It’s said that the end and beginning of a year are the two best times to start a small business. In addition to the seasonal holiday retail and general buying rush, year-end is traditionally a time when working people spend more money on themselves and others than usual. And the first few months of each year often mark the time when many start major DIY projects, begin exercise programs, try to lose weight, and spend money on home improvements.
No matter how you cut it, the October to March period is the best possible time for entrepreneurs to get busy with their own ideas about making money online or off. The following list is an apt place to start. It simply offers several suggestions about what to do, and what not to do, if you decide to take the entrepreneurial plunge in late 2021 or early 2022.
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Do Know What to Outsource
Some entrepreneurs are reluctant to hire help, no matter how overwhelmed they feel by the long hours and hard work of staring their own companies. The cold truth is that you’ll need to decide which tasks to outsource. A few of the most common chores owners delegate to freelancers and specialists include tax preparation, payroll, IT security, advertising, legal matters of all kinds, website building, and more. Focus on what you do best and leave the rest to others.
Do Get Your Finances in Order
For every startup owner, job one is getting personal finances in shape. That’s why so many entrepreneurs put the family budget in order, pare a few expense items here and there, and take out a personal loan to cover costs that are unique to the startup. Getting funds from a private lender makes sense because starting a business venture is an investment in yourself. Plus, there’s no more cost-effective way to get your finances on track than with a personal loan. Applying is easy, the entire process is online, and you can get your funds just a few days after approval.
Don’t Work Sporadically
Make a schedule and stick to it. That’s not to say you must devote 20, 40, or any specific number of hours each week to the effort. The point is to avoid working in spurts. Go over your current schedule and see where you can carve out some hours for the startup. Then, put those hours on your calendar and make a commitment to be laser-focused on the new company when the appointed hours arrive.
Don’t Be Afraid to Invest in Advertising
It’s almost human nature for new owners to minimize, or pinch pennies to be honest, on advertising. That’s likely because the expense represents money out the door before there’s any return. For brand-new organizations, however, paid advertising and promotion is most needed in the early days of the company’s existence, before any customers have come on board.
Do Network Like a Pro
Never neglect networking. Both in-person and online contacts should be part of your daily routine. Try to set aside a 30-minute time slot each day during which you do nothing but networking tasks like making calls, responding to email, posting in forums, and spending productive time on social media.
About Carson Derrow
