So you’ve founded a small business, and things are going well. You’re doing a good job running things; you’re making money, and everybody’s happy. Some people might be satisfied with that, but not you. You know that a successful small business is only the first step. The real trick is to turn that small business into a big business. You want to make more money, have more products, more locations, more employees. That’s a good thing. Ambition is what got you this far, and it’ll help you take your business to the next level. Here are a few tips to get you started on the next steps.
Customer Feedback is Key
You’ve heard it over and over – the customer is always right. As galling as that phrase might seem from a customer service standpoint, from a business standpoint, it’s absolutely correct. Customers know what they want, and they know what they’re willing to pay for. Listening to them can be a great way to figure out the most organic ways to start growing your business. You should be collecting customer feedback as often as you can. It’s almost like cheating – your customers will literally tell you exactly what they’d be willing to spend money on; all you have to do is listen and give them the opportunity. This gives you chances to grow your business while also refining the services you already provide. Plus, it strengthens the bond between you and your customer base. People love knowing you’re listening to their ideas, so don’t be afraid to play up the “customer demand” aspect of any new additions to your business model.
Think Early and Often About Financing
Nobody wants to rely on outside financing, but there will always be times when you need a little extra injection of cash. Sometimes things come up that we just can’t predict – Covid-19 just proved that to the whole business world. But extra cash can also be helpful to have on hand if you’re thinking about growing your business. Any growth requires money, and you might not have the cash available on hand to make it happen right away. Being prudent is always smart for your personal finances, but things are a little different in business. Timing is key, and if you have a great idea, you should always strike when the iron is hot. Don’t be afraid to borrow a little money if you’re confident that your idea will be able to help your business grow. You can always apply for an SBA loan from the government or secure a business line of credit. Whatever you end up doing, make sure you pay the loan back as soon as you can. You don’t want borrowed money hanging over your head for too long.
Invest in Marketing
How much are you currently spending on marketing? No matter what the figure is, the answer is pretty much always “not enough.” It may be often overlooked, as opposed to expanding your services or opening something new, but bumping your marketing is one of the best ways to start bringing in more income. Whether through traditional marketing methods such as yard signs to reach local consumers or creating a website to reach your global audience, marketing is an avenue that can take your business to new heights! And the more significant amount invested in it, the higher your yields usually turn out to be.
Pay particular attention to online marketing. Covid-19 has proven the effectiveness of an online-focused marketing plan, so make sure you’re keeping up in that arena. You can expand your main business all you want, but none of it will matter if you can’t bring in enough customers to support your growth. You need to always be reaching more and more people, and marketing is the only way to do that.
Personal Growth Leads to Business Growth
As the head of your business, it’s always going to be in your best interest to seek out and learn new things. The good news is that you’re already doing that. Even reading this article is an effort to pick up some new tips. But you can take that even further. Try to think about what your weak spots are. What are you constantly delegating? Is it marketing? Customer service? Are you a little iffy about the actual manufacturing process of your products? Identify what those weak spots are and get to work strengthening them. You don’t have to be an expert in all aspects of your business, but you should at least know what’s going on. When it comes to learning new skills, don’t be afraid to seek outside help. Conference speakers are experts in their specific fields, and there’s a lot you can learn from them if you try. Besides that, you can always try to find a mentor in your field, or just talk to your peers. Being a successful business owner requires enough humility to recognize that you can always be improving yourself.
Consider a Partnership
You don’t actually have to grow your business all by yourself. Smart, strategic partnerships can make a huge difference, and finding mutually beneficial ones is a great way to give your business a kickstart. Try to think of businesses that are adjacent to yours but not direct competitors. Are you a plumber? Get in touch with an electrician. Run an auto body shop? Form a partnership with a nearby dealership. Recommend your customers to your partner’s business, and they’ll do the same to you. You can even work together on jobs that require both skill sets. Remember that business is all about people, and making connections is never a bad thing. Even if the partnership doesn’t work out, that’s still another name you have in your Rolodex in case you ever need it.
Even with these tips, growing your small business is a difficult task. It’s going to take a lot of time and effort, and there will always be setbacks. The important thing is to keep plugging away at it, stay motivated, and have faith in your own vision. As long as you have those things, success will come eventually.