Important How-To Tutorials for Every Small Business Owner
By Alyssa Gregory, About.com Guide
Starting a small business typically involves a lot of moving parts. In fact, time management can quickly become a challenge for entrepreneurs who are digging into the business start-up process for the first time.
I compiled a list of 10 of the most important steps involved in starting a business, and broke them down into easy-to-follow tutorials. Use this guide to make sure you’re focusing your attention on the most important stages of starting a business, and find out what you need to know so you can streamline your work for each of those steps.
1. How to Start a Business1
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Let’s start at the very beginning. This guide walks you through all of the necessary steps involved in starting a business. Once you complete each step outlined in the article, you will be ready to announce your new small business to the world. Read the article4.
More on starting a business:
2. How to Set Small Business Goals8
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Your business may not be going anywhere if you don’t take time to set goals before you get started. This guide to small business goal setting has everything you need to make sure you know what you want to accomplish with your business. Read the article11.
More on small business goal setting:
3. How to Name a Business15
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Choosing a business name is an important, and often underestimated, part of starting a business. These articles will walk you through the process of how to name a business, share a few important things to consider, and provide tools to help you overcome your business-naming challenges. Read the article18.
More on naming your business:
4. How to Write a Simple Business Plan22
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All business owners need a plan that will help them achieve their goals. The goods news is that creating a business plan for your small business may be much easier than you think. This simplified tutorial walks you through the process. Read the article25.
More on business planning:
5. How to Incorporate Your Business29
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There are several different business structures you can choose for your small business, and one of the hardest decisions to make is whether or not to incorporate. If you have determined that a corporation is the right structure for your business, follow these seven steps to become incorporated. Read the article32.
More on incorporating your small business:
6. How to Create a Marketing Plan35
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This marketing plan tutorial is broken down into 10 key questions you need to answer. Once you have completed each step by answering each question, you will have a marketing plan that you are ready to use as a blueprint for your marketing activities in your small business. Read the article38.
More on small business marketing:
7. How to Write a Unique Selling Proposition42
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A unique selling proposition (USP) is a statement that succinctly outlines how your business is different from the competition. This four-step exercise will help you write a unique selling proposition for your new business. Read the article45.
More on small business sales:
8. How to Prepare an Elevator Pitch49
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An elevator pitch is a short overview of your business, products or services, and is typically used in business settings such as face-to-face networking. Here is a step-by-step process for creating an effective and powerful elevator pitch. Read the article52.
More on small business networking:
9. How to Create a Mobile Office56
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Most small business owners are no longer tethered to their desks in order to do their work. Many of us can work from anywhere, provided we have access to the right technology. If you are ready to take your business on the road, follow this guide to create an operational mobile office that allows you to work from anywhere. Read the article59.
More on small business offices and technology:
10. How to Delegate and Grow Your Small Business63
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Delegation is one of the most important parts of growing a business; it can also be very difficult to learn. This article walks you through the process of learning how to delegate and let go so your small business can thrive. Read the article66.
More on small business delegation and growth:
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