@Namebunny
Hi stepstobed, yes sorry as pp says va is virtual assistant which is someone who does all admin or research type stuff for you. I’ve heard they can be super useful. Thanks for the Google ads idea.
I think you are amazing. I seem to avoid life every day - finding it impossible to make decisions! And you only do that on your day off!
Someone on mn told me that avoiding stuff can be a result of crap stuff happening so it sounds as if it’s entirely natural, and therefore you are doing great.
There’s a thread recently on super quick cooking when knackered, that might be useful? Stuff like noodles and shove it in the oven. And I know people swear by brain dumping everything into trello. Which is online boards with little virtual post it notes you can order however you like. Then you are not carrying it all in your head.
P.s. I’m sure it’s not the place to ask, but hey Ho..any things you’ve learnt would be useful. E. G How do you get momentum? I seem to fanny about too much! Which is why I am in awe!
Good morning Namebunny,
Defo avoiding stuff because of a crap 18 months, I think I'm probably trying to shake off mild depression. My councillor thinks so! Its like I have areal mental block where I am refusing to do things. Things I actually really need to do.
I will have a look at trello.
Gosh dont be in awe I'm literately flying by the seat of my pants about to crash!
What line is your business in? Do you have premises?
I supply regulated services at a location.
I had no idea how hard and time consuming it would be. I thought I could just set up and people would be lining up to come in. I'm actually the only service provider in my area so thought it would given.
The things I've learned is
You have to spend money to make money. I honestly thought a Facebook page and google my business would be enough - it wasn't.
If you build your own website ( it is time consuming to a novice but its doable) dont use squarespace as its shit for google tracking and analytics. I'm still with square space because I can't bear to lose the many many hours I put in to building the site.
If you have a Facebook business page, get every one to like and share as much as you can. Put engaging posts on that will encourage people to like and share - I put a funny video on that was relevant to my business back in March and its still getting new views and likes. If some one likes my page/posts - their friends can see. Facebook paid ads are so fucking expensive but its a necessary evil. They do get me more likes than bookings at the moment but the aim is to get as many relevant demographic likes at the moment. So Facebook is really clever and you can put in the demographics for who will want your services eg, woman, 18-50, likes to look at spas, has children, interested blah blah and it will send your ads to those people.
I really begrudged paying for people to do my advertising. It seemed simple enough so I wanted to do it myself. But it was shit.
If you pay some one to do your advertising be very very careful who you get, Ive spent over £3000 getting people to do work and they never did it correctly, they all said they were experts but clearly wasn't.
I finally found someone the month I was going to go bust, my accountant was actually talking to me about liquidation 
, but I pushed on and the new guy I got is very good - but expensive.
The google my business - in theory should get you out there straight away - but it doesn't in reality. It needs a lot of work, key words and google trust for you to be placed.
Google my business is SEO (basically a free listing on google if someone searches for a business in their location)
Google Ads is where you pay to have your ads ranked high up on the first page.
Many people will tell you SEO is dead but it isn't and both need as much work
My take home from all this is - Clients need to trust that you are a legitimate business so you need to be every where. Do your research and get a professional to do your Facebook and google stuff because it really really makes a difference.
And be prepared to pay 
I'm currently spending around £1800 a month on advertising (including paying my advertising manager)
I had 14 clients in yesterday (Saturday my busiest day) compared to four a few months ago. A bit chunk of their payments will be on advertising BUT they are posting pictures and checking in at my premisses and promoting me by word of mouth so they are now doing advertising for me on some level. It will be about another year before I can take a suitable wage from it.
I'm the queen of fanning about - hence sat on here when I've got so much shit to do 
Have a good day 