The Philosophy of “Fire Then Aim”
When I first dipped my toes into the online business world many years ago, a prevailing philosophy was “fire then aim.” This approach was about launching your ideas online first and then adjusting them as you learn what resonates with your audience. It’s a concept rooted in action, experimentation, and agility.
Where Many Go Wrong
A common pitfall in online business is the pursuit of perfection before launch. Countless hours are spent perfecting a website, carving out target audiences, and planning strategies. However, the crucial element of online success – iterative testing and adaptation – often gets overlooked.
The Art of Testing and Retesting
Those who excel in the online space dedicate significant time to testing. They understand that success is rarely instantaneous. Instead, it’s about changing one element at a time, retesting, and gradually finding the right mix through literal trial and error. It’s a methodical process of learning, adapting, and refining.
The Shift to Paid Advertising
Today, the online landscape has evolved. While building a social following was the “good old days,” the current trend leans heavily towards paid advertising. The organic reach has become more challenging, making paid ads a more viable option for rapid visibility and reach.
The Misleading Promise of Quick Success
We’ve all seen the ads promising astronomical success in an unrealistically short time – “From zero to 10k in 7 days!” While these claims are enticing, they often don’t paint the full picture of the hard work and persistence required.
A Call for Realistic Advertising
I wish there were more ads with messages like, “This won’t be easy, and you’ll have to work at it, but you can get there.” Such honesty is rare but incredibly valuable. It sets more realistic expectations and emphasises the dedication and effort needed to succeed in the online business world.
The journey of building an online business is not a straight path to overnight success. It’s a complex blend of strategic planning, continuous testing, and adapting to what works. While the allure of quick success is tempting, the reality is that building a sustainable online business requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from trial and error.
Remember, in online business, as in life, there are no magic formulas. Success comes to those who are willing to put in the work, adapt, and persist through the challenges.