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by George Schaefer, Score.org Certified Mentor & CMStotheMAX |
AI Generated & then Augmented
Practical Strategies for Starting A Successful Business

It takes more than a great idea to start a successful business. It needs careful planning, the ability to think strategically and the flexibility to change. This article gives entrepreneurs ten useful tips to help them overcome the tricky parts of starting and growing their businesses and build a strong base for long term success.
Conduct Thorough Market Research –Market study is essential to know how your business fits into the world. It helps you figure out who your ideal customers are. Find out what they want and what they need. Look into what your rivals have to offer. Look into market trends to find chances and risks.
Use polls, conversations and online study to find out things. Your choices will be based on what you’ve learned. Make your product or service better by using what you’ve learned. Make sure your marketing is targeted to reach the right people. You can better set up your business for success if you know more.
Develop A Solid Business Plan–A well thought out business plan (marketing, financial & operational) is like a road map. It spells out your business goals and how you plan to achieve them. First write down your goal and strategy. Give a full explanation of your service or goods. Consider your target market and your competitive edge.
Having a marketing plan first, will help you avoid major business mistakes.
Making financial plans is very important. Make rough guesses about your startup costs, sales projections and break-even points. Investors will be interested in your plan and it will help you make choices. Regularly look over and make changes to your plan. Change it as your company grows. Your chances of success go up if you have a good business plan.
Choose the Right Business Structure–Picking the proper business form is very important for legal and financial reasons. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and corporations-C&S are all common choices. Each building type has pros and cons. Setting up a sole business is simple. Partnerships let people share resources and duties. LLCs protect you from responsibility.
Corporations give you more options when it comes to growth. Talk to a lawyer to fully understand what is going on. Think about tax responsibility and how the business is run. Having the proper framework will protect your assets and boost your reputation. Pick carefully for a strong base.
Build A Strong Brand Identity–A strong brand personality is what makes your business stand out. As a first step, set your brand beliefs and purpose. Think about what makes your company different. Create an image that people will remember and pick company colors that appeal to them. Create a style that you use consistently in your writing.
In today’s digital world you must have an exciting web profile. Get to know your fans on social media. Tell your story and show off your goods. Customers will stick with a firm name. It makes people trust and recognize you. Spend some time making your business stand out.
Implement Effective Marketing Strategies–To attract people you need marketing tactics that work. First figure out who you want to reach. Digital marketing tools like SEO and social media can be used to get them. Make material that is useful and meets their needs. Old fashioned ways of selling still work.
An aggressive referral program for customers, suppliers, friends/family, related businesses, out of the area competitors and for non-profit fundraisers will be a major plus
Flyers parties and networking can promote local talk. Regularly check how your marketing is working. Look at what works and make changes to your plans. Use what your customers say to improve your business. Consistent and exciting marketing makes you more visible, boosts sales and expands your business.
Focus on Customer Experience–Putting the customer experience first makes them happy and dedicated. Start by giving excellent service to your customers. Be sure to teach your team how to be helpful and friendly. Use polls and reviews to get people to provide you with feedback. Use this information to improve your services. Make encounters with people feel unique to make them feel valued.
A good experience makes people more likely to buy from you again. Use membership programs to thank customers who stick with you. It is important to build lasting ties. When people are happy, they tell others about your brand and your business. Focus on giving your customers moments they’ll never forget.
Manage Finances Wisely–Managing money is vital for a business to stay in business. First make a budget to keep track of your money coming in and going out. Keep track of all of your cash activities. This process will be more straightforward if you use financial tools. Check your bank records often. It helps you figure out your cash flow and how profitable you are.
Set goals for your money and keep track of your progress. Be ready for costs that you didn’t expect. You should get help from a financial expert. Brilliant money handling is essential for keeping your business going. It lets you put money into things that will help you grow.
Build A Reliable Network–Networking is an excellent way for businesses to grow. Talk to other business owners and people who work in your field. Go to classes, gatherings and events to meet new people. Building relationships can lead to helpful agreements and collaborations. Find teachers who can help you and give you advice.
Use social networking sites like LinkedIn to get to know more people. Share your ideas and tools with other people to get involved. When you have a good network, you can find chances. It will also make you more well-known and trustworthy in your area. Spend time making relationships that matter.
Stay Adaptable and Open to Change–Being able to change is essential for long term success. Markets and consumer tastes can change very quickly. Keep up with changes and trends in your business. Be willing to hear what your customers and workers have to say. To stay competitive, you should often review your business plans and make changes as needed.
Accept and use new tools and methods. Being adaptable lets you take advantage of chances and get past problems. Make your team a place where new ideas are welcomed. Help people think creatively and solve problems. A business that can change is more likely to be solid and ready for it.
Conclusion
To start a successful business, you must carefully plan and carry out your actions. The market study helps you figure out who your customers are. A good business plan shows you the way. Picking the right arrangement will protect your interests. Building a solid name makes you known.
Marketing that works attracts customers. Prioritizing the customer experience makes them more loyal. Sustainability depends on smart money management. Networking can lead to new possibilities. Being flexible helps you prepare for new tasks. Use these tactics to improve your chances of succeeding.
Link Section
Suggested Places to open an free account
Gmail.com – Gives you access to many free Google Products
Outlook.com – Gives you access to many free Microsoft products
Invideo.io – Outstanding AI video creator
Fiverr.com – Quality low price services
Other to sign up too
Facebook – The most popular social media expecially for folks over 40 years old
Youtube – 2nd to Google is searches and growing fast as folks don’t like AI in searches
Linkedin – A business focus social media platform
Google Voice – Gives a free phone number with transcription
Google Alerts – Have Google email you about topics you are interested in
Grammarly – Spell checker on everything including posts
Canva.com – Free advertising material generator
ChatGPT – Open AI Version 3.5 – Personal assistant and much more
Copilot – Microsoft’s version of ChatGPT 4
Gemini – Google’s version of ChatGPT
Hubspot – Great marketing tips and resources
Jotform – Internet Forms & Cellphone Apps
Quotationtemplates.net – Free Quotation Forms
Upwork
– Quality low price services
SCORE Resources
7 Ways to Grow Your Real Estate Business | SCORE
Pros and Cons of Forming a Series LLC for Real Estate Invest
Paste in a browser site:score.org & add your business type or subject
Score Mentor Industry Specialist Links
Real Estate Mentors or
Browse for a mentor
Top Facebook Related Groups
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Largest Facebook Groups |
Members |
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137,000 |
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60,000 |
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44,000 |
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32,000 |
Related Businesses
https://mediahubnation.com/2024/04/28/real-estate-related-businesses/
https://www.xlbusinessbrokers.com/real-estate-related-businesses-for-sale-in-florida/
Unique Selling Proposition USP
https://carrot.com/blog/unique-selling-proposition/
https://www.followupboss.com/blog/unique-selling-proposition-real-estate
https://begreight.com/real-estate-usp/
Business Name Ideas
Business Name Generator – Create Business Name Instantly
45 Creative Real Estate Company Names (+ Generator) – The Close
300+ real estate business names and ideas to inspire yours
Grant Portals
- www.careportal.org
- www.energy.gov/scep/energy-future-grants
- www.federalgrants.com
- www.fema.gov
- www.grants.ca.gov (Calif only)
- www.grantsforus.io
- www.thegrantportal.com
- www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A
- www.USA.gov
- www.candid.org (non-profits only)
- www.fundsforngos.org
- www.mbda.gov/financial-resources/grants (minorities)
- www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/grants.html (Seniors only)
- www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cfi/resources/
- www.grantsforwomen.org (Women only)
- www.grantify.io
- www.sba.gov/funding-programs
- http://www.galaxyofstars.org
Google Recommended Alerts (www.google.com/alerts)
- Grants {your County or State}
- {your type of product or service} Grants
- {your type of product or service} NOFO
- {your type of product or service} Grant “application open”
- {your type of product or service} Foundation Grant
- {your type of product or service} “Funding opportunity”
- {your type of product or service} “Announces funds”
- {your type of product or service} “Notice of Intent”
- {your type of product or service} “Letter of Intent”
- {your type of product or service} RFQ {in your Area Code or County}
- {your type of product or service} RFQ {in your Area Code or County}
- {your type of product or service} {in your Area Code or County}
- {your type of product or service} Inkind
- {each of your major suppliers}
- {each of your major customers}
- {your main competitor}
- {the industry leader preferably in your state}
- {your industry’s main magazine}
- {your industry’s trade association}
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{your local chamber of commerce}
Top Facebook Related Groups (copy and paste in a browser)
Facebook Groups – site:facebook.com/groups {your business type}
Facebook Groups – Grants – site:facebook.com/groups grants
Facebook Groups – In Your Area Code – site:facebook.com/groups {area code}
Facebook Groups – Business for Sale – site:facebook.com/groups {business for sale}
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Top Facebook Related Groups (copy and paste in a browser)
-
Facebook Groups – Your Business Type – site:facebook.com/groups {your business type}
Facebook Groups – Grants – site:facebook.com/groups grants
Facebook Groups – In Your Area Code – site:facebook.com/groups {area code}
Facebook Groups – Business for Sale – site:facebook.com/groups {business for sale}
Youtube Links
Paste in a browser site:youtube.com & add your business type
Fiverr Links or Uptime.com or Guru.com
Targeted Niche eMail Lists under $20
eMail Designers under $20
Bulk eMail Senders under $30
Logo Designers under $20
Grant Finders under $40
Grant Writers under $40
eBay.com Links or Fiverr.com or Uptime.com
Multiple Income Sources
Website Templates
Website Hosting-Reseller
Other Links
Free Forever Resources & Tools
Quotationtemplates.net – Free Quotation Forms
Licenses & Permits-Calif
Contracts – Jotform – Legalcontracts – Deedsign
Common Mistakes to Avoid {your business type enclosed with quote marks}
Industry Magazine
{your business type enclosed with quote marks}
Trade Association {your business type enclosed with quote marks}
Insurance Needs – Forbes.com – SBA.gov – Score.org
Marketing Your Business {your business type enclosed with quote marks}
This is not intended as legal advice; for more information
For more information, email George Schaefer at or https://tinyurl.com/SCOREIE
All rights reserved but permission to use this can be requested Use at cmstothemax.com
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