Solopreneurs are extremely optimistic about 2011, even as they struggle with cash flow, time management, marketing, and other aspects of running their businesses. Those are among the findings in The Solopreneur Life 2010 End-of-Year Survey.

The anonymous survey was conducted using Survey Monkey, consisted of 25 questions, and was taken from December 12 through December 21. Respondents were able to complete the survey only once.

Solopreneurs Are Bullish

Solopreneur optimism for 2011 is remarkable: 49.6% believe their revenue will increase by 20% or more, compared to 2010. Another 21.7% think their revenue will go up 10% to 19%. Only 5.2% are predicting revenue declines in the new year.

In answer to the question, “What caused you the most pain in 2010?” cash flow topped the list with 21.4%. Time management was next (19.6%), followed by marketing (11.6%).

Eighty-seven percent of the survey participants have earned at least an associate’s degree. Nearly 21% possess master’s degrees, and nearly 10% hold a Ph.D.

Below are answers to seven of the 25 questions.

Subscribers to TheSolopreneurLife.com received the survey results on December 31. You can
receive the survey results free by clicking here.

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
High school, 13%
Associate’s degree, 10.4%
Bachelor’s degree, 46.1%
Master’s degree, 20.9%
Ph.D., 9.6%

How old is your business?
0-1 years, 20%
1-2 years, 14.8%
2-3 years, 10.4%
3-4 years, 9.6%
4-5 years, 7.8%
5-10 years, 18.3%
more than 10 years, 19.1%

What caused you the most pain in 2010?
Cash flow, 21.4%
Time-management, 19.6%
Marketing, 11.6%
Computer hardware/software, 7.1%
Lack of motivation/inspiration, 6.3%
Bookkeeping, 4.5%
Taxes, 3.6%
Other, 18%

Included in “Other”:
Family issues
Web designers
Sales
Monetizing of expertise
Cheap clients
Social networking

What was your business revenue in 2010, compared to 2009?
Increase of 20% or more, 30.4%
Increase of 10 to 19%, 10.4%
Increase of 1 to 9%, 8.7%
No change, 27.8%
Decrease of 1 to 9%, 7%
Decrease of 10 to 19%, 8.7%
Decrease of 20% or more, 7%

What are your revenue expectations for 2011, compared to 2010?
Increase of 20% or more, 49.6%
Increase of 10 to 19%, 21.7%
Increase of 1 to 9%, 13.9%
No change, 9.6%
Decrease of 1 to 9%, 2.6%
Decrease of 10 to 19%, 2.6%

Which social network provides the highest return on investment for your business?
Linked In, 33.7%
Twitter, 33.7%
Facebook, 32.6%

More Solopreneur Survey Questions

Other questions in the survey include:

• What was your personal income (salary plus profit) from your business in 2010?

• What is your level of cash reserves?

• What online marketing tools are you planning to use more in 2011, compared to 2010?

• What offline marketing tools are you planning to use more in 2011, compared to 2010?

• In 2011, for what functions do you expect to hire an outside vendor?

• How many hours per week do you work, on average?

• What end-of-year investments have you made or will you make?

• What keeps you awake at night? (What do you worry about?)

I want to hear your thoughts/reaction to the survey results. Post a comment below, or be part of the discussion on Twitter by using the hashtag #solopreneursurvey.

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