If you want to start a business but don't know where to
start, don't worry--you are not alone. In fact, given the new
economic reality of our time, more people than ever before
have found the "job" they thought was waiting for them
doesn't exist. Others have come to the conclusion that they
would rather create work they love, constructed to fit with their own life goals. No matter what the motivation is to be
your own boss, you can start today. Here are 8 Tips to Get You Started: . Take a Stand for Yourself. If you are dissatisfied with your current circumstances,
admit that no one can fix them except for you. It doesn't
do any good to blame the economy, your boss, your
spouse or your family. Change can only occur when you
make a conscious decision to make it happen. . Identify the Right Business for You. Give yourself permission to explore. Be willing to look at
different facets of yourself (your personality, social styles,
age) and listen to your intuition. We tend to ignore
intuition even though deep down we often know the
truth. Ask yourself "What gives me energy even when I'm
tired?" How do you know what business is "right" for you? There
are three common approaches to entrepreneurship: Do What You Know: Have you been laid off or want a
change? Look at work you have done for others in the past
and think about how you could package those skills and
offer them as your own services or products. Do What Others Do: Learn about other businesses that
interest you. Once you have identified a business you like,
emulate it. Solve a Common Problem: Is there a gap in the market? Is
there a service or product you would like to bring to
market? (Note: This is the highest-risk of the three
approaches.) If you choose to do this, make sure that you
become a student and gain knowledge first before you
spend any money. . Business Planning Improves Your Chances for Success. Most people don't plan, but it will help you get to market
faster. A business plan will help you gain clarity, focus and
confidence. A plan does not need to be more than one
page. As you write down your goals, strategies and action
steps, your business becomes real. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What am I building?
- Who will I serve?
- What is the promise I am making to my customers/clients
and to myself?
- What are my objectives, strategies and action plans (steps) to achieve my goals? . Know Your Target Audience Before You Spend a Penny. Before you spend money, find out if people will actually
buy your products or services. This may be the most
important thing you do. You can do this by validating your
market. In other words, who, exactly, will buy your
products or services other than your family or friends?
(And don't say. "Everyone in America will want my product." Trust me--they won't.) What is the size of your
target market? Who are your customers? Is your product or
service relevant to their everyday life? Why do they need
it? There is industry research available that you can uncover
for free. Read industry articles with data (Google the
relevant industry associations) and read Census data to learn more. However, the most important way to get this
information is to ask your target market/customers
directly and then listen. . Understand Your Personal Finances and Choose the Right
Kind of Money You Need for Your Business. As an entrepreneur, your personal life and business life are
interconnected. You are likely to be your first--and possibly
only--investor. Therefore, having a detailed understanding
of your personal finances, and the ability to track them, is
an essential first step before seeking outside funding for
your business. This is why I recommend setting up your personal accounts in a money management system such
as Mint.com to simplify this process. As you are creating your business plan, you will need to
consider what type of business you are building--a lifestyle
business (smaller amount of startup funds), a franchise
(moderate investment depending on the franchise), or a
high-tech business (will require significant capital
investment). Depending on where you fall on the continuum, you will need a different amount of money to
launch and grow your business, and it does matter what
kind of money you accept. . Build a Support Network. You've made the internal commitment to your business.
Now you need to cultivate a network of supporters,
advisors, partners, allies and vendors. If you believe in your
business, others will, too. Network locally, nationally and via social networks. Join
networks like NAPW.com, your local chamber of commerce,
or other relevant business groups. Here are some
networking basics: - When attending networking events, ask others what they
do and think about how you can help them. The key is to
listen more than tout yourself.
- No matter what group you join, be generous, help others
and make introductions without charging them.
- By becoming a generous leader, you will be the first person that comes to mind when someone you've helped
needs your service or hears of someone else who needs
your service. . Sell By Creating Value. Even though we purchase products and services every day,
people don't want to be "sold." Focus on serving others.
The more people you serve, the more money you will
make. When considering your customers or clients, ask
yourself: - What can I give them?
- How can I make them successful in their own pursuits?
- This approach can help lead you to new ways to hone
your product or service and deliver more value, which your
customers will appreciate. . Get the Word Out. Be willing to say who you are and what you do with
conviction and without apology. Embrace and use the
most effective online tools (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube,
LinkedIn) available to broadcast your news. Use social
networks as "pointer" sites; i.e., to point to anything you
think will be of interest to your fans and followers. Even though social networks are essential today (you must
use them!), don't underestimate the power of other
methods to get the word out: e.g., word-of-mouth
marketing, website and internet marketing tools, public
relations, blog posts, columns and articles, speeches, e-
mail, newsletters, and the old-fashioned but still essential telephone. If you take these steps, you'll be well on your way to
becoming your own boss. It's important to remember that
you are not alone. If you want to "be your own boss" but
you still feel stuck, reach out and connect with other
entrepreneurs in a variety of ways. You may be surprised
by the invaluable contacts that are right at your fingertips.
start, don't worry--you are not alone. In fact, given the new
economic reality of our time, more people than ever before
have found the "job" they thought was waiting for them
doesn't exist. Others have come to the conclusion that they
would rather create work they love, constructed to fit with their own life goals. No matter what the motivation is to be
your own boss, you can start today. Here are 8 Tips to Get You Started: . Take a Stand for Yourself. If you are dissatisfied with your current circumstances,
admit that no one can fix them except for you. It doesn't
do any good to blame the economy, your boss, your
spouse or your family. Change can only occur when you
make a conscious decision to make it happen. . Identify the Right Business for You. Give yourself permission to explore. Be willing to look at
different facets of yourself (your personality, social styles,
age) and listen to your intuition. We tend to ignore
intuition even though deep down we often know the
truth. Ask yourself "What gives me energy even when I'm
tired?" How do you know what business is "right" for you? There
are three common approaches to entrepreneurship: Do What You Know: Have you been laid off or want a
change? Look at work you have done for others in the past
and think about how you could package those skills and
offer them as your own services or products. Do What Others Do: Learn about other businesses that
interest you. Once you have identified a business you like,
emulate it. Solve a Common Problem: Is there a gap in the market? Is
there a service or product you would like to bring to
market? (Note: This is the highest-risk of the three
approaches.) If you choose to do this, make sure that you
become a student and gain knowledge first before you
spend any money. . Business Planning Improves Your Chances for Success. Most people don't plan, but it will help you get to market
faster. A business plan will help you gain clarity, focus and
confidence. A plan does not need to be more than one
page. As you write down your goals, strategies and action
steps, your business becomes real. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What am I building?
- Who will I serve?
- What is the promise I am making to my customers/clients
and to myself?
- What are my objectives, strategies and action plans (steps) to achieve my goals? . Know Your Target Audience Before You Spend a Penny. Before you spend money, find out if people will actually
buy your products or services. This may be the most
important thing you do. You can do this by validating your
market. In other words, who, exactly, will buy your
products or services other than your family or friends?
(And don't say. "Everyone in America will want my product." Trust me--they won't.) What is the size of your
target market? Who are your customers? Is your product or
service relevant to their everyday life? Why do they need
it? There is industry research available that you can uncover
for free. Read industry articles with data (Google the
relevant industry associations) and read Census data to learn more. However, the most important way to get this
information is to ask your target market/customers
directly and then listen. . Understand Your Personal Finances and Choose the Right
Kind of Money You Need for Your Business. As an entrepreneur, your personal life and business life are
interconnected. You are likely to be your first--and possibly
only--investor. Therefore, having a detailed understanding
of your personal finances, and the ability to track them, is
an essential first step before seeking outside funding for
your business. This is why I recommend setting up your personal accounts in a money management system such
as Mint.com to simplify this process. As you are creating your business plan, you will need to
consider what type of business you are building--a lifestyle
business (smaller amount of startup funds), a franchise
(moderate investment depending on the franchise), or a
high-tech business (will require significant capital
investment). Depending on where you fall on the continuum, you will need a different amount of money to
launch and grow your business, and it does matter what
kind of money you accept. . Build a Support Network. You've made the internal commitment to your business.
Now you need to cultivate a network of supporters,
advisors, partners, allies and vendors. If you believe in your
business, others will, too. Network locally, nationally and via social networks. Join
networks like NAPW.com, your local chamber of commerce,
or other relevant business groups. Here are some
networking basics: - When attending networking events, ask others what they
do and think about how you can help them. The key is to
listen more than tout yourself.
- No matter what group you join, be generous, help others
and make introductions without charging them.
- By becoming a generous leader, you will be the first person that comes to mind when someone you've helped
needs your service or hears of someone else who needs
your service. . Sell By Creating Value. Even though we purchase products and services every day,
people don't want to be "sold." Focus on serving others.
The more people you serve, the more money you will
make. When considering your customers or clients, ask
yourself: - What can I give them?
- How can I make them successful in their own pursuits?
- This approach can help lead you to new ways to hone
your product or service and deliver more value, which your
customers will appreciate. . Get the Word Out. Be willing to say who you are and what you do with
conviction and without apology. Embrace and use the
most effective online tools (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube,
LinkedIn) available to broadcast your news. Use social
networks as "pointer" sites; i.e., to point to anything you
think will be of interest to your fans and followers. Even though social networks are essential today (you must
use them!), don't underestimate the power of other
methods to get the word out: e.g., word-of-mouth
marketing, website and internet marketing tools, public
relations, blog posts, columns and articles, speeches, e-
mail, newsletters, and the old-fashioned but still essential telephone. If you take these steps, you'll be well on your way to
becoming your own boss. It's important to remember that
you are not alone. If you want to "be your own boss" but
you still feel stuck, reach out and connect with other
entrepreneurs in a variety of ways. You may be surprised
by the invaluable contacts that are right at your fingertips.
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