How much attention is good for a business? Any business, really, be it something like a blog, freelancing, e-commerce, or just anything—how much is too much? Well, when starting a business, attention is important, but too much, too soon can backfire. Yes, you read that right! Early negative reviews, overwhelmed customer service, or even viral social media mishaps can give a new business the wrong kind of spotlight.
Now, for the average person, selling out on day one sounds like a dream come true. But it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be.But you don’t even need to be a brand new business either. Some businesses (old or not) get reviewed bombed, trolls, and so mich more. But overall, it’s essential to find a balance between gaining exposure and staying under the radar while you get established.
Stay Off the Viral Rollercoaster
Social media is a powerful tool, but it can easily get out of control. Now, a lot of people share their thoughts, and that goes for business owners, too. It’s pretty common to see business owners often share their thoughts and experiences on platforms like TikTok, only for a video to unexpectedly go viral. While that may seem like a dream, going viral can also attract drama or criticism that no new (or old) business is ready for.
For example, comments can spiral. And soon enough, the business is wrapped up in a narrative that has nothing to do with its products or services.
Yes, it’s not fun, but seriously, when using social media, it’s best to stay professional. Focus on what the business offers, and avoid oversharing personal details. Overall, building a slow, steady following of customers who connect with the product rather than the drama will pay off in the long run.
Focus on Slow, Steady Growth
Going all out with promotions right from the start may sound like a winning strategy, but it can backfire. So, a surge in attention before operations are ready to handle it can quickly lead to poor customer experiences. When a business is overwhelmed, customer service suffers, products may go out of stock, and negative reviews start piling up. While sure, some people are understanding if it’s just you, others just won’t care in the slightest. And it will still kill your reputation.
Now, it’s not as fun, but the goal is to grow at a manageable pace. Small wins, good word of mouth, and fine-tuning processes are far more valuable than a one-time viral moment that results in unsatisfied customers. Overall, just underpromises, overdeliver, and gives the business time to scale properly.
Don’t Overhype Before You’re Ready
Overhyping a business before it’s ready to meet demand is a classic mistake. While excitement is absolutely great, you just don’t want disappointment or even anger. For example, selling firearms is considered high risk (technically on multiple levels). So early mistakes can attract unwanted scrutiny or regulatory challenges.
Essentially, bad attention can escalate really fast, and it’s hard to bounce back. So, with that all said, the goal should always be to provide a seamless, positive experience from the beginning, avoiding early pitfalls that lead to negative impressions.