What I learned from the Netflix Original GirlBoss

In my family, my social circles, and around town, I’m always the odd-one out. I’m the one “without a job,” but I’m also not the typical stay at home mom like everyone else I know from my “mom” circles.

For almost 4 years now, I’ve worked on my own thing from home – whether it was my ecommerce business, or copywriting, I haven’t had a traditional job since December of 2013.

And I know I’m not alone. Online, I meet more and more people who are redefining what it means to make a living.

But I don’t see that reflected in popular culture… yet.

The new series on Netflix – Girlboss- is changing that.

And that’s why I’ve been waiting for a show like this to come out for some time now.

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Girlboss follows the launch of an online lifestyle business and is loosely based off of a real life story.

Having started an ecommerce store of my own before deciding that the only thing I liked about it was marketing and copywriting, I could relate to the main character in many ways.

If you’re a service provider or freelancer, I’m sure you would also relate to some of her struggles early in her career.

After binging on season 1, I felt inspired and a little renewed in my passion for helping redefine what it means to make a living in a world of internet, automation, and constant connection.

There were also some key marketing themes that emerged, and I wanted to share my takeaways with you.

These are things that the main character (Sophia) totally did right while starting her business.

via GIPHY

Here’s what I picked out…

First – get on a platform with lots of eyeballs.

I’ll admit, I’m terrible at this.

I tend to work in isolation. It’s something I’m working on.

And I know I’m not alone.

The typical advice goes something like this… “build your own platform. No one can take that away from you.”

And I agree. But the problem is that when you’re over on your own little island, no one else knows you exist.

Whatever you do, it pays to be where everyone else is hanging out.

If you do content marketing, be on iTunes, or YouTube, or if you blog, be great at SEO so you’re on Google, or be on Medium, or guest post…

If you sell physical products, be on Amazon, or Etsy, or eBay. Whatever makes sense.

When I first started copywriting, I went to UpWork. It was the easiest way to find clients from the get go.

Yes, you should have your own platform and make sure you have multiple streams of revenue. But that isn’t always possible from day 1. Besides, having your own platform doesn’t mean you can’t also pick up customers from other places.

Second, be personable (and be yourself).

Sophia’s character started out lost, a little gritty, and completely unapologetic.

Her eBay store completely captured that personality. Everything from her store name, to the way she interacted with customers, to the products she picked reflected her personality.

And it worked for her.

She was completely in touch with her marketplace. Which leads me to the next point…

Know your customer.

Everyone who was in her industry and selling vintage clothing already told her she was doing it wrong. She was breaking arbitrary rules that weren’t really rules at all.

Her competitors told her they felt sorry for her… that she was too young to understand what she was doing wrong.

But she didn’t listen. She knew her customers and knew what they wanted, and she wasn’t concerned with what anyone else thought.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in what everyone else is telling you to do (especially people who mean well but have absolutely zero experience in the area), and I’m all about having a mentor. But doing everything the exact same way everyone else does won’t get you very far… especially in a saturated market.

And finally…

Have fun.

Sophia felt the temptation to let work consume her every moment. But she stayed balanced. Staying out in the world really helps keep ideas flowing, and helps keep you connected with your customers. When you’re too cut off from the world, working in isolation, and never coming up for air, it’s tough to remain relevant.

Who else saw Girl Boss? What was your take? Did I miss any business or marketing themes?

Let me know in the comments. Would love to hear from you 🙂