You’ve already taken the first step. You’re doing the research. Whether you’re planning your first small business or trying to keep one alive. Here are my best tips on being a successful small business owner.
1. Know Your Customer
Who wants to buy your product or service? Do you know what they value in a business like yours? Once you know what that is, find out how to it deliver it better than your competition.
2. Do Good Work
Nobody will call you back or visit you again if your product or service sucks. Nobody will tell their family or friends about you either.
Want to keep customers coming back and new customers coming through the door? Be best in class, or at least in your neighborhood.
3. Be Consistent
Does your door say you’ll be open at 8 AM? Be open at 8 AM. Do you close at 5 PM? Don’t lock the door at 4:59 PM.
Whether you’re cooking up a hamburger or pushing a lawn mower, make sure every transaction is the same.
Customers create an expectation of you and your business. Don’t disappoint them because you’re having a bad day.
4. Know Where It All Goes
When it’s the end of the day, month, or year are you in the green? Are your expenses paid for, and you’re collecting profit?
If not, it’s time to re-evaluate. Do you have too much staff? Are you being wasteful? Find ways to be more efficient, or you won’t last long.
5. Have a Digital Presence
Be on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or even TikTok. You don’t have to be everywhere, only where your customers are.
Create a website. Everyone has a common friend. Their name is Google. That’s the first place your customer will be looking for a business like yours. Be there.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash.
