8 Actionable Tips to Grow Your Startup Consistently

Getting your startup off the ground can be challenging. Continuing to build your business after it is established can be daunting.

Nonetheless, remember that nothing great happens overnight.

Success requires grit, consistent planning, and strategic implementation. Plus, you need to identify things that can move the needle for your startup.

That said, we have listed eight business tips you can use to ensure your startup’s growth. 

Know About Your Marketplace

It’s always a good idea to know who your competitors are. A marketplace means that you’ll be going head to head with your competitors, who are introducing new products and services as well. 

That’s why you must analyze your competitors’ strong points. Doing so can help you differentiate your company from the rest. From there, you can strategize how you can position your startup in the market.

To get ahead of the competition, it’s also vital that you know what your strengths and weaknesses are. That way, you can prove your worth against them.

Also, think about the products and services that you’re selling. Finding what’s currently ‘in’ on the market will make your efforts much more fruitful. 

Prepare an Elaborate Business Plan

Setting up a business plan will let you plan out your business idea and clearly define your goals. 

It gives you a blueprint on how you can run a business. It also allows you to understand where you are, where you want to be, and the challenges you need to face when getting there. 

A business plan is also an important tool that allows you to understand better how you can put your business together. 

Coming up with a business plan also allows you to set everything correctly. This includes your marketing strategy, value proposition, financial and staffing plans, and more. 

Mind you, most banks and investors would want to have a copy of your business plan before they can help fund your startup. 

It also helps that you stick with a routine to be so much easier to achieve your goals. 

In her interview with IdeaMensch, Michelle Dipp of Biospring Partners said that her day starts about two and a half hours before working. She uses those early hours to exercise, meditate, and focus on the tasks ahead of her. Moreover, sticking to a routine and concentrating fully on tasks allows her to stay productive every day.

Focus on Customer Service

As you grow your startup, offering quality customer service with your existing customers might fall by the wayside. 

Although it’s normal to lose customers, you don’t want this to happen as a direct result of your attempt to grow your business while neglecting your current customers. 

That’s why offering quality customer service to your customers can be one of the best avenues for growth. 

If you treat your current customers well, they’ll be more likely to leave glowing online reviews about your business. It can also compel them to stay loyal to your startup. 

Build a Sales Process

This is again a vital process since it allows you to scale your business over time.

The sales process often consists of four phases:

1. Awareness
2. Interest
3. Desire
4. Action. 

During the first few stages, customers are aware of the products and services. Then, over time, the customer is attracted to it, and it builds their interest. You also need to ensure that these products and services will fulfill customers’ desires. 

The final phase is where the customer makes a purchase. But before that, they also need to go through the re-evaluation phase wherein they’re deciding whether they need to buy it or not. 

Find Good Mentors

Great mentors allow you to achieve your goals much quicker. More so if you’re trying to wade your way in the business world. 

May it be a family member, your ex-boss, or an industry leader, look for someone who has successfully done what you’re trying to fulfill. Not only will this mentor offer you valuable advice and suggestions, but they can also give you access to the right people and resources. 

There are also free and easy-to-use services that allow startups to connect you with volunteer mentors. That way, you have someone to coach you in making your business grow.

Secure Proper Investment

Looking for investments is one of the crucial parts of having a business. 

It can be difficult for a business to survive, especially without proper funding. That’s also one of the primary reasons why businesses fail in their first year. 

It’s also worth noting that investors don’t invest in a business just because a particular idea isn’t good, they also don’t invest in good ideas if they plan to make it happen is bad. That’s why you need to come up with a solid action plan. 

There are also many websites out there that offer loans, crowdfunding, and grants. These provide entrepreneurs with the funds that they need to jumpstart a business. 

Manage Your Cash Flow

The cashflow is the lifeblood of a company. So, if you want to avoid failing in your first year, then your cash flow is essential. 

Create a payment policy so that you can gain your customers’ trust. This also makes sure that you’re paid on time when it comes to your products and services. 

It’s also crucial that you use the right technology and resources at your disposal to keep the operating costs low. 

Leverage Social Media

Because of the advent of technology, more and more people are now attracted to online marketing. This explains why businesses take advantage of social media to promote their products and services.

Moreover, you can run social media ads to expand your market reach. Doing so will allow you to build a strong following rapidly and let many people know about your products and services. 

Over to You

According to the National Business Capital and Services:

• Over 21% of startups fail during the first year
• 30% fail in the second year
• 50% fail in the fifth year, and
• 70% fail after a decade.

If you do not want to follow the safe fate, we suggest keeping the aforementioned business tips in mind. You should also remember that everything has its pacing.

You may not be growing the way you have expected, but you are still growing. So, trust the process and do not break the momentum.

Enjoyed reading the  blog? Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive marketing news and advice.