So today’s home based business question come from Deidra Liebling and here’s her question:
“I have been following this blog and a few other WAHM-type blogs for about two months now and I really DO get the concepts – building exposure and relationships, etc. It all makes perfect sense and I can see how, with work, it all comes together.
I am thinking of pursuing a home-based editing business. Purely editing and proofreading.
My question is: Do I have to have a blog?
I’m an excellent writer but I just don’t have that much to say that would be of interest to others. Who wants to read about split infinitives? Besides, I want to edit what others say, not write.”
First of all I want to thank Deidra for her question!
I hope you guys keep sending your questions in because when they stop– so do these posts.
And remember, the only “dumb” question is the one you DO NOT ask!
Ok so back to your questions….
The first thing you MUST do when starting a business is change your mindset.
You must treat your business like a business and not a hobby!
If you treat your business like a business you’ll earn like a business…if you treat you business like a hobby you’ll earn like a hobby.
Make sense?
So if you are running a business the most important task any business owner can do is Market their business!
Where most business owners go wrong is they think they are in the business of the “thing.”
Deidra, you said you just want to be an editor and proofreader…this is a mistake!
You must be a MARKETER FIRST!
You see as a business owner you’re really in the business of MARKETING the thing, not doing the thing!
Got it?
This is a very important distinction and you MUST wrap your head around this concept right away!
Here’s the thing, even the very best proofreader and editor will go broke without a consistent and predictable system for generating new leads and new business!
What good is it if you are a great editor and proofreader if you can’t find customers or your customers can’t find you? Make sense?
In fact, you can say this about any business… even the best Doctor, Dentist or Lawyer will go broke if they can not generate new leads and new business!
So what does marketing have to do with Blogging?
Well I just happen to believe there is no better way to market your business online than with a business blog.
You see the 4 things you must do when marketing your business online:
- Get Found
- Build trust with your prospects
- Capture leads
- Make the sale
It just so happens a business blog fullfills all of these requirements quite nicely!
So, over the next few blog posts I will cover each of these topics in more detail and hope to show you how important a business blog really is for your online business.
Now get busy, Bill Parlaman
P.S. I’d love to know what’s going on in your mind so let me know what you’re thinking by posting your comments below.
Don’t forget to keep sending in your questions too!
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Sparkplugging Founder Wendy Piersall is dang passionate about helping people start & grow a business while maintaining life balance (somehow). 
Easton Ellsworth is owner of 
Hello Bill,
I could not agree more that your business needs to be treated like a business and that means marketing and a whole host of things which may not be fun. I would say that if you are hesitant to start a blog there are many other marketing channels online that can be used first (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or even a micro blog like tumblr). Particularly if you don’t think you will be able to maintain a blog, (writing a post once a year won’t be a big help to marketing).
I’d also like to encourage Deidra that there are lots of topics you can cover that are related to proof reading which are not as droll as “split infinitives” for example I would love to see funny ad or article mishaps due too poor proofreading.
That would be entertaining and something people want to share and also reinforce the value of your services.
Good Luck!
Thank you, Bill. Excellent advice and it makes perfect sense.
Josh – good suggestions too, thanks!
You both have given me quite a bit to think about.