Creating a business 'for fun'. Is there such a thing?
Hi friends!
In today’s episode, I want to share some behind-the-scenes struggles I was facing when I wanted to set up a NEW business ‘for fun’.
For context, I am a creator. I love creating content, particularly self-help and mindset content. I am trained as a counsellor and I create done-for-you coaching tools which you can use or sell to your clients.
Recently, I wanted to set up a new affirmations and mindfulness business because I love it. It is driven by passion purely and I want to make some income out of it because I don’t want all my efforts creating podcast episodes to go to waste.
So I set up a YouTube channel and also a podcast of the same name. In my idealistic vision, all I have to do is pick up my mic, record my motivational episode for the day and publish it on my new podcast. And then hopefully it will gain traction and grow.
But I ran into many little roadblocks.
Number 1, I am someone who needs a script before recording any podcast epsiode because I have a tendency to go off-topic or get nervous half-way. I needed to draft a script before recording even a 7-minute episode for this new podcast. It sounds manageable. So I did it.
I also need to edit the recording. I have to delete some pauses, delete some stuttering in the podcast recording. Perhaps even add auto-captions to it. All these are extra work. And if I want to upload this podcast episode on YouTube, I would need to open up Canva and create thumbnails for it.
After that, I realised that I do need to market my new podcast somehow. Which means, I have to create YT shorts, reels and more.
And then, I would also need to have a new blog to park my new episodes to rank in SEO. I know how to do that with my current business, so it’s not anything new for me.
And then I would need an email marketing service. Because, all businesses need email marketing in some way, in my opinion. As you can see, a small business which I wanted to create for fun (and some income) needs a lot of work.
Also, my current coaching content business is a B2B business whereas my new mindfulness business is a B2C business. The approach is different. I am a one-woman show so 2 businesses was a lot to handle.
Not to mention the new expenses that I will have to incur if I want to start a new business. The blog hosting, the email marketing service and more.
What I want to share is that setting up a business for fun is not as easy as we imagine it to be. Creating free content is not free on our part.
How can we solve this? I would say a mindset shift is needed if you want to set up a business ‘for fun’.
Number 1 : Don’t place high expectations on it. If you expect or have the goal to make money from this business, it’s not ‘for fun’ anymore. It will need work and commitment. If it is truly a passion project, let it remain a passion project. Create for the sake of your love for creating.
Number 2 : If you want to launch a passion project for fun, dont let naysayers bother you. There will be people who tell you that it’s a waste of money and effort. They might say “Why are you spending $300 a year and wasting your time creating and editing podcast episodes when you are not making money or have the intention to make money?”
My argument for that is : everyone has a hobby. If your hobby is creating podcast eps and videos, so be it. Most hobbies cost money! Someone else might have cooking as a hobby. That costs money too. If you are a foodie and you love exploring new food places, that costs money too. As a creative person, if creating gives you joy and you can afford the expenses that come with it, do it for the fun of it.
All in all, if you have an idea to create a business ‘for fun’, and you are going to treat it like a fun hobby, you are probably not going to make much money for it, in my opinion.
I may eat my words in future, I don’t know. I stand corrected. But from my viewpoint and experience, a business no matter how small, needs consistency and marketing.
I don’t know what I’m going to do with my new podcast channel.
I might just treat it as a fun project, as a way to inspire listeners and not put any expectations on it. My mistake was to place monetary gain as part of my expectations when I do not have the time to commit to another business, truthfully.
Let me know your thoughts about creating a business!
Shikah
How to be okay with making mistakes and be more resilient
In this video, I'll be sharing 4 ways for you to get comfortable with mistakes and failure - and be more resilient in pursuing your goals.
I recorded in a ‘livestream’ fashion - all real, raw and in the moment. 😄
I shared 4 ways to get comfortable with mistakes and failure including
A little experiment you can do to loosen your intense fear of making mistakes (scary, but effective)
How it’s important for us to feel our discomfort instead of avoiding or denying it
Why it’s good to keep trying new approaches even though this means we will fail and make even more mistakes
If you want a done-for-you Overcome Fear of Failure masterclass to launch and sell to your audience, click here.
If you want done-for-you mindset coaching tools to use and sell with your audience, head here.
⭐️⭐️
In case you are curious about my background, I used to work as a counsellor with a government ministry.
I now create done-for-you mindset materials which you can sell and share with your audience.
Take care,
Shikah
What does a fear of failure look like? 3 common signs
In this YouTube livestream (this is my first!), I shared 3 common characteristics of someone with a fear of failure for your self-awareness and self-discovery.
As an entrepreneur or a self-employed person, I think it's good for us to know if we have a fear of failure and slowly work on it.
Thats’s because having this fear is going to hold us back from many opportunities, from business growth and from personal growth.
Watch this video if you are curious to see if you have a fear of making mistakes and failure :).
If you want a done-for-you Overcome Fear of Failure masterclass to launch and sell to your audience, click here.
If you want done-for-you mindset coaching tools to use and sell with your audience, head here.
⭐️⭐️
In case you are curious about my background, I used to work as a counsellor with a government ministry.
I now create done-for-you mindset materials which you can sell and share with your audience.
Take care
Shikah
Two ways for mindful goal-setting to avoid overwhelm
In this episode, I will be sharing two steps for mindful goal-setting which will motivate you to work on them. It’s important for us to set goals which are not overwhelming or anxiety-inducing because if our goals induce fear, anxiety, or nervousness in us, we are likely not going to refer to those goals as the days go by.
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY|LISTEN ON APPLE
If you are a coach, you will like these done-for-you tools:
✨ Free Set Aligned and Achievable Goals coaching tool
✨ Done-for-you goal-setting workbook
✨ Done-for-you goal-setting workshop for your coaching membership or clients
✨ Get a peek of behind-the-scenes solopreneur content from my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shikahanuar
✨ Join my 7,400-strong mailing list: https://shikahanuar.com/mailing-list
Take care,
Shikah
How to manage perfectionism in business
If you have been frustrated with yourself for taking too long to...
Launch something
Publish (a free and helpful) lead magnet to your audience
Create free podcast eps and YouTube vids
… maybe you are being a little perfectionistic in your business :)
It can happen if we grew up in an environment where mistakes were not tolerated.
Or perhaps you have worked in an office where mistakes carry heavy consequences.
One way to get some control over our perfectionism is to do this quick exercise below.
Much of perfectionism is due to our ‘all or nothing’ thinking patterns.
This exercise is a snapshot from my done-for-you Overcome Perfectionism workbook which you can brand and sell to your audience.
I’ve also recorded a 10-minute video last week to share how we can gain some control over perfectionism as a business owner:
I recorded the video using a not-Zoom software and it was not as smooth, admittedly.
I hope the video will help you understand why you make business decisions the way you do. And hopefully you will feel less alone as a business owner who has perfectionism tendencies.
See you in my next email, video or podcast ep :)
Take care.
Shikah