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Starting your own small business can be an exercise in uncertainty, which is why it’s so important to learn from those who have been in your shoes. With the right guidance, you could succeed in creating an attractive venture without reinventing the wheel.

Get off the ground with these helpful tips selected just for entrepreneurs.

General Entrepreneurship Tips

When starting your own business, no matter your industry or what you’re looking to provide, there are a few things that you may want to keep in mind.

1.   Focus on the business, not the offering

Fall in love with the idea of owning your own business, not with a specific product or service. Being too enamored with your offerings can hamper your flexibility. The ability to fail and bounce back quickly by pivoting in a new direction is invaluable for entrepreneurs.

2.   Always get it in writing

Having agreements in writing is a basic practice that allows you to keep a record of the terms all parties aligned on and reference them later on if needed.

3.   Break big goals into small pieces

Consider creating five-year, one-year, and quarterly strategic goals. Those quarterly goals can further be delineated into monthly goals, which can inform your day-to-day business operations and keep you on your chosen path to success.

4.   Keep your day job

Even after you launch your new venture, keeping your regular job might give you the security of a paycheck while you do the legwork to build a successful business. It can also make it easier to make the leap to independence when the time comes.

5.   Recognize when you’re most productive

For example, if you’re a morning person, schedule meetings and get your difficult tasks out of the way first thing. If you tend to be a night owl, you have the flexibility to sleep in, start slow, and burn the midnight oil. This is one of the great things about owning your own business.

6.   Create and stick to a daily routine

Even if you’re running your business from home, waking up, showering, and having breakfast before sitting down at your computer – even if it’s at your kitchen table – can do wonders for your motivation.

7.   Get feedback from customers early

When your product or service is in its early stages, build an advisory board of potential customers who’re willing to weigh in on your ideas. Their valuable feedback could help you to fine-tune your business’ selling proposition: the benefits or original features of your offerings that will lead clients to choose you over competitors.

8.   Work smarter, not harder

Put systems in place for the things you do every day. Look for ways to increase efficiency, which could in turn boost your bottom line.

Making use of small business technology can be an easy way to increase your efficiency.

9.   Delegate instead of taking on everything

As a small business owner, it can be tempting to try to handle everything on your own. But learning to delegate can be crucial for successful entrepreneurs. Focus on what you’re best at, then hire people who share your vision to take on tasks that aren’t in your wheelhouse.

If you’re unsure where to start, spend a week or two writing down everything you do. Then, scour that list for tasks you can delegate or outsource.

Additionally, a good accountant and attorney can be worth their weight in gold.

10.   Hire for more than just skills

When it’s time to expand your business and add employees, you’re hiring for more than just the right skill set. Look for individuals with the creativity and personality to make a splash in your industry. If you already have a robust professional network, take advantage of your contacts to find the ideal candidates.

11.   Develop a support system

You can connect with a mentor through your local chapter of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Marketing, Social Media, and Public Relations Tips

Whether you’re looking to set up your first social media account for your business or are seeking to better understand your target audience and the type of messaging that may motivate them to buy, these tips can help you get started.

12.   Learn about your target audience’s social media habits

Get familiar with where your target audience spends time on social media and meet them where they are to make a connection.

Although social media marketing can be overwhelming for small business owners, you don’t have to be everywhere at once. For example, if you’re starting a running shoe business, you could join local online groups for running enthusiasts. Posting advertisements for your business may not be allowed in certain groups, however, so be sure to note that before you begin sharing out details about your business.

Engage authentically without being overly promotional.

13.   Separate personal and professional social media accounts

You may already use social media in your personal life, but don’t make the mistake of treating your business’ social media page like your personal social media page.

Take the time to learn about social media marketing strategies so you can time your posts and develop your content in a way that best engages your followers. And remember to make sure you follow the rules of the social media site related to promoting your business.

14.   Create actionable content for social media

Become a thought leader in local and social media by creating and sharing content that provides value to your customers. Clients following you on social media may be more inclined to pay attention if your content is more engaging. For example, you could encourage them to interact with a poll or ask them to comment their opinions on something you share.

15.   Create a basic press kit

This should include:

• Brief biographical sketches of you and any other executives
• High-quality professional headshots
• High-resolution versions of your logo
• A fact sheet about your company
• Any other relevant information about your business or offering

Store your press kit in an online cloud storage system so you can quickly share a downloadable version with others upon request.

16.   Set up industry news alerts

This helps you to stay informed about your business, industry, and competitors.

It can also assist with social media posting and networking. These alerts can help you share relevant content on your social media accounts.

17.   Lean into your local newspaper

Connect with your local newspaper and offer to write a column on a relevant topic. This could help boost your status within the community, and if it’s published online, it may very well drive business to your website and increase your search engine rankings.

You could also work to build relationships with journalists, so they come to view you as an expert source.

Customer Engagement Tips

Successful customer engagement is about more than just providing excellent customer service when things don’t go as planned for your patrons. Use the tips below to develop an engaged and reciprocal relationship with your customer-base to encourage them to keep coming back or refer your business.

18. Use a personal touch

In this impersonal age, a personal touch can go a long way with your customers. Whether it’s a handwritten note to a new client or a gift basket after a big order, clients who feel appreciated could be more inclined to come back again and again.

19. Try grassroots marketing

Grassroots marketing can be a valuable tool for getting to know your clients, particularly when you’re first starting your business. Take the time to meet your desired audience in the community and learn about their wants and needs. This can help you develop a product or service that fills an untapped niche in the market by solving a specific problem for your clientele.

20. Consider promotional offers to attract customers

Small businesses can attract new customers by offering special deals to try their products. This can mean buy-one-get-one-free offers, no-obligation trial periods, etc.

21. Build a referral program

Your best customers can come from word of mouth, so offer clients who tell others about your services a token of your appreciation.

A credit on a customer’s next purchase can give them a great reason to spread the word. Remember that unsatisfied customers may be more vocal with their friends about your business and any negative experiences they may have, so try to turn the tide by encouraging people to share good news.

22. Reward customer loyalty

Establish a loyalty program to reward your best customers. Think outside the box to come up with ideas that would be cost effective for your business and still enticing enough to encourage actions from your customers.

Financial Tips

When seeking financial advice, it’s always best to consult a professional. Doing so can allow you to get the information that best fits your business’ situation and needs. These tips can help to highlight some of the steps you may want to consider as you begin to build your business.

23.   Separate personal finance from business finance

Even if you’re starting your small business as a side gig with a shoestring budget, keep records of your finances.

Set up your business books to keep track of income and expenses. Hire a small business accountant if you’re unfamiliar with the process. They can advise you on requirements and best practices so you can determine if you’re making optimal use of your finances.

Using a business checking account instead of a personal account can also help to keep finances separate.

24.   Create a breakeven analysis

Figure out how you’ll make a profit by creating a breakeven analysis. This tool lists all your business expenses, letting you figure out how many customers you need before you break even.

Along with good cash flow management, a breakeven analysis can be a road map to set your benchmarks for success.

25.   Consult an attorney to decide whether to incorporate.

Setting up a business entity such as a corporation or a limited liability company offers important potential advantages. Consult an attorney to learn more about the pros and cons of incorporating.

26.   Lower expenses by adjusting your physical space

The lower your expenses, the higher your profit margin. If you don’t need a physical location, such as a storefront, consider running your business virtually.

With so many online tools available – for everything from storing your files to connecting with clients – you may be able to save money by investing in technology and forgetting those monthly rent payments.

27.   Avoid penalties by registering your business fully

Research and obtain the required business registrations, licenses, and permits in your state and municipality.

Requirements vary by where your business is located and the type of company you own. Your local Small Business Development Center can provide guidance on those that apply to your venture.

28.   Learn more about whether you are eligible for and any potential benefits of an Employee Identification Number (EIN)

Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) online to learn more about whether you are eligible for an EIN and how to apply for an EIN through the website of the IRS.

The material made available for you on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.