Opening a Business During COVID-19 Is Smarter Than You Think
If you have always wanted to run your own business but hesitated for one reason or another, now may be an optimal time to make that dream come true. Perhaps this logic seems flawed on the surface; open a business during a pandemic? Believe it or not, this is a perfect time to take the entrepreneurial leap. Businesses that open during this unprecedented time have the benefit of learning from others’ experiences. With some careful planning and strategizing, budding entrepreneurs can use those hard-learned lessons to create a lean, mean COVID-proof business for the ages. Look out doubters, here you come.
Marketing is a key piece of that ironclad business strategy. Robyn & Robyn can help you create your brand and build your reputation with their comprehensive marketing plans, regardless of where you are on the journey to starting your business. There are many ways to go about marketing and branding. Using a professional marketing firm is wise and could save you a lot of misspent funds and precious energy in the long run.
Marketing and Branding Wisdom to Consider
There is a lot of psychology in marketing and branding. Through their experience in the business, Robyn & Robyn have found that qualitative branding offers more useful and personable information about what appeals to customers. In their blog post on the topic, they discuss how quantitative branding provides useful information but does not factor in the aspects that are emotionally evocative. When we see certain images and colors, read useful content, and hear from knowledgeable business owners on topics that matter, we respond positively.
As you build your marketing strategies, consider your niche. What are you offering customers that rises above what the competition provides? Think about the problems you are solving for your ideal client and tie them into the emotional aspects of that problem as you market your business. Why does your customer need your help and why are you the best company for the job? In each marketing and branding effort, be as authentic and open as possible.
Think of marketing as a show and tell opportunity. You can tell potential clients what you offer and show them how you will back it up with good customer service. Whether your business is primarily online or a mix of online and in-person, you can establish a relationship with your customers, and that is what will keep people returning to you to meet their needs. One of the important lessons Covid offered business owners is the necessity of a diverse business plan that includes multiple streams of income.
Build a Diverse Income Stream
Your business will be more successful by creating multiple sources of income. Brainstorm the varying angles you can use to build revenue. Consider ways to capitalize on your market by offering videos, blog posts, and Q and A opportunities on your website and social media pages. Consider collaborating with other businesses to offer a resource for customers who would benefit from both services or products.
Establish yourself as the expert in the service or product you are presenting, which may bring you opportunities for interviews and consultations. Another smart method of earning income in your business is to teach your skills to others. Create useful, marketable content for aspiring novices; teach workshops, offer step-by-step guides and tutorials, the sky's the limit. As your business grows, you will need to hire staff for additional support. With a growing business, payroll can become unwieldy. It may be useful to think about the way you structure payroll to make it less craptastic.
Payroll Can Be Painless
If you’ve ever known someone who does payroll for a company, you are probably familiar with the dread that is associated with it. Online payroll programs offer a simple solution to the calculation-wary. A direct deposit payroll option makes it easy to approve and issue paychecks within the same day, without the annoyance of paper checks. Workers will love the consistency and you will appreciate the time and energy you save, which can be dedicated to other tasks.
Keep Everything Legal
What many young entrepreneurs may not realize is that you need to register your business with the state where you reside. This includes deciding on a business structure, filing the proper paperwork, and ensuring that everything about your business is on the up and up. Although you can do this on your own or hire an attorney to help you through the process, companies like LegalZoom make staying compliant with state guidelines and regulations easy. And, again, using these services can help free up your time to focus on other tasks.
As you grow your new business with skilled marketing, branding, and multiple income streams, you can feel confident that your business is ready for whatever comes your way. Your business adventure is just around the corner.
