Entrepreneur

75 Startup Secrets

• A solid plan can help you start off strong and stay that way.

• 1-Before putting pen to paper, research resources and tools that can help.

• 2- Back up your concepts with numbers.

• 3- Be realistic when making projections.

• 4- At minimum, include monthly cash-flow projections for the first year.

• 5- Pay special attention to marketing.

• 6- Don\'t assume.

• 7- Find the perfect match.

• 8- Identify different segments.

• 9- Use free market-research tools.

• 10- Service, service, service.

• 11- Think marketing.

• 12- Scan the competition.

• 13- Get brainstorming.

• 14- Check for negative connotations.

• 15-  Check for trademarks.

• 16- Consider your appetite for liability.

• 17- Consider access to capital.

• 18- Think about your tolerance for paperwork.

• 19- Know the tax implications.

• 20-Think ahead.

• 21- Account for it.

• 22- Bundle up.

• 23-Narrow them down.

• 24-Build a relationship.

• 25-Consider self-financing.

• 26-Try stakeholder financing.

• 27- Look to friends and family.

• 28- Look to suppliers.

• 29- Include your landlord in your financing plans.

• 30-Wait until you have some operating history before you approach banks.

• 31- Know your market.

• 32-Gather some data.

• 33-Think like the competition.

• 34- Take to the streets.

• 35-Ask questions.

• 36-Start with a network.

• 37-Get dedicated internet access.

• 38-Get anti-virus protection.

• 39- Back it up.

• 40-Don\'t buy your computers piecemeal.

• 41-Buy printers that meet your needs.

• 42-Know when to get outside help.

• 43-Plan for the future.

• 44-Ask an expert.

• 45-Think about the kinds of risks you\'ll be exposed to, such as property loss.

• 46-Carefully consider your liability.

• 47-Shop around.

• 48-Don\'t become complacent, even if you have insurance.

• 49-Stay alert for new threats or possibilities you may not have considered.

• 50-Do the paperwork.

• 51-Know what you\'re looking for.

• 52-Deepen your talent pool.

• 53-Know how to interview people.

• 54-Orient and motivate.

• 55-Give them a reason to believe.

• 56-Articulate the message.

• 57-Choose the message before the medium.

• 58-Testing, testing.

• 59-Plan for the long term.

• 60-Know yourself.

• 61-Celebrate the "nos."

• 62-Find out why.

• 63-Plan for cycles.

• 64-Educate the customer.

• 65-Educate the customer.

• 66-Do a cash-flow projection.

• 67-Open a checking account for your business.

• 68-Seek professional assistance.

• 69-Start a relationship with a bank, even if you don\'t yet need or want a loan.

• 70-If you plan to sell your business someday, take extra care to keep good records.