We all know starting a business can be slightly intimidating and rather expensive. The best way to overcome this is creating a plan. So how do you do it without breaking the bank? Here are 3 valuable strategies that we'd like to offer up that can be used to help launch and grow your company at a minimal cost!
1) Free consulting services
SCORE is a nonprofit organization that will offer you free training and consulting. Just call and they'll make sure to schedule you in for an appointment. There, you can browse for a mentor that's right for you and he or she will guide you through all your business questions and help you grow to achieve your goals.
2) Customer Partnership
Partnering with your customers is one of the best ways to promote your brand not only because you can launch your products in a cost-efficient way, but also it's perfect for building a customer relationship. Offer your customers deals they can't resist: insider prices, codes for their followers, special packaging, etc. In exchange for these deals, ask for a review or long-term commitment with the company.
For example, Clutch Bags works with fashion and lifestyle bloggers to promote current and upcoming bags and accessories in the company. Clutch Bags looks for new influencers and will offer them a trade such as a look-book with the Clutch Bag accessory on their blog or other forms of social media for an accessory of their choice.
3) Work remotely
Technology is a huge part of our lives now which makes starting a business more convenient! It makes working from just about anywhere possible: home, airport, coffee shop, out of the country—you name it. By working virtually, you don't have the overhead of committing to an office space and your coworkers can do the same. WeWork provides office spaces all over the globe that you can rent monthly. From a desk in a shared space to a private office, you can determine what works best for your budget and size. This allows you to work whenever and from wherever WeWork location you want. Check out their plans here.
Keep your minds open and enjoy the journey of starting your own business.
Good luck!