How do you know it’s time to grow your small business? Growth can be intimidating. However, making a plan, setting your timeline and laying the framework for success can make the process a lot easier. If your business is looking for tools and strategies to help grow your business, BBB encourages you to try some of the tips listed below.
Research and analyze your business
First, take some time to evaluate your business. Before you dive into the deep end, analyze your finances, growth capability and track record. If you aren’t sure where to start in this process, consider hiring a financial advisor. Financial advisors can offer expert insight into your financial world including your bottom line, assets and liabilities.
If you decide to work with an advisor, make sure you’re asking the right questions for your business. Financial advisors can help you plan for growth, tax season and even retirement. Find a list of accredited financial advisors/planners near you on https://bbb.org/oklahomacity.
Change up your marketing
Think about different ways you can try changing up your marketing strategy. As you start looking at growing your business, adding a surge of income from increased business, after a successful campaign, is one way to get consumers excited about your products and services.
Consistency is key, especially when it comes to digital marketing. To avoid confusing your audience, consider making all your marketing efforts cohesive. Below are some items that should be listed the same on all digital platforms.
Take a good look at your website, Facebook page, Google My Business page, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and anywhere else online that you advertise. As you look through your online profiles, consider uploading the following:
- Company logo
- Company photos
- Personnel
- Office building
- Bio(s) or description
- Products and services
- Phone number
- Email address
- Web address
- Physical address
- Mailing address
Once you have all this information listed cohesively, consumers will be able to more easily find your business.
Any social posts you add to your social media pages should provide consistent messaging. Though it is not considered a best practice to post the exact same content on each social platform, consider following the same color themes or make a branded graphic.
Consult with a mentor, life coach or business strategist
If you don’t have a mentor, consider making a list of possible partners and reach out to each of them. Don’t be afraid to get gritty as you do your research and are talking to people. It is important for you to approach the conversation with transparency.
Any truly beneficial voluntary mentorship or business coaching starts with honesty. Mentorship and coaching lend themselves to constructive feedback. The need to be honest about your ideas, struggles and headaches is crucial for the long-term success of your business and your professional relationships.
Consider asking yourself questions like:
- How do my core values align with their core values?
- Can I get along with this person?
- Do we have the same ethical belief?
- What expertise can he/she offer to my business?
- Do they have time to meet with me regularly?
Now that you’ve done some prep work on your end, set up a meeting and start asking questions. Your goal is to ask plenty of questions and get a good feel for what your partnership will look like.
Don’t forget to talk about time commitment and expectations as you finalize details. You’ll know when you’ve found the right mentor for your business because things should be smooth sailing. A good mentor should know your type of business and market well and should be able to direct and answer questions as you need help.
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