It’s not a coincidence that all successful business owners fundamentally understand how to excel in the online entrepreneur world.
Consistent, intentional habits of growth is what separates extraordinary digital entrepreneurs from those who are either just getting by or struggling to grow.
Whether you’re new to the world of online media and tech, or an experienced business owner who has years in the industry, these habits will help you improve.
In this post, I outline habits all successful entrepreneurs practice.
We’ll share practical steps and tips on how you can grow professionally and personally, let’s dive in!
Defining the Habits of Successful Online Entrepreneurs
Have you ever noticed that it seems like some online entrepreneurs make so much money, effortlessly, while others would be lucky to sell a $5 ebook on their site?
Why is that?
The answer is usually habits.
An adaptive, disciplined, and focused digital entrepreneur cares about their time and their clients’ time, and works on adding value to their audiences.
They spend their time and money wisely, persistently look for new knowledge, and always choose to surround themselves with the best connections.
When you learn about specific habits they all practice, you discover the blueprint of success.
1. Master Time Management
One of the biggest buzzwords on online entrepreneurship is time management.
Time is the most important resource possessed by successful entrepreneurs, and they regard it as such.
Time Management Tips for Entrepreneurs
- Set Clear Goals: Set your short-term and long-term goals. Make use of SMART goal frameworks to make sure that your targets are all Specific, Measurable, Achievable Relevant, and Time-bound.
- Prioritize Tasks: Focus on high-impact activities you can do that directly contribute to your business growth. Start with the Eisenhower matrix to help separate what is urgent vs. important.
- Use Tech to Stay Organized: Apps such as Trello, ClickUp, Asana, and Notion can make you productive with multiple projects while feeling not so overwhelmed.
Time management isn’t about being busy (and it never will be), it’s about being productive.
2. Commit to Continuous Learning
The online business landscape shifts constantly, with new technologies, trends, and tools emerging all the time.
Staying stagnant and in your comfort zone is not an option for successful digital entrepreneurs.
- Read and Research Constantly: Stay updated with industry blogs, reports, and tutorials. Subscribe to newsletters from thought leaders in your niche.
- Learn from Failures: Every setback gives you valuable insight into what works and what doesn’t. Instead of fearing failure, use it as fuel for growth.
- Invest in Courses or Mentors: Leveling up in your skills is essential. Whether it’s mastering SEO, understanding how to get rid of adware, or honing leadership abilities, investing in your knowledge pays off.
💡 Join the Wanderlover Business Academy to learn how to start and scale your online business
3. Stay Digitally Secure
Digital platforms provide the backbone for most online entrepreneurs and hence cybersecurity is a nonnegotiable thing for most online entrepreneurs. Adware can destroy your operations and compromise your data without proper precautions.
Simple Steps for Digital Security
- Use a Password Manager: Secure passwords prevent unauthorized access to critical accounts. Consider tools like LastPass or Dashlane.
- Backup Regularly: Backing up your key files on trusted cloud services like Google Drive, or DropBox will ensure that you keep them safe.
Pro Tip: What is adware? Learn what is and how to remove adware to protect your devices and data from unnecessary risks. Investing in digital protection means your other habits won’t get disrupted.
4. Building a Strong Network
There’s an old saying in online entrepreneurship that goes: “It’s not really about what you know, it’s really about who you know.”
If you build sustainable and helpful relationships, the opportunities are endless.
Success Networking Strategies
If you join forums, social media groups, or professional networks where you can share what you know about your industry, you’ll grow your network with people who can help you as well.
Collaborate with Influencers or Partners
Look for collaborators to pull in new customers, clients, or different views. Partnerships tend to increase your brand presence and help you cross-pollinate audiences.
Give Before You Take
No matter what you offer, share value first: resources, advice, or even support. People will remember it!
Networking isn’t just about growing your business; it’s about building a community of people who support you with your challenges.
5. Financial Discipline
Managing finances is one of the toughest but most important habits for online entrepreneurs. Even high-revenue businesses can fail if they don’t have strong financial practices.
Track and Analyze Expenses
Successful entrepreneurs can track where every dollar goes. If you don’t have accounting software like QuickBooks or Wave, you should definitely look into automating and getting software to track cash flow.
Separate Personal and Business Finances
To keep things clear during tax season (and, better yet, audit-ready), create separate accounts for everything. Separate your business and personal accounts and credit cards so it’s easy to track every month end.
Plan for the Future
Set aside funds for emergencies, scaling opportunities, and long-term goals. Business health is financial health, you need to know your numbers!
6. Maintaining Work Life Balance
Burnout is real, and there are a lot of people who suffer from it when you look at the hustle that is the online entrepreneurship lifestyle, especially if you’re a digital nomad!
The best entrepreneurs and most successful entrepreneurs focus on their well being building their businesses.
How to Stay Balanced:
- Once work hours are over, turn off email notifications. It isn’t sustainable to be ‘always available’.
- Relaxing and pursuing hobbies are as important tasks as work itself. Breaks make you more productive.
- You are not going to be in charge of everything on your own. Free up your time with high-priority work by delegating tasks to virtual assistants and freelancers.
Successful entrepreneur = a balanced entrepreneur.
7. Value-Driven Problem Solvers
Successful entrepreneurs don’t just sell products; they solve problems.
The focus is on value creation for their audience leading to trust and loyalty that by the time it’s their law firm, the customer won’t be confused with another.
Ask yourself these questions regularly:
- Are we listening to our customers’ pain points?
- Does my product or service relate to my audience’s terms of need?
- What can I do to make their life easier and better?
By grounding your business on service and value, you will develop a customer base that is loyal to you and will help with long-term growth.
Final Thoughts
The habits covered here are the foundation for thriving online entrepreneurs. Each habit will help you build an efficient business, a forward-thinking business but will also help you with better time management, digital security, and so on.
What do you do to help make yourself better in your day to day? Let me know on Instagram!
Read Next
The 5 Books That Have Changed My Life
7 Limiting Beliefs That Are Holding You Back as an Entrepreneur
How to Attract Money for Wealth and Abundance
5 Life Principles I Live By as an Entrepreneur
Money Mindset and Money Habits to Master as a Digital Nomad
