I'm now in my third year of working for myself full-time. Wordified is in its fifth year. If it were a dog, it's gone from an excitable puppy to a stable and dependable middle aged hound.

Like many people starting an online business, I learned how to do that business online. Instagram became my mentor. With only a vague plan, I tried everything and threw it all out there, and gradually, with time and some trusted guidance, I found my feet and my brand.

But like everything in this world, there is a dark to the light. While I found some beautiful souls online who I've connected with IRL and who have become actual friends, I've also seen highly questionable practices, manipulative tactics and harmful groupthink that have made me analyse the overwhelming messages targeted towards online business owners and genuinely consider what I want.

And as a counter to what is thrown in your face every day, you might find this helpful.

Context: I'm a copywriter working 30 hours a week writing websites, blogs, thought-leadership and LinkedIn content, mainly for professional services and service-based businesses. Previously, I worked in corporate and marketing roles and am fortunate to have a solid network of ex-colleagues in various industries that regularly engage and refer me. This is not business advice; I'm just sharing what I've learned on my journey.

1. You don't always have to be on social media.

Having a presence helps, and I invested time early on to grow my Instagram audience organically. But being visible long-term is more sustainable if you show up where you feel most comfortable. For me, it's my Sunday email community, and occasionally I pop up on LinkedIn. But it could be face-to-face networking, podcasting, or writing guest blogs. The options are endless, so find the one that works for you.

2. Define your own measure of success.

Don't go by what some influencer says, as it's all smoke and mirror bs. Almost 100% of the time, they do not provide 100% of the context as to how they grew and continue to operate. Instead, ask what matters to you. Do you need to earn x amount? Do you only want to work school hours? Do you want to have a daily nap between 2-3 pm? Remember what success means to you often, and aim for that.

3. You don't have to grow your business.

The weird thing about biz messaging is that it's always focused on people's supposed desire to want more: more money, more fame, more clients, and a bigger audience. And if you don't want those things, you have a mindset issue. What codswallop. If you want to grow your business, go for it. If you don't, good on you. Both are neutral, and neither is a slur on you or what drives you.

4. There is no silver bullet.

There's no one thing you need to do, fix, or know that will guarantee 'success' (as defined by you). Instead, it's a combination of some or all of these things:

• market conditions

• PR

• luck

• experience

• marketing

• events

• processes and systems

• website

• copywriting

• biz strategy and goals

• timing

• point of difference

• content

• customer experience

• brand

• community

• values

• network

• SEO.

It's a puzzle and an ongoing process that takes time, effort, learning and patience. And a bunch of these things aren't even in your control. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

5. Trust your intuition

The more information we consume, the less we trust what we know. Online messaging around imposter syndrome, failing, and FOMO smacks us in the face like a wet fish and pushes us to ignore our gut feelings. So we end up doubting our ability to know what's best for us. Then we pay a lot of money for someone to tell us. Deep down, you know what feels right. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it, or stop doing it, even if people tell you to keep going. And especially if you are paying those people.

Did any of those resonate? I want to give you hope that there are many different ways to do business, not just the way that is shouted the loudest on the internet.

Are we connected? If not, find me on LinkedIn. I'd love to be in your network.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash