Ambitious New Entrepreneur Seeking Wisdom

I've found getting out and networking helps a lot. Having a written marketing business plan also helps because it shows you what you are doing, what has worked and what needs to be altered. I work with people like yourself and you're welcome to contact me if you wish to talk further.

I'm going to be doing a class in January on how to build your business in nine easy steps. In that class, I focus on helping business owners assess their strengths and weaknesses in terms of attitude, organization, leadership, time, products and services, marketing, leadership, and more.

I also offer individual coaching, which usually gets really focused on your overall vision for your business as well as the goals and steps you take to realize that vision.

Hi E., Here's a business start-up success tip of a different kind. When you're just starting out, networking is important to get initial business. However, normally you start with who you already know.

Make sure you are the type of person who others can recommend - show a high level of skill, character and integrity in all areas of your life. If you're generally known as someone who is trustworthy, hard working, dedicated, easy to work with, etc., that will go a long way in helping you get business. People will feel good about referring business to you!

Odd tip... maybe, but I feel that it's worthwhile to mention. Good luck!

Krista Dunk NWweddingplace.com

KBWomen.com

I have some online marketing ideas email me and network

E. ... I am building an area of my website to offer frequent conference calls sharing entrepreneurial wisdom. If you are interested in joining in with me, please join at this link and maybe you can save some expensive education. ...Howard

E. I picked up on your comment about not having the business plan "done".

You are in the Tech industry so you are probably familiar with the Agile methodology for software development. I recommend taking an Agile approach to developing your business.

• Have a Vision
• Identify what you THINK you want to offer
• Develop ONE of those offerings completely
• Did I say develop it completely?
• Get your work out there and get feedback from your potential customers.
• Incorporate their feedback into your next build.
• Lather, Rinse, Repeat

I have a much more detailed article on my site.

Click on FREE Templates & Articles

Peace Joseph Flahiff

Send me an E-mail and I will give you some tips that work for me!

It looks like you are getting lots of excellent suggestions and have a lot to think about here. What we have discovered in our own business and in those of the clients we work with is those who succeed well and with the least bumps in the road are those who take the time to sit down and create a serious business plan at the start. There are many templates that are free downloads online, and when you have to take a serious look at what your business is going to involve, who your realistic target market is and the components involved, you will end up with bench marks that will tell you what areas of your plan are working well and what areas are not as you move forward. Without that plan it is very hard to clearly see how things are going in all areas of your business, but working with your plan enables you to adjust when and where you need to as the world around you changes.

One example I can share is a former client of ours who began a business that was rolling along pretty smoothly while the economy was doing well. Then, she started adding on two other related services that got off to decent starts, but as the economy slowed and shifted her two new services became a drain on the first one. Had she had a written business plan and used it to look honestly at what was going on with her business(es), and taken the steps she needed to take, she would probably still be in business today.

Networking is absolutely the most effective advertising in the world, and that definitely needs to be part of your business plan. We look at our plan every six month or so and adjust what we are doing to keep our business moving forward in a strong position. Without the focus and goals a solid business plan provides, it is very difficult to stay on track and clearly see where you need to shift what you are doing to stay on course.

Good luck in your venture! From the questions you are asking, and the steps you are taking to learn from others in the community, it looks like you are definitely heading in a good direction. I look forward to seeing you succeed!

https://firednetwork.com/entrepreneurship.php

Take a look at the Entrepreneurship resources on FiredUpNetwork.com. There is information on business incubators, website development, marketing, writing a business plan, and more. Please feel free to post your launch, as well, to get free exposure for your business. Best regards

www.FiredUpNetwork.com is the new link, sorry for the confusion.

Identify someone that is doing what you want to do and is very successful. Research exactly how they do business and how they got to where they are. Copy it.

That is my short cut for entrepreneurs. There are a lot of other things to consider, but that is an 80% solution. If you want to talk more, feel free to give me a call.

As part of your business plan, complete a budget. Nail down all your expected costs and then add some padding for unexpected costs. Budget the expected revenues. Then compare the costs with the revenues. Like most new businesses, you will have a projected net loss at first.

When you look at the budget though, things will pop out that can be adjusted. (Do you really need expensive chairs in the waiting room, if you do not plan to have any customers visit your office?)