Top Tips for Starting a Business in 2017
The start of the New Year is the peak time for people ditching the nine to five and looking to start their own business in Coventry and Warwickshire – and 2017 is set to be no exception. The start-up support team at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce are anticipating a rush of calls in the New Year as people look to follow their dream of being their own boss.
The Chamber offers a range of advice and support to those wanting to establish their own company but here a few tips before you begin.
Top Tips When Starting Up
1. Start a business doing what you enjoy doing. Running your own business can mean long hours so make sure you are interested in what you do.
2. Carry out market research BEFORE you start the business. Use weekends or take a few days holiday to really research and visit potential clients.
3. Do you need a corporate image? Do you want to put a trade mark or brand design on your product and carry this through all your stationery, brochures and business cards? Choose one carefully and check it out first before using it to ensure that your proposed trade mark is available for you to use and that it does not conflict with any identical or similar trade marks. Brochures are too expensive to scrap so get your image right before going to print.
4. Your business premises - do you need a prestige expensive base or will somewhere cheaper do? Can you start off from home? Be flexible about home-working - especially when you start out. Hot-desking can bring some hot savings. Use quiet hotels, business spaces or coffee shops to do business on the move.
5. Don't pay any fees to obtain grants or loans to start the business. Contact Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to obtain advice on starting up your business including grants and start -up loans.
6. Get social with Twitter and Facebook to spread the word about your business and talk to and engage with customers. Listen, learn, build and grow.
7. Network locally to grow your business, making use of organisations such the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
8. Honestly - how good is the idea/business? Is there really a market for this product/service? Have you got the support of your wife/husband/partner? Think it through - it's very important!
Find out more about our Business Start-up workshops and support services by clicking on the 'Business Start-up Services' button below:
