Amanda Pensack
Success. Everyone wants it; some have it while others dream it. But what is the differentiating factor between those that have it and those that don’t? What defines success? Is it wealth? Becoming a widely recognized and publicized figure? Everyone defines success differently and what being successful means to them. However, there are patterns of similar characteristics in both successful people and brands. Do you want to be successful online? Here are four ways how:
1. Explore unknown territory.
If we didn’t have Steve Jobs, we wouldn’t the iPhone. If we didn’t have Bill Gates there would be no Microsoft. If it weren’t for Christopher Columbus, we wouldn’t have America. Okay, well, I suppose that’s debatable. Do you see a trend? These individuals were pioneers of their time because they explored the unknown. They weren’t afraid to take risks. They weren’t afraid to fail. Maybe you don’t want to be an inventor or pioneer, but you do want to achieve success. Think outside the box and take a risk. Be different. Step outside of your comfort zone and fly. You will most likely fall down—or maybe crash a few times—but put your metaphorical helmet and headlamp on and go exploring. Charter new territories. Be the change YOU want to see.
2. Be a sponge.
What makes an influencer and influencer? Why are some brands successful on social media and others aren’t? Although many of us want to dive in head first to do whatever it takes to be successful, it’s a smart idea to take some time to sit back, relax, and simply observe. Your first step is to survey what has already been done in your industry. Observe and take notes. What has worked thus far? What hasn’t?
Take your competition for example. Make note of what has worked for them in the past, but also try to dig deeper on another level and determine what hasn’t worked. Why exactly didn’t it work? Nail down these specific reasons and come up with a strategy of your own that fills in these gaps. Observing and learning from others’ strengths and weaknesses will help you become more in-tune with how to achieve the success you desire.
3. Connect with the right people.
Have you ever heard the saying, “it’s not what you know but who you know?” –well it’s true. I speak from experience. Your contacts and connections should be your most prized possession; yes, even more so than that new fancy car you just bought or your grandmother’s peal necklace. Success isn’t just acquired by itself. It takes a team, a network, to help you build your success. Yes, at the end of the day it’s up to you to achieve it, but you need a strong network of connections to be that catalyst to your success. How do you acquire such valuable connections you might ask? It’s simple. Be present. Be socially active (this goes for both online and offline). Stay engaged. Communicate. Be interested. Ask questions. Follow up. Growing your network takes time. Don’t expect relationships to happen overnight. It’s like a seed in a garden that needs to be watered and tended to on a daily basis. However, with enough effort in establishing these connections, your LinkedIn will say 500+ in no time at all! (Note: it’s important to focus on the quality of your connections and not just the quantity). Once you have these connections, it’s time to work on your relationships. Be sure to always stay in contact, even if it’s just a “I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing” e-mail or a “here’s what I’ve been up to in the last few months” note. Always be constantly engaging and stay hungry for more—you never know what could blossom from a relationship with a connection.
4. Stop, drop, and collaborate.
So you have followed points one, two and three –and you’re still with me. Congratulations! You are well on your way to stepping up your success game! When said and done, at the end of the day, a team or community is stronger than an individual alone. Sometimes we feel greedy and want success all for ourselves. That makes sense, right? “I had the idea first, so I want the recognition?” But when it comes down to it, wouldn’t you thrive more with a team supporting you? Think about it this way. There are only 24 hours in a day, seven days in a week. Not only is it more effective and efficient to collaborate (with the right people, of course) for time purposes, but also with intensions of expanding. Empires aren’t grown from a single person alone. A team creates unity and a sense of community. Harness that power and flourish. Collaboration is a huge factor in success. Think about one or more of your contacts that you could collaborate with that could result in a mutual beneficial relationship. Perhaps one person has a strength that the other lacks, and vice-versa. Don’t let it linger—if you have a great idea for a product or a company, think about what resources you have and who can help elevate that thought into a reality. Don’t delay—stop, drop, and collaborate!
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your success blueprint. However, working towards that success, little by little, day by day, will propel you to achieve great things. Do you have additional ways to set yourself up for prospering online?
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