let’s talk business
J worked on Sunday, so he had today off, which allowed us to get some work done for the business. We signed some important papers at the bank and had a long conversation over the phone with one of our vendors. We even had time to check out the new Blackberry Tour for Verizon, which I desperately want even though it wouldn’t be used solely for business. J also took a liking to the Tour and may FINALLY leave AT&T for Verizon–thank goodness! AT&T’s reception is so poor that he can barely use his cell phone in the house. How ridiculous is that?!
Of course I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m stressing a little bit over the business. What if I have no customers? I’m in the midst of planning to do some advertising and playing around with some marketing ideas, but what if I build it and they don’t come?
I’m also finding it hard to manage two blogs. The Social Life of Paper needs daily watering in order for it to blossom, which means that at times I feel like I’m neglecting Somewhere in Middle America. Call it writer’s block, call it laziness, call it exhaustion. Maybe it’s all three of those things.
If anybody has any words of wisdom to share on starting a small business or on keeping more than one blog alive and well, I’m all ears!
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First off, yay for leaving AT&T for Verizon! Second, my husband had a business and it’s stressful but can also be rewarding. I would say accept that you’re going to make mistakes, you’re not perfect. And if something should happen and it doesn’t work out, do not beat yourself up about it. SO MANY people TALK about starting their own business, actually doing it take a lot of courage and if it doesn’t work out then so what, at least you had the cajones to try.
Not that it won’t work out, I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully!! 
Hi! I’ve been reading for a while but never commented. I love entrepreneurial spirit so felt compelled to share a few thoughts…
1. Organization is key. Set a schedule as to how often you will update the blog(s). If your current focus is on getting the Paper blog up and running than maybe it’s not realistic to update the Somewhere blog as often. Figure out what you’re comfortable with – once a week (personally, I think this should be the longest duration), twice a week, etc. And then as things become less crazed (do they ever?!) you can return to updating more often. Key is quality vs. quantity. I hate to see blogs that update daily just for the sake of updating daily. I’d much rather read good content once a week than dribble 7 days a week.
2. Content management. I get ideas throughout the day for good content for my blog. I don’t always have time to flesh out the idea to post it right away but I keep pen and paper handy to write the ideas down so I can get back to them later. Usually on a rainy, lazy Sunday I will write up a few posts in draft form and edit them on another day that I have some time. Then, for those times when inspiration doesn’t strike as soon as I sit down at my computer, I have content to draw upon and post. Having an ‘inventory’ of content is also good for those times when you are away on vacation. Also I noticed you were looking for guest bloggers – this is a great idea with multiple benefits. It expands your network, brings in new readers, diversifies your content, and exposes you to new thoughts and ideas. Love!
3. Keep it fun. Blogging can be a business and e-commerce is obviously a business. I assume, however, that when a person starts down the road of self employment it’s as much about building a brand and bringing something fantastic to the table as it is about having fun with what you do for a living. Fun doesn’t equate to easy, certainly, but you’ll know when you’re no longer enjoying the late nights or getting that same rush as before. Time to shake it up either by taking some time to reflect and point the needle in a new direction or simply realizing that a particular project has run its course.
Hope this helps! Congrats and good luck!
I love the suggestions above. I couldn’t have said it any better….