Great things come from small beginnings; the secret is to find the right formula for your small business!
You will find the right path through trial and error, but the key pointers below should make the path clearer and speed up the journey.
Effective networking & marketing.
Getting your name and product out there is the key to success; you need to be talking about your business at every opportunity. Think outside the box when it comes to promoting your business and do something a little different; people are more likely to take notice when things are a little out of the ordinary. Keep the ideas flowing and change your approach regularly so you can see what works best.
The old adage that you need to speculate to accumulate is true so make allowance in your budget to spend a little bit more on marketing your business; getting this right can be the difference between success and failure.
Be enthusiastic about what you have to offer and get your marketing right and everything else will fall into place.
Look for alternative ways to sell your product or service.
In the age where technology is king there are many new ways of promoting what you have to offer, be it a physical product to sell or a service you provide. Facebook and twitter are an excellent way of promoting your business to the masses with very little effort on your part. With the right network your business can be seen by thousands in very little time at all.
Depending on what you are selling, sites such as eBay or Gumtree can be effective and inexpensive, but could be time consuming if you have a varied product range. They will however sit happily alongside other channels, so are definitely worth considering.
Linking up with another business can also be very advantageous, for example you could have a home-made jewellery business and a local clothes boutique may be happy for you to display some of your products within the store. They may also be happy for you to be mentioned on their website and vice versa. Make sure you choose somewhere that suits your product so you are reaching out to your target market.
Set targets and goals….and achieve them!
Having a clear picture of where you want your business to be, and by when, is crucial to taking your business that step further. Making a firm plan of your short and long-term goals, and then tackling them one by one, will help your business to move in the right direction. Review your targets and goals continuously and push the boundaries; this will keep your focus clear and enthusiasm fresh.
Get your customer service right.
I can’t stress this enough – good customer service is the foundation to any business and is one of the most important factors for a successful business. A happy customer is a repeat customer.
Having a good reputation for looking after your customers speaks volumes; people talk and word of mouth is the best form of marketing.
Make sure you ask for feedback and ensure you act upon any issues raised as soon as possible. Being consistent in your approach will ensure your customers know what to expect from you and your business. Complaints should not be seen as a negative, they are a way of keeping touch with where improvements can be made.
Aim to turn any complaint you may receive into a compliment and you won’t go far wrong.
Increasing your productivity.
Keeping on top of the day-to-day tasks and becoming more efficient at them will help you to concentrate your energy on the big stuff; identify where you can streamline any processes you have in place and tailor them to suit the needs of your business.
Another way of getting more output is identifying any tasks you don’t need to complete personally; whether you have employees or can pull in a favour from a family member, mastering the art of delegation as early as possible will help you massively. Your business will flourish if you give it the best of your attention.
Ongoing learning and self-improvement.
No matter how much you think you know there’s always a lot more to learn. Be it evening classes or computer based research, it is never a bad idea to boost your knowledge and seek out ways of improving yourself. Always strive to be one step ahead of the game and you’ll find yourself better equipped to deal with any obstacles that may cross your path in the future.
Stay up to date with modern technology and don’t get left behind when it comes to what’s hot right now. Keeping your finger on the pulse in terms of the systems and software that can make your business run smoothly will save you time and resources, which in turn will save you money!
“If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.” Will Rogers
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