So you’re finally doing it. You’re getting that dream business you’ve planned and labored for out on the road. For some, rolling out a start-up doesn’t come too hard, resources are at hand, time, talent, and experience are aplenty. Most people, however, things usually do not come that easy.
For the self-starter, here are some tips to ensure you save yourself some money along the way.
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Make do with what you have
The fancy office overlooking a breathtaking city skyline will have to wait. For now, take a look at where you can make do with an office. Do you have an unused room, perhaps? An attic that you can clear up for that purpose? A fresh coat of paint plus well-situated lighting can do wonders. Find furniture around your house that you can use in the meantime as well. Be creative. Rifle through your old things and keep those that can be used for your office. Now is not the time to be racking up the bill shopping for things that you may already actually have.
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Get a little help from your friends
Find out who among your designer or artist friends is trying to build up his portfolio at the moment. Perhaps there is a photographer who is willing to do a product shoot for you at the fraction of the cost. Or a logo designer who will agree to make studies for your brand’s logo at a discounted price. Maybe there is a model friend who will even do shoots for you for free. The possibilities are endless, so get out there and connect.
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Think used equipment over brand new
The market is crawling with secondhand items at more affordable price tags compared to their brand new counterparts. You will be surprised at the number of people selling barely used office equipment like a printer, a new desktop, or even cellphones, it’s just a matter of being diligent and investigative about their condition before purchasing them. For bigger equipment, check out used trucks in Arizona or other second-hand vehicles, to get the most savings.
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Social Media Advertising
Who has money to spend on snazzy ads or other forms of promotional hoopla anyway? Thank goodness for technology that offers free platforms you can work with. Never underestimate the power of social media to get people buzzing about your product.
An organically shared post about your product is enough to get people curious. The key is to be an extra present and engaging on your chosen platform. There is no need to hire a social media expert at this point. Your pure energy and passion for your project will translate easily to the pages if you are sincere about and love what you are doing.
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You Get What You Give
People won’t talk about your business if they have not had experience with it. Bring your product to the people. If you are in the food industry, bring samples with you and offer it to friends. If you are developing a new app, talk about it, garner interest from people around you. If you are in the service industry, make sure you have satisfied customers who will naturally spread the word about you. Socialize, connect, network and keep your product in the middle of it all.
With these cost-cutting tips, you can put your worries about putting a dent into your resources so early in the game. Having your own business is never easy but with a little resourcefulness and a lot of passion, who knows just how successful you can be?
