Founder, Renegade Planner: Business Plans for Non-Conformists | Equity Crowdfunding Enthusiast | Pitch Deck + Business Plan Writer | Start-Up Coach and Strategist.
Helping you create business plans and pitch decks that crush your funding goals
Market research making your head spin? Financial forecasts leaving you cursing? Your business plan doesn't have to be such a grueling task. My Ideal customer approach makes business plan writing simple, useful and dare I say...a little fun? Let's talk about it.
I think there's a huge educational gap for retail investors and the crowdfunding platforms are positioned well to resolve it. You can market your platform the way you would any other web site - define the target group you want to bring to your platform, and then use proven online marketing strategies to reach them. That could include Facebook ads, webinars, guest posting, partnerships, SEO and other tactics.
When these people reach your site, educate them about how to invest in the equity crowdfunding model. Don't make them believe equity crowdfunding is a get rick quick model - show them how patience and brand alliance can help small businesses succeed and celebrate the role they will play in that.
Hi there, this is a service I offer directly and I'd be happy to help you on a call.
It's great that you're asking for this support - it's important to get someone to look at your business plan objectively as it often brings up ideas you haven't thought of and it can really boost your strategy. Did you create the plan by yourself, or with a partner? Having a potential customer read it can also help, too.
Definitely try Upwork! If you're in the USA, LinkedIn also has a freelancing network you can get involved with.
Check out some in-person networking events where start-ups hang out, and say you're offering inexpensive web design, but in exchange for a great testimonial.
And talk to other service providers, because they often have tight budgets when just starting out.
I'd start by getting really clear about why you want to reach them. These folks are in high demand so you have to hook them with something really compelling in order to get their attention.
Follow their work, retweet it, comment on it and let them know you're adding value for them. Then you can reach out with a bit of a warmer connection.
I'm not a PR person specifically, but I'd be happy to take a call with you to talk more about your strategy for reaching out to media.
Check out what Vio.ca is doing in this space - truly innovative.
Also look at WeTransfer and Xoom - not sure if they will specifically work for you, but there are quite a few companies offering similar services and hopefully one of them will handle transfers to Indian accounts. Where are you sending money from? If it's the US, you'll have more options.
What is the daytime working population of the area you'll open up in? Most of your clientele will be people who work or live very close by.
I'd start by identifying the size of the market near you and then estimating how many of those people will choose you over your competitors. If you're offering something totally new and different for this area and demand is high, you shouldn't have much trouble getting people through your door.
With regards to your cost analysis - with any food business, the cost of food is typically about 30-33% of the price you sell it for. Staff often add another 30% and operational expenses, another 30%. You can use this benchmark to set your pricing and then monitor and evaluate as you go.
I have years of experience working with food start-ups on business plans, financials and market research and would be happy to have a call with you.
Do you know people in this industry who can mentor you and help you gather this information?
The answers depend so much on how you want to deliver services, who your customers will be, and whether you have any immediate direct competition.
Assuming you have a solid business concept to work with, the next step is to write a business plan. Through that process you'll discover a lot about your staffing needs, equipment requirements and more. It sounds like you have a lot of research to do - let me know if I can help.
I'm just getting started with Clarity. I have a few free calls booked (I just asked my existing audience if they'd like to book for free) and that should give me a few testimonials.
I've also set my rate to half of what it normally is, to encourage people to book calls. I'll raise it later after I've worked with a few people.
I will follow up with those who book calls if I think they're a good fit for my business plan bootcamp or other programs.
What problems do you see in the world that you can envision a simple solution for?
Businesses always solve a problem for somebody.
On your profile page, go to Ads Manager. There will be an option to create an ad.
That's the simplest way, but you should have a strategy before you do it. Why are you making ads? Who are you trying to reach? What are your advertising goals? If you don't have answers to these, you will just waste your money.
Well, if you really want people to pay you for ad placements, I recommend adding some value to them first - retweet them, add insightful comments to their blogs, share their content, promote their stuff. This also gives you an opportunity to gauge how your audience reacts to it, which gives you clout when you start asking them for money.
But, I'd also caution you around your assumption that paid ad placements will make your business more money. Yes, you get revenue from the advertisers, but if this is a turnoff for your audience, you lose subscribers, no one clicks and advertisers drop off.
The money is in the list - so make sure this is something they want.
I had a very interesting conversation with Jessica! She's been very attentive to my request and was able to shed lights on some industry misconceptions. She can expect another call from me! Thanks again Jessica
Jessica was a great sounding board. I truly appreciate the expertise and knowledge she shared with me. I now feel ready to go and tackle my operations manual in order to allow my company, Sensational Shakes, to grow and grow! Thank you Jessica!
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