How to Learn from the Experts

Just think about this for a second. What if you could shortcut your learning curve and get straight to the point by learning from those who have already been there and done that? Yep, we're talking about seeking out the experts in your field.

These folks have already climbed the mountain and can give you the roadmap. By learning from their experiences, insights, and even mistakes, you can avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your own business growth. It's like having a mentor guiding you every step of the way. So, why not give it a shot?

Today I’m going to share some lessons I learned from other experts when I needed to overcome hurdles in my business. I hope they help you as much as they helped me!

Mindset Can Make or Break Your Business

I’ve been a huge fan of Ed Gandia since I listened to his first podcast episode. And no, it isn’t just that amazing voice! Ed has been in the trenches of building and maintaining a successful writing business. He’s moved on to helping content marketing writers scale their business, and now he produces content that we can all learn from.

One of his topics that I gravitate back to repeatedly is how much mindset governs our success. According to Ed, “Your perceptions and beliefs shape your reality. Your actions will align (subconsciously) with your perceptions and beliefs, which perpetuates the cycle.”

Our perceptions and beliefs can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we believe our business will succeed, we are more likely to take actions that lead to success, such as setting higher goals, making bold decisions, and persisting through challenges. The opposite can also occur. If we have a negative mindset and believe our business will fail, we may unconsciously make decisions that make that happen, such as avoiding risks, setting low goals, or giving up easily.

Maintaining a positive and growth-oriented mindset is crucial for business success.

Want to hear more from Ed? Check out his recent episodes on the Boss Responses Podcast.

Stop Expecting Perfection on Your First Try

Have you heard of Ann Handley? She's a big name in the writing world and she's has some of the best writing advice I’ve ever read. My favorite piece of advice from her (and there are many I’ve made note of) is that the first draft of anything you're working on isn't about nailing it on the first go.

It's all about letting your ideas run wild and getting them down on paper. It's important to take a break from your inner critic, that voice that can sometimes get in the way of your creativity.

Instead of getting hung up on every word and comma, let your thoughts flow and write to your heart's content. The aim isn't to craft a masterpiece in one shot, but to create a solid starting block. The first draft is like a rough sketch that you can come back to, refine, and polish up later. It's a way to make your ideas clearer in the drafts to come.

I highly recommend reading Ann’s book, Everybody Writes: Your New and Improved Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content. In fact, I think it should be required reading for all writers.

Stop Waiting on Your Clients to Come to You

It’s no secret that Jennifer Goforth Gregory is one of my favorite people. She’s sarcastic, funny, and she has a major soft spot for dachshunds. She’s also the author of another book I recommend you read: The Freelance Content Marketing Writer: Find your perfect clients, Make tons of money and Build a business you love.

My business has definitely grown because of Jennifer’s guidance, and I struggled to narrow down what I wanted to share here. When I talk to other writers, though, the one thing they say about Jennifer is, “Her teaching on how to do LOIs has helped me so much!”

Take 5 minutes, right now, to read her article “The Five (ish) Sentence Letter of Introduction (LOI).” Then take another thirty minutes and start applying that information to your client outreach efforts. It works!

As Jennifer says, “An LOI should be more like the pickup line that gets the conversation started so you can then have the actual date through additional emails or a Zoom meeting.” How are you starting conversations with your clients? If it’s not getting you a conversation with the client’s you want to work with, put Jennifer’s advice into action.

Want to hear more from Jennifer? Check out her episodes on the Boss Responses Podcast.

You Don’t Have to Reinvent the Wheel

Here's a truth bomb for you—you don't have to struggle through every step of your business, trying to reinvent the wheel. Yup, you heard it right! There's a better way, a smarter way. And that way is learning from those who've already fought those battles, who've already stumbled, picked themselves up, and found the path to success.

By leveraging their wisdom, their experience, and their hard-earned lessons, you can sidestep the more common pitfalls and accelerate your own journey. I chose to feature three of the people who’ve influenced my business, but there are many more out there! Don't shy away from seeking advice, from asking for help, or from standing on the shoulders of giants. Because that's how you build a business that not only survives but thrives!