Despite the subject being written as one question, I'm really asking two.
First, I like to think I'm pretty good at spotting opportunities; I know the basic math of "problem + demand for solution + I am/can be capable of providing solution = viable opportunity" and have a list of them yet haven't acted on any yet. Granted, I've been busy... I work with different clients for content writing, have two of my own websites I design, development, manage, and create content by myself, and just finished writing and editing my own book and am now in the process of formatting it for self-publication. STILL, I'm curious about this in particular: how do some of you find your own entrepreneurial opportunities? Do you also keep a list? If so, what kinds of information do you keep for each opportunity?
Now, while finding opportunities is pretty easy, it's sorting out which ones are the best ones to go after that I struggle with. Most of my expertise is in writing and for most of my career as a writer, I've always relied on client contracts to get paid. The pay's good, sure, but I can't detach my time from my money completely which keeps me tethered. And prior to the book I'm 95% done with, any "passive" income is a couple dollars a month from ad revenue off my two sites (one is about game theory and design as well as applying that knowledge to one's own life success; the other is my motivational/business coaching site geared towards helping people find the jobs they want, start their own freelancing careers, and highlighting other people's processes). The ROI is virtually non-existent though I feel like I have all the ingredients and am on the cusp of something. When it comes to either of my sites, my gamification audience says it's interesting, unique, and the posts I have are useful and fun to read; my freelancing motivation site audience (a few of which are also converted clients) say that I inspire them and say a lot of things they wish they had the courage to in their day jobs (for example, my latest post was "Why 'That's Just The Way It Is' Is Bullshit" to give you a taste for my tone).
To clarify my question here though: how do you sort your opportunities and find the best ones? How do you know which ones are useful and which ones are nonsense? And if you act upon an opportunity and find yourself stuck yet your gut's telling you it's a matter of fiddling around with the formula because you've got all the right ingredients... how do you figure out what to do next?
I know this is a pretty loaded post. Admittedly, this is my first real post beyond my introduction and I'm a little intimidated being surrounded by other awesome, ambitious people. I just hope I don't seem silly or stupid in asking something that might have an obvious answer. Lately, I've just been feeling like I'm spinning my tires yet I can't help but feel I'm on the right track. Just curious if any of you have any insight.
First, I like to think I'm pretty good at spotting opportunities; I know the basic math of "problem + demand for solution + I am/can be capable of providing solution = viable opportunity" and have a list of them yet haven't acted on any yet. Granted, I've been busy... I work with different clients for content writing, have two of my own websites I design, development, manage, and create content by myself, and just finished writing and editing my own book and am now in the process of formatting it for self-publication. STILL, I'm curious about this in particular: how do some of you find your own entrepreneurial opportunities? Do you also keep a list? If so, what kinds of information do you keep for each opportunity?
Now, while finding opportunities is pretty easy, it's sorting out which ones are the best ones to go after that I struggle with. Most of my expertise is in writing and for most of my career as a writer, I've always relied on client contracts to get paid. The pay's good, sure, but I can't detach my time from my money completely which keeps me tethered. And prior to the book I'm 95% done with, any "passive" income is a couple dollars a month from ad revenue off my two sites (one is about game theory and design as well as applying that knowledge to one's own life success; the other is my motivational/business coaching site geared towards helping people find the jobs they want, start their own freelancing careers, and highlighting other people's processes). The ROI is virtually non-existent though I feel like I have all the ingredients and am on the cusp of something. When it comes to either of my sites, my gamification audience says it's interesting, unique, and the posts I have are useful and fun to read; my freelancing motivation site audience (a few of which are also converted clients) say that I inspire them and say a lot of things they wish they had the courage to in their day jobs (for example, my latest post was "Why 'That's Just The Way It Is' Is Bullshit" to give you a taste for my tone).
To clarify my question here though: how do you sort your opportunities and find the best ones? How do you know which ones are useful and which ones are nonsense? And if you act upon an opportunity and find yourself stuck yet your gut's telling you it's a matter of fiddling around with the formula because you've got all the right ingredients... how do you figure out what to do next?
I know this is a pretty loaded post. Admittedly, this is my first real post beyond my introduction and I'm a little intimidated being surrounded by other awesome, ambitious people. I just hope I don't seem silly or stupid in asking something that might have an obvious answer. Lately, I've just been feeling like I'm spinning my tires yet I can't help but feel I'm on the right track. Just curious if any of you have any insight.
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