Small Business Startup Tips

Tips to Start Your Own Small Business

Ask any entrepreneur and they'll likely tell you there's nothing like running your own business. If you're dreaming of the day you can be your own boss, it's time to wake up and turn those dreams into actions. A few simple steps can help get you ready to hit the ground running with your new business venture.

Be sure to tackle these small business startup steps first to give your company the best possible chance at success. Even if you're still working a day job, you can put your plans in motion to build your own small business startup. Working on the side can help you to build a nest egg or save some startup capital to go full-time with your career aspirations.

And, if you're quitting your day job cold turkey, the same rough rules will apply. Here are a few tips.

Create a business plan.

Your business plan can be a single page or two pages long. It can be several hundred pages long. Only you know how much detail you'll need to map out in order to be successful with your ideas. Start with a single page business plan that identifies your products or services, your customers, how your offerings will help them, payment and revenue streams, your intended PR and advertising efforts, success metrics, and challenges you'll need to surmount.

Register your business.

File any required paperwork to incorporate a business with the appropriate government department within your state. Consider whether you will file for a fictitious name, register a trademark, or other documentation.

Design a logo.

Hire a designer or create a logo yourself to establish your brand identity. Your logo will grace just about every aspect of your corporate presence, online and in print.

Set up a website.

If your potential customers can't find you, you're going to be hard-pressed to make any money. Even if you plan to keep it simple, create a website where your prospects can learn more about your business. Secure the social media properties for your company. Even if you don't plan to use them right away, sign up for an account using your business' name to protect your brand.

Get business cards printed.

Every business card you hand out gives you an opportunity to make a connection that may come back as a new client. Include your contact information in an easy-to-read format and complete the look with a personal yet professional touch. Open a corporate bank account. Get into the practice of keeping your business and pers

Open up a PO Box.

Keep your business mail separate from your personal mail and avoid getting even more junk mail at home with a PO Box. Use this address on your business cards, and that way if you end up renting new office space or moving locations in the future, you won't have to worry about missing out on mail sent under a previous address.

Join local networking groups.

Get to know other business professionals in your area by joining a few groups. Some of the connections you make in these networking groups may prove invaluable in the years to come. Remember, you get out of it what you put into it. Issue a press release or news article about your company.