3 Things You Need To Know When Starting Your Business (It’s Not What You Think!)
Opening a business banking account, creating an LLC, and finding your fave CRM is important when it comes to starting your business. But honestly? You can start a business without doing any of these things. Believe it or not, they’re not the most important thing to focus on right at the beginning.
What’s unavoidable is building a solid brand, first. Because there’s a difference between a business and a brand that knows who they are, what they’re about, and how they communicate what they bring to the table. This is where a consistent customer experience and return clients start.
When your brand is how people know you, it’s important to get this right as soon as possible— even if you shift and pivot later on. A well-constructed brand will allow you to do just that, without sacrificing what you’ve built.
Keep reading for the 3 things you need to know when starting a business and, by extension, a brand.
1. Know what you bring to the table
It’s easy to feel like your industry is competitive or even saturated, but what you do better than others will help you stand out. And I don’t mean that your only strength is that you’re a web designer, florist, writer, or photographer!
When people want to work with you, they already know what they need. The value you bring isn’t solely your technical or creative skills. It’s those so-called “soft skills” (aka, your secret to success) that compel your audience towards your brand, specifically.
No matter what kind of business you have, folks come to your website looking for your service. But they’re also seeking out a reason to buy, that thing that puts them over the edge and towards working with you.
That’s why it’s essential to connect your audience with something that helps you stand out. Is that customer service? Strong communication? Make sure you let the world know.
2. Be aware of who you want to work with
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of working with anyone & everyone who fills out your contact form. But that won’t build your business into a brand. When you find the people you want to work with and offer your services, you’re extending a point of connection. After they have a great experience with you, they’ll tell other people about you. This means you’ll get better referrals from ideal clients who you’re excited about working with.
If you’re new to your industry and not sure who you want to work with, return to the last section of this blog and list out your unique skills & talents. Really think about what makes you different, outside of the service or product you offer. When you share these with others, you’re more likely to attract people that connect with these points of value.
When this feels challenging, it’s also helpful to take the audience’s point of view. How does your brand speak to what they believe or solve their problem? In what way does your strong communication skills or detail-oriented nature help them out?
Remember that you don’t have to know exactly what industry yet. Your audience can be a type of person, regardless of their industry. You can always narrow later!
3. Know that what you offer is solid
Do you know what products & services you want to offer? You may be offering a little bit of everything right now. But don’t get caught in that trap.
If you do anything & everything, it’s harder to step away from the offerings you don’t enjoy. You may even find you’re getting inquiries from people who want a service you no longer offer once you finally do pivot!
Definitely think about what you love offering but also, what is your audience looking for? Where is the crossover between what you love to do and what they need most? How can you package that service in a way that shows what’s unique to you?
Once you’ve assembled all the core pieces, you’ll have an irresistible offering and a standout brand.
Starting a business but not sure how to turn your passion into a brand?
Hop on the waitlist for Envision Your Brand, my new program helping new business owners create a roadmap and discover next-level success by turning their passion into a business.