Gary the monkey

I started my own business last February and have learned a great deal over the last several months. I have learned many things about people, the internet, and various other life lessons I would like to share with anybody starting their own business. I have a software development company, but feel these lessons cross over into most industries.

Lesson 1: If you have a new idea, 1000 others have had the same idea. Just because somebody else have thought of the same idea, doesn't mean you can't compete with them. Finding companies that have been successful implementing your idea is a good sign.

lesson 2: Just because you set up a website doesn't mean anybody will visit it. There are so many blogs, E-commerce, and business websites out there. Thinking your site is magically going to receive millions of hits a day is just ignorant. You are going to have to work on your SEO ranking constantly, pay for SEO services, or pay for web traffic. That's just how this game works. Take this blog for instance, do you think anybody is reading it? No. Nobody really does.

lesson 3: If the SEO consulting firm you hire doesn't show in the top 10 ranking in Google, how good can they be? Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true it is.

Lesson 3: If you call or email somebody and they don't reply back, they are not interested in your services. This is true even if you know the potential client personally. Most people are not curtious enough to reply with a "No". It's just easier not to respond at all. Pathetic.

Lesson 4: All clients want the highest quality product at the cheapest possible price. This is natural. Don't be the cheapest They will think your services are over priced.

Lesson 5: People love getting free advice. They will pretend like they are interested in your services, but really they are just interested in having their questions answered. Instead of reading a book, or doing research online they would rather just call you, set up a meeting and waste your time. Always charge for time. If they choose to use your services you can always deduct this fee from your services.

Lesson 6: The bigger the company, the less each individual is accountable. I have done work for this rather large company who takes a month and a half from the day I invoice to get paid. One time the person in charge or invoices was on vacation and missed getting my invoice paid for an extra two weeks. Do you think they cared? No, it's not their reputation on the line.

Lesson 7: Craigslist is full of idiots. For finding permanent jobs, and selling household items, Craigslist is great. For finding potential clients, Craigslist is a dry hump. This is a typical example of the type of posting you will find on Craigslist.

"I have a new magical idea I need help with, you do all the software developing for free, and we split the profit 50-50"

Refer back to Lesson 1 to why this is completely stupid. This person actually thinks that their idea has never been though of before. They feel as though they don't have to invest any time or money into the project because they have a one in a billion idea. What a waste of time! One time I met some guy at a show, and when he found out I had a software company wanted me to develop a secret project with him. If we succeeded he would split the profit with me 33-67. I would get a third for doing 100% of the work. The best part about this guy was he wouldn't tell me what the idea was. They know the only leverage they have is their crappy idea, and without the idea I don't need them.

Lesson 8: Don't ever give up. Just remember you own your own business. Most people work for somebody else. Never let them discourage you. Keep at it. Remember the walls were put up to keep most people out.