The Fan

Jon had a great post about a month back on business planning. In it, he compared launching a business to taking a trip.  One of the things we need to figure out is who to take along with us.

There are the obvious answers, business partners, suppliers, customers, the moneymen, and yes, the much talked about…mentors but a group is often left out. 

The Fans. 

But, you ask, isn’t a fan the same as a mentor?  Nope, a mentor is the voice of reason.  Sure he builds you up but, when needed, he also squashes you back down.  He doesn’t let you dream the big, often unrealistic dreams powering most entrepreneurs.

For that, you need a fan and you do need at least one.  Having a fan provides a powerful psychological advantage.  Sports teams believe this so much that they even pay some of their fans (cheerleaders).  The home team advantage?  Largely due to the number of fans in the stands cheering.

How To Use A Fan

Note: fans are not for business or career advice.  Fans are for emotional support only.  When you get so beaten down, you can no longer stand up straight, you talk to your fan.  You don’t take action on her words.  She’s there to give you the confidence and hope so you can look for the answers elsewhere.

It should be clear to you and your fan what exactly her role is.  Tell her that you only need positive words, that you’re relying on her support.  I’ve played this game long enough that I ask outright “Am I a mentor or a fan?”  Once again, the roles are not the same.

Fan Knowledge

Does a fan need to know the ins and outs of your business in order to do her job?  Another no.  Want some examples?  Cheerleaders in the NFL spend the entire time with their backs to the field.  They don’t watch the game.  My hubby is my biggest writing fan yet he doesn’t read my blog posts.  It is actually easier to be a fan if you’re not an expert.

Yes, fans are an important part of your business team.  But don’t take my word on it.  Ask Stephen King.  He credits his number one fan, his donut making, poetry writing wife, for literally rescuing his career from the trash.  

***This guest post has written by Kimber who, as a fan of mine, has provided invaluable encouragement (and more) to me and my business ventures ever since the day we met. She blogs on No Limits Ladies and K’s Blog. 

This post was written by Jon Symons, see my short bio. Or use the contact page to get in touch.