If you’re thinking of starting a business, one of the best things you can do is look up your favorite businessmen and women and get advice. Reading all about them and how they did it will give you more confidence. It should also make you see that there isn’t one route to success, and it certainly isn’t a smooth road. Here are 8 business tips from experts to get you started:
If you’re going to start a business, you must know exactly who your audience are. How old are they? What terms do they tend to use? What platforms do they use online? Learn as much about them as you possibly can to get your business off to a flying start. You need to be able to target them properly.
Some people never start a business because they’re scared. They don’t think they know enough. Most entrepreneurs just learn as they go along! If you wait until you have all of the answers you’ll probably just always wonder what could have happened. Just make sure you don’t use lots of money while you’re just learning. You’ll make mistakes at the start, and they’ll help you to learn.
Your customers are the most important people in your business. As a rule, treat them like you would a guest in your home. Go the extra mile to make sure they enjoy working with you. No matter their attitude towards you, treat them well. It’ll pay off. Make sure your staff are on the same page too!
Starting small is the best way to go. You won’t spend much money, and you’ll get a good idea of whether it’s a good idea to continue on this path as you see how your business does with customers. When it gets more successful, you can spend more money and grow.
Keep the contact details of everybody you’ve worked with. You can then do things like make a mailing list and send exciting updates and information. Plus, you never know if or when you might actually need to contact them again! Be smart and save them, just make sure they are safe and nobody else can get their hands on them.
You probably know how important it is to be active on social media in this day and age. Any creative agency will tell you the same! But are you social enough? Making your pages all about your brand will get boring and cause people to unfollow you. Make sure you actually engage your audience!
Make a business and marketing plan to give you more focus. When you have something like this to look at, you’re more likely to get great results!
If you ever feel yourself putting off writing a post or newsletter, imagine you’re writing to just one person. It’ll get easier!
Black and Latinx Founders featured in 'Founding in Color'