Wednesday is “Rock Your Business” Day - So What’cha Want?
Written by Dave Navarro on August 20, 2008
“What’cha, What’cha, What’cha want?” - The Beastie Boys
As I’ve discovered that the vast majority of my readers are freelancers and entrepreneurs, I’m tossing a business section into the mix at Rock Your Day every Wednesday-ish when I can get to it. 
I’ll be covering what I’m doing to grow my freelancing and audio coaching business, some networking tips, and maybe even a shout-out or two to those who are helping me rock my own business.
I’ve been fortunate to experience some fast growth due to some of my background in business / online marketing (the ethical kind, not the scummy snake oil kind) , and I want to start sharing what I know with you so you can make more money (without having to go through a huge learning curve).
I’m well aware that many of my readers bust their asses just to put food on the table, so I want to help you do a little less ass-bustin’ so you can spend more time with the people who matter to you.
So Speak Up, Bub, And Tell Me What’cha Want
I’ve got plenty to talk about over the upcoming Wednesdays, but I’m really interested in what kinds of business challenges you’re facing right now. I can’t promise I have the answers, but if your challenge sees to be a common one with other readers, I’ll definitely give it a go and see what kinds of tips I can work up for you.
One thing though - do try and keep your questions in the realm of blogging / online marketing / freelancing, as that’s what I’m doing right now. Questions about how to handle an international import/export business or how to break into emerging third-world markets aren’t my area of expertise.
Comments are open - so what’cha, what’cha what’cha want?
PS - don’t forget to subscribe to catch all the upcoming Rock Your Business posts.
Here’s what I want:
I want a link building and networking strategy for a niche that is limited in size and scope, but at the same time is so narrowly focused that slightly off-topic but loosely related networking efforts are completely ineffectual.
You seem like a ninja marketer, Dave, so bust me out a plan, man!
Watcha think ’bout dat?
Skinnyninja’s last blog post..Nutrition for Recovering Drug Addicts and Alcoholics in Recovery
@Skinnyninja -
Looks like you’ve got an inspiring story at your blog. I come from a family that knows that path all too well, so I think I understand why your niche is so narrowly focused.
My first question would be have you done searches for other similarly themed blogs/websites? Commenting and guest posting on those blogs would be a huge way to network with their communities.
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Let’s see if I can articulate this properly. I want to learn a combination of things: expanding my contacts, getting my work out to a broader audience, using time spent on networking sites wisely, and yet not making people feel like my only interest in them is selling something.
I’m interested in interaction, discussion, etc. Yet, because I juggle a variety of fiction and non-fiction projects all the time, I find that in order to keep the writing a priority (because if it’s not written, it can’t sell), I’m limited in the one-on-one time I can spend on individual sites. I think invidual attention is important in building online relationships, but I want to find a more efficient way so to do.
Devon Ellington’s last blog post..Thursday, August 21, 2008
Devon -
Networking is what you’re saying you want to do, but what’s your end goal? Who is your audience? That shapes your networking strategy.
Hey Dave — I don’t have any requests at the moment, but I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Amy’s last blog post..Counting Sheep (Or, Sleepy Chick Joins Twitter)
How about navigating those sticky points where you do work for someone you know personally, and then your invoice is basically ignored??? This might be more business 101, though.
But, your question was, “what do you want?” I want to get paid!
I have a variety of audience since I work over a wide variety of genres and publish under several names. I want to find an effective, efficient way to cross-pollinate, so to speak.
Once readers find me, they tend to be loyal and jump with me from genre to genre. But there’s got to be a more efficient way to network over a broader range.
I am vehemently opposed to “niche” for myself — I have no right to make those decisions for anyone else — one of the reasons I’m a freelancer is that I like a wide variety of opportunities. Also, when I’m marketed TO in a niche way, it turns me off as a potential customer.
If I might comment on xyb’s comment above . . .when I work for someone I know personally, I still have a contract in place which decrees 50% up front and a late fee if the final payment is not made on time. And then, if the invoice is ignored, I send it with a late fee. Knowing someone personally does not preclude being treated in a professional and respectful manner, as far as I’m concerned.
Devon Ellington’s last blog post..Tuesday, August 26, 2008
@Amy -
I think you’ll like the upcoming posts.
@xyb -
Devon is right - you need to put your foot down and say “Listen, I’m not sure if you saw my last invoice, but here’s another one, and it needs to be paid within 2 weeks.” Don’t let the person make it sticky for you - put your foot down and demand what’s fairly yours.
But don’t be rude about it - find out what’s going on. Maybe they are having some financial trouble and just afraid of talking to you … if so, come to some terms you can both live with (installments for example).
And in the future … 50% up front. Always.
@Devon -
Thanks for fielding xyb’s question.
Cross-pollination in your situation usually involves finding a common theme that all your genres can touch on … something that might be off topic but still of interest to multiple parties.
Can you be a little more specific about what audiences you’re serving and your specific goals for what “effective” means? Are you trying to get subscribers? Promotion? Sales?