An Entrepreneur's Journal

Got The Website Up

On March 15, 2023

Last week I learned how to use WordPress the right way and got my new website up and running. It took me 3 different themes and a 2-hour long video but I got it up. Plus I have a much better understanding of WordPress now!

I even made a logo (it was free and very basic) that I can already see printed out on hats and jackets. I know I can make this huge as long as I work hard, give it time, and stay consistent.

Now it’s definitely not perfect and I’m going to be tweaking it to reflect more copywriting rather than advertising in general buts it’s a good start.

I think it’s much better to specialize in one thing (copy) when just starting out since that’s really the only thing I know how to do. Then once I acquire more skills, I can switch the website over to offer full marketing services. But for now, I need to focus 100% on offering copywriting.

The only issue I’m having is that Google hasn’t “crawled” it yet so it doesn’t show up on a search. But if you want to check it out you can go to https://sympatheiamarketing.com.

But I also read that putting a link to a new website on an existing website helps google crawl it sooner so maybe this will help! Anyways, I know setting up a website isn’t that big of a deal but it’s cool to see something I built out there on the internet and actually be functional. I can see why so many people like to do web design; it’s kind of like construction and design all in one.

It’s Been A While

By jordondrilling

On February 21, 2023

In Uncategorized

I haven’t been as much as I should be. I wish I could say it’s because I’ve been so busy getting copywriting clients and that I’m swamped with work but that’s not really true. So I guess an update is in order here…

I worked a few Upwork jobs and made some pretty good money (got my hourly rate up to $50/hr minimum) but I’m changing directions now. Working individual gigs and being seen as a service instead of a long-term partner is probably not the best way to build my business. So, I’ve stopped applying for Upwork gigs and I’ve been focusing on cold email and Linkedin outreach to try and get some retainer clients, or at least clients that I want to work with and give me some recurring work. And just like with getting Upwork gigs, I think it’s a numbers game.

The only frustrating part is that just when I was getting good at Upwork proposals and getting 5-star reviews, I switch up strategies and enter a new “eating-shit phase”. But that’s okay. Nothing worth doing is ever easy, right?

The last couple weeks have been nothing but writing free ads and emails for prospects so I can use the reciprocity rule. Shout out to Robert Cialdini for his book Influence and the principles he talks about in there. I don’t know if it’s the right way to go about prospecting but it’s what I’m trying at the moment. I haven’t landed a client yet, and barely any responses, but that’s not going to stop me. You can’t lose if you don’t quit.

It’s the Small Victories That Mean the Most

By jordondrilling

On October 28, 2022

In Successes

It’s the small victories that tell us were making progress and getting better and gives us the strength to keep going. No matter who you are, spending months working hard at something but not seeing any results can be really discouraging.

The little wins we get along the journey give us that hit of positive reinforcement and keep us moving forward. They’re what Matthew McConaughey would call greenlights in his surprisingly thought-provoking book. They’re signs that tell us to keep goin at full speed ahead.

In this case, I got my first freelance copywriting job after a month of applying to gigs and practicing every day. It’s proof that I have the capability not only to get a copywriting job but to push through trying times.

I told myself I would push through the “eating shit phase” no matter what but its definitely easier when your winning little battles. Win enough battles and you’ll eventually win the war. Make enough greenlights and you’ll reach your destination. Make no mistake though, I’m certainly still in the “eating shit phase” and will probably be here for a while. I have so much more to learn but every marathon starts with the first step. I fell like I just took the first real step towards becoming an entrepreneur.

I’ve put in the time reading books about business and entrepreneurship, taking courses, and listening to podcasts but now I can actually start to implement some of the things I’ve learned so far. I can start chipping away at my plan to become an entrepreneur. Step by step, day by day. And hopefully I can avoid some of the mistakes my mentors have shared.

I encourage anyone reading this to keep on pushing through the hard times and know that good times are coming. It sounds corny but the saying, “It always rains before the rainbow” is so true. You have to go through some hardship to really appreciate the good times.

First Speedbump With The Blog

By jordondrilling

On October 23, 2022

In Mindset, Mistakes

Welp, I knew I was going to be figuring this out as I go and that’s definitely how it’s going. I hit my first speedbump with the blog.

I posted my first blog post and published the website yesterday and was so excited to be able to Google my website and see my very own blog pop up. But I was a little confused when I looked up my website and nothing came up. I go a quick education on SEO and the process of getting a site listed on Google. It’s one thing to write a blog buts it’s an entirely different thing to get people to see it.

So, even though I published my site and made my first post yesterday it won’t be available to the public until 4 days to 4 weeks. It’s not really a tragedy but it’s still frustrating. When you’re feeling accomplished and feeling good about your work only to get sucked back to Earth the next minute it can feel pretty low.

That being said, I believe you can learn from everything. I learned the basics of SEO and how to publish a website. No doubt valuable things to know for the future.

I’ll keep pushing forward and posting regularly even though nobody will see it yet. On the bright side, when the blog is listed on google, you guys will have more content than otherwise. Looking for the positives in any situation is a good habit to have. What else can you do but laugh and move on when something doesn’t go your way? As the legendary Cam Hanes said in his book Endure, “Smiling always helps”.

The Start of Something New

By jordondrilling

On October 21, 2022

In Uncategorized

Here it is! My very first blog post. I started the blog yesterday and finished getting it set up this morning. I’m sure there are still lots of little bugs and mistakes here and there but I told myself that I would start a blog this week so that’s what I did. I didn’t want to make good the enemy of great, so I just got started. I’ll figure it out along the way.

This blog is going to be a more thought-out and detailed version of my own daily journal. Seneca said, “Examine your entire day and go back over what you’ve done.” That’s the goal of this blog. To look back on my days, weeks, months, and years. To see what I’ve learned, how I’ve grown, see what I’ve done poorly, and see what I’ve done well.

Simply put, this is the documentation of my journey to become a successful entrepreneur.

Hopefully, I can help anyone reading this by putting my journey up for review so you can learn from my mistakes and get to your goals even faster than me.

I’ll do my best to share lessons I’ve learned to make your road to entrepreneurship a little smoother than mine. And once I’m a successful entrepreneur, anyone can look back at this blog and see exactly how I got there. I look forward to bringing all of you along for the ride!

If you want to learn more about who I am start here.