I have discovered, after being self-employed for some 37 years, that if you are a service provider you can make a good living by doing what you say you will do when you are supposed to. This may seem like a simple, trite, self-evident observation. But I have noticed that most service providers struggle to… Continue reading How to excel as a service provider
Category: Small Business
The key to successful content marketing-this bird photographer gets it
I started following a guy-Simon d’Entremont- on YouTube recently, whose channel deals with photography and bird photography. The quality of his videos is of such high quality that it did not surprise me to find that he has built a community of 155,000 YouTube subscribers in a relatively short period of time. If you check… Continue reading The key to successful content marketing-this bird photographer gets it
Managing people-one of the most valuable lessons I have learned after 37 years
I have been managing people since 1986 or thereabouts. I admit that managing employees has not been something at which I excelled. In fact, I may not even have achieved competence. But as the years have elapsed and I have managed different individuals in widely different roles I have become a little better. After 37… Continue reading Managing people-one of the most valuable lessons I have learned after 37 years
Help wanted in Galway
We were in Galway for the long weekend just passed and one thing struck me forcibly. There were ‘help wanted’ posters or signs up in a tremendous number of service-based businesses. Bar staff, waiting staff, sous chefs, baristas, serving staff. The signs were everywhere. And in the Esquires coffee shop in Eyre Square there is… Continue reading Help wanted in Galway
Missing the social media opportunity
The vast majority of small businesses fail, in my view, to properly exploit the power of social media to promote their business and brand. The simplest, most effective way is to use video. Video can be shared on most social media sites in one way or another. And you can bang out a new video,… Continue reading Missing the social media opportunity
Reconsidering email access
I have written in the past about the ever-present problem I have with my email inbox. I have had a problem with the sheer volume of emails I receive on a daily basis and my determination to maintain a policy of trying to clear my inbox every day. It has become such a problem that… Continue reading Reconsidering email access
“You need a catchphrase”-No, you don’t
A commenter left a comment on a TikTok video I posted: “You need a catchy catchphrase if you want to make it online”. No you don’t. Not if your idea of making it online is to show up with monotonous regularity with something useful for the audience you seek to serve. Because you want to… Continue reading “You need a catchphrase”-No, you don’t
My most viral video ever (and why it’s not important to my business)
I had my most successful video ever, if you judge success by virality, last week. I published a video about Simeon Burke being convicted in the District Court of a public order offence. Four days later, it has been viewed 68,562 times, has generated 103 comments and 377 likes. This video, even after only 4… Continue reading My most viral video ever (and why it’s not important to my business)
Accused of seeking to gain more followers
I was contacted by a guy last week who wanted to have a chat with me about a video I published online. I told him I wasn’t a great man for the chats, that if he wanted to chat he would have to arrange a consultation with me. A paid consultation, obviously, because I am… Continue reading Accused of seeking to gain more followers
Two reminders to myself
I am writing this note to myself to try to remember two important principles of what I do to build my brand and business. I often forget them and get side-tracked. Firstly, don’t try to make content for everyone. You can’t and won’t please everybody. Make stuff for those with whom you will do business,… Continue reading Two reminders to myself