How To Be Taken Seriously As A New Startup Owner

Times are tough for new startup owners. Not only do they have to compete with the bigger businesses on the block, but they also have to contend with the myriad other startup owners beginning in business, each one hoping to be the next big thing in whatever industry they are venturing into. Challenges await.

Should you be a new startup owner, you have a long way to go before you find true success. It doesn’t happen overnight, and to get there, you need to find ways to be taken seriously by others. From clients to potential business partners, you need to know that there is no room for unprofessionalism if you want others to appreciate you and get on board with what you have to offer.

You need to be passionate about your business. If you’re half-hearted about it, other people will notice and possibly ignore you. So, in the way you talk about your business to others, in the way you market your product or service, and in the way you act on a daily basis, make it clear that you have faith in what you are doing. Because if you can show this faith, other people will get on board with what you have to offer and develop faith in your business.

You need to make a good first impression. They say that people judge us within five seconds of meeting us, so be mindful of first impressions in the way you tackle your business. When you’re meeting a new client, make the effort to dress smartly, and turn up on time. Take advantage of the business resources available to you to enhance your credibility, using professional looking invoice templates, for example, instead of quickly drafting up something yourself. And do your homework about the industry you are getting involved in, so when you’re networking with potential clients or investors for the first time, you will be taken seriously because you are able to speak with authority.

You need to be honest about your weaknesses. You don’t need to be able to do everything within your business. Many startup owners attempt to tackle everything themselves because they don’t want to appear weak and thus lose credibility. But this is where they fall, because in the areas where they are weakest, others will notice because of the lack of quality given. To be taken seriously, you need to confront your weaknesses and do something about them. Train yourself up if you need to or outsource aspects of your business to others. You will then be able to give your clients and customers quality work, and that will enhance your credibility.

You need to find a mentor. As a new startup owner, you won’t know everything about the industry you are involved in. There is the potential for mistakes and wrong turns as you navigate your way through your first few months in business. But if you can find somebody with more experience than you to give you advice and support, you are less likely to make any blunders and consequently, hinder your reputation. You will also have somebody with credibility in business, so if they publicly show faith in you, then others might look upon you more favorably in the process.

Final word

To succeed in business, you need to find ways to be taken seriously when you’re just out of the starting gate. With competition around you, there isn’t a lot of room for mistakes and bad first impressions. Follow our suggestions then to give you a fighting chance, and continue to do your research online for other ways to enhance your credibility as you strive to be taken seriously in business.