6 Ways to Start Your Own Business for Less Than $20
Stockbyte
Tired of working that 9 to 5? Got a great idea for a startup, but not a lot of money? Launching your own business is not without it’s challenges, but getting the initial ball rolling when you are short on cash, doesn’t have to be one of them. Here are 5 ways to start your own business for less than $20 ($16 to be exact…but whose counting)?
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1. Logo from Fiverr – if I told you could get a great logo created for your company for only $5, would you believe me? Well, sites like Fiverr.com make it possible for you to brand yourself in no time by connecting with creative types from all over the world, and at the cost of an average cup of coffee. Not bad at all.
2. Free Website – you’ll definitely want a corner of the world wide web you can call your own, where customers can find you and your products with ease. So I suggest a website being one of the first things on your to-do list of starting your own business. For my frugal style blog (Frugal-Nomics.com), I use WordPress.org…installation is quick and loads of free plugins and widgets make it really customizable. All you need to do is buy hosting from a site like Godaddy for like $5 bucks a month, and you are on your way.
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3. Barter for what you need – I think bartering is a great way for startups to make relationships with other startups and get much-needed things done, without the exchange of capital (which you are probably both lacking). So maybe you’re starting a small photography business and need some test subjects and you know some stylish bloggers who are trying to spread their brand as well….consider swapping some great pics for some praise worthy mentions on their site. I think it’s a win-win for both.
4. Get the word out – social media is one of the most convenient and free ways to reach hundreds of thousands of people (or even millions) from varying backgrounds and geographic locations, so why not take full advantage of it? Sign up for a Facebook Fan Page, Pinterest Account, or Instagram and finally use Twitter to your financial advantage — promoting sales and releasing new products — instead of just venting about the juicy details on the latest episode of ABC’s Scandal.
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5. Business Cards – for all the networking you are going to be doing with the new business you’ll be generating; you’ll need a way for leads, customers, and contacts to stay in touch. Use sites like Vistaprint to get you started with 250 free business cards, for only the cost of shipping ($5.99).
6. Start at home – There’s no need initially to run out and get a fancy office space. If Steve Jobs and Woz started what would become Apple in a garage…I think it’s safe to say you can start your business from the comfort of your living room (after all, that’s what I do).
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