If starting a business is so simple, why doesn’t every second person run their own business? The problem is that startups and businesses are different concepts. You can come up with an amazing idea, but it will take a long time and hard work to start generating income. Experienced representatives of the venture world identify 10 mistakes that prevent novice businessmen literally at every step.
Mistake #1: Relevance
It doesn’t matter what area you decide to work in, the main thing is that your idea is in demand here and now. Most novice startups devote a lot of energy to the realization of a plan that does not correspond to reality. They come up with their own model of the world and begin to develop it. Instead of finding out what people want and giving them the product they need, startups try to impose their idea, and this is doomed to failure.
If you want to build a successful business, check the relevance of the chosen idea. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts with experts in the field. Discuss the project with prospective participants/customers or representatives of this category. And if after that your confidence in success has grown stronger – feel free to go for it.
Mistake #2: Target Audience
It is difficult to say whether Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg dreamed that their projects would reach such proportions. But at the very beginning, both billionaires had a specific goal with a clearly defined circle of users. It is not possible to create a project “for everyone”.
If you are lucky, your idea will grow into something more, but this will require additional investments, development, etc. Over time, the specifics of the product being produced (service provided) will become more understandable and it will be possible to work on its improvement and expansion.
But at the initial stage, it is necessary to clearly define the target audience. Do not set too narrow parameters. For learning more about how businesses operate and target the audience, you can attend business events. Some of the most popular ones include the SaaS Connect, CMO event, and World Business Forum.
Mistake #3: Patience
Beginning businessmen quite often do not have enough patience. Be prepared for the fact that any project will not shower you with millions from the very first day. Depending on the industry and type of idea, it can take several months to develop a business. Don’t get frustrated and quit right away. Nearly 50% of truly worthwhile projects fail due to a lack of patience.
Mistake #4: Right Moment
If the idea is ripe, immediately sit down to develop a business plan and quickly break into the thick of things. You don’t have to wait for the right moment. Everything you need, you already have. The rest of the little things will be collected in the process of implementation.
In this case, the waiting position can play a bad joke. At best, the idea will become obsolete. At worst, someone else implements it, and you will regret for the rest of your life that you never tried it.
Mistake #5: Everything Is Too Complicated
Most people love to complicate things around them. If you want to quickly promote your project and get real dividends from it, well, you need to create bulky, heavy structures. The idea should lie on the surface. The plan must be created according to the most simplified schemes.
If you are going to sell products online, just open a store and get started. You don’t have to worry about having your computer on a Victorian desk, doing manicures and salon styling every day. Your clients won’t see it. Focus on what really matters: efficiency, quality, service, etc.