As we wrap up another year and get ready to step into the new year, I’ve been reflecting on what I would do if I were to start my business from scratch today.

Having been an entrepreneur for nine years, I’ve seen the ups, downs, and dramatic changes in the industry. There are things that have completely shifted and things that honestly have remained the same.

Here are five approaches that I believe would accelerate your business growth and set you up for long-term success.

Inside today’s episode of the Authentic Brand Builders podcast, we’ll dive into:

Why PR should be your top priority and how building a network of collaborators can accelerate your brand growth.
The secret to focusing on sales from day one and how long-form content like podcasts and YouTube can drive sustainable success.
The essential mindset changes you need to take confident action and make your business thrive.

**I’ve included the main points below, but I encourage you to dive into the full episode via audio or video!

For the full content, and all the insider tips, listen to Episode 131 now.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY | LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS | LISTEN ON YOUTUBE

1. Prioritize Public Relations (PR) Strategically

When I think about building a business from zero, prioritizing PR would be at the top of my list.

I hold a degree in public relations, and I know firsthand that you don’t need a massive following to get featured. It's about shifting your approach.

My advice? Dedicate just one hour each week for pitching yourself to smaller platforms—like niche podcasts or guest articles. Sometimes the smaller the audience the higher the conversions because of the trust the host (or brand) has built with their audience.

Suppose you don’t have a lot of content on the internet to show your expertise, you can easily craft a simple media kit to share some of your top brand values, messages, and of course story.

The goal here is to expand your network, and even just one interview a month gets you in front of 12 new audiences in one year without a single dollar spent on ad spend.

2. Build a Network for Collaboration

I have to admit, that networking isn't my favorite activity, but it’s crucial.

Over the years, I’ve maintained a handful of collaborators, but expanding this network could have yielded even more opportunities. It’s something I’m prioritizing in the new year and something I wish I had focused more on when I was just getting started.

If I were starting over, I would focus on expanding my network with more collaborations. These can come from creating your own networking group, deepening the relationship when you’re on a podcast or have a guest on yours, and being in the room with people who challenge you.

I think that last piece is the big reason this works so well for business growth; challenging yourself to get out of your comfort zone and see where these new relationships can take you is one of the greatest (and often free) ways to grow your business.

I also have a mission to support my clients in stepping outside of their bubble and building more connections, so we’re focusing on this inside of the Authentic Brand Builders Academy a great deal in the coming months.

3. Focus on Selling from the Start

A common mistake I see entrepreneurs make, myself included, is getting bogged down in the details before focusing on sales.

In the early months of my business, I spent way too much time perfecting things like my brand and website. I still believe both of those pieces are crucial in building a business foundation, I also know that most people are spending more time, energy, and money than necessary.

You absolutely can build your brand and start promoting your offers in just two weeks.

You absolutely can create a simple website over the weekend, and add to it and improve it as your business and resources grow.

The truth is, that selling should be your primary focus from day one. Give yourself two weeks to clarify your audience, define your messaging, create your offer, and start promoting. The rest, including brand refinement and content development, will naturally align once you get into the practice of selling.

Inside my Build a Better Brand Method, I teach you exactly how to build your brand in just 2 weeks. Explore the program here.

4. Establish a Long-Form Content Platform

Creating consistent, long-form content via a podcast or YouTube channel should be one of your foundational strategies if you’re looking for sustainable growth.

I know social media can be incredibly tempting and I’m not denying its power to reach a lot of people quickly, but focusing on the longevity of your content is key if you don’t want to burn out.

Although I started my podcast a bit later, I see how impactful it would have been to begin sooner. Not only does this establish credibility and authority in your field, but it also provides a wealth of content to repurpose across other platforms.

Sustainable marketing strategies like these can be a game-changer if prioritized early on.

Want to learn more about multi-channel marketing? Watch this video here.

5. Cultivate a Strong Mindset

Finally, sustaining a positive and strong mindset is crucial not only when you’re starting your business, but also when you scale.

While I always understood the importance of mindset, it was typically centered around my money mindset and my mindset around being successful.

I wish I had spent more time working on my mindset around trusting myself more from the beginning.

Overthinking decisions can hold you back. Looking outside yourself for all the answers can lead to even more confusion.

Oftentimes, we know exactly what we should be doing, but we’re not giving ourselves the space to really listen to our intuition.

If you're starting out, work on trusting yourself and your business instincts, I really think it's a key to authentic growth.

CONCLUSION

As we gear up for a new year, I hope these strategies inspire and guide you, whether you're starting new or scaling your current business.

Even though I’ve been in business for nine years, I’m still always finding new ways to improve and align my business with my goals. These same five tips truly apply to you no matter where you’re at in the process.

For me, selling and collaboration are going to be significant drivers of success. Remember to trust your gut and stretch beyond your current network (it’s one of the fastest and cheapest ways to grow your business).

You’ve got this—I’m cheering for you every step of the way. If you found this helpful, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter at Brandmerry for more insights and updates throughout the year.

Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube Podcasts to hear the full episode and all the tips.

P.S. Ready to build a revenue-generating brand? One that not only stands out online but also makes it easier than ever to create high-value content? Tune in to my free brand class and learn my Build a Better Brand Method. Watch now at brandmerry.com/class.

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