We all know Steve Jobs is a pioneer and changed the way the world communicates with each other. He is the creative mind behind Apple Computers and brought the company back from bankruptcy in the late 1980’s. However, what you don’t know is he followed a few fundamentals lessons from the time he became involved in business to his death. After reading his strategies, I’m surprised at how many of his values can be applied to today’s bloggers. As a matter of fact, right before I published content, I go through the list of lessons Steve Jobs lived by to make sure I’ve incorporated them into my business.
Here’s a few of the lessons Steve Job taught me about business so you can apply them to yours…
Think People, Not Features
Steve Jobs’ products are known for simplicity and much of this has to do with him thinking about people before creating new products. If you can make a person’s life easier, then you’ve just increased the chances of them purchasing the product. In the world where things are hectic and we are short on time, we are often looking for ways to streamline the day-to-day things we do. You’ll notice, in the products manufactured by Apple, that they are easy to use, provide complete control, and make things simple.
The next time you sit down to blog or create a product, think about your audience and what they need. What will make their life easier? What knowledge can you provide them to help them tomorrow?
Go Perfect!
Windows is known for getting it right the 3rd time while Apple the 1st. Steve Jobs believed in getting it perfect because brand matters and a launch with flaws will destroy the launch build up. There are even rumours that when his research team said “it was impossibleâ€, he’d say go find a way to do it. He believed in making sure things were perfect so people know Apple is a business that provides only the best.
How can this be applied to your blog?
Simple, don’t publish until you know you’ve created something “perfectâ€. You shouldn’t have to go back and add things later on, but make sure everything is ready before you publish. Research, write, and create all before publishing.
Work Hard
No matter what business you’re in, “success†is only achievable through hard work. It takes hard work to know your business and to grow your business. Steve Jobs worked hard, often spending “4†days straight at the Apple headquarters, perfecting his products. It is even rumoured that “1†before his death and being diagnosed with cancer, he continued to work long hours. The point is, if you want to succeed, you need to do things that others are NOT doing, which means working harder than them. No business will grow if you don’t take it seriously and you should have the ambition to succeed just as much as you want to breathe.
If you’re a blogger, then you should “work hard†at every aspect of blogging, starting with research, writing, networking, and promoting, and you should spend long hours doing it because if you don’t, your competition will.
Think BIG!
When you think “Appleâ€, you think about the different products and the problems they solve. It went from a simple computer company to the largest technology company in the world. This was not overnight, however, Steve Job didn’t want to change the computer industry, but the world. His vision was always “BIG†and it was seen in his work habits, products, and legacy. If you want to be someone who stands out, then think broad, not narrow. Think about changing the world and if you fall short, you’ve still done pretty well.
In blogging, you should apply the same mentality as thinking “BIG†by writing content that is lengthy and nothing like your competition. Do keyword research and write complete guides that your audience can download, providing them with everything they need. Think “BIG†and of being the best in your industry!
Be Passionate!
If you don’t love what you do, you’ll give up without giving it your 100%. There was an interview where Steve Job stated he loved what he did and you have to, to proceed when things are tough. A majority of people fail because it is insanely hard to succeed but those who do will be fine in the end. You have to have something that pushes you in the right direction when there’s nothing else left and this is where “passion†plays an important role.
If you’re blogging just to make money and don’t “LOVE†the industry, then you’re going to have a hard time succeeding. You hit a block in almost every business and passion is what will help you overcome all roadblocks. Ask yourself these questions right now…
Are you in a business that you love more than money? What will you do if you make no profit “1†year from now? Will you still continue?