When I started my Tarot business in 2006, I was terribly naive and ignorant. Nevertheless, in typical Fool-fashion I pursued my dream without knowledge, planning and foresight.

Shortly after my launch, a sudden health scare with a traumatic stint in hospital followed by a scary operation six months later didn’t help either.

But I had to keep going, because I couldn’t afford to wait for some bureaucrat to create a suitable job for me (one that allowed me to work flexible hours AND was intellectually stimulating, too).

So, here I am, seven years later, still alive to tell the tale. It has been a roller coaster ride, and today I am in a position that allows me to make a modest living from doing what I love.

“Modest” is a good description of my income; after ten years of working in a stressful but lucrative corporate world, starting my own business as a Tarot reader meant down-shifting, to put it mildly.

What have I learned along the way?

1. Be authentic

Do it your own way. Don’t compare yourself with others or imitate them; find your own voice and style. Create your own niche. Offer something different and unique, i.e. offer your feelings, opinions and true personality. Find new ways of expressing your knowledge.

2. Be generous

Share your knowledge freely on your website. The more you share for free, the more your content is shared and the number of your readers grows. You will also increase sales of the products you do charge money for, because your readers have learned more about you and what you can offer.

3. Network

Don’t try this all on your own. Connect with like-minded folk, make friends, support others in their ventures, and you will be supported in return. I have noticed a few people online, who didn’t make it, because they failed to maintain a support network that reached well beyond the limited Tarot community. Spread your wings. Collaborate. Don’t ignore people, who support you.

4. There is no competition

I don’t see my fellow Tarot readers as competitors. Just like lawyers, accountants, hairdressers and so forth, there is plenty of opportunities for all of us. We are all unique, offering different approaches and services, and clients should have a healthy choice when they are looking for Tarot guidance or teaching.

I don’t hesitate to recommend fellow Tarot readers, whose work I admire and respect. It adds to my reputation, and I admit that I learn from them, too! Follow me on Twitter and join my Facebook page to see who I adore and recommend.

5. Evolve

I started off with a website created in MS Publisher and now run four websites/blogs using WordPress and Blogger. I began with Tarot and now incorporate astrology, spirituality, positive and conscious living, self-development… the whole shebang.

I’ve created eCourses and eBooks, and I will be creating more. It’s important not to stand still but to grow and develop your business. Learn from your mistakes and ditch what doesn’t work for you, so you can concentrate on implementing new ideas that do.

6. Be honest

Don’t hype; don’t make promises. A Tarot reading isn’t a miracle cure or solves a problem from one minute to the next. Learning Tarot takes perseverance and commitment. Clients can have unrealistic expectations; make sure you don’t feed them with exaggerated claims.

7. Get help

Don’t wait too long for professional business coaching if you get stuck. It can save your business and is worth the money. Coaching has helped me double my income.

No, I’m not earning a six-figure sum, but paying my monthly bills has become a little more comfortable. And I also have a clear vision about how I can develop my business further.

8. Declutter

Applying the Zen philosophy to your business (and indeed life!) can accelerate your creativity, productivity and efficiency. I used to have over 200 emails in my inbox (urgh!), which I have now cut down to 10 (ideally should be ZERO at the end of the day).

My workspace is clutter-free, and important paperwork filed rather than floating around randomly. Keep your mind clutter-free by making notes of your ideas and to-dos; this way you don’t try so hard to remember the important bits. I just love my A4 task notebook! Remember, your surroundings can reflect your state of mind.

9. Take time out

When you are enthusiastic about your business and love what you do, it’s easy to work every day for many hours including the weekend. After all, it often doesn’t feel like work at all, but it is important to switch off on a regular basis. Set times for breaks and stick to them. This will help you find new inspiration and recharge your batteries too. After all, you don’t want to run out of steam or suffer burn-out.

10. Limit your time on the internet

If you are marketing your business online, then you can take advantage of automated services, which help you spend your time on the internet more efficiently. I use hootsuite.com to schedule my social media marketing 24/7.

It has significantly reduced my time spent on repetitive tasks, and it generated new business too, because I could run my marketing campaigns at times when I was actually asleep.

I don’t hang out on Facebook either; only occasional updates. I prefer to be busy creating, research new ideas and just post status updates I feel are really important.

A few months ago I started my new website Tarot for Business, on which I share knowledge and experience about how to combine Tarot and spirituality with creating a fulfilling working life.

In the meantime, my journey is still continuing and evolving, and I’d love to hear about yours.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane