If you’re starting a new business, you may be thinking locally or even at a regional level. Of course, if you’re brand new, thinking small isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It helps you maintain control of your business. Yet, what do you do when it’s time to grow?
There Is Global Opportunity for Every Small Business
If you’re in business, there’s a global opportunity that exists. Unless you live under a rock in Siberia, you know about the glorious invention that all of us call the Internet. It connects us with other people like never before. Even if you don’t necessarily plan to establish an online store for your business, the Internet is available for you to use to find your global opportunity. Regardless of your industry, the global opportunity exists.
What Is Global Opportunity?
Global opportunity is largely dependent upon whether you offer a product or a service. If you offer a product, you’ll have to examine global opportunity in a different light. That’s because depending on your product, you may have to deal with issues such as customs or changing your product to fit the needs of the populace. However, the global opportunity for you would still exist. Sites like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay are available for people all over the world. Amazon is particularly good since they also provide an option for providers like you to have their product stored and shipped by Amazon.
For services, global opportunity still exists. Even if you’re involved in law in the United States, global opportunism is still available. There are many start-ups (and individuals) around the world that need assistance understanding US business laws and contracts. Other opportunities in law exist for writing of all sorts and in other areas of law (immigration, for instance). The key is to understand where to find those opportunities and how to price them.
Using the Internet to Find Opportunities to Grow Your Business
If you’ve decided that you’re ready to expand or that you’re ready to investigate the possibility of global expansion, then it’s time to learn how to use the Internet for that purpose. This is more than just setting up a website and hoping other people see it. Here’s a short primer to get you started:
- Have an idea of what you want to do. What do you want to provide? Knowing what you want to provide is the first step because when you know what you want to do, you have a general idea of your target market. That brings us to the second step.
- Know your target market. Who will be the primary market of your services? Write this down.
- Know where to find your target market online. While a lot of businesses are present on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, you’re likely not going to read about their problems on those outlets. They use those sites to establish their presence and promote their brand. You have to dig a little deeper. Use basic sites like the ones mentioned to get their basic contact information (if you’re targeting businesses). Other good opportunities for finding a list of businesses (and even individuals) who may need what you offer include the often overlooked forums and online business directories.
- Create a list. This is much easier done when you’re targeting other businesses. This is because business to business is much less regulated than targeting individuals. Your list should include information about the business, contact info (including an email address to a real person), and the services that you can offer (and why they need your services).
- Look on freelance sites. Sites like Upwork have start-ups and major corporations that are looking for the services that you offer. Create a free profile and look around. Although it can take some time to break in, these sites can provide you with valuable contacts and opportunities to grow your business.
- Free up your time. You’ve only got so many hours in a day. When it’s time to grow your business, you need to ensure that you have the time to do it. So, that’s when it’s time to partner with a trusted professional. Clients A.R.M. offers customer care, client intake, billing, policies and procedures, credit policy set-up, collections, and more. Using the trusted services of a virtual provider saves you both time and money. You no longer have to spend your time on these matters, and you don’t pay the overhead costs (including taxes) associated with a full time employee that you would probably spend hours training.
Carpe Diem
If you’re looking to expand into the business of your dreams, it’s time to seize all of the opportunities that are available to you. Contact Clients A.R.M. today to find out how we can help by providing you with the time that you need.
