Test, Test, Test and Forget the Rest (for now): Taking One Business Idea Forward

When we are thinking about starting a business we are buzzing with ideas and feel overwhelmed with what idea to take forward. It is at this point we can get stuck in analysis paralysis when is called for is a ‘fail fast and fail forward’ mindset. In other words, you have to start somewhere to get somewhere so pick one idea that excites you, can utilise your skills set and start up in a time and financial efficient way.  Focus and moving forward is what is called for here.

So apart from canvassing family and friends and tapping into books, podcasts and other resources how can you test if there is a market to buy your goods and at what price point?

To start your business journey online you can use social media to support your ‘ideation’ stage in 4 ways:

 

1.     Engage in social listening. Join Facebook groups and Twitter threads and conversations on interest groups for your product/service or groups that are likely to be your audience. Facebook is great for the latter where you can get to listen in be of help in answering people’s problems and post your question to help you with product/service research.

 

2. Do an online poll or survey – Twitter and Facebook are great ways to share polls and surveys to canvas people’s opinions and find their A or B preferences. If you keep them short and write questions in ways that can help you take one product or service forward, this can be a useful way to start a conversation with potential customers.

 

3.       Presell your idea – have a product or service that you have not made yet but need the finances to do so? Some entrepreneurs presell their idea through a Facebook or Instagram page to gauge if people will pay for it. When they have enough people signed up to make it financially viable, bingo they go into production stage.

 

 

4.        Social media shop – feeling bold and confident about your product/service? You could set up an e-commerce shop on Facebook or Instagram. The affordable paid advertising on both platforms means you can broaden your reach and raise your brand awareness whilst experimenting with your start-up business idea before moving formally over to a website.

 

 

Thinking about starting a side business?

The Business of Life is part of the 3Cs Digital brand whose vision and mission it is to inspire and empower women to start and grow successful small businesses with confidence.  

 

As well as the blog, The Business of Life has a *5 Steps to Side Business Success’ 12 week 1:1 coaching programme to take women over 40 from idea to income. It is conducted online so you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

 

So, if you are a looking to diversify your work portfolio and income stream; and create more freedom, flexibility and financial income so that you are empowered to live a life full of passion, purpose and prosperity book a free 30-minute coaching call today.

 

Have a business already? Need support in starting and developing it online?

3Cs Digital is a web marketing service dedicated to helping women in business set up and develop their online presence. Through educational resources, coaching or consultancy services in web design, copywriting and social media marketing  3Cs Digital equips women in business with the digital know how and skills to create and design websites, find their brand voice and curate social media posts to attract their ideal customers.