How To Grow Your Startup Quickly and Successfully

While it might seem like a daunting task to grow your startup quickly and successfully, there’s no reason you can’t.  Many entrepreneurs get “stuck” while trying to grow because they are scared of making the wrong decisions and are well aware that a third of all startups fail within two years.  Running a startup requires not just a great idea but the ability to adapt and scale quickly.  Often, entrepreneurs stay in startup mode for way too long.  If you keep telling people you’re just a startup, you will never grow so you have to think outside the box.  Most entrepreneurs probably have wondered at one point of another how companies like Apple or Nike became worldwide icons and created a massive devoted following.  Their success might seem like a miracle but in truth, it’s not!  It can be duplicated by any new startup if you have the tools to make it work.

First things first.  While it might seem small, it’s really not.  Find a mentor.  Mentors will make your achieve your dreams more quickly.  The best mentors are those who have done before what you yourself are trying to accomplish.  Finding a mentor can be difficult and I’ve discussed it before.  Use all readily available resources: your high school, college or grad school networks, join networking associations, look to former colleagues or bosses or even ask a friend.  Make the relationship casual and show that you have something to offer in return and that the mentorship is a two-way street.

Next, delegate, delegate, delegate.  When you’re in a startup phase, your are handling everything yourself and that can become overwhelming quite quickly and detract you from what you are trying to achieve or even start to lower your morale.  While you might not want to spend the money, it’s smartest to hire at least one employee that can take some of the day-to-day mundane tasks of starting a business off your plate.  Also, it’s a great way to brainstorm and have someone to bounce ideas off of.  Remember, just because it’s your idea doesn’t mean you have to handle it all alone or that sharing it with someone will no longer make it your own.  In fact, it’s just the opposite.  Additionally it’s a misnomer to think that people cost money because, in truth, a lack of production and failure to grow your business costs far more.

Change your pitch.  For example, let’s say you own a website design company, instead of saying: “I own a small web design company,” say “I own a web company like none other.”  There’s a big, big difference there and the way you present yourself to the overall business community is the way you help your company grow and thrive.  The first approach makes you seem small and insignificant.  The second makes you seem unique and confident that you can be a money maker.  Know how to promote yourself in business and be ready to explain quickly and thoroughly, yet concisely, what your company does that makes it better and faster than other competitors already out there.

Create a sense of urgency.  If you start a business venture without setting a specific timeline, then you will get stuck.  One expert says: “Being an entrepreneur is a marathon activity with a lot of sprints.”  If you take it race by race and win, you will give yourself and your company the best gift you possibly can: momentum!  While you don’t want to be overly pushy with new clients or potential investors, it’s still okay to follow up often.  Urgency is key to getting things done.

Get attention and fast!  The single biggest problem every startup faces is not becoming known.  The most important task for your company is to get the word out there.  Try unique marketing strategies.  Get on social media and fast!  Use all your best available resources.  Create a Facebook fan page, Twitter account – even a blog or YouTube channel.  Write articles and get in the daily trades.  Speak at networking events.  Try anything and everything to get your company noticed.

Know what’s most important and then subsequently, pick your battles and wisely.  Don’t get wrapped up for weeks with things as simple as designing a logo that ultimately might not matter in the long run.  As time goes on, your brand will evolve and expand just as your business evolves and expands and so something that might seem as important as the “perfect” logo could change down the road as your message and audience change.  There are more important things that need your pressing attention, such as the obvious like gaining customers and making money.  As someone once told me: “When you are hunting big game, don’t waste time squatting mosquitoes.”

Know your weaknesses and recognize that there’s no shame in having them.  Once you recognize your flaws, you can work towards fixing them and then, compensate for them.  Often, depending on how much effort you put in, of course, a weakness can often become a strength.  As you learn how to tackle them, you learn from them and this can only help your startup grow and thrive in the long-run.

Lastly and most importantly, set deadlines for yourself but, of course, you must adhere to them.  Determine your long-term goals and strategy for your startup.  Write them down or put them in a calendar and set reminders.  As an entrepreneur, you must set guidelines for yourself and always know how far along in the process you are.  Set goals for yourself on a daily basis and review them at the end of each day.  While it’s common to often get immersed in the chaos of starting a new venture, if you put things off, then you will never achieve the goals you originally started out to meet. 

So what have you learned here today?  Have you used some of the advice I’ve given today yourself as an entrepreneur or are there things you disagree with and have done differently?  Leave a comment and let me know.  Let’s start up a conversation and dialogue flow!

Here are some great articles you might want to check out about how to grow your startup quickly and successfully:

“4 Valuable Lessons on Growing Your Startup”: http://technori.com/2013/05/4416-4-valuable-lessons-on-growing-your-startup/

“9 Ways to grow Your Startup Virally”: http://viniciusvacanti.com/2012/02/27/9-ways-to-make-your-startup-grow-virally/

“The One Thing You Absolutely Need to Do to Grow Your Startup”: http://viniciusvacanti.com/2012/02/27/9-ways-to-make-your-startup-grow-virally/

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Until next time…