Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amy Hebdon, founder of Paid Search Magic, located in Clarksville, TN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Paid Search Magic is a Google Premier Partner agency that helps performance marketers get more from their investments. Paid search is a strategic and ever-changing game, and we offer full-service management, account makeovers, audits, and consulting to give smart marketers a competitive advantage.
Tell us about yourself
Rumi said that "what you are seeking is seeking you," and in paid search, that's definitely true. I like making it easier for people to find the services and products they're looking for, answering their key questions, and giving them a reason to take action. I've been doing this for almost 20 years, and I've always been drawn to how measurable and actionable paid search marketing is. We're not just creating an ad and hoping it works or collecting data with no path forward. It's a constant optimization process, and I enjoy the challenge.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We've had a lot of great client wins, but as a business owner, my biggest accomplishment is building a path to remain a subject matter expert while still maintaining a good life balance. Everyone tells you that the only way to grow is to outsource and remove yourself from the fulfillment side of the business. But that's what I love, and that's why I do this in the first place. I have systems for everything else so that I can focus on creative and strategic work, and I love that I can do that successfully.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
All the ambiguity. Not only do you have to achieve your goals - you have to decide what they are for every area of the business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know why you're starting a business and what you want from it. If you're not clear on the "why," you'll just chase everything and always feel behind.
- Know how to evaluate the quality of work before you hire others. It's fine if you don't want to be your own bookkeeper, but if you literally don't know anything about bookkeeping, you can't make an intelligent hiring decision, and you'll never know what kind of job they're doing for you. Consult with industry experts so you know how to prioritize your own needs and what to expect from a vendor.
- Invest in a coach or mentor. You need someone to help you get out of your own head.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://paidsearchmagic.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amyppc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhebdon/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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