Hints for first time entrepeneurs | Growth | Small business news; tips; networking

Posted by bloggertone under SugarTone
From http://bloggertone.com 689 days ago

Entrepreneurs and first-time business owners often more to do than they can cope with. These are some hints on things to focus on and some things to push down the list.

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Written by nialldevitt
689 days ago

Barney, "If you are not launching yourself as a consultant and are doing something like building a product, please try and hold onto your day job for as long as possible" this is good advice, however I would add one stipulation, in that it is easy to fall between a rock and hard place. Your biz will need your full attentions sooner rather than later and it is likely that this will require sacrifice (financial & otherwise) for a period of time. So plan your transition and expect that it may hurt at least initially.

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Written by McLaughlin
689 days ago

It's funny to see people that make their business stationary and business cards in their first days of business. I suppose IF you sell business stationary and business cards then they are the #1 thing to do, but otherwise they are not.

In addition to the business plan I like having a one page proposal. A 1PP is like your elevator pitch, but on paper. Have the benefits you supply to a customer ready to show and we all know that no one will read more than one page unless they are already hooked.

In the marketing section, keep in mind that a testimonial from a happy client is worth more than the things that you say. Work with your first customer to get a testimonial. If they write a weak one, call up and fill in the blanks with your words, asking if the customer would agree with your statements (Mr. Customer, where you said "he was good" would you be willing to say that .. ). Make sure you send the full copy to the customer and get the customer to agree to your using it.

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