5 start-up trends to ignore in 2023
When starting a business, it can feel like you’re suddenly placing the weight of the world upon your shoulders. There are so many things that require consideration – start-up costs, location, staff size, and so much more in between and beyond. Oftentimes it can be a case of enduring the short-term pain of a teething period in order to reap the rewards of long-term success.
After all, when it comes down to it, your business is like your child. It needs to be nurtured and taken care of in order to grow, but like raising children, that process requires a lot of care, attention, and hard-work. That said, in many cases working smarter is better than working harder.
But what does working smarter actually involve? In many cases, it’s about knowing what sells and learning from mistakes. Making mistakes is how we grow, and the same is certainly true of business as these examples show. With that in mind, here are some of the common start-up trends you should ignore in 2023.
1: Skipping the market research
Even with the increased blurring of lines between demographics, you really can’t afford not to define your target audience. Your product or service could have mass appeal, but that mass appeal can’t become apparent with a one-size-fits-all method of marketing. Hone in on a specific demographic, then build your foundations around it. Otherwise, you’ll leave yourself far too much to do.
2: Expecting rapid growth
As mentioned, your business is your baby, and it takes time for it to grow and develop. There will be bumps along the road, but use them as opportunities to learn and evolve – both in terms of your business and your life. It can seem as though the two become inseparable when you invest all of your time in your business, but it’s important to remember that they are separate entities
3: Not caring for yourself
Along the same lines, you are only one person – an amazing person, but not a superhero. You only have so many hands, eyes and ears. If you need help, advice is always available, whether it’s business related or otherwise. You can’t take care of your business unless you take care of yourself as a priority.
4: Not listening to others
This could apply to some good advice you’ve been given by someone more experienced in business, or your prospective customers themselves; the key is to know who is worth listening to and what you can gain from their insights. Make a note of the advice you’ve been given somewhere, then come back to it when you need guidance or inspiration.
5: Expecting virality
Going viral is something that cannot be planned or accounted for – after all, it’s a spur of the moment thing. The point of virality is that it’s instantaneous and can happen at the drop of a hat; sometimes when you least expect it. That said, keeping your finger on the pulse of modern trends gives you a fighting chance at going viral. If such virality does happen, however, make sure it’s actually beneficial to your bottom line rather than a mere flash in the pan.