Article Presented by:
Cheryl Miller
When you first think about starting your business there is a lot of excitement and hope. However after the first rush of adrenalin, you realize that you are not as confident as you thought you were. Nagging doubts about your ability to achieve success start to creep in and you find yourself getting overwhelmed.
This does not have to be, if you are aware of the common mistakes new entrepreneurs make and how to fix them. Here are some common mistakes:
Your attitude: lack of confidence, is a common feeling when aspiring entrepreneurs first begin. You need to position yourself for success and be determined to succeed. If you want to do something and you decide on it, do not let anything hold you back. You need to be serious about changing your financial situation and be prepared to do whatever it takes to be successful.
Not establishing your business concept: Many people rush into a new online business without giving due thought to their actual concept. You should and must have a very clear picture of what your business represents and the products or services you will be offering. It is important to establish your USP-unique selling position. This will allow you to not only penetrate your market but set you aside from your competition and brand your business in your potential customers eyes.
Not researching your market before you launch your product or join affiliate programs. Before you develop your product or join affiliate programs it is very important to do your market research. Analyze your most wanted customers and make a thumbnail sketch of them. You will then know exactly what products they need and where to market to them.
No plan: This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make and many entrepreneurs do this. Without a plan you are like a driver trying to get to their destination without a road map. You will not be focused on what needs to be done and will very likely fail in your business. Make a timeline plan with goals to be achieved in 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Then work in methods to achieve them. When you have a plan with milestones you will be able to focus on a few goals at a time and have the satisfaction of achieving them. You will see your business develop and go forward to success with a proper business plan.
Not budgeting: Another serious mistake is not developing a proper budget for your business. The golden rule is never let your business run out of money. One of the biggest reasons for failure in business is poor business management. Always keep your business expenses separate from your household budget. Make 2 accounts at your bank, one for business and the other for your household expenses, and be sure not to borrow from one to another.
Decide how much you can reasonably afford every month for your business. Do not starve your business, but at the same time do not spend more than you can afford. Your business will not usually be in profit for the 1st 3 months. Make sure you make a proper business plan of where money will be spent and keep good detailed records.
Not researching the program you want to affiliate for, or the Network marketing program you are considering joining. Whenever you need to join a new program always check it out carefully before you join or spend your hard earned cash. You can check it out yourself, plus ask on the business forums. There are many savvy people here and it is unusual to find a program that nobody knows about.
Quitting: finally last but certainly not least, do not quit your business no matter what. A business can take from 3-6 months to realize a profit and it is very important to budget for this and not to quit. You will get some bad days when it seems as if everything is going wrong and you will feel like giving up but do not give in to this attitude. Too many people quit their businesses when success is just around the corner.
Give yourself some time and remember to keep your attitude for success, always be determined to succeed. Keep these points in mind and be ready to take on challenges. In this way you will be poised for success and be able to avoid these common mistakes.
About the Author:
Cheryl Miller is an entrepreneur specializing in niche markets. For more information about magnetic badges and how they can help you promote your business, please visit http://www.badgemags.com/. Cheryl is also the publisher of the Magnetic Marketer Newsletter: http://www.badgemags.com/magnetic_marketer_subscribe.htm
