So you have an idea, you’ve chosen a company name, you’ve pitched it to a few friends, you’ve spent and made some money, but don’t know where to go from here.

Will you start applying for grants? Are you attending a pitch competition? Or do you just need to expand geographically?

Starting a company can be thrilling, yet nerve wrecking. You ride the high of “finally doing it” and get that sickening pit in your stomach of “what if it fails”. So let me help.

Your first step should be a complete analysis of what your company is and what you want it to become. What resources do you have to make it successful and what are your shortcomings. How do you plan to stand out from your competition. What makes you better and why should I choose you? – This information becomes part of your Executive Summary.

The next step will be looking at your growth. Can you do it on your own, or do you need additional funding. How much money do you intend to make? Have you set goals and milestones? There are plenty of companies that can help you find grants to apply for, or you can find them yourself. However, you still need to apply, and that requires more documents. Some companies require large business plans, while others want items such as a pitch deck. While I am unable to assist in finding grants, I can build your profile and write all of the materials needed for your application. If you are self-funded, you may not need pitch documents, but it is helpful to have a business plan or at least a sales plan.

Now that we’ve established who you are and how you will fund your startup, let’s dive into the visuals of your new business. First you need a logo. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, and doesn’t even need an image. It can merely be your company name in a specific font written a specific way and that is how it will always appear. With your logo, you need to choose company colors and establish a theme (See Brand Development). While it may sound silly, you may also want to choose a standard font that all of your marketing materials will be written in. This will keep your text from clashing with your logo.

So your business is set. You have everything ready for your big launch, but no one knows about it or where to find the information. “I tried to Google it, but couldn’t find it.” Let’s get you online! Developing and keeping up with your online presence is huge. It’s about staying relevant, showing growth, providing information, and letting your potential customers know you are still in business. This can be done across various different platforms such as your website and social medias (See Marketing). These are the building blocks for your marketing and advertising efforts.

Every Marketing Plan requires knowing your target audience (See Client Targeting) and creating goals. There is always a way to track ROI, even if the goal is brand awareness. It is important to always have a clear call to action, contact information, and a place they can find more information (such as a website or physical location). Don’t forget about business cards! These should be handed out every time you mention your business.

Starting your new business is exciting! Don’t let the stress and uncertainty of launching it hold you back. I have built many startup packages; developed processes; established online presence; created startup logos; assisted with color, font, and theme designs; created and implemented marketing plans; and helped with business development. Contact me today to discuss what your company needs and we can work together towards success!