The peer-to-peer support that small business owners give and receive on our forums is the beating heart of the website. So as it’s the season for giving, we’re rounding up some of the best advice our members have dished out this year.
With so many popular discussions racking up thousands of comments, picking the best advice is no easy task. We’ve looked for comments that could be helpful to lots of small business owners as they head into the new year.
Here are some of the most useful comments that stood out to us – is your favourite included?
“That effort should be diverted into finding who your target customer is, what the competition is and what their buying and spending habits are. The venue and set up of your business will either inform or be led by the market.”
– @Mark T Jones
“If any of your potential customers require an NDA, then ask them what information they need to be protected. If you request an NDA from your customers, the likelihood is that they will walk away.”
– MyOfficeInChina
“Google and Facebook Ads are difficult to run in an even vaguely successful fashion without a lot of research into customers, the market and your services or USP. For example, do you know:
– @Paul Carmen
“That’s why today's films are usually based on existing IP (such as a book or TV series) or are remakes of older films. It's not because we've run out of ideas, but because these things already have momentum. People are already familiar with Batman and the whole Gotham story world. They've read Dune and Harry Potter, The Tales of Narnia and The Hobbit.
“The Osbot AI-driven camera gimbal had a huge following before it was out of the prototype phase. People saw the YouTube videos and were excited, and crowdfunding exceeded all expectations.”
– The Byre
“Patch your endpoints and applications religiously. Evaluate intrusion prevention and breach detection mechanisms both at network edge and elsewhere.
“And if you’re really serious about it, revoke local admin and use something like Threatlocker. It’s just a case of knowledge and investment.”
– @forevergroup
Here’s a selection of the best (of the best) responses:
“In one of my first jobs, I asked my boss what the secret was to starting a business. His answer was simple: ‘the secret to starting a business is starting a business’. Everyone's got an idea. Some of those people make plans. Not many actually start.” – @BrandLogoHere
“Never listen to friends and family. They will always say nice things about your idea. Best advice will come from strangers and people who don’t like you very much.” – @fisicx
“Measure twice, cut once. Or was that about making wardrobes? I think it applies though.” – @Paul Norman
“Make sure you know your ‘why’ – the reason you’re doing this and I don't just mean to earn more money. It could be to improve your kids' lives or to get out of rented accommodation etc.” – @Marbman
UKBF wouldn’t exist without the input of its amazing members, who go out of their way to offer their advice, expertise and experience to others. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed to the forums this year and continued to make them such an amazing resource.
We’re heading off to enjoy some mulled wine and Shakin’ Stevens – Merry Christmas and we’ll see you in 2022!
With so many popular discussions racking up thousands of comments, picking the best advice is no easy task. We’ve looked for comments that could be helpful to lots of small business owners as they head into the new year.
Here are some of the most useful comments that stood out to us – is your favourite included?
Guidance needed for new food business!
“I work extensively in the startup food and beverage sector. From experience, the biggest failing of newbies is that they fall in love with their own food or concept and set about convincing themselves how great it is. I'm afraid your 'market research' falls firmly into this self-affirmation category.“That effort should be diverted into finding who your target customer is, what the competition is and what their buying and spending habits are. The venue and set up of your business will either inform or be led by the market.”
– @Mark T Jones
Just starting up – how to protect my business idea?
“You’re overthinking protecting your idea as well as information regarding an NDA. My advice is to start your business and cross the bridge when and if you need to.“If any of your potential customers require an NDA, then ask them what information they need to be protected. If you request an NDA from your customers, the likelihood is that they will walk away.”
– MyOfficeInChina
Could online ads boost my business?
“This is the old ‘how long is a piece of string?’ question. It will have worked for some businesses, but not others.“Google and Facebook Ads are difficult to run in an even vaguely successful fashion without a lot of research into customers, the market and your services or USP. For example, do you know:
- Where your customers search?
- What they actually search for?
- What areas, demographics and budgets to set?
- Why they would choose you?
- How to construct landing pages that convert?
- How to track form, phone and email leads properly?
– @Paul Carmen
How to crowdfund successfully
“In today's world, you need a fanbase before you do anything else. You have to get out there and get people excited about your product or project first. A killer prototype or a killer story – whatever it takes!“That’s why today's films are usually based on existing IP (such as a book or TV series) or are remakes of older films. It's not because we've run out of ideas, but because these things already have momentum. People are already familiar with Batman and the whole Gotham story world. They've read Dune and Harry Potter, The Tales of Narnia and The Hobbit.
“The Osbot AI-driven camera gimbal had a huge following before it was out of the prototype phase. People saw the YouTube videos and were excited, and crowdfunding exceeded all expectations.”
– The Byre
How can I defend my business against ransomware?
“For defending against ransomware, you really want enterprise-class endpoint protection, and effective web and email filtering. Use a defense-in-depth strategy by layering multiple vendors that use different databases and engines.“Patch your endpoints and applications religiously. Evaluate intrusion prevention and breach detection mechanisms both at network edge and elsewhere.
“And if you’re really serious about it, revoke local admin and use something like Threatlocker. It’s just a case of knowledge and investment.”
– @forevergroup
New venture – what one piece of advice did you find helpful?
To finish up, we’re visiting a thread specifically set up by novice business owner ah017 to canvas the best business advice people have ever been given.Here’s a selection of the best (of the best) responses:
“In one of my first jobs, I asked my boss what the secret was to starting a business. His answer was simple: ‘the secret to starting a business is starting a business’. Everyone's got an idea. Some of those people make plans. Not many actually start.” – @BrandLogoHere
“Never listen to friends and family. They will always say nice things about your idea. Best advice will come from strangers and people who don’t like you very much.” – @fisicx
“Measure twice, cut once. Or was that about making wardrobes? I think it applies though.” – @Paul Norman
“Make sure you know your ‘why’ – the reason you’re doing this and I don't just mean to earn more money. It could be to improve your kids' lives or to get out of rented accommodation etc.” – @Marbman
Thanks for your input in 2021
It’s been a big year for UKBF, with new members, new debates and even a brand new platform.UKBF wouldn’t exist without the input of its amazing members, who go out of their way to offer their advice, expertise and experience to others. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed to the forums this year and continued to make them such an amazing resource.
We’re heading off to enjoy some mulled wine and Shakin’ Stevens – Merry Christmas and we’ll see you in 2022!
