6 Things You Need to Consider Before Becoming a Digital Solopreneur

The expansion of the digital world determines various employees to take that extra step to leave the corporate world and build their own business. We live in a time where the online medium is bursting with new opportunities and moments of innovation. All it takes is to decide on what scale you want to be part of it, be it helping develop an established firm, become an online marketer, an entrepreneur, or even a solopreneur.

The term “solopreneur” itself is not new but has become more popular in recent years due to the rapid development of technology. There are apps to help with everything when running a business, and it’s often that many boldly take the leap and try it themselves. This is especially true for millennials, who are responding to a challenging job market by turning into independent workers. Generation Y, and not only them, look into the world of business with eager eyes of striking it on their own and doing the work themselves.

However, there are a few things to consider before choosing to become a digital solopreneur.

It Takes Planning

While carving your way into the business world is full of excitement and enthusiasm, it also requires a lot of planning. It’s something that needs careful consideration and research. It will not take one day. After making your decision, you will have to stick to your day job for a little while longer and still perform just as well in spite of your side plans. Consider that you need preparation and planning before making the jump, and it may take as long as a year before you’re ready.

Networking Is Still Part of the Job

It’s highly likely that you won’t launch into the new business with secured paying clients. You will need to network, even if you’re doing from the comfort of your home or a coffee shop. Consider that your work will never stop. As a solopreneur, you will need to keep networking and work at the same time. You need time, internet access, and sheer will. Luckily, it’s believed that there will be seven times more Wi-Fi hotspots by 2020, so the availability of access will be there. However, your attention, concentration, and determination need to be on point to create as many connections as possible.

You Will Need a Digital Space

It may seem simple and logical that you need a digital space in order to become a digital solopreneur. However, what you need to consider is the monumental task that this truly is. In our time, it’s more than coming up with a name. You will need extensive research on digital properties, whether websites or social media, and you will have to lock up some channels. You need to take all of these into consideration because there are millions of others out there promoting their business. If there’s similarity between brands, it could become confusing for prospective, so don’t fall in love with a perfect brand name you haven’t researched.

You’ll Be Your Own Company

Understand the differences between an entrepreneur and a solopreneur in order to know what you can expect. It may sound exciting to be your own company, but you need to consider the implications. You will be the owner, the CEO, the marketing staff, the sales department, and the business developer. Making the decision to become a digital solopreneur means committing long-term to developing your own business and doing it all by yourself. Entrepreneurs may start off on their own, but they eventually hire staff members and delegate tasks. Solopreneurs do the work themselves.

You Will Need Help and Support

The support of your family and friends will be paramount to your success. As a solopreneur, you start with little, which means that referrals and recommendations will be your life source for a long time. You will face many challenges, and you will need to rely on others, sometimes, to make it through. That implies both the emotional support of your significant other and the professional aid of experts in the field. You should take lessons from established solopreneurs, use outsourcing as much as possible, and keep your loved ones in the loop. Becoming a solopreneur does not mean you are alone.

It Implies Some Financial Sacrifice

There is a reason why more people are choosing to become entrepreneurs: the profit is higher. As a digital solopreneur, you need to consider that you will not make as much as others who have started on similar paths. Choosing to go into business by yourself and remain as such means that your options will be limited. You can learn how to scale your business, but you may not have the time and resources to do it. By choosing to take the solopreneur path, you will need to make some financial sacrifices. Your business cannot grow to great extents.

The romance of becoming a digital solopreneur is incredibly compelling. However, it should take careful consideration before leaping into an entirely new style of working. It’s a full-time job and a long-term commitment that should be driven by passion and purpose alike.

Author: Samantha Prowell is a digital marketing strategist and freelance web developer. She enjoys developing her online skills and keeping up with all the latest technological advancements. Her most recent project is Internet Choice, an online database of Internet Service Providers.