Jan 23 2015
How Startups can Project A Professional Image
Creating a startup business is an important milestone, but expanding requires a professional image. Entrepreneurial drive, knowledge and talent is not enough to attract customers and the needed revenue to keep the business afloat. Transitioning from concept to a fully-fledged company requires employees, investment and a list of clients, all of which are hard to secure without a proven track record.
The key here is to make the business appear to be longer established and therefore project an image of reliability and trust.
Office Presentation
An office is an investment and important company asset. Renting, buying, renovating or designing an office space can be costly and require funds that are not readily available to a startup. Many businesses choose instead to use serviced offices or meeting rooms. Companies such as Landmark PLC provide meeting rooms that accommodate between two and seventy people, making serviced facilities ideal for a start up.
While the business may currently function from a spare room, having a professional space can be highly beneficial. It presents an image of a well established business and projects an atmosphere of trust when meeting prospective clients and investors or interviewing potential employees.
Branding
Good visual design and a memorable logo are important in order to make a startup business more memorable. For example, think about Coca Cola or Apple and one of the first things that come to mind is the branding. A logo should be used on the website, business cards, social media, advertising, correspondence and alongside the company name. Good branding can make a business appear more refined and professional.
Invest in a Website
A website is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to create a professional image for a business. No matter the type of product or business, a website is an important marketing tool that projects a company’s image. Creating a website is a surprisingly straightforward process. Simply register a domain name and use a website that offers templates, such as WordPress.
Use Social Media
Thousands of companies operate through social media, particularly Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. With millions of online users across the globe, social media presents a quick way to grow and build company reputation.
Credibility is often centred around the number of likes or followers, both of which can be grown easily if you regularly create and share quality content. The larger the number of followers, the more trustworthy and legitimate and business appears.