10 Simple Things to Do That Builds Value and Attracts Funding to your Small Business
Here are some things you can do correct from the beginning to develop value in your company…it’s like creating “instant equity”! These are critical items if you want to attract capital, are planning to sell your organization some day, want to attract large contracts and joint venture partners or perhaps a high profile individual to your team.
See what you have in location appropriate now, and then plan for the rest:
1. Protect all Intellectual Property (IP) along the way—- Copyrights, trademarks, patents. Make certain you have the chance to create Far more intellectual property as you grow:
A really low price domain service I use is at http://www.snagadomain.com (
I register any name related to my current and future brand and product extensions).
Register your written and/or printed material copyrights at http://www.loc.gov.
For patent and trademark searches go to http://www.uspto.gov
2. Start off constructing a client database ASAP. You can do this even in the course of your formation stage by offering something complimentary to men and women who sign in, or possibly host a contest to speedily develop your list.
three. Seek out and document Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures— Formal relationships with people and Companies who can assist develop your list, bring you new company, be able to offer value to your consumers, and create marketing and advertising exposure for your Company.
4. Generate opportunities for licensing agreements. Let an individual “rent” your intellectual property for a fee OR you may have the opportunity to package your product with someone else’s “brand” on it. EX: A child would rather have a shirt with a Disney character on it than the identical shirt with no character.
five. Systematize all aspects of your business right from the beginning. Every single facet of your organization really should be duplicatable and/or automated. This consists of sales, advertising, operational functions, delivery and the product itself.
6. Will your IP turn into obsolete? Can you update, upgrade or effortlessly develop new items and services around your original IP? Software and personal computer manufacturers do this all the time. This was not the case for gas-lamp lighters when electricity was invented, or for telegraph operators when the telephone was invented. Are you a pc manufacturer or a gas-lamp lighter? Demonstrate that you’ll be able move into other marketplace segments as the marketplace shifts.
7. Whatever your product or service is, seek out opportunities to produce RECURRING REVENUE for your Business, examples would be: Warranty programs, leases, memberships, refills/replacements, usage fees.
8. Have famous, well-respected, and/or high profile folks on your team when achievable or at least employing your merchandise. It’s fantastic for instant visibility and credibility!
9. Issue press releases along the way and produce PR opportunities such as finding written up in magazines when you can. Keep the buzz going at all times. Announce new product launches, new team members, a joint effort with a charity organization, etc.
10. Ask for and document all testimonials, product endorsements, and letters of intent to be able to show to prospective partners and investors. These could be replaced by actual sales contracts and buy orders in the future.
Application of these items requires extremely little effort however will take your business to an additional level.
