Starting your own business can be daunting. Trust us, we’ve been there. In fact, there is little more nerve wracking than putting your all into a concept that may not ever return a profit. Running your own company certainly is a labour of love. Nevertheless, as a successful marketing company, helping small brands thrive is what we do best.
Thinking of starting a new venture in 2024? Here’s our guide to building a successful small business…
Where to Begin
Innovation is the very first step in any new business venture. Without a unique concept to build the foundations of your brand around, you’re unlikely to get very far. That being said, if you’ve found us through this blog, it’s likely that you already have the basics of your business plan already figured out in your head. If so, great!
Next you need to begin thinking of a name. This is a really big choice. Not only does your name represent all that your brand is, but this will also determine a lot about how memorable you will become. Moreover, this will also determine some level of your success when it comes to your online marketing too. Even in the early stages of deciding on a company name you need to be thinking about what this might mean for you in terms of discoverability later.
Whilst ‘less is more’ is a saying that all of us will have heard, this isn’t necessarily a rule to apply to every aspect of your life. For example, if you’re an IT repair shop, avoid calling yourself something generic such as ‘The IT Repair Shop’. Just imagine what will come up when you type that into Google. Millions of your competitors. Instead, you need to find the balance between memorable and unique. The same can be said for choosing your domain too.
You should also avoid utilising the name of things that already exist, as these are likely to be incredibly difficult to get your website ranking for. Ok, so Apple may have made it work for themselves but it certainly isn’t a risk that small businesses should also be taking.
Next, you need to write your business plan and research your target demographic. You’ll soon be on your way!
Next Up… Marketing!
As a marketing company who have always put a lot of time and energy into our own strategy, we cannot stress enough how much of a difference strong campaigns can make. This being said, knowing where to start and brainstorming innovative ideas is easier said than done.
The first stage to every successful marketing campaign is laying down the foundations in the form of a strategy. During this process you need to consider the budget you have available, who you’re trying to target, and what platforms you are going to use to make some noise. Plan, plan, and plan again!
There are lots of different marketing techniques to choose from. These include:
- Social media management
- Search engine optimisation (SEO)
- Email marketing
- Content marketing
- Public relations (PR)
- Pay Per Click (PPC)
- Social media advertising
During the marketing and strategy process, if budget allows, you should consider hiring an experienced marketing company who can provide their support and guidance. Here at VerriBerri, we have over 12 years of experience helping start-ups and small businesses to find their feet within the market. What’s more, we’ve even won awards for it!
All the Extra Bits…
Now you have your business model in tip-top shape and a marketing strategy ready to go, it’s time to move onto the admin that comes with running your own company.
Registering your company is a legal obligation, so this should be your next port of call. At this stage, you should also consider opening a business bank account. Make sure you search online for the best prices. Some banks offer initiatives to start-ups, so take advantage of these where you can!
No business can get by without an email account and it’s always best to keep things professional with a dedicated inbox for anything work related. Once you have secured your domain, you should consider contacting an email provider to secure a matching email address too. Whilst this may incur small charges, it will go a long way in building credibility when it comes to dealing with suppliers or customer service queries. You should also make it a priority to claim your social handles too!
You’re All Set
Once all of the above steps have been completed, you’re ready to start selling and promoting your product or service. The only other thing you need to consider is who you’re going to enlist to help with your marketing…
Contact Us!
Looking for a marketing company you can trust with your small business? Look no further! For more information about any of our services, give us a call today to speak to our friendly business development team. For your no-obligation, complimentary proposal, give us a call today on 01376 386 850 or click here to send us an email.