7 Tips First Time Business Owners Need

Congratulations! You’ve started your own small business for the first time. It’s a brave accomplishment in
GettyImages_179245950this lagging economy to try your hand in the marketplace at all. Maybe it’s a sole proprietorship with just you at the helm, or maybe you have an actual store front with a few trusted employees. Either way there are some key tips you need to keep in mind when you start any small business enterprise.

  1. Create a Smart Business Plan–This is essentially the outline of your entire business. Usually a business plan forecasts the first 3-5 years ahead.
  2. Reach Your Demographic—Who is going to buy your product or service? Make sure you understand how to reach out to those people who would be interested in your products. Social marketing, email outreach, and your own web page are important features here.
  3. Pricing and Profit–You want to make money, right? Be realistic about your goals and strategies to get there.file-2405642641
  4. Finding Start-Up Funds–There are many different government grants to get you funding to start your own business. There is also a new form of getting starter funds by “crowdfunding.” Certain websites cater to people that want to start business with this latest way to get funding privately.
  5. Network Network Network– You cannot talk up, and get your business out there to the public enough, so don’t ever pass up an opportunity to tell people about your business. You never know who might be interested and become a customer.
  6. Don’t Overreach–Set realistic goals for the first year, and don’t sink yourself into too much debt to do it.
  7. Focus on Customer Service– Your business will make or break itself on your customers so treat them well at the very start, and they will come back to you again and again.

Above all know that it takes time and patience to get any small business enterprise underway. Keep in mind that for any business to success in today’s changing world, a strong internet presence is required. There are companies out there that will design an amazing website for your business that will attract the right kind of attention you need. PPC advertising is a way to get your business to show up on certain important search engines like Google and Bing. Making a profit might not come easily at first, but with time, the right moves, and a great idea your business will become a success. With dedication and commitment to your growing small business, anything is possible!

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About the Author

Though his chief ambition is to one day control the entire Internet, Jim busies himself in the meantime running our little web development and marketing agency. He's a certified super nerd who ranks coding in old, outdated languages and watching Star Trek reruns just a bit too high on his list of fun things to do. Outside of work, Jim enjoys Hockey (Tampa Bay Lighning, to be specific), more genres of music than most people realize exist, riding his Harley (he calls it "two wheel therapy") and exploring the world through travel.