One of the key requirements to launch a new business is getting access to startup financing. However, the funding needed to get a new venture up and running is not always easy to come by. So, how do you turn that great idea into a business or capitalize on an investment opportunity with limited funds? The good news is there are plenty of fund raising sources to consider. Below are some of the options that exist if you are looking for answers on how to fund your startup business.

#1: Personal Savings

Self funding, also known as bootstrapping, is of course the first startup financing option on the table.  Saving up enough money to get your business off the ground may take a while but the advantage is that you will not have to pay interest rates or give up any equity.

 

#2: Borrow from Friends and Family

 

Other than digging into your own pockets, friends and family are the next best source of funding because individuals who know and trust you are more likely to support your startup. On the downside, borrowing capital from people who are close to you could destroy personal relationships should the business fail. Therefore, make sure to discuss the risks and likelihood of failure with friends and family members before borrowing from them.

 

#3: Seek Startup Financing via SBA Loans

 

Since the word financial crisis of 2008, lending requirements have become quite strict. In fact, many lenders, including banks, consider startups as risky bets. Although getting a business loan from a bank may not be easy, you might have better luck funding your startup through SBA loans. The Small Business Administration does not offer direct loans per se. Instead, it guarantees to pay off a percentage of what you borrow from certain approved lenders if you default on the loan. With reduced risk on the lender’s part, this makes it easier for business owners to get financing through SBA loans.

 

There are many loan packages through this financing option. They may range from surety bonds, to equity and debt financing. Eligibility requirements usually vary and can be very specific for various SBA loans, so make sure to do your homework.

 

#4: Credit Unions

 

Unlike banks, credit unions are non-profit financial institutions that offer an attractive financing option for small business owners. Once you join a credit union, you become a part owner and receive shares based upon how much you have on deposit. Most of these member-owned cooperatives offer credit at lower interest rates compared to banks. Other advantages of funding your startup through credit union loans include flexible repayment schedules, less strict lending requirements, and opportunities to make repayments ahead of time without being penalized.

 

#5: Angel Investors

 

Angel investors are generally wealthy individuals who can fund your startup directly in exchange for a certain percentage return on investment. It is important to find angel investors who share your passion or happens to be in the same industry. Some angels may offer their experience and introduce you to customers or other investors. Bear in mind also that they expect a handsome return on investment.  Therefore, you should be prepared to handle aggressive pressure if the business is not delivering. Some investors may want the business to go in a different direction that clashes with your vision in order to protect their money.

 

#6: Crowdfunding

As the name implies, crowdfunding involves many people coming together to pool money towards a particular venture or business idea. This form of fund raising typically takes place online. Investors on crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, Crowdcube or Indiegogo donate small sums of money, so they are less likely to dish out the kind of grilling and tough conditions an angel investor would.

Crowdfunding campaigns can take different forms. In some cases, people pledge to pre-order a product or service for later delivery in exchange for a reward. This is a great way to validate product demand when launching a new business. In other situations, entrepreneurs seeking financing give up equity stake in exchange for funds.

 

If your business or idea generates significant interest, crowdfunding can be a great way to tap into a large pool of financing from multiple individuals. However, not all types of products or services are suited for this type of financing.

 

The Bottom Line

No matter which startup financing route you take, all options come with their set of pros and cons. Make sure to examine all the alternatives carefully and do adequate research before making any commitments.

 

 With the advancement of technology comes with the advancement of different platforms for businesses. Online business has become a trend nowadays. Whatever your business might be, you can  easily promote it not just nationwide, but all over the world.

If you are selling shoes, artworks, clothes, soap, fashion accessories, or other products, then you should have it posted and sold online. Nowadays, the people do not really go out just to buy these commodities. They prefer to shop online. They can see a lot of much better options and choices that would suit them well. What’s good is we can order not just in the country but from abroad as well.

If you want your business to grow and progress, then dwell with online business! Contact an expert to give you the best advice in order to promote it. The fee that you paid for would be easily paid off.

Here are some of the great ideas that we want to share with you. These are varieties of the best social media networks where you can promote your business easily.

 

 1. Facebook (FB)

Facebook is the fastest growing social media platform nowadays. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg along with his roommates during college at Harvard University. Its name came from the face book that is often given to university students in United States of America (USA). It just started as a social media network that is limited only to Harvard students. From s mall university social media, it boomed for quite a long time now.

It’s just a simple network where you can make a page for your business. You can place the pictures of your products, its price, and even your product’s size. You can update your customers what’s new and what’s out. You can let them know your improvements with your business that can surely lure them.

You can also upload videos and make a live coverage too. Viewers can comment and like easily on these videos — making it so accessible to everyone who is part of your friend’s list or for FB users who follow you.

People from anywhere in the world knows how to use Facebook. As of now, more than one billion Facebook users are active on this social media. Imagine how huge the number is! Not to mention that almost all of these active members use it every single day.

From a bunch of students who just made a little network project, and now becoming into successful CEO’s and heads of a huge company with thousands of employees all over the world, can you tell how big the improvement is? Facebook is just one of the best examples how your simple business can grow into something unbelievably huge through the online world.

 

2. Instagram (IG)

Instagram was founded by Kevin Systrome and Mike Krieger in 2010. They named it after “instant camera” and “telegram.” This social media network is a platform where you can share all your photos to its 100 million active users all over the world. Because of its boom landing in the world of social media, it was bought by Facebook way back in 2012.

This is a very good platform for selling products or for promoting your business online. You can emphasize the photos of each product since Instagram is made to highlight the art of photography. With the smartphones that people use these days, who can never get into the world of IG?

It is so easy to use. Just like Facebook, you can create different accounts for your business. You can place the name of your products, its prices, specs, and other important details on the caption. It is so trendy these days because it can also be linked into your Facebook account as well. All your photos on IG can all be synced and posted on your Facebook wall too. That’s the beauty in these social media networks.

 

3. TWITTER

Twitter was launched and co-founded by  Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in the year 2006. According to its founders, it was named as twttr at first because the domain has already been taken. But, when it grew, they managed to buy the twitter.com domain.

Later on, twitter has been one of the most used social networking sites. Defined by the name itself, the users tweet like a bird anytime and anywhere. Regardless of how many posts you would like to tweet in a day, you can freely do so. This platform is best for updating news online. It can easily be used, as it was termed as the “SMS on the internet.” Added to this, it is only limited to 140 characters only. But still, people can manage to make short tweets everyday.

People can make a chain of messages. Twitter users are united with hashtags (#). So if there is a certain celebration, users just use the hashtag and see the updates on what’s going on with that particular event. Some hashtags can become trending, and there’s a list to unite all those who care about those topics that are trending.

As of now, more than 100 million users tweet over 340 million tweets every single day! Imagine how many prospect clients and customers can you have?

These are just some of the most powerful social networking sites these days. Almost every person in this world tends to have these social media accounts. These are not just for simple communication. These break the boundaries in every country. You can see live updates, important news on current events, videos, documentaries, socialization, and even online businesses are trending in these social networking sites.

Being a popular platform for getting the interest of variety of people from all over the world, you can easily keep in touch with the people who are interested in your business. These are very accessible sites that can easily catch the attention of thousands of customers all over the world. This is just the perfect place for your business. Who would have thought that your business can reach millions of people? So what are you waiting for? Go, get their apps, and build your own store online!

Do you have the money but still unsure of what’s the right business for you? Do not worry, a lot of us experience such perennial problems. Sometimes, we contemplate if the business that we have in mind is perfect for us or not. Just always think that business has its ups and downs. Anticipate the possibilities.

But what’s wrong is that we always go straight in overthinking. We easily get afraid of what the consequences might be. We also forget the motivation because we become straightforwardly disheartened just by asking what would be the possible catastrophes that we might encounter during the process.

The question that fears you the most is, “Can I survive this business?” But always remember, love your mistakes and failures. At the end of the day, you can never improve on a blank canvass.

Business needs not only the investment of money. It also needs sweat and blood in order for it to prosper. The philosophy in money is not just thinking of the negativities that may come. Hence, always give a positive vibe towards your business.

Here are some basic guidelines that you can do to establish a successful business.

1. START PLANNING WHILE YOU’RE STILL YOUNG

Invest for your future. It’s best to establish your very own business while you are still young. You still have all the creative ideas and strategies. This is a huge factor that can help your business develop and prosper.

Plan what kind of business interest you the most. Ask yourself. What do you think are you interested in? What do you think would the people need? Plan how to make your business. In what platforms should you advertise the business that you are dreaming of?

There are a lot of businesses waiting for you out there. It just needs you to become motivated and begin with it today.

Dream big for your future! You’ll see how beneficial it would be for you, when the time comes. You would not have to worry about the never ending problem with money. Plus, you will have something to enjoy with. If you do this early, you surely have a straight path towards your dream business!

2. MAKE YOUR HOBBY AND PASSION YOUR BUSINESS

It’s easy to manage something that you love. If you are passionate about painting, then you can start your very own gallery. If you are fond of playing music, then ascent it with your dream business. If you have the love for cooking, then you can begin with your very own restaurant.

You see, these are just a few things of the possible businesses that you can cater without having to let go of your passion and hobby. This is your interest. This is what you love. You can never let go of this business because you have incorporated it into the thing that you really like the most.

Managing your business will never be a hassle in your daily life. It’s like having and managing your very own paradise. You will not only gain profit, you will gain development with your passion and hobby.

3. SEEK AN ADVICE OF A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PHILOSOPHER

There are a lot of platforms where you can popularize your business, worldwide. One of the most effective venues for advertisements and marketing is through online. It breaks all the boundaries in the world. Therefore, your business is just in the tip of your fingers. But of course, asking for an advice from an expert is a must. This is a very important factor in planning what you can have for your dream business.

A lot of strategies and marketing ideas are out there. You just need to grab it, to creatively influence your audiences. These audiences become your prospect customers. It would never be hard anymore in advertising on commercials ads on TV. It’s a bonus that you can even save more through an online platform!

4. DO NOT THINK OF WHAT YOU CAN GET IN RETURN

The most effective strategy in your business is not just being plain profit oriented. Think of what you can give that other people would love. If they would love the products that you can offer, profit will never be a problem anymore. The people would willingly love your business. It becomes an icon to them.

Prioritize the quality of what you can give to your customers. Once they start to love your business, they will keep on coming back! I can assure you of that. It now becomes the people’s choice — because you are not just after the money.

You see, there are a lot of potential businesses out there; all you need to have is the motivation and courage. Do not be afraid to fail. Because in business, there is always going to be a roller coaster ride. Do not let the fear take over your dream. The challenge is how to keep holding on despite the problems that you might encounter.