Figure 1 Starting a new small business can be incredibly exciting
If the last few years have proved anything, it is that the possibility of enjoying a job for life is diminishing. Even those who are lucky to be in secure employment are quitting in higher numbers and deciding to strike out on their own.
Starting your own small business and working for yourself is undoubtedly attractive for many. There is the potential for earning a very good living as a self-employed person. You may want to try your hand with Vegas sportsbooks, but if you are serious about making money and setting up a small business, read on.
Perfect Your Business Idea
Most people think they have the ability to set out on their own and start a small business. But if you are really serious, you need to make sure that your idea is concrete. What are you good at? What can you offer? What will other people pay money for you to do?
You should have some kind of transferable skill from previous employment. But even if you are starting something completely new you need to ensure that you start at the best point. Figure out what you are going to do – and then expand the idea to the perfect starting point.
Research the Market – and Your Competitors
There is no point in coming up with the best idea ever and then opening up next door to a business that already offers your product, with more experience and a customer base. You should do your homework to find out whether your proposed business is needed at all.
Once you have thoroughly researched your business area you need to make sure that you will be able to break into your market. There is no need to have an actual shop these days, as online businesses are flourishing. But you do need to know that your product or service is required.
Create a Business Plan
Part of discovering a need for your proposed service is setting out a clear and concise business plan. This can be a formal plan to be shown to potential investors, or simply a basic road map for the coming years. Either way, it should go into detail about how you think your business will be set out.
You should include your mission and goals for the business – and how you propose to achieve them. You should also be able to show why your business is needed – and why you are the person to provide the service. The financial section of the plan is probably the most important, as it sets out how you will fund your business in the next few years.
Figure 2 You will need to do your homework before starting your new small business
Fund Your New Business
It really depends on what kind of small business you are looking to start as to how you will fund the enterprise. We are not really talking about multi-million-pound start-ups here, so concentrate on how you will pay for the everyday running of the business. You should also plan on paying bills when there is not much actual income.
There are a number of ways you can fund your small business. Personal savings, credit cards and asking friends and family to help are all popular. But there are plenty of other small business loans available if you put the work in. Crowdfunding is also a good way to get yourself started, depending on your business idea.
Market Yourself
Once you have gone through all the steps we have already outlined you may think that you can just get on with your work. But what is the point of putting in all the hard work if no one knows you? Ensure that you have set aside a budget for marketing.
Everyone knows about websites and SEO these days. But if you are not completely sure about how to go about marketing your new business, you should get professional help here. You need the best marketing to have a chance of success.