Startups are huge these days. It sometimes seems like everyone’s looking to chase their dream, and start a successful company they love. However, it’s one thing to be confident that your business will succeed, and another to expect it to succeed immediately. To keep your feet on the ground (while maintaining enough optimism to keep your head in the clouds), here are some common pitfalls that entrepreneurs run into when they’re trying to get their business going, and some advice on how you can avoid or overcome them.
Starting off too vague
In the world of business, it’s easy to simply think that you want a business that will help people discover their passions and change the world. That’s great, but it’s not clear enough. We’re all looking to change the world and bring about products that will help revolutionize the way people think and interact with one another and their environment. However, if all you can do is come up with vague expressions like “help people find their bliss,” it’s not going to be attractive to investors, and your business could fall flat. The situation could be even worse if you’ve taken out loans to pick up some initial capital, but your idea or business still isn’t picking up momentum.
Ask yourself a few questions. What exactly is your business about? What area will you focus on? What specific product or service do improve or create? Developing a focus is crucial. The more specific it is, the better. Your business needs a solid strategy and a way to implement all of your plans. Investors will be more attracted to your business if the design is clear and detailed.
Trying too hard to produce something new – just do something different
So often there’s pressure to be innovative. You almost feel this expectation to invent flying chairs using drone technology – although that does sound cool.
The real trick is not to come up with something that’s never been done before, but simply to do it in a different way. That’s how creativity usually happens. If you look at the invention of the iPod, you know it wasn’t just pulled out of thin air. After all, people had been making mix tapes and CDs for a long time, and so the market needed something like a tape or a CD that held all of people’s favorite songs, but it also couldn’t be prone to breaking or getting scratched. They even based the design off of a 1958 transistor radio designed by Dieter Rams. Creativity involves utilizing pre-existing elements, connecting them in new ways, and the end result is something fascinating.
It may appear to be new, but you know better – and your product is better for it.
Not working with your team
One of the best investor tips you can receive is to work well with the team you’ve recruited for your startup. Often, in the beginning stage of startups, your team may consist of you and your supportive best friend. Soon you’re recruiting more friends who love you and want to stand by you. However, this is where you need to start working with them and delegating work. Recognize their strengths and work with that. Often you might find that your head is full of ideas, but you can’t execute them without the help of your team.
You need to work with your team in order to show investors that your business is viable and that you offer something that people need. Make sure that you and your team are producing content and working together to achieve a working business. Utilize investment apps so your team will know what they’re working for. All of this will help prove to your potential investor that you mean business.
If you can show investors that you have a clear business idea that is already producing products for consumers, you’re off to a good start. Furthermore, if you can show them that you have a good team that you can work well with and that they are helping this business become a success, potential investors will recognize that and help your business become a success.