that direction. And how you feel as you head in that direction will define how quickly and easily you reach your vision.

If consuming too much content, trying different frameworks, and listening to too many gurus makes you feel overwhelmed and like you don’t have a clue where to start…stop doing those things!

I’m not saying you should never try something new. We often also need to take a few wrong steps before we find ourselves on the right path, and sometimes by trying what isn’t a good fit, we figure out what is a good fit for us.

So instead of that, try to think about what type of business owner you need to be in order to have the business you desire. What types of activities do you do on a daily basis? How do you connect with your potential clients? How do you use social media for your business? Where do your clients like to see you show up? 

And finally, a big spoiler: the absolute best place to pull this all together is (yup, you guessed it): on your website.

How you can show up powerfully on your website

Knowing all of the things I’ve just written about will help you be in a place where you’re ready to show up powerfully on your website. 

Your website is here to stay. It’s the one place online that anyone can access anytime, that looks exactly how you want it to look and can portray your message exactly how you’d like it portrayed. But if you’re too early in your business and you don’t know any of the things about who you are as your business owner, your big vision for your business, your values and mission, how you like to run your business and who your ideal, soul aligned client you love to work with is; you won’t have a website that will draw them in.

You could, of course, make a website that shows exactly where you are in this moment. But if it’s geared towards where you are now and not where you’re going to be in a couple of years, do you think it will really attract the type of client that you’d most love to work with on your way there?

There are a few main areas where you can show up in a much more expansive way on your website.

1. The messaging on your website

Basically, all of your written content. This should inspire people, let them know more about you, make them want to take action, and be succinct enough that they can figure out who you are and what you do very quickly. So on different parts of your website, there will be different types of copy. 

To me, I see my website as the main part of everything I stand for; the main part of my business that converts enquiries, the place where people go when they’re considering working with me and want to find out more about me and my work. My website makes them feel inspired, excited, like they finally found the perfect designer they would love to work with, and that they have a very good understanding of what it will be like to work with me. 

Then, in my blogs and on my social media channels I can go further into all of the little specifics, details, more information, and everything else that my soul-aligned clients love to read about.

Your website is always there and has a big job to do. It doesn’t disappear (or maybe not even show up in) fast moving social media posts that people quickly scroll past without really paying attention to. Your messaging needs to pull people in and get them invested in you. Be bold, shine your light, and share your message. 

1. Your website’s branding

Your website also needs to be visually appealing and memorable, and your branding is what helps create a standout visual experience for your clients.

This includes your logo, favicons, colour palette, typography…all things that seem like you would be fine if you just wing it, but your branding makes up most of the visual experience on your website and has a huge impact on how memorable and impactful your website can be.

I started out with a very muted and ‘safe’ branding and then recently relaunched my branding which was done by the wonderful Laura at Sugar Grenade Designs and Bea + Elle. She saw my vision for what I would love my brand to be longer term, how I want my work to be portrayed, and what my soul aligned clients really love.

By putting myself out there with bolder branding on my website, my social media also quickly followed suit and now I have a very attention grabbing and memorable brand that is cohesive not only across my website but all of my social media channels as well.

1. Your photography on your website

Here is the last main place we’re going to touch on for now: your photos are incredibly important, and often totally unappreciated.

If your photos are bad, your website will look bad. I’m being blunt here because I don’t want you to take this lightly: no amount of great web design will make up for terrible photos. Believe me!!!

You will also most likely need more photos than you realise. The great news is, if you work with a brilliant photographer, they will do all you need in one session. And as with your messaging and branding, if you have amazing photos done for your website, you’ll be able to use them on your social media channels for months to come.

High quality photos will work seamlessly across your website, show you in your best light, and let your clients feel like they know you before they decide to work with you (so important when you’re a personal brand).

Shine your light

When you spell it all out like that, it seems easy peasy. But many of these things are ones we learn and figure out as we grow, and not ones we innately know right as we start our businesses. So this is why it can feel better to wait until you’ve been in business for a little while before you invest in a web designer; because when you are ready to work with someone, you’ll know yourself and value all the different pieces of the puzzle that you need to pull together to show up as powerfully as you can on your website. 

When you show up powerfully like this, your business can grow hugely as a result of having a standout, inspiring, memorable website.

How are you building your business?

Are you creating it to match your own vision of success, and building your security from within yourself? Or are you doing what everyone is telling you you *have* to do to make £5k or £10k + months and beyond (is that even what you really want?), and looking for someone else to give you that security you’re craving? (Hint: you’ll be searching for a while!)

We often complicate things a lot more than we need to. You don’t actually need to be active on 8+ social media channels every single day, have a referral scheme, a group, two funnels, a few spreadsheets and £1000 a month in facebook ads to succeed. It can be way simpler than that.

I’m not saying that you don’t need any of those things, or that you won’t need to do anything to make your business work. Running your own biz can be tough! What I am saying is, know your big vision for how you want your life and business to look. Figure out who you want to be. And then create that security you need to do that from within yourself and your business first, and stepping out of that never-ending cycle of shiny objects and promises from online gurus that ‘this’ is the one thing that will take you to financial success.

Security we create from within ourselves is the baseline for all of our manifestations

If you don’t feel secure in your own business, how are your clients going to feel secure about investing with you? If you aren’t creating a home online where they can see your energy and what it would feel like to work with you, in a way that makes them feel excited and secure that they’re making the right decision by investing with you, where does that leave them?

Truthfully, you only need to get a few things right to get your business moving in the right direction. And your website is one of them.

Why do you need your website to create security in your business?

Your website is the place people go to see who you really are. Are you dependable? Do you care enough about your business to invest in it yourself? Do you believe in yourself enough to bet on your own business? 

These things are immediately clear as soon as people land on your website. They don’t need to be ‘woo woo’ or ‘in tune’ to make an immediate judgement of whether or not they’d feel secure investing with you based on your website. 

We see time and time again statistics like half of users citing a business’ website design as the number one factor in their credibility, or that when visiting your website users decide within 10 seconds or less whether they trust your business based on the design of your site, but then people still think it doesn’t matter if they get by on a website that doesn’t instill a sense of credibility and security for their users.

If you want to create the stability you crave in your business and spread that same feeling to your potential clients, you need a stand out website that shows off your business so they feel secure making the leap to work with you.

Often when we feel uncertain, is when we need to rise

When we continue to receive the same lessons, it’s because we haven’t really understood what we’re meant to learn yet. And usually, when we feel uncertain about making a decision, that’s when we need to take the leap more than ever.

How can you attract clients that will want to invest with you? By first investing in yourself. You’re putting out what you want to receive, and when your potential clients see that you feel secure enough in your own business to invest in yourself, that’s when they’ll feel comfortable and excited to invest in your business too.

You don’t know what every step will look like when you start; you need to start taking action to build your dream business before you can have your dream business. What does that look like for you? What feelings do you want to inspire in your audience?

Depending on your website instead of social media

Social media is an amazing tool that you can (and should) use for your business. There are so many variables though, building your business solely on your social media presence isn’t a good way to go. You don’t own your channels, who knows what the algorithm will do with your content from one day to the next, and whether or not your posts will end up in people’s newsfeeds today. 

Your website is your home online; it portrays your energy, it’s your virtual stake in the ground, it should share who you are with your dream clients and it works for you 24/7. It’s the one place online that is 100% YOU, shares your message with the world, and can get your dream clients from ‘who is this?’ to ‘I NEED this in my life now!’.

Wouldn’t you rather have a beautiful, attention grabbing website that can look exactly how you’d really love it to look rather than building your business on the fickle nature of social media and spending 2 hours crafting on a long form facebook post that might only show up in a handful of newsfeeds today?

Build safety in your business instead of depending on outside factors

If you depend on outside factors for that feeling of safety in your business (filling your classes with X amount of people, or that one big monthly contract), you’ll never find it. You need to create safety from within yourself first.

Once you feel safe with yourself and your business foundations, then you’ll start attracting the same back.

An amazing website is essential for creating that safety in your business. You have a solid, standout, attractive online home that shows off who you really are; not just social media posts that may or may not show up in someone’s feed today. This builds SO much more trust (and a feeling of safety) with your clients.

Are you creating your own safety in your business with an amazing website, or are you looking for it somewhere else?

Imagine your future.

What do you see? What are you doing? You’ve probably dreamt of this before. Think about it. How often have you found yourself absolutely transfixed by a fantasy of that perfect someday? How many times, while stuck in the office, going through the motions, have you found yourself daydreaming about what you would do if things were different. If only you had the time, money, energy. If only things would change!

Though, maybe you aren’t stuck in an office at all. Maybe you’ve already taken that first step to carve your own path. You’ve taken the dream and made it a reality through drive, passion, and a lot of hard work. As the execution of business ownership overtakes the fantasy phase, there is still room to daydream. You have something solid now, but what will it be in a year? In 10 years? There are so many possibilities, of course you’re still dreaming!

No matter where you are on your journey as a heart-centred entrepreneur, there is always room to dream. If you didn’t, how else would you know what you want? How else could you plan for your future? Without dreams, there are no goals. No destination to travel towards, little to motivate you, nothing at which to direct your energy. Living wild and free is fun and has its place, but it can also leave you feeling empty, directionless, and unfulfilled.

Even for those of who are determined and driven, you can end up feeling lost, as no matter how hard you work, you still can’t find the balance. It’s like all the pieces of the puzzle are there, but for some reason, they just aren’t falling into place. Other business owners seem to juggle it all with ease. What is the secret!?

There is no secret! It isn’t a matter of finding that one little trick that will make everything easy. Unless you have a time-turner, of course, but those are in short supply these days. And since it isn’t likely that a magical, problem-solving device is going to fall into your lap anytime soon, you’re going to have to find another way to create that balance in your life.

Rather than putting all your money into some easy-fix solution, you’re going to have to work for it. Yep, that’s right. The solution is more hard work. Despite all the work you have already put in to your business, you are going to have to do more. But this work, it isn’t about your brand. This isn’t about crunching numbers or making sales. This is about the work you put into yourself.

Oh The Places You’ll Go

Imagine your future, again. Notice, once more, what you see around you. How did it get there? How did YOU get there? In order to attain this success, there had to have been a very determined person putting in the time and effort to make their dream a reality. Imagine that person. What are they like? What do they first thing in the morning? What is the last thing they do before bed?

Is it you? Or is it the person you wish you could be? How does that fantasy-self match up to the person you currently are? Even the hardest of workers can fall into habits that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Whether it is through a lack of organisation, poor time management, an abnormal sleep schedule, or perpetual procrastination, our daily rituals and routines influence our present and future selves. Each action has infinite possible outcomes. When we choose to create daily rituals and maintain a routine that benefits our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, we tip the scale in favour of positive results. This affects not only our sense of self and our everyday life but, likewise, our work.

That self you imagined – the one who has found that sought after sense of fulfillment and  success – it isn’t just a fantasy. It is a goal, an achievable future. The key? Becoming the person you need to be in order to reach that goal. This isn’t a case of changing yourself to fit it or impress others. It’s a matter of building habits that reinforce positive growth. 

Systems For Success

As an entrepreneur, there are a few basic things that really help to set you down the path to success. They work like magic, but are as practical as it gets. These are things like keeping a schedule, making to-do lists (and completing them), and using a day planner. They may not be exciting, but solid organisational habits are essential to a successful business.

Do you really believe Future You just decides to work whenever you please? Not likely! I would wager that you have a set schedule and keep a calendar. You plan out your workload in advance and find ways to balance all the other tasks that seem to infiltrate the day. Things are so much easier. And why? Planning!

Make a daily ritual of filling out your planner. It is literally one of the simplest but most powerful actions you can take. It allows you to keep order without having to remember all those important dates, meetings, and appointments on your own. This prevents embarrassing mishaps like double-booking a call or missing a deadline. It also allows you to block out parts of your day in a regimented way, which breeds consistency, a chief factor in building habits and keeping on top of work. Plus, by writing down your schedule for the day, it frees up space in your mind for other important dates, like an in-law’s birthday! But guess what… You can write that down too!

It isn’t just dates that we need to remember. Memory is, unfortunately, fallible. How many times have you rushed out the door and completely forgot to grab your phone/wallet/kid, only to recall when you’re already halfway to your destination? By taking measures to ready yourself in advance, you are more likely arrive prepared and stress-free. 

Think about it like packing a suitcase. How much easier is it when you have a checklist? Sure, a mental checklist might work for some, but what happens when you arrive at the beach without a swimsuit? A silly comparison, I know. But what would Future You do? Do you hit the beach stark naked? Or do you take the time to get organised and avoid a potentially awkward display of public nudity? In other words, do you just fly by the seat of your pants and hope for the best, or do you make a plan, get organised, minimise risk, and maximise success?

All that being said, making a list isn’t going to solve all your problems. I used to be a BIG list person. Even my lists had lists. Compiling them, keeping track, ticking them off. I was addicted! But I quickly realised how exhausting a never ending to do list can be. Instead of actually being productive, we end up feeling like we’re chasing something, which can leave us unfulfilled and anxious when we don’t tick everything off. Now, instead, I choose my top three items for the day and concentrate on those items. This helps keep me focused and clear on my desired outcome each day. To stay organised, I use Trello, and put all specific project items and outcomes in individual boards relating to that project. That way I can still keep track of everything, tick things off, and stay organised, without going through the continuous list-making cycle. Instead of waking up to a huge list of little things that consistently transfer to tomorrow’s list, I use the tools that work best for me. The result? Projects get completed, goals are met, and I stay on top of it all!

Whether you use a list, Trello, or any other method or program to keep yourself in order, it’s important to remember that writing it down is just one piece of the puzzle. In order for a written note to have purpose, it has to lead to an action. The idea of writing a list or setting a schedule might seem like work itself, which can lead to the brain feeling satisfied once we are done the simple task of writing. That’s enough work for one day, right? Wrong! Writing it down won’t do much good if you aren’t following up. If you set a schedule, keep it. If you make a checklist, read it, reread it, reflect, and take action. You won’t just magically become organised overnight. It takes work. It takes effort. It takes repetition. But by putting systems in place that bolster success, these actions become a part of your everyday life.

Sleep On It

What kind of lifestyle does Future You lead? Are you working away in your little cottage in the woods or putting in time from your penthouse apartment? Are you travelling the country, off-grid, with wifi-stick or enjoying a glass of wine while you work from your villa in Tuscany? Or, are you coming home after another night out, bleary-eyed, dehydrated, and about to sleep til noon?

No matter what your ideal lifestyle looks like, the successful futures all have something in common: you, working. 

That isn’t to say that you have to work all the time. But no matter your lifestyle, no matter where you are and what you are doing, in order to be a success you have to get up and do the work. If you’re up all night, how can you expect to get anything done? A lack of sleep affects your mental and physical health! It disrupts cognitive function, inhibits your body’s ability to heal, and can leave you feeling like absolute rubbish. And when a poor sleep schedule becomes your norm, those effects only build, stacking upon one another until you are a mess of exhaustion and stress.

It doesn’t even have to be a case of staying out partying all night either. Many people stay up watching Netflix or scrolling Instagram until the wee hours. How many of us have made a habit of watch a series before bed, only to find ourselves several episodes in as the sun comes up? Just because you stay up all night at home instead of the pub doesn’t mean you’re doing better than the party-goers. 

In fact, it can be just as damaging to pull an all-nighter in order to get more work done. If you haven’t slept, chances are your output isn’t top-quality. Again, this goes back to your health and your mind. If your brain isn’t functioning at full capacity, it isn’t going to produce results you can feel proud of. What else happens when you forsake sleep? You health deteriorates. You burn out. You can’t reach your goals if you’re too tired or unwell to think! Plus, I would guess the ideal Future You doesn’t have dark circles under their eyes!

So what can you do? Reconsider your daily rituals around health and realign your trajectory. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Innumerable studies have shown the benefit of sleeping and waking at the same time everyday. As your body gets used to the regiment, it becomes natural to sleep and wake at those hours. 

Yes, even on the weekends! 

We have a circadian rhythm for a reason. In keeping a set sleep schedule, you give your body and mind a break as you become used to pattern. The common habit of sleeping in becomes a thing of the past. Instead, you replace it with a habit that promotes drive and peak performance. By making a conscious decision to sleep around the same time each night, you set a precedent for yourself. And in setting alarms for the morning, you are putting a ritual in place that will soon just become your regular routine. You might also have to break the habit of hitting the snooze button, if that happens to be a vice. Difficult, but possible!

Of course, some of us don’t fully get a say in our sleep schedule. With two little kids at home who aren’t great sleepers, I know that it can be so frustrating to hear the continuous chorus of “Oh, you just need to go to bed earlier”. For those of us with children or other dependents, a regular sleep schedule just isn’t possible. I think the important thing here is to try and rest as much as possible, when you can, and try to ensure that the sleep you do get is as good as possible. At some point, this phase will pass!

The key message to take away from this? Take care of yourself! It doesn’t stop with sleep. A healthy diet, exercise, and time outdoors are integral to your overall well-being too. Take a look at each corner of your life and you’re bound to find a few detrimental habits. Recognise them, reevaluate your routine, and work to build systems that serve you and your body. You business will thank you!

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

Future You is organised and well-rested. You keep a solid schedule, for work, for sleep, and so on. You take care of your health through exercise and plenty of work breaks. But what about on the inside? What kind of person are you? 

Looking inwards, it is important to recognise your strengths, but it is just as important to recognise your weaker points and work to reinforce the positives. Self-development is integral to your growth, both as a person and a business owner. 

And thankfully, there are countless rituals you can integrate into your life to bolster this growth! Things like mindfulness and meditation can help you find balance and clarity. Mindfulness is especially applicable, as you can practice it almost any time, anywhere, simply be bringing attention to the present moment. Whether it is through focusing on only one task at a time or actively paying attention during a meeting, practicing mindfulness at work can promote efficiency, understanding, and communication. 

It isn’t something you have to do at all times; sometimes we work better in a flow state. But by simply reminding yourself to be present when necessary, you are taking that step to becoming someone for whom mindfulness is natural. 

Meditation does not need to be a big production either. Yes, many meditation practices do take time and effort to master, and if that is something of interest to you, I encourage you to seek out that avenue. For those, however, who are looking to start smaller, simple meditation and breathing techniques do wonders to centre you. Meditation and intentional breathing are both beneficial for calming the mind and lowering stress. Now, I could be wrong, but I suspect your ideal self isn’t stressing out! That isn’t to say Future You won’t ever get stressed, but it shouldn’t be constant. While some people do thrive under pressure, there is a difference between positive pressure, like deadlines, and overwhelming stress that causes burnout. Using grounding techniques like those mentioned above will help you avoid the latter.

Other ways to invest in your Future Self involve taking courses and attending workshops and seminars. If you want to be the best your can be, it is essential that you continue learning and growing in your career and as a person. Take courses to upgrade and advance your skills and understanding in your particular field. Workshops that encourage growth, whether related to career or to self, are an exceptional investment.

Think Of All That Could Be

As a business owner, what helps you succeed? Is it the latest smart phone? A comprehensive filing system? A perfectly curated corner office? Or is it hard work, self-reflection, and a drive to constantly improve?

It seems obvious, the latter should be the answer, but is that really what you imagine when you picture your future self? So often, it isn’t personal growth and inner-change that we focus on. Instead, we to fixate on external markers of success. We get this notion stuck in our head that, in order to reach our goals, we need things. If we just had that one thing – the professional blazer, the high-tech gadget, the perfect studio – everything would fall in to place! 

This is a “Have-Do-Be” mindset. “Buy this thing and you’ll finally be happy.” As the backbone of advertising and the main message pushing the American Dream (yes, even in the UK), it’s no wonder this view is so engrained in society as a whole. It is especially prominent in business, as we are told, again and again, that we need more in order to compete in the market and reach the top.

But you’re a heart-centred entrepreneur! You are looking for so much more! Rather than seeking something to magically change your life you ask yourself, “Who do I need to be, to do what I need to do, to get the success I desire?” This is a “Be-Do-Have” mindset. It encourages you to focus on becoming the kind of person you dream of being, the one that puts in the work, builds positive habits, and takes action to make their own success.

Buying an expensive device isn’t going to magically transform you into the punctual, organised, professional business owner you dream of being. Taking the time to work on yourself; that is what will push you forward!

Want to learn more about the “Be-Do-Have” mindset? Keep your eyes open for an exciting, upcoming blog!

What Does Your Future Hold?

As an entrepreneur, you’ve already taken a big leap towards achieving your dreams. You have already accomplished so much, reached so many goals; you’re well on your way to being a success! But it’s important to remember that success comes on your own terms. You get to decide what it means to you. It isn’t about hitting the right milestones or beating a peer or a competitor; it’s about defining who you want to be and working hard until you get there. And then, once you’re there, you continue working. You seek out new goals and find new ways to advance yourself. You reevaluate your habits and implement new rituals in order to reach that next level. There is no secret. There is no destination. There is just a journey that is unique to you. 

But guess what? You get to decide what happens next!

The word “entrepreneur” paints a picture of a go-getter.

They are someone who is strong, self-assured, and confident in their work; all positive and desirable traits. Yet, we may also see this person as obsessed with their work; unyieldingly driven, money- focused, and bent on success, no matter the cost. These people live to hustle; they eat, sleep, and breathe their career. 

It’s a stereotypical vision of an entrepreneur, and one that doesn’t allow for a lot of dreaming or spiritual consideration. As a heart-aligned entrepreneur, is that really the lifestyle you want? Likely not! But just because you aren’t slogging away 80+ hours a week doesn’t mean you don’t care about you work! And it definitely doesn’t mean you can’t be a success! 

What it does mean is that you do things at your own pace. You have a vision. You know when to put in the work and when to take a break. You have created a business and can take pride in running it the way that is best suited to you and your lifestyle. There is no point in working yourself to the bone if you are going to burn out. External sources often tell us we are meant to work in a certain way in order to succeed in the business world, but the most important thing you can do is trust yourself. In trusting your own intuition, you stand at the same level as any other entrepreneur. The difference? You chiefly follow your heart. 

So how does one “hustle” like a soulpreneur?

Well it isn’t so much about hustling, and more about designing a future that serves you, through confidence, clarity, and self- investment. This isn’t about a brand. This is about you and the steps you can take to gain confidence in yourself. 

Creating routines and rituals that allow you to live and work in a heart-aligned manner is a large part of the ongoing process, and of benefit to both you and your clients. But there are some big (and I mean BIG) actions you can take that will help you build your own self-confidence while also levelling up in business. 

Set Your Intention 

One of the most valuable things you can do for your business is know yourself. Understanding what motivates you allows you to see the fire in your own heart. There is a reason why you’ve chosen to walk the path of an entrepreneur. What is it that you want to put out into the world? What unique gifts can you offer? 

Recognizing the why behind your actions allows you understand your values. These are important parts of what make you you, and when you put yourself into your work, it creates something unique and spectacular. Think of what values are most important to you? Community? Integrity? Family? How do these values influence your work? 

If you are struggling to recognize exactly what values are intrinsic to you, try grounding yourself. You can do this through meditation or simple breathing exercises. Or perhaps you need something concrete in front of you. Try writing a list of things that you value and see what really resonates with your heart and your work. Applying these values to your business plan brings in a deeper level of care and passion. Rather than seeking only to make profit, you are focused on putting good energy out into the world. 

For example, if you value creativity, you may seek out fellow creatives to work with. You may listen to more ideas and explore innovative options with clients, instead of focusing on what’s popular or what will sell. You aren’t simply looking to churn out a bunch of product; you want to celebrate the creative process and produce only the highest-quality output. 

In focusing on your values and setting intentions based around them, you are able to work from both the mind and the heart. 

Clarity On Your Ideal Client 

Knowing your client is key! If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Know your audience and know them well, so you can cater to what they want. But what about what you want? What is it that you want to put out into the world, and for whom do you intend it? 

Part of knowing yourself as an entrepreneur is knowing your ideal client. You are an innovator, carving your own path. So why can’t you manifest your own client? Well… you can! But this isn’t about wishing really hard and willing someone into being. Manifestation is more than just visualising and believing. It’s about understanding what you want and why you want it, and then taking action to get it. 

When you understand what kind of person you are and what values you hold, it becomes much easier to recognize other individuals whose values match you own. That is the heart-aligned client; the one who is looking to achieve the same goals as you, in the same manner. Chances are, neither you nor your client are looking for a rush job or easy fix. You are looking to build a relationship based on trust, shared intention, and mutual understanding. 

So how does one find their dream client? First, take a look back at the values you’ve come to observe in yourself; the ones that are intrinsic to who you are. Make those key beliefs known. Share your hopes and dreams. Present yourself and your intentions in an honest and open manner. This allows potential clients to get to know you, not only as a business, but as a person. 

Manifestation as a practice is complex and layered, and may seem alien to those who don’t understand it or only see it as airy-fairy woo nonsense. But as a concept, it is honestly quite simple: Like attracts like. This is manifestation in its most basic terms. Like energy attracts like energy. Like people attract like people. We gravitate towards those who are like us, those who share our beliefs, those who make us feel at ease. 

When you express your true self, letting the world know exactly who you are and what you’re all about out, you put your energy out into the universe, and attract like-energy back. In taking deliberate action to put yourself out there, you are creating an opportunity to attract those whose values and hearts align with yours. 

Invest In Yourself 

Self-investment can take many forms. While financial investment, which is indeed important, may be the first thing that comes to mind, there are so many valuable ways you can invest in yourself and your business. Investing in yourself – your health, your happiness, your own growth – can have a ripple effect that benefits your work, while investing your time and energy in key aspects of your business can allow for optimal output, ease, and success. 

Of course, we can’t completely ignore the financial side of investment. It is vital to your business that you invest some funds into it. Whether you offer goods or services, there will have to be an initial investment, in order to produce the product or hone your skills and the services you offer. In those regards, their are some big-ticket items that stand out as important things to invest in. 

One in particular is your website. Making your own site can work when you’re jut starting out, but once you have built a following, a simple Wix site just won’t cut it. Your website is the home base of your business. This is especially notable in our current global climate, as things are progressively moving online. Research has shown just how valuable websites are for businesses, and this is only increasing. Further research illustrates just how quickly internet users are to judge websites, and by proxy, businesses. A poor website, or lack of one altogether, can send the wrong message to potential clients, as it signals a lack of professionalism. 

Is that to say you are not a professional if you don’t have a website? Of course not! But the general public has come to expect that reputable businesses will have a website; one that is engaging, visually appealing, to-the-point, and easy to navigate. It is the norm, and for good reason. It allows you to present yourself to the world and allows the world to get to know you. Why wouldn’t you want to invest in that? 

Aside from investing in your website, investing your funds in time-saving measures can greatly add to your business. Hiring an assistant (virtual or otherwise), a copywriter, a PR professional, or the aforementioned web designer allows you to save time and focus on the parts of your business that only you can oversee. It isn’t that you are shirking 

these responsibilities. More so, it’s knowing when to take the lead and when to invest in support to execute those fundamental tasks. 

Another form of investment, one that may or may not cost, is investing in self- development. This can be through courses, workshops, or personal study, just to name a few. Want to up your SEO game? There are amazing online courses that will help you hone skills that are both valuable and often necessary to the success of a online business. Feeling less-than-excited for another day of routine? Invest in a new hobby or artistic endeavour! Take up a new instrument, learn a new language, practice handstands. Again, you don’t necessarily have to pay in order to self-invest. There are countless, amazing free tutorials online. Whether you are looking to learn a new skill, advance your business know-how, or pick up a new hobby, investing in something that expands your knowledge and brings you joy is invaluable! 

Of course, time itself is an investment. It is imperative that you invest your time and energy into the work you produce, as well as the oft-unseen, behind-the-scenes activities that allow your business to run smooth. It is a matter of deciding how much time you must put into your endeavours in order to produce a product or present a service that is true to you. If you are trading in quality for the sake of saving time, then you aren’t using your time well! 

On the other hand, it is just as important to invest time in the world outside of your business. Your family, your friends, your health and happiness; they are all a part of what make life great. Taking time to focus on yourself and your world allows you to separate yourself from your business. It lets you recharge and rest, and gives you time to enjoy the life you have created for yourself. 

Take a break, not just physically, but mentally. Spend time with you family and focus on them. Don’t allow your brain to wander back to work. Enjoy a walk in nature. Do some yoga. Whatever it is that makes you happy, that is something worth investing in. 

Charge Your Worth 

Part of building self-confidence is knowing your worth. In an abstract sense, it is about knowing that you, as a person, are valuable and loved. You are more than a worker bee, churning out goods and services in exchange for capital. Your dreams matter, your time matters. It is important that you recognize what you have to offer. 

Subsequently, it is also important to recognize your worth in a financial sense. As a burgeoning entrepreneur, and even for those who have been at it for a while, there is a tendency to overwork and undercharge. There is this overarching notion that entrepreneurs and startups are worth less because they don’t have the same financial backing as a multinational corporation. 

But that just isn’t true! You, as a professional, have an amazing and unique skill set that only you can offer to the world. You have invested the time and energy (and likely, funds) into the schooling and training necessary for your work. You have put all of yourself into your dream. Why wouldn’t you charge your worth? 

Don’t sell yourself short, simply because you think people won’t buy in. If you present yourself and your business as cheap, that label can stick. We all love a good bargain, but when people see a high-ticket offer, they equate it with high-quality. This isn’t to say you should over-price yourself. If you overcharge, you are bound to lose the trust of your following. 

Finding the balance is key. Research the national average price of the goods or services that you offer. Note the similarities and differences in your offer, compare and contrast. It can take a bit of time and effort, but that, again, is an investment in itself! 

Trust Your Vision 

Above all, trust yourself! Knowing yourself, knowing your client, investing your time and energy; it’s all for nothing if you don’t first believe in your vision. 

It can be hard to find confidence when you are so used to second-guessing yourself. But every time you feel that twinge of self-doubt, remember: This is your story. You decide which path to take. You have the capacity to do so much! It’s a matter of recognizing this in yourself. I mean, look at what you have accomplished so far! 

Don’t pretend like it’s nothing. You’ve literally created your own business. That isn’t easy! You’ve worked hard to get where you are. It had to start somewhere! There was an idea, a goal that you set out to meet. What was the idea? The dream? When you first imagined your own business, what vision did you have for your future? 

Part of succeeding in business is knowing what your goals are. This is true whether we are talking in terms of numbers and KPIs or abstracts, like feelings of fulfillment. The latter plays back to the sentiment of knowing your intentions. As mentioned above, realising the “why” behind the “what” gives you a deeper sense of who you are and what values you hold. 

But it is just as important to trust the “why”. Why am I doing this? Why am I going in this direction and not that one? Because it feels right! You can actually sense it in your body, whether it is that deep pit-of-the-stomach feeling that guides you to act or an electric giddiness that pushes you forward. You body is in tune with your mind and your heart. Your intuition is strong. There is a reason why people say “trust your gut”! Those intrinsic feelings are there to guide you. Your heart innately knows what is right, so trust that you know too. 

Who Needs To Hustle? 

Do you need to work hard be a success? Yes. Does that mean you have to work yourself to the bone? Absolutely not! A big part of success is enjoying it. Reaching your goals is important, but taking the time and doing things at your own pace is invaluable! It allows you to be present and find joy in the process. 

If you’re pushing yourself beyond your limit, you’re going to burn out before you can reap the benefits. What’s more? If you start burning out, you stop functioning at full capacity, which can weigh on your business. And in the end, it isn’t just you who ends up missing out. Your clients and customers miss out too! 

Pause. Take a breath. Centre yourself. This will allow you to focus on your inner voice. Trust it! Find what you value at your core and let it guide the way.