How To Finance Your Business Marketing Plan

Every day new brands are being launched, and new companies are forming. Every kind of business from cellphone repair to artisan bagel shops seem to be springing forth at a furious rate.  No matter what type of business you have in mind, it isn’t going anywhere without proper funding behind it. Startups typically operate on a shoestring budget, making do with what they have. So what do you do when you have a fresh business idea, a clever company name, and the perfect workspace in your garage but absolutely no money? Join the club. Here are some ways that your brand new business can gain the financing it needs.

A SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT CARD

These days, it is easier and faster than ever before for a startup or small business to secure a line of credit. Whether through a bank issued credit card or one direct from a credit card company, offers for these cards are ever-expanding. In addition to funding your business, a credit card account is also a great way to begin to establish credit in your business’ name. Some questions that you should be keeping in mind before you run amok filling out applications are:

• What are your projected spending habits?
• How much money do you really need?
• Do you plan to pay the balance in full each month, or pay it off gradually over time?
• What are the bank/card companies annual fees and percentage rates?
• If you carry a balance and have good credit you might be eligible for a very low interest rate
• If you pay in full each and every single month, look for a card with a generous rewards program

CROWDFUNDING

The key to success, no matter where you seek your funding, is directly tied to how much work you put into your idea. In recent years, crowdfunding has become an increasingly popular way for new businesses to gain their startup capital. In the past three years the crowdfunding economy has more than tripled. Many small business owners feel that banks do not do quite enough to help, and roughly 67% of new startups are considering using crowdfunding from a company such as Kickstarter, Fundable, or IndieGoGo to bolster their financial backing. Some questions to ask yourself before selecting the best crowdfunding platform for your small business are:

• What problem does your product or service solve?
• Who will care about your product or service? Who will benefit from it?
• How much money do you need to totally fund your project?

PRODUCT PRE-SALES

Have you considered leveraging product pre sales to help fund your brand new business venture? If your business is already somewhat up and running you may be able to do just that. What makes this means of gaining capital so simple is that absolutely everything is handled internally. There is a learning curve that comes with this approach; you will have to figure out the logistics of how to coordinate inventory delivery from the supplier, and how invoicing works, but don’t overlook this method of increasing your financial backing.

SECURED HOMEOWNER LOANS

Feeling brave? Do you have a strong stomach? The secured homeowner loans allows you to offer up the very house you live in as collateral. Good times. If you have equity in your home you may qualify for a secured loan. Secured loans allow you to borrow as little as a few thousand dollars to several million dollars, depending on that equity. Unlike traditional business loans, these loans do not have to be repaid in a few weeks or even in a few months. Repayments terms on these loans can stretch out over as long as 30 years in some cases.

By no means are these suggestions the only ways of developing funding for your small business. Don’t be afraid to get creative and seek other non-traditional sources. It will also help your case to be prepared with a strong, well written business plan, align your company with the right partners, and develop an engaging sales pitch. Be thorough, be creative, and be vigilant to give yourself and your new company the best chance for success.