Woah! Running your own business can be like a wild journey on the ghost train: exhilarating, fun and sometimes freakin’ scary!

There are trap doors and spooky surprises around every bend. As you take each step with nervous trepidation, who knows where they will lead?

No fear! I’ve picked a lucky number 7 of the creepiest business mistakes and explain how to avoid them. Read on and take action so that your journey to success will be thrilling (in a good way).

1. The Hall of Mirrors – Comparing Yourself To Competitors

Worrying about what your competitors are doing and how you compare to others is a total waste of your energy.

You will never truly know their business situation, motivation, or whether their actions are even working for them.

Instead, be clear on what you want to achieve, keep your eyes on your own vision, and focus your attention on moving you and your business forward.

“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”
― Judy Garland

2. The Nightmare of Dreaming Scarily Big

Huh? Isn’t dreaming big what entrepreneurs are born to do?

When you’ve got a healthy dose of entrepreneurial spirit; creativity, dreaming big and seeing the amazing potential ahead of you come naturally.

This can also be our biggest downfall.

You need to understand the finer detail: The HOW to get there. It’s knowing THIS that will make your big dreams a reality.

Dream big. Figure out how to make that happen by working backwards in the smallest detail. Then, take action on each step to get you there!

3. Not Saying YES To What FREAKS You Out

Stepping out of your comfort zone comes with the territory of running your own business. The more you get used to that, the more you’ll succeed.

Maybe you secretly want to

• Present on stage
• Appear on TV
• Write a book
• Host your own radio show

When you feel that fear in the pit of your belly, but you know that deep down it’s what you really want, silence your inner ‘I’m not good enough’ critic and GO for it!

It may mean taking baby steps at first: presenting to a small group of business friends; creating a video blog; writing your first e-book; guesting on a podcast show. And there’ll be a few failures along the way, but that’s all part of the journey towards your big dream.

“If we’re growing, we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.”
– John Maxwell

4. Chasing Social Media Follows like a Brain Eating Zombie

There are plentyyyy of businesses out there rocking it on social media with thousands of followers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook…

Does that mean they’re making oodles of money? NO!

Because marketing on social media alone will not bring you a steady stream of paying clients. Social media will raise your visibility – fo’sure. It’s critical for marketing in the modern world, but it’s not a sales platform.

Switch your focus from simply chasing social media followers to growing your email list via social media, and into your sales process.

5. Slipping Under the Spell of Comfortable Silence

Sometimes we let ; we get into the bad habit of not writing that blog; forgetting to post our Facebook updates; and not bothering to follow up with prospects.

The busyness of business gets in the way. And, we quickly disappear from view.

That anonymity gets comfortable quickly (especially if you’re an introvert like me). There’s enough work to keep you busy, so you silence the nagging thought of ‘I really SHOULD [insert scary marketing task you're avoiding here]’ until another day.

If that ‘another day’ doesn’t come it spells DOOM for your business.

If this is your current situation, don’t beat yo’self up – just get back out there ASAP.

Because it’s these consistent actions – spreading the word about what you do – that will grow your business to the dizzy heights you dream of.

In my experience of guiding my clients through this exact situation, I’ve found that mostly people are pleased to hear from you again and may not even have noticed you’ve been gone!

So, go grab that unicorn by its mane, take control and ride that marketing mofo!

6. The Double-Edged Sword of Not Investing in You

You can’t build a business on free advice alone.

There comes a point when investing in your learning and seeking expert help is essential if you want to take your business to the next level. That can be a scary decision when you’re not generating the income that supports it.

But not making that commitment to yourself and your business will keep you small and struggling. Aaargh!

Have a truth talk with yourself:
HOW MUCH do you want the life and business you envisioned when it was a mere twinkle in your eye?
How does your REALITY now compare to your expectations of that dream?

Because YOU can make it work. Your dream – whatever it looks like – CAN be realised if you want it badly enough.

I’ve continually invested in my personal and professional development. Often at times when I couldn’t afford to. Yet, I knew that I couldn’t afford NOT to.

I was willing to risk it, take an educated gamble. It’s been the motivation I’ve needed to bust my chops and make my investment count. What’s more, it’s been sooooo worth it every time.

7. Viewing Your Failures as a Trick, not Treat

Sometimes your Facebook Ad will flop, others it will hit the jackpot.


Your free opt in offer may be a smash hit one week, and hear crickets the next.

You decide what that means: Do you give up completely or use it as an opportunity to try something else?

A willingness to experiment with your marketing and approaching it with curious excitement means you will always win.  

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill

What About You?

When I started this post I brainstormed a list of FIFTY business and marketing mishaps. (That’s almost a full year’s worth of blog content ideas!). But, I want to hear from you.

Let me know in the comments if any of the points I’ve made resonate with you and what you’re learning on your own business journey.