There’s no shortage of advice out there on how to start a startup. But most of it is bad. And even the good advice is often conflicting, leaving entrepreneurs confused and uncertain about what they should do.
The problem with most advice on startups is that it’s either too general or too specific. It’s either so vague that it’s not really useful, or it’s so detailed that it only applies to a very narrow range of businesses.
What entrepreneurs need is something in between practical, actionable advice that will help them avoid the common mistakes that lead to startup failure. And that’s exactly what this guide aims to provide.
If you’re serious about starting a startup, this is the guide for you. Let’s get started.
What to do after you incorporate your startup
After you incorporate your startup, the next step is to get your business registered with the government. This will allow you to start collecting taxes and comply with regulations.
You should also start thinking about how you’re going to market your business. This includes creating a branding strategy, developing a website, and building a social media presence.
And finally, it’s important to put together a financial plan. This will help you track your expenses, set aside money for taxes, and make sure that you have enough cash flow to keep the business afloat.
The three biggest mistakes that startups make
1. Failing to validate their business idea
The first mistake that many startups make is failing to validate their business idea. They assume that because they have a great idea, people will automatically want to use their product or service.
But the truth is, no one knows whether your idea is good or not until you put it out there and see if people actually use it. The best way to do this is to create a minimum viable product (MVP) and get feedback from potential customers.
2. Building the wrong team
Another common mistake startups make is building the wrong team. This can happen in two ways: either they bring on co-founders who aren’t committed to the business, or they try to do everything themselves.
The first scenario is often the result of not having a clear vision for the business. If you’re not sure what you want your startup to achieve, it’s hard to know who you should bring on board.
The second scenario is more common among first-time entrepreneurs. They think they need to save money by doing everything themselves, but in reality, this just leads to them being spread too thin and not being able to focus on the things that matter most.
3. Raising too much money too soon
The third mistake that startups make is raising too much money too soon. This can be tempting if you have rich friends or family members who are willing to invest large sums of money in your business.
But the truth is, most startups don’t need a lot of money to get started. In fact, raising too much money can actually be more harmful than helpful, because it gives you a false sense of security and can make you complacent.
How to validate your business idea
The best way to validate your business idea is to create an MVP and get feedback from potential customers. An MVP is a minimum viable product that is designed to test whether people are actually interested in using your product or service.
Creating an MVP doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It can be as simple as creating a landing page with a sign-up form, or developing a basic prototype of your product.
The important thing is to get feedback from potential customers as soon as possible. This will help you validate your business idea and make sure that you’re on the right track.
How to build a great team
Building a great team starts with having a clear vision for your business. Once you know what you want to achieve, it’s much easier to identify the people who can help you get there.
It’s also important to remember that not everyone needs to be a co-founder. In many cases, it’s better to bring on consultants or advisors who can help with specific areas of expertise.
And finally, don’t be afraid to let go of people who aren’t working out. It’s better to have a smaller team of committed individuals than a large team of people who aren’t fully invested in the business.
How to raise money from investors
If you’re looking to raise money from investors, the first step is to create a pitch deck. This is a presentation that explains your business idea and why it’s worth investing in.
Your pitch deck should be around 10-15 slides, and it should cover topics like your business model, your target market, your competitive landscape, and your financial projections.
Once you have your pitch deck ready, you can start reaching out to potential investors. It’s important to remember that not all investors are the same, so you’ll need to tailor your pitch to each one.
