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Lockdown was a difficult time for most of it, but out of it came the start of some great new ventures, whether that was a fitness journey, a new hobby or even your own business. Now lockdown is over, you may be thinking about how to turn that online or local business into something bigger. If you’re feeling daunted about how to take your side hustle to the next level, check out these top tips for scaling up your lockdown business.
Make a long term plan
Maybe you started your business mid-pandemic when uncertainty was a big factor in planning, or you simply decided to turn your hobby into an income stream while you were stuck at home. If your business is now thriving post-lockdown, it might be time to start planning for the long-term now things are back to relative normality. Create a plan for the next five or ten years that includes your goals, objectives and where you see yourself as a business owner over this time period.
Hire some local help
If your online business is flourishing and you’re having trouble keeping up with production or shipping, you may find you only need to hire someone a few hours a week to keep on top of your growing orders. With people still working from home and looking to get out and about for extra work, advertise in your local area for some help so you can concentrate on building your business without sweating the small stuff.
Get a business loan
If you’re serious about scaling up, it may be time to bite the bullet and apply for a business loan. It’s easier than you think to get a business loan quote with PYF. Make sure you browse plenty of options to see which might be the most suitable loan for you, rather than jumping in to applying with your existing bank who may not provide the best rates or most suitable loan.
Upgrade your tech
Poor investment in tech can make or break a small business and can often be the thing stopping people from being able to scale up. If you sell in person, make sure you have a card reader as not many people carry cash post-lockdown and may be put off from purchasing if they have to go to a cash machine. They aren’t as expensive as you might think and will be worth the investment to make sure you’re making it as easy as possible for people to purchase.
Boost your online presence
People are spending less and less time on social media now they aren’t stuck at home, so it’s more important than ever to have a strong online presence for your brand to catch people’s eye when they do reach for their phones. Spend some time researching your target audience and develop a strong presence on the platforms that your customers use the most, whether that’s Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Post regularly and try to engage with relevant trends on your preferred platforms.