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01-12-2006, 07:00 AM | #2 |
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I was offering some advice over at the flying solo forums earlier today and it made me think that the way other learn is from other peoples or their own mistakes.
For example, if you stopped trying to ride a bike as soon as you fell off, you would never learn to ride that bike.. business is the same. So, lets offer some advice to others that we have learnt along the way, and hopefully help others not repeat the same mistake. As per the advice I gave the chap who wanted to start his t-shirt business, my advice is to not over capitalise without understanding your market. Ask yourself these questions; - Would the market you target buy your product over your competitors, why? what is so good an unique about your product? what is your USP (unique selling point)? - Have you researched your market and asked them if they would buy your product, rather than just a hunch? And I don't mean ask friends of family, ask strangers, potential purchasers, shops that sell your idea/product targeted to your market.. The key to a successful startup is understanding your market, what they want, how they want to get it, and how they want to pay for it. - and then give them just that! |
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02-09-2006, 07:00 AM | #3 |
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02-12-2006, 07:00 AM | #4 |
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10-08-2006, 07:00 AM | #7 |
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08-10-2012, 02:39 AM | #8 |
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I have started my own blog to share my experiences with everyone Aspiring Entrepreneur!
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09-21-2012, 01:50 PM | #10 |
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09-21-2012, 01:54 PM | #11 |
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My mistake was not understanding about websites and not knowing what design I want for my website. I wasted $3k on a site. Once it got launched I realised it wasnt shopping friendly. Threw it completely away as the developer was inhouse and using their own program. I spent another $3k with a freelance website designer from overseas. I want to make upgrades to my site but Australian designers cost too much and overseas designer can be hard to communicate with. Im still battling through this issue right now.
So my word of advice is do your research, look around for your ideal website, take your time in choosing a website designer and find a reliable designer who is going to be there to support you in the long run. |
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09-21-2012, 03:05 PM | #12 |
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09-21-2012, 04:16 PM | #13 |
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Hi there,
I think the biggest mistake I have made several times in the past is in NOT THINKING BIG ENOUGH. I now try to see mistakes as valuable lessons. The more you make the more success you will have Check out this video. I am sure some of you have seen it, but it is very inspiring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLN2k0b3g70 Cheers, |
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09-21-2012, 09:13 PM | #18 |
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In the early days, it had to be not tying customers into a binding contract and getting knocked for money on my writing. I only have two customers on my books that aren't contracted now because I've learned to recognise the goods guys, the bad guys and everything else inbetween. One is an Australian client who made all the right noises in the very first mail I received from him and I knew he was the real deal straight away. Earned my respect within seconds and our business relationship has never looked back.
The other is an English lad who went out of his way to review a single project I completed for him on an advanced payment agreement despite the fact I never asked him to do it. He's not only a customer, but has also grown into a close personal friend. Everybody else gets the standard contract. It protects my work, guarantees my income and sends the rip-off merchants running to the hills. |
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09-21-2012, 11:41 PM | #20 |
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Biggest mistake I made was to keep an unproductive employee on for the sake of needing someone there rather than do a few more hours a day myself. Cost me alot of money, time and a customer that was with me for 6 years.
After losing that customer I woke up to myself and let him go and now business is great with my own interest rekindled in the business. I got lazy and started to lose a bit of interest. |
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