The process of starting a business is no easy feat. I started my business in 2015, and recently expanded my creative services in 2019. There are some really important things that I wish I had known when I first started my business, but I loved learning from the experience! Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but maybe another young entrepreneur will be able to learn from my experiences! 

Check out the competition

Get to know who you’re up against! Call in and act like a client to get the inside scoop. You’ll be able to see what you like and don’t like about their business, as well as get a glimpse as to what their prices are. You can learn a lot from your peers and how to make your business go to the next level!

Branding

Before working on anything else, establish your brand! Branding is what your clients will know you by. Without a brand, you cannot being starting a business as it would live without an identity. Everything in your business must match your branding, such as fonts, colors, logos, etc. Seek out advice from professionals and don’t be afraid of constructive criticism! Here’s a simple check-list containing all of the necessary things you’ll need to establish your brand. 

1. Pick 4-6 colors for your brand (use only these 4-6 colors, so be sure to pick out good ones!)
2. Pick 3 fonts (again, you’ll only be using the 3 fonts you choose throughout your business) 
3. Brand vibe (what feeling do you want to express through your branding?)
4. Brand voice (this is the uniformity of word choice and expresses the values and attitudes of your brand and addresses potential clients)
5. Moodboard (this is a themed collage of colors, fonts, and images that capture your business) 
6. Logo (what will the branding of your business look like?)
7. Website (a website is a crucial place where potential clients can get more info)
8. Mission statement (what is the goal of your business? Why did you create it?)
9. Company vision (this expresses what you want your business to become) 
10. Professional email (don’t use your personal email, make a designated email for all professional inquiries)
11. Professional email signature (for any email, you’ll need a signature, but set up your name and title in your business account) 
12. Create business accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest (use Canva.com to make professional-looking stories and posts) 
13. Set up Google my Business is a tool that can organize your business’s online presence, including Google Search and Maps. You have the option to verify and edit your business info, which makes it easier for clients to find your business. 
14. Get professional help on branding items (this is one of the most important steps!)

Client Journey

Brainstorm and establish your client journey, which is the routine you contact your new client. When you have a set client journey, you won’t have to change things every time. 

Example: First, the client will find your business and fill out a contact form. Here’s my contact form that I love! Work with the client to connect an automatic workflow and send them a welcome email. Next, get them in for an appointment. After you meet, send an email asking for a review on Google. Send another email later asking to set up the next appointment. 

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Another pillar of starting a business is optimizing your web presence to the fullest extend. SEO is a compilation of strategies and tactics used to increase traffic to your website by ranking placement in search results higher. Set up business analytics before you launch your business. Have your website SEO tested by a professional. Watch YouTube videos on SEO & Analytics to understand it. This is an important technique that will bring in more visitors to your website. 

Social Media

Social media accounts are crucial to any business, so you need to make some ASAP! This lets potential clients know who you are and what you do in a convenient way. Here are some tips and tricks that work like a charm: 

1. Post on all social media accounts everyday, besides Saturday (it’s OK to take a break!) According to a recent study, the best time to post is between 9-12 AM, but it’s a good idea to do some research and see what times work best for you. 
2. It’s important to remember to post different types of content, as the same content can become boring to your followers. 
3. Think of every post as a way to sell without selling– but don’t sound like a car salesman! 
4. Be vulnerable and authentic so people will want to follow your business accounts. 
5. Use hashtags, but keep it to a minimum by only using those which are relevant. Do hashtag research to see which ones you should use or which categories your business best fits into. 
6. Use Planoly.com to schedule posts. This will make your life so much easier– TRUST ME. I love it. 
7. Do a giveaway every quarter to gain more followers and keep your current followers active. Plus, people love winning stuff!

Blog

Every business needs a blog! You don’t always have to write about what you’re selling. It can be 50% business-related things and 50% personal. Sell yourself as part of the brand. Your blog content can feed your social media accounts, and you can funnel people to your blog! 

Client Information

I wish I would have collected email, addresses, and phone numbers. This is something I really kick myself for getting in the beginning! It’s important to build up an email list because it is the number one way to market to people. Keep track of client information on Onenote.com or other organizational websites. 

Did you find any of our tips to be super helpful in starting your business? Do you have a great tip that you’d love to share? Let us know!