| 1. Do your homework. You may think your idea is | | | | for without being paid. Your passion will come across |
| fantastic and your friends and family have probably | | | | to customers and everyone you meet and will help |
| told you it is great too, but what do other people think? | | | | you get started. |
| Test out your idea on your potential customers before | | | | 7. Don't worry about getting a 'niche'. Listen, all of us |
| you start. | | | | would like to find the perfect idea that no-one else has |
| 2. Work out your costs. You must be able to have | | | | thought of, but then you'll need to work hard at telling |
| enough money coming into the business to cover what | | | | people what it is because they won't have heard |
| your product or service costs you to make. If you | | | | about it. Competition is good! Your 'niche' is all about |
| don't, you're in danger of not making any money out of | | | | you - it's what you're passionate about that makes |
| your business. | | | | you stand out. |
| 3. Think of free ways to promote your business. Let's | | | | 8. Forget about other people. Countless new |
| face it you've got enough to spend your money on | | | | businesses are worried about telling people in case |
| without spending it on marketing. Think about where | | | | their idea is stolen. But remember 60% of people are |
| your potential customers go (i.e. if your customers are | | | | sat in businesses right now wanting to start their own |
| mums, they'll go to schools, post office, doctor's | | | | business - but, only 3% actually do it. So, even if people |
| surgeries etc) and go where they go. | | | | think it's a great idea, chances are they won't actually |
| 4. Don't spend a fortune on a website. Believe me | | | | set up. Bite the bullet and tell people! |
| you'll want to change your website after a few | | | | 9. Go for it! We're all a nation of "what ifs" and "it won't |
| months when you get to know what you're doing. | | | | work". If you've done your homework and believe in |
| Spend the money on your website then and get it | | | | your idea, go for it! Also, remember that everyone is |
| done cheaply at first. | | | | an expert, even if they've never run a business before. |
| 5. Write a business plan. Too many businesses don't | | | | Trust your instinct - not theirs. |
| write a plan and 90% of them will fail during the first 18 | | | | 10. Go on a start-up course (well I would say that |
| months. If you write a business plan, 90% of | | | | wouldn't I?). But, a start-up course is run by experts |
| businesses are still going after the same period. What | | | | who will give you the real answers - not rumours that |
| would you prefer? | | | | your friends and family have heard. |
| 6. Be passionate. Your business idea should be | | | | Good luck. |
| something you would happily get out bed in a morning | | | | |