Starting a new business is never going to be easy, but with a few tricks up your sleeve and a bit of insider know-how, it doesn’t have to be quite as daunting as you may have originally thought. The hardest part has always been making that bold decision to actually start the business.
Most people want to be absolutely sure about all the basics: the ideas, business plan, administrative hurdles etc before they make any significant step. You don’t have to have a perfect plan but do you have to start a business with a viable idea.
Here are 5 surprisingly simple top tips to get you started.
1. Get the plan right. Before you start off on any major venture, it’s really important that you have a clear, concise plan for how you want it to go, what you want to achieve, and how you plan on doing so. Formulating a good business plan (not necessarily a complete 40 page business plan) is really important. It puts things in perspective.
You can see how your business can develop over time and when you are ready for funding, a better developed plan can be shown to potential investors and partners. If you have a simple blueprint with details about what you want to do, how to achieve it and where you want to take it, you can go ahead and kickstart it. You will learn everything you need to know in the process.
2. Be armed with basic business tools. We’ve all heard the saying ‘a workman is only as good as his tools’, and whilst this is a bit of a cop out, there is a little bit of truth to it at the same time. You’ll need the basics; such as things like a decent computer and internet system, but then there are also things like printers to think about. It can be tough to choose business administrative accessroies, as they’re pricey for a really good one, and there are so many on the market.
Most computer accessories companies including Fuji Xerox Australia have a number of ‘all in one’ options; including things like scanner/fax machines/printers that are all one appliance, which makes life a little easier. A good choice can keep you going for a very long time.
3. You don’t have to do the accounting yourself. We’re not all blessed with mathematical skills, and that’s not something that needs to stop us from starting and running a successful business. However, if you do find numbers and banking quite daunting, it is well worth hiring professional accounting company to take away all of this stress from you.
They’ll be able to take the pressures off for you, as well as advising you with how your business is actually doing financially, so you can work together to make some changes if/where necessary. Most startups don’t have the resources to get professional bodies involved. You can check out cheaper online business administrative tools to get you on your feet first. Its doesn’t have to be a professional body right away.
4. Get your marketing right. You could be running the greatest, most unique business in the world, but if nobody knows about it, it won’t do very well. This is where marketing comes in. You’ll need to invest in a good marketing campaign to get your word and business out there to the masses.
This can be slow and simple at first, but as you grow, it will be pricier. If you have an online presence as a business or run an online business, invest some time in educating your audience via a business blog. It’s worth your time in the long run. You can attract qualified and better leads via a business blog.
5. Open up a business bank account and PayPal account. Opening up a bank account solely for your business will provide you with a clear insight of how much exactly you are making, against how much money you are spending each month. As well as setting up your business bank account, it’s a good idea to consider setting up a PayPal account for your company, as online buyers will see this as a huge plus as it keeps their details and money safe.