So, you’ve got a great business startup idea. What’s next? Well, common advice about launching a startup is to spread the word as much as you possibly can prior to the big day. But what I’m going to explain in this blog post is why that approach could be a mistake, and I’m going to suggest a pretty strange alternative strategy but one that can be very effective. It involves a bit of help from your closest friends.
The fact you are on this blog means that, on some conscious or subconscious level, you do have a desire to start a business (or already have). Perhaps you are unhappy in your job. Maybe you want something more rewarding in your life. Perhaps you want success. You might simply want a better balance between work and family life. Perhaps you are due to go on maternity leave and you are worried that your employment isn’t going to cover the cost of childcare when you return. Or perhaps you are just bored and frustrated at the 9-5 commute and you want freedom.
Everyone knows the obvious entrepreneurial skills, don’t they: drive, ambition, hard work. I could go on. But sometimes, life throws challenges your way that mean that those normal set of skills just aren’t enough on their own.
For example, ff you are a mom, do you ever feel like you are at a disadvantage in starting up a business because you are trying to balance your work with family life? Many times I’ve had that same feeling. Sometimes I’ve wondered if it might have been easier to start a business when I was in my 20s and had all that time to myself. But now I’ve been running my business for a while, I’ve realised that I actually launched at the perfect time. More importantly, I’ve realised that my dual role as business owner and a mother gives me a unique competitive advantage that many startups just don’t have. Here’s why:
Spoiler alert: running an online business and being a full time mom isn’t easy, and there is no easy answer in this blog post.
However, I know I have a lot of readers on this blog who are women thinking of starting a business but who are also raising a young family. If you’ve read my About section you’ll know that I have a young daughter (later edit: now I have three children!), and that I launched the business when she was just a baby.
What I will try and do is keep this short and sweet (I get it: you’re busy!). I want to give you a few practical tips that have helped me over the years.
Before planning your website launch, know this. One of the best strategies for succeeding in the world of online startups is by starting small (or lean, which is the fashionable team at the moment. But I use the word small. It’s straightforward and it doesn’t remind me of dieting).
When it comes to launching your website, small is the way to go. In this post, I’ll outline my top tips for helping you do that, and help you to avoid the stress that comes from trying to launch any new website.
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If you are thinking about doing paid advertising, you are probably considering how to design your ad. So let me ask you a question: are you designing it to look beautiful? Or are you designing it to work for you?
I love fashion and lifestyle magazines. Whenever I travel, I’ll buy two or three at the station or airport to keep me occupied for the journey. And if you flip through any of these magazines you’ll see some stunning ads full of beautiful models, gorgeous locations and elegant typeface.
So it is tempting to create ads that showcase beautiful design, your stunning logo, and inspiring images. But before you do so, read this article. I will explain why beauty isn’t everything when it comes to advertising online.
One of the best things you can do to help your business succeed is to form a network online with other business women. I’m part of one, and it’s probably helped to grow my business more than anything else. On top of that, having peers to talk to about your fears, hopes and dreams is something that is invaluable during moments in your business where things do seem difficult or challenging.
If you are currently writing a budget for your startup and wondering: how much does a new website cost? here is some data for you. I have broken it down into the three most common options available to new startups.
It’s worth noting: this is based on my own previous experience working in agencies and drafting quotes for new clients.. Hopefully, a behind-the-scenes glance into how these things are calculated will arm you with a bit of knowledge before you approach your own shortlisted suppliers.
This is a contributed post. Please refer to my disclosure for more information
When thinking about competitive advantage, perhaps something as corporate sounding as pre-sales doesn’t come to mind. But excellent pre-sellling is vital to master for your business, and here’s why:
Most service businesses do it badly
So think of pre-sales this way. If you can master customer excellence, you immediately have a competitive advantage.
But what makes a great customer experience during the pre-sales phase? Here’s a guide to the most important factors you need to consider:
Starting your own small business is tremendously exciting. It’s your chance to avoid the mistakes that you’ve seen others make, to do things your way, to make something for yourself and your family and to work hours and times to suit you. For many, it’s a dream come true, and it’s thought that up to 82% of young people would like to avoid traditional employment and start their own business.