What you should be doing 3 months before your business launch.

February 12, 2020 Seneca Williams, LMHC

Before your business launch, there’s lot’s of work to do!

So, you’re finally ready to register your business and you’re praying it will be a success.

In business, sometimes you only have one chance to make an impression.

Sometimes the fear of failure will creep in, but it’s important to stay focused on the excitement of being your own CEO!

I really wish I knew, what I should have been doing, BEFORE launching my business in 2015. As a result of not knowing what to do, I ended up having to re-launch my business in 2017, the right way. I did what most people do, tried to wing it. So I registered and launch, but NO ONE knew I was selling anything, so I didn’t make any money.

Don’t let this happen to you!

Most people assume that opening a business is easy, that you just have to announce it’s open or just launch it and people will show up.

It doesn’t work like that unless you are a HIGHLY recognized brand like McDonald’s or Burger King.

Even these franchise giants, announce their grand opening weeks or months before, by mailing fliers and coupons throughout the neighborhood.

You need to spend time getting ready and working out all the possible kinks before you get your first client.

The best time to figure out flaws in your business model, is during the practice, not during the game.

You’ll get paid when preparation, meets opportunity.

Back in 2010, I used to have a job as an outreach coordinator for a national research study.

The job required me to speak and promote the research study, by attending community board meetings, visit different neighborhood associations and sometimes make phones calls or go door to door.

Who would’ve known that I would one day use these skills in my own business one day. These are networking and outreach skills. This job was preparation.

Today, I attend networking events, I speak at conferences and do consultations as a means to get new clients.

The preparation from my old job, has allowed me the opportunities to connect with paying clients, who need the help of my services.

3 Month Business Launch Goals

Planning

Hopefully, before you have chosen your business name and registered your business, you’ve done your research! You’ve researched your target market, you’ve researched your business model, you’ve researched your competitors.

Prior to your business registration, you should also have at least completed the first draft of your business plan. This includes your daily operations, your systems, marketing plan, sales funnels, costs and prices for your services.

Exposure

This is very important. Everyone, needs to know that you have a business. This can be scary, especially if you’re trying to hide from your old classmates, your exes, your in-laws or your “haters”. This means it’s time to break out of your shell and start sharing!

Volunteer

If you want to test out your ideas, get experience, practice what you plan to offer, you can volunteer with your target population. You can also shadow someone else with an established business as an apprentice. Create a list of 3 places you can volunteer and get practice.

Networking

Start sharing your mission and vision in casual conversation with everyone. Start attending business meetups, conferences, events.

You have to start informing people and bringing attention to what’s coming. A lot of your business will come from networking, word of mouth and social media.

Social media awareness

Promote your mission and vision, through social media posts, your articles, blogs, videos about your mission and building yourself an e-mail list.

If you don’t have your own original content in the beginning that’s fine. You can share other people’s content, their articles, blogs, quotes, videos, but add your own take on it, add your own commentary, your two cents. Share how it relates to the services you will be providing.

Free focus groups or consultations

You should already know your target market, so you can plan a workshop or structured event for them to get a “sample”. This can be in person or virtual (free or minimal fee).

If you want to do something in person, choose a free conference room, library or coffee shop. If you have a virtual business, you can do free online webinars or free consultation calls.

Get feedback

Ask anyone you volunteered with, anyone from your focus groups or consultations for their feedback.

You can get this from posting questions on your social media, sending online surveys and asking for testimonials.

Now, of course these are things you can do well before 3 months of your launch and you need to continue doing them after you launch.

You are now prepared to go out and Conquer your calling!

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About The Author:

Seneca Williams, LMHC, CPC, therapist and coach, is the Founder of the premiere membership network for women, to address entrepreneurship and emotional wellness. The Conquer Network was birthed, when she realized the distinct connection between an entrepreneurs success to her emotional wellness and mindset, which is not addressed in traditional business coaching. She helps women entrepreneurs, build confidence and improve their emotions, to improve their productivity as an entrepreneur. In the network, entrepreneurs gain strategies on personal growth and entrepreneurship from industry experts.