1 .Offering a Reputable Track Record

Business plan, proper paperwork, having the correct licensing, business credentials,  trademarks, patents and files in place. Also this protects your product.

2. Building Your Network Before You Need Them

Make connections, mingle network, and get the word out about your brand.

3 .Getting Product Credibility

Gain press, build your social media following and engage with your audience. You can do this by contacting your local media and news outlets by pitching your brand with your press kit. Not to mention, you can let friends and family spread the word for you. Word of mouth advertising is free.

4. Seed Money

Get ready for minimum funding. Find zero – to – no interest loans. Kiva Zip is an organization that offers zero interest loans but someone in their network has to endorse you.

5. Build Your Brand

Prepare your online/local marketing, get your website together, and/or create an E-commerce store.

6. Know Your Customers and the Stores You Want to Sale to

Conducting market research, both primary and secondary research is a necessity. Be sure to know as much as you can about your target customer and the stores that will help you reach them.

7. Offer Customer Service and Loyalty Programs

Create good promotions online and locally. Offer incentives for your loyal customers. You can have special events as well as attend other events where your potential customers may frequent.

8. Suppliers & Distribution Channels

Be sure to have this in order by the time you are ready to start getting serious funding or seeking an investor. Your production, quality prototypes & and packaging are very important to getting your product in stores and getting the funding you need.

9. Pre-Order and Offering Consignment Deals

By creating a good marketing plan you will be able to attract an increase of sales. A unique way to test your product and get an increase of sales is to connect with local stores or boutiques. Offer to create a wholesale account with them-putting your product in their store and give them a portion of each sale. This way you are able to test, sale, create a working relationship, and build you track record or credibility in the industry. The owner of the store benefits because you are offering their customers something different and the store owner doesn’t have to flip the bill. They’re only profiting making this a win-win situation for all business entities involved. Make sure your product fits with the store’s demographic.

10. Increase Your Conversion Rate

The more people that know about your product and are able to track it the more sales you will get. This will help you get closer to your ultimate goal. Track finances, find out where the greatest ROI is coming from, and track your sales.

11. Get the Appropriate Amounts of Additional Capital

From Credit (depending on you business structure you could qualify for $5,000- $250,000 credit with no interest for 18 months. Be responsible and pay off the loan before your 18 months are up. Also, crowd-funding is a smart way to get start-up money to launch your business or new product. There are also other zero to low-interest loans that can benefit your business and are appropriate for someone who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for a bank loan.

12. Development, Achieve Milestones, & Review

A good way to get to the development stage and help you through the process is to get support or get an accountability partner. Having a coach that will help guide you through the process is a good way to achieve your milestones.

BONUS: The final step is to prepare for manufacturing in order to be able to fulfill large orders.