Client PortalBusiness Advice for Startups: 10 Creative Ways to Help Your Business Standout in 2016
Calling all new business owners, we have gathered some very interesting predictions and trends that can help you in 2016. In our special series, Business Advice for Startups, we wanted to bring you 10 creative ways to help your business stand out in 2016.
Our 2016 Business Advice for Startups
1. Fresh Website Content Will Never Go Out of Style
Never underestimate the power of giving your potential customers fresh, relevant and quality content on your website. Google algorithms have changed drastically since first coming to the market in 1998 but there is one constant that has remained in the passing years. Make sure your website is filled with information that helps your target market in the research phase of the buying process.
Content on your website allows Google to rank you higher when you are helping searchers find answers to their queries.
2. Understanding the Internet of Things (IoT)
You may have heard this 2015 buzz word in passing but heading into 2016, you need to understand the basics of the Internet of Things (IoT). A recent Forbes article lays it all out, “Simply put this is the concept of basically connecting any device with an on and off switch to the Internet (and/or to each other).”
Understanding the growth in universal connectivity will help you be more creative in implementing modern changes and enhancements to keep your business relevant.
3. Data Driven Business Models Provide Invaluable Insight
So what kind of data do you need to pay closer attention to in order to learn from past business mistakes and monetize on proven successes? Your website traffic analytics, social media engagement and past marketing campaigns all contain useful data that will help you gauge what is working and what needs to be redeveloped.
To understand the hidden value in data driven business models, we look to a Cambridge Universitystudy, “The quote ‘Data is the new oil’ became widespread and established the analogy to natural resources needing to be exploited and refined to guarantee growth and profit.”
Our business advice for startups is to look behind-the-scenes of your website and social media profiles to analyze what your customers want and need based on past activity.
4. Employees Demand for Flexibility on the Rise
It is easy to understand that, “With the rise of telecommuting, co-working spaces, globalization and new technology tools, workers are demanding flexibility.” Business owners are needing to provide their burnt out workers with some extra incentives this upcoming new year.
Start brainstorming on creative tasks and projects that your employees can complete from home as a small perk. Having excellent employee benefits will bring in a grateful and superior workforce in 2016.
5. Crowdfunding Tactics Expanding in 2016
Get ready to see some jaw dropping numbers with the black and white financing figures of crowdfunding, “Global crowdfunding experienced accelerated growth in 2014, expanding by 167 percent to reach $16.2 billion raised, up from $6.1 billion in 2013. In 2015, the industry is set to more than double once again, on its way to raising $34.4 billion.”
With new laws and regulations surrounding crowdfunding, we are seeing creative outlets for raising money in your business. Would your business benefit from having some extra capital and/or shareholders that will act as evangelists with a personal interest in the success of your startup business?
Start brainstorming different ways you can use crowdfunding to increase interest/money for the release of a new product or service.
6. Generation Z Hits the Workforce in 2016
This freshly educated workforce will start knocking at your door with a digital résumé. Generation Z brings a plethora of new talent as well as new obstacles. The best business advice for startups is to become familiar and acquainted with this younger generation’s way of thinking so you can fully prepare your business for an influx of modern talent.
GrowingLeaders.com shares an excellent article to learn from, Six Defining Characteristics of Generation Z. They go into detail on these 6 characteristics to look out for:
- • Just a bit more cynical
- • A growing demand for privacy
- • Entrepreneurially driven and inspired
- • Masters of multi-tasking
- • Basic survival needs include technology
- • Hyperaware and 4D problem solvers
7. Keeping Your Brand Alive on Social Media
Having a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest or other social media profile for your business is no longer new news. However, as a business owner, you have to be smart and tactical about your activity on your social platforms.
Thanks to smart phones and the ease and familiarity of obtaining information with just a few swipes, the Internet’s cup has runneth over with data. Marketers call the excess of digital advertising white noise or disruptions. The old marketing rule of 80/20 still rings true and you have to follow this percentage tool.
80% of your posts and content should be geared towards educating, entertaining and informing your audience in your field of expertise. You should only be advertising or providing specific marketing calls to action the remaining 20% of the time.
8. Business Marketing Caters to Mobile Users
With each passing year, the mobile smart phone has taken center stage in our digital world. Recent statistics have shown that Americans are addicted to their phones, “While the U.S. did not lead global markets in terms of amount of time spent on social media networks, it was far and away the highest consumer of monthly data, spending the most time per day on their phones with a staggering 4.7 hours.”
While desktop searches have been declining with mobile searches increasing, it’s becoming harder and harder to not adapt your site to be friendly amongst all devices. Having a responsive website is not just a luxury anymore; it’s a downright necessity.
9. Spamming is Not as Popular as It Once Was
According to a recent Social Media Today article, “Mobile email opens have grown by 180% in the last three years.” What does this dramatic change in statistics tell us? It tells us that the smart phones have made reading emails and newsletters easier for your consumers.
Our business advice for startups is to start planning a comprehensive, informative and content-rich email marketing campaign in 2016.
10. Hire a Business Answering Service
The final business tip, and possibly the most important for 2016, is to go ahead and invest in your business by outsourcing your business lines. Allow your startup business to have the best customer service that is available to your customers 24 hours a day.
Give us a call today at 1-800-785-6161 to discuss how we can provide you affordable and award winning telephone coverage to start your business off with a bang this upcoming year.
Categories