So, you’ve started a business, but everything is a little flat? Maybe you’ve not got as many customers as you expected, or your products are falling short of expectations? If this is the case, don’t worry – help is here.
Getting a start-up off the ground isn’t easy. In fact, no company in the history of mankind has set their target markets on fire immediately after launching.
The truth is, you need to be patient and persistent. Eventually, your time will come. It might take 6 months, it might take 2 years – but eventually, you will successfully get a foothold in your industry. To get you there faster, follow these proven steps.
Modernise your business
If your office is full of dated computers, fax machines, and pads of paper, then you’re destined to fail. After all, it’s not the 1990s anymore.
The solution is to modernize your business. This way, you will be able to appeal to the modern consumer (specifically, Gen Z and Millennials) and perform better.
You can modernise your business by using cloud computing so that your employees can communicate with each other more easily, for example. This also means you have a place where your files and documents are backed up. If you were to face a disaster, you could handle it well. You can learn more about this at avepoint.com.
You can also do this by:
- Providing online customer service
- Having an eCommerce platform
- Being active on social media
Modernising your entire start-up could take several months, but the payoff will be more than worth it in the end.
Get a business loan
To get off the ground, most start-ups and small businesses take out business loans. Sure, this can be a daunting prospect (as many business owners fear that they will never pay them back), but it’s not as scary as you think.
Last year alone, 43% of small businesses applied for a loan. Additionally, the average small business bank loan is $633,000. Hopefully, this should help to assure you that it’s a common (and effective) strategy to use.
You will be able to use a business loan in a variety of different ways, from hiring new employees to launching marketing campaigns. However, all of this must be discussed with your bank.
Sell globally
Through the power of the internet, you can now sell and ship products to most countries around the world. However, you need to first establish yourself on an online retail platform, such as Amazon or eBay. Additionally, you can sell products through Facebook Marketplace and your own website.
When you do this, make sure to include the option to use PayPal on your website, as this is now a popular payment tool used by consumers.
Hire more sales agents
Without sales, a business is nothing: it’s simple. So, to get more sales, you should hire sales agents to work on the phones.
Each working day, they can call companies, chase leads, and hopefully up your sales. Also, don’t forget to hire field sales representatives too. This is because a lot of companies who you call will want to have a meeting with you in person. Therefore, you’ll be able to send your field sales representatives out there to close the deal.
Conclusion
Use the above-mentioned tips to give your business a really good shot at getting off the ground. Remember, patience is key. After a few months, though, you should start to see positive improvements.
