Deciding to start your first business venture is an exciting but somewhat daunting step.
Never underestimate the difference that careful planning and thought to every aspect of the business can make. Whether you are a big company like Apple or a more modestly-sized if similarly expert one like The Print Group, you need to devote close attention to your brand, promotion, marketing and collateral, just as much as you need to have strong financial backing and a comprehensive business plan in place.
What do you really need to know when starting your first business venture? The following tips have proven invaluable to many successful and experienced small business owners:
1. Don’t Labour over the Small Things.
There is value in starting off simply. This is not to say that you should neglect things that you need, but it does mean that functionality should be a top priority; there is always time in the future to refine how things look.
A good example of this is your business’ website. Of course you need to have a website and it should be as effective and well-designed as possible, but your website will need to change over time and in line with the growth of your business. Particularly when starting out, don’t treat aspects of your business as completely final. In the set-up phase, a basic approach may serve you well and provide direction for how pieces that reflect your business need to grow and change.
2. Ensure Your Risk is Spread.
As your business starts up, make use of your contacts and the knowledge you have of the industry. Your first customers are important as they can help with recommending your business and providing references for work in the future.
With this said, you should not rely on only one customer. Expand so that you have a larger bank of customers and develop your business through multiple contacts and avenues.
3. Start to Sell ASAP.
One of the pitfalls of starting up your own business venture is that you can get bogged down in the development of business plans, strategies and extensive research. Of course, these are all important, but in order to be successful in business, you need to start selling and generating income.
Consider how you can do this quickly, perhaps by initiating a GoogleAd campaign, making contact with prospective customers, or networking at relevant events. Be sure that you can clearly and concisely sell your business and its services.
4. Get Up to Speed with Numbers.
If you have any chance of being successful in business, you need to know the revenue flowing in to your business and the expenses that need to be paid. You will need to read and interpret a profit and loss statement and have a full and complete understanding of the cash flow situation of your business.
5. Do What You Do Well and Outsource the Things You Don’t.
Many business owners want to control and be involved in every aspect of their business. The reality is that you cannot do everything. While you need to understand every aspect of your business, you cannot do it all, so outsource and delegate the tasks that you do not have the time or skills to do yourself.
Starting a business venture is an exciting time, but care needs to be taken so that the business is set up and able to operate in a way that will ensure its prosperity in the long term.
