By Luke Fitzpatrick. Originally published at ValueWalk.
Are you thinking about starting a small business? The thought of investing a significant amount of money into a potential business venture can be daunting. Here are some of the best tips on how to start a profitable business that will give your new enterprise the best chance at success.
1. Provide a solution to an existing problem
It’s easier to establish a loyal customer base when you focus on solving an existing problem. Instead of thinking about what to sell, think about how you can help make their lives easier. Your business should fill the gap in the industry of your choosing.
It’s also important to be passionate about solving the said problem so you won’t quickly grow tired of running your business. For instance, if you’re passionate about software and notice that many people struggle with finding the best restaurants in their area, you could create an easy-to-use app that connects customers to restaurants.
Zero in on why you want to open your own business. Evaluate your motives so you can create a brand that resonates well with your audience. More importantly, know the problems your potential customers face and figure out how to solve them.
2. Create a simple business plan
Once you have a business idea you want to try, the next thing you need to do is to create a simple business plan. This can seem overwhelming, especially to those who are new in the business. But your business plan doesn’t have to be overly complex in the first stages of planning.
Even though we’re only creating a simple business plan, you still need to do your research. Here are some of the things you can include in your business plan:
- Define the problem.
- Highlight the solution.
- Outline your business model.
- Write down your products or services, prices, and costs.
- Describe your target market.
- Define your competitive advantage.
- Outline your financial summary.
- Indicate funding required.
A business plan also gives direction as to where your business is headed. Once you have this in place, it’ll be easier for you to update and augment your processes and plans as your business grows. You can eventually add actual costs, more accurate estimates and projections, mission and vision statements, and more.
3. Define your target audience
It’s entirely possible to craft the best business idea and set it up in the wrong market. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to clearly define your target audience, as well as the existing market.
This gives you an idea of how your business will perform within the market. You can visit competing stores, looking at their websites and marketing materials, and see which works and which ones don’t.
Defining your target market builds a solid foundation for your business so you can market your business accordingly. Here are some of the tips on how to identify your typical customer:
- Start by making broad assumptions about your ideal customer and then gradually narrow down your focus.
- Analyze your competitors.
- Check if your assumptions are accurate by talking to actual people or sending out surveys.
- Create buyer personas based on the data you gathered.
4. Ask for help
Just because you’re starting a business from the ground up doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. Ask help from a lawyer if you need to write a contract or hire an accountant if you need someone to handle your finances.
You’ll only waste more time and money, in the long run, trying to juggle multiple hats at once, especially on tasks you’re not qualified to do. If you don’t have the funds to hire someone full-time, invest in freelancers and independent contractors.
5. Get your finances in order
Before you can start earning money from your startup, you’ll need to spend money. You can save and fund your business out of pocket, but not everyone has the luxury to do so. Instead, you can approach potential investors, banks, or lending companies.
But if you’re self-employed with no proof of income, it can be challenging to secure financing. You can check out online lending companies that provide funding to self-employed professionals.
6. Don’t quit your day job just yet
Lastly, it can be tempting to quit your day job and focus on growing your business. But launching a successful and profitable startup is a process, and it could take a while before you earn a steady income.
Build your business in its early stages before you quit your day job and become a full-fledged entrepreneur. As of now, keep your day job and work on your business during your free time.
Now that you know the basics of starting a small business, the next step is to put your plan to action. Take it one step at a time, and don’t be discouraged if things don’t go your way. Persevere and continue doing what you’re doing, and you’re well on your way to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
The post A Quick Guide On How To Start A Profitable Business appeared first on ValueWalk.
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