Are you a postgraduate who has no desire to work for someone? Then, you might be thinking about starting your own business. Keep in mind that different business models need different approaches. Therefore, before launching a company, you should think about that industry and your areas of expertise. Think about something of interest to you. It is easy to turn a hobby into work and make it profitable.
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The steps for launching a business are the same for everyone. The earlier you start, the more chances you have to master all the nuances of the field and become an industry leader. On the whole, postgraduates should stick to general recommendations of experts, such as:
· Choose an area based on your hobbies, skills, experience, and knowledge;
· Conduct market research (find out whether the product or service that you plan to offer is in demand, target the relevant audience, observe and analyze the competitors, etc.);
· Develop a plan (a blueprint that will guide your company from the start to growth and expansion);
· Create a financial plan ( here, think about the ways to obtain necessary funds through small business loans, angel investors, crowdfunding, and grants);
· Pick the appropriate business structure;
· Select and register your brand name;
· Obtain licenses and necessary permissions (study business law or hire an attorney);
· Decide on the business` location;
· Hire professionals;
· Launch the promotion campaign.
It all seems much more accessible today, thanks to the tech progress and new opportunities. Below, you will find some ideas for your startups.
Electronics Repair
The modern world is, no doubt, obsessed with technology. It is hard to imagine a person without a phone or a computer, at least at the workplace. What are the chances that one of these devices will crash at some point? It happens with all the goods, no matter what the quality is.
Many postgraduates who used to be nerds at school can use their skills to come up with an electronics repair business. Even tech-savvy users need help with their devices from time to time. You do not necessarily have to possess advanced knowledge — team up with one of your buddies to start. The main idea is to offer electronics repair for cheaper than official services do.
Where do you start? A good idea would be to offer your services to the students at your college or university before launching this venture. Your first clients will let you know whether you are ready to face the challenge or not. Ask them for feedback to find out what should be improved. It is a perfect way to gain the necessary marketing and sales skills, even if you studied chemistry or history.
Before opening your business, you might think about joining the campus IT department or fix hard drives at your previous school.
Fitness Coaching
Bad habits are no longer in trend; they were replaced by the desire of young people to stay youthful and healthy. If you have a passion for working out or sports, you should think about doing fitness instruction. A personal trainer is considered to be a lucrative job. Their wages grow quickly, along with experience.
It is not all that time-consuming or challenging to get a certificate. Besides, there are many types to choose from. While some guys pick martial arts, many girls prefer teaching pole dancing and stretching. Good fitness trainers often combine their main jobs with secondary roles like a nutrition expert. Since beneficial training sessions depend on what you eat, this idea works beautifully.
You can get an online certification at your own pace. While on the street, take a look around and try to notice some places that can become your first place of work. Wait. Stop right there, aren’t we supposed to be talking about your personal business? Well, the best way to find clientele for your business is to work for a company with the same services. Meet people in the gym, provide your contacts, and you’ll be training them anytime, anywhere.
Content Generation and Management
Were you the one who got an A for every single written essay or research paper? Then, you might consider joining the field of content creation and copywriting. It is simple to get in, thanks to today’s digital world and its opportunities.
Graphic designers, blog writers, and social media managers who can generate top quality, shareable content are in demand everywhere. Of course, you can choose to become a novelist, but do not forget to spread your business on the web.
The economy of freelance employees is expanding with each day. You can start working in the content department while studying at college. It is one of those jobs where you can work remotely, and that requires nothing but creativity and excellent grammar. Plenty of online tools for writers are available on the internet nowadays, so you will quickly learn even if you lack skills or experience.
When you feel like you’re ready to launch your own writing agency, think about how you wish to market yourself and position your website. Should it be a cheap research paper writing service, an online database of unique reading materials, or a company that helps small businesses and large corporations with their content?
Event Management/Entertainment
Young people love having fun. If you miss college parties, you might think about opening an event agency. If you are not willing to take high risks, you can work as a freelance event manager for the first couple of years to come up with the client base. Party animals will love this job! It is especially great if you know all the hot spots in your town for people to relax or have wild nights.
Perhaps, you were tinkering with sound-mixing apps for ages, and people around said that you were simply wasting your time. Do you have a passion for songwriting? If so, you can share your masterpieces by introducing exclusive sets as a club DJ. We won’t lie to you: you might need to invest some money in DJ equipment and tools, but the return on investment in this industry is quite high.
Handmade Crafting
Possibly, you have already enjoyed some of the handmade products like those for your bath. Did you know that a massive portion of these goods is made by young people and even kids? It will be enough to attend several masterclasses to learn to create cute snowmen out of soap or origami Pokemon figures. It might take a couple of hours or weeks; regardless, the preparation takes considerably less time than in other occupations.
Once you are ready, try to come up with an online storefront or e-store. The startups will cost you almost nothing if you also have some basic SEO and copywriting skills. Such websites as WordPress allow creating online platforms, stores, and blogs even if you have no tech skills whatsoever. It is possible to turn the handmade goods store into a full-time job with time.
For example, have a look at Bonanza or Etsy. Using social networks such as Facebook or Instagram, you’ll drive traffic to your store with no extra effort. All you need are some cool pics of your products and brief descriptions.
To Be or Not to Be: The Verdict
The answer is obvious: yes, you should try starting your own business, but begin small, this way you won’t lose everything in case of failure. It is okay to make mistakes. You can learn from competitors, but do not copy their strategies. Make a list of all possible ideas to consider, including ours, and decide on the startup now!
