Becoming a start-up can be a hugely liberating but terrifying feeling. If you’ve been under the shelter of a stable nine-to-five, then selling your own business can feel like shaky territory. However, by getting the correct advice and putting in plenty of hard work, your sacrifice might just pay off. If you’ve got a business name, an idea, and a plan, what else should you consider?
A New Website
It’s likely that many people will see your website before they see your physical business. A website should have the same effect as a shopfront: an instantly recognizable logo and an accurate description of what it is you do. Investing in a new website that leads visitors to vital information and testimonials will incentivize customers and potential clients to use your company. It also provides people with contact information and an FAQ for any immediate questions. On top of this, however, will come the issue of copyright and ensuring that your domain name is securely yours. Using an internet lawyers service, such as Revision Legal, will give you advice on how to keep your website secure legally is also a wise investment.
A Specific Email Address
When you start up your own company, it can be a force of habit to keep emailing your clients using your personal email. While this is convenient in the sense that it keeps all your emails in the same place, it’s a good idea to get a professional work email. Not only does this keep your work life separate from your personal life, but it also has an outward appearance of being professional.
Finance Training
Setting up a business is no easy feat. If you’re operating as a sole trader, this may be your first experience of logging all your invoices and overheads. If this seems overwhelming, it might be a good idea to consider some finance training, particularly targeted at start-ups and freelancers.
A loan
If you’re a freelance writer, then chances are you might not even need a loan at all. Sole-traders may not need the large-scale financial funding, that a bigger institution will, to get itself on its feet. To finance some of your equipment (a van, industrial machinery or supplies), you may need to calculate how much you will need. If you are reluctant to take out a loan, then there are also many other methods of raising money to consider, such as:
- Crowdfunding
- Pooling family and friends’ financial support
- A credit card for smaller sums of money
On top of all of this, keep honing your craft and become an unparalleled expert in your field. There’s no real substitute for hard work and determination, which will pay off not just in expertise, but also to those who come across your business and notice your work ethic. Of course, you’ll also want to network as much as possible. While all these aspects of starting your own business might seem overwhelming, they’ll soon become second-nature, meaning you can enjoy the ride of where your journey takes you.
