How to Become a Lifestyle Entrepreneur

Are you pursuing a passion but still feel as if something is missing? That was me in 2014. I’d been teaching for seven and a half years and finally got my ‘dream’ teaching job as a psychology teacher. I didn’t even last six months. I burnt out. I was doing too many things. But why was I doing so many things? The short answer was, I felt unfulfilled. I was doing what I loved but I loathed how I was doing it. I hated the lifestyle I lived. 

The term lifestyle entrepreneur was coined by someone I refer to a lot in my blogs, Lewis Howes. He’s a former pro athlete, New York Times Bestselling author, and of course, lifestyle entrepreneur. 

A lifestyle entrepreneur is someone who operates their business online. They don’t have a physical location. They simply have a computer (or laptop) and connection to the Internet. They can operate their business, literally, from anywhere in the world.

Lifestyle entrepreneurs create and operate their businesses, not solely for profit, but to live the lifestyle they want. They have a passion for what they do and focus on the rewards that immersing themselves in their passion brings. 

The common goals for a lifestyle entrepreneur includes, but is not limited to, engaging in work which is fulfilling, having flexible work hours, spending time with family and friends, participating in hobbies and activities, doing charity work, and pursuing creative interests. Lifestyle entrepreneurs are not only concerned with what they do and why they do it, but just as importantly, if not more importantly, where they do it, when they do it, and how they do it. 

How to Become a Lifestyle Entrepreneur 

• Choose your passion. As being a lifestyle entrepreneur is primarily about following your passion, this is the most fundamental step. What do you enjoy talking about? What groups are you a part of? What do you do in your spare time? The answers to these questions will guide you in the right direction. Most importantly, what do people ask you for advice about? 

• Define your ideal client avatar. When you start to write copy for your free and paid content, you’ll need to have someone in mind when you write. If you write with a group in mind, trying to please everyone, it often comes across as messy and confusing. Readers and listeners will disengage. The more clear you are with who you’re writing for, the more clear your writing becomes. Every single time you write, visualise someone and write as if you are writing just for them. You’ll be amazed at how many people you engage when you get clear on who your message is for. 

• Decide what you really want. Some people feel disappointed when they don’t end up where they thought they would. But when you delve deeper into what they really want, it doesn’t match. For example, a guy I knew wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach at an elite AFL team. However, when you really defined what it meant to get there, and what the work was like when you got there, that wasn’t the lifestyle they wanted after all. Decide what your ideal lifestyle is first. 

• Build your platform. The most valuable commodity to a lifestyle entrepreneur is your website. I suggest getting a website from the get go. A good website can be expensive though and take time to build. While you’re waiting, get started with YouTube. Upload material related to your ideal audience. Don’t get caught up worrying about quality. No one can access what isn’t published. There are many other social media platforms, all with their unique qualities. My favourites are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Periscope and Snapchat. Use them to introduce new people to you and connect deeper with your existing audience. 

• Build an audience. The best way to build an audience is through email. Your email list is the most important part of your platform. You own the list. You have personal access to each person on it. You don’t own your lists on Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. If those platforms were to close down tomorrow, there goes your following. Build your email list with appreciation and care. They are the bread and butter of the business to a lifestyle entrepreneur.

• Be genuine. Every single time you write or speak, aim to give as much quality information on your topic as you possibly can. If you don’t genuinely want to serve others, people will see straight through it. Most lifestyle entrepreneurs don’t have an endless supply of finances. And let’s face it, you’re an entrepreneur. The idea is to take financial risks to make profit. You still need money to live the life you want, regardless of how basic or extravagant that may be. However, there are plenty of ways to get paid. You don’t need your audience to be reaching into their pockets. If you do a good job though of providing absolute quality information all the time, they will be looking for your paid content at some point.  

Being a lifestyle entrepreneur is an extremely rewarding pursuit. It’s not only about making money; it’s about creating opportunities to live the lifestyle you want. Lifestyle entrepreneurs operate their business online, easily enabling them to work from anywhere, anytime.

What do people often come to you for advice about? 

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