Actually, I have a rather substantial list of things I SUCK at…and no, it’s not some sort of sadistic, self-defeating exercise…but rather an important list that is taking me to the next level in my business.
Could it really be that easy?
How can a list of "I Suck At…" actually HELP your online business?
When I first started out online I did everything…market research, website development (and GRRR….yes, Graphics Development), affiliate recruiting and marketing, publicity, product development, strategic planning, content development, relationship building, public speaking, accounting, filing, customer support….
Here’s what happened.
I would spend 2-days trying to create a banner that looked half-baked while everything else was put on hold.
Yet, I figured out that by writing one 500-word article I could generate 100 or so unique visitors right away, about 20-opt-ins and a customer – oh yes, it took me about 20-minute to write an article.
Product development, I could put together a new product in 2-days (a small ebook, report or audio interview product) which would earn thousands over a couple of months…remember, this is the same amount of time it took me to create a crappy-looking website banner.
I knew that I could get a banner made for somewhere between $50-$80 and the money was not the issue – the issue was that I wouldn’t admit that I SUCKED at developing graphics and that my skills were not matched to this particular activity within my business.
It took me a while to realize that there were a list of things I SUCKED at – accounting, graphics, web page development, writing press releases…but there were things I really was GOOD at such as market research, product development and article writing.
Over the last year I have slowly began to outsource more and more of the items on my "I SUCK" list and carved out more time in my day for the "I’m GOOD at" list – the result has been much higher profits, more momentum AND I have less stress and more time to enjoy my business (Who likes doing things on their "I Suck" list anyway).
So, maybe you can’t outsource everything you don’t like doing right away, but begin at the top of the list – which things are you really not good at, that takes a massive amount of your time and that you could outsource for a very small investment getting a much better quality back?
I now have a list of graphics professionals starting with Vaughan over at Killer Covers and would never think of doing my own graphics any longer – you have no idea how HAPPY that makes me to write.
What do you SUCK at?
Can you come up with a plan to get others to help you leaving you more time to let your true strenghths shine?
Jeff
