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Hey girlfriend.

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I remember the first time I tried turning my skills into a business. I spent weeks planning, putting together offers, and even running my ideas by friends.

I was sure people would jump at the chance to work with me.

Then I put it out there… and nothing.

No emails. No sign-ups. Not even a polite “maybe later.” Just silence.

I was frustrated. Embarrassed. And honestly, I started wondering if I had any business trying to do this at all.

But once I got over the sting of rejection, I realized something: a lack of response isn’t failure—it’s data. And that data was exactly what I needed to make my business stronger.

So if you’ve put your side business idea out there and didn’t get the response you hoped for, don’t panic.

It doesn’t mean your idea is a lost cause. It just means something needs tweaking.

Here’s how to figure out what’s not clicking and what to do next.

Step 1: Look at the Feedback (Even If It Stings)

If nobody showed interest in your offer, don’t take it personally—take it as information. Instead of assuming your idea won’t work, ask yourself:

Was it clear?

If people don't understand what you do, they won’t buy. Instead of saying, “I offer virtual assistant services,” say, “I help business owners free up 10+ hours a week by managing emails, scheduling, and follow-ups.”

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Did they see the value?

People pay for results, not just a service. Instead of “I help with content writing,” say, “I help coaches book more clients by writing high-converting email sequences.”

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Was pricing the issue?

If your price was too low, people may not have taken it seriously.

A $20/hour social media service sounds like extra work, but a $500/month package sounds like a real solution.

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Were you talking to the right people?

If your offer solves a real problem but isn’t landing, you might be pitching it to the wrong audience.

If you’re offering bookkeeping to brand-new business owners who don’t even have revenue yet, they won’t be ready to invest.

Step 2: Make Small Tweaks Instead of Starting Over

If your offer didn’t get traction, it doesn’t mean the whole idea is bad.

Usually, it just means something needs adjusting.

• Clarify the problem you solve: If people don’t immediately understand why they need your service, your messaging might be too vague. Instead of “I offer resume writing,” say, “I help job seekers land interviews by writing resumes that stand out to recruiters.”

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• Strengthen the positioning: A great idea still needs to feel urgent. If your website design service isn’t landing, position it as “I help service providers get more clients with websites that turn visitors into paying customers.”

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• Test a different audience: Sometimes it’s not the offer—it’s who you’re selling it to. If wedding planning services aren’t landing with busy brides, wedding vendors might be a better market.

Instead of scrapping your idea, tweak one thing at a time—your message, audience, or pricing—and test again.

Step 3: Test Again Without Overthinking It

You don’t need a full rebrand or months of planning.

Sometimes, the simplest way to get unstuck is to put a small version of your idea out there and see what happens.

Reword how you describe it:

If people seemed confused, simplify your explanation and focus on the benefits. Instead of “I offer social media coaching,” say, “I help business owners grow their audience and attract clients without spending hours online.”

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Try a new angle:

If your business coaching package didn’t get much interest, maybe the offer needs to highlight accountability and action plans instead of strategy alone.

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Find a new audience:

Maybe local businesses don’t need your virtual assistant services, but online coaches do.

A shift in who you target can change everything.

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Stop waiting and put it out there:

Instead of spending more time tweaking, test a small version.

Offer a discounted session, a free consultation, or a beta round.

If nobody bites, you’ll have real feedback. If people jump on it, you’re onto something.

Instead of thinking, “I have to start over,” ask, “What’s one thing I can tweak and test this weekend?”

Step 4: Know When to Pivot (or Keep Going)

Not every idea works the first time, and that’s okay.

The key is knowing when to tweak, when to pivot, and when to move on.

• If you’ve tested multiple angles and still hear crickets: It might be time to pivot.

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• If people love the idea but aren’t buying yet: You probably need to refine how you position it.

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• If you still believe in it but haven’t really put it out there: Keep pushing before deciding it won’t work.

Pivoting doesn’t mean quitting—it means finding a version of your idea that works.

Let’s say you planned to offer in-home organizing services, but nobody wanted to pay for them.

Instead of giving up, you could shift to:

• Virtual organizing sessions

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• Office organization instead of home organization

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• Digital organizing (like inbox and file cleanups)

A small shift like this can turn a struggling idea into a profitable one.

The Bottom Line

A side business idea that doesn’t take off right away isn’t the end—it’s just part of the process.

Every successful business owner has had to tweak, refine, and sometimes completely rethink their first idea.

So if your idea isn’t landing yet? Don’t quit. Adjust. Test again. Keep learning.

Your right-fit offer is out there—you just have to find it.

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Yours truly, ​ ​ ​ Kristina Portella From Blank Page to Side Business Plan in a Weekend ​ ​Website | Join the Side Business Sprint Waitlist​

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