Starting a small business comes with many challenges, from time management and financial recordkeeping to developing a great service or product that customers want to pay for. Being in charge of your business means that all the heavy lifting and big decisions fall on you, which can often feel overwhelming—if you don’t have the right strategies on hand.
To help you gain the confidence to lead and run your small business, we’ll cover four tips and tricks to set you up for success. Let’s dive in!
1. Set up a marketing strategy.
A robust marketing strategy helps you retain existing customers and reach out to new ones, making it a key component of a successful business plan. According to MassageBook, these are the common marketing channels that businesses use:
Website
Direct mail
Email
SMS and MMS text messaging
Social media
Paid advertising
Online business directories
If you’re new to the business world, you likely have some form of marketing plan in place where you send communications to clients through one or two of the channels above. However, you may not be doing so intentionally or strategically.
Let’s say that you run a dance studio. Before committing your time to creating marketing campaigns, ask your existing clients how they discovered your small business. If the majority of them found your studio through Instagram, then focus your efforts there by posting high-quality images of your dance classes and including fun captions with hashtags that increase visibility to your target audience.
2. Don’t be afraid to reinvest in your business.
Small business owners are often afraid to purchase items that might cut into the profitability of their company, especially in the starting stages where going into debt is a concern. However, though these items may carry a high one-time cost, sometimes purchasing them is the right move to help your business become more profitable.
For instance, let’s say that you run a dog grooming business. At first, you use your personal hairdryer and towels to dry the dogs to reduce equipment costs. However, this means that each grooming session takes five to six hours when it should take two to three. In this case, it may be better to purchase a professional-grade dog dryer—although this equipment is costly, it’ll save you a lot of time and allow you to book more clients.
Software and other tools are also great investments for small business owners. For instance, if you run a massage practice, you’ll want to look into massage therapy software solutions that allow you to:
Streamline bookings for clients
Accept various payment methods
Create customizable intake forms
Offer membership packages
And more!
These tools will automate your tasks and responsibilities; as a result, you’ll be able to dedicate more time to other aspects of your business.
3. Build relationships through networking and mentorship.
Knowledgeable peers and mentors can advise you on the challenges of small business ownership that you experience. Start with your existing friends and family—if any of them own or work at a small business, they’ll have helpful insights to share when you go to them with a quandary you need to solve.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to make professional connections through sites like LinkedIn or dedicated conferences. Approach individuals who work in similar businesses and ask if you can buy them a coffee while you pick their minds, or even ask if they’d be willing to serve as your mentor and meet up every month to check in about the state of your business.
For example, if you provide faith-based coaching or counseling, you might attend one of these Christian women’s conferences that Esther Press recommends. There, you can network with like-minded women who may share your struggles and be open to staying in touch in the future.
4. Practice self-care.
Many different small business guides focus on maximizing profitability. While that’s important, keep in mind that you’re only one person—if you burn out or lose your passion, then your business will suffer. You don’t need to work at a massage business to practice self-care!
Here are a few ways you can engage in self-care so you’re better equipped to tackle challenges:
Get enough sleep
Eat nutritious foods
Meditate
Exercise regularly
Journal
Make time for your hobbies
Just as life has its ups and downs, so will your business. A bad day or week doesn’t define your business aptitude—it’s perfectly normal! Don’t get overly bogged down by setbacks and show yourself the grace and compassion you deserve. The sooner you focus on what’s ahead rather than what’s behind you, the sooner you can advance your business goals!
Growing a business from the ground up is difficult, and we commend you for taking it on fearlessly. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to face any challenges that come your way, obtain and retain more clients, thoughtfully maximize your profitability, and feel more fulfilled and confident as a small business owner.
For more on entrepreneurship and business ownership, join our community here at The Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network.