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HANDY TIPS FOR START UP BUSINESS

by Michelle Henderson|
July 8, 2024

Congratulations on taking a leap of faith, backing yourself and starting a new business. We've compiled a list of must do items to help you with your start up business journey below - enjoy!

Check the Ipswich City Council website

If you’re starting a small business, make sure you read through all the links and checklists to ensure you have the right business licences and permits to start operating. Visit the Ipswich City Council website.

Create a business plan

This will help you:

Work out if your business is viable
Analyse your strengths and weaknesses, identify opportunities and potential threats, to improve your game plan
Plan your organisation structure
Set realistic goals and identify key milestones for sustainable growth
Plan your marketing strategy
Set realistic budgets

A Business plan not only helps your business, it helps marketing businesses like ours to support you to achieve success. When your milestones and goals are clearly outlined, we know where you’re at, where you’re headed and can work to help you get there by offering support in the areas your need it most. Review your plan every 6 months to see how you’re tracking and to hold yourself accountable. Don’t be afraid to update it if you need to.

HELPFUL LINK

Download the Business Queensland - Business Plan Template

NEED HELP WITH YOUR BUSINESS PLAN?

Contact Ken Newton Management Consultant (one of our lovely Ipswich based clients). Ken started his consultancy business late in 2023 and has vast experience. Phone 0404 872 814 or reach out to him via Facebook.

Secure your intellectual property

Protect your business name:

Register your business name with ASIC
Register .com.au, .au and .com business name domains - ask us about our Ipswich based channel partner
Register consistent social handles across social media channels - make sure consistent @yourbusinessname is available before set up

Create a short and long description of your business

Sounds weird, but it’s going to come in handy when you read this list further.

Short business description should be to the point in 25 words or less
Long business description should be 150 words max

Set up official business email accounts

Avoid using free @outlook, @gmail or @yahoo etc email accounts for business communications. Official @yourbusinessname.com.au email accounts, let customers know that way you’re legit and your emails are from a trusted source. We have an amazing Ipswich based channel partner that can help you get started.

Engage a local creative marketing agency to design your business brand and logo

Trying to save money in this area by taking shortcuts can end up costing you more in the long run.

Avoid using Canva elements or stock image icons in your logo. While Canva gives you some beautiful elements to work with, you do not own the copyright to use these exclusively for your business. The same applies to stock images, free stock images and Vista Print design templates. You don’t want to have to replace all your signage because you have an identical logo to a business just down the street (yes, it has happened).

While it’s tempting to go to places like Fiverr to have a cheap logo designed, bear in mind that the person you are engaging does not know your regional market, who you are trying to appeal to and who your competitors are. An Ipswich graphic designer can come to your place of business, meet you in person and gain a better understanding of who you are and what will represent your business best to potential customers.

WHAT YOU SHOULD RECEIVE
When you receive your logo, you should always receive the original vector artwork, along with .pdf, .eps, .svg, .jpg and .png files. Full colour, full colour reverse, mono black and white, high resolution and low resolution versions should always be supplied.
Your logo should always translate well in full colour or in single mono format across any advertising medium including print, embroidery, web and more. Remember, your logo needs to make an immediate impact.

IS A LOGO BRANDING?
Not quite - but it is an important part of your overall brand. There are additional items to consider such as accompanying imagery, patterns and design elements, voice, messaging and more which we'll cover in another article - stay tuned!

Set up your Google Business Profile

Setting up your Google Business Profile is FREE and a major online promotional asset!
Register a yourbusinessname@gmail.com account to get started (not a personal gmail account). Make sure you keep business and personal separate, that way it’s all in a neat package to hand over if you decide to sell the business in future.

Once that’s done, head over to Google Business Profile, sign in and work your way through the process. Add your long business description in (see, we told you it would come in handy), your logo and some photos of your business to get started.

Ask for reviews and referrals

Once your Google Business Profile and social media channels are ready to rock and roll, ask your customers for reviews. Make it easy by sharing a link in your email footer or by emailing your clients with a special thank you that includes links to each review page once a project is finished.

Join your local Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce

We know it can feel a little awkward putting yourself out there, especially when you’re a sole trader. Fear not! Kit, Tina and the executive committee at Ipswich Chamber are a friendly and extremely hard-working team that love to support business in Ipswich. Meeting other small business owners who are going through the same things as you can inspire you and help you to not feel alone on your new business journey. To sign up and find out more about their membership benefits visit the Ipswich Chamber website.

Add a FREE listing on shopipswich.com.au

Another fantastic initiative by Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce. You don’t have to be a member to have your business listed. Visit Shop Ipswich to get started. Have your logo, some images and your long description ready (see we told you it would come in handy).

Enter the Ipswich Region Business Excellence Awards

Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce host this gala event annually and it’s growing significantly each year. This event celebrates the best in Ipswich business and is open to businesses of any size. There are currently 14 categories. You need to be operation for at least 12 months before entering the awards. The winner and finalists of each category get major exposure across social media and traditional media coverage. Submissions normally open around March each year, visit the Ipswich Chamber website for more information.

WORDS OF ADVICE

Competition is good – so don’t freak out! We wouldn’t see the amazing world records set at sporting arenas around the world if people weren’t striving to improve their personal bests. The same applies to business. We’re not talking about undercutting the competition, that’s bad business, undermines the value of everyone’s services and won’t help anyone in the long run.

Run your own race - be inspired to stay at the top of your game, identify new and innovative ways to do business. Focus on what makes your business unique and the benefits your customers have when purchasing from and working with you.

Collaborate! Seeing other businesses as rivals, whether they are in the same industry as you or not, isn't healthy or productive. Instead, try to be open and approachable to opportunities that may come your way to collaborate.

You may be surprised to know that our business regularly collaborates with other Ipswich based marketing businesses to deliver large scale projects. Collaboration creates wonderful opportunities when your mission and values align.

Take charge – work on your business and reap the rewards! You’re not someone’s employee – the buck stops with you. Be proactive and take charge by making the big decisions that affect your businesses success swiftly. You’re talented and you’re backing yourself - go you! Know what your expertise, capabilities and efficiencies are and use them to your advantage. If you’re struggling to promote your business, engage Media Operandi Creative Agency, your Ipswich marketing professionals, just like you would engage an accountant to keep your financials in order.