Nervous About Starting Your New Start-up? These Tips Will Help

Going into business on your own is a nerve-wracking experience, to say the least.  If you’re ready to let your new idea fly loose on the world, even if you have a solid business plan and you prototype is ready to go, you should take one last step back to make sure that everything is in order, including you, before making that last push. We’re not saying stall, just a last minute pre-flight check. With that in mind take a look at these Tips for the entrepreneur that’s got the opening-day jitters.

If your product needs to be presented in any way, shape or form by you then you need to practice, practice, practice.  Practice your presentation, practice overcoming objectives and practice handling price questions. Practice on family and friends until you really feel confident. And then practice a little more.

Don’t start with a big prospect (unless the opportunity is handed to you) but instead with a smaller client that, if lost, won’t hurt your new business as badly.  Besides, when you actually use your sales pitch on a real world client you’ll see all of the areas that you still need to improve right away.  Learn from them for when that big client is ready to talk with you.

Start to love the idea of cold calling.  Listen, it’s just a simple business fact.  You will have to make cold calls when your business is first starting.  You may not need to always make them but, no matter what, you’d better make them if you need them to succeed in your industry.  It’s a numbers game and if you put in the numbers eventually it will pay off. Suck it up and do it.

If you’re not Blogging yet it’s time to start.  Blogging is one of the most powerful tools on the internet for branding yourself, getting noticed, building a following and creating revenue. If you want to brand yourself as an expert you need a Blog.  If you want people to refer to you, talk to you and ask questions to you (that lead to sales later) you need a Blog.

Networking, in the real world and online with social media, is another task that’s vital to your success. Get out there, meet people, go to trade shows and conventions.  Join some professional organizations in your town and go meet your neighbors. This may take some time but will always pay off in the end.

Finally, set a deadline.  Yes, you need to practice and try to perfect your baby but there comes a time when it has to leave the crib.  Set that time and you’ll be amazed how ready you are when the day finally comes.  Good luck.