Need some Business tips and tricks to help make your goals attainable? These are the trending Business tips and tricks you should know about this year that'll help you get out of your head and spring into action.
Starting your own business can be extremely daunting, but what do you have to lose? If you're anything like me giving up isn't an option when you want to live life the way you've always imagined for yourself. It seems like every person with an online presence is succeeding effortlessly with their business, and you think, "So why can't I ?"
I'm here to eliminate the 'effortless' fantasy and let you in on a secret I wish I knew when first starting my journey...
Everything you plan to do requires immense intent and strategy.
Yeah, that's right. I said it, there aren't any 'shortcuts' or 'effortless techniques' to starting something you're passionate about and because I know you may be willing to research endlessly for ways to make the process as easy as possible I'm going to give you some Business tips and tricks that are trending this year and have helped me personally along the way.
You are going to read about tips for creating business plans, small business tips for success, business tips for entrepreneurs, financial tips for small business owners, online business tips and tricks, and more.
After learning about these essential tips you will have more clarity and feel capable of taking the first steps towards activating your authentic journey.
This post is all about the 5 Essential Business tips and tricks every creator should know.
5 Essential Business tips and tricks
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Tips for Creating Business Plans and Strategies
How many of us are guilty of jumping right into something once we are inspired without planning what it is we want to achieve and how we will achieve it? If I weren't typing I'd be raising my hand right now. (Maybe both.) My journey as an artist didn't begin when I booked my first client for a photoshoot or made my first book sale, but when I realized that it's not enough to just be creative and have the skills. You have to establish what it is you want to achieve and most importantly how you will achieve it. While pursuing my degree in marketing and data analytics strategic planning is emphasized in just about everything we work on and there is a very good reason for it. That brings us to the first topic of discussion Business Plans...
What are they?
A business plan is a 5-10 page outline of your business idea and how you plan to make it successful. You can think of it as a roadmap for your business.
Do I need one?
Yes! Whether a freelancer, small business owner, or entrepreneur you need a business plan! To know where you're going you need to have a road map of how you'll get there.
A Business Plan can help you in the following ways:
- Clarifying your vision
- Identifying and mitigating potential risks
- Helping set realistic achievable goals and make strategic plans
- Tracking Business Performance
Helpful tips and tricks for creating a simple business plan:
- Keep it simple
Use a template to avoid getting overwhelmed. (We'll have one of those soon for you and link it here!)
- Define your Business Idea
Ask yourself: What problem does your business solve? What audience does it solve it for? What does your business do?
- Set Clear Goals
Ask yourself: What are some short-term and long-term goals for your business? Be clear. Direction is the source of motivation!
- Keep your audience in mind
If you plan to pitch your business idea to anyone you're going to want to make sure you're tailoring your language to meet their expectations.
- Research what your competitors are doing
Get to know and understand the strategies of your competitors. Always observe where they succeed and where they also fall short so you can set your business apart from them.
- Create your unique marketing strategy
Briefly think of some ways you plan to attract your customer or client both online and offline.
- Be clear about Finances
Estimate start-up costs. It doesn't have to be accurate, but at least you will consider the financial side of your business which IS a major part.
- Aim for Clarity
Your business plan doesn't need to be long to be effective, but be sure to focus on the main key points to get your idea across as concisely as possible.
2. Small Business tips and tricks
- Learn all about marketing
Market! Market! Market! I can't stress enough how important marketing is regarding any business or creative idea you want to start. One of the main reasons I chose to get my degree in marketing and data analytics was because I saw that I was lacking the knowledge in an area that helps any business you create succeed. I highly suggest anyone invest in some marketing courses to educate themselves on the world of marketing and how it drives the success of an individual's business endeavors. I will also dive deeper into marketing in our other blog posts.
- Keep Learning
Stay curious and willing to expand your skillset at all times. Don't be afraid to learn endlessly about your industry so that you can continue to improve your business.
- Be Flexible
I say this while also being a stubborn person myself, but over the years I realized I missed out on a lot because I was not entirely open to change. If something isn't working be willing to adapt your approach.
- Be Patient
Success takes time. See setbacks as opportunities to learn and excel to continue pushing forward. Avoid the "make money fast" gimmicks.
3. Business Tips for the Entrepreneur
- Build a strong online presence
One of the most important things an entrepreneur can do is establish credibility. Take some time to create a free website and engage on social media platforms to attract your audience.
- Network Strategically
Never underestimate the power of attending industry events, webinars, and meet-ups to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and professionals in your field. Most opportunities are given on a 'who you know' basis.
- Surround yourself with the right people
Build a team that shares your vision and compliments your skills. Most successful entrepreneurs have a strong motivated team driving their business forward.
- Prioritize work-life balance
Entrepreneurship can be extremely demanding so be sure to prioritize taking care of your mental and physical health. Look into time management tips so that you still have room to have a thriving personal life.
- Develop a solid Financial and Marketing Management team for yourself
Don't be afraid to outsource to help keep track of cash flow. Keeping track of income and expenses will help you avoid financial setbacks. As an entrepreneur, you'll likely be managing a lot if you don't have a manager as of yet plan to invest in a managing, marketing, and financial team in the future. It is impossible to do it all alone so don't pressure yourself! If you don't have the funds for a team an alternative I highly suggest is taking courses to sharpen your skills and researching your industry as much as possible.
4. Financial Tips for the Small Business Owner
- Create a budget
Develop a business budget aside from your budget to track your income and expenses. I usually prefer Excel but there are tons of free apps available now to help you budget!
- Use accounting software
At some point make it a goal to invest in accounting software to keep your finances, invoices, and record-keeping organized.
- Open a business bank account
You should open a separate bank account to keep finances separate which will simplify bookkeeping and tax filing.
- Stay informed about Market Trends
Always keep an eye out for economic shifts that could impact your business while also continuously adapting your strategies to stay competitive.
- Invest in technology
Consider investing in technologies that can improve efficiency where needed and reduce costs over time. (E-commerce platforms or Customer Relationship Management systems are super handy)
- Build an Emergency Fund
Always set aside funds to cover unexpected expenses or downturns in business. (3 to 6 months worth typically is a good amount, but don't pressure yourself if it isn't doable)
5. Business Tips for the Online Business Owner
- Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)
Utilize SEO strategies to improve your website's visibility on search engines. This includes keyword search, optimizing content, and always ensuring fast loading speeds.
- Leverage Email Marketing
Building an email list and using email marketing campaigns are proven effective for communicating directly with customers, always be sure to remain authentic and personalize your messages to increase engagement and conversion rates,
- Focus on Customer Experience
Always encourage feedback from clients or customers to make improvements based on what customers feel could be better.
- Utilize Analytics
Track your website and social media analytics to better understand customer behavior and identify areas for improvement. (Google Analytics is a free and popular tool for this!)
