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5 Steps for Success with Your Mobile App Startup Business

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5 Steps for Success with Your Mobile App Startup Business

So, you’ve got an idea for an app, now you want to start a business……?

Are you sick of the Corporate grind? Global revenue from smartphone apps in 2017 rose, for the first time, to a new high of $88 billion. The forecast is for that value to triple by 2020.

Lured by these conspicuous profits, ever larger number of people are capitalizing on their own ingenious idea, and putting together their own app business, to make the most of the opportunity.

Global mobile app revenue is forecast to continue its exponential growth

Global revenue from apps is forecast to rise in the near future – most additional revenue is coming from in app purchases.

If it’s your first time entering the entrepreneurial arena, you might be wondering how to approach the whole thing. Here are 5 tricks and tips on how to be successful as you build your Mobile App startup and get your first app product to market.

Start your app business with a friend

I’ve started 5 websites and 2 businesses. I have a number of ex-colleagues and friends who have started their own business and exited with a great deal of money. All of us agree that the first thing to do, when you’re starting out on the concept of building your idea, is to do it with a friend.

Entrepreneurship, of any sort is a deeply personal experience. Running your own business will come with long hours, daily defeats and nebulous victories. You will want to share the experience of the good times, lean on someone when things go wrong and, most importantly of all, have someone who understands what it’s like, to talk it through, as you progress.

Many technology investment funds and VCs want to see at least 2 people working on a new technology business. Their thinking is that if you can’t convince one other person, to go in to business with you, then your idea probably isn’t that good.

Do everything mobile

One of the advantages of running your own business, is being able to do it, for the most part, from any physical location. Mobile computing is now every bit as good as the office or desktop equivalent and that means that for techno-nomads, work is now an activity, not a location.

My advice is to spend whatever money on a mobile phone, that’s required to provide you one that you’ll actually use. Make sure it has a big screen and a decent battery. Get yourself a large, affordable,4G mobile data. Now the important bit:be prepared to work 24×7.

The biggest single defining characteristic of successful app business owners is ‘grit’ –the ability to keep going in the face of a setback. If you’re committing to running your own app business, you need to be prepared to take full responsibility for the success of the business, and to work to make that happen – whatever time of the day or night. For years.

Keep it cheap – spend your money on marketing and design

If you haven’t read ‘The Lean Start-up’ then get a copy and read it. It’s a bible for technology business start up companies. It will explain to you in very simple terms how you can do the key thing you need to – build a sustainable business on top of your app idea. Importantly, the book will explain how you can validate your key assumptions without wasting money.

Ries’ The Lean Startup is a must read for anyone starting a mobile app business.

Click on the image to buy this book.

The design of your app is of fundamental performance. It embodies your brand and helps your users achieve their goal with your app. The better designed the app, the more they will achieve their goal (you call that conversion in your business case. People’s expectations of their apps are set by the best apps they use. You’re competing with The Iconic, Amazon.com and Facebook’s app. Spend money on design.

Check in with real customers regularly

Once launched, you will start to check your analytics, regularly. You will quickly come to understand the importance of the analytics you have installed to measure your app – these are a proxy for intelligence about your users and will provide you invaluable information. However, even analytics can’t tell you WHY your user did what they did on that screen at that time.

Regular customer / user testing will help you get behind the analytics reports and establish what is really blocking your users from achieving their aim. Then you can eliminate the obstacle.

Agencies or UX consultants can talk you through how to do this. Also, at the shallow end of the pool, you can show your app to friends and family and provide them a simple task to complete – and see how they get on. If they are confused, your customers almost certainly will be, too.

Think about brand before you start

If you’re a developer or someone who has worked in technical operations for most of your working career, the concept of a brand is probably something that won’t occur to you until you’re well underway. The subject does, however, need deep consideration.

In the early days, the brand you have won’t do you any favours. No-one knows about it yet so it won’t be bringing in a stream of customers. As you grow, however, the subject may need to be re-addressed.

Even a basic brand work up will cost $50,000 or so with a competent consultant. Invest in redefining your brand, as soon as you can afford to. A good consultant will encourage you to consider your product and the market holistically and to position yourself to maintain your growth as sales continue to rise.

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Tips for Startups

Why Your Startup Needs Digital Media

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Startup Needs Digital Media

In today’s rapidly evolving, technology-driven business landscape, digital media has become indispensible for startups striving to carve out a robust online footprint, engage with their intended audience, and stimulate growth. Whether it’s via social media, websites, blogs, or online advertising, digital media bestows upon startups a multitude of advantages capable of profoundly influencing their achievements. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why digital media is imperative for your startup in the current competitive environment.

1. Wider Reach and Visibility:

Digital media allows startups to reach a global audience like never before. With the internet as your platform, your business can be accessible to potential customers from around the world 24/7. This extensive reach can help you expand your customer base and increase brand visibility.

2. Cost-Effective Marketing:

Conventional advertising approaches, like print ads or TV commercials, often pose budgetary challenges for startups with constrained financial resources. Digital media provides affordable marketing alternatives, such as email campaigns and social media marketing. These avenues enable precise targeting of specific demographics, optimizing the effectiveness of your marketing investments.

3. Audience Targeting:

One of the foremost benefits of digital media lies in its capacity for precise audience targeting. By harnessing data-driven analytics and tools, companies like Join the Dots can tailor your messaging and content to align with distinct demographics, interests, and behaviors. This guarantees that your startup’s message reaches precisely the individuals it intends to at the opportune moment.

4. Instant Feedback and Engagement:

Digital media facilitates real-time engagement with your audience. You can interact with customers quickly through social media comments, respond to inquiries via email or live chat, and receive immediate feedback on your products or services. This direct interaction builds customer trust and helps you refine your offerings based on customer input.

5. Brand Building and Credibility:

Having a strong online presence through a well-designed website, active social media profiles, and informative blog content enhances your startup’s credibility and trustworthiness. A professional online presence demonstrates that you are a serious player in your industry, which can attract customers and potential investors.

6. Data-Driven Decision-Making:

Digital media offers invaluable data and analytics tools for monitoring the efficacy of your marketing endeavors. You can gauge metrics like website traffic, click-through rates, conversion rates, and beyond. This approach empowers you to make well-informed decisions, fine-tune your strategies, and allocate resources efficiently.

7. Content Marketing and Thought Leadership:

Through digital media, startups can establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry by creating and sharing informative and valuable content. Blog posts, whitepapers, webinars, and podcasts allow you to showcase your expertise, educate your audience, and build trust over time.

8. Scalability and Flexibility:

Digital media strategies are highly scalable and adaptable. As your startup grows, you can expand your online presence and marketing efforts accordingly. Whether you’re a small team or a rapidly expanding enterprise, digital media allows you to adjust your strategies to meet your evolving needs.

Conclusion

Digital media stands as a fundamental element of success for startups in the contemporary business landscape. Its capacity to reach a broad audience, cost-effectiveness, precision in targeting, and data-driven insights render it an indispensable asset for growth. By embracing digital media and harnessing its benefits, startups can establish a solid foundation for enduring success and confidently navigate the competitive terrain. Whether you belong to the tech startup realm or a traditional brick-and-mortar business, the integration of digital media into your strategy is imperative in today’s digitally-driven world.

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Tips for Startups

Best Product Packaging Strategies For Startups

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Product Packaging Strategies

Hey entrepreneurs, launching a startup can be a lot of work! You stress about funds, operations, and team building. And while you prioritize product development, packaging may take a back seat, right? But did you know that it drives the buying decision for 72% of Americans? That’s surprising, but true.

And it also means that product packaging is one of the ways to stand out and grab customers’ attention in a cutthroat world. That’s a good reason to go the extra mile to nail a strategy. So, if you’re wondering how to make your package pop without breaking the bank, we’ve got some killer tips for your startup.

Here is what you need to know to win an incredible unboxing experience for your customers.

Know your target audience

You’ve got to know your target audience to create a successful product. And the same applies to packaging. Who are you trying to reach and sell? What are their preferences? What would they want in the product package?

By understanding your target customers, you can pick an option that speaks directly to them. For example, if your target audience is health-conscious millennials, choose a minimalist and eco-friendly one that emphasizes your product’s sustainable ingredients.

Focus on customer experience

Your product packaging is more than a pretty face. It’s also about enhancing the customer experience. Think about how you may create a memorable unboxing process.

Consider adding unique features, such as easy-open lids, tear strips, or resealable packages. By making the components easy to access, you get the benefits of brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

Consider what’s inside

That’s a no-brainer because your product determines the packaging material. Things are easy if you sell a single offering, but CBD entrepreneurs may struggle to choose different materials for different products.

For example, you will need a tincture bottle, boxes, mylar bags, cartridges, and tin containers for different items in your portfolio. Additionally, you’ll have to ensure that they are child-resistant and preserve the flavor and aroma of the components.

Be sustainable

As a startup brand, you can gain a lot by joining the sustainability bandwagon, and packaging is a good place to start. Buyers care more than ever about the environmental impact of products and brands.

So eco-friendly packaging options are surely ideal. Prioritize biodegradable materials and minimize excess packaging. It’s the best way to make your offerings pop in a market saturated with competition.

Branding is key

Remember that your packaging is a crucial part of your brand identity. So ensure that it aligns with your company’s values and messaging. It should replicate your brand’s color schemes, fonts, and imagery.

The text labels should also match your brand’s personality and tone. The idea is to remind buyers of your brand every time they see the product on the shelves.

Is packaging a big deal? Yes, it actually is when it comes to the product packaging for your startup. You’ve got to ensure it makes a great first impression and drives a buying decision. Well, there are no shortcuts to winning the packaging game. But you can try these tips to ace it!

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Tips for Startups

What Startups can learn from the Special Forces of Armies around the world

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What Startups can learn from the Special Forces

Startups and special forces of armies may seem to have very little in common. However, upon closer examination, there are several key lessons that startups can learn from these elite military units. Special forces teams are highly trained, flexible, and able to operate in rapidly changing environments. Startups, too, must be able to pivot quickly in response to market changes and evolving customer needs. In this article, we will explore several key lessons that startups can learn from special forces teams.

Lesson 1: Build a strong team

Special forces teams are composed of highly skilled and specialized individuals who work together to achieve a common goal. Similarly, startups must build a strong team of individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds who can work together to bring their products or services to market. A successful startup team should have a mix of technical, business, and creative skills to ensure that all aspects of the business are covered.

Special forces teams also place a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication. They must be able to work together seamlessly, and each member must understand their role and responsibilities within the team. Startups can learn from this by fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication within their team.

Lesson 2: Adapt quickly to changing environments

Special forces teams are often deployed in rapidly changing environments, where they must adapt quickly to new situations and changing conditions. Similarly, startups must be able to pivot quickly in response to market changes and evolving customer needs. This requires a high degree of flexibility and agility, as well as the ability to quickly assess and respond to new information.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mindset of constant adaptation and improvement. They should be willing to experiment and iterate on their product or service, and be open to feedback from customers and other stakeholders.

Lesson 3: Embrace risk and uncertainty

Special forces teams operate in high-risk and uncertain environments, where the stakes are often very high. They must be willing to take calculated risks and make difficult decisions under pressure. Startups, too, must be willing to embrace risk and uncertainty in order to succeed. They must be willing to take chances and make bold moves, even in the face of uncertainty.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mindset of calculated risk-taking. They should be willing to experiment and try new things, while also being mindful of potential risks and taking steps to mitigate them.

Lesson 4: Focus on the mission

Special forces teams are highly focused on achieving their mission, which is often critical to national security. Similarly, startups must be highly focused on their mission and vision, which should guide all of their decisions and actions. This requires a clear understanding of the company’s purpose and goals, as well as a strong sense of commitment to achieving them.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mission-driven approach to their business. They should be clear about their purpose and goals, and ensure that all of their decisions and actions are aligned with these objectives.

Lesson 5: Train and prepare rigorously

Special forces teams undergo rigorous training and preparation in order to be able to perform their duties at the highest level. Similarly, startups must invest in training and preparation in order to build a strong and capable team, and to ensure that they are able to execute on their mission effectively.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by investing in training and development programs for their team members. This includes technical training, as well as leadership and management development. By investing in their team members’ skills and abilities, startups can ensure that they are well-prepared to succeed in a competitive and rapidly changing business environment.

In conclusion, startups can learn a great deal from special forces teams of armies around the world. By building a strong team, adapting quickly to changing environments, embracing risk and uncertainty, focusing on the mission, and training, Startups can achieve goals that may seem impossible at first.

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