Business First Family Business, Accounting, Finance, Investing, Marketing And Management
Starting a business is no easy feat. Though, there are several best businesses to start. There is a never-ending list of tasks to deal with, as well as big picture items to think about. The journey can be incredibly overwhelming. However, with the right amount of preparation and planning, you can set yourself up for success from the get-go. The following five tips will help you get started on the right foot.
Think About Money
Money is often the greatest concern for many entrepreneurs, including where to find it at the very beginning. Most entrepreneurs try to secure capital from family and friends. While this is a good route to go, you should also consider alternatives. For instance, if you have life insurance, you can consider selling your policy through a life settlement. You get a lump sum of cash right away that can help you hit the ground running. Keep in mind that the third party that buys your policy will gain your death benefits, so take some time to weigh the pros and cons.
Play To Your Strengths
Of course, you have probably thought of many business ideas but consider playing to your strengths. What skills do you have that can make your business the best? How can your knowledge benefit your revenue and operations? Start a company that you have an interest in and care about. For example, if you have a unique selling point (UPS), use that as a business idea. Potential clients want something they can’t get anywhere else. Use your knowledge, skills and strengths when launching a business.
Perform Market Research
Market research requires quite a bit of initial work but can put you ahead of your competitors once done. The first part of your research should be your target audience. Study your demographics. What are their pain points? What problems can your business solve for them? Secondly, look at your competitors. What are they doing right? Are they using marketing automation solutions? What are they lacking? You can find out a lot about both your audience and competitors from their own websites and social media pages.
Define Your Mission
A big mistake that many entrepreneurs make is not having a clear enough mission. Often, business owners will go for a broad mission to try and fully encapsulate their whole purpose. Having such a vague mission does not show potential customers why they should choose you over others and won’t help you understand if you met your goals or not. This is where your traditional market research comes in. Use the information you gained from your research to create a mission statement that is detailed and specific.
Look Over the Risks
Most entrepreneurs approach their new journey with a success-focused mindset, which is indeed great to have. At the same time, it is important to be aware of what challenges may arise so that you are able to meet them if they do pop up. Risks can come in many different formats, including financially, industry-related, and people-wise. Be honest with yourself and your team about what weaknesses you may have that can lead to these challenges. The type of business can also impact the types of challenges you may face for example, the pros and cons of a family business will vary from those of one funded exclusively by venture capitalists.
Secure An Online Identity
Use online resources to market and advertise your business by securing an online identity. This is especially relevant if you are marketing an internet based business. You need to secure several social media accounts, a trademark and a domain name. You want to own your marketing vehicles because they can be hold for a very expensive price. For example, celebrities who create an Instagram later in their career have trouble obtaining an account with their name. This is because fans have created accounts for this celebrity and have used their name. Certainly secure an online identity before launching a business.
Find a Mentor
Last but certainly not least, find yourself a business entrepreneur mentor or advisor who can guide you on your journey. Network as much as possible in business seminars or workshops. Having a seasoned professional give you actionable advice can make all the difference in how your business performs. You can also consider hiring yourself a coach directly, which can be a quicker method if you need guidance as soon as possible or for a direct issue.
