It feels like everyone these days has a business idea or a side-hustle on the backburner. But getting those ideas off the ground can be overwhelming. Between branding, marketing, setting up your processes and website and finding the right advice amongst a sea of resources and networking events…the whole thing can sometimes land in the "too hard" basket before we even begin.
The fact is, launching a successful business is more than simply taking your fabulous idea and creating a nice, shiny website (although that's important too!). There are a number of practical steps you need to take well before your official launch day. The good news is we've laid out the six key steps in our Launching Your Business How-To Guide. This FREE guide is written specifically for new business owners in Australia, or serial entrepreneurs who are looking for a biz refresh – and you can get it sent straight to your inbox right now by clicking here!
What's in a name? Well, a lot, actually. Your name represents your business, and it needs to accurately reflect your vision and offering. No matter how cute you think it is, you wouldn't name your business "Princess Poppy" if you were running an independent legal service; and similarly, you don't want to have to spell out a complicated name or clever pun every time you say your business name.
Once you have your business name shortlist, keep the following steps in mind to make a final decision:
When you have a business idea, you may find a lot of people suddenly have an opinion or even some expert advice. As well-meaning as this is, take it with a pinch of salt – as much as your friends and family may have a lot of great ideas that can help you on your journey, there are some things that are best left to the professionals. Similarly, the content here shouldn't take the place of advice from a lawyer or an accountant. Consult with the right professionals to get advice on everything from tax and finance to business structure, and avoid any nasty surprises down the track.
They say, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" – and that's particularly true for business ownership. That doesn't mean you can't be reactive, adventurous or change direction in your business – it simply means having the right processes in place will help you achieve your ambitions and goals for today, tomorrow and into the future. In the beginning, you may have just a few systems you use, and that's ok. But as you grow, make sure you note how you do things, and do them consistently so you can refine your processes and future-proof your growth.
In order to be found, you need to be visible. And one of the easiest ways to be seen on the internet is by setting up a Google My Business profile. Yes, it takes a little bit of work to get set up, but still much less work than almost anything else you'll do online to market your business. Even better, once you're up and running, Google My Business is an easy place to direct people and encourage them to leave you a review. After all, we can do all the social media in the world – but word-of-mouth and verified reviews are still one of the strongest marketing tactics in your toolkit.
Your brand is more than just a logo or a few of your favourite colours. Your brand is an investment that, when done correctly, tells your story to an audience in an instant. A good brand design will help you focus on your vision and goals, while communicating in the right way to an audience that loves you. So ditch the DIY and invest what you can into a unique, marketable brand identity created just for you – it will pay for itself in no time. Still not sure if you need a brand designer? Find out more about what goes into a good brand in the free business launch guide.
As you work through all the necessary steps to reach your launch day, have a think about the external circumstances surrounding your launch and the audience you want to attract. What time of year will be best to introduce your product or service? Where will you find your target audience? Can you link it with a seasonal offer? Optimise the conditions around your launch to make your service as marketable as possible to the right people at the right time.
As a brand and website designer with a background in marketing, I've got the training and experience needed to create a brand that tells your story. I work with new business owners and ambitious entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that are capable of long-term growth. So, if that sounds like you, check out my services to find the ideal package and book in today for a free chat.
It feels like everyone these days has a business idea or a side-hustle on the backburner. But getting those ideas off the ground can be overwhelming. Between branding, marketing, setting up your processes and website and finding the right advice amongst a sea of resources and networking events…the whole thing can sometimes land in the "too hard" basket before we even begin.
The temptation is great... it looks so easy... your mate did it.. you want to save some money... In theory, yes, but in reality DIY is hard work
Do you need the support of a professional designer, but don't know where to start? Perhaps you feel unsure of what a designer can actually do for your business? Or maybe you feel a designer would be a "nice-to-have", but there are more important things to invest in first?
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