Solopreneurs Archives - Dawn Mentzer, Freelance Marketing Content Writer

Rites of Passage for Freelancers

My friend’s 3-year-old granddaughter recently endured the painful (and wholly accidental) misfortune of getting her tiny hand caught in a car...

I’m a Solopreneur and I Need HELP: How to Prepare to ...

It’s a tricky spot to be in. You’re a solopreneur – an independent contractor to your clients – and now YOU are at capacity...

7 Things Small Business Owners and Oscar Nominees have in C

I can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone describe running a small business as wildly glamorous. In fact, most small business owners and...

15 Moments When Your Business Needs Your Unconditional Love

Starting a small business is exciting. Fraught with novelty and excitement. While it would sure be great if every day from day one onward would be an...

The Two Things Your Small Business Success Depends On

If you’ve got a great product or service that satisfies a need in the market, but things just aren’t falling into place for your small...

Get a Grip on Google Plus and Twitter: It’s All in th...

(Actually, in the case of Google+, it’s in the circles, but that didn’t sound nearly as poetic in the title.) Google+ and Twitter have...

The Often Unsung Benefit of Blogging

Blogging. You’ll find no shortage of articles telling you how important it is to your business. It directs traffic to your website, improves...

Duplicate Content: Could Allowing Another Site to Copy Your...

When another blogger asks permission to share your content, it’s flattering. What a satisfying feeling to know others believe your insight is...

So, You Want to be a Freelancer? Make Sure You Have This On...

According to a study by Intuit in 2010, an estimated over 40% of the American workforce will be “contingent workers” (i.e. independent...

Big Influence Comes in Small Packages

As solopreneurs and small business owners, we all want to raise awareness of our businesses. We want to get noticed by the people who matter....

The Plusses for Solopreneurs on Google+

Although Google+ has over 300 million active users, many solopreneurs and small biz owners still seem to view it with skeptism and doubt. Many have...

“Sick” and “Solopreneur” Don’...

Despite our best efforts to take care of ourselves and stay healthy, germs sometimes get their way. Tis the season for colds and the flu, ailments...

5 Things Freelance Professionals Need to Get Over

To run your own freelance business, you can’t afford to be your own worst enemy. There are times when it gets tough having your work...

3 Ways to Nip Nagging Tasks in the Bud

When you’re a solopreneur, you’ve pretty much got to do it all – or at least see that everything gets done one way or another. That...

6 Types of Profile Pics that are Worse than an Egg

First impressions matter – especially when you’re looking to build your brand and be recognized as a professional who is worth the while...

Nixing Negativity for the Good of Your Business

Negativity is a downer and productivity drainer – just like Dan Waldshmidt points out in the article I sharedin my G+ post below. At least it...

Did I Just Say That?? 4 Words that Could Destroy Your Profe...

Your professionalism can make or break the deal as you communicate and collaborate as a solopreneur. When talking – either when meeting one...

Solopreneur Startup Smarts: East Coast and West Coast Solos...

No matter where you live and work, you’re going to make some really smart – and some not so smart – choices as you start out as a solopreneur....

Boo! What’s Most Terrifying About Being a Solopreneur

Fear. I think every solopreneur feels it to varying degrees throughout the stages of their careers. And with good reason; starting and running a...

7 Myths and Misconceptions about Freelancers

Although freelancing has become a popular and socially accepted professional path, a lot of people still have misconceptions about what freelancers...

Inspiration & Motivation – Look for Them in the ...

Have you ever experienced unexpected moments when someone or something – without effort or intention – has made you want to do better or...

Dealing with Small Biz Stress: How Solopreneurs Can Take Co...

Solopreneurs come from all industries, diverse business backgrounds, and with varied expertise and skills. I find it fascinating to discover what...

Marketing Isn’t Magic: 8 Things It Can’t Do For...

Marketing and Magic Aren’t the Same. Whether you hire out some of your marketing activities and initiatives or plan and execute them on your...

4 Reasons to Give Big Consideration to Joining a Small Town...

No matter where you’ve rooted your business, you’ve likely got at least one chamber of commerce in your vicinity. To join or not to join?...

Be Like a Tree in Autumn: Shed to Grow Your Business

Right now in Lancaster County, PA, the leaves are in the process of turning from green to hues of orange, yellow, and brown. Fall is a beautiful...

4 Business Untruths Solopreneurs Need to Ignore

Don’t believe everything people tell you about running a business. As you start and build your business as a solopreneur, you’ll discover...

The 2 Worst Reasons to Become a Solopreneur

Living the Life of a Solopreneur The Right Reasons to Become a Solopreneur There are many wonderful reasons for deciding to go the self-employed...

Small Biz Twitter Tip: Look Before You Follow!

Twitter: Solopreneurs and Small Business Owners Still Struggling to “Get It” While I haven’t formally kept track of the number of...

Do Unto Vendors – Being a Good Customer

It’s Not Right to Not Treat Vendors Right Treating customers right is a no-brainer, but being a good customer doesn’t always come as...

Making Klout Matter: 2 Tips For Making It a Better Measure...

Klout has flaws, but it also has merit Klout has come under fire by many who are quick to point out its flaws in measuring online influence. I agree...

F is for “Freelancing”…and 8 Other F-Word...

F is for “freelancing,” and it also stands for a few other words that strongly represent what being a freelancing solopreneur is all...

7 Ways Solopreneurs Can Create a Stellar Company Culture...

Company Culture and Solopreneurs Just because you don’t have employees doesn’t mean fostering an enviable company culture shouldn’t...

Take Control – 9 Things Every Solopreneur Has Power O

There are so many moving parts to deal with as a solopreneur. Every aspect of your business is your direct responsibility. Yes, it’s...

Think the Little Things Don’t Matter? Think Again!

By Dawn Mentzer As a solopreneur, your personal brand can make or break you in business. It influences not only how prospects, clients and colleague...

5 Social Media Tips for Solopreneurs

Guest post by Rachel Strella I have to admit that the term “solopreneur” wasn’t fully clear to me until I researched it. As it turns out –...

What To Do When You’re Wishy-Washy About Writing Abou...

Even writers who seem adept at writing about any topic can find themselves at a loss for words when it’s time to write about themselves. So, if...

5 Time-Saving Chrome Extensions that Rock for Solopreneurs

Like so many other time-strapped solopreneurs, I’m constantly on the lookout for tools that can save me time. Saved time means increased...

An Unexpected Benefit of Being a Solopreneur

When I decided to follow the self-employment path, I had some expectations of the perks that would come with the territory… Flexible schedule...

How What You’re NOT Can Successfully Set Your Brand A

As solopreneurs, we put a lot of thought into what we are to customers – and into how that makes us different from our competitors....

SEO for Solopreneurs: Common Mistakes and Practical Tips

SEO. The mere sight and sound of it makes some solopreneurs and small business owners cringe. Yes, we want our websites to be found by search...

You’re Not Perfect! Get Over It and Get Things Done!

I expect a lot of myself. I admit it. I’m a perfectionist. The problem is I’m not perfect. Not even close. Many of the other solopreneurs...

Sounding Off on Social Media: What to Think About Before Ge...

There’s nothing wrong with having strong opinions. There’s nothing wrong with having strong beliefs. In fact, surviving as a solopreneur...

Solopreneurs: If You Got Hit by a Bus, What Would Happen to...

I think it’s important to have an optimistic attitude as a solopreneur…but it’s also important to have one foot firmly planted in...

File Naming Smarts: 1 Thing You Can Do To Make Your Life Ea...

As a solopreneur, I’ve found that being organized is a prerequisite to being productive. If you don’t have your act together, it’s...

Ways Solopreneurs Can Create a Customer Experience Clients ...

What you need to do to deliver a stand-out “customer experience” isn’t all that easy to pin down when you’re a solopreneur...

How Low Should You Go? Factors to Consider When Prospects W...

If you’ve set your freelance rates fairly, most often you won’t find yourself in the position of negotiating with clients. There’s a value...

Why It Makes Sense to Make Your Competitors Your Comrades

You’ve heard it before… “It’s a dog eat dog world.” “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” In business, it’s...

What Solopreneurs Need to Know and Do to Harness the “...

When I started reading “Customer CEO – How to Profit from the Power of Your Customers” by Chuck Wall (@CustomerCEO), I thought I’d write a...

Brace Yourself…Being a Solopreneur can be a Bumpy Rid

As rewarding as being the master of your own destiny – and work schedule – can be, a fair share of challenges come with being a...

Time Tracking Tools for Professional Services Solopreneurs

Like many freelancing solopreneurs, I bill for my time, effort and end product in a variety of ways. Most often, I propose a project rate that...

Oklahoma Tornado Puts “Challenge” into Perspective

I just wrote about the challenges of being a solopreneur for a guest post (to be published later this week on Gainmindshare.com). As I watch and read...

What Do Your Customers Want? The Same Things You Do!

Whether you’re just starting out as a solopreneur or have been running your small professional services business for a while, you’ve probably at...

Lessons That Being a Mom Has Taught Me about Being in Busin

Something that all solopreneurs come to realize while running their own solo businesses is that their “personal” and “professional” lives are...

Ways to Whack Your Inner Whiner

When running a small business, you face a lot of challenges. And as a solopreneur whose quality of work can largely depend on your ability to stay...

Three Sure-fire Ways to Pick Up the Slack When You Fall Beh

It can happen. And it does happen. Solopreneurs – by nature of being a one person band – sometimes fall behind schedule on their projects and...

Business Networking 101: Tips for Making Small Talk Less of...

Unless you’re a natural born socialite, walking into a room full of professionals at a networking event when you know very few people can be...

4 Things Even the Thriftiest Solopreneurs Should Spend Mone

Solopreneurs by nature – and sometimes by necessity – tend to be a thrifty lot. I resemble that remark. But make no mistake, “thrifty” should...

Why Your Solopreneur Business Needs “Wiggle Room”

If you’re a professional services solopreneur, there’s great satisfaction in having a full plate of billable projects. After all, that’s what...

“Do Not Give Up. The Beginning is Always the Hardest....

It’s been a while since crafted a “Fortune Cookie Friday” post! For those of you not familiar, Fortune Cookie Friday involves me unwrapping –...

6 Ways to Make the Most of Working with a Freelance Writer ...

Not everyone has the time or the talent to write their own marketing content for their businesses. When you’re running a small business, you’ve...

Why Small Biz Owners Need to Make It Personal

Using social media to market a business requires a lot of time (no news flash there!) – particularly if you’re serious about making your...

Easy Money or Bad Deal? What You Might Put at Risk by Posti...

Last week, I received an email with this message… Hello and Good Afternoon, I represent a client who is interested in purchasing a link...

No Brainer Ways to Facilitate a Stellar Customer Experience

Though following through with quality stands at the cornerstone of an exceptional customer experience, solopreneurs need to consistently incorporate...

Taking a Break Without Breaking Business Momentum – Tips ...

Thrilled about taking a holiday break, but stressed at the thought of projects falling behind and work piling up? If you’ll be one of the many...

Small Efforts to Move You Closer to the Big Picture in Your...

Whether you’re laying the groundwork or are already up and running as a solopreneur, long-term goals and aspirations are probably at the very core...

Learn First. Blog Second. How to Turn “On the Job” Less...

Consistently pinning down blog topics that will provide value to readers presents a challenge to busy solo professionals. In fact, it’s one of the...

Making Your Mark as a Solopreneur – Trademark Basics

As a business owner, you work hard to make a name for yourself and to find ways to set yourself apart from your competition. One of the more obvious...

Forget Them Not – 4+ Tips for Remembering a Person’s Na

We’ve all had those awkward moments. The time arrives at a networking function or other public gathering when we bump into someone we’ve met...

Clear the Clutter – How to Straighten Up Your Solopreneur...

As solopreneurs, there’s A LOT we need to keep tabs on. Marketing best practices, prospects and leads, our client records, accounting details, and...

Two C’s Every Solopreneur Needs to Consider BEFORE Accept...

When considering “yes” or “no” about taking on a project, it’s tempting to jump in with a resounding, “Yeah, I’ll do that!” if the...

The Power of 8! Generating Referrals With Fresh Ideas from ...

While the legacy of your good work and professionalism needs to be at the foundation of every referral that you get – it doesn’t always serve to...

I Can’t Believe I Just Did That! 3 Careless Email Mistake...

“Oops! I can’t believe I just did that!” Who hasn’t said that to themselves at one time or another? In this break-neck, fast-paced business...

It’s OK! 12 Things Solopreneurs Should NEVER Feel Sorry A

Being your own boss has its upsides, but many solopreneurs who I know admit to being the toughest employer they’ve ever had. Really, that’s not...

Help Wanted! When It’s Time for Solopreneurs to Outso

Professional services solopreneurs know the term “outsource” intimately. We’re generally the folks who certain projects or responsibilities are...

4 Ways to Keep Love for your Business Alive after the Honey...

Starting a new business is exciting, exhilarating…and kind of sexy! There’s a great deal of satisfaction and gratification in putting in long...

Hungry for a Way to Simplify and Organize as a Solopreneur?...

Among the several technology tools on my “to explore” list, has been If This Then That. And FINALLY, I’ve gotten around to digging into how it...

How to Show that You Mean Business in your Freelance Busine

One of the biggest challenges with a freelancing career can be getting others to recognize that you’re running a business. Friends, family,...

Twitter Quick Tip: Set Up a ‘VIP List’ to Manag...

Twitter has become one of my all-time favorite platforms for finding and sharing content, networking, and building professional relationships. As my...

Confounded by Content Marketing? Think: “Is There a “Ta...

There’s no shortage of articles and points of view on the growing importance of content marketing in today’s SEO environment. Of course, you’ll...

3 Reasons Far-Reaching Solopreneurs Should Hold Fast to Loc...

Business technology is beautiful! It enables us to expand our reach far and wide as solopreneurs. We can network, communicate, collaborate and...

Thanks, But No Thanks! – When to Pull the Plug on a Prosp...

Knee-jerk reactions and doing business typically don’t a successful combination make, but sometimes you need to go with your gut as a solopreneur....

You’re a Star! 3 Golden Globe-Inspired Tips for Soloprene

You might never dress in Dior and adorn yourself with Cartier bling. And you might never find yourself walking a red carpet. But as a solopreneur,...

Solopreneurs: Boost Your Biz with a Technology Tools Traini...

We assume many different roles as solopreneurs to keep our businesses running day in and day out. Bookkeeper, Sales Account Manager, Customer Service...

4 Reasons Why You Might Be Missing Your Mark as a Soloprene...

Without a doubt, it sucks to work hard on a project only to find that what you’ve delivered doesn’t meet your client’s expectations. But it...

5 Tips for Getting More Mileage From Your Most Valuable Res

As solopreneurs, we try our best not to take for granted our most valuable resources. But do you downplay the importance of sustaining the one...

Ring in the New Year with a New Attitude

I can’t speak for all solopreneurs, but there are times when I need a kick in the pants to put my head on straight and gain a fresh perspective. As...

Success as a Solopreneur in 2013: 5 Tips to Take into the N...

With nearly three years under my belt as a solopreneur, I can in no way pretend to know all there is to know about being one. But I can honestly say...

Is Too Much of a Good Thing Turning Off Your Facebook Page

Like so many Facebook page owner/admins, I have experienced the benefits of actively engaging with other pages. It builds goodwill, it incites...

Managing an Upswing in Business Without Dropping the Ball

Ask any freelancing solopreneur, times of “feast” and times of “famine” go with the territory. The famines bring on frustration and fear. And...

Succeed as a Solopreneur By Honing 3 Essential Team Skills

“Solopreneur.” Though the word looks and sounds highly solitary, being a solopreneur is hardly that! Yes, you’re solely responsible for your...

When to Say “When” – Drawing Boundaries on Volunteeri

Solopreneurs and new business owners, especially those just starting out, can benefit big from volunteering in their communities. Not only does...

The Perks of Crossing the Facebook “Friend” Lin...

As a solopreneur and professional services provider, you are your brand – so your clients can’t help but think of you and your company as...

4 Sure-fire Ways to Boost Your Freelance Business

Starting out as a freelancer is exciting – but it can be scary, too. When you’ve got specific income goals you want – or need – to meet,...

LinkedIn Tip for Solopreneurs: Go Light on your “Skills &...

More isn’t always better – especially when posting your “Skills & Expertise” on LinkedIn. LinkedIn recently introduced a “Skills &...

Solopreneurs: Two MONUMENTAL Reasons Why You Should Always ...

Beyond the obvious objective of just plain being polite, your responsiveness to inquiries can make or break your business as a solopreneur. “The...

“If Only Facebook Would…” Rantings and Ra...

I admit it. I suffer from some degree of “entitlement syndrome” where my business Facebook page is concerned. “How dare they not share all of...

Solopreneurs Campaign Every Day: What to Consider to Win th...

Not wholly unlike presidential candidates, solopreneurs undergo a degree of scrutiny before being selected as providers of choice. Clients do...

Getting the Most from a Fan Page Follow Fest

I was skeptical at first when I commented on Mari Smith’s Facebook Fan Page Friday post last Friday morning. “Please add your fan page URL or @...

The Frugal Solopreneur: How to Keep Living Costs Down While...

Having gone from a cushy corporate salary to what can be a “feast or famine” revenue stream as a solopreneur, there’s one thing that I learned...

Tag: Solopreneurs

Blog Archives

My M.O.

Quick Links

Contact