The research trap: 15 ways you know you're reading too much business advice

It’s fair to say that when most people start their first online business, they have no idea what they’re doing.

So what do you do to get educated on the ins and outs of building your website, social media presence, subscriber list, etc.?  You conduct research.

You spend hours (and hours) rummaging through countless business and marketing blogs, reading ebooks, ecourses, and watching tutorials and presentations on Youtube.

You also have a headache.

Here are 15 other things you’ve probably got going on from gorging on advice:

1. You have more blog posts marked as favorites, you aren’t even sure where to begin

2. You quote Danielle LaPorte to your toddler, dog, and anyone who will listen

3. You’ve changed your tagline 5 times….today

4. Then deleted it altogether

5. You’re all, “Headlines are important!”

6. You’re all, “Headlines aren’t important!”

7. (Head.is.spinning.)

8. Your target market is too broad

9. Your target market is too narrow

10. You’re going to give your products/services away for free

11. You’re not going to give them away for free

12. You call yourself a graphic designer

13. No.  You call yourself a website healer + hex code illuminator

14. You have no idea what to call yourself

15. (Head.is.spinning.)

The list could (clearly) go on and on.

You’ve now read so many pieces of advice that you’re paralyzed to making any decision at all.

Danielle LaPorte is the amazing queen of soulful business, but spending all day on her (or anyone else’s) site isn’t bringing you clients.  Getting busy and doing something will.  Give yourself 30 minutes a day on your favorite business blogs in the name of research or good old entertainment, and then turn your focus back onto you and how your awesome work can help others.

Research and clarity are golden when starting your business, but don’t let it prevent you from, you know, actually starting your business.