5 Simple Steps to See if Your Business is Ready To market
Marketing is essential to growing your new project from idea to success. Though you may be excited to jump headfirst into the waters of marketing, you need to make sure everything else is in order. Once you begin marketing your project, you’re unofficially launching your project into the public eye. So, to make sure you’re ready, here are some questions to ask yourself about your project before you start advertising yourself.
1. Do I have a name for my Business?
Before you can even remotely start marketing your business, it needs a name for others to identify you by. Try seeking out inspiration through research, use keywords that resonate with your idea, or attach your name to the project if you’re feeling bold. Whatever the case, once you have a name the process of making your project real has begun. Registering and trademarking your business/project is what follows after, officially making your idea a recognized venture.
2. Is my website ready?
Whether you’re starting a business, blog, app, YouTube channel, book, or even a music career, you need a website. The site you create will be what your marketing brings people to. There, your vision is displayed and its a means for your audience to learn more about you and provide support. However, first, you have to check that all aspects of your website are prepared, including but not limited to your home page, sections, search bar, contact information, format, etc. Testing all your settings is the best way to know if your website may need some fixing before sending it off.
3. Is my contact information available?
How will people be able to contact you if you don’t have any information? Having a phone number or email is the easiest way to have others contact you about your business. However, make sure that the information publicly provided is professional and not personal. Using your personal information tends to complicate things and you may accidentally answer a client for your business the same way you do with your best friend (awkward!) All this contact information needs to be ready for use and made available somewhere publicly. Furthermore, websites usually have a contact information section at the bottom of pages and it works well.
4. Have I sorted my financial information?
On the business side of things, one of the most important aspects to think about is where clients would pay you. A payment service has to be secured prior to advertising. Apps like Zelle, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, Zenmo, and PayPal are popular digital payment networks which you can consider applying to your payment plan. Or you can also directly link it to your bank account. However you plan to secure your earnings, it needs to be done and if you have a team of employees, consider them as well. Last but not least, all marketing platforms require you to input financial information so they can charge you for advertisements, so this is definitely a must.
5. Am I ready?
This is arguably the most essential question of all. If you’ve said yes to all the questions above then theoretically, you’re prepared to hire a marketing team and push your project out there. Nevertheless, you are the boss, you know your organization better than anyone else. Therefore, if there are remaining issues or simply you feel that more can be done in advance, then pumping the brakes is okay. Give yourself time to organize your project and once you’ve worked out all the details, that’s when you can work toward marketing. In addition, never forget planning is key and mistakes can be prevented by making arrangements.
Those were some questions to ask yourself to find out if you’re ready to market your upcoming project. If there are some things we missed that you believe are important to do before marketing or if you agree and want to tell us your experience, let us know on our instagram (@jpramedia_)!!